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A 24-year-old student at Charles University in Prague killed 14 people and injured more than 20 others at the school, some critically, during a rare shooting yesterday in the Czech Republic. The gunman later fell from the roof of a building. Police said they believed he first killed his father in their family home.

The gunman was partially identified by police as David K. The national police chief said the attacker was inspired by a “similar terrible event abroad,” but did not specify which one. Authorities did not believe the shooting was an act of terrorism.

Authorities were investigating whether chilling Russian-language messages posted under the name David Kozak were linked to the shooter. These messages praised the recent mass shooting in Russia, including one committed by a 14-year-old girl. One message said of the shooter: “She certainly didn’t kill enough. I will try to solve that.” Another read: “I’ve always wanted to kill.”

Details: The episode could have been much deadlier if police weren’t already on the scene when the shooting started. Officers had information indicating that an attack on the school was imminent and had evacuated one of the buildings, authorities said.

The Biden administration is quietly signaling something new support for the seizure of more than $300 billion in Russian central bank assets stored in Western countries and have begun urgent discussions about using the funds to support Ukraine’s war effort as other financial support wanes, senior U.S. and European officials said.

Until recently, top Treasury officials had warned that such a move might not be legal and could set a worrying precedent. But the administration, in coordination with other G7 countries, is reassessing whether it can use its existing authorities or whether it will need to take action in Congress to use the funds.

Talks between treasury ministers, central bankers, diplomats and lawyers have intensified in recent weeks, officials said, with the Biden administration pushing for a strategy by Feb. 24, the second anniversary of the invasion.

After nearly a week of delays and furious last-minute negotiations, the US said it did prepared to support a Security Council resolution that would require more help to enter the Gaza Strip.

The text of the resolution dropped the call for a suspension of hostilities from an earlier version, but called for “urgent steps” to allow unhindered humanitarian access. It calls on the UN Secretary General to appoint a coordinator charged with “facilitating, coordinating, monitoring and verifying” humanitarian assistance, who would also “consult all relevant parties.”

The vote had been postponed due to disagreements over who would oversee that aid. The US, under Israeli pressure, has said Israel should remain involved in the inspections, but Cairo – which controls the Rafah crossing into Gaza – wants the UN to take over to streamline the delivery of much-needed aid to the enclave.

Other news from the war:

There is some truth in Lisa Simpson’s comment that everyone does “The Nutcracker” “because you don’t have to pay for the music rights.” But for every traditional treatment there is one with a contemporary left-wing twist.

Here are five examples where light edits and heavy rewrites have reimagined – and sometimes ruined – Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic.

Antoine Griezmann: Atletico Madrid’s joint record goalscorer and his path to legendary status.

Court ruling: The European Court of Justice said football’s governing bodies had done so abused their dominant position by blocking plans for a new Super League.

Left footers: Why they are behind Record Premier League penalty conversion rates.

Under pressure: Xavi enters unknown territory at Barcelona.

Every year – including this one – The Times publishes a range of holiday content and suggestions, much of which captures something of the spirit of the times.

In 1923, a year when 40 percent of Americans lived below the poverty line, people in Cleveland decorated their homes not with cut flowers, but with weeds such as “pepper grass, tea leaf, milkweed and goldenrod.” painted in festive colors.

In 1973, The Times selected some of them unusual (and timely) gifts, including a 50-cent McDonald’s hamburger gift card, a Vietnam War-themed board game and a “hand-forged sterling silver fly swatter” for the CEO who has it all. In 1998, people tried to ‘replace stress with serenity’ and let go of the commercial spirit of the season – including making decorations from pine cones or avoiding physical gifts.

This year a reader asks if he really needs to get a bad Christmas sweater for a fancy dress party. Our fashion columnist criticizes these disposable items and suggests more sustainable options: make it yourself or trade it for someone else.

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