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Mega Millions Jackpot Grows to $1.15 Billion After No Christmas Eve Winner 

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Mega Millions Jackpot Grows to $1.15 Billion After No Christmas Eve Winner 

The Mega Millions Christmas Eve drawing left ticket holders without a jackpot winner, but the grand prize has now risen to a staggering $1.15 billion. The next drawing is set for Friday at 11 p.m. ET, offering yet another chance to win one of the largest jackpots in history. 

Winning Numbers and Secondary Prizes 

Tuesday’s numbers were 11, 14, 38, 45, 46, with a Mega Ball of 3 and a 3X Megaplier. 

While the jackpot went unclaimed, four lucky players from California, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming matched five numbers. Thanks to the Megaplier, their $1 million prizes tripled to $3 million each. 

Growing Jackpot History 

The current jackpot has been climbing since its last win on September 10, when a Texas ticket holder scooped up an $810 million prize. Should someone claim the current jackpot in the final two drawings of the year, it would set a record as the largest Mega Millions prize ever won in December. 

For those opting for the lump sum payout, the prize would amount to $516.1 million—still an incredible windfall. 

Mega Millions Records 

The Mega Millions has seen massive wins in recent years. The largest jackpot ever was $1.6 billion, claimed by a single ticket holder from Florida in 2022. 

Statement from Mega Millions Consortium 

Joshua Johnston, lead director for the Mega Millions Consortium, highlighted the holiday excitement: 

“We know that many people will likely receive tickets to Friday’s drawing as holiday gifts, and what a gift that would turn out to be if you ended up with a ticket worth a $1.15 billion jackpot.” 

Responsible Gambling Reminder 

If you or someone you know struggles with gambling, help is available. Contact the National Council on Problem Gambling at 1-800-522-4700 or visit ncpgambling.org/chat. 

Next Drawing Details 

Mark your calendars: The next Mega Millions drawing takes place on Friday at 11 p.m. ET. Will the jackpot finally find a winner? Stay tuned!

Body Found in United Airlines Landing Gear After Hawaii Flight

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Body Found in United Airlines Landing Gear After Hawaii Flight

A body was discovered Tuesday in the main landing gear wheel well of a United Airlines Boeing 787-10 after landing at Kahului Airport, Maui. The flight had departed from Chicago on Christmas Eve.

United Airlines confirmed the discovery, noting the area where the body was found is only accessible from outside the aircraft. The airline has not determined how or when the person gained access to the wheel well.

Law enforcement is investigating the incident, with the Maui Police Department leading the inquiry. United Airlines stated it is cooperating with authorities, though further details remain unavailable.

Mozambique UPDATE: Prison Riot Leaves 33 Dead Amid Election Unrest 

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Mozambique UPDATE: Prison Riot Leaves 33 Dead Amid Election Unrest 

Mozambique is grappling with intensifying unrest linked to October’s controversial election, which extended the Frelimo party’s decades-long hold on power. 

In Maputo, a violent riot at a prison resulted in 33 fatalities and 15 injuries, according to Police General Commander Bernardino Rafael. The unrest unfolded as protests erupted nationwide after the country’s highest court upheld Frelimo’s election victory on Monday, a decision fiercely contested by opposition groups. 

Police blame the riot on external protests inciting unrest, but Justice Minister Helena Kida offered a differing account. Speaking to local broadcaster Miramar TV, Kida stated that the turmoil began within the prison and was unrelated to external demonstrations. 

“The confrontations led to 33 deaths and 15 injuries near the prison,” Rafael reported. The identities of the victims remain unclear. 

A Police officer fires at protesters near a burning barricade during a “national shutdown” against the election outcome, at Luis Cabral township in Maputo, Mozambique, November 7, 2024. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

Approximately 1,534 inmates escaped during the chaos, though authorities have recaptured 150 individuals. Rafael expressed concern about a potential surge in crime, warning that the next 48 hours could see heightened criminal activity. 

The prison riot is the latest incident in a wave of violence following the court’s election ruling. Interior Minister Amade Miquidade confirmed 21 deaths in Tuesday’s protests alone. 

Since the unrest began, at least 130 people have died in clashes with police, according to civil society group Plataforma Decide. 

Mozambique faces mounting challenges as opposition groups and civil society continue to contest the legitimacy of the election results. Authorities are working to manage escalating tensions while addressing the humanitarian and security concerns stemming from the unrest. 

London Driver Arrested for Attempted Murder After Christmas Crash 

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London Driver Arrested for Attempted Murder After Christmas Crash 

A 31-year-old driver was arrested for attempted murder after he drove onto a sidewalk and struck a crowd of people early Christmas morning in London, leaving four injured. 

The incident occurred around 12:45 AM on Shaftesbury Avenue, located in London’s bustling West End theater district. The driver, reportedly traveling on the wrong side of the road, plowed into pedestrians near the Sondheim Theater, where the musical *Les Misérables* is currently showing. 

The Metropolitan Police reported that one victim sustained life-threatening injuries, while three others were hospitalized with less severe injuries. Authorities have stated that this was an isolated incident and confirmed it was not terror-related. 

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy indicated that the suspect had been involved in an altercation at a nightclub before the crash. Shortly afterward, he got into his vehicle and mounted the pavement, striking pedestrians. 

Police cordoned off the area around the theater to investigate the scene. Officers reassured the public that the incident was contained and that additional safety measures were in place. 

Authorities are urging anyone with information or who witnessed the incident to come forward as the investigation continues. 

Woman Arrested for Christmas Day Murder in Norton Canes 

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Woman Arrested for Christmas Day Murder in Norton Canes 

A 33-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man in his 30s was found dead in a home in Norton Canes, Staffordshire, early on Christmas Day. 

Staffordshire Police responded to an emergency call at approximately 3:25 AM on Elm Road, reporting a man in cardiac arrest. Despite the efforts of emergency services, the man was pronounced dead shortly after. 

The victim’s next of kin has been notified and is receiving support from specially trained officers. 

The arrested woman, from Cannock, remains in police custody. Authorities have confirmed that the investigation will continue over the coming days, with a post-mortem examination scheduled for Boxing Day morning. 

Residents in the area are likely to notice an increased police presence as neighborhood officers provide reassurance and gather evidence. 

Staffordshire Police is urging anyone who witnessed suspicious activity or has information related to the incident to come forward. 

The tragic event has left the local community in shock as they process the unfolding investigation. 

thesun.co.uk

EPL Boxing Day Preview: Liverpool Host Leicester, Arsenal Without Saka 

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EPL Boxing Day Preview: Liverpool Host Leicester, Arsenal Without Saka 

The English Premier League (EPL) festive fixtures are upon us, with Boxing Day promising thrilling clashes as teams gear up for Match Day 18. No games are scheduled for Christmas Day (December 25), but the action resumes on December 26 and 27. Here’s a look at the key matches and talking points for the week ahead. 

Liverpool on Top, Ready for Leicester

Christmas league leaders Liverpool are overwhelming favorites against struggling Leicester City.

This marks the first time since the 2020/21 season that Liverpool has topped the table on Christmas Day. Historically, they’ve won the title in only one of the past seven campaigns where they were in this position. 

With Mohamed Salah in exceptional form—15 goals and 11 assists before Christmas—the odds are in Liverpool’s favor. Meanwhile, Leicester, managed by Ruud van Nistelrooy, has conceded nine goals in their last three matches and remains just two points above the relegation zone. 

Arsenal’s New Challenge Without Bukayo Saka 

Arsenal, currently third in the table, face Ipswich Town on Friday. However, they’ll do so without Bukayo Saka, who suffered a hamstring injury during their 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace.

Saka, with nine goals and 13 assists this season, has been a key player for Mikel Arteta’s side. Arteta expressed optimism, saying, “It’s a chance to find new solutions to challenges we’ve faced this season.” Options like Gabriel Martinelli may step in to fill the void, but Saka’s absence will be felt. 

Nottingham Forest Eyes European Glory

High-flying Nottingham Forest host Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday as they chase an unlikely spot in the Champions League. Forest, now fourth in the table, have been solid defensively, conceding fewer goals than any team except Liverpool and Arsenal. 

Under Nuno Espírito Santo, the team has become a force to reckon with. Spurs, still reeling from a 6-3 loss to Liverpool, will look to bounce back against their former manager. 

Manchester Clubs Seek Redemption

Both Manchester clubs are eyeing festive recoveries: 

– Manchester City hosts Everton, aiming to close the gap on the leaders. 

– Manchester United, enduring a turbulent season, faces Wolves in an away fixture. 

Full Boxing Day Fixtures (Match Day 18)

Thursday, December 26 (GMT times): 

– Manchester City vs. Everton (12:30) 

– Bournemouth vs. Crystal Palace 

– Chelsea vs. Fulham 

– Newcastle vs. Aston Villa 

– Nottingham Forest vs. Tottenham 

– Southampton vs. West Ham 

– Wolves vs. Manchester United (17:30) 

– Liverpool vs. Leicester (20:00) 

Friday, December 27:

– Brighton vs. Brentford (19:30) 

– Arsenal vs. Ipswich (20:15) 

Looking Ahead: More Premier League Action

Match Day 19 resumes on December 29 and continues into the New Year, while Match Day 20 kicks off from January 4-6. Expect exciting clashes as the season heats up during this festive period. 

INTERPOL Declares 14 Nigerians Wanted for Human, Drug Trafficking

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INTERPOL Declares 14 Nigerians Wanted for Human, Drug Trafficking

The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) has declared 14 Nigerians wanted for alleged involvement in crimes including human trafficking, drug trafficking, robbery, cheating, and forgery.

The Red Notices, published on INTERPOL’s website, detail charges against individuals sought by different countries where the alleged offences occurred.

List of Wanted Nigerians and Allegations

Among those listed are:

Felix Omoregie (Wanted by Belgium): Alleged leader of a criminal organization exploiting minors for prostitution.

Jessica Edosomwan (Wanted by France): Accused of human trafficking involving multiple victims and organized gang activities.

Uche Egbue (Wanted by Argentina), Jude Uzoma (Wanted by Brazil), and Chinedu Ezeunara (Wanted by Uruguay): All face allegations of drug trafficking.

Benedict Okoro (Wanted by Nicaragua): Allegedly involved in organized crime.

Ikechukwu Obidiozor, Alachi Stanley, and Akachi Vitus (Wanted by Angola): Charged with kidnapping, robbery, and illegal possession of firearms.

Mary Eze (Wanted by Denmark): Accused of human trafficking.

Bouhari Salif (Wanted by China): Allegedly involved in drug smuggling.

Timloh Nkem (Wanted by Canada): Charged with sexual assault and failure to comply with legal conditions.

Austine Costa and Okromi Festus (Wanted by India): Both face charges related to criminal conspiracy, forgery, and cheating.

Details from INTERPOL Notices

The notices specify the charges for each individual, with descriptions provided by the requesting entities. For instance, Felix Omoregie is accused of leading a criminal organization engaged in the sexual exploitation of minors. Similarly, Jessica Edosomwan is wanted for organized trafficking of human beings and concealing proceeds of crime.

INTERPOL’s Red Notices

According to INTERPOL, Red Notices serve as international alerts requesting law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest individuals pending extradition or legal action.

The organization clarified that a Red Notice is not equivalent to an international arrest warrant. Member countries retain the authority to decide whether to act on the notice based on their own laws.

Public Call for Assistance

INTERPOL has urged members of the public to report any information regarding the wanted individuals to local police authorities.

Global Reach of Alleged Crimes

The diversity of locations-from Belgium and France to Angola, India, and China-highlights the international scope of the alleged crimes committed by the 14 Nigerians.

This development underscores the ongoing challenges of transnational crime and the efforts of international organizations like INTERPOL to coordinate global law enforcement responses.

Mozambique Opposition Leader Declares Intent to Assume Presidency Amid Ongoing Unrest

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Mozambique Opposition Leader Declares Intent to Assume Presidency Amid Ongoing Unrest

Venâncio Mondlane, Mozambique’s main opposition leader, has declared his intention to install himself as president on January 15, following his rejection of the October presidential election results. This announcement comes amid escalating violence across the country, as his supporters demand an end to the nearly five-decade rule of the Frelimo party. 

Since Monday, Mozambique has experienced widespread unrest following the constitutional court’s decision to uphold Frelimo candidate Daniel Chapo’s election victory. The protests, which have left at least 21 people dead, have seen Frelimo offices, police stations, banks, and factories vandalized, looted, and set on fire. 

The capital, Maputo, has become a near-ghost town, with businesses shuttered and residents staying indoors to avoid the chaos, marking the city’s most severe unrest since Frelimo came to power in 1975. 

Mondlane, who has alleged election rigging, announced his rejection of the court’s ruling in a Facebook Live broadcast on Tuesday, vowing to assume the presidency on the same day Chapo is scheduled to be sworn in. However, it remains unclear how Mondlane intends to proceed, as he is currently in self-imposed exile in an undisclosed location. 

“We are with the people. We do not advocate any form of violence,” Mondlane said during his address, urging his supporters to remain peaceful despite the ongoing turmoil. 

October’s election was Mondlane’s first presidential bid, in which the electoral commission initially declared Chapo the winner with 71% of the vote to Mondlane’s 20%. The constitutional court later revised these figures to 65% for Chapo and 24% for Mondlane. 

Mondlane, a 50-year-old evangelical pastor who ran as an independent after breaking away from the Renamo party, enjoys strong support among Mozambique’s youth, many of whom are unemployed and demanding change. 

Chapo, Frelimo’s youngest-ever presidential candidate at 47, has denied allegations of electoral fraud, stating, “We are an organized party that prepares its victories.” 

Rights groups estimate that over 100 people have been killed in post-election violence, with many attributing the deaths to security forces. However, police commander Bernardino Rafael has defended his officers, stating they acted in self-defense when attacked. 

Mondlane fled Mozambique in October, citing police threats and the killing of two of his aides. 

As Mozambique grapples with increasing unrest, the January 15 deadline looms with uncertainty. Mondlane’s bold declaration and the unresolved grievances of his supporters set the stage for potential further conflict, even as the nation remains divided over its political future. 

Three Killed in Attack on Haiti Hospital During Reopening Event

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Three Killed in Attack on Haiti Hospital During Reopening Event

At least three people, including two journalists and a police officer, were killed on Tuesday when armed men attacked Haiti’s largest public hospital during a media briefing to announce its reopening. 

The general hospital in Port-au-Prince, the nation’s capital, had been recaptured by government forces in July after being occupied and destroyed by gangs earlier this year. 

The Viv Ansanm gang alliance, which controls large portions of the city, claimed responsibility for the attack, stating they had not authorized the reopening of the facility. 

The victims included journalists Markenzy Nathoux and Jimmy Jean, according to Robest Dimanche, spokesperson for the Online Media Collective. Several other journalists were injured in the attack. 

A police officer was also killed, police spokesperson Lionel Lazarre confirmed to AFP. 

“It felt like a terrible movie,” said Dieugo André, a photojournalist who witnessed the violence. “I have the blood of several injured journalists on my clothes.” 

Photographs and videos shared online show several people injured or killed inside the hospital building. 

Journalists had gathered to await the arrival of Health Minister Lorthe Blema when the shooting began. The attackers targeted police, journalists, and hospital staff indiscriminately. 

In a video released online, the Viv Ansanm gang alliance said the reopening of the hospital was unauthorized, a claim tied to their ongoing control over much of Port-au-Prince. 

Leslie Voltaire, head of Haiti’s presidential transitional council, expressed condolences to the victims’ families and vowed consequences for those responsible. 

“We guarantee them that this act will not remain without consequences,” Voltaire said, addressing the families of the victims, the Haiti National Police, and journalist associations. 

Despite the establishment of a transitional government in April and the deployment of an international force led by Kenyan police six months ago, gang violence continues to devastate Haiti. 

Approximately 85% of Port-au-Prince remains under gang control, with widespread violence leaving the country on the brink of collapse. 

The United Nations estimates that as many as 5,000 people have been killed in gang-related violence in Haiti this year alone, underscoring the deepening crisis since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. 

Russia Claims Christmas Day Strikes on Ukraine Achieved Objectives; Zelensky Condemns Attacks as ‘Inhumane

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Russia Claims Christmas Day Strikes on Ukraine Achieved Objectives; Zelensky Condemns Attacks as ‘Inhumane

Russia Confirms Strikes, Declares Success

Russia’s Ministry of Defense has issued its first official statement regarding the massive Christmas Day attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. 

The ministry announced that its forces carried out “a massive strike with long-range precision weapons and strike drones on critical energy infrastructure facilities in Ukraine that ensure the operation of the military-industrial complex.” 

“The strike’s goal was achieved. All facilities were hit,” the statement added. 

Kharkiv Faces Continuous Assaults

Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, remains under heavy attack. While most of Ukraine experienced a lull in air raid warnings by midday, Kharkiv continues to face threats from enemy drones. 

At 13:06 local time, Ukraine’s air force reported the presence of drones near the city and urged residents to stay in shelters. By 13:48, Kharkiv’s mayor, Ihor Terekhov, confirmed damage to 74 buildings, including critical energy infrastructure. 

Terekhov reported ongoing repairs, stating that 35% of damaged circuits have already been restored. 

Zelensky Condemns the Strikes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the attacks “inhumane,” accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of deliberately targeting civilians during the Christmas holiday. 

“Denying people light, heat, and safety during a season of peace and goodwill is a clear demonstration of their inhumanity,” Zelensky said in a statement. 

Ukraine’s Air Force Details Attack Scope

Ukraine’s air force revealed further details of the assault, describing it as a coordinated attack using “air, ground, and sea-based missiles” alongside drones. 

A total of 184 enemy targets were detected, including missiles and drones. By midday, Ukraine claimed to have intercepted 59 missiles and 54 drones, while another 52 drones failed to reach their targets. 

Regions affected by the strikes include Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, Zhytomyr, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Zaporizhia. The air force confirmed casualties but did not provide specific numbers. 

Kharkiv Mayor Provides Updates

In an earlier statement, Kharkiv’s mayor reported a “massive missile attack on energy facilities” in the city. 

Twelve missiles targeted key energy infrastructure, such as boiler houses and power plants, leaving a large portion of the city without heating. 

The mayor confirmed that at least four people were injured and assured residents that municipal services were working around the clock to restore heating and normalcy. 

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