NBC News justice and intelligence correspondent Ken Dilanian discussed growing concerns regarding ISIS-inspired radicals and far-right extremism during a report on the deadly New Year’s Day terror attack in New Orleans. The attack, which took place on Bourbon Street, killed 15 and injured at least 30. Dilanian highlighted the increasing risks associated with terrorist threats, especially in the wake of global tensions, including the controversy surrounding the war in Gaza.
Pope Francis ushered in the New Year with a powerful message emphasizing the sanctity of life, calling for a "firm commitment" to respect and protect human life from conception to natural death. During a New Year's Day Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica on January 1, 2024, the pope dedicated his homily to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and prayed for a greater societal awareness to care for all forms of life.
The 2025 Sugar Bowl, which was scheduled to take place Wednesday night in New Orleans, has been postponed following a deadly terrorist attack that shocked the city. The attack, which took place earlier in the day, left at least 10 people dead and dozens more injured, prompting authorities to continue their investigation. The Sugar Bowl, one of the four college football playoff quarterfinals this year, was set to feature a highly anticipated matchup between Notre Dame and Georgia. The game will now be played on Thursday night, though the change has cast a shadow over the event.
A Rasmussen Reports survey shows that most Americans will celebrate New Year’s Eve at home, with 67% planning to stay in as 2025 begins. Only 14% plan to attend a gathering at a friend’s house, 6% will go to a bar or restaurant, and 7% will celebrate elsewhere. Another 6% remain undecided.
A lucky Mega Millions player in California will be ringing in the New Year as a billionaire after winning an estimated $1.22 billion jackpot in Friday night's drawing.
American credit card defaults have surged to the highest levels since the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, as consumers continue to grapple with years of high inflation. In the first three quarters of 2024, credit card lenders wrote off $46 billion in delinquent loan balances, marking a 50 percent increase from the same period last year. These write-offs, considered a highly monitored measure of loan distress, are the highest since 2010, according to industry data gathered by BankRegData.
Starting January 1, 2025, California will enforce a new law prohibiting drivers from parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk—marked or unmarked—regardless of curb color.
