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People walk past a damaged house Thursday on which a fishing boat landed after it was swept away by the Indian Ocean tsunami 10 years ago, in Banda Aceh, Indonesia,, 2014. Aceh was the worst-hit region by the 2004 tsunami, with more than 100,000 people in the province. The boat and the house are now preserved as a monument.(Photo: Binsar Bakkara, AP)
1. A decade ago, one of the world's worst days
It was one of those "I-remember-what-I-was-doing-when" events. Ten years ago today, one of the deadliest natural disasters of all time began when a massive earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia, spreading a huge tsunami across the Indian Ocean. Nearly a quarter of a million people in 14 countries were killed as giant waves crashed into coasts near and far, leaving areas deluged and devastated. The stories were heartbreaking, but there were also rays of light, such as the tale of a girl reunited with her family almost ten years after the calamity. Meanwhile, the affected people have proved tremendously resilient in rebuilding their lives, as this story about three people from the worst-hit area demonstrates.
The sea gypsies of southern Thailand survived the tsunami ten years ago because of knowledge passed down through the generations.
Video provided by AFP Newslook
2. Elsewhere in the world, it's Boxing Day
For Americans, the day after Christmas Day means either going back to work or taking a vacation day. But in many countries, particularly former members of the British Empire — such as our neighbors in Canada — it's another holiday (or excuse to go shopping). And the "Boxing" in its name doesn't mean a string of Madison Square Garden-like fights. Rather, the moniker refers to the tradition in Britain of "Christmas boxes" given out to servants and tradespeople the day after Christmas. These boxes would usually contain a gift or two and, sometimes, leftover food from the tables of the wealthy, the servants having spent Christmas Day cooking and waiting upon their employers. Happy Boxing Day, everyone!
A child poses for a photo at a Christmas display in the Tsim Sha Tsui district of Hong Kong on Dec. 24. Christmas and Boxing Day are holidays in the southern Chinese city.(Photo: ISAAC LAWRENCE, AFP/Getty Images)
3. Wake to be held for slain NYPD officer
Mourners of a New York Police Department officer killed with his partner in an ambush shooting will gather for his wake Friday. Officer Rafael Ramos and his partner Officer Wenjian Liu were killed on Dec. 20 as they sat in their patrol car on a Brooklyn street. Shooter Ismaaiyl Brinsley then killed himself. Ramos, 40, will be remembered at Christ Tabernacle Church in the Glendale section of Queens in the evening.
Rafael Ramos, left, and Wenjian Liu, right, were killed on Dec. 20 as they sat in their patrol car on a Brooklyn street.(Photo: AP Photo/New York Police Department)
4. LeBron James proves he's 'Smarter. Faster. More Colorful.'
The Cleveland Cavaliers star kept busy in 2014, from playing in his fourth consecutive NBA files to returning to Ohio. This year has also seen the birth of his daughter, the launch of two TV shows, working on the Lebron James Family Foundation and making an appearance in an upcoming Judd Apatow-Amy Schumer movie. That's why USA TODAY Sports picked the pre-eminent NBA figure as their smarter, faster and more colorful person in the news. Next on King James' list: his 30th birthday next week.
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James flashes a smile during a fourth-quarter timeout against the Milwaukee Bucks at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland on Oct 14, 2014.(Photo: David Richard, USA TODAY Sports)
5. Mixed weather bag across the country
The Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions will see clear weather as the weekend approaches. Further west, rain and snow are expected in the Plain states, with potential for thunderstorms in places such as Shreveport, La., and Joplin, Mo. The Pacific Northwest will get a break from the rain, with dry conditions expected Friday. People in the Southeast should enjoy the nice weather they have now, because another frontal system is on its way.
Meteorologist Erica Grow has the details on Friday's forecast, including some more rain and snow for much of the U.S.
And, the essentials:
Stocks: U.S. stock futures made gains following the Christmas break.
Weather: While nice and dry weather is expected in much of the country, people in the Plains should expect rain, snow and even thunderstorms.
TV Tonight: Wondering what to watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks atThe Comeback, The Mentalist and Bing Crosby Rediscovered.
Need a break? Try playing some games.
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Contributing: Associated Press
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