Top News Summary

A mass shooting at a child's birthday party in Stockton, California, left four people dead, including three children aged between eight and fourteen. The shooting occurred on Saturday evening around six PM at a banquet hall on Lucile Avenue, where approximately 100 to 150 attendees were present.

San Joaquin County Sheriff Patrick Withrow described the perpetrators as "animals" and termed the incident a cowardly act of terrorism. Authorities reported that 15 people were shot, with at least one victim in critical condition.

Investigators believe multiple shooters were involved, and no suspects have been arrested yet. Mayor Christina Fugazi condemned the act and pointed to gang violence as a possible motive, although officials have not confirmed this.

Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV visited Lebanon, emphasizing the need for peace and the recognition of Palestinian rights during his inaugural foreign trip. His visit serves as a reminder of the Christian community's resilience in Lebanon, where despite the regional turmoil, many Christians remain committed to their ancestral lands.

The Pope's message resonates amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. In the United States, severe winter weather disrupted Thanksgiving travel, leading to over 11,000 flight delays and hundreds of cancellations as millions sought to return home after the holiday.

The National Weather Service warned of further hazardous travel conditions across the Northeast due to an approaching winter storm. Lastly, ongoing peace talks between U.S. and Ukrainian officials yielded limited progress, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that more work is needed to ensure Ukraine's long-term safety and prosperity.

The discussions reflect the complexities of the Russia-Ukraine war, which continues to have significant humanitarian implications. Meanwhile, widespread protests in the Philippines demanded accountability for corruption scandals involving top officials, with thousands calling for the swift prosecution of those involved.

The protests underscore public frustration over government accountability and the demand for transparency following a series of corruption scandals linked to inadequate flood control projects. Police deployed over 17,000 officers to maintain order as demonstrators gathered in Manila, highlighting the growing civil unrest in the country.