18-year-old planned terror attack on Israeli consulate in New York: FBI
FBI agents arrested a Virginia college student, who they said was plotting a terrorist attack on Israel’s consulate in New York City. As reported on Thursday, Dec. 19, the agency said that 18-year-old Abdullah Hassan, a freshman at George Mason University, told an undercover informant about his plan to pull off a mass casualty attack.
Authorities said Hassan sent an Islamic State-themed video promoting the killing of Jewish people to someone claiming to be a terrorist sympathizer. However, the person Hassan sent it to was an undercover agent.
The FBI said Hassan shared several plans for the attack to the undercover agent. Some plans included using a high-powered rifle, a suicide vest or a backpack stuffed with a homemade bomb.
The informant said Hassan sent him a detailed video on how to make a bomb. He also told the informant he wanted to attack the Israeli consulate in New York. Hassan allegedly described the consulate as a “goldmine of targets.”
The FBI claimed Hassan praised 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden on his X account. They also said he shared antisemitic and terrorist propaganda online.
FBI agents previously interviewed Hassan in 2022 after they said he shared Islamic State propaganda online. However, the agency did not file charges in that incident.
Hassan now faces a charge related to showing the FBI informant how to make a bomb with intent to “murder internationally protected persons.” That charge carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison alone. However, prosecutors may reportedly add more charges.
George Mason University banned Hassan from campus after these charges were made public. Hassan is an Egyptian national and is currently detained while he undergoes the deportation process. The FBI investigation is expected to delay that process.
George Mason University also faced criticism over a separate incident. Recently, a pair of sisters, one current and former president of a pro-Palestinian group on campus, were banned from campus for four years after police searched their family’s home last month.
Investigators said they found relatives’ guns, ammunition and a symbol calling for death to Jewish people.
Campus police called the ban a safety precaution. However, a coalition of organizations representing students condemned the move. The groups argued the ban effectively expels the sisters from the university because they are unable to attend classes on campus.
The coalition also noted the decision was apparently made without due process.
Government shutdown looms as House votes against latest funding bill
A government shutdown looms nearer after the House rejected a bill that would have kept it funded into March. And drones are now banned in parts of New York and New Jersey after a spate of mysterious sightings. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Dec. 20, 2024.
House votes against latest stopgap bill aimed to avoid government shutdown
The House rejected a stopgap bill Thursday, Dec. 19, that would have kept the government running. The vote came ahead of a potential shutdown starting at midnight Saturday, Dec. 21, when lawmakers head home for the holidays.
The bill fell short of the needed two-thirds majority to speed up its passage. More than three dozen Republicans joined 197 Democrats in voting against it. Republicans split with each other on how the bill handles government spending.
“Three hundred and thirty billion dollars. Congratulations. You’ve added to the debt since you were given the majority again on Nov. 5,” Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, said.
Roy voted against the bill.
He added, “It’s embarrassing. It’s shameful. Yes, I think this bill is better than it was yesterday in certain respects. But to take this bill, to take this bill yesterday and congratulate yourself because it’s shorter in pages but increases the debt by $5 trillion, is asinine.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., said on the House floor, “The deal on the table will keep the government open for the American people and if you guys so choose to shut it down, it will be on you but not the Republican Party.”
She added, “We will not be going back to the table. This deal stands as it is. So let you go back home on Christmas and explain to your people why you shut down the government because we won’t be doing it.”
The latest spending bill, known as a continuing resolution, is a quickly amended bill tailored to the liking of President-elect Donald Trump and his top ally Elon Musk.
Musk postedrepeatedlyonX condemning the original bill. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., worked on it with bipartisan support from Republicans and Democrats.
However, when both Musk and Trump opposed the bill, that guaranteed most House Republicans would vote against it and forced Johnson to craft a new bill.
Now, there are two conflicting interests. Musk wants major government spending cuts, and while Trump agrees, he also wants to permanently suspend the debt ceiling.
The new plan lifts the debt limit, leading Trump to support the bill in a Truth Social post.
“Now we can Make America Great Again, very quickly, which is what the People gave us a mandate to accomplish,” Trump posted.
But Democrats attacked the bill over what spending Republicans chose to cut.
“The Musk-Johnson proposal is not serious, it’s laughable,” said House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. “Extreme MAGA Republicans are driving us to a government shutdown.”
The bill removed funding for a bipartisan program for pediatric cancer research, studying genetic conditions like Down syndrome and treatment options for sickle cell disease as well as cancers.
It will be on Johnson to craft a bill to secure votes from the majority of the House.
However, Johnson may not have the political leeway to rely on support from Democrats. He’ll need nearly every returning member of the House Republican caucus to vote for him next month to remain speaker.
The new Congress takes office in the new year.
New details of accused UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter’s plan emerge
Newly unsealed court documents put into perspective what led up to the deadly shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. A federal complaint shed light on 26-year-old Luigi Mangione’s “hostility toward the health insurance industry and wealthy executives in particular.”
In a notebook found on Mangione when he was arrested, he allegedly wrote of his plans to “wack” an insurance company CEO at its investor conference. Federal prosecutors said he traveled from Georgia to New York to stalk and kill Thompson.
Magione appeared in a New York courtroom Thursday, and four new federal charges were levied against him. The charges included murder with a firearm, which is an offense punishable by the death penalty.
The hearing followed Mangione’s extradition from Pennsylvania, where police arrested him on Dec. 9, to New York.
Armed guards surrounded Mangione as NYPD officers walked him off a helicopter upon his arrival in Manhattan. New York City Mayor Eric Adams joined the walk.
“Police Commissioner [Jessica] Tisch and I all want to send a very clear and loud message that this act of terrorism and the violence that stems from it is something that will not be tolerated in this city,” Adams told the press at the site of the helicopter arrival.
Mangione already faces state-level charges in New York. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg brought charges against him Tuesday, Dec. 17, including for murder as an act of terrorism.
However, Mangione also received a hero’s welcome from protesters outside the courthouse. Thompson’s killing sparked backlash against the health insurance industry and its coverage policies.
While judges have not set any dates yet, Mangione will face state-level charges first. A federal trial will follow.
New York abolished the death penalty, meaning it’s not an option for Mangione in the state-level case. However, the death penalty can still be exercised in the federal case.
FAA temporarily bans drones in parts of New York and New Jersey
Drones are now banned in parts of New York and New Jersey — at least for the time being. It comes amid an investigation into multiple mysterious sightings over the last month that set off fear and speculation.
In a statement, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the Federal Aviation Administration’s bans are “purely precautionary.” Meanwhile, the FAA’s restrictions in New Jersey are largely aimed at limiting drone flights over power stations and infrastructure.
The FAA implemented emergency flight restrictions across New Jersey, prohibiting drone operations until Jan. 17, 2025, for “special security reasons.” Unless operators obtain special government clearance, the directive bans uncrewed aircraft within a one-nautical-mile radius of designated areas and up to 400 feet in altitude.
The FAA designated areas such as Camden, Jersey City, Elizabeth and South Brunswick as “National Defense Airspace.”
Violators may face severe penalties, including interception, detention, certificate revocation and potential criminal charges. In extreme cases, authorities are authorized to use “deadly force” against drones posing an “imminent security threat.”
These restrictions follow a surge in unexplained drone sightings across New Jersey and nearby states that began in mid-November. Federal agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Defense (DOD), received over 5,000 reports of drone activity.
Dow Jones snaps worst losing streak in 50 years
The Dow Jones Industrial Average snapped its worst losing streak in 50 years Thursday. The losing streak lasted 10 days.
During the losing streak, the market wiped out all of its post-election gains. The Dow ended Wednesday down 2.5% from when Trump won the election.
Also on Wednesday, Wall Street’s fear gauge, the CBOE Volatility Index, had its second-biggest percentage spike in history. The VIX shot up 74% after the Federal Reserve shared its outlook for the coming year.
On Wednesday, the Fed cut its benchmark interest rate for a third time in 2024, which was widely predicted.
Feeling the holiday blues?
The holidays are often called “the most wonderful time of the year,” but the season can bring about sadness and stress for many. This -emotional shift, commonly known as the “holiday blues” or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), can affect millions of people across the country.
Licensed adult psychiatrist Dr. Patrice Mann said the holiday blues are due to several factors. They include social pressures, disruptive routines and financial strain.
“Things like having a bunch of holiday events on the calendar, not to say we don’t look forward to them oftentimes, but they take a toll on us,” says Dr. Mann. “You’re up late, interacting with a lot of people, and that’s not everyone’s nature.”
Grief and seasonal depression can also complicate these feelings. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, seasonal depression affects millions of Americans every year, but many may not even realize they have it.
Symptoms of holiday blues and seasonal depression can include a persistent low mood, loss of interest in activities and changes in eating or sleeping habits. If these symptoms last more than two weeks, Dr. Mann said it could indicate a more serious depressive episode. In such cases, seeking professional help is important.
Dr. Mann recommended several self-care strategies to help manage both the holiday blues and seasonal depression. She suggested getting tested for vitamin D deficiency and taking supplements during winter. Vitamin D plays a vital role in mood and energy levels.
She also advised getting as much sunlight as possible during the shorter winter days. Light therapy boxes can mimic outdoor sunlight if natural sunlight isn’t available. Using them for 20 to 30 minutes in the morning can help trick the brain and improve mood.
For those experiencing grief during the holidays, Dr. Mann encouraged reflecting on personal needs and communicating with trusted friends or family members. She also recommended incorporating new social activities into your routine and checking in with yourself after attending events.
For those supporting others through grief, it’s important to recognize that everyone processes emotions differently. Dr. Mann suggested engaging in activities with those less open about mental health, such as cooking or playing games, to help create a comfortable environment for them to express themselves.
While the holiday season brings unique challenges, small steps can make a big difference. Prioritizing self-care, maintaining routines and reaching out for support are important practices to help manage holiday stress.
If you or someone you know is struggling, remember that professional help is available. The National Suicide Hotline is available 24 hours a day by calling 988.
Police transfer UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect to NY federal prison
Law enforcement officials extradited Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, to New York on Thursday, Dec. 19. There, Mangione listened as a judge read out four federal charges against him, including murder with a firearm, an offense punishable by the death penalty.
The hearing followed Mangione’s move from Pennsylvania, where police arrested him on Dec. 9, to New York.
Armed guards surrounded Mangione as NYPD officers walked him off a helicopter upon his arrival in Manhattan. New York City Mayor Eric Adams joined the walk.
“Police Commissioner [Jessica] Tisch and I all want to send a very clear and loud message that this act of terrorism and the violence that stems from it is something that will not be tolerated in this city,” Adams told the press at the site of the helicopter arrival.
Mangione already faces state-level charges in New York. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg brought charges Tuesday, Dec. 17, against him, including for murder as an act of terrorism.
But Mangione also received a hero’s welcome from some protesters outside the federal courthouse, as the killing of the 50-year-old Thompson sparked backlash against the health insurance industry and its coverage policies.
While judges have not set any dates yet, Mangione will face state-level charges first. A federal trial will follow.
New York abolished the death penalty, meaning it’s not an option for Mangione in the state-level case. However, the death penalty can still be exercised in the federal case.
Prosecutors indict top adviser to NYC Mayor Adams on bribery charges
Days after resigning from her role, the longtime top adviser to New York Mayor Eric Adams pleaded not guilty after prosecutors indicted her on bribery charges. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg brought indictments against Ingrid Lewis-Martin, her son Glenn Martin II and two real estate investors.
“We allege that Ingrid Lewis-Martin engaged in a long running bribery, money laundering and conspiracy scheme by using her position and authority as the chief adviser to the New York City mayor, the second highest position in city government, to illegally influence city decisions in exchange [for] in excess of $100,000 in cash and other benefits for herself and her son, Glenn Martin II,” Bragg said in a press conference on Thursday, Dec. 19.
The indictment says the investors asked Lewis-Martin for help with approvals for projects that included a rooftop bar and a hotel.
They paid $100,000 to Lewis-Martin’s son, who used the money to purchase a $113,000 Porsche last year. The New York Post obtained a photo of Martin when he purportedly bought the car.
Lewis-Martin denied any wrongdoing and says she has been “falsely accused.” However, she has also been at the center of a federal investigation into allegations of corruption in the mayor’s office.
Two previous NYPD chiefs, Edward Caban and Thomas Donlon, stepped aside after federal investigations probed their conduct.
Adams, meanwhile, faces federal corruption charges that the Justice Department brought in September. In the indictment, prosecutors allege he took bribes from Turkish government officials and businessmen.
Adams has a trial on those federal charges scheduled for April 2025. But in his comments, Bragg said the charges against Lewis-Martin do not allege any criminal conduct on the mayor’s part.
“The mayor is not a target of our investigation and we do not have evidence of criminal conduct by the mayor,” Bragg said.
NYPD’s top earner, under investigation for massive overtime pay, retires early
The New York Police Department’s highest paid employee, under investigation for massive amounts of overtime pay that contributed to a more than $400,000 salary, is retiring early. Lt. Quathisha Epps claimed to work more than 1,600 hours of overtime, which was uncovered in November by the New York Post.
Epps pulled in more than $204,000 in overtime pay on top of her base salary of around $164,000, plus fringe benefits which put her at $403,515 in 2024.
According to payroll records, her boss made around $292,000 that same year.
Sources told the Post that Epps’ overtime pay was capped after the report came out.
NYPD officials told her at the time she’d be put back on patrol, instead of just working her current desk job.
Now the Post learned Epps filed for retirement this week. She was just shy of 20 years with the department.
Her early exit will impact her pension and cost her a reported $12,000 annually. This payment goes towards officers who retire after the two-decade mark.
The department has now officially launched an internal affairs probe into Epps. The investigation will look into allegations of falsified overtime hours, which includes Epps signing off on time slips herself. Investigators will also look at complaints of her coming into work late, leaving early or not showing up at all.
Epps’ history with the NYPD
Despite the investigation, Epps seemingly had a positive history with the NYPD.
In 2019, the department congratulated Epps for beating cancer three times, posting on social media for World Cancer Day.
Meet Lieutenant Epps: She is a 13-year NYPD veteran, mother, & cancer survivor. 18 years ago, she was first diagnosed with cancer. With the support of her family at home and family in blue, she has since fought cancer 3 times and is back in uniform serving NYC. #WorldCancerDaypic.twitter.com/ux64SIoyw8
Following her recent retirement announcement, Epp’s last day was scheduled for Jan. 14, but the NYPD has suspended her without pay amid the investigation.
The department has 30 days to investigate before her pension goes into effect.
New York man pleads guilty to operating secret Chinese police station: DOJ
A Manhattan man entered a guilty plea on Wednesday, Dec. 18, for his role in operating the first known secret police station in New York. The Department of Justice said it was opened on behalf of the Chinese government in the spring of 2022.
The People’s Republic of China used Chen Jinping and his co-defendant, Lu Jianwang, to act as agents for the Ministry of Public Security.
The American citizens set up above a ramen shop in Manhattan’s Chinatown, surveilling Chinese nationals living in New York City. Federal authorities said the pair sent information about the Chinese community, including pro-democracy nationals.
In a statement, the Department of Justice’s Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen wrote, “This illegal police station was not opened in the interest of public safety, but to further the nefarious and repressive aims of the PRC in direct violation of American sovereignty.”
The makeshift police station was shut down by the FBI in the fall of 2022. The duo reportedly made attempts to hide evidence during the probe, including deleting text messages with a Chinese government official.
Chen faces up to five years in prison for conspiracy to illegally aid a foreign government as an agent. Lu has not admitted guilt and is awaiting a trial. He’s also accused of harassing a Chinese citizen to return back to China.
Beijing denies any wrongdoing, it called the surveillance facilities “service stations” designed to help Chinese nationals who live abroad. Across the globe, the Chinese government is believed to have at least 100 of these stations in 53 different countries.
Amazon workers strike as last-minute holiday shopping rush gets underway
As the final days of the holiday shopping season begin, Amazon workers nationwide are going on strike. And the CDC announces the first severe case of bird flu in a human in the United States. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024.
Amazon workers strike as last-minute holiday shopping rush gets underway
As shoppers have less than a week now to cross off their holiday lists, Amazon workers across the country are headed to the picket lines. Thousands of Amazon employees are striking after the International Brotherhood of Teamsters said the company ignored its Dec. 15 deadline for contract negotiations.
The Teamsters represent nearly 10,000 workers at 10 Amazon facilities. That accounts for about 1% of the company’s hourly workforce.
A facility in New York’s Staten Island became Amazon’s first-ever unionized warehouse in 2022, but since then, workers there have said the company has refused to recognize the union and negotiate a contract.
In a statement on X, Teamsters President Sean O’Brien said, “If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can blame Amazon’s insatiable greed. We gave Amazon a clear deadline to come to the table and do right by our members. They ignored it.”
TEAMSTERS LAUNCH LARGEST STRIKE AGAINST AMAZON IN AMERICAN HISTORY
The Teamsters will launch the largest strike against Amazon in U.S. history beginning at 6 a.m. EST on Thurs., Dec. 19. The nationwide action follows Amazon’s repeated refusal to follow the law and bargain with… pic.twitter.com/A06NKciCDB
“The truth is that the teamsters have actively threatened, intimidated, and attempted to coerce amazon employees and third-party drivers to join them, which is illegal,” Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said in a statement.
The Seattle-based online retailer seeks to re-do the election that led to the union victory in Staten Island. It filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the National Labor Relations Board.
Despite the Teamsters calling this strike the largest in Amazon’s history, the company said it does not expect the strike to impact operations.
Israeli airstrikes target Houthi infrastructure in Yemen
The Israeli military carried out a series of airstrikes in Yemen early Thursday, Dec. 19, killing at least nine people. The strikes happened right after Israel said it intercepted a Houthi missile targeted at the central part of the country.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it was a coincidence, and Thursday’s strikes targeting the Iran-backed militant group’s infrastructure were in the works for months.
⭕️ IAF fighter jets struck military targets belonging to the Houthi terrorist regime on the western coast and in inland Yemen.
Over the past year, the Houthi terrorist regime has been operating with the direction and funding of Iran, and in cooperation with Iraqi militias in… pic.twitter.com/hYNRstbhxP
“Over the last 14 months, the Iran-backed Houthi terror regime in Yemen has launched hundreds of missile and UAV attacks against the State of Israel,” Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a video statement. “In the last two weeks only, the Houthis fired a drone that hit an apartment block in southern Israel, and on Sunday [Dec. 15], they fired a long-range missile towards central Israel. The Houthis have been carrying out attacks against Israel in violation of international law.”
Hagari added, “Israel will not hesitate to act in order to defend itself and its citizens from the Houthi’s attacks.”
The strikes risk escalating the ongoing conflict with the Houthis, whose attacks on the Red Sea corridor have drastically impacted global shipping. The Houthis started launching those attacks after Hamas — another group backed by Iran — attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The October ambush started the ongoing war in Gaza.
Government shutdown looms as Trump, Musk reject stopgap bill
It’s back to the drawing board for congressional leaders as the stopgap spending bill to avert a government shutdown this weekend is reportedly in jeopardy. The 1,500-page measure aimed to extend government funding through mid-March. A government shutdown is possible if Congress doesn’t take action by Friday night’s deadline.
The bill included aid for farmers and disaster victims and a pay raise for members of Congress, among many other items. On Wednesday, Dec. 18, President-elect Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk rejected the bill.
Musk, who will lead Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency come January, posted about the bill to X more than 100 times. He warned congressional members who vote for the bill, saying they “deserve to be voted out in two years!”
Trump echoed the sentiment, saying Republicans who vote in favor of the bill need to be “primaried.” He released a joint statement with Vice President-elect JD Vance, saying Congress should pass a “streamlined spending bill.”
Trump said the bill should be paired with a measure suspending the debt limit.
It’s unclear what steps House Speaker Mike Johnson will take, but he held a late-night meeting with lawmakers in his office Wednesday.
Following the meeting, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise confirmed the original stopgap bill was dead and hoped the House could find a resolution Thursday.
Teacher, student killed in Wisconsin school shooting identified
Authorities identified the teacher and student killed during a shooting inside a Madison, Wisconsin, school earlier this week. The medical examiner released their names late Wednesday evening, a day after a vigil was held for the victims.
Erin M. West, 42, and Rubi P. Vergara, 14, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said the suspected shooter, 15-year-old Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow, opened fire in a classroom at Abundant Life Christian School on Monday morning, Dec. 16. She killed two and injured six others before turning the weapon on herself, police said.
Two students remain hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. Four others, identified as three students and a teacher, were released from the hospital.
As the investigation continues, authorities said they recovered two guns at the school, but only one was used during the shooting. They said the motive appears to be a combination of factors.
CDC confirms first severe human case of bird flu in the US
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the first severe human case of bird flu in the U.S. A patient in Louisiana has been hospitalized in critical condition with severe respiratory symptoms, state health officials said.
Officials said the patient is over the age of 65 with underlying medical conditions. The CDC said the person has a version of the virus recently found to be spreading in wild birds and poultry in the U.S. It was also found in some human cases in Canada and Washington state.
This version of the illness is different from the specific version of the virus that’s been spreading in dairy cows across the U.S.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency over bird flu since the state has the highest number of infected cattle in the U.S. Since April, 61 human cases of bird flu have been reported in the U.S.; 33 of them in California.
ABC reaches new deal with George Stephanopoulos days after Trump settlement
George Stephanopoulos signed a new deal with ABC News, securing his position as anchor of “Good Morning America.” The Los Angeles Times was the first to report on the new contract.
While details about his offer are unknown, he’s previously been one of the highest-paid faces on television, earning $18 million a year.
The agreement comes amid speculation about his future with the network after Disney paid $15 million in a legal settlement over comments Stephanoupolos made about Trump during an interview in 2024.
The libel lawsuit revolved around the anchor saying Trump was “found liable for rape” in the case with writer E. Jean Carroll. The jury in that civil case had actually found Trump liable for sexual abuse. Reports suggested Stephanopoulos was blindsided by ABC’s settlement.
His new contract with ABC comes as parent company Disney is said to be looking to trim costs, which follows a trend right now among media giants. Many are scaling back amid a shift in the industry.
The poll is one of the clearest indicators yet of the backlash against the insurance industry that the killing has sparked. A plurality of young voters, 41%, found the killer’s actions acceptable, while 30-to-39-year-olds had the next highest rate at 23%.
Overall, 17% of voters say the killer’s actions were acceptable, compared to 68% who said they were unacceptable.
Police arrested 26-year-old suspect Luigi Mangione in Pennsylvania after a days-long manhunt. He now faces a murder charge in New York and other lesser charges in both New York and Pennsylvania.
Both before and after Mangione’s arrest, posters online lionized the suspect. They likened him to a folk hero and made light of the killing.
Other polls find the reaction comes as people are developing less favorable views of the healthcare system and more favorable views of violence.
A Gallup poll published earlier this month found Americans’ approval of the healthcare system fell to the lowest level in the 21st century.
Similarly, last year, a survey by the Public Religion Research Institute found that nearly a quarter of Americans agreed with the idea that violence may be necessary to save the United States.
Luigi Mangione charged with first-degree murder as an act of terrorism
A Manhattan grand jury indicted Luigi Mangione for first-degree murder as an act of terrorism in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg called the attack “a frightening, well-planned, targeted murder intended to cause shock and intimidation.”
The indictment listed 11 charges, including two counts of second-degree murder and multiple weapons and forgery offenses. If convicted, he faces a sentence of life in prison without parole.
Investigators said Mangione, 26, targeted Thompson as part of a broader grievance against the health care industry.
Officers discovered a notebook and handwritten materials criticizing large corporations, including UnitedHealthcare. Police said shell casings at the scene bore inscriptions of “deny,” “depose” and “delay,” emphasizing the deliberate nature of the attack.
Thompson suffered two gunshot wounds — one in the back and another in the leg — while walking near a busy Manhattan hotel. The shooting shook residents and business leaders, raising public safety concerns.
Police arrested Mangione on Dec. 9 at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after a multi-state manhunt. Officers recovered a gun, fake identification and additional writings at the time of the arrest.
Mangione remains in custody in Pennsylvania, where he faces additional charges. He is scheduled for two hearings on Thursday, Dec. 19. One hearing will address his extradition to New York to face his murder charges.
The New York Police Department warned of potential threats against corporate executives following the killing.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch denounced the crime and criticized social media users who celebrated the attack. She called the shooting “vile, reckless and offensive to our deeply held principles of justice.”
Congress unveils stopgap bill to avert shutdown
Congressional leaders unveil a stopgap bill to fund the government until March. And a mega-merger between Nissan and Honda might be revving up. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024.
Congressional leaders unveil stopgap government funding bill
With just days left to prevent a shutdown, Congress unveiled a stopgap bill to keep the government funded into March. It’ll be down to the wire with the Dec. 20 deadline, as House leaders are supposed to wait 72 hours before bringing proposed legislation to the floor for a vote. This practice allows lawmakers time to review the bill.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday, Dec. 17, that he believes in adhering to the 72-hour rule, but with the deadline approaching so quickly that might not be feasible.
This new stopgap bill includes more than $100 billion in disaster aid, a one-year extension to the farm bill, $10 billion in economic assistance to farmers, a bill to renew expiring health care programs and a measure to restrict U.S. investments in China.
Right now, the government is funded through Friday by a different stopgap measure approved by lawmakers in September.
I am particularly proud that this bill advances some of my key priorities including strong proposals to help the United States out-compete the Chinese Communist Party. pic.twitter.com/k73axXhUl0
In a statement last night, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he’s “pleased these negotiations led to a bipartisan government funding agreement free of cuts and poison pills, while also securing Democratic priorities like millions for child care, workforce training and job placement, assistance for the key bridge rebuild, additional disaster relief funding and more.”
If approved, this new stopgap bill would keep the government open through March 14, after the GOP has gained control of both the House and Senate.
Luigi Mangione charged with first-degree murder as an act of terrorism
In a press conference Tuesday, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg called the shooting outside a Manhattan hotel a “frightening, well-planned, targeted murder intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation.”
Mangione faces 11 counts, including two second-degree murder charges. If convicted, he faces life in prison without parole.
Mangione, who remains in a Pennsylvania prison, is set for two hearings on Thursday, Dec. 19. One for charges he faces in the Keystone State and another hearing for his extradition to New York.
Baltimore County Police Chief Robert McCullough said officers responded to reports of shots fired at around 7:15 p.m. Tuesday and found a vehicle lying on its side in flames. McCullough said it appears the car was involved in an incident that caused it to crash and catch on fire but did not say how that was related to the shooting.
“We know that there are some additional scenes that we’re investigating right now where other gunfire took place throughout the neighborhood,” McCullough said. “And that was evidenced by the multiple calls for service from the neighbors who were calling 911 about the gunshots in the community.”
McCullough said the incident was “intentional and targeted.” No arrests have been made in connection with this case.
Madison school shooting motive appears to be ‘combination of factors’: Police
Wisconsin authorities provided more information on Tuesday about the shooting inside a Christian school classroom that left three dead: a teacher, a student and the 15-year-old suspect.
In a press conference, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said the motive appears to be “a combination of factors.” Barnes added investigators are speaking with other students to see if bullying was one of those factors.
“Some have asked if people were specifically targeted,” Barnes said. “Everyone was targeted in this incident, and everyone was put in equal danger.”
Barnes said investigators are looking into the suspect’s social activity. Police identified the suspect as Natalie Rupnow and asked anyone who knew her to contact them.
Police said Rupnow opened fire Monday morning, Dec. 16, during a study hall full of students from multiple grade levels at Abundant Life Christian School. She struck several people before shooting herself. Six others were injured in the shooting and two remain in critical condition.
Nissan shares surge amid rumors of merger with Honda
Shares for Nissan surged following reports of potential merger talks with Honda. Both automotive giants released a statement to media confirming the whispers of a possible “business integration,” but not confirming any decisions set in stone yet.
The two have already collaborated on electric vehicles and battery technology, but the companies could benefit from deepening ties as both have seen challenges this year.
Nissan and Honda have seen dwindling sales in China, the world’s largest car market. Additionally, both automakers are navigating a slow shift to the electric vehicle market amid growing competition.
Talks of the potential merger saw Nissan shares notch their best day in more than 40 years with a 24% surge, though Honda saw a dip.
Some reports suggested the two will sign “a memorandum of understanding” on the potential deal soon. Mitsubishi is said to be a potential third player in the mix.
Tom Cruise receives Navy’s Distinguished Public Service Award
Nearly 40 years after he first starred as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in the film “Top Gun,” actor Tom Cruise was awarded the U.S. Navy’s top civilian honor on Tuesday.
“I admire all of the servicemen and women,” Cruise said during the ceremony. “I know in life something that is very true to me is that is to lead is to serve, and I know that to my core. And I see that in the servicemen and women. I see that in you, and you understand that. And I appreciate everyone’s dedication. And it’s a true honor to represent them. And I’m just very proud.”
The Navy said the 62-year-old actor’s efforts in the film industry have increased public awareness and appreciation for its “highly trained personnel and the sacrifices they make while in uniform.”
As for what’s next for Cruise, his film “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning” is set to be released in theaters in May.
