New details continue to emerge about the man charged with murder in the killing the UnitedHealthcare CEO. And wildfires burn out of control in southern California as strong winds are forecast to make matters worse. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024.

UnitedHealthcare CEO murder suspect fights extradition to NY, denied bail in PA

Luigi Mangione remains in custody in Pennsylvania as he fights extradition to New York one week after authorities say he shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel.

The 26-year-old suspect appeared in court in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, Dec. 10. He shouted at reporters as he entered the building, using the words “completely out of touch and an insult to the intelligence of the American people.”

The murder suspect did not waive his extradition to New York. That means Mangione will remain in custody in Pennsylvania as he has 14 days to challenge the detention. 

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said it will seek a governor’s warrant to force extradition to New York where Mangione faces multiple charges, including second-degree murder. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she will sign a warrant for his extradition to ensure he is “tried and held accountable.”

Watch the @ABC7NY interview where Deputy Commissioner of @NYPDCT Rebecca Weiner and Chief of @NYPDDetectives Joseph Kenny discuss the ongoing investigation regarding the Midtown Manhattan homicide ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/3WH9Y0JkMJ

— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) December 11, 2024

In court Tuesday, Mangione was denied bail on the felony charges of forgery and carrying a firearm without a license in Pennsylvania.

“He has indicated a plea of not guilty. The only charges that we’ve seen thus far, have been the ones here in Pennsylvania. And we have pled not guilty to those charges,” his attorney Thomas Dickey told reporters.

As the investigation in New York murder continues, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told Fox News they are looking into whether the suspect suffered a back injury and filed any claims with the insurance industry prior to the shooting. Mangione’s roommate in Hawaii told various broadcasts Mangione’s back surgery caused him great pain and he was extremely angry about it. 

Mangione had three pages of writing on him when he was arrested inside a Pennsylvania McDonald’s Monday morning, Dec. 9. The NYPD said the notes were addressed to “the feds” and told authorities he acted alone. 

Investigators said Mangione may have been inspired by the Unabomber Ted Kaczynski and they’re working to determine whether Thompson was the target of “a symbolic takedown” against corporate corruption. 

In November, Mangione’s mother had filed a missing persons report for him in San Francisco. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, that came after no one had heard from Mangione since July.

In a statement, Mangione’s family said, “Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest. We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved.”

Fallout from South Korea’s short-lived martial law period

The fallout from South Korea’s martial law declaration widens as the imprisoned former defense minister attempted to take his own life.

Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who is currently being detained at a facility in Seoul on alleged collusion with President Yoon Suk Yeol in imposing martial law last week, attempted to take his own life late Tuesday night.https://t.co/aHM6HP5TUS

— The Korea Herald 코리아헤럴드 (@TheKoreaHerald) December 11, 2024

Authorities said former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun has been moved to an isolation room after an attempt on his own life before his formal arrest warrant was issued Tuesday night. Kim was the first public figure to be detained over the martial law declaration on Dec. 3 and is accused of being the one to recommend the move. 

Separately Tuesday, South Korean police said they sent officers to search President Yoon Suk Yeol’s office as part of the investigation into the declaration. 

Yoon is now banned from leaving the country as police and prosecutors investigate whether he and his supporters in the government as well as the military committed an insurrection when they sent armed troops into the National Assembly last week to try to prevent lawmakers from gathering to cancel the martial law decree. They were ultimately unsuccessful; lawmakers voted unanimously to end martial law just six hours after it was put in place. 

Investigators have vowed to arrest, or at least detain, Yoon, who is still the country’s president. He refused to resign after an impeachment attempt on Saturday, Dec. 8, failed when members of his party left parliament and boycotted the vote. 

The country’s main opposition party says it’s preparing a new impeachment motion and a vote on that is expected as early as this Saturday, Dec. 14.

Malibu wildfire reaches more than 3,000 acres, 0% contained

Firefighters in Southern California are battling a raging wildfire that has prompted evacuations and damaged homes in the affluent beach community of Malibu, northwest of Los Angeles. The Franklin Fire has spread to more than 3,000 acres and was 0% contained as of CalFire’s update at 9:47 p.m. PT Tuesday. 

The fast-moving inferno broke out late Monday night and quickly grew, fueled by strong Santa Ana winds. Some gusts were reported as strong as 90 miles per hour.

Widespread Red Flag conditions across much of Southern California due to Santa Ana Winds will continue to be a threat to residents and property throughout the week.

The Franklin Fire in L.A. County has already consumed over 2200 acres this morning, forcing many evacuations. For… pic.twitter.com/7diQcNdi6B

— CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) December 10, 2024

More than 1,500 firefighters had been assigned to battle the flames and smoke. 

Students, teachers and administrators at Pepperdine University were told to shelter in place as the fire kept getting closer and closer. Final exams were canceled. 

There have been no reports of deaths or serious injuries, but officials said the fire has destroyed at least seven homes so far. The National Weather Service forecast days of extreme dry windy weather ahead.

Federal judge blocks sale of Infowars to The Onion

A federal judge has rejected The Onion’s winning bid to buy Infowars. The satirical news outlet won the auction to buy Alex Jones’ platform last month.  

Jones was forced to put the platform up for sale to help pay $1.5 billion in damages that he owes to the families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims for falsely claiming the massacre in Connecticut was a hoax. 

Tuesday night, a federal bankruptcy judge said there was a lack of transparency in the auction process, and it failed to maximize value for the victims’ families, even though they had given their approval for Infowars to be sold to The Onion for an undisclosed amount of money.

NJ lawmaker calls for ‘limited state of emergency’ over drones

Republican state Sen. Jon Bramnick said mysterious drones seen flying over New Jersey in recent weeks should prompt a “limited state of emergency.” Bramnick said in a statement New Jersey should ban all drones until the public receives an explanation regarding these multiple sightings. 

His statement came after the mayors of 21 New Jersey towns wrote a letter to Gov. Phil Murphy demanding action. 

The FBI so far has only said it is doing all it can to figure out what is going on and the public can continue to call in tips.

General Motors ends Cruise robotaxi program

It’s the end of the road for General Motors’ Cruise robotaxi program. GM said Tuesday it plans to “realign its autonomous driving strategy” to focus on advanced driver assistance systems for use in personal vehicles. 

This comes a year after GM grounded its fleet of driverless vehicles after an accident in California that led to Cruise being fined $1.5 million.

GM, which owns about 90% of Cruise, said it intends to buy the remainder of the company and will combine GM and Cruise technical teams. GM cited an “increasingly competitive robotaxi market” as one reason it will no longer fund the business. 

Cruise founder Kyle Vogt, who left the company in 2023, reacted to the news on X saying, “In case it was unclear before, it is clear now: GM are a bunch of dummies.”

The man accused of gunning down the CEO of UnitedHealthcare on a New York City sidewalk is charged with murder. And the Biden administration levels allegations of war crimes against two Syrians who were high-raking members of the now ousted regime. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024.

Suspect charged with murder in killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO

After nearly a week of searching, the manhunt for the suspected gunman who shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a New York City hotel last week is over. Police said they located the 26-year-old suspect inside a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 300 miles from New York on Monday, Dec. 9.

The New York City Police Department filed first-degree murder charges against Luigi Mangione, according to court documents released Monday night. Mangione also faces charges of possession of a loaded firearm, possession of a forged driver’s license, and criminal possession of a weapon.

Mangione is described as a former high school valedictorian and a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, who grew up in Maryland but has also had past addresses in California and Hawaii. 

Mangione was taken into custody in Altoona after authorities said a McDonald’s employee recognized him as the person of interest seen in images related to Thompson’s shooting death. 

When police arrived on the scene, they questioned Mangione. According to court documents, Mangione “started to shake” when asked if he’d recently been in New York City. Authorities said at first, he lied about his identity.

So proud of @NYPDMTN Detectives, and our Major Case and Homicide Squads, who worked around-the-clock on the homicide investigation in Midtown. I joined them last night to thank them for their dedication. No doubt, their work was instrumental to identifying the person of interest… pic.twitter.com/jAFA7JDcHd

— Jessica S. Tisch (@NYPDPC) December 9, 2024

Court documents show he was carrying a black 3-D printed pistol with a silencer. The NYPD said the “ghost gun” found on him was consistent with the one used in the murder. Ghost guns do not have serial numbers. 

Police said Mangione also had on him a fake ID, matching the one used by the suspect at a New York City hostel before the shooting, and a three-page written note. 

“That document is currently in the possession of the Altoona Police Department as part of their investigation but just from briefly speaking with them, we don’t think that there’s any specific threats to other people mentioned in that document, but it does seem that he has some ill will toward corporate America,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenney said. 

Multiple reports Tuesday morning, Dec. 10, claimed those writings included the phrases “these parasites had it coming” and it “had to be done.” 

During a press conference Monday evening, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) spoke of how the killing has led to some people online sharing their frustrations and anger over the healthcare system but emphasized that Mangione is not a martyr. 

“In some dark corners, this killer’s being hailed as a hero,” Shapiro said. “Hear me on this: he is no hero. The real hero in this story is the person who called 911 at McDonald’s this [Monday] morning. The real heroes every day in our society are the women and men who put on uniforms like these and go out in our communities to keep us safe. This killer is not a hero. He should not be hailed.” 

Mangione will remain in custody in Pennsylvania pending his extradition to New York, which is expected to take place later this week.

Jury finds former US Marine not guilty in NYC chokehold death trial

Tensions remain high in New York after a jury acquitted U.S. Marine veteran Daniel Penny of all charges on Monday, including criminally negligent homicide, in the chokehold death of a schizophrenic man, whose behavior had some people on the New York subway testifying they feared for their lives.  

The caught-on-camera deadly incident from May 2023 saw Penny put Jordan Neely in a chokehold from behind after Neely walked up and down the F train saying “somebody is going to die today”.

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Prosecutors said the chokehold lasted too long, was reckless, and resulted in the 30-year-old homeless man’s death. The defense brought an expert in to show Neely was under the influence of the synthetic marijuana drug K2, arguing he died from drug use and a previous medical condition. 

Outside the Manhattan courthouse Tuesday, fights broke out as protesters and counter-protesters clashed. After the verdict Neely’s father stated, “There is no justice.”

US charges 2 former Syrian officials with war crimes

The United States has charged two former high-ranking Syrian intelligence officials with war crimes. The DOJ said during Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Jamil Hassan and Abdul Salam Mahmoud oversaw operations of a detention facility where Americans and civilians who had been deemed enemies of the state were tortured. 

In other developments in the Middle East, the U.S. has also sent a special envoy to Beirut, Lebanon to find out what happened to Austin Tice. Tice is an American journalist who vanished in Syria 12 years ago.

"We have heard from sources that have been vetted by the U.S. government that Austin is alive." Austin Tice has been missing in Syria for 12 years. Today his brother & sister tell me "every day is a day that Austin should be released and a day that Austin could be released." pic.twitter.com/o08OgOFKEm

— Christiane Amanpour (@amanpour) December 9, 2024

On Sunday, Dec. 8, President Joe Biden said he believes Tice is still alive and his administration is committed to bringing him home. Syria has publicly denied holding Tice. 

Meanwhile, Israel has launched a large-scale attack on Syria, striking what it called strategic military sites after the fall of the al-Assad government. It also expanded its presence into the Golan Heights, a buffer zone along the country’s border with Syria. 

Israel claimed the move is temporary and aimed at ensuring nearby areas are not exposed to any potential security threats, but Iran has appealed to the United Nations Security Council, saying the expansion is a “flagrant violation” of U.N. charter, breaking a 50-year cease-fire agreement.

Hegseth looks to shore up Senate support on Capitol Hill

President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary is back on Capitol Hill this week. He’s looking to shore up support from Senate Republicans.

Thank you Senator @LindseyGrahamSC https://t.co/5iKQYm6EmL

— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) December 9, 2024

Pete Hegseth met with Senators Joni Ernst and Lindsey Graham on Monday. Both had expressed concerns over allegations against Hegseth of sexual misconduct, financial mismanagement of veterans’ charities and excessive drinking.

Hegseth denies a lot of it and says he is changed man. He served in the Army in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.  

Hegseth is scheduled to meet with 20 Republican senators this week, according to The Washington Post.

Lord & Taylor to relaunch as online discount luxury retailer

Another department store chain is set to make an internet comeback. Lord & Taylor is set to relaunch in 2025 as a discount luxury e-commerce platform offering designer goods and Lord & Taylor-branded products, according to its new owner. 

Regal Brands Global acquired the Lord & Taylor intellectual property in September after its previous owner, Saadia Group — which had re-launched the chain as an e-commerce website in 2021 — ceased operations. 

Regal Brands reportedly aims to position Lord & Taylor products to compete with other high-end retailers such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom.

‘Emilia Perez’ receives most Golden Globe nominations

The nominations for the 82nd Golden Globes are out.

Musical “Emelia Perez” leads the pack with 10 nominations. No musical or comedy has ever received more Golden Globe nominations.

Netflix, which acquired the rights to the film, was the big winner among studios. It garnered 13 nominations for film and 23 for television. 

Over on the TV side, FX’s “The Bear” continued its award show dominance with five nominations. 

The Golden Globes will air Jan. 5 on CBS and Paramount+.

Syrian rebels oust dictator Bashar al-Assad, who has fled the country after nearly 25 years in power. And the suspected killer of a health care CEO in New York City is still at-large after eluding a massive manhunt for almost a week. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, Dec. 9, 2024.

‘Risk and uncertainty’ as Syrian rebels oust Assad after decades in power

It’s the dawn of a new era in Syria. After more than a decade of civil war in the country, President Bashar al-Assad was ousted after rebel groups overtook the capital in a coup on Sunday, Dec. 8.

Now Syria and its people are left with the question of what comes next as countries around the world, including the United States, react to the changing landscape.

Syrians could be seen celebrating in the streets as word spread that Assad had fled the country. State media reported the president and his family landed in Russia Sunday evening and Assad has been granted political asylum in Moscow. 

The toppled leader, who had been in power since 2000 and whose family had ruled for five decades, was forced to vacate after rebel forces quickly captured city after city leading to them taking control of Damascus.

New official flag of Syria. pic.twitter.com/PPDdr3WSab

— Globe Eye News (@GlobeEyeNews) December 8, 2024

Since the civil war broke out in the wake of the pro-democracy Arab Spring demonstrations of 2011, Assad’s forces have been accused of brutal severe human rights violations, including using chemical weapons against their people. They’ve been held responsible for the deaths of more than 5,000 people and the displacement of millions of others. 

The rebels who led to Assad’s ouster were headed by Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the leader of the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Jolani called the coup “a victory for the whole Islamic nation.” 

Jolani’s group used to be linked to Al Qaeda. Though it has cut those ties, the U.S. still designates it a terrorist group. 

President Joe Biden spoke from the White House Sunday, calling the end of Assad’s regime a “fundamental act of justice.” Biden added the U.S. will support Syria’s neighbors Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq should any threat arise from this period of transition. 

Biden referred to this as a time of “risk and uncertainty.”

“We will remain vigilante. Make no mistake, some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses,” Biden said. “We’ve taken note of statements by the leaders of these rebel groups in recent days and they’re saying the right things now. But as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words but their actions.” 

Biden said Assad’s downfall came in part due to allies Iran, Russia and Hezbollah being weaker today than when Biden began his term. 

President-elect Donald Trump issued a statement on his Truth Social platform Sunday, saying Iran and Russia are in weakened states right now and calling for the end of the war in Ukraine. However, in a post on Saturday, Dec. 7, Trump said the U.S. should not get involved with Syria, saying, “This is not our fight. Let it play out.” 

Iran’s president said it is up to the Syrian people to decide the future of their country. 

Amid the time of transition in Syria, the U.S. showed it will continue its efforts against ISIS in the region. U.S. Central Command said it launched a series of airstrikes Sunday targeting ISIS camps and leaders in central Syria, confirming 75 “targets” had been hit. U.S. officials said it will not allow ISIS to take advantage of the current situation in Syria.

Trump promises to pardon Jan. 6 rioters on first day in office

In his first network TV interview since winning the election, President-elect Trump touched on some of his biggest campaign promises and his plans to start following through with them immediately when he takes office in January. 

In an interview with NBC News’ Kristen Welker for Sunday’s “Meet the Press,” Trump said, “A lot of it will have to do with economics. A lot’s gonna do with energy. A lot’s having to do with the border. We’re gonna immediately strengthen up the border and do a real job.”

Trump also doubled down on his promise to pardon Americans jailed for their role in the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, saying they had no other choice than to plead guilty. Department of Justice records show more than 1,500 people have been arrested or charged in connection with that attack and nearly 900 have pleaded guilty. 

While Trump said he will not tell his nominees for FBI director and attorney general to go after his political rivals, he did share his opinion on what should happen to lawmakers who were on the House’s select committee to investigate January 6. 

“Everybody on that committee, for what they did, honestly, they should go to jail,” he said. 

After that interview, former Congresswoman Liz Cheney (R-WY), who was on the committee, issued a statement saying, “Donald Trump’s suggestion that members of congress who later investigated his illegal and unconstitutional actions should be jailed is a continuation of his assault on the rule of law and the foundations of our republic.” 

Trump did reiterate multiple times during Sunday’s interview he has no plans to go after political rivals, but as we’ve reported here at Straight Arrow News, President Biden is considering preemptive pardons for Cheney and others who were part of the House Jan. 6 investigation, as well as Dr. Anthony Fauci and Special Counsel Jack Smith.

Police release new images of suspect in NYC deadly shooting

The manhunt for the killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson enters a new week.

Over the weekend, the NYPD released new images of the apparent suspect. Police identify the man in the pictures as “a person of interest” wanted for questioning for the fatal shooting outside a Hilton hotel Wednesday, Dec. 4.

One image shows the masked man in the back of a taxi. Another shows him walking on the sidewalk outside a vehicle. Police are hoping these images, along with others released last week, will help lead to the gunman.

Authorities reportedly traveled to Atlanta on Saturday, Dec. 7, and have been searching a lake near Central Park. On Friday night, Dec. 6, reports said investigators found a backpack believed to belong to the shooter. Inside they found two items: a Tommy Hilfiger jacket and Monopoly money.

Jay-Z accused of raping 13-year-old girl alongside Diddy

Music mogul Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, has been accused of raping a 13-year-old girl alongside Sean “Diddy” Combs. In a civil suit filed Sunday, the anonymous accuser claimed the assault happened in 2000 at an MTV Video Music Awards after-party. 

The federal lawsuit was originally filed in October only listing Combs as a defendant, but it was refiled Sunday to include Carter. 

Jay-Z, who is married to Beyonce, denied the accusation and said in a statement directed at the attorney who filed the suit, “These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!!”

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Combs’ lawyer also responded, calling the suit a “shameless” publicity stunt. 

In September, federal prosecutors in New York criminally charged Combs with racketeering, sex trafficking and other offenses. He is in jail awaiting trial, which is scheduled to start May 5.

Kennedy Center honors Coppola, Grateful Dead, The Apollo

Legendary movie director Francis Ford Coppola, the Grateful Dead, and The Apollo theater were among those honored at the 47th annual “Kennedy Center Honors” over the weekend. It marked the first time a specific venue was honored at the ceremony.

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President Biden was among those in attendance — a tradition President Trump did not continue during his first term in office, saying he did not want to be a political distraction as some attendees had threatened to boycott his appearance. As Trump gets ready to start his second term in office, there are questions about whether federal funding for the arts might be on the chopping block.

Reports: Juan Soto, Mets agree on largest contract in pro sports history

Former New York Yankees star outfielder Juan Soto is staying in the Big Apple, but moving leagues in reportedly the largest deal in professional sports history.

According to reports, Soto and the Mets have agreed to a 15-year, $765 million deal. Sources told ESPN, it includes no deferred money and an opt-out option after five years.

Juan Soto will become the highest paid player in MLB history 🤯 pic.twitter.com/dj6jikJojb

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) December 9, 2024

But should Soto decide not to opt out, his pay will reportedly go up an extra $4 million a year for the remainder of the deal — meaning in the end, this could be an over $800 million deal.

The agreement also reportedly includes a $75 million signing bonus.
Soto’s deal surpasses the record set just last year by Shohei Ohtani’s 10-year, $700 million contract.

Note: The headline has been corrected to Assad. A previous version had the incorrect name.

Republicans block efforts by their Democratic colleagues to release the House Ethics Committee’s report on its investigation into former Congressman Matt Gaetz. And the manhunt continues for the gunman in the killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.

House Republicans block release of Matt Gaetz ethics report

The House Ethics Committee’s report on its investigation into former Congressman Matt Gaetz will not be made public — at least for now.  Thursday, Dec. 5, House Republicans blocked two separate Democratic resolutions to release the report, voting to refer the matter back to the committee.

Lawmakers voted along almost entirely party lines to table an effort from Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL) to force the report’s immediate release, saying the former Florida congressman is no longer under the House’s jurisdiction because he resigned. 

Gaetz left Congress last month after President-elect Donald Trump announced he was nominating the Republican lawmaker to become the nation’s next attorney general. That all happened just days before the ethics report was supposed to be released. 

Gaetz later withdrew from consideration for the job after it became clear he would not get the Senate support needed to win confirmation, amid allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor and illicit drug use. He’s also denied those allegations. 

Another effort by Democratic Congressman Steve Cohen of Tennessee was also blocked.  

Casten blasted the House’s decision in a statement after the vote, saying, “Today, the majority of the House of Representatives took the easy way out. They could have ensured a vote on whether or not former members should be held accountable when they face serious and credible allegations of sexual misconduct — including having sex with minors. Instead, the House voted to sweep these allegations under the rug and set an unfortunate precedent that, if you are ever facing scrutiny, resigning from Congress can make your problems go away.” 

Casten added he will continue to try to get the report released.

Tonight the House of Representatives voted to sweep credible allegations of sexual misconduct under the rug.

I retain options to pursue the release of the Gaetz Report.

Read my full statement on tonight's vote:https://t.co/ZdPIvVj2yw

— Rep. Sean Casten (@RepCasten) December 5, 2024

Congressman Michael Guest (R-MS), the committee chairman, said there no longer is the same urgency to release the report because Gaetz has left Congress and stepped aside as Trump’s choice to head the Justice Department.

Elon Musk spent more than $250 million getting Trump re-elected

Billionaire Elon Musk spent almost a quarter of a billion dollars in supporting Donald Trump’s reelection, according to Federal Election Commission filings released late Thursday, Dec. 5. While that accounts for just a fraction of Musk’s wealth as the richest man in the world, it’s a massive amount to come from just one single donor. 

Musk donated most of that money to his America PAC, making three donations of $25 million each in the final weeks of the race. Over the course of the campaign, he gave America PAC a total of $239 million in cash and in-kind contributions. 

Musk also spent more than $40 million on checks to voters in swing states who signed a petition in support of the Constitution. 

According to the filings, Musk also put $20 million into a PAC named after the late liberal Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. That PAC was behind political ads claiming Trump does not support a federal abortion ban and he and Ginsburg had that in common. 

Since being elected again, Trump has tapped Musk to lead his new Department of Government Efficiency, which will focus on slashing federal spending and regulations.

New images released as manhunt continues in UnitedHealthcare CEO killing

Police have released new information about the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson as the manhunt continues for the gunman. Investigators released new images Thursday of a hooded man who they say is “a person of interest” wanted for questioning in the slaying of the health insurance executive.

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Police sources confirmed to multiple news outlets the images were taken from a surveillance camera inside a hostel on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Officials said the man used a fake New Jersey ID to check into the hostel. 

The sources said the suspect is believed to have traveled from Atlanta to New York City on a Greyhound bus the Sunday before Thanksgiving, Nov. 24, then later checked in to the hostel. Greyhound is reportedly cooperating with the investigation. 

The gunman shot Thompson multiple times at point-blank range as he was walking into a New York City Hilton hotel. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. Authorities said the shooting was “premeditated” and a “brazen, targeted attack.” 

According to multiple reports, the bullet casings located at the scene had the words “deny,” “defend” and “depose” written on them. The gun used in the shooting has not been recovered. 

Police are still searching for a motive in the deadly shooting.

Aftershocks rock California after magnitude 7 earthquake

Dozens of aftershocks have been reported in California after a powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake rattled a large part of the west coast Thursday. The epicenter of the earthquake was around 50 miles southwest of the northern port city Eureka in the Pacific Ocean. 

A tsunami warning briefly went into effect from Oregon down to central California, but that has since been canceled. Evacuation orders have also been lifted. 

California’s governor signed a state of emergency and said damage assessments are underway. So far, only minor damage and no injuries have been reported.

NASA delays next two manned moon missions

We’ve waited decades to see an astronaut walk on the moon again, and now, we’ll have to wait a little longer.

NASA announced Thursday it is delaying its next two Artemis moon missions to address an issue with the Orion crew capsule that will be housing the astronauts and its heat shield. The agency said the Artemis II mission that will fly a crew around the moon has been pushed from September of this year to no earlier than April of 2026. 

The Artemis III mission, which will see the first moon landing in more than 50 years, set for 2026 will now happen no earlier than mid-2027.

Taylor Swift’s recording-breaking Eras tour ends this weekend

This weekend will see the end of an era — or should we say Eras. Taylor Swift is concluding her record-breaking Eras tour with three performances in Vancouver, Canada. 

The tour kicked off in March of last year with Swift putting on the 3.5-hour concert more than 150 times in front of sold-out crowds across five continents.

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Her fans, known as “Swifties,” broke attendance and sales records. By the end of last year, Eras became the first tour to gross more than $1 billion. 

Concert trade publication Pollstar said it will likely bring at least $2 billion by the time it’s all over. 

During the tour, Swift was named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year. Her Eras tour concert film also grossed more than $260 million at the box office. 

Just this week, Spotify named Swift its global top artist of the year with more than 26.5 billion streams.

The manhunt continues for the gunman who shot and killed a health care company CEO outside a hotel in New York City. And cryptocurrency Bitcoin hits a milestone. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024.

Manhunt underway for suspect in fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO

The manhunt for the gunman continues as more details are released about the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson as he was walked into a Hilton hotel in New York City Wednesday morning, Dec. 4. Family and friends are mourning one of the top executives of the world’s largest health insurer.

“Fifty-year-old Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was shot and killed in what appears at this early stage of our investigation to be a brazen targeted attack,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. “This does not appear to be a random act of violence. The victim was in New York City to speak at an investor conference. It appears a suspect was lying in wait for several minutes and as the victim was walking to the conference hotel the suspect approached from behind and fired several rounds.”

The deadly shooting was captured on surveillance video and police released images from the scene. Authorities said the masked gunman walked up behind the CEO and shot him in the back at point-blank range. 

At a press conference Wednesday, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny described what happened next. 

“The shooter then walks toward the victim and continues to shoot,” he said. “It appears that the gun malfunctions, as he clears the jam and begins to fire again. The shooter then flees on foot northbound into an alleyway between 54th Street and 55th Street.”

These are additional images of the suspect sought in connection to this morning's homicide. If you have any information about this incident, the suspect, or his location please contact @NYPDTips at 1(800)577-TIPS. https://t.co/rtfVynljXa pic.twitter.com/kUJr7l0nxZ

— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) December 4, 2024

Police said once the shooter took off from outside the hotel, he got on an electric bike and was last seen riding into Central Park in Manhattan. They also said they recovered a cell phone in the alleyway and are working to see if it is linked to the shooting. 

Investigators are speaking to Thompson’s coworkers and family members to see if he received any specific threats leading up to the shooting. 

Thompson joined UnitedHealthcare in 2004 and was named CEO in 2021. UnitedHealthcare’s parent company, UnitedHealth Group, issued a statement, calling Thompson a “highly respected colleague and friend.” It added, “Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him.” 

Thompson’s wife, Paulette, also released a statement saying, “We are shattered to hear about the senseless killing of our beloved Brian. Brian was an incredibly loving, generous, talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives. 

“Most importantly, Brian was an incredibly loving father to our two sons and will be greatly missed. We appreciate your well wishes and request complete privacy as our family moves through this difficult time.” 

As the investigation continues, police are urging anyone with information to give them a call.

2 children critically wounded in shooting at California religious school

In California, two kindergarteners are in “extremely critical condition” after a shooting at a religious K-8 school Wednesday afternoon. Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said the shooting happened around 1 p.m. local time at Feather River Adventist School near Palermo north of Sacramento. 

Authorities said the gunman who had been dropped off at the school by an Uber and just before the shooting, met with the principal about enrolling a student. Investigators are looking into whether that meeting was just a ruse for the man to get on campus. 

When deputies got to the scene, they found the shooter dead near the school playground from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Police said the gunman had no prior connection to the school or the 5-year-old and 6-year-old boys he shot. Investigators believe he might have targeted the Seventh-day Adventist school because of its church affiliation. 

“Whether or not this is a hate crime or whether or not it’s part of some sort of larger scheme,” Honea said at a press briefing Wednesday night. “At this point I don’t have enough information to provide an answer to that.” 

Authorities believe they have figured out who the shooter is, but they’re not releasing information about his identity as of yet.

DOJ says Memphis police ‘regularly’ violate Black people’s rights

The Justice Department said the Memphis Police Department “regularly violates” Black people’s rights. The DOJ released its findings Wednesday from an investigation into the police department following the death of Tyre Nichols after a traffic stop in 2023. 

The civil rights investigation started six months after Nichols was kicked, punched and hit with a police baton as five officers tried to arrest him, ultimately leading to his death. The federal investigation concluded Memphis police used excessive force, and conducted illegal stops, searches and arrests, as well as unlawfully discriminated against Black people. 

The DOJ said the City of Memphis and the MPD cooperated fully with its investigation, however, the City of Memphis said in a letter Wednesday it would reject a preliminary agreement on a legally binding consent decree for federal oversight of its police department.

In the letter, the city’s attorney said, “The investigation and unreleased findings only took 17 months to complete, compared to an average of 2-3 years in almost every other instance, implying a rush to judgment.” She added city officials first need the chance to “review, analyze and challenge the allegations.”

21 people, including 5 children, killed in Israeli strike on Gaza tent camp

At least 21 people are dead after an Israeli strike on a tent camp housing displaced Palestinians in Gaza Wednesday, according to the director of a hospital in the nearby city Khan Younis. 

The Israeli military claimed it struck senior Hamas militants “involved in terrorist activities” in the Muwasi area and took precautions to minimize harm to civilians.  

A spokesman for Gaza’s civil defense agency said five children were killed in the strike, which they claim was one of several deadly strikes across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday.

Price of Bitcoin rises to $100,000 for the first time

Bitcoin prices are booming. The price of a single Bitcoin surged Wednesday to more than $100,000, marking the first time the 16-year-old cryptocurrency hit six figures.

$102,883.47#Bitcoin #BTC $BTC $USD

— Bitcoin (@Bitcoin) December 5, 2024

Bitcoin’s milestone came just hours after President-elect Donald Trump announced Paul Atkins as his pick to be the next chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Atkins was an SEC commissioner during George W. Bush’s presidency and is known to be a strong supporter of cryptocurrencies. 

Current SEC Chair Gary Gensler has said he will step down from the role on Jan. 20, the day of Trump’s inauguration. 

Chi-Chi’s to reopen restaurants after shutting down 20 years ago

One restaurant brand is looking to make a comeback as it hopes to attract customers searching for a taste of nostalgia. The Mexican restaurant chain Chi-Chi’s is planning to once again open its door starting next year.

Chi-Chi’s Mexican chain set to return 20 years after last restaurant closed https://t.co/eYDcQ0MrFm pic.twitter.com/Wq72fasTHL

— The Independent (@Independent) December 5, 2024

Michael McDermott, the son of the chain’s co-founder, struck a deal with Hormel Foods, which owns the Chi-Chi’s trademark. Chi-Chi’s closed its last restaurant in 2004 following a hepatitis A outbreak that was linked to four deaths and sickened more than 600 people. 

McDermott said there is an opportunity to bring back the brand in a way that resonates with today’s consumers, but specifics on menu items and locations have not yet been revealed.

Political unrest grows in South Korea after the president’s short-lived martial law order. And U.S. officials urge Americans to use encrypted messaging apps after a massive cyberattack. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024.

Push to impeach South Korea’s president after martial law declaration

It may have been short-lived, but the South Korean president’s declaration of martial law could have implications for months to come as six opposition parties have moved to impeach Yoon Suk Yeol.

Martial law grants the military temporary rule during an emergency, which the president can legally declare. Yoon sent heavily armed forces into the streets of Seoul Tuesday, Dec. 3, after suddenly and unexpectedly putting the country under martial law — vowing to eliminate “anti-state” forces he claimed were planning a rebellion.

Action was swift, with protesters surrounding South Korea’s parliament building. Lawmakers climbed walls to get back into the building and used fire extinguishers to hold soldiers off so they could unanimously vote to cancel the martial law declaration just hours after it was put in place. 

Impeaching Yoon requires the support of two-thirds of the National Assembly and at least six of the country’s nine constitutional court justices. The liberal opposition Democratic Party holds a majority in the 300-seat parliament and has called for Yoon’s resignation.

WATCH: Soldiers arrive at South Korea's parliament after president declares martial law pic.twitter.com/cZX4vsM34y

— BNO News (@BNONews) December 3, 2024

One Democratic Party lawmaker said an impeachment vote could come as early as Friday, Dec. 5. 

Martial law is a sensitive subject in South Korea, which has only been a democracy since the 1980s. Before that, in the wake of the Korean War which ended in 1953, multiple dictatorships emerged with leaders often declaring martial law to prevent antigovernmental protests. 

South Korea is considered a key ally of the United States and White House officials said they are “monitoring the situation closely.” The U.S. has about 28,000 troops stationed in South Korea.

Trump’s nominees to lead DEA, FBI, DOD making headlines

Three of President-elect Donald Trump’s picks for his incoming administration made headlines Tuesday. One nominee dropped out, another was the target of a possible cyberattack, and the third could be replaced. 

Trump had nominated Hillsborough County, Florida Sheriff Chad Chronister to lead the Drug Enforcement Agency. On Tuesday, Chronister took his name out of the running, saying in a post on X to have been nominated was “an honor of a lifetime” but “as the gravity of this very responsibility set in” he concluded that he must “respectfully withdraw from consideration.”

To have been nominated by President-Elect @realDonaldTrump to serve as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration is the honor of a lifetime. Over the past several days, as the gravity of this very important responsibility set in, I’ve concluded that I must respectfully… pic.twitter.com/bvNF8m9Bh4

— Chad Chronister (@ChadChronister) December 3, 2024

The nomination came under fire from some Trump supporters over Chronister’s enforcement of COVID-19 restrictions during the pandemic. This marks the second Trump nominee to withdraw his name after former Congressman Matt Gaetz said he would not continue his bid to become attorney general. 

Meanwhile, reports say Trump’s nominee for FBI director, Kash Patel, was the target of a possible Iran-backed cyberattack. Sources familiar with the situation told multiple outlets, including ABC News and CBS News, the alleged hackers targeted Patel’s communications, but it was not clear how much data they were able to view. 

Patel held various roles during Trump’s first term including chief of staff to the secretary of defense. 

Finally, there might be a change when it comes to the next defense secretary. The Wall Street Journal and other outlets reported Wednesday morning, Dec. 4, that Trump’s pick of former Fox News anchor and military veteran Pete Hegseth’s is in doubt. 

Since his nomination, Hegseth has been the subject of reports on allegations about his personal life, including claims of sexual misconduct, repeated intoxication and rampant womanizing. Hegseth has denied those allegations. 

The Wall Street Journal and New York Post both reported Trump is considering Florida governor and former GOP presidential candidate Ron DeSantis as a possible replacement for Hegseth. Desantis served in the U.S. Navy before becoming governor. 

Both Trump and DeSantis attended a memorial service Tuesday for fallen law enforcement officers in Palm Beach County, Florida. 

Hegseth has been meeting with Senate Republicans at the Capitol this week to try to rally support ahead of confirmation hearings. People close to the president-elect’s team said talks of a replacement are in the early stages and the next 48 hours are crucial to Hegseth’s fate.

Trump’s lawyers ask judge to toss conviction, cite Biden’s pardon

President-elect Trump’s lawyers have officially asked a judge to throw out his criminal conviction in his so-called “hush money” case. 

In May, a jury found Trump guilty of 34 charges in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through a payment to a porn actor who claimed she and trump had sex. Trump has long denied that. 

In a filing made public Tuesday, Trump’s lawyers said continuing the case would present “disruptions to the institution of the presidency” and undermine the transition of power as he prepares to take back the Oval Office next month. 

Lawyers also pointed to President Joe Biden’s recent move to pardon his son Hunter of his convictions on tax fraud and gun charges where the president said Hunter was “unfairly prosecuted” as a reason Trump’s case should be dismissed. Trump’s lawyers called his prosecution “political theater.” 

Prosecutors have until Monday, Dec. 9 to respond. In the past, they said they would fight efforts to dismiss the case but indicated a willingness to delay the sentencing until after Trump’s second term ends in January 2029.

Americans urged to use encrypted messaging apps after cyberattack

U.S. officials are recommending Americans use encrypted messaging apps amid a cyberattack on telecommunications companies like AT&T and Verizon.  Cybersecurity experts advise you to encrypt your text messages and voice communication, if possible.

Threat actors affiliated with the Chinese government have compromised telecom provider networks to conduct a cyber espionage campaign. Network defenders should read new guidance from the #FBI and our partners to harden their systems against this activity: https://t.co/yzh7NedOAe pic.twitter.com/GXsN7lbB0f

— FBI (@FBI) December 3, 2024

Microsoft said the hacking campaign, nicknamed “Salt Typhoon,” is one of the biggest intelligence compromises in U.S. history and has not yet been fully stopped. 

Officials said China is behind the attack in an attempt to spy on Americans. Chinese officials have not addressed the accusations.

Cyber Monday pulls in record $13.3 billion in sales

Your chances to get some of the deepest discounts of the holiday shopping season have passed with Cyber Monday now in the books. Consumers took full advantage, collectively spending a record $13.3 billion online during Cyber Monday. 

Adobe Analytics said that’s up 7.3% from last year and surpassed projections of $13.2 billion in sales. The company said between the peak hours of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Alone, people spent a combined $15.8 million every 60 seconds. 

Adobe said “buy now, pay later” plans were quite popular, accounting for more than $991 million worth of Cyber Monday spending.

Beyoncé tops Billboard’s list of the greatest pop stars of 21st century

Beyoncé is the greatest pop star of the 21^st century, according to Billboard. She came in at the top of its staff-chosen editorial list. 

The music charting site said the choice is based on Beyoncé’s “full 25 years of influence, impact, [and] evolution.” Billboard added when talking about greatness in the 21st century, nobody else has a longer or fuller track record.

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Beyoncé holds the record for most Grammy wins, with 32. Her latest album “Cowboy Carter” is up for 11 trophies at the 2025 Grammy awards. 

Taylor Swift came in at number two on Billboard’s list with Rihanna in third.

President-elect Donald Trump announces plans to travel to Paris, his first trip overseas since winning the election. And a judge rejects Elon Musk’s bid to restore his $56 billion pay package. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024.

Trump to travel to Paris for reopening of Notre Dame cathedral

Donald Trump has announced his first trip overseas since becoming president-elect. He will be traveling to Paris, France this weekend to attend the reopening of the historic Notre Dame Cathedral after it was severely damaged in a fire five years ago.

Trump posted his travel plans to his Truth Social platform Monday night, Dec. 2, saying in part, “President Emmanuel Macron has done a wonderful job ensuring that Notre Dame has been restored to its full level of glory, and even more so. It will be a very special day for all!”

A massive fire broke out at the cathedral in April 2019 and although it is not yet fully restored, visitors will be allowed back beginning Dec. 7. According to Paris police, Saturday’s reopening is expected to draw some 50 heads of state. Sources told CNN Trump was invited to the event by the French government.

https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1yoJMyjEyQXJQ

Macron is slated to deliver remarks at the ceremony. The French president was the first foreign leader to congratulate Trump on his victory last month, posting on X that he was ready to work with Trump again for peace and prosperity.

The news of Trump’s trip to Paris comes just days after the president-elect selected real estate mogul Charles Kushner, his son-in-law’s father, to serve as the ambassador of France during his second administration. 

In 2020, Trump pardoned Charles Kushner, who had pleaded guilty in 2005 to 18 counts of tax evasion, witness tampering and making illegal campaign donations. He served 14 months in prison. 

Trump’s visit to Paris would be his first known trip outside of the U.S. since he visited his golf courses in Ireland and Scotland in May 2023.

Biden makes history as first US president to visit Angola

President Joe Biden is making history as the first American president to visit Angola. This also marks the only trip to sub-Saharan Africa of his presidency. 

Biden’s visit is centered on the U.S.-backed Lobito corridor railway redevelopment project in Angola, Zambia and Congo. It’s meant to counter China’s influence on the continent.

This morning, I met with Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva of the Republic of Cabo Verde to discuss our growing relationship, the vibrant Cabo Verdean diaspora in the U.S., and ways we can work together to support democratic freedoms and climate resilience. pic.twitter.com/gMQQDKphsD

— President Biden (@POTUS) December 2, 2024

The goal is to increase the U.S.’ presence in the region which is rich in the critical minerals used to make things like electric vehicle batteries and other electronic devices, as well as clean energy technologies. 

On his way to Angola, Biden stopped in the island nation of Cape Verde for a short, closed-door meeting with that country’s prime minister.

Raskin challenges Nadler for top Democratic House Judiciary Committee spot

In Washington, Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin is challenging New York’s Jerry Nadler for the top Democratic spot on the powerful House Judiciary Committee. 

Raskin is a former constitutional law professor who served as the Democrats’ lead prosecutor in the Trump impeachment trial after the Jan. 6 attack. Nadler has held the top job on the committee since 2019 and is currently serving in his 17th term in Congress. 

Raskin, who is the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said in a statement Monday that come next year, the Judiciary under his leadership would become “the headquarters of congressional opposition to authoritarianism.”

Judge rules Elon Musk’s $56B Tesla pay package can’t be reinstated

Billionaire Elon Musk has lost his bid to get his $56 billion pay package from Tesla reinstated. The 2018 compensation is what helped him become the richest man in the world. 

On Monday, a Delaware judge ruled Tesla failed to prove its fiscal plan for the CEO was fair, saying the board was under too much influence from Musk when it approved the massive payout in the form of stock options. The package was the largest compensation plan in U.S. history for a public company executive. 

In a post on X, which Musk also owns, Tesla said it plans to appeal the decision.

A Delaware judge just overruled a supermajority of shareholders who own Tesla and who voted twice to pay @elonmusk what he’s worth.

The court’s decision is wrong, and we’re going to appeal.

This ruling, if not overturned, means that judges and plaintiffs’ lawyers run Delaware…

— Tesla (@Tesla) December 2, 2024

2,500 giant panda sculptures on display in Hong Kong

It was “panda-monium” at the Hong Kong International Airport on Monday as 2,500 giant panda sculptures were on display. It was all part of a launch ceremony for the panda-themed exhibition called “PANDA GO! FEST HK.”

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A post shared by The Royal Garden (@royalgardenhotel)

Starting Saturday, the sculptures will be on the move throughout Hong Kong visiting various landmarks. The designs of six special editions were inspired by the half-dozen giant pandas currently living in Hong Kong.

Oxford chooses ‘brain rot’ as word of the year

Oxford University Press, the publisher of the Oxford English Dictionary, has selected “brain rot” as the 2024 Word of the Year. (Dictionary.com chose its Word of the Year last week.) 

What is “brain rot?” According to Oxford, the definition is the “supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as a result of overconsumption of material — particularly online content — considered to be trivial or unchallenging.”

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Oxford says it selected “brain rot” after a vote of 37,000 people, public discussion, and analysis. The publisher said “brain rot” has gained new prominence this year as a term used to reference the impact of consuming excessive amounts of low-quality online content. 

While the first recorded usage of “brain rot” was in 1854 by Henry David Thoreau, Oxford said the term increased in usage frequency over the past year by 230%.

Saying it is clear that his son was treated differently and singled out by the justice system, President Joe Biden has pardoned his son of his felony conviction. And winter weather moved in on the first weekend in December, bringing feet of lake-effect snow to parts of the Northeast. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, Dec. 2, 2024.

President-elect Trump, Hunter Biden react to President Biden’s pardon

Reaction is coming in after President Joe Biden’s decision late Sunday night, Dec. 1, to pardon his son Hunter. With his time in office ending in a matter of weeks, the president reversed previous statements he made when he said he would not use his power to keep his son from facing prison time due to felony convictions.

Hunter Biden faced sentencing later this month related to two separate criminal cases. In September, he pleaded guilty to nine tax charges, and last June, a jury found him guilty of lying on a gun purchase form. 

Hunter faced up to 17 years in prison for the tax charges and 25 years in the gun case. 

The president said he decided to issue the pardon because he believes his son was “selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted” and that the prosecution of Hunter’s arrests led to a “miscarriage of justice.” 

President Biden said the charges in his son’s cases came to be after several of his “political opponents in Congress instigated them” to attack the president and oppose his election. 

The president’s move is a reversal from last month when White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said there would be no pardon and over the summer when President Biden said the same at another press briefing and during an interview with ABC News. 

Hunter Biden issued his own statement Sunday saying in part he has admitted and taken responsibility for mistakes he made during his addiction. He added, “I will never take the clemency I have been given today for granted and will devote the life I have rebuilt to helping those who are still sick and suffering.” 

President-elect Donald Trump also issued a statement on his Truth Social platform asking if President Biden’s pardon also includes those arrested in connection to the Jan. 6 riots. Trump used Biden’s own words – saying this is “a miscarriage of justice.”

pic.twitter.com/OnaT6Cufp1

— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) December 2, 2024

President Biden’s pardon covers any potential federal crimes Hunter committed from Jan. 1, 2014 through Dec.1, 2024 — including his time on the board of Ukrainian gas company Burisma. Hunter Biden faced criticism for his foreign business transactions and lofty salary despite having a lack of energy experience. 

This official grant of clemency cannot be rescinded by President-elect Trump.

Canada’s prime minister to up border security after meeting with Trump

Canadian officials are stepping up security at the country’s border with the United States after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with President-elect Trump in Florida for dinner on Friday, Nov. 29. That’s according to a top Canadian government official who was there for the talks. 

Trump announced Monday, Nov. 25, he would levy 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico if they did not stop undocumented people and drugs from crossing their respective borders into the U.S.

Thanks for dinner last night, President Trump. I look forward to the work we can do together, again. pic.twitter.com/lAWFMTtQt7

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) November 30, 2024

Canada’s ambassador to the U.S. said Trudeau was successful in getting the president-elect to understand that lumping the flow of migrants and drugs into the U.S. from Canada, with those from Mexico is unfair. Still, Trudeau has promised to increase northern border security in a “visible and muscular way.” 

After their meeting, Trump posted on social media that it was “productive” and Trudeau had “made a commitment to work with us.”

Millions face winter weather warning as lake-effect snow blankets northeast

Cold temperatures are sweeping across a large part of the U.S., combined with record-warm temperatures in the Great Lakes, equaling lake-effect snow — and lots of it. 

Some parts of the Northeast have already received a few feet of snow, and it’s not expected to stop until Wednesday, Dec. 4, with up to two more feet of snow expected to blanket the area through Tuesday, Dec. 3.

Dogs frolicked outside a home in Millcreek Township, Pennsylvania, as lake-effect snow fell across the Lake Erie region on Friday. https://t.co/LlY4sbLrrm pic.twitter.com/zOWzTgrnX0

— ABC News (@ABC) December 1, 2024

More than two feet of snow was on the ground when the Buffalo Bills put out the call on Sunday, Dec. 1, for fans to volunteer to shovel snow ahead of their game against the San Francisco 49ers. Lots of fans turned out for $20 an hour, warm refreshments and a ticket to the game. 

There is a state of emergency in effect Monday morning in parts of New York state. Meanwhile, millions of people are under winter weather warnings from the East Coast to Ohio. 

The cold is expected to last well into this week with nearly 70% of the continental U.S. set to feel temperatures below freezing. Some cities, like New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Minneapolis and Cincinnati, will experience below-average temperatures for the entire week.

Big Ten fines Ohio State, Michigan $100,000 each for post-game brawl

A college football rivalry game over the weekend ended with both teams fined $100,000 each. The Big Ten issued the fines Sunday against Michigan and Ohio State due to a post-game brawl between players, that saw police officers using pepper spray to break up the fighting.

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It began after players from Michigan planted their flag in mid-field at Ohio Stadium, known as the “Horseshoe,” following the Wolverines’ 13-10 upset victory over the No. 2 Buckeyes. After five minutes, the melee ended with some players and coaches bloodied. 

The Big Ten said both teams violated the league’s sportsmanship policy, but it does not plan to suspend any player for the incident.

Black Friday sees record $10.8 billion in online sales

Cyber Monday is here, but it looks like shoppers couldn’t wait. Black Friday saw record spending in the U.S. this year, with many shoppers chose to forgo the mall crowds and instead opting to buy online. 

Shoppers spent a record $10.8 billion online Friday, according to Adobe Analytics. That’s over 10% — or $1 billion — more than they did last year. It’s also more than double what consumers spent in 2017. 

Adobe said online shoppers shelled out roughly $1.3 million per minute between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Friday. 

Friday’s in-store shopper traffic was down more than 8% compared to 2023, according to Sensormatic Solutions, which tracks retail store foot traffic.

‘Moana 2’ breaks Thanksgiving box office record with $221M

It seems getting full on turkey and stuffing were not the only plan for Americans over the holiday weekend. Many also went to the movies to see the latest from Disney. 

“Moana 2” broke a Thanksgiving box office record. The animated sequel took in $221 million over the five-day holiday period from Wednesday, Nov. 27, to Sunday, Dec. 1.

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This topped “Frozen 2’s” Thanksgiving earnings of $125 million in 2019. “Moana 2” also overtook last year’s “The Super Mario Brothers” movie to have the biggest five-day debut in history. 

Combined with blockbusters “Wicked” and “Gladiator II,” the three films brought in $420 million, making it the highest-grossing Thanksgiving weekend ever at the box office.

President-elect Donald Trump said Mexico has agreed to stem the tide of migrants flowing into the United States, but Mexico’s president is now saying that’s not quite accurate. And Amazon workers are using Black Friday to make a statement about their labor situation. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Nov. 29, 2024.

Mexico’s president refutes Trump’s claim she promised to close the border

As President-elect Donald Trump gets ready to return to office, he’s already making moves to follow through on some of his biggest campaign promises. After announcing this week his plans to impose tariffs on goods from China, Canada and Mexico, he turned his attention to another hot-button issue: immigration.

It’s a bit of a case of “he said, she said” after Trump had a call with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Wednesday, Nov. 27. President-elect Trump posted on his Truth Social platform after the call saying Sheinbaum agreed to stop migration into the U.S. through Mexico, “effectively closing our southern border.”

Sheinbaum appeared to contradict Trump in a post of her own on X, saying in part, “Mexico’s position is not to close borders…”

She did, however, lay out Mexico’s “comprehensive strategy” for addressing the migration issue. In a separate post on X, Sheinbaum said during the call, she told President-elect Trump, “No caravans are arriving at the border because they are being attended to in Mexico.”

En nuestra conversación con el presidente Trump, le expuse la estrategia integral que ha seguido México para atender el fenómeno migratorio, respetando los derechos humanos. Gracias a ello se atiende a las personas migrantes y a las caravanas previo a que lleguen a la frontera.…

— Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo (@Claudiashein) November 28, 2024

The two leaders also talked about how they’re addressing the U.S. fentanyl crisis.

The call was scheduled after Trump unveiled plans to slap 25% tariffs on all imports from Mexico to the U.S. as part of the effort to stem the flow of illegal drugs into the U.S. through Mexico.

Not only would that impact the prices of avocados and agave — both very popular in the U.S. — Mexico’s economy secretary said Wednesday 88% of all North American pickup trucks come from Mexico. Sheinbaum then suggested Mexico could retaliate with tariffs of its own.

During her daily news briefing Thursday, Nov. 28, though, Sheinbaum told reporters “there will be no potential tariff war” between the U.S. and Mexico.

President Joe Biden weighed in on Trump’s tariff plans while paying a Thanksgiving visit to first responders in Nantucket.

“I hope he rethinks it,” Biden said. “I think it’s a counterproductive thing to do. You know, one of the things you’ve heard me say before is that we are – we have an unusual situation in America. We’re surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and two allies: Mexico and Canada. The last thing we need to do is begin to screw up those relationships.”

Economists forecast Trump’s planned tariffs would increase prices for American shoppers, costing the average U.S. household about $2,600 per year, according to an estimate from the Peterson Institute for International Economics.

Israel and Hezbollah both claim ceasefire violations

Barely three days into a 60-day ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon, both sides are claiming violations. 

On Thursday, Israel carried out its first air strike since the agreement was reached, saying it targeted a rocket storage facility in southern Lebanon that breached the ceasefire deal.

Yesterday, Hezbollah had a precision-guided missile manufacturing site—today, they don’t.

Hezbollah’s largest precision-guided missiles manufacturing site, 1.4km wide and 70m underground, was struck and dismantled by IAF fighter jets yesterday.

Precision-guided missiles and… pic.twitter.com/Tct7DiXwfq

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 27, 2024

Lebanese authorities also said two people, who were trying to return to southern Lebanon, were shot and wounded by Israeli forces. Lebanon’s health ministry said they were civilians, but the IDF claimed they were suspected of violating terms of the truce. 

The agreement, brokered by the United States and France, includes an initial two-month ceasefire during which Hezbollah militants will withdraw north of the Litani River and Israeli forces are to return to their side of the border.

Thousands of Amazon workers to strike from Black Friday to Cyber Monday

Amazon workers in more than 20 countries, including the U.S., are on strike on some of the busiest pre-Christmas shopping days across the world. It started on Black Friday, Nov. 29, a day for bargain hunters to score some of the biggest discounts from stores across the country as holiday shopping kicks into high gear. 

The strike is set to continue through the weekend and into Cyber Monday, Dec. 2, when online retailers generally offer their biggest deals.

Amazon workers plan strike between Black Friday and Cyber Monday in major cities around the world https://t.co/ggrIkXQzCt pic.twitter.com/6Mso2YprvG

— New York Post (@nypost) November 28, 2024

Organizers told the United Nations the so-called “days of resistance” are to hold Amazon accountable for alleged labor abuses, as well as “environmental degradation and threats to democracy.” According to ABC News, the strike could delay holiday deliveries. 

The organizers said this is their fifth year of labor action against Amazon during the beginning of the holiday shopping season. 

In a statement, Amazon said the group that organized the strikes is being “intentionally misleading” and promoting a “false narrative.” Management said the company offers great pay and benefits.

Canada sues Google over control of online ads

Canada’s antitrust watchdog said it is suing Google over alleged anti-competitive conduct in the company’s online advertising business. They’re calling for Google to sell off two of its ad tech services and pay a penalty. 

The Competition Bureau said it’s necessary because an investigation into Google found the company “unlawfully” tied together its ad tech tools to maintain its dominant market position. Google insists the online advertising market is a highly competitive sector and is fighting the allegations. 

This comes just a week after the U.S. Department of Justice asked a federal judge to force Google to sell its Chrome web browser, saying it continues to crush the competition through its dominant search engine.

America facing a live Christmas tree shortage again

As millions of Americans get ready to begin their search for the perfect Christmas tree, growers are having historic challenges getting them to sale lots, according to the Wall Street Journal. 

The day after Thanksgiving is usually the biggest day for live tree sales, but since Thanksgiving came so late this year, it’s a very short selling season. On top of that, a nationwide shortage is expected thanks to severe weather across the country this year, such as a northeastern drought and North Carolina floods caused by Hurricane Helene. North Carolina is the second-biggest supplier of Christmas trees in the country. 

Shoppers bought roughly 21.6 million real Christmas trees in the U.S. last year, according to the National Christmas Tree Association. The Department of Agriculture said the number of trees harvested in the U.S. has declined 30% since 2002, while the American population has grown 16% over the same period.

Alaska native air drops Thanksgiving turkeys to families in remote areas

In the most remote parts of Alaska a Thanksgiving turkey is hard to come by. So, one woman made sure families in roadless parts of the state had their holiday feast.

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Pilot Esther Keim calls it “Alaska Turkey Bomb.” She flies in a small plane to off-the-grid homes and air drops frozen turkeys for families to enjoy for Thanksgiving. 

Keim said it’s a tribute to a family friend who did the same thing for her family when she was growing up. 

She started the tradition in 2022 after somebody that she knew told her they did not have much of a holiday dinner — and no turkey at all. Since then, she has delivered 30 to 40 turkeys every year to families living in remote areas of Alaska.

The cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah marks a step toward peace in the Middle East, but what happens now in Gaza where Israel is still at war with Hamas? And rain or shine — but not wind — revelers get ready to celebrate in New York City at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024.

Cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah holding so far

A cease-fire deal between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon is holding, so far.

President Joe Biden announced the deal — which the United States and France helped broker — on Tuesday, Nov. 26. Israel and Hezbollah have agreed on an initial 60-day cease-fire, which sets the stage for a lasting truce. 

Already, long-displaced residents of parts of Lebanon have started returning to their homes, hopeful the tenuous agreement will be extended beyond two months. That’s despite the Israeli military warning people to stay away from previously evacuated areas. 

Israel has said if Hezbollah breaks the cease-fire agreement, it will attack.

Following the directive of the political echelon, the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon took effect at 04:00 today, and the IDF has been operating accordingly.
IDF troops are stationed at their positions in southern Lebanon.

Over the past hour, the IDF identified a vehicle with…

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 27, 2024

During the 60-day truce, Hezbollah fighters are to retreat at least 25 miles from the border with Israel and Israeli forces will withdraw from Lebanese territory. 

The agreement does not address the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, another Iran-backed militant group, in Gaza. However, Hamas has said it is ready for a truce. 

“So, now Hamas has a choice to make,” President Biden said on Tuesday. “Their only way out is to release the hostages, including American citizens, which they hold. In the process, bring an end to the fighting, which would make possible a surge of humanitarian relief. Over the coming days, the United States will make another push with Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, Israel and others to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.” 

Biden told reporters he’s hopeful he’ll help achieve a cease-fire in Gaza before the end of his term in January. If not, President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to bring peace to the Middle East, though he has not yet said how.

Trump picks nominations for NIH, trade

President-elect Trump has kept busy this holiday week. On Tuesday night, he announced new picks to join his administration. 

Among them, Trump nominated Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to serve as the director of the National Institutes of Health. As head of the NIH, the Stanford University professor would work alongside Trump’s pick for health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 

Bhattacharya, who also has a doctorate in economics, became known for opposing lockdown restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

pic.twitter.com/J66olFaxnN

— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) November 27, 2024

Trump also selected Jamieson Greer to lead the Office of the United States Trade Representative. Greer is no stranger to the department, having served as chief of staff to the trade representative during Trump’s first term — which saw tariffs imposed on Chinese goods and the signing of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement. 

Greer served as a lawyer in the Air Force and is currently a partner in international trade at the law firm King and Spalding. 

Both of these nominations will need Senate confirmation.

Australia’s House passes bill to ban kids under 16 from social media

Australia’s lower branch of parliament has passed a world-first bill that would ban children under 16 from social media. 

The bill would make platforms such as Tiktok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram liable for fines of up to $50 million ($33 million USD) for failing to prevent young children from holding accounts.

Australia’s communications minister Michelle Rowland introduced a world-first law into Parliament on Thursday that would ban children younger than 16 from social media, saying online safety was one of parents’ toughest challenges. pic.twitter.com/K0zui1wHLv

— The Associated Press (@AP) November 21, 2024

The legislation passed 102-13 in Australia’s House of Representatives and now moves on to the Senate. If the bill becomes law, social media companies would have one year to figure out how to implement the age restrictions before they are enforced.

More than 3,000 fake name-brand electric guitars seized in California

U.S. Customs and Border Protection said it seized more than 3,000 fake electric guitars in Southern California. CBP said the knockoffs were destined for the e-commerce market, just in time for holiday gift shopping. 

CBP said if the guitars were real, they would be worth about $18 million. Most of the fakes look like Gibson brand guitars, but some were supposedly from other well-known companies such as Fender. 

Federal authorities would not release any details about suspects in the investigation or where the counterfeit guitars came from.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to go on, rain or shine

Despite rain in the forecast in the Northeast on Thursday, Nov. 28, the show must go on. The show being the 98th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.  

A Macy’s spokesperson told the New York Post the parade will proceed regardless of wet weather — good news for the expected 3.5 million people who will be along the parade route and the estimated 30 million watching at home. However, wind could pose a problem.

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The spokesperson told the Post, “Based on the city’s guidelines, no giant character balloon will be operated when there are sustained wind conditions exceeding 23 miles per hour and wind gusts greater than 34 miles per hour on the parade route.” 

So far, according to weather reports, the winds should not be a problem, and all 32 balloons should be able to fly. New ones this year include Minnie Mouse and Spider-Man, which is marking its return to the parade for the first time in a decade.

Happy Thanksgiving from Straight Arrow News

With Thursday being Thanksgiving, as you get ready to gather around the table with your family, we wanted to take this time for you to get to know ours a little better. In the video above, members of our Straight Arrow News team have special messages about what they’re thankful for this holiday season. Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!