What to Know
- German media are reporting that police have identified the man behind an attack on a Christmas market in Berlin
- Dozens of people were killed in a massive explosion at a popular fireworks market north of Mexico City
- North Carolina's legislature is reconvening in an attempt to repeal the state's so-called "bathroom bill"
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Police ID Suspect in Berlin Attack
German media reported that authorities have identified and are searching for a suspect in connection with the fatal truck attack on a crowded Berlin Christmas market. The Allgemeine Zeitung in Mainz, weekly Der Spiegel and daily Welt reported Wednesday that police found documents in the truck cab that were issued to a Tunisian man. They did not cite any sources for the information. On Tuesday, the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack at a holiday market, which killed 12 people and injured 48 more. A Pakistani asylum-seeker was detained and eventually freed Tuesday after prosecutors couldn't find evidence tying him to the attack. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump plans to meet with his incoming national security adviser in the aftermath of the Berlin attack and the assassination of Russia’s ambassador to Turkey. Security has been tight in New York City, where there are many holiday markets.
Fireworks Blast Kills Dozens in Mexico
A large explosion at a fireworks market north of Mexico City Tuesday killed dozens of people and injured scores more -- a devastating event that reverberated through Mexican-American communities in the tri-state. The third such blast to ravage the market on the northern outskirts of Mexico's capital since 2005 sent up a towering plume of smoke that was lit up by a staccato of bangs and flashes of light. Once the smoke cleared, the open-air bazaar was reduced to a stark expanse of ash, rubble and the charred metal of fireworks stands, casting a pall over the country's Christmas season. At least 29 people were killed and more than 70 were injured, many with burns.
Meeting Over N. Carolina “Bathroom Bill”
Local
North Carolina's legislature is reconvening to see if enough lawmakers are willing to repeal a 9-month-old law that limited LGBT rights, including which bathrooms transgender people can use in public schools and government buildings. For months, the state's Republican leaders had said they were willing to consider repealing the law, known as the “bathroom bill,” if Charlotte acted first to undo its expanded antidiscrimination ordinance. But the mayor and most council members, with the support of gay rights groups, had been unwilling to do so in the name of equality.
Police ID Midtown Gold Thief
Police have identified the quick-moving crook who brazenly stole a bucket of gold flakes worth nearly $1.6 million from an armored truck and ran off with it in midtown Manhattan earlier this fall. The NYPD says Julio Nivelo is the man who allegedly swiped the 86-pound bucket of gold off the truck on West 48th Street in September, the heist seen in surveillance video first obtained by NBC 4 New York. Police believe he’s hiding out in California with the gold.
Amy Schumer’s Gift to Dad
Amy Schumer has given her father an early holiday gift by buying back the farm her family once owned. Schumer posted a screengrab on Instagram on Monday of her delivering the news to her father on a video call. She also posted a video of herself as a child walking through a cornfield on the farm. She added in the caption, "We lost the farm when we lost everything else. But today I got to buy it back for him."
Cop Helps Speeding Student Tie His Tie
A frazzled college student thought he was getting a speeding ticket when he was pulled over by an officer. Instead, he got some much needed help tying his tie ahead of a presentation. Watch the hilarious video.
A Cappella on "Tonight"
Paul McCartney, Matthew McConaughey and other familiar faces joined Jimmy Fallon and The Roots to sing an a cappella rendition of the holiday classic “Wonderful Christmastime.”