Millions of Ukrainians spent Christmas without electricity after Russian strikes on energy infrastructure killed civilians and triggered widespread power outages, Ukrainian officials said.

Christmas Eve passed with little public observance across much of China this year as authorities under the Chinese Communist Party intensified restrictions on religious gatherings, public celebrations, and even seasonal decorations, according to pastors, Christians, and residents who spoke to The Epoch Times.

A coalition of 19 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia has filed a lawsuit challenging new federal restrictions on so-called “gender-affirming” medical treatments for minors, arguing the policy unlawfully threatens health care access and state Medicaid programs.

A booming stock market propelled California’s main state retirement fund to near-record returns, but the fund is still $166 billion short on its obligations, according to the Reason Foundation. With the taxpayer-funded Legislative Analyst’s Office warning the state should be ready for a possible stock market peak and downturn as weak economic conditions persist, the 12-figure pension shortfall could widen once again – and leave taxpayers with the bill.

Talks between Israel and Syria over a potential security agreement have advanced significantly in recent weeks and could be finalized soon, according to an exclusive report by i24NEWS citing a Syrian source close to Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa.

Israeli security forces announced Thursday that the Israel Defense Forces and the Shin Bet eliminated a senior operative in Iran’s Quds Force during a strike in northeastern Lebanon.

The United States carried out a targeted military strike against Islamic State terrorists in northwest Nigeria on Christmas Day, acting in coordination with Nigerian authorities, U.S. President Donald Trump announced in a series of social media posts.

Minority Christians in Palestinian territories faced a tense Christmas after church officials confirmed that “an arson attack” damaged a Christmas tree and a Nativity grotto at the Holy Redeemer Church in Jenin.

In a Christmas message, Israel’s prime minister pledged that his Jewish nation will protect Christians following an arson attack near a Latin Catholic parish church in Jenin, in the West Bank, also known Biblically as Judea and Samaria.

Millions of Christians around the world are marking Christmas in secret amid persecution, violence, and discrimination, according to investigators.