Today's Headlines: Musk Expresses Support for Far-Right Party in Germany’s Election
Suspect in C.E.O. Killing to Be Arraigned on State Charges Monday
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The New York Times
Today's Headlines

December 21, 2024, 4:10 a.m. Eastern time

Top News

Musk Expresses Support for Far-Right Party in Germany’s Election

It was not the first online intervention by Elon Musk, the entrepreneur and adviser to Donald Trump, on behalf of once-fringe anti-immigrant parties in Europe.

Suspect in C.E.O. Killing to Be Arraigned on State Charges Monday

Luigi Mangione faces terror and murder charges in New York court. A federal prosecution is proceeding in parallel.

Driver Rams Christmas Market in Germany, Killing at Least 2 in Suspected Attack

Video showed a car plowing into a large crowd in the city of Magdeburg. The driver, identified as a 50-year-old Saudi Arabian citizen who worked as a doctor, was arrested.

Editors’ Picks

Opinion | ‘It Will Be a More Robust Check on Trump Than the G.O.P. Congress’: Three Legal Experts on Trump 2.0

Opinion writers discuss potential legal issues and executive power in a second Trump term.

Ukrainians Mourn the Loss of a Young Journalist and Her Stories

Viktoria Roshchyna died in September in Russian custody. The reporter had been well-known for her stories about life in parts of occupied Ukraine.

World

How Many People Did Cyclone Chido Actually Kill on a French Island?

Officials have said that the death toll in Mayotte, currently at 35, could end up in the thousands. But in the capital, there were no scenes of public mourning and little talk of searches for missing loved ones.

Jewish School in Toronto Is Targeted for a Third Time

Canadian ministers will convene a meeting with the police to discuss antisemitism, after attacks at Jewish establishments in Toronto and Montreal this week.

Russia’s Abrupt Setback in Syria Creates Headaches for Putin

Losing Syrian military bases would hurt the Kremlin’s attempts to project power in the Middle East and Africa.

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U.S.

Missouri Governor Commutes Sentence of Detective Convicted in On-Duty Killing

Eric J. DeValkenaere was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Cameron Lamb. Calls for clemency angered many in Kansas City, Mo.

Why It’s Hard to Control What Gets Taught in Public Schools

Politicians on both the left and the right have sought to change or limit what teachers can do inside classrooms. Teachers often ignore them.

They Entered Treatment. Drugs, Overdoses and Deaths Followed.

Baltimore addiction programs draw patients with free housing while collecting millions. Some say one company offered little help.

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Politics

G.O.P. Spending Hawks Defy Trump on the Debt Limit, Previewing More Clashes

President-elect Donald J. Trump is known for his tight grip on members of his party, but the rare rejection of his demand to suspend the debt limit reflected a disconnect that could plague his policy agenda.

U.S. Prisons Flout Law by Keeping Inmates Past Release Date, A.C.L.U. Says

Tens of thousands of prisoners deemed to be at low risk of committing crimes again have languished in lockup for as long as a year after they reached their release date under the First Step Act.

Biden Administration Weighs Putting Up Roadblocks to Trump’s Deportation Campaign

The administration may extend protections for hundreds of thousands of immigrants whose legal status is set to expire near the start of the Trump administration.

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Business

Volkswagen Reaches Labor Deal, Avoiding Germany Plant Closures

The automaker agreed to keep all 10 of its factories in Germany open and to guarantee workers’ jobs until the end of 2030.

Wall St. Is at It Again, Making Irrelevant Market Predictions

Optimistic guesses about the future are not forecasts, our columnist says.

Regulators Sue 3 Big Banks Over Rampant Fraud on Zelle

Action against Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo may not survive President-elect Donald J. Trump’s return to office.

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Technology

OpenAI Unveils New A.I. That Can ‘Reason’ Through Math and Science Problems

The artificial intelligence start-up said the new system, OpenAI o3, outperformed leading A.I. technologies on tests that rate skills in math, science, coding and logic.

Are Amazon’s Drones Finally Ready for Prime Time?

A recent visit to the company’s overhauled drone delivery program in Arizona left me impressed by the drones, but skeptical that the public will welcome them.

How Your Car Might Be Making Roads Safer

Researchers say data from long-haul trucks and General Motors cars is critical for addressing traffic congestion and road safety. Data privacy experts have their concerns.

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Arts

One of the Most Unpredictable Actresses of the ’70s Is Back From Exile

Jessica Harper made risky moves (“Suspiria” over “Annie Hall”), then took time off for family. Her “Nightbitch” role is a nod to her career choices.

Why Composers of Any (or No) Faith Are Drawn to Sacred Music

Many Christmas standards were not written by Christians. David Lang explains the appeal for him, a Jewish composer of a modern holiday classic.

Seth Meyers: Donald Trump Got ‘Cable Guy’-ed by Elon Musk

The “Late Night” host likened Trump’s relationship with Musk to the 1996 Jim Carrey movie: “You let him do you a favor, and now you can’t get rid of him.”