An army veteran, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, carried out a New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans, killing fifteen people and injuring thirty more by driving a truck into a crowd. Jabbar, a former soldier with ties to Texas, displayed an IS flag and posted videos expressing admiration for the group shortly before the attack. Police killed him in a shootout and are investigating his associates for potential involvement. Explosive devices were found and neutralized, prompting heightened security measures. Joe Biden condemned the act as terrorism, noting Jabbar’s social media activity and disturbed state following a divorce. New Orleans had implemented temporary security barriers against such attacks, but they proved ineffective against Jabbar’s actions. In another attack, probably unrelated, a truck full of fireworks and gas cylinders exploded outside a Trump hotel in Las Vegas, killing the driver and injuring seven others: see

A nationwide state of emergency has been declared in Trinidad and Tobago following a surge in gang violence which left over sixty dead in December, pushing the year’s murder toll to 623 - the highest in over a decade. Rival gangs are locked in a brutal territorial war, with recent shootings targeting gang members and innocent bystanders. National security minister Fitzgerald Hinds called the violence an ‘epidemic’. Authorities have deployed increased police and military forces, empowered to conduct searches and detain suspects without warrants for up to 48 hours. The dual island nation, strategically located for narcotics trafficking, faces significant challenges from over a hundred active gangs. A previous gang ceasefire collapsed, escalating killings fuelled by alliances with smaller groups. Despite the tension, schools, businesses, and other activities such as the New Year’s celebrations will go ahead as planned. Another Caribbean island, Barbados, is recovering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl: see

On 31 December Panama celebrated the 25th anniversary of reclaiming the Panama Canal from US control. President José Raúl Mulino has rejected recent comments by Donald Trump suggesting that the USA might try to reclaim it; he commented, ‘(It) will stay in our hands for ever’. The transfer of the canal in 1999, ending 85 years of US administration, was hailed as a landmark moment in Panamanian sovereignty. The canal, which remains a crucial global shipping route, is vital to the country’s economy, accounting for about 20% of its annual revenue. Challenges emerged in 2023 as droughts reduced transit capacity, forcing higher shipping fees. Although operations have normalised since then, price increases are anticipated next year.

Former US president Jimmy Carter has died peacefully at his Georgia home at age 100, surrounded by family. Carter, who served as the 39th president from 1977 to 1981, will be remembered for his dedication to peace, human rights, and public service. One of his most memorable achievements was bringing about the Camp David accords between Israel and Egypt. However, as president he faced numerous challenges, including the Iran hostage crisis; the hostages were released the day he left office, showing that he had continued negotiations behind the scenes even after his election defeat. Thereafter, he earned admiration for his humanitarian work, including diplomatic missions and building homes for the poor. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his efforts to minimise or avert conflict globally.  He once said, 'My faith demands that I do whatever I can... to make a difference’. He will be given a state funeral on 9 January.

Candace Cameron Bure, well-known for her holiday films, celebrates Christmas as a season of 'prophecy fulfilled’. This year, she stars in two new movies, ‘Christmas less travelled' and 'Home sweet Christmas', and her network is hosting an in-person Christmas festival until 22 December. Families can enjoy tree lightings, ice skating, and more. Apart from acting, Bure engages audiences through her podcast, sharing vulnerable theological insights. She highlights how reading the Bible chronologically transformed her faith; she discovered deeper context, understanding God’s love and His patience with humanity. Reading Scripture has shown her how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies, offering believers a tangible confidence in their faith. For her, Christmas exemplifies God's grace and the fulfilment of His promises. She encourages believers to share the Gospel, especially during this season, emphasising the incredible love of a God who eagerly waits for us with open arms.

Barry Black, a 76-year-old retired Navy rear admiral and the first black and Seventh-Day Adventist Senate chaplain, recently experienced a life-threatening brain bleed. Swiftly cared for by Capitol physician Brian Monahan, Black is now on a hopeful and steady path to recovery. Black deeply credits God’s extraordinary intervention for sparing him from a potentially dire outcome: Monahan’s urgent decision to call him and advise immediate medical care was seen as divinely inspired, averting more serious complications. As Christmas approaches, Black is expected to reunite with his family, further showcasing God’s compassionate and providential care. Let us pray for his continued healing, and for his family to feel God’s comforting presence.

A new bill will aim to bolster child protection by empowering local councils to intervene when home environments are deemed unsafe. This proposed legislation, unveiled by education secretary Bridget Phillipson, will end the automatic right to home-school children. It will introduce mandatory registers for children not in school and unique identifier numbers to ensure no child 'falls through the cracks’. It aims to promote collaboration between schools, police, and children’s social care to enhance safeguarding measures. This comes in the wake of Sara Sharif’s tragic murder, a high-profile case which exposed systemic failures. Her removal from school and the closure of her case after six days despite clear warnings underscore the need for reform. The bill is seen as a foundation for change, emphasising the importance of improved data-sharing to prevent children from becoming invisible in the system.

The Government has condemned former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev's threats against The Times journalists, labeling his rhetoric as desperate and unacceptable. Medvedev, a close ally of Vladimir Putin, described the journalists as 'legitimate military targets' following their coverage of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov's assassination (see Europe article below, ‘Russia: senior general assassinated’), for which Ukraine claimed responsibility. The Times had described the act as 'a legitimate act of defence’, prompting Medvedev's hostile comments. Keir Starmer’s spokesperson reiterated the UK's commitment to press freedom, a cornerstone of democracy, and emphasised the Government’s resolve to protect its citizens and media against threats. David Lammy called Medvedev’s statements a 'gangster threat' that underscores Moscow's desperation. Medvedev also extended his threats to NATO figures aiding Ukraine, further highlighting the volatile rhetoric from Russian leadership amid the ongoing conflict.

Sir Keir Starmer has sparked outrage among the Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) group after Labour rejected compensating women born in the 1950s for changes to their state pension age. Starmer and Rachel Reeves argued that '90% of those impacted knew about the changes,' despite previously calling the situation an 'injustice' while in opposition. Angela Madden, chair of Waspi, criticised these statements, calling them misleading and an insult to millions of women who were unprepared for the increase in the pension age from 60 to 65. The Ombudsman had recommended compensation of up to £2,950 per woman, citing maladministration in government communication. However, Labour claims the financial burden, estimated at £10.5 billion, is unaffordable. The Waspi women vow to continue their campaign, calling for justice and accountability for all those affected.

The Electoral Commission (EC) has asked for a change in electoral law to close a loophole that could enable Elon Musk to make an £80 million donation to Reform, Nigel Farage’s party. Current laws prohibit foreign citizens like Musk from directly donating to UK parties, but a loophole allows unlimited donations through UK-based companies. This proposal gained urgency after Musk and Farage discussed potential financial support during a meeting at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort. Reportedly, Musk is considering a significant donation to challenge Labour and the Conservatives. EC chief Vijay Rangarajan emphasised the importance of voter trust in political financing and urged the Government to address this issue. However, Downing Street stated that reforming electoral law is not a priority in the current parliamentary session.