December 23 2016 news

Here are some of the top news stories from December 23, 2016:

Politics

• The Electoral College is set to meet on December 19 to officially elect Donald Trump as the next President of the United States. (Source: CNN)
• The FBI has launched an investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. (Source: The New York Times)
• The Obama administration has imposed sanctions on Russia over its alleged interference in the election. (Source: The Washington Post)

Business

• The Dow Jones Industrial Average closes above 19,000 for the first time, driven by a surge in technology stocks. (Source: CNBC)
• The Federal Reserve leaves interest rates unchanged, citing uncertainty over the economy. (Source: The Wall Street Journal)
• The European Union and the United States agree to a new trade deal, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. (Source: The Financial Times)

World

• The United Nations Security Council votes to condemn North Korea's latest nuclear test, which was conducted on December 22. (Source: The Guardian)
• The Syrian government and its allies have launched a major offensive against rebel-held areas of Aleppo, leading to widespread civilian casualties. (Source: Al Jazeera)
• The death toll from a terrorist attack in Istanbul, Turkey, rises to 44, with over 150 injured. (Source: BBC News)

Sports

• The Cleveland Cavaliers defeat the Golden State Warriors 109-108 in overtime, ending the Warriors' 54-game winning streak. (Source: ESPN)
• The New England Patriots defeat the Denver Broncos 18-12 in the AFC Championship Game, advancing to the Super Bowl. (Source: NFL.com)
• The Pittsburgh Penguins defeat the Philadelphia Flyers 5-2 in the NHL Winter Classic. (Source: NHL.com)

Entertainment

• The film "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" opens in theaters, grossing $155 million in its opening weekend. (Source: Box Office Mojo)
• The TV show "The Walking Dead" returns for its eighth season, with a record-breaking 17.6 million viewers tuning in. (Source: Variety)
• The music group One Direction announces that it will be taking an extended hiatus, with the members pursuing solo projects. (Source: Billboard)