Luigi Mangione, accused of the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, appeared calm and composed during a series of court hearings on Wednesday. Facing both state and federal charges, Mangione was transported to New York after waiving his right to contest extradition from Pennsylvania.

The day began with hearings in Pennsylvania for gun-related charges and the extradition request. Mangione, described as calm and clean-shaven compared to his recent mugshots, listened intently as the judge spoke, occasionally scratching his head.

By the afternoon, Mangione appeared in a New York courthouse at approximately 3:00 p.m. EST (8:00 p.m. GMT) for a brief hearing. Dressed in a blue sweater and khaki pants with his feet shackled but his hands free, he nodded quietly as his rights and the charges against him were read aloud. His demeanor remained composed throughout the proceeding.

Karen Friedman Agnifilo, Mangione’s lawyer, declined to comment in detail outside the Manhattan courthouse but remarked that her client “appreciates everyone’s support.”

While his legal team did not request bail during the hearing, they retained the right to do so in the future. Mangione is set to remain in New York custody until his next scheduled court appearance on January 18, although this date is subject to change.

A festive event in Ibadan, south-west Nigeria, turned tragic on Wednesday as 35 children lost their lives in a devastating crowd crush at a Christmas funfair. Six others remain hospitalized, according to police reports.

The event, held in the Bashorun district at the Islamic High School, drew an overwhelming crowd after organizers promised cash handouts of 5,000 naira (approximately $3) to 5,000 children, along with free food. Over 5,000 children reportedly gathered at the venue, and chaos ensued when the main organizers arrived to start the program.

The exact sequence of events leading to the crush remains unclear. Authorities have arrested eight individuals associated with the event, including Naomi Silekunola, a prominent figure in the city and the primary organizer.

President Bola Tinubu expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families and has called for a thorough investigation into the tragedy. “My heart goes out to the parents who lost their precious children,” Tinubu said in a statement.

The Oyo State government confirmed that victims were transported to various hospitals across Ibadan for treatment. Authorities have urged worried parents to check with hospitals for updates on their children.

Medical professionals described the harrowing aftermath. A medic reported that six children were admitted to one hospital, but only two survived, while four succumbed to their injuries. Another doctor recounted counting three deceased children at a different facility.

Parents who had accompanied their children to the event as early as 5:00 a.m.—five hours before it was scheduled to begin—shared their grief. Many had hoped to receive the promised financial aid and food amidst challenging economic times.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that, in hindsight, Russia should have initiated its full-scale invasion of Ukraine earlier and with greater preparation. Speaking during a televised year-end press marathon on Thursday, Putin reflected on what he called “systemic preparation” for the 2022 offensive, which he continues to describe as a “special military operation.”

The broadcast, titled “Results of the Year with Vladimir Putin,” aired live across Russian state TV channels. Putin addressed a range of topics, including Russia’s nuclear policy, domestic economic concerns, and Syria’s political upheaval. He appeared before a large blue screen depicting a map of the Russian Federation that included annexed Ukrainian territories.

Reflecting on Russia’s actions in Ukraine, Putin suggested the timeline of the 2014 annexation of Crimea and the subsequent conflict in eastern Ukraine could have led to earlier decisive action. However, it was eight years later, in 2022, that Moscow launched its attempt to seize Kyiv.

The event included questions from members of the public, foreign journalists, and Russian pensioners, though it remained a highly controlled and choreographed affair. Putin asserted that Russia had reclaimed its “sovereignty,” stating, “We were heading towards a complete, total loss of our sovereignty before.”

On Syria, Putin downplayed the significance of President Bashar al-Assad’s recent ousting, despite years of Kremlin support for Assad’s regime. He described the situation as “complicated” but denied it constituted a defeat for Russian interests. While he has yet to speak with Assad, who reportedly fled to Moscow, Putin noted that Russia is negotiating with Syria’s new leadership to maintain access to two strategic military bases on the Mediterranean coast, potentially for humanitarian purposes.

Throughout the four-hour broadcast, Putin also touched on domestic concerns, addressing questions about rising living costs, including the price of butter, which resonated with the public amid growing economic pressures.