News Wrap: Huge storm system dumps snow, heavy rain on much of western U.S.

Amna Nawaz:

In the day's other news: A huge storm system is dumping snow and heavy rain on much of the Western U.S. in California, two people died last night near San Francisco after their car was submerged. Mudslides also triggered evacuation orders in Orange County.

Parts of the Sierra Nevada Mountains could see as much as 10 feet of snow through the holidays. The weather is being fueled by moisture from the Pacific ocean. Seattle, Washington; and Portland, Oregon, could even see a rare white Christmas.

An early morning fire on a crowded river ferry in Bangladesh has left 39 people dead; 70 others were injured; 800 passengers were aboard the ferry, many traveling to visit family and friends for the weekend. Investigators are now trying to piece together what sparked the fire.

Syed Mahabubur Rahman, Police officer (through translator): The engine had been running for about an hour while on fire. Later, the fire probably spread from the engine to the oil tank. And it stopped with a loud bang at this spot where we are standing right now.

Amna Nawaz:

Police officials said most of the bodies were recovered from the river after passengers jumped into the water trying to escape the fire.

In Myanmar, meanwhile, the military today launched a new wave of airstrikes and heavy artillery on a small town controlled by the guerrillas from the ethnic Karen minority. The guerrillas are seeking greater autonomy from the central government. The attacks sent hundreds of people fleeing across a river into nearby Thailand. Just last week, 2,500 villagers made the same trip to escape the fighting.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in said today he is pardoning his predecessor and chief conservative rival, former President Park Geun-Hye. Park is serving a 20-year prison term for bribery and other crimes. She's one of more than 3,000 people being pardoned and freed on December 31. Moon's government said the move was meant to bring the country together.

Moon Jae-in, South Korean President (through translator):

In the perspective of national unity, the government grants a special pardon to the former President Park Geun-Hye, who has been serving her sentence for a long time, and reinstate her civil right to vote.

Amna Nawaz:

Former President Park had already served four years and nine months of her prison sentence. During that time, her representatives have said she's been suffering from a shoulder injury, spinal disk issues, and mental health problems.

And a court in Moscow has fined two tech giants millions of dollars for failing to delete content banned by local law. Google was fined nearly $100 million, and Facebook's parent company, Meta, $27 million. Fines were based on company revenue. It's the latest in a string of Russian efforts to pressure companies to comply with content restrictions.