SUMMARY: Bethlehem is preparing for a subdued Christmas amid the ongoing war in Gaza, with traditional festive decorations and influxes of tourists notably absent. The festive atmosphere has been replaced by security measures around the Nativity Church, and Mayor Anton Salman emphasized the town’s enduring message of peace and hope while calling for an end to Palestinian suffering. With tourism, which constitutes about 70% of Bethlehem’s economy, severely impacted, unemployment has soared to nearly 50%. Access restrictions due to the conflict have also hindered movement, exacerbating economic challenges for the local population. Over 45,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza amid the violence.

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SUMMARY: South Korea’s main opposition party plans to seek impeachment of acting leader Han Duck-soo after he missed a deadline to approve independent investigations into President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife. Han, the country’s No. 2 official, assumed presidential duties following Yoon’s impeachment. The opposition Democratic Party criticized Han for vetoing key bills and urged him to appoint justices to the Constitutional Court, which will decide Yoon’s fate. Han’s failure to act on opposition bills led to impeachment threats. Legal challenges over impeachment procedures and the requirement for a two-thirds majority could complicate the process.

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SUMMARY: A retired Washington police officer, Shane Lamond, was convicted of obstructing justice and making false statements regarding leaks of confidential information to Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson found Lamond guilty after a bench trial, with sentencing set for April 3. Lamond was accused of informing Tarrio about a warrant for his arrest related to the burning of a Black Lives Matter banner. Despite Lamond claiming he didn’t support the Proud Boys and asserting he was merely cultivating a source, prosecutors presented evidence of him providing updates on police investigations. Lamond served 23 years in the department before retiring in May 2023.

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