HUNTER BIDEN IS INDICTED ON NINE TAX-RELATED CHARGES AS A SPECIAL COUNSEL’S INVESTIGATION INTO THE PRESIDENT’S SON CONTINUES

AND — A JUDGE GRANTS AN EMERGENCY ORDER ALLOWING A PREGNANT WOMAN TO GET AN ABORTION IN TEXAS

THE MORNING RUNDOWN STARTS NOW.

TODAY IS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8TH

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I’M KARAH RUCKER.

HUNTER BIDEN WAS INDICTED ON NINE TAX-RELATED CHARGES IN CALIFORNIA THURSDAY – AS A SPECIAL COUNSEL INVESTIGATION CONTINUES INTO THE BUSINESS DEALINGS OF THE PRESIDENT’S SON.

THE NINE CHARGES — THREE FELONIES AND SIX MISDEMEANORS – BROUGHT BY SPECIAL COUNSEL DAVID WEISS ALLEGE HUNTER BIDEN FAILED TO FILE AND PAY TAXES AND ALSO FILED A FALSE RETURN TO EVADE AN ASSESSMENT.

ACCORDING TO THE SPECIAL COUNSEL’S TEAM – HUNTER BIDEN “ENGAGED IN A FOUR-YEAR SCHEME TO NOT PAY AT LEAST 1.4 MILLION DOLLARS”  —

WHILE SPENDING MILLIONS ON “AN EXTRAVAGANT LIFESTYLE.”

THE 56-PAGE INDICTMENT READ: “BETWEEN 2016 AND OCTOBER 15TH 2020, HUNTER BIDEN SPENT MONEY ON DRUGS, ESCORTS AND GIRLFRIENDS, LUXURY HOTELS, RENTAL PROPERTIES, EXOTIC CARS, CLOTHING, AND OTHER ITEMS OF PERSONAL NATURE, IN SHORT, EVERYTHING BUT HIS TAXES.”

IF CONVICTED – HUNTER BIDEN FACES A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF 17 YEARS IN PRISON.

THE TAX-RELATED CHARGES ARE IN ADDITION TO FEDERAL FIREARM CHARGES FILED IN DELAWARE THAT ALLEGE HUNTER BIDEN WAS IN POSSESSION OF A GUN WHILE USING NARCOTICS.

HE PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO THOSE CHARGES IN OCTOBER FOLLOWING THE COLLAPSE OF A PLEA DEAL.

IN RESPONSE TO THE NEW CHARGES – HUNTER BIDEN’S ATTORNEY RELEASED A STATEMENT SAYING IN PART –

-“BASED ON THE FACTS AND THE LAW, IF HUNTER’S LAST NAME WAS ANYTHING OTHER THAN BIDEN, THE CHARGES IN DELAWARE, AND NOW CALIFORNIA, WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT.”

THE WHITE HOUSE HAS DECLINED TO COMMENT ON THURSDAY’S INDICTMENT— WITH AN OFFICIAL SAYING IT LEARNED OF THE CHARGES FROM THE MEDIA’S REPORTING AND DID NOT GET ADVANCED NOTICE.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS CONSIDERING BACKING NEW RESTRICTIONS ON WHO CAN SEEK ASYLUM IN AMERICA AS THE PRESIDENT LOOKS TO SECURE ADDITIONAL AID FOR UKRAINE AND ISRAEL — THAT’S ACCORDING TO A NEW REPORT FROM REUTERS.

A SOURCE FAMILIAR WITH THE DISCUSSIONS – TELLING REUTERS THURSDAY – THE WHITE HOUSE WOULD BE OPEN TO HEIGHTENING THE STANDARD FOR INITIAL ASYLUM SCREENINGS.

IN ADDITION – THE SOURCE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD CONSIDER SOME FORM OF A “SAFE THIRD COUNTRY” PROVISION — DENYING ASYLUM TO MIGRANTS WHO PASS THROUGH ANOTHER COUNTRY ON THE WAY TO THE U.S.

WITH ONLY A WEEK LEFT BEFORE CONGRESS DEPARTS FOR CHRISTMAS BREAK – THE WHITE HOUSE IS TRYING TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT WITH SENATE REPUBLICANS OVER  UKRAINE AID WHILE CONFRONTING THE RISING NUMBERS OF MIGRANTS CROSSING THE U.S. BORDER ILLEGALLY.

EARLIER THIS WEEK – SENATE REPUBLICANS BLOCKED THE 110 BILLION DOLLAR EMERGENCY PACKAGE REQUESTED BY THE PRESIDENT – ARGUING IT FAILED TO ADDRESS STRICTER BORDER SECURITY MEASURES.

ACCORDING TO A STATEMENT FROM A WHITE HOUSE SPOKESPERSON — “THE PRESIDENT HAS SAID HE IS OPEN TO COMPROMISE.”

A TEXAS JUDGE RULED IN FAVOR OF A WOMAN WHO SAYS SHE IS IN NEED OF AN ABORTION AFTER HER FETUS WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A GENETIC ABNORMALITY THAT TYPICALLY LEADS TO A MISCARRIAGE, STILL BIRTH, OR DEATH SOON AFTER BIRTH.

TEXAS LAW BANS ABORTIONS UNDER NEARLY ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, BANS THAT WENT BACK INTO PLACE FOLLOWING THE OVERTURNING OF ROE VERSUS WADE BY THE SUPREME COURT IN JUNE 2022.

UNDER THE LAW —

ANYONE WHO PERFORMS AN ABORTION COULD FACE FELONY CHARGES PUNISHABLE BY A SENTENCE OF UP TO LIFE IN PRISON.

IN THIS CASE, THE DALLAS MOTHER WHO IS 20 WEEKS PREGNANT FILED FOR A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER THAT WOULD BLOCK THE STATE’S ABORTION BAN.

THE EMERGENCY ORDER WAS GRANTED BY A JUDGE ON THURSDAY.

ATTORNEYS FOR THE DALLAS MOTHER ALSO ARGUE SHE HAS ALREADY UNDERGONE TWO C-SECTIONS FOR HER TWO CHILDREN, AND ANOTHER C-SECTION COULD PUT HER AT RISK OF SERIOUS MEDICAL ISSUES.

STILL, EVEN WITH THURSDAY’S RULING — THE TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS THREATENED THAT ANYONE WHO PERFORMS THE ABORTION WOULD BE PROSECUTED AND COULD FACE CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LIABILITY UNDER TEXAS ABORTION LAWS.

THE SON OF  U-S SENATOR KEVIN CRAMER HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER AFTER A POLICE CHASE ENDED IN A HIGH-SPEED CRASH KILLING A DEPUTY IN NORTH DAKOTA.

42-YEAR-OLD IAN CRAMER WAS CHARGED ON THURSDAY — ONE DAY AFTER POLICE ALLEGE HE ATTEMPTED TO FLEE FROM AUTHORITIES —  LEADING THEM ON A CHASE HITTING SPEEDS OVER 100 MILES PER HOUR.

ACCORDING TO POLICE, THE CHASE BEGAN AFTER IAN CRAMER’S MOTHER BROUGHT HIM TO THE HOSPITAL OVER CONCERNS ABOUT HIS MENTAL HEALTH, IAN CRAMER TOOK THE CAR AND CRASHED THROUGH A DOOR TO GET OUT OF AN ENCLOSED AMBULANCE BAY.

ACCORDING TO CHARGING DOCUMENTS, DURING THE CHASE, NORTH DAKOTA DEPUTY PAUL MARTIN LAID OUT A TIRE DEFLATION DEVICE AND TOOK COVER BEHIND HIS SQUAD CAR.

IAN CRAMER — WHO HAD ALREADY BEEN DRIVING ON FLAT TIRES — CRASHED HEAD-ON INTO MARTIN’S SQUAD CAR — PUSHING IT INTO MARTIN –

LAUNCHING THE DEPUTY ABOUT 100 FEET — AND KILLING HIM.

IAN CRAMER IS SLATED TO MAKE HIS FIRST APPEARANCE IN COURT TODAY.

IN A STATEMENT SENATOR CRAMER SAID QUOTE:

“WE ASK THE PUBLIC FOR PRAYERS FOR THE LOST OFFICER’S FAMILY AND COLLEAGUES WHO SERVE US EVERY DAY AND ARE GRATEFUL FOR ALL THEY DO FOR US.”

THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE HAS LAUNCHED AN INVESTIGATION INTO HARVARD, M-I-T AND THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA FOLLOWING A HEARING THIS WEEK WHERE THE UNIVERSITIES’ PRESIDENTS WERE QUESTIONED BY LAWMAKERS ABOUT THE RISE OF ANTISEMITISM ON THEIR CAMPUSES AMID THE WAR BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS.

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WERE DISSATISFIED WITH THE THREE PRESIDENTS’ RESPONSES –

ESPECIALLY TO QUESTIONS ON DISCIPLINING STUDENT PROTESTERS CALLING FOR THE **GENOCIDE OF JEWS.

THE COMMITTEE CALLING THEIR TESTIMONY “ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE.”

THE HOUSE GOP CONFERENCE CHAIR ANNOUNCED THE INVESTIGATION THURSDAY – SAYING THE THREE PRESIDENTS’ RESPONSES WERE QUOTE “MORALLY BANKRUPT.”

AFTER RECEIVING BACKLASH FROM THE HEARING, HARVARD RELEASED A POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA EXPLAINING PRESIDENT CLAUDINE (CLAW-DEEN) GAY’S STANCE SAYING QUOTE:

“LET ME BE CLEAR: CALLS FOR VIOLENCE OR GENOCIDE AGAINST THE JEWISH COMMUNITY, OR ANY RELIGIOUS OR ETHNIC GROUP ARE VILE, THEY HAVE NO PLACE AT HARVARD, AND THOSE WHO THREATEN OUR JEWISH STUDENTS WILL BE HELD TO ACCOUNT.”

PENN PRESIDENT LIZ MAGILL (MA-GILL) RELEASED A VIDEO MESSAGE – CLARIFYING **HER REMARKS —

CALLING FOR A REVIEW OF THE UNIVERSITY’S POLICIES AND SAYING THAT SUCH LANGUAGE WOULD BE CONSIDERED “HARASSMENT OR INTIMIDATION.”

MEANWHILE — THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA BOARD OF TRUSTEES HELD AN EMERGENCY MEETING THURSDAY AS ADVISORS WITH PENN’S WHARTON SCHOOL OF BUSINESS CALL FOR A CHANGE OF LEADERSHIP FOLLOWING MAGILL’S TESTIMONY.

FINALLY THIS MORNING – IT’S THE FIRST DAY OF HANUKKAH FOR JEWS WORLDWIDE.

THE JOYOUS CELEBRATION COMES AMID A RISE IN ANTISEMITIC ACTS IN THE U.S. AND THE WORLD SINCE HAMAS’ TERROR ATTACK ON ISRAEL.

A STORY PUBLISHED YESTERDAY IN THE WALL STREET JOURNAL FOCUSED ON HOW AMERICAN JEWS ARE GRAPPLING WITH HOW TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES AMID ACTS OF HATE AND GROWING FEAR.

ONE GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT IS LOOKING TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION WHILE BRINGING COMMUNITIES TOGETHER.

IT’S CALLED “PROJECT MENORAH” – AND IT WAS STARTED BY A SINGLE-FATHER IN CALIFORNIA – WHOSE 6 YEAR OLD SON ASKED IF THEY COULD DECORATE THEIR HOME FOR HANUKKAH.

ADAM KULBERSH (COAL-BERSH) SAID HE WAS RELUCTANT TO DO SO DUE TO THE RISE IN ANTISEMITISM.

WHEN HE SHARED HIS STORY WITH HIS FRIEND – JENNIFER MARSHALL – WHO IS NOT JEWISH – SHE HAD AN IDEA – AND TOLD HIM SHE’D PUT A MENORAH ON HER WINDOW TO SHOW QUOTE “YOU ARE NOT ALONE.”

THE MOVEMENT HAS SINCE GONE VIRAL ON SOCIAL MEDIA —  WITH KULBERSH SAYING HE’S HEARING ABOUT PROJECT MENORAH FROM PEOPLE ALL OVER THE U.S. – AS WELL AS FRANCE – AUSTRALIA – GERMANY –  ENGLAND – AND OTHER COUNTRIES.

THOSE WHO WANT TO PARTICIPATE CAN EITHER GO OUT AND PURCHASE A MENORAH OR PRINT ONE FROM PROJECT MENORAH’S WEBSITE.

THESE ARE YOUR TOP STORIES FOR THIS FRIDAY.

DON’T FORGET TO HEAD OVER TO SAN DOT COM SLASH RUNDOWN TO SIGN UP FOR OUR MORNING RUNDOWN NEWSLETTER.

UNBIASED. STRAIGHT FACTS. THAT’S STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS.

WE’LL SEE YOU BACK HERE MONDAY.

UNTIL THEN I’M KARAH RUCKER. HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

AS THE GOP FIELD NARROWS, FOUR PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFULS TAKE THE DEBATE STAGE FOR A FOURTH TIME AND — THE U.S. MILITARY HAS GROUNDED ITS ENTIRE FLEET OF OSPREYS FOLLOWING LAST WEEK’S DEADLY CRASH

THE MORNING RUNDOWN STARTS NOW.

TODAY IS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7TH

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I’M KARAH RUCKER.

WITH JUST OVER A MONTH TO GO UNTIL THE IOWA CAUCUSES – REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFULS LOOKED TO GAIN MOMENTUM DURING THE FOURTH PRIMARY DEBATE LAST NIGHT IN ALABAMA.

THE FOUR REMAINING CANDIDATES ON THE STAGE — FLORIDA GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS, FORMER U.N. AMBASSADOR AND SOUTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR NIKKI HALEY, ENTREPRENEUR VIVEK RAMASWAMY AND FORMER NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE – TARGETED ONE ANOTHER THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT – WITH THE FRONTRUNNER – FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP – CHOOSING NOT TO PARTICIPATE.

WITH HALEY RISING IN THE POLLS — AND RECENTLY GAINING THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE “AMERICAN FOR PROSPERITY ADVOCACY GROUP” AS WELL AS NEWS THAT BILLIONAIRE CO-FOUNDER OF LINKEDIN AND DEMOCRAT DONOR REID HOFFMAN RECENTLY GAVE A QUARTER MILLION DOLLARS TO A SUPER PAC BACKING HER  – THE FORMER UN AMBASSADOR FACED JABS EARLY ON.

“I HAVE DELIVERED RESULTS. THAT’S WHAT WE NEED FOR THIS COUNTRY. YOU HAVE OTHER CANDIDATES UP HERE LIKE NIKKI HALEY, SHE CAVES ANY TIME THE LEFT COMES AFTER HER. ANY TIME THE MEDIA COMES AFTER HER.”

RAMASWAMY DECIDED AT ONE POINT TO USE A VISUAL TO MAKE HIS CASE AGAINST HALEY – WRITING ON A NOTEPAD – NIKKI EQUALS CORRUPT.

“AFTER THE THIRD DEBATE WHEN I CRITICIZED RONALD MCDANIEL AFTER FIVE FAILED YEARS OF LEADERSHIP IN THIS PARTY AND CRITICIZED NIKKI FOR HER CORRUPT FOREIGN DEALINGS AS A MILITARY CONTRACTOR, SHE SAID I HAVE A WOMAN PROBLEM. I DON’T HAVE A WOMAN PROBLEM. YOU HAVE A CORRUPTION PROBLEM. I THINK THAT’S WHAT PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW. NIKKI IS CORRUPT. THIS IS A WOMAN WHO WILL SEND YOUR KIDS TO DIE, SO SHE CAN BUY A BIGGER HOUSE”

CHRISTIE TOOK A DIFFERENT APPROACH — DEFENDING HALEY AFTER  EARLIER REMARKS FROM RAMASWAMY – SUGGESTING SHE WOULDN’T BE ABLE TO NAME PROVINCES IN UKRAINE.

“WE ARE NOW 25 MINUTES INTO THIS DEBATE, AND HE HAS  INSULTED NIKKI HALEY’S BASIC INTELLIGENCE. NOT HER POSITIONS, HER BASIC INTELLIGENCE. SHE WOULDN’T BE ABLE TO FIND SOMETHING ON A MAP THAT HIS 3-YEAR-OLD COULD FIND. LOOK, IF YOU WANT TO DISAGREE ON ISSUES, THAT’S FINE. NIKKI AND I DISAGREE ON SOME ISSUES. I’VE KNOWN HER FOR 12 YEARS, WHICH IS LONGER THAN HE STARTED TO VOTE IN A REPUBLICAN PRIMARY. AND WHILE WE DISAGREE ABOUT SOME ISSUES AND WE DISAGREE ABOUT WHO SHOULD BE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. WHAT WE DON’T DISAGREE ON THIS IS A SMART ACCOMPLISHED WOMAN. YOU SHOULD STOP INSULTING HER.”

HALEY HERSELF RESPONDED TO THE ATTACKS FROM DESANTIS AND RAMASWAMY – SAYING THEY ARE JEALOUS.

 “THERE IS NOTHING TO WHAT HE’S  SAYING. IN TERMS OF THESE DONORS, THEY ARE JUST JEALOUS. THEY WISH THEY WERE SUPPORTING THEM, BUT I’M NOT GOING TO SIT THERE AND DENY IT.”

AS FOR TRUMP – CHRISTIE SAID HE WAS RUNNING TO TELL THE TRUTH ABOUT THE FORMER PRESIDENT – SAYING THERE IS NO BIGGER ISSUE IN THIS RACE THAN DONALD TRUMP – AND CRITICIZED HIS FELLOW CANDIDATES FOR NOT TALKING MORE ABOUT THE FORMER PRESIDENT.

AS THE UNITED STATES PREPARES FOR A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN 2024 – THIS MORNING —  RUSSIA ANNOUNCED PLANS FOR ITS OWN.

BY A UNANIMOUS VOTE – RUSSIA’S FEDERATION COUNCIL – APPROVED A DATE OF MARCH 17TH 2024.

THOUGH RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN HAS NOT YET OFFICIALLY DECLARED HIS INTENTION TO RUN AGAIN – HE IS EXPECTED TO DO SO NOW THAT A DATE HAS BEEN SET.

AT 71 YEARS OF AGE, PUTIN WOULD BE RUNNING FOR HIS FIFTH TERM IN OFFICE – ONE THAT LASTS SIX YEARS.

ONE POLITICAL ANALYST TELLING THE ASSOCIATED PRESS –  WHILE OTHERS WILL RUN AGAINST PUTIN — THE MARCH VOTE WILL BE MORE OF A “RITUAL” THAN A COMPETITIVE ELECTORAL ELECTION.

DESPITE A WARNING FROM PRESIDENT BIDEN ABOUT THE DIRE CONSEQUENCES IN UKRAINE SHOULD CONGRESS NOT PROVIDE MORE FUNDING — SENATE REPUBLICANS ON WEDNESDAY BLOCKED A 110 BILLION DOLLAR EMERGENCY SPENDING BILL THAT INCLUDES AID FOR UKRAINE IN ITS WAR WITH RUSSIA, AS WELL AS FUNDING FOR ISRAEL AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE  –

GOP LAWMAKERS HAVE ARGUED **U.S. BORDER SECURITY SHOULD COME FIRST.

WITH THE VOTE OF 49 TO 51 – THE PACKAGE FELL SHORT OF THE SENATE’S 60-VOTE THRESHOLD NEEDED TO MOVE IT FORWARD.

SPEAKING ON THE SENATE FLOOR AFTER THE VOTE — SENATE MAJORITY LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER CALLED IT A SAD DAY IN THE HISTORY OF THE SENATE AND THE COUNTRY – SAYING IF NO ACTION IS TAKEN – VLADIMIR PUTIN IS GOING TO WALK RIGHT THROUGH UKRAINE AND THEN THROUGH EUROPE.

SENATE MINORITY LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL – WHO SUPPORTS MORE AID FOR UKRAINE – URGED REPUBLICANS TO VOTE AGAINST THE BILL – UNTIL THERE ARE “MEANINGFUL CHANGES TO THE BORDER.”

EARLIER IN THE DAY – IN A MESSAGE TO CONGRESS – PRESIDENT BIDEN SAID HE IS WILLING TO DO “SIGNIFICANTLY MORE” ON BORDER SECURITY – BUT CALLED OUT REPUBLICAN SENATORS — SAYING BY NOT PASSING THE BILL THEY ARE “WILLING TO GIVE PUTIN THE GREATEST GIFT HE COULD HOPE FOR.”

GUNFIRE ERUPTED ON THE CAMPUS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, LAS VEGAS ON WEDNESDAY MORNING AS A SHOOTER OPENED FIRE KILLING THREE PEOPLE AND INJURING A FOURTH.

ACCORDING TO REPORTS, THE GUNMAN WAS KILLED DURING A SHOOTOUT WITH POLICE.

AUTHORITIES HAVE DECLINED TO IDENTIFY THE SHOOTER TO THE PUBLIC AS OF NOW BUT LAW ENFORCEMENT SOURCES TELL NEWS OUTLETS THAT HE WAS A 67-YEAR-OLD CAREER COLLEGE PROFESSOR CONNECTED TO OTHER UNIVERSITIES WHO HAD APPLIED FOR A POSITION AT UNLV — BUT WAS NOT HIRED.

THE IDENTITIES OF THE VICTIMS HAVE NOT BEEN RELEASED.

POLICE SAY THE SURVIVING GUNSHOT VICTIM — ORIGINALLY LISTED AS CRITICAL — IS NOW IN STABLE CONDITION.

SHOTS RANG OUT AROUND 11:45 AM LOCAL TIME IN AN ACADEMIC BUILDING ON CAMPUS WHERE STUDENTS WERE PLAYING GAMES AND EATING FOOD.

ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS, TWO UNIVERSITY POLICE DETECTIVES IMMEDIATELY ENGAGED IN A SHOOTOUT WITH THE SUSPECT — KILLING HIM.

A MOTIVE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

IN THE WAKE OF THE DEADLY CRASH OFF THE COAST OF JAPAN LAST WEEK AND CALLS FROM JAPAN’S MILITARY TO HALT ALL OSPREY FLIGHTS, THE U-S MILITARY HAS GROUNDED ITS ENTIRE FLEET OF THE HYBRID AIRCRAFT.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT ON WEDNESDAY COMES JUST A WEEK AFTER EIGHT U-S AIR FORCE SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND SERVICE MEMBERS WERE KILLED IN A CRASH DURING AN OSPREY TRAINING FLIGHT.

HUNDREDS OF THE OSPREY AIRCRAFT’S ACROSS THE AIR FORCE, NAVY, AND MARINE CORPS ARE NOW GROUNDED AS THE PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION INTO THE CRASH INDICATES SOMETHING WENT WRONG WITH THE AIRCRAFT AND NOT AN ERROR BY THE CREW.

JAPAN’S MILITARY HAD ALREADY GROUNDED ITS SMALL FLEET OF OSPREYS.

ACCORDING TO A REUTERS REPORT — THE FLIGHT SAFETY FOUNDATION SAYS AT LEAST 50 MILITARY PERSONNEL HAVE BEEN KILLED IN CRASHES INVOLVING THE AIRCRAFT.

FINALLY THIS MORNING – MCDONALD’S HAS UNVEILED PLANS FOR A NEW KIND OF RESTAURANT – ONE THEY HOPE CUSTOMERS WILL THINK IS OUT OF THIS WORLD.

IT IS CALLED COSMC’S (COSMICS) – NAMED AFTER A MCDONALD’S ALIEN MASCOT FROM THE 1980S.

IN ITS ANNOUNCEMENT WEDNESDAY — MCDONALD’S SAID THE SMALL FORMAT CONCEPT WILL FOCUS ON UNIQUE BEVERAGES SUCH AS A CHURRO FRAPPE (FRAPPAY) – A SMORES COLD BREW – AND  A SOUR CHERRY ENERGY BURST.

THERE WILL BE FOOD OPTIONS AS WELL. COSMC CUSTOMERS WILL BE ABLE TO TRY A SPICY QUESO (KAY-SO) SANDWICH OR A CREAMY AVOCADO TOMATILLO (TOE-MA-TEE-YO) SANDWICH.

THE RESTAURANTS WILL FEATURE MULTIPLE DRIVE-THRU LANES.

THE FIRST COSMC LOCATION WILL OPEN LATER THIS MONTH IN ILLINOIS. MCDONALD’S HOPES TO OPEN 10 BY THE END OF 2024.

THESE ARE YOUR TOP STORIES FOR THIS THURSDAY.

AND BE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE MORNING RUNDOWN NEWSLETTER  TO GET THE TOP STORIES EACH WEEKDAY MORNING.

JUST GO TO SAN DOT COM SLASH RUNDOWN TO SIGN UP.

UNBIASED. STRAIGHT FACTS. THAT’S STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS.

WE’LL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

UNTIL THEN I’M KARAH RUCKER. HAVE A GREAT DAY!

SENATE REPUBLICANS SEEKING BORDER CHANGES WALK OUT OF A CLASSIFIED BRIEFING ON UKRAINE AID

AND — PANERA FACES ANOTHER WRONGFUL DEATH LAWSUIT OVER ITS CAFFEINATED LEMONADE

THE MORNING RUNDOWN STARTS NOW.

TODAY IS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6TH

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I’M KARAH RUCKER.

A CLASSIFIED BRIEFING BETWEEN SENATORS ON CAPITOL HILL TO DISCUSS FUNDING FOR ADDITIONAL AID TO UKRAINE BECAME “HEATED” TUESDAY — WITH ATTENDEES SAYING IT TURNED INTO A SCREAMING MATCH – AND AT LEAST A DOZEN REPUBLICANS WALKING OUT.

THE BRIEFING CAME HOURS BEFORE A TEST VOTE IS SET TODAY IN THE SENATE ON PRESIDENT BIDEN’S $106 BILLION EMERGENCY FUNDING BILL.

THE BRIEFING WAS HELD TO ALLOW SENATORS TO ASK QUESTIONS TO SENIOR BIDEN ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS INCLUDING SECRETARY OF STATE ANTONY BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LLOYD AUSTIN, AND JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF CHAIRMAN CHARLES Q. BROWN JR.

THE TALKS HOWEVER FELL APART.

A GROUP OF REPUBLICANS WALKED OUT AFTER WANTING ANSWERS ON BORDER SECURITY – WHILE DEMOCRATS WERE LOOKING TO KEEP THE FOCUS ON UKRAINE – AS THE WHITE HOUSE SAID FUNDING FOR UKRAINE WILL RUN OUT BY THE END OF THE YEAR IF NO ACTION IS TAKEN.

SOME REACTION —

REPUBLICAN SENATOR TODD YOUNG OF INDIANA SAYING  “THEIR LACK OF PREPAREDNESS TO DISCUSS BORDER SECURITY POLICY…WAS NOT JUST AN OVERSIGHT, BUT A POLITICAL DECISION.”

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER ACCUSED MINORITY LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL OF “HIJACKING” THE MEETING AND TRYING TO STEER THE CONVERSATION TO BORDER NEGOTATIONS.

REPUBLICAN SENATOR ERIC SCHMITT OF MISSOURI CALLED THE BRIEFING A WASTE OF TIME.

UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY WAS EXPECTED TO BRIEF THE SENATORS VIA VIDEO BUT CANCELED A SHORT TIME BEFORE THE BRIEFING BEGAN.

A REASON WAS NOT RELEASED.

HUNDREDS OF MILITARY PROMOTIONS  PUSHED THROUGH THE SENATE ON TUESDAY, AFTER REPUBLICAN SENATOR TOMMY TUBERVILLE DROPPED HIS MONTHS-LONG BLOCKADE.

THE SENATE WASTED LITTLE TIME, APPROVING 4-HUNDRED AND 25 PROMOTIONS JUST HOURS AFTER THE BLOCKADE WAS LIFTED.

SENATOR TUBERVILLE HAD BEEN BLOCKING THE VOTES IN PROTEST OF THE PENTAGON’S ABORTION POLICY. WHICH PAYS FOR MILITARY MEMBERS TO GET OUT OF STATE ABORTIONS.

THE BLOCK DELAYED PROMOTIONS FOR HUNDREDS OF MILITARY PERSONNEL CREATING A BACKLOG

TUBERVILLE FACED INCREASED PRESSURE TO DROP HIS HOLD FROM SENATORS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE CITING THE THREAT TO MILITARY READINESS AND NATIONAL SECURITY AS SOME OFFICIALS WERE FORCED TO TAKE ON MULTIPLE ROLES WHILE PROMOTIONS STALLED.

TUBERVILLE SAID HE STILL HAS HOLDS ON ABOUT A DOZEN FOUR-STAR OFFICERS.

NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL SPOKESPERSON JOHN KIRBY EXPRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SENATE PUSHING THOSE CONFIRMATIONS THROUGH SO THEY CAN LEAD TROOPS IN QUOTE “CRITICAL MILITARY MISSIONS.”

TONIGHT – FOUR REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFULS WILL MAKE THEIR CASE AT THE FOURTH GOP PRIMARY DEBATE.

BUT THE FRONTRUNNER – PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP – WILL NOT BE ONE OF THEM.

AS HE’S DONE IN THE PAST THREE DEBATES – TRUMP, LEADING IN THE POLLS – IS SKIPPING THE DEBATE.

THIS TIME, HE’S HOLDING A PRIVATE FUNDRAISER.

HE DID FIELD QUESTIONS DURING A TOWN HALL THAT AIRED LAST NIGHT ON FOX NEWS.

MODERATOR SEAN HANNITY ASKED THE FORMER PRESIDENT TO RESPOND TO RECENT REPORTS FROM MULTIPLE OUTLETS INCLUDING THE ATLANTIC, WASHINGTON POST AND NEW YORK TIMES WARNING THAT A SECOND TERM WOULD LEAD TO A QUOTE “TRUMP DICTATORSHIP.”

Hannity: “Under no circumstances, you are promising America tonight you would never abuse power as retribution against anybody?”

Trump: “Except for day one,” Trump said. “I want to close the border and I want to drill, drill, drill.”

Hannity: “That’s not retribution.”

Trump: “I love this guy, he says, ‘you’re not going to be a dictator are you?’ I said no, no, no, other than day one. We’re closing the border and we’re drilling, drilling, drilling. After that, I’m not a dictator.”

Earlier in the day President Biden, speaking at a fundraising event outside Boston, told supporters if Trump wasn’t running, he wasn’t sure if he’d be running for re-election.

Trump SAID SOMEONE MUST HAVE GIVEN BIDEN TALKING POINTS — AND SAID HE’S NOT CONVINCED BIDEN WILL BE THE ONE HE’S UP AGAINST IN 2024.

the fourth GOP primary debate will air tonight at 8 p.m. EASTERN TIME on NewsNation.

PANERA BREAD IS FACING A SECOND WRONGFUL DEATH SUIT RELATED TO ITS “CHARGED LEMONADE” AS A FLORIDA FAMILY SAYS THE CAFFEINATED DRINK LED 46-YEAR-OLD DENNIS BROWN TO GO INTO CARDIAC ARREST AS HE WALKED HOME FROM THE RESTAURANT IN EARLY OCTOBER.

THE LAWSUIT CLAIMS THAT THE ‘CHARGED LEMONADE’ WAS NOT ADVERTISED AS AN ENERGY DRINK AND THERE WERE NO WARNING LABELS.

ACCORDING TO THE SUIT, BROWN — WHO AVOIDED ENERGY DRINKS DUE TO HIS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE — HAD ORDERED SEVERAL ‘CHARGED LEMONADES’ IN THE DAYS LEADING UP TO HIS DEATH.

IN LATE OCTOBER THE COMPANY ISSUED WARNINGS ABOUT ITS CAFFEINATED LEMONADE, FOLLOWING A SIMILAR LAWSUIT CLAIMING THAT A 21-YEAR-OLD WOMAN DIED AFTER DRINKING ONE OF THE CAFFEINATED BEVERAGES.

ACCORDING TO PANERA’S MENU AT THE TIME OF THE FIRST LAWSUIT, A THIRTY-OUNCE GLASS OF THE CHARGED LEMONADE CONTAINED 390 MILLIGRAMS OF CAFFEINE — 10 MILLIGRAMS LESS THAN THE DAILY AMOUNT RECOMMENDED BY THE USDA FOR  “HEALTHY ADULTS.”

IN A STATEMENT TO ABC NEWS, PANERA SAID IT EXPRESSED SYMPATHY FOR BROWN’S FAMILY BUT ADDED FOLLOWING AN INVESTIGATION IT DOES NOT BELIEVE HIS DEATH WAS CAUSED BY ITS CHARGED LEMONADE AND THAT — LIKE THE FIRST LAWSUIT — FOUND IT TO BE QUOTE “WITHOUT MERIT.”

LAST NIGHT — SAG-AFTRA ANNOUNCED MEMBERS HAVE VOTED TO RATIFY ITS THREE-YEAR CONTRACT WITH STUDIOS – OFFICIALLY ENDING THE LONGEST LABOR DISPUTE IN HOLLYWOOD HISTORY.

THE UNION SAID 78 PERCENT VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE DEAL – WITH 38 PERCENT OF MEMBERS TURNING OUT TO VOTE.

AFTER REACHING A TENTATIVE DEAL ABOUT A MONTH AGO SAG-AFTRA ALLOWED ITS APPROXIMATELY 160,000 MEMBERS TO RETURN TO WORK – SUSPENDING ITS STRIKE AFTER 118 DAYS.

THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES A 7 PERCENT INCREASE IN MINIMUM RATES IN THE FIRST YEAR OF THE DEAL AND THE FIRST-EVER PROTECTION AGAINST THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE – WHERE ACTORS MUST CONSENT TO BEING REPLICATED.

UNION PRESIDENT FRAN DRESCHER CALLED THE CONTRACT – “THE DAWNING OF A NEW ERA FOR THE INDUSTRY.”

THE ALLIANCE OF MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION PRODUCERS – WHICH REPRESENTS THE STUDIOS – CONGRATULATED SAG-AFTRA ON THE RATIFICATION OF THE DEAL – SAYING IN A STATEMENT — THE INDUSTRY AND THE JOBS IT SUPPORTS CAN NOW “RETURN IN FULL FORCE.”

FINALLY THIS MORNING – WIKIPEDIA SAYS IT RECEIVED OVER 84 BILLION PAGE VIEWS OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS – THAT’S A LOT OF ONLINE SEARCHING!

BUT WHAT WERE THE MOST POPULAR SUBJECTS BEING LOOKED UP?

WIKIPEDIA HAS THE ANSWERS. ON TUESDAY IT RELEASED ITS LIST OF THE MOST POPULAR ARTICLES OF THE YEAR.

THE MOST POPULAR TOPIC – CHATGPT.

WIKIPEDIA SAYS THE AI CHATBOT — WHICH LAUNCHED JUST OVER A YEAR AGO AND DOMINATED HEADLINES AROUND THE WORLD – REGISTERED OVER NEARLY 50 MILLION PAGES ON THE ENGLISH VERSION OF ITS SITE.

THE SECOND MOST-READ ARTICLE IN 2023 WAS WIKIPEDIA’S ANNUAL LIST OF DEATHS OF NOTABLE AND PUBLIC FIGURES – WHICH DOES SEE HIGH TRAFFIC EACH YEAR.

ENTRIES ABOUT THE SPORT – CRICKET – MADE THE LIST FOR THE FIRST TIME – TAKING FOUR SPOTS IN THE TOP 25 – INCLUDING NUMBER THREE.

THAT DYNAMIC HOLLYWOOD DUO KNOWN AS BARBENHEIMER – THE FILMS OPPENHEIMER AND BARBIE — WERE POPULAR SEARCHES THIS YEAR – COMING IN AT NUMBER FIVE AND THIRTEEN RESPECTIVELY.

AND — WITH A TOUR, AN ALBUM, A FILM AND A NEW ROMANCE — TAYLOR SWIFT CONSTANTLY MADE HEADLINES THROUGHOUT 2023 — THE SINGER ADDING ONE MORE ACCOLADE THIS YEAR — HAVING THE TWELFTH MOST POPULAR ENTRY ON WIKIPEDIA.

THESE ARE YOUR TOP STORIES FOR THIS WEDNESDAY.

YOU CAN NOW CONNECT WITH THE MORNING RUNDOWN IN A VARIETY OF WAYS — INCLUDING SUBSCRIBING TO OUR PODCAST OR SIGNING UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER.

JUST GO TO SAN DOT COM SLASH RUNDOWN FOR MORE DETAILS.

WE’LL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

UNTIL THEN I’M KARAH RUCKER. HAVE A GREAT DAY

THE WHITE HOUSE WARNS THE US IS RUNNING OUT OF MONEY TO AID UKRAINE. AND — A HOUSE EXPLODES IN VIRGINIA AS POLICE ATTEMPT TO EXECUTE A SEARCH WARRANT

THE MORNING RUNDOWN STARTS NOW.

TODAY IS TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5TH

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I’M KARAH RUCKER.

“WE ARE OUT OF MONEY—AND NEARLY OUT OF TIME.”

THAT WAS PART OF A LETTER THE WHITE HOUSE SENT TO CONGRESS ON MONDAY — WARNING THAT THE U-S WILL RUN OUT OF FUNDING TO SUPPLY UKRAINE WITH WEAPONS IN ITS WAR WITH RUSSIA BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

IN THE LETTER — U.S. GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SAID CUTTING OFF THE FLOW OF U.S. WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT WILL “KNEECAP UKRAINE ON THE BATTLEFIELD” AND INCREASE THE “LIKELIHOOD OF RUSSIAN MILITARY VICTORIES.”

UKRAINE PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY WILL ADDRESS U.S. SENATORS BY VIDEO TODAY DURING A CLASSIFIED BRIEFING.

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER SAID ZELENSKYY WAS INVITED SO SENATORS “COULD HEAR DIRECTLY FROM HIM WHAT’S AT STAKE.”

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS URGING CONGRESS TO APPROVE A NEARLY $106 BILLION DOLLAR FUNDING PACKAGE THAT INCLUDES AID FOR UKRAINE AND ISRAEL.

REPUBLICANS ON CAPITOL HILL – INCLUDING HOUSE SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON – SAY THEY WILL ONLY CONSIDER ADDITIONAL FUNDING IF THERE ARE CHANGES TO THE US-MEXICO BORDER POLICY.

OVER THE WEEKEND, HOWEVER, BORDER TALKS BETWEEN SENATE REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS FELL THROUGH.

OUR LAUREN TAYLOR HAS A FULL REPORT ON THOSE DEVELOPMENTS NOW ON SAN DOT COM.

THE ISRAELI ARMY HAS BEGUN ITS OPERATIONS IN SOUTHERN GAZA.

THE NEW YORK TIMES ANALYZED SATELLITE IMAGERY OF ISRAEL’S MOVEMENTS —

THE TIMES REPORTS ISRAELI FORCES ARE APPROACHING THE LARGEST CITY IN THE SOUTH WHERE ISRAELI OFFICIALS BELIEVE HAMAS LEADERS HAVE BEEN STATIONED SINCE LEAVING THE NORTHERN SECTION.

IMAGES SHOW DOZENS OF ARMORED VEHICLES POSITIONED IN THE SOUTH AMID ACTIVITY THAT CLOSELY RESEMBLED HOW THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES OPERATED IN NORTHERN GAZA.

ISRAELI OFFICIALS HAVE SAID IN RECENT DAYS THAT THEY WILL EXPAND THEIR OPERATIONS ALL OVER THE GAZA STRIP.

THE UNITED NATIONS’ OFFICE FOR HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS SAID BETWEEN SUNDAY AND MONDAY AFTERNOON, GAZA HAS SEEN SOME OF THE HEAVIEST SHELLING SINCE ISRAEL BEGAN ITS STRIKES ON HAMAS FOLLOWING THE OCTOBER 7TH TERROR ATTACK.

US NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR JAKE SULLIVAN SAID IT WAS TOO SOON TO KNOW IF ISRAEL WAS MAKING MORE TARGETED STRIKES IN GAZA TO LIMIT CIVILIAN CASUALTIES.

JAKE SULLIVAN: “NOW, AS YOU KNOW NOTED, THEY HAVE ACTUALLY TAKEN THE QUITE UNUSUAL STEP FOR A MODERN MILITARY AND IDENTIFIED PRECISELY THE AREA THAT THEY INTEND TO HAVE GROUND MANEUVER AND THEY HAVE ASKED THE PEOPLE IN THAT AREA TO MOVE OUT.”

IN RESPONSE TO THE EVACUATION ORDERS – THOMAS WHITE – THE GAZA DIRECTOR OF THE UNITED NATIONS AGENCY FOR PALESTINIAN REFUGEES —

SAYING THIS MORNING ON X THAT NEIGHBORHOODS IN GAZA WITH OVER 600,000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO MOVE.

WHITE SAYING THIS COULD DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF DISPLACED PEOPLE HEADING TO THE CITY OF RAFAH – SOMETHING HE SAYS THE CITY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO COPE WITH.

THE WHITE HOUSE IS CONDEMNING A PROTEST OUTSIDE A FALAFEL RESTAURANT IN PHILADELPHIA – WHOSE OWNER IS JEWISH AND ISRAELI.

WHITE HOUSE OFFICIALS CALLING THE PROTEST “ANTISEMITIC AND COMPLETELY UNJUSTIFIABLE.”

DOZENS OF PRO-PALESTINIAN DEMONSTRATORS SEEKING A CEASE-FIRE IN THE ONGOING WAR BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS WERE RECORDED ON VIDEO THIS PAST WEEKEND SHOUTING “GENOCIDE” OUTSIDE THE RESTAURANT.

PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNOR JOSH SHAPIRO CALLED IT A “BLATANT ACT OF ANTISEMITISM AND NOT A PEACEFUL PROTEST.”

SHAPIRO SAID “A RESTAURANT WAS TARGETED AND MOBBED BECAUSE ITS OWNER IS JEWISH AND ISRAELI. THIS HATE AND BIGOTRY IS REMINISCENT OF A DARK TIME IN HISTORY.”

THE OWNERS OF THE RESTAURANT HAVE DECLINED TO COMMENT AS OF YET.

THE MAYOR OF PHILADELPHIA SAID THE CITY IS INVESTIGATING.

AN EXPLOSION DESTROYED A HOME AND SENT SHOCKWAVES THROUGH A NEIGHBORHOOD IN ARLINGTON VIRGINIA  AS POLICE ATTEMPTED TO SERVE A SEARCH WARRANT ON MONDAY NIGHT — AND IT WAS ALL CAUGHT ON VIDEO

LAW ENFORCEMENT SAYS NO OFFICERS WERE HURT IN THE BLAST

THE SUSPECT, WHO HAS YET TO BE IDENTIFIED BY POLICE, WAS THE ONLY KNOWN PERSON INSIDE THE HOME AT THE TIME.

THE SUSPECT’S CONDITION IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME.

ACCORDING TO POLICE, NEIGHBORS REPORTED HEARING POSSIBLE GUNSHOTS FROM INSIDE THE HOME EARLIER IN THE DAY.

POLICE ARRIVED ON THE SCENE AROUND 4:25 PM LOCAL TIME AND DETERMINED THE SUSPECT HAD SHOT A FLARE GUN 30 TO 40 TIMES FROM INSIDE THE HOME INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

A STANDOFF ENSUED — WITH POLICE SAYING THE SUSPECT FIRED SEVERAL ROUNDS FROM AN APPARENT FIREARM.

NEARLY FOUR HOURS AFTER THE START OF THE INCIDENT — OFFICERS TRIED TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE SUSPECT — WHEN THE BLAST OCCURRED.

POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE OF THE EXPLOSION.

WEDNESDAY’S REPUBLICAN PRIMARY PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE WILL SEE FOUR CANDIDATES TAKE THE STAGE AS THE GOP FIELD CONTINUES TO SHRINK.

FLORIDA GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS, FORMER U.N. AMBASSADOR NIKKI HALEY, ENTREPRENEUR VIVEK RAMASWAMY AND FORMER NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE HAVE ALL QUALIFIED FOR THE FOURTH PRIMARY DEBATE, THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE ANNOUNCED MONDAY.

THE GOP FRONTRUNNER – FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP — CITING HIS POLL NUMBERS — IS ONCE AGAIN SKIPPING THE DEBATE – INSTEAD HE WILL BE HOLDING A PRIVATE FUNDRAISER.

TONIGHT — TRUMP WILL APPEAR AT A TOWN HALL ON FOX NEWS.

NORTH DAKOTA GOVERNOR DOUG BURGUM – WHO DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE LAST DEBATE — SUSPENDED HIS CAMPAIGN HOURS BEFORE THE RNC’S ANNOUNCEMENT.

WEDNESDAY’S DEBATE IN ALABAMA IS HOSTED BY NEWSNATION

FINALLY THIS MORNING – NEW YORK CITY SAYS IT EXPECTS TO WELCOME NEARLY SEVEN MILLION TOURISTS DURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON – WHICH MEANS A LOT OF HOTEL ROOMS WILL BE BOOKED.

IF YOU’RE ONE OF THOSE VISITORS AND SEEKING A DIFFERENT KIND OF HOTEL EXPERIENCE —  ONE WITH A BIT OF 90S NOSTALGIA – LISTEN TO THIS.

THE PLAZA HOTEL IS OFFERING “A HOME ALONE 2 FUN IN NEW YORK PACKAGE” – WHICH ALLOWS GUESTS TO EXPERIENCE SOME OF THE MOVIE’S MOST ICONIC SCENES.

THE PACKAGE INCLUDES A FOUR-HOUR LIMO RIDE AROUND THE BIG APPLE – WHILE VISITING LOCATIONS FROM THE MOVIE INCLUDING CENTRAL PARK, THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING AND RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL.

GUESTS WILL ALSO GET TO EAT LIKE THE CHARACTER KEVIN DOES IN THE FILM – DINING ON A LARGE CHEESE PIZZA AND A 16-SCOOP ICE CREAM SUNDAE.

THOSE WHO BOOK THE PACKAGE CAN ALSO CELEBRATE HOME ALONE STAR MACAULY CAULKIN – WHO JUST RECEIVED HIS STAR ON THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME LAST WEEK.

THESE ARE YOUR TOP STORIES FOR THIS TUESDAY.

YOU CAN NOW CONNECT WITH THE MORNING RUNDOWN IN A VARIETY OF WAYS — INCLUDING SUBSCRIBING TO OUR PODCAST OR SIGNING UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER.

JUST GO TO SAN DOT COM SLASH RUNDOWN FOR MORE DETAILS.

WE’LL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

UNTIL THEN I’M KARAH RUCKER. HAVE A GREAT DAY!

WITH THE CEASE-FIRE NO MORE — ISRAEL SAYS IT’S EXPANDING ITS GROUND OPERATIONS TO ALL OF GAZA  AND — PLANS OF THE NEXT MERGER IN THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED

THE MORNING RUNDOWN STARTS NOW.

TODAY IS MONDAY, DECEMBER 4TH

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I’M KARAH RUCKER.

JUST DAYS AFTER THE TEMPORARY CEASE-FIRE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS ENDED – ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES SAID SUNDAY IT WAS EXPANDING ITS GROUND OPERATIONS TO ALL OF GAZA.

THE IDF SAID THE OFFENSIVE IN SOUTHERN GAZA WOULD BE “NO LESS POWERFUL THAN” THOSE IN THE NORTH.

ISRAEL EXPANDED ITS EVACUATION ORDERS ON SUNDAY – WITH REPORTS SAYING THE IDF DROPPED LEAFLETS IN COMMUNITIES IN SOUTHERN GAZA – WARNING NEIGHBORHOODS OF A HEAVY ATTACK.

ON SUNDAY NIGHT – AN ISRAEL MILITARY SPOKESMAN SAID THE COUNTRY “CONTINUES AND EXPANDS ITS GROUND OPERATIONS AGAINST HAMAS-STRONGHOLDS ALL ACROSS THE GAZA STRIP.”

THE ISRAELI MILITARY SAID THIS MORNING ITS AIRSTRIKES HIT ABOUT 200 HAMAS TARGETS IN GAZA OVERNIGHT – INCLUDING A SCHOOL IN NORTHERN GAZA IT SAID CONTAINED “TERROR INFRASTRUCTURE.”

SPEAKING TO ABC NEWS ON SUNDAY – NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL SPOKESMAN JOHN KIRBY SAID THE U.S. IS STILL WORKING TO GET CEASE-FIRE DISCUSSIONS BACK ON THE TABLE TO FREE THE APPROXIMATE 140 HOSTAGES THAT REMAIN IN GAZA – INCLUDING 8 AMERICANS.

KIRBY ALSO SAID ISRAEL HAS BEEN “RECEPTIVE” TO THE U.S.’S MESSAGE TO MINIMIZE CIVILIAN CASUALTIES.

ON SUNDAY, THREE COMMERCIAL SHIPS WITH TIES TO FOURTEEN NATIONS WERE ATTACKED BY YEMEN’S HOUTHI REBELS IN THE RED SEA, ACCORDING TO A U-S CENTRAL COMMAND REPORT.

HOUTHI REBELS – BACKED BY IRAN – REPORTEDLY FIRED BALLISTIC MISSILES AT THE THREE SHIPS OVER THE COURSE OF ABOUT EIGHT HOURS.

ACCORDING TO THE REPORT A U-S WARSHIP ALSO SHOT DOWN THREE DRONES IN SELF-DEFENSE, THOUGH IT WAS NOT CLEAR IF THE WARSHIP WAS THE TARGET OF ANY SPECIFIC ATTACKS.

MINOR DAMAGE WAS REPORTED AS A RESULT OF THE HOURSLONG ASSAULT.

IN A STATEMENT — THE U-S MILITARY  CALLED THESE ATTACKS A DIRECT THREAT TO INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE AND MARITIME SECURITY. QUOTE:

“WE ALSO HAVE EVERY REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THESE ATTACKS, WHILE LAUNCHED BY THE HOUTHIS IN YEMEN, ARE FULLY ENABLED BY IRAN. THE UNITED STATES WILL CONSIDER ALL APPROPRIATE RESPONSES IN FULL COORDINATION WITH ITS INTERNATIONAL ALLIES AND PARTNERS.”

THE BODIES OF FIVE U-S MILITARY CREW MEMBERS HAVE BEEN RECOVERED IN THE WRECKAGE OF THE OSPREY (OS-PREE)  AIRCRAFT THAT CRASHED OFF THE COAST OF JAPAN LAST WEEK — ACCORDING TO LOCAL REPORTS.

THE OSPREY CRASHED DURING A TRAINING FLIGHT LAST WEDNESDAY AFTER REQUESTING AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON THE ISLAND OF YAKUSHIMA (YA-KOO-SHEE-MA).

INITIALLY THE REMAINS OF ONE OF THE EIGHT U-S MILITARY MEMBERS ON BOARD WAS RECOVERED.

THE AIR FORCE CONFIRMED THE IDENTITY OF THE VICTIM AS 24-YEAR-OLD STAFF SERGEANT JACOB GALLIHER (GAL-LI-HER) FROM MASSACHUSETTS.

ON MONDAY, THE U-S MILITARY – ALONG WITH DIVERS FROM THE JAPANESE NAVY — RECOVERED THE ADDITIONAL  VICTIMS AMID WRECKAGE BELIEVED TO BE THE FRONT OF THE AIRCRAFT.

JAPAN’S MILITARY HAS TEMPORARILY GROUNDED ITS FLEET OF OSPREYS DUE TO THE CRASH AND HAS  ASKED THE U-S MILITARY TO HALT OSPREY FLIGHTS IN THE COUNTRY UNTIL SAFETY INSPECTIONS CAN BE CONDUCTED.

THE U-S MILITARY CONTINUES TO INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH.

ANOTHER AIRLINE MERGER WAS ANNOUNCED OVER THE WEEKEND –

ALASKA AIRLINES SAID SUNDAY IT PLANS TO BUY HAWAIIAN AIRLINES FOR ONE POINT NINE BILLION DOLLARS.

ALASKA — THE FIFTH LARGEST U.S. CARRIER — WOULD KEEP BOTH BRANDS.

OFFICIALS WITH ALASKA AND HAWAIIAN AIRLINES SAID THE DEAL WOULD COMBINE TWO CARRIERS WITH FEW OVERLAPPING ROUTES.

THEY SAID THE COMBINED ORGANIZATION WOULD PROVIDE SERVICE TO 138 DESTINATIONS – INCLUDING NONSTOP SERVICE TO 29 INTERNATIONAL LOCATIONS.

THE COMPANIES SAID THE PLAN WOULD  ALSO ADD MORE TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES TO AND FROM HAWAII.

THE DEAL STILL HAS TO BE APPROVED BY HAWAIIAN AIRLINE INVESTORS – AND U.S. REGULATORS – WHICH COULD BE AN ISSUE.

THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT IS CURRENTLY TRYING TO BLOCK JETBLUE’S PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF SPIRIT AIRLINES.

DRIVERS OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN DETROIT SEARCHING FOR THE NEXT STATION TO CHARGE THEIR CAR NOW HAVE ANOTHER OPTION –

THE FIRST WIRELESS-CHARGING PUBLIC ROAD IN AMERICA.

FOR A FEW DAYS NOW – DRIVERS OF CERTAIN EVS HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHARGE THEIR CARS ON THE NEWLY PAVED 14TH STREET IN THE MOTOR CITY.

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS —

RUBBER-COATED “COPPER INDUCTIVE CHARGING COILS” INSTALLED IN THE QUARTER-MILE STRETCH OF THE ROADWAY ALLOW EVS THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH RECEIVERS TO CHARGE — WHILE DRIVING, IDLING OR PARKING.

THE TECHNOLOGY WAS DEVELOPED BY ISRAEL-BASED COMPANY ELECTREON. (ELECT-TREE-ON)

THE COMPANY – WHICH HAS SIMILAR PROJECTS IN OTHER COUNTRIES INCLUDING SWEDEN, GERMANY, ITALY AND NORWAY – SAID THE ROADWAY IS SAFE FOR PEDESTRIANS.

STATE OFFICIALS SAID THE COST FOR THE PROJECT IS APPROXIMATELY 6 MILLION DOLLARS.

FINALLY THIS MORNING – FOR ONE DAY – IT WASN’T POLITICIANS GETTING THE ATTENTION IN WASHINGTON D.C.

BUT A GROUP OF CELEBRITIES – WHO WERE HONORED FOR THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE ARTS.

SINGER DIONNE WARWICK – COMEDIAN BILLY CRYSTAL – BEE GEES MEMBER BARRY GIBB – RAPPER AND ACTRESS QUEEN LATIFAH – AND OPERA SINGER RENEE FLEMING MADE UP THIS YEAR’S KENNEDY CENTER HONOREES.

SPEAKING AT A WHITE HOUSE RECEPTION BEFORE SUNDAY EVENING’S EVENT – PRESIDENT BIDEN WELCOMED THE GROUP.

A SLEW OF GUESTS FROM ALL CORNERS OF THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY APPEARED ON STAGE TO HONOR THE STARS – INCLUDING ACTORS MEG RYAN, ROBERT DENIRO, AND KERRY WASHINGTON, COUNTRY GROUP LITTLE BIG TOWN AND RAPPER MISSY ELLIOT.

THE EVENT WAS HOSTED BY 2017 HONOREE SINGER GLORIA ESTAFAN.

IT WILL AIR ON CBS ON DECEMBER 27TH.

THESE ARE YOUR TOP STORIES FOR THIS MONDAY.

AND BE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE MORNING RUNDOWN NEWSLETTER  TO GET THE TOP STORIES EACH WEEKDAY MORNING.

JUST GO TO SAN DOT COM SLASH RUNDOWN TO SIGN UP.

UNBIASED. STRAIGHT FACTS. THAT’S STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS.

WE’LL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

UNTIL THEN I’M KARAH RUCKER. HAVE A GREAT DAY!

AFTER A WEEKLONG PAUSE IN FIGHTING — THE CEASE-FIRE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS COMES TO AN END.  AND — A SENATOR TAKES QUICK ACTION — USING THE HEIMLICH MANEUVER TO HELP A COLLEAGUE IN TROUBLE

THE MORNING RUNDOWN STARTS NOW.

TODAY IS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1ST.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I’M KARAH RUCKER.

A WEEKLONG TRUCE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS IS OVER.

THE CEASEFIRE SUCCESSFULLY SAW THE RELEASE OF MORE THAN 100 ISRAELI HOSTAGES FROM GAZA AND 240 PALESTINIANS FROM ISRAELI PRISONS.

ALREADY THIS MORNING — ISRAEL SAYS IT HAS RESUMED ITS AIR STRIKES AFTER HAMAS FIRED ROCKETS HOURS **BEFORE THE CEASE-FIRE WAS TO EXPIRE.

ISRAEL’S MILITARY SAID IT INTERCEPTED A PROJECTILE FIRED FROM GAZA – WHICH LED THEM TO RETALIATE.

AIR RAID SIRENS BEGAN SOUNDING IN ISRAEL—INDICATING MORE ROCKETS OR SHELLS HAD BEEN FIRED TOWARD THE COUNTRY.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIATORS ARE STILL IN TALKS WITH BOTH SIDES —

NOT GIVING UP HOPE OF ANOTHER PAUSE IN FIGHTING IN THE FUTURE IN ORDER TO FREE MORE HOSTAGES.

U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE ANTONY BLINKEN TRAVELED TO ISRAEL ON THURSDAY – HIS FOURTH TIME SINCE HAMAS’ TERROR ATTACK IN OCTOBER.

BLINKEN MET WITH ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU AND OTHER LEADERS TO TRY TO EXTEND THE TRUCE —

URGING SAFETY AND AID FOR CIVILIANS IN GAZA — WHILE ISRAEL CONTINUES ITS MISSION OF ELIMINATING HAMAS.

SUPER: ANTONY BLINKEN: “WE SUPPORT – CONTINUE TO SUPPORT, WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT – ISRAEL’S EFFORTS TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO MAKE SURE THAT HAMAS CANNOT REPEAT THE HORRORS OF OCT. 7 THAT MEANS AMONG OTHER THINGS THAT HAMAS CANNOT REMAIN RESPONSIBLE FOR GOVERNANCE OF GAZA AND CANNOT RETAIN THE CAPACITY TO REPEAT THOSE ATTACKS.”

REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FLORIDA GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS FACED OFF WITH CALIFORNIA’S DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM DURING A DEBATE THURSDAY NIGHT ON FOX NEWS.

OVER THE COURSE OF 90 MINUTES – THE TWO DEBATED OVER TOPICS SUCH AS PRESIDENT BIDEN’S RECORD, THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, ABORTION AND BORDER SECURITY.

WHEN ASKED BY FOX NEWS HOST AND MODERATOR SEAN HANNITY — TO GRADE BIDEN’S PERFORMANCE – NEWSOM GAVE HIM AN “A.”

DESANTIS – WHO IS LOOKING TO BECOME THE NEXT PRESIDENT – GAVE BIDEN A “FAIL.”

DESANTIS HAS ACCUSED NEWSOM OF RUNNING A “SHADOW CAMPAIGN” – -SUGGESTING NEWSOM IS LOOKING TO REPLACE BIDEN ON THE NOVEMBER 2024 BALLOT – AN ACCUSATION NEWSOM SAYS ISN’T TRUE.

SUPER: GOV. RON DESANTIS: “Gavin Newsom was mayor of San Francisco, so he took the San Francisco model, turn that into a template for California’s collapse. Now, the left wants to take the California model and use that as a template for America’s collapse. Well, we can not let that happen.”

L3: RON DESANTIS, GAVIN NEWSOM CLASH IN FOX NEWS DEBATE 

NEWSOM POINTED TO DESANTIS’ CURRENT STANDING IN THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE —

CITING POLLS SHOWING THE FLORIDA GOVERNOR FALLING WELL BEHIND THE FRONTRUNNER FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

SUPER: GOV. GAVIN NEWSOM: “There’s one thing in closing that we have in common is neither of us will be the nominee for our party in 2024.”

TODAY THE HOUSE IS EXPECTED TO HOLD AN EXPULSION VOTE FOR EMBATTLED REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN GEORGE SANTOS.

VO GEORGE SANTOS

SANTOS HAS SURVIVED PRIOR ATTEMPTS TO OUST HIM FROM CONGRESS BUT FOLLOWING A REPORT RELEASED BY THE HOUSE ETHICS COMMITTEE EARLIER THIS MONTH —

MORE OF HIS COLLEAGUES BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE CONSEQUENCES FOR HIS ACTIONS.

STILL, IN A NEWS CONFERENCE OUTSIDE THE CAPITOL ON THURSDAY – SANTOS SAID HE WILL NOT RESIGN — CALLING THE LATEST EXPULSION EFFORT A STUNT BROUGHT BY BULLIES.

REP. GEORGE SANTOS: “BECAUSE IF I LEAVE, THEY WIN. IF I LEAVE THE BULLIES TAKE PLACE. THIS IS BULLYING.” 

THE EXPULSION VOTE COMES AS SANTOS FACES A SLEW OF FEDERAL CRIMINAL CHARGES ALLEGING THAT HE STOLE THE IDENTITIES OF CAMPAIGN DONORS THEN USED THEIR CREDIT CARDS TO MAKE UNAUTHORIZED PURCHASES — TOTALING TENS-OF-THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.

SANTOS HAS PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO THOSE CHARGES.

TO DATE THERE HAVE BEEN JUST 5 EXPULSIONS OF MEMBERS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES – OF THEM – THREE WERE FOR DISLOYALTY TO THE UNION DURING THE CIVIL WAR.

ON THURSDAY A FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKED MONTANA’S BAN ON TIK TOK FROM TAKING EFFECT NEXT MONTH — SAYING IT VIOLATES FREE SPEECH RIGHTS.

THE JUDGE IN THE CASE SAID THE STATE’S ATTEMPT TO IMPLEMENT A FIRST-OF-ITS KIND STATEWIDE BAN ON THE THE CHINESE-OWNED SOCIAL MEDIA APP “VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTION IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE.”

AFTER MONTANA PASSED THE BAN IN APRIL OVER CONCERNS OF CHINA’S ACCESS TO PERSONAL DATA —

TIKTOK’S PARENT COMPANY “BYTE-DANCE” – — AS WELL AS SEVERAL TIKTOK USERS — FILED LAWSUITS AGAINST THE STATE.

TIKTOK SAID IN COURT FILINGS THAT IT HAS NOT AND WOULD NOT SHARE USER DATA WITH CHINA AND THE COMPANY HAS TAKEN SUBSTANTIAL MEASURES TO ENSURE USER PRIVACY.

MONTANA’S ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE DEFENDED THE STATE’S BAN ADDING THAT THURSDAY’S RULING IS PRELIMINARY.

SENATOR RAND PAUL IS BEING CREDITED FOR HIS QUICK ACTION – AFTER A FELLOW SENATOR BEGAN CHOKING DURING A REPUBLICAN CONFERENCE LUNCHEON AT THE CAPITOL ON THURSDAY.

THE KENTUCKY SENATOR SUCCESSFULLY PERFORMED THE HEIMLICH MANEUVER ON SENATOR JONI ERNST OF IOWA.

ERNST CONFIRMED THE INCIDENT ON X — SAYING IN JEST — SHE  “CAN’T HELP BUT CHOKE ON THE WOKE POLICIES DEMS ARE FORCING DOWN OUR THROATS. THANKS, DR. RAND PAUL.”

PAUL IS A MEDICAL DOCTOR – SPECIALIZING IN OPTHALMOLOGY.

ERNST WAS HOSTING THE LUNCHEON FOR GOP LAWMAKERS – PART OF A TRADITION THAT HAS A DIFFERENT SENATOR BRINGING IN FOOD FROM THEIR HOME STATE EACH WEEK.

FINALLY THIS MORNING – ALL YOU CAN EAT. THOSE FOUR WORDS BRING A SMILE TO PLENTY OF DINERS’ FACES AT RESTAURANTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. BUT ONE RESTAURANT CHAIN IS SEEING RED AFTER THEIR ENDLESS PROMOTION COST THEM MILLIONS.

THAI UNION — THE OWNERS OF RED LOBSTER — SAY THEY EXPERIENCED AN APPROXIMATE ELEVEN MILLION DOLLAR OPERATING LOSS IN THE THIRD QUARTER.

A KEY FACTOR BEHIND THAT LOSS?

THE RESTAURANT’S ULTIMATE ENDLESS SHRIMP DEAL –

WHICH ALLOWS GUESTS TO HAVE AS MUCH SHRIMP AS THEY WANT FOR JUST TWENTY DOLLARS.

THE ONCE LIMITED-TIME OFFER WAS PERMANENTLY ADDED TO THE RESTAURANT’S MENU IN JUNE AS THE COMPANY HOPED TO COUNTER A DECLINE IN CUSTOMER TRAFFIC.

THE PLAN WORKED — MAYBE TOO WELL.

THE COMPANY SAYING MORE CUSTOMERS THAN EXPECTED TOOK THEM UP ON THE DEAL.

THE ENDLESS SHRIMP DEAL IS STILL ON RED LOBSTER’S MENU – BUT IT NOW COSTS FIVE BUCKS MORE.

THESE ARE YOUR TOP STORIES FOR THIS FRIDAY.

AND BE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE MORNING RUNDOWN NEWSLETTER  TO GET THE TOP STORIES EACH WEEKDAY MORNING.

JUST GO TO SAN DOT COM SLASH RUNDOWN TO SIGN UP.

UNBIASED. STRAIGHT FACTS. THAT’S STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS.

WE’LL SEE YOU BACK HERE MONDAY.

UNTIL THEN I’M KARAH RUCKER. HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

A U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT CRASHES NEAR JAPAN WITH 6 PEOPLE ON BOARD AND — FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER MAKES A RARE APPEARANCE TO HONOR HIS LATE WIFE.

THE MORNING RUNDOWN STARTS NOW.

TODAY IS WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29TH

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I’M KARAH RUCKER.

DEVELOPING NEWS THIS MORNING – AT LEAST ONE PERSON HAS DIED AFTER A U.S. MILITARY OSPREY AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO THE OCEAN NEAR AN ISLAND OFF SOUTHERN JAPAN.

JAPAN’S COAST GUARD SAYS A CREW MEMBER RECOVERED IN THE WATER AMONG DEBRIS HAS BEEN PRONOUNCED DEAD. THE CONDITIONS OF FIVE OTHERS ON THE AIRCRAFT WERE NOT IMMEDIATELY KNOWN.

THERE IS NO WORD YET ON THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH.

ACCORDING TO JAPANESE OFFICIALS – THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED NEAR THE ISLAND OF YAKUSHIMA  (YAK-OO–SHEE–MAH) AROUND 2:45 P.M. LOCAL TIME.

U.S. AND JAPANESE OFFICIALS SAY THE AIRCRAFT BELONGED TO YOKOTA (YO-KOH–TAH) AIR BASE IN WESTERN TOKYO.

THE YAKUSHIMA (YA-KOO-SHEE–MAH) AIRPORT MANAGEMENT OFFICE SAID IT RECEIVED A CALL FROM U.S. MILITARY REQUESTING AN EMERGENCY LANDING BEFORE THE CRASH.

THE OSPREY — A HYBRID AIRCRAFT THAT TAKES OFF AND LANDS LIKE A HELICOPTER BUT CAN FLY LIKE AN AIRPLANE – HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN AT LEAST FIVE FATAL CRASHES INVOLVING THE U.S. MARINES SINCE 2012. IN AUGUST – THREE PEOPLE WERE KILLED WHEN AN OSPREY WITH TWENTY THREE MARINES ON BOARD CRASHED IN AUSTRALIA DURING A ROUTINE TRAINING EXERCISE.

TODAY ISRAEL AND HAMAS ARE EXPECTED TO RELEASE MORE HOSTAGES AND PRISONERS IN THE FINAL DAY OF THE EXTENDED TRUCE IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

AS DIPLOMATS AND INTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS FROM EGYPT, ISRAEL AND THE UNITED STATES– INCLUDING CIA DIRECTOR WILLIAM BURNS – TRAVELED TO QATAR (CUTTER) – IN AN EFFORT TO EXTEND THE TEMPORARY PAUSE IN FIGHTING.

ACCORDING TO MULTIPLE SOURCES — THE CIA DIRECTOR WAS MEETING WITH QATAR’S PRIME MINISTER TO DISCUSS A BROADER HOSTAGE DEAL BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS – EXPANDING BEYOND THE RELEASE OF ONLY WOMEN AND CHILDREN — TO INCLUDE MEN AND MILITARY PERSONNEL.

BURNS IS ALSO SEEKING THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF AMERICAN HOSTAGES TAKEN BY HAMAS – ESTIMATED TO BE BETWEEN EIGHT AND NINE.

ACCORDING TO THE NEW YORK TIMES  – HAMAS HAS RELEASED A TOTAL OF 85 HOSTAGES OVER THE COURSE OF THE FIVE-DAY CEASE-FIRE. ISRAEL HAS RELEASED 180 PALESTINIANS FROM ITS PRISONS.

THE C-I-A HAS SENT AN INTERNAL EMAIL TO STAFF WARNING NOT TO POST ANYTHING POLITICAL TO SOCIAL MEDIA — AFTER A SENIOR ANALYST SHARED A PRO-PALESTINIAN PICTURE ON FACEBOOK.

A U.S. OFFICIAL TELLS NBC NEWS THAT THE EMAIL WAS JUST A REMINDER OF THE AGENCY’S EXISTING POLICY.

THE C-I-A’S WARNING CAME AFTER ITS DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR ANALYSIS POSTED AN IMAGE OF A  MAN WAVING A PALESTINIAN FLAG THAT HAS BEEN USED IN VARIOUS REPORTS CRITICIZING ISRAEL’S ROLE IN THE VIOLENCE IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

A PERSON FAMILIAR WITH THE SITUATION TOLD THE FINANCIAL TIMES – WHO FIRST BROKE THE STORY – THAT THE SENIOR ANALYST HAS NOT BEEN DISCIPLINED AND THAT THEY  HAVE “EXTENSIVE BACKGROUND IN ALL ASPECTS OF THE MIDDLE EAST.” ADDING THE POST WAS “NOT INTENDED TO EXPRESS A POSITION ON THE CONFLICT.”

STILL THIS COMES AS THERE HAS BEEN DIVISION IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OVER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION’S HANDLING OF ISRAEL’S RESPONSE TO THE OCTOBER 7TH HAMAS TERROR ATTACK.

FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER MADE A RARE PUBLIC APPEARANCE ON TUESDAY AS HE ATTENDED HIS LATE WIFE ROSALYNN (ROSE-A-LYNN) CARTER’S MEMORIAL SERVICE AT A CHURCH IN ATLANTA.

CARTER — WHO IS 99 — HAS BEEN IN HOSPICE CARE SINCE FEBRUARY. THE FORMER PRESIDENT WAS SEEN IN THE FRONT ROW — WEARING A BLANKET DRAPED OVER HIS LEGS WITH AN IMAGE OF ROSALYN STITCHED ON IT.

DOZENS OF POLITICAL LEADERS WERE ALSO IN ATTENDANCE TO PAY TRIBUTE INCLUDING PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN, FIRST LADY JILL BIDEN, FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON,  AS WELL AS FORMER FIRST LADIES HILLARY CLINTON, LAURA BUSH, MICHELLE OBAMA AND MELANIA TRUMP.

THE CARTERS’ MARRIAGE OF 77 YEARS WAS THE LONGEST OF ANY FIRST COUPLE IN U-S HISTORY. THE TWO WERE WELL KNOWN FOR THEIR HUMANITARIAN WORK OUTSIDE THE WHITE HOUSE.

ROSALYNN CARTER DIED ON NOVEMBER 19TH AT THE AGE OF 96.

CHARLIE MUNGER(MUN-GRRR) – THE VICE CHAIR OF BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY AND WARREN BUFFETT’S RIGHT-HAND MAN FOR NEARLY SIX DECADES – DIED TUESDAY. HE WAS 99 YEARS OLD.

MUNGER AND BUFFETT TOOK CONTROL OF BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY, A NEW ENGLAND TEXTILE MILL, IN 1965 – AND TURNED IT INTO A CONGLOMERATE WORTH MORE THAN SEVEN HUNDRED AND EIGHTY FIVE ($785) BILLION DOLLARS  THAT OWNS BRANDS LIKE GEICO, DAIRY QUEEN AND FRUIT OF LOOM – AND HAS STAKES IN COMPANIES LIKE APPLE AND COCA-COLA.

IN A STATEMENT – BUFFETT SAID “BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY COULD NOT HAVE BEEN BUILT TO ITS PRESENT STATUS WITHOUT CHARLIE’S INSPIRATION, WISDOM AND PARTICIPATION.”

AT AGE 99 — MUNGER WAS ALSO SERVING ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF COSTCO AND THE DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION.

AHEAD OF WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN HIS 100TH BIRTHDAY IN JUST A FEW WEEKS.— MUNGER REMARKED ON HIS BUSY SCHEDULE DURING A RECENT INTERVIEW WITH CNBC.

CHARLIE MUNGER: “I LIKE IT THAT WAY. THAT’S MY IDEA OF A PROPER OLD AGE FOR ME. I DIDN’T PLAN IT. IT JUST HAPPENED. WHEN IT HAPPENED, I WELCOMED IT.”   

FINALLY THIS MORNING – DON’T BLAME THE GRINCH. HE WASN’T THE REASON WHY THE NATIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE IN WASHINGTON D.C. TOPPLED ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON. YOU CAN BLAME A STRONG GUST OF WIND FOR THAT.

THE WIND CAUSED THE 40-FOOT TREE NEAR THE WHITE HOUSE TO FALL OVER AND A CABLE TO SNAP.

AT FIRST – THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE WAS NOT SURE THE ALREADY-DECORATED TREE WOULD BE BACK UP IN TIME FOR THURSDAY’S LIGHTING CEREMONY — SAYING “THE SHOW MUST GO ON.”

BUT BY TUESDAY EVENING – THE AGENCY SAID THE SNAPPED CABLE WAS REPLACED AND THE TREE WAS UPRIGHT ONCE AGAIN.

PRESIDENT BIDEN, THE FIRST LADY, VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS AND THE SECOND GENTLEMAN ARE SCHEDULED TO ATTEND THE TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY – WHICH HAS BEEN A HOLIDAY TRADITION SINCE 1923.

THESE ARE YOUR TOP STORIES FOR THIS WEDNESDAY.

AND BE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE MORNING RUNDOWN NEWSLETTER  TO GET THE TOP STORIES EACH WEEKDAY MORNING.

JUST GO TO SAN DOT COM SLASH RUNDOWN TO SIGN UP.

UNBIASED. STRAIGHT FACTS. THAT’S STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS.

WE’LL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

UNTIL THEN I’M KARAH RUCKER. HAVE A GREAT DAY!

MORE HOSTAGES ARE SET TO BE RELEASED TODAY AS THE CEASE-FIRE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS IS EXTENDED

AND — IF YOU DON’T USE YOUR GOOGLE ACCOUNT TOO OFTEN — YOU HAVE ONLY A FEW DAYS LEFT BEFORE IT GETS DELETED

THE MORNING RUNDOWN STARTS NOW.

TODAY IS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28TH

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I’M KARAH RUCKER.

MORE HOSTAGES ARE EXPECTED TO BE RELEASED TODAY AS THE TEMPORARY TRUCE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS ENTERS A FIFTH DAY.

THE TWO SIDES AGREED TO EXTEND THE LIMITED CEASE-FIRE, WHICH WOULD HAVE ENDED MONDAY, BY TWO ADDITIONAL DAYS.

ACCORDING TO AN EGYPTIAN OFFICIAL, WHOSE COUNTRY IS AMONG THOSE MEDIATING TALKS BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS, THE TWO-DAY EXTENSION WOULD SEE HAMAS RELEASING 10 WOMEN AND CHILDREN EACH DAY IN EXCHANGE FOR 30 PALESTINIANS CURRENTLY DETAINED IN ISRAELI PRISONS.

THE OFFICIALS SAID THE EXTENSION WOULD ALSO SEE ADDITIONAL HUMANITARIAN AID ENTER GAZA.

THE TWO-DAY EXTENSION WAS ANNOUNCED MONDAY BY QATARI (CUT-TAR-EE) MEDIATORS HOURS BEFORE ELEVEN MORE ISRAELI HOSTAGES WERE RELEASED – INCLUDING 3-YEAR-OLD TWINS.

AS PART OF THE DEAL, ISRAEL RELEASED 33 PALESTINIAN PRISONERS – 30 MINORS AND 3 WOMEN.

ON MONDAY NIGHT – A GROUP OF SENATE DEMOCRATS MET WITH SENIOR-LEVEL  ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES OFFICIALS AT THE CAPITOL TO DISCUSS THE WAR AND THE CONDITIONS IN GAZA.

SENATOR BRIAN SCHATZ (SHOTS) OF HAWAII DESCRIBED THE MEETING- AS “EXTREMELY FRANK.”

IN THE TWO HOUR MEETING — SENATORS SAY THEY DISCUSSED THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION AND ISRAEL’S PLANS FOR WHAT WILL HAPPEN THE DAY AFTER THE CEASE-FIRE ENDS.

THE JUDGE SET TO PRESIDE OVER FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S FEDERAL ELECTION TRIAL HAS REJECTED HIS ATTEMPT TO SUBPOENA RECORDS FROM THE HOUSE JANUARY 6TH COMMITTEE WHICH INVESTIGATED THE 20-21 ATTACK ON THE U-S CAPITOL.

THE FORMER PRESIDENT HAD ATTEMPTED TO SUBPOENA FOR WHAT HIS TEAM SAYS ARE MISSING RECORDS FROM THE COMMITTEE.

IN A RULING MONDAY, U-S DISTRICT JUDGE TANYA CHUTKAN (CHUT-KIN) CALLED THAT ATTEMPT A QUOTE “FISHING EXPEDITION”.

TRUMP’S LEGAL TEAM HAD PLANNED TO SUBPOENA A NUMBER OF PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE COMMITTEE’S INVESTIGATION – INCLUDING THE U-S ARCHIVIST, AND THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AMONG OTHERS – AS TRUMP’S TEAM ARGUED THAT THERE IS QUOTE “SIGNIFICANT OVERLAP BETWEEN THE SELECT COMMITTEES INVESTIGATION AND THIS CASE.”

MONDAYS RULING STATES THAT THE FEDERAL OFFICIALS WILL NOT HAVE TO HAND OVER ANY RECORDS FOR THE TRIAL.

THE JUDGE ADDED THAT TRUMP’S TEAM HAS BEEN GIVEN TRANSCRIPTS OF INTERVIEWS FROM THE COMMITTEE’S INVESTIGATION AND DID NOT ILLUSTRATE HOW THE RECORDS OUTLINED IN THEIR REQUEST WOULD BE RELEVANT TO TRUMP’S DEFENSE.

IT IS JUST ONE OF THE FOUR CRIMINAL CASES THE FORMER PRESIDENT IS FACING AND LIKELY WILL BE THE FIRST TO GO TO TRIAL. TRUMP HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH UNLAWFULLY TRYING TO OVERTURN THE 20-20 ELECTION RESULTS – HE HAS PLEADED NOT GUILTY. JURY SELECTION IS SET FOR MARCH 4TH.

A NEW POLL SHOWS THAT MANY AMERICANS BELIEVE THE AMERICAN DREAM IS SLIPPING OUT OF REACH – AND NOT ALL MEDIA OUTLETS ARE COVERING THIS STORY.

THE POLL — CONDUCTED BY THE WALL STREET JOURNAL AND NORC (NORK) AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO – ASKED VOTERS IF THEY THINK THE AMERICAN DREAM – THAT IF YOU WORK HARD, REGARDLESS OF YOUR BACKGROUND, YOU’LL GET AHEAD – STILL HOLDS TRUE.

36 PERCENT OF VOTERS SAID IT DOES.

THAT IS DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY FROM 53 PERCENT WHO SAID THE SAME IN A 2012 POLL AND FORTY-EIGHT PERCENT IN 2016.

AMONG ALL RESPONDENTS, 18 PERCENT SAID THE AMERICAN DREAM NEVER HELD TRUE.

ANOTHER WALL STREET JOURNAL POLL LAST YEAR ASKED A SIMILAR QUESTION –

WHETHER THOSE WHO WORKED HARD ARE LIKELY TO GET AHEAD. SIXTY-EIGHT PERCENT SAID YES – WHICH IS NEARLY TWICE THE SHARE AS IN THIS NEW POLL.

THIS STORY IS NOT GETTING MUCH COVERAGE FROM LEFT-LEANING MEDIA OUTLETS.

THAT’S ACCORDING TO OUR MEDIA MISS TOOL.

WE WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THIS DETAIL — SO YOU CAN GET A COMPLETE PICTURE OF THE NEWS.

BRING BACK L3rd

THOSE MORE LIKELY TO NOT BELIEVE IN THE AMERICAN DREAM WERE YOUNGER PEOPLE AND WOMEN.

HOWEVER — 35 PERCENT OF VOTERS DID RATE THE ECONOMY’S PERFORMANCE AS GOOD OR EXCELLENT – AN INCREASE FROM 20 PERCENT IN MARCH.

THE SURVEY OF 1,163 VOTERS WAS CONDUCTED IN LATE OCTOBER.

AUTHORITIES HAVE RELEASED MORE INFORMATION REGARDING AN INCIDENT AT “LOUIS ARMSTRONG NEW ORLEANS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT” OVER THE WEEKEND – WHERE A PASSENGER CLIMBED ONTO THE WING OF A PLANE AND RAN ONTO THE TARMAC.

ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES – THE 38-YEAR-OLD ATLANTA MAN EXITED THE SOUTHWEST AIRLINES FLIGHT THROUGH AN EMERGENCY DOOR ON SUNDAY NIGHT WHILE THE PLANE WAS NOT MOVING AND STILL AT THE GATE.

AFTER LEAVING THE PLANE, THE MAN CLIMBED ONTO THE WING AND THEN JUMPED ONTO THE GROUND WHERE HE WAS APPREHENDED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THEN TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL FOR EVALUATION.

OFFICIALS SAY THE MAN WAS BELIEVED TO BE SUFFERING FROM “A MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCY.”

HE IS NOT EXPECTED TO FACE ANY CHARGES.

OFFICIALS SAY NO PASSENGERS OR CREW MEMBERS WERE INJURED IN THE INCIDENT.

IF YOU ARE ONE OF THE MORE THAN 1-BILLION GOOGLE ACCOUNT HOLDERS IN THE WORLD – YOU MAY WANT TO TAKE A LISTEN.

GOOGLE HAS ANNOUNCED THAT IT IS PURGING ALL INACTIVE ACCOUNTS BEGINNING DECEMBER 1ST.

THIS MEANS PHOTOS, CALENDAR REMINDERS, E-MAILS, AND GOOGLE DOCUMENTS WILL BE DELETED.

SO IF YOU WANT TO SAVE YOUR FAMILY PHOTOS MAKE SURE YOU LOG INTO YOUR ACCOUNT AND READ THROUGH SOME EMAILS, WATCH A YOUTUBE VIDEO, SHARE A PHOTO, OR DOWNLOAD AN APP BEFORE THE COMPANY IMPLEMENTS ITS NEW POLICY.

GOOGLE DEFINES AN INACTIVE ACCOUNT AS ONE THAT HAS NOT BEEN USED IN A TWO-YEAR PERIOD.

THIS APPLIES ONLY TO PERSONAL ACCOUNTS –

GOOGLE’S UPDATED POLICY DOES NOT AFFECT ANY ACCOUNTS SET UP THROUGH WORK,  SCHOOL, OR OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.

GOOGLE SAYS THIS MOVE IS TO PROTECT ACCOUNT HOLDERS PRIVACY.

AND IF YOU HAVE AN ACCOUNT THAT FALLS INTO THIS CATEGORY — GOOGLE WILL SEND YOU A NOTIFICATION BEFORE IT GETS DELETED.

FINALLY THIS MORNING – WITH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE BEING A HOT TOPIC IN RECENT MONTHS – MERRIAM-WEBSTER HAS DECLARED “AUTHENTIC” ITS WORD OF THE YEAR FOR 20-23.

THE COMPANY SAYS “AUTHENTIC” — WHOSE VARIOUS MEANINGS INCLUDE “NOT FALSE OR IMITATION” AND BEING “TRUE TO ONE’S OWN PERSONALITY, SPIRIT, OR CHARACTER” – SAW A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN SEARCHES THIS YEAR.

MERRIAM-WEBSTER POINTS TO CELEBRITIES LIKE TAYLOR SWIFT AND SAM SMITH USING THE TERM “AUTHENTIC VOICE” AND “AUTHENTIC SELF” CAUSING INTEREST IN THE WORD.

EARLIER THIS YEAR — X OWNER ELON MUSK SAID CEOS USING SOCIAL MEDIA SHOULD BE MORE “AUTHENTIC.”

AND PEOPLE LOOKED UP THE WORD DUE TO REPORTS ON DEEPFAKE VIDEOS AND HOLLYWOOD ACTORS AND WRITERS GOING ON STRIKE OVER AI.

MERRIAM-WEBSTER SAYS “AUTHENTIC” IS HARD TO DEFINE AND SUBJECT TO DEBATE – TWO REASONS IT SENDS MANY PEOPLE TO THE DICTIONARY.

THESE ARE YOUR TOP STORIES FOR THIS TUESDAY.

IN TODAY’S MORNING RUNDOWN NEWSLETTER, WE SHARE SOME TIPS ON HOW TO GET INVOLVED ON THIS GIVING TUESDAY.

IF YOU’RE NOT ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER, JUST GO TO SAN DOT COM SLASH RUNDOWN TO SIGN UP.

UNBIASED. STRAIGHT FACTS. THAT’S STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS.

WE’LL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

UNTIL THEN I’M KARAH RUCKER. HAVE A GREAT DAY!

AS ISRAEL AND HAMAS PREPARE FOR THE FINAL DAY OF THE LIMITED CEASE-FIRE, THERE ARE TALKS OF EXTENDING THE DEAL

AND — THE WORLD’S LARGEST ICEBERG – GROUNDED FOR DECADES — IS ON THE MOVE

THE MORNING RUNDOWN STARTS NOW.

TODAY IS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27TH

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I’M SHANNON LONGWORTH.

AS ISRAEL AND HAMAS PREPARE FOR THE FINAL DAY OF THE FOUR-DAY CEASE-FIRE AGREEMENT – THE TWO SIDES APPEAR TO BE OPEN TO EXTENDING THE HOSTAGE RELEASE DEAL.

SINCE FRIDAY – HAMAS HAS RELEASED DOZENS OF HOSTAGES – MOSTLY ISRAELI WOMEN AND CHILDREN — AS WELL AS FOREIGN NATIONALS.

IN EXCHANGE — ISRAEL HAS RELEASED MORE THAN 100 IMPRISONED PALESTINIAN WOMEN AND TEENAGERS – AND ALLOWED FOR MORE HUMANITARIAN AID TO ENTER GAZA.

TODAY A FOURTH EXCHANGE IS EXPECTED THAT WOULD SEE A TOTAL OF 50 HOSTAGES FREED BY HAMAS AND 150 PALESTINIANS RELEASED BY ISRAEL.

ISRAEL HAS SAID IT WOULD EXTEND THE PAUSE IN FIGHTING BY ONE DAY FOR EVERY 10 ADDITIONAL HOSTAGES RELEASED.

HAMAS ISSUED A STATEMENT SUNDAY SAYING IT IS LOOKING TO EXTEND THE SHORT-TERM PEACE AGREEMENT BY QUOTE “SERIOUSLY SEEKING TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF THOSE RELEASED FROM IMPRISONMENT.”

ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU RESPONDED SUNDAY EVENING – SAYING AN EXTENSION IN THE PAUSE IN FIGHTING WOULD BE QUOTE “WELCOME.”

HE SAID HOWEVER AFTER THE AGREEMENT ENDS – ISRAEL WOULD CONTINUE ITS MISSION OF “ELIMINATING” HAMAS.

ON SUNDAY – HAMAS RELEASED MORE THAN A DOZEN MORE HOSTAGES – INCLUDING 4-YEAR-OLD ABIGAIL MOR EDAN (MOORE E-DON) – WHOSE PARENTS WERE KILLED IN HAMAS’ TERROR ATTACK ON ISRAEL.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SPOKE AFTER THE NEWS OF HER RELEASE.

Biden: “Abigail was among 13 hostages released today from Gaza under the brokered and sustained, though intensive U.S. diplomacy. She’s now safely in Israel and we continue to press and expect for additional Americans will be released as well. And we will not stop working until every hostage is returned to their loved ones.”

U.S. OFFICIALS THIS MORNING ARE NOT SAYING IF AN ATTACK ON A COMMERCIAL CARGO SHIP BY PIRATES NEAR SOMALIA ON SUNDAY WAS RELATED TO THE GROWING TENSIONS IN THE REGION.. THE U.S. NAVY INTERVENED TO STOP THE HIJACKING. OFFICIALS SAY TWO BALLISTIC MISSILES WERE FIRED HOURS LATER AT THE NAVY DESTROYER THAT RESPONDED TO THE SCENE THE MISSILES WERE FIRED FROM THE PART OF YEMEN THAT IS CONTROLLED BY IRANIAN-BACKED HOUTHI REBELS. THE U.S. IS INVESTIGATING IRAN’S POSSIBLE INVOLVEMENT.

POLICE IN BURLINGTON VERMONT HAVE ARRESTED A SUSPECT IN THE SHOOTING OF THREE STUDENTS OF PALESTINIAN DESCENT WHO WERE WOUNDED NEAR THE UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT ON SATURDAY.

THE SUSPECT — IDENTIFIED AS FORTY EIGHT YEAR OLD JASON J. EATON – IS SET TO BE ARRAIGNED TODAY IN CONNECTION WITH THE SHOOTING.

POLICE SAY THE THREE STUDENTS – ALL MEN IN THEIR TWENTIES WHO ATTEND OTHER U.S. COLLEGES – WERE SHOT OUTSIDE THE HOME OF ONE OF THE VICTIM’S RELATIVES THEY WERE VISITING OVER THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY. THE SHOOTING SCENE WAS ALSO NEAR EATON’S APARTMENT BUILDING.

POLICE SAY THE GUNMAN FIRED HIS WEAPON AT LEAST FOUR TIMES – WITHOUT SPEAKING.

TWO OF THE STUDENTS WERE WEARING TRADITIONAL PALESTINIAN SCARVES AT THE TIME.

AUTHORITIES SAY TWO OF THE VICTIMS ARE U.S. CITIZENS — THE THIRD IS A LEGAL RESIDENT.

ONE OF THE STUDENTS SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES – THE OTHERS ARE IN STABLE CONDITION.

AUTHORITIES SAY THEY ARE INVESTIGATING WHETHER THE SHOOTING WAS A HATE CRIME.

IN A LETTER TO HIS DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES SUNDAY — SENATE MAJORITY LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER LAID OUT HIS PLAN TO BRING A NATIONAL SECURITY PACKAGE TO THE SENATE FLOOR.

THE BILL WOULD INCLUDE FUNDING FOR BOTH UKRAINE AND ISRAEL  — AND COULD BE BROUGHT TO A VOTE AS EARLY AS NEXT WEEK.

THIS COMES FOLLOWING REPUBLICAN HOUSE SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON’S ATTEMPT AT PUSHING THROUGH AN AID PACKAGE TO ISRAEL WHILE SLASHING IRS FUNDING – THAT PACKAGE PASSED THE HOUSE BUT WAS QUICKLY REJECTED BY THE SENATE.

FOR THE SENATE TO PASS ANY SORT OF FUNDING FOR ISRAEL AND UKRAINE – SENATE REPUBLICANS INSIST IT MUST INCLUDE STRICTER BORDER POLICIES – AN ISSUE SCHUMER SAYS IS HYPER-PARTISAN.

SCHUMER ADDED THAT HIS GOAL IS TO BRING THE PACKAGE TO A VOTE THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 4TH – FOLLOWING AN ALL-SENATORS BRIEFING ON UKRAINE.

PRESIDENT BIDEN WILL NOT BE ATTENDING THE U.N. CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE IN DUBAI LATER THIS WEEK – ACCORDING TO THE WHITE HOUSE.

WORLD LEADERS FROM NEARLY 200 COUNTRIES ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND.

BIDEN HAS ATTENDED THE CONFERENCE THE PAST TWO YEARS.

THOUGH NO REASON HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR BIDEN’S ABSENCE – SENIOR WHITE HOUSE OFFICIALS HAVE POINTED TO THE PRESIDENT BEING CONSUMED IN RECENT WEEKS WITH THE WAR BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS.

VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS IS ALSO NOT EXPECTED TO BE AT THE CONFERENCE – THOUGH U.S. SPECIAL ENVOY FOR CLIMATE JOHN KERRY AND OTHER TOP OFFICIALS ARE SCHEDULED TO ATTEND.

IN DUBAI — NATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO DISCUSS AMONG OTHER TOPICS — WHETHER TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT ON PHASING OUT FOSSIL FUELS.

THE WORLD’S LARGEST ICEBERG — ROUGHLY THREE TIMES THE SIZE OF NEW YORK CITY —  IS DRIFTING OUT OF ARCTIC WATERS AFTER BEING GROUNDED TO THE OCEAN FLOOR FOR DECADES.

THE ICEBERG DUBBED A-23-A BY SCIENTISTS —  DETACHED FROM AN ANTARCTIC ICE SHELF IN 1986 BUT GOT STUCK TO THE OCEAN FLOOR.

SCIENTISTS SAY THAT THE ICEBERG – BEING PUSHED BY THE WIND AND CURRENTS – HAS BEEN MOVING FASTER AND FASTER MAKING ITS WAY PASSED THE NORTHERN TIP OF THE ANTARCTIC PENINSULA.

THE REASON BEHIND THE ICEBERG’S SUDDEN MOVEMENT IS UNCLEAR — BUT SCIENTISTS SAY IT IS LESS LIKELY DUE TO CHANGING WATER TEMPERATURES, WITH A SCIENTIFIC CONSENSUS THAT EVENTUALLY IT WOULD DECREASE IN SIZE AND LOSE ITS GRIP ON THE OCEAN FLOOR.

FINALLY THIS MORNING – A THREE-YEAR CRUISE ON THE OPEN SEAS SOUNDED LIKE PARADISE FOR THE PASSENGERS WHO BOOKED LIFE AT SEAS CRUISES’ INAUGURAL VOYAGE. HOWEVER WITH JUST DAYS TO GO BEFORE THE DEPARTURE DATE – THE DREAM TRIP OF A LIFETIME WAS CANCELED.

PASSENGERS WHO WERE WILLING TO SPEND ALMOST THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLARS PER YEAR WERE PROMISED A TRIP THAT WOULD COVER ONE HUNDRED THIRTY THOUSAND MILES, NEARLY 400 PORTS AND OVER 130 COUNTRIES.

THE THREE-YEAR CRUISE WAS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN AMSTERDAM ON NOVEMBER 30TH – WHICH WAS THE THIRD DEPARTURE DATE TOLD TO PASSENGERS AFTER DELAYS.

ON NOVEMBER 17TH — PASSENGERS WERE NOTIFIED BY THE TURKEY-BASED COMPANY THAT THE CRUISE WAS NOT HAPPENING.

THE COMPANY ADMITTING IT HAD NO SHIP – ANOTHER CRUISE COMPANY HAD PURCHASED THE VESSEL IT WAS PLANNING TO USE.

SOME PASSENGERS REMAIN IN ISTANBUL – THE ORIGINAL DEPARTURE LOCATION – SAYING THEY SOLD THEIR HOMES IN ANTICIPATION OF THEIR MULTI-YEAR JOURNEY.

THE COMPANY HAS SAID IT WOULD ISSUE REFUNDS – IN MONTHLY INSTALLMENTS BEGINNING NEXT MONTH.

AND IT WOULD PAY FOR FLIGHTS FOR PASSENGERS STILL STRANDED IN ISTANBUL.

THESE ARE YOUR TOP STORIES FOR THIS MONDAY.

IF YOU ARE A SUBSCRIBER OF THE MORNING RUNDOWN NEWSLETTER, IN TODAY’S EDITION WE TAKE A LOOK AT TODAY’S CYBER MONDAY SHOPPING EVENT BY THE NUMBERS

IF YOU’RE NOT A SUBSCRIBER YET, HEAD OVER TO SAN DOT SLASH RUNDOWN TO SIGN UP.

UNBIASED. STRAIGHT FACTS. THAT’S STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS.

WE’LL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

UNTIL THEN I’M SHANNON LONGWORTH. HAVE A GREAT DAY!