By Ashley Strickland, CNN

(CNN) — The Ursid meteor shower, which marks the final celestial event of the year, will peak between Sunday night and early Monday morning.

Sky-gazers can expect to see five to 10 meteors per hour between midnight and 5 a.m. ET Monday, or between 9 p.m. PT Sunday and 2 a.m. PT Monday, said Robert Lunsford, fireball report coordinator for the American Meteor Society.

The meteor shower will peak around the time of the winter solstice, or the official beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, when it is the farthest from the sun.

The winter solstice marks the longest night of the year and coincides with a thin and faint crescent moon, creating perfectly dark skies for optimal meteor viewing.

The shower will only be visible to those in the Northern Hemisphere because the radiant, or the point from which meteors appear to come, never rises high enough in the sky to by visible for those in the Southern Hemisphere.

Enhanced meteor activity

The Ursids originate from the bowl of the Little Dipper, also known as the Ursa Minor constellation, near the bright orange star called Kochab, Lunsford said.

The meteor shower occurs as Earth encounters the stream of particles left behind by comet 8P/Tuttle, which sheds material as it orbits the sun, according to EarthSky.

This year’s shower activity could be enhanced by previous streams of debris from the comet, Lunsford said.

Each time comet 8P/Tuttle passes through the inner solar system during its orbit, the celestial object leaves behind a new trail of debris, he added. The trails are similar, but they aren’t exactly the same, meaning that Earth can pass through one trail and miss others.

“This year it is predicted that the Earth will pass through a particular trail which may give us a brief enhancement of activity,” Lunsford said via email.

How to see the Ursids

The shower is oft neglected because it delivers fewer meteors per hour when compared with the spectacular Geminids, which peaked a week ago, and it occurs close to the holidays when nights are often frigid and cloudy.

But it’s worth bundling up and finding a location away from city lights to observe the shower, Lunsford said.

“It is highly suggested that one try to view from the darkest location possible,” he added. “Folks viewing from closer to cities can only see less than 5 per hour.”

Face the northern half of the sky but avoid the temptation to look straight up, instead focusing about halfway upward, he advised.

Because the meteor rates per hour are lower for the Ursids than the Geminids, Lunsford recommends viewing for at least an hour for a chance to spot meteors streaking across the sky.

Celestial events kick off the new year

The new year will begin with a double celestial event.

January’s full moon, called the wolf moon, will peak on January 3 — which also coincides with the first meteor shower of the year, the Quadrantids.

While that shower is known for producing bright, slow-moving fireballs in the night sky, the brightness of the full moon is expected to dim the display of meteors.

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Por Gilles Salomone, CNN en Español

Los jugadores de Estudiantes de La Plata estaban en el campo de juego, alineados en pasillo, uno frente al otro, formando un corredor con sus cuerpos para recibir al campeón, Rosario Central. Pero cuando este entró al rectángulo, los once futbolistas rivales se dieron media vuelta y le dieron la espalda. Este gesto controversial fue una respuesta a la polémica decisión de la Asociación del Fútbol Argentino (AFA) de otorgarle a Rosario Central un título de campeón que no estaba previsto en el reglamento. AFA aseguró que había sido aprobado por todos los clubes, pero Estudiantes lo desmintió en un comunicado.

Este título polémico, otorgado en noviembre, una vez finalizado el campeonato, y la llamativa demostración de inconformismo del club rival abrieron una caja de Pandora para la AFA, una de las asociaciones de fútbol más influyentes del mundo y hogar de la selección campeona del mundo.

Hinchas inconformes, allanamientos policiales por presuntas irregularidades, denuncias por supuesta apropiación indebida de fondos y el posicionamiento del presidente Javier Milei, que subió a sus redes una foto de la camiseta de Estudiantes: todo estalló cuando solo faltan seis meses para que la selección argentina viaje a defender su título de campeón en el Mundial de Estados Unidos, México y Canadá de 2026. ¿Pueden estos escándalos que van más allá del fútbol, afectar de alguna manera a la selección de Lionel Messi?

La polémica del título otorgado a Rosario Central y el pasillo de espaldas pusieron a la AFA y a su presidente, Claudio Tapia, en el centro de la escena. En paralelo, la justicia llevaba a cabo una investigación por presunto lavado de dinero de una financiera llamada Sur Finanzas, uno de los patrocinadores principales de AFA, auspiciante de varios equipos de la primera división del fútbol argentino.

Según una fuente con conocimiento de la causa, la investigación busca determinar si existen irregularidades entre los contratos de Sur Finanzas y la AFA. De acuerdo con esta fuente, la investigación comenzó luego de una sospecha por presuntas irregularidades en el contrato de la financiera con el Club Atlético Banfield, equipo de la primera división de Argentina.

Al allanar Banfield y Sur Finanzas, la Policía encontró documentación que vinculaba a la empresa con otros clubes y con la AFA. Por esto se decidió también realizar operativos en las sedes de 17 equipos del fútbol local, y la de la AFA para comprobar si hay irregularidades en los acuerdos con estos equipos. Entre los clubes allanados se encuentran Racing, San Lorenzo e Independiente, equipos importantes de la liga local. Y además, Barracas Central, club cercano a Tapia, presidente de la AFA. Todos los clubes aclararon que se pusieron a disposición de la justicia.

En un comunicado, el ente rector del fútbol argentino declaró que se puso a disposición de las autoridades “aportando toda la documentación física y digital solicitada por la medida”. Sur Finanzas también se pronunció a través de un comunicado, habló de “acusaci

Por Mostafa Salem y Ibrahim Dahman, CNN

Cuando el jeque Mohammed Abu Mustafa salió de su mezquita, en el sur de Gaza, después de dirigir las oraciones de la tarde, a principios de noviembre, un hombre armado en una motocicleta se acercó y lo mató a tiros.

Fue un asesinato selectivo que un grupo extremista islámico dijo que fue llevado a cabo por una milicia local respaldada por Israel.

Un grupo vinculado a Hamas afirmó posteriormente que el imán asesinado era un yihadista que había ocultado rehenes israelíes durante la guerra de Gaza, y acusó al sicario de pertenecer a una nueva milicia respaldada por Israel liderada por Hussam Al-Astal, un exprisionero en la Gaza gobernada por Hamas, que ahora trabaja abiertamente para derrocar al grupo extremista que ha gobernado el territorio con mano de hierro durante casi dos décadas.

En una entrevista telefónica con CNN, Al-Astal negó que sus hombres asesinaran al jeque Abu Mustafa, pero dijo que celebraba la muerte de cualquier miembro de Hamas.

Su grupo poco conocido, la autodenominada Fuerza de Ataque Antiterrorista, se ha hecho con el control de una aldea en la parte de Khan Younis, en el sur de Gaza, ocupada por Israel. Desde allí, lleva a cabo incursiones contra Hamas mientras intenta aumentar su pequeño apoyo local.

A medida que el polvo comienza a asentarse después de la brutal guerra de dos años, Gaza ha quedado dividida en dos. Hamas está reconsolidando su control en la mitad occidental del enclave, de la que Israel se retiró, y sigue siendo la fuerza dominante donde vive la gran mayoría de la población de Gaza. Al este de la llamada línea amarilla –un límite militar israelí– sin embargo, quedan relativamente pocos civiles. Es allí, en el territorio controlado por Israel, donde pequeños grupos armados intentan imponer su dominio y hacerse con influencia.

Bajo la estrecha vigilancia de Israel, al menos cinco facciones operan ahora dentro de la línea amarilla. Lo que comenzó como bandas dispersas y oportunistas que explotaban el caos del conflicto se ha convertido en una red coordinada de milicias armadas que abiertamente se posicionan para desempeñar un papel en Gaza después de la guerra, en caso de que Hamas sea apartado del poder.

“Hay coordinación entre nuestros grupos. Tenemos los mismos objetivos y la misma ideología… Tenemos el mismo fin”, dijo Al-Astal a CNN, refiriéndose a la derrota de Hamas.

Armadas con armas ligeras, unas pocas docenas de combatientes y un puñado de vehículos, las milicias operan desde bases separadas en áreas de Gaza controladas por Israel. En las redes sociales, sus líderes publican regularmente videos de propaganda que muestran a hombres enmascarados con uniformes negros improvisados, sosteniendo rifles, coreando torpemente al unísono y prometiendo “liberar” Gaza de Hamas.

Aunque son pequeñas y carecen de la habilidad y el apoyo para reemplazar plenamente a Hamas, estas milicias ya han sumido a Gaza en una mayor inestabilidad. Usando ataques relámpago, han intentado desafiar a Hamas mientras este consolidaba el poder en áreas que ya no están bajo el control de Israel desde el alto el fuego. Las milicias han librado una insurgencia dentro de otra insurgencia, atacando a Hamas en un momento crítico del proceso de establecimiento de un gobierno en la Gaza posterior a la guerra.

Hamas no se ha quedado de brazos cruzados.

Preocupado por su estatus en el enclave palestino, Hamas está ahora en misión de perseguirlos, mientras los palestinos comunes crecen cada vez más ansiosos de que el enclave devastado por la guerra pueda deslizarse hacia un conflicto civil abierto. Informes de violencia se han compartido ampliamente en las redes sociales, con un video particularmente espeluznante que fue difundido por canales afiliados a Hamas en octubre, mostrando a un grupo de combatientes enmascarados, algunos de ellos con cintas verdes de Hamas en la cabe

By Leigh Waldman, Joel Williams, CNN

(CNN) — For over a century, Broadway has been at the heart of New York City culture, with glittering marquees welcoming millions of tourists and locals every year.

But Broadway musicals are now struggling to make a profit, as affordability concerns impact all aspects of American life. Musical producers can place the blame on rising costs from theater rent, fees, labor and even lumber, which has roughly doubled in price since December 2016. Meanwhile, ticket prices haven’t risen quickly enough to offset these costs.

It’s a blow to New York City, where Broadway’s health is vital to its economy.

“As New York City goes, so goes Broadway in many respects and vice versa,” Jason Laks, president of the Broadway League, the trade association for the theater industry, told CNN.

“We employ 100,000 people per year, and we contribute $15 billion to the New York City economy alone each year,” he added.

Laks said the rising cost of musical productions is leaving the Great White Way in the red. He added that it’s only gotten harder since the pandemic, when Broadway went dark for over a year due to Covid-19 restrictions.

High production costs, flat ticket prices

Data from the Broadway League show the industry had its highest-grossing season in a decade this year, with over 14 million people attending shows.

However, none of the 18 musicals that opened last season, made a profit as of late September, according to the New York Times. Laks said the prevailing wisdom for the industry is that only one in 10 shows will make their money back.

For example, producing “Boop” — the colorful show centered around Betty Boop in modern New York City — cost around $26 million. The musical ran for about four months this year and, according to the Times, failed to recoup its investment.

“It’s just so difficult for (producers) to get their money back. These shows are now upwards of $25 million. Ten years ago, you could have a musical on Broadway that was probably in the $13 million range,” said Jim Kierstead, a Broadway producer whose over two dozen credits include “Kinky Boots” and “Waitress.”

While producers have seen their budgets grow, ticket prices haven’t kept pace, according to Laks. The average ticket price is currently $126, while the average ticket price for the 2015-2016 Broadway season was about $103, or about $140, when adjusted for inflation.

But the solution isn’t as simple as raising ticket prices.

“There’s only so high you can raise them because you’re really pricing people out of the market,” said Kierstead. “It’s just a bad conundrum across the board.”

One investor takes issue with Broadway’s financial woes

James L. Walker Jr. invested $50,000 in the recent revival of “Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club” on Broadway. The star-studded performance closed early in what producers called a financial loss after being open for about 14 months and 592 regular performances.

“When you look at a play that’s grossing an upwards of nearly $100 million, it’s hard to explain how we didn’t make our money back,” Walker said.

In August, the Atlanta-based investor Read more

By Emma Tucker, CNN

(CNN) — Police lights flashed for hours as law enforcement officers surrounded a storage facility in Salem, New Hampshire, Thursday night, finally closing in on a suspect who unleashed deadly attacks on two communities and had managed to evade them for six days.

Outside was an abandoned car linked to both the Brown University mass shooting on Saturday and the killing of an MIT professor at his home on Monday.

Inside a rented storage unit, the 48-year-old suspect, Claudio Neves Valente, was dead, leaving behind a satchel, two 9 mm firearms and high-capacity magazines matching ballistics at both crime scenes, along with even more questions about a motive as investigators begin peeling back the layers of his life to fill the gaps in his known past.

Here are the major questions remaining about the cases:

What motivated 2 separate attacks?

Authorities have said the suspect’s intent was to cause harm in targeting the Ivy League university and esteemed MIT professor Nuno Loureiro.

It became clear because his actions showed signs of premeditation, for example, obtaining access to firearms and a bulletproof vest, said CNN law enforcement analyst and former Secret Service agent Jonathan Wackrow.

He also took strategic steps to avoid detection like swapping the license plates on a rental car linked to both shootings, concealing his identity and avoiding Brown University’s expansive network of 1,200 security cameras by opening fire in a building equipped with only two exterior cameras, and with multiple exits and entrances.

Without the ability to interview or prosecute the suspect, the motive remains the hardest question, Wackrow said, and there’s a chance investigators will not find the answers even after doing exhaustive searches of digital history and physical evidence.

Investigators have mapped some of the suspect’s movements in the years before his attacks, but much of his past remains a mystery.

The Portuguese national attended the same academic program as Loureiro in Portugal from 1995 to 2000, after which he studied at Brown University on an F1 visa, a nonimmigrant visa for international students to study full-time.

He then took a leave of absence and formally withdrew from the university effective July 31, 2003. There has been no formal explanation from the university on the basis for the leave, but according to CNN’s chief law enforcement and intelligence analyst John Miller, it could also point to a potential motive.

Miller says investigators will likely ask questions like: Did he blame a life event for derailing his success as a former student who was described by his then-classmates as “brilliant” but also exceptionally difficult? What issue caused him not to return?

Details on the suspect’s whereabouts between 2001 and 2017, however, have proved elusive at this stage.

But the suspect’s strategies do suggest he may have been planning for an encounter with police or an escape, Wackrow said.

And it begs the question, according to Miller: What happened to make the suspect change course and decide to take his own life? One scenario, he says, could be the suspect was alerted authorities were on his trail.

What were his movements after the shootings?

The suspect’s last known address was in Miami this year, and he rented a storage unit in Salem starting from an unspecified date in November.

He rented a hotel room in Boston from November 26 to 30 before renting a gray Nissan Sentra with Florida