Week in 5: Dec 8-14, 2024
Luigi Mangione captured for CEO murder; Syria's Assad ousted; quantum computing breakthrough; Taylor Swift’s $2B tour; college football's 12-team playoff set; dancing for free coffee...
📰 Top 3 in…
🇺🇸 U.S. News
Luigi Nicholas Mangione, the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was captured at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania after a five-day manhunt. The 26-year-old Ivy League graduate, who comes from a wealthy Maryland family, resisted deputies and shouted about corporate greed while being escorted into court.
New details suggest his motive may be tied to anger at health insurance companies, which he described as “parasitic” in a handwritten manifesto found at his arrest. Authorities linked the gun he carried to the crime scene, and surveillance footage showed him fleeing Manhattan after the ambush. Mangione faces extradition to New York to face murder charges, while remaining jailed in Pennsylvania on charges including firearm possession and forgery. His family has expressed shock and extended condolences to Thompson's family. AP
Luigi Mangione’s arrest has drawn significant online attention, with viral photos and comments ranging from fascination to criticism. While some have romanticized his appearance, experts note this reflects societal focus on physical image and a tendency to sensationalize controversial figures. Others point to broader frustrations with the healthcare industry, as the case has sparked debates on corporate greed and systemic issues. Critics, however, emphasize the importance of compassion for Brian Thompson’s family and focusing on the gravity of the crime rather than Mangione’s public portrayal. USA Today
President Joe Biden is focusing on artificial intelligence, clemency, land protections, and major funding initiatives in his final weeks to cement his legacy. Planned actions include pardons, steps to address AI risks, and investments in clean energy, semiconductor manufacturing, and broadband infrastructure. These efforts aim to preserve key accomplishments, such as the Inflation Reduction Act, ahead of the Trump administration’s expected rollbacks. Amid party criticism, including over his pardon of Hunter Biden, Biden emphasizes the lasting impact of his policies while navigating immediate political challenges. Fortune
🌎 World News
Syria’s government fell in just two weeks after rebel forces launched a surprise offensive, quickly taking control of major cities and forcing President Bashar Assad to flee the country.
For over 50 years, the Assad family ruled Syria, but years of war had weakened their grip. Starting in late November, rebel fighters, led by a group called Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), moved swiftly across the country, capturing cities like Aleppo, Hama, and Homs with little resistance. By December 8, they surrounded the capital, Damascus, and declared Assad’s rule over. Assad, facing little help from allies like Russia and Iran, fled to Moscow, and plans are now underway to form a new government, marking the end of a 13-year civil war. AP
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken the stand in his corruption trial while managing an ongoing war in Gaza and addressing fallout from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s ouster. Netanyahu faces charges of fraud, breach of trust, and accepting bribes, including allegations of favorable regulatory treatment in exchange for media coverage and luxury gifts. His testimony, expected to last weeks, has intensified scrutiny on his ability to govern amidst political and legal challenges. Critics accuse him of using the war to deflect attention from his trial, while supporters view the charges as politically motivated. The trial marks a historic and controversial moment for Israel's longest-serving leader. CBS News
Two Russian oil tankers were heavily damaged in a Black Sea storm near the Kerch Strait, resulting in an oil spill, one reported death, and a rescue operation, with authorities investigating for criminal negligence. BBC
🧪 Tech & Science
Stroke diagnosis and treatment could be revolutionized by new AI software developed by Imperial College London, which analyzes brain scans to accurately determine stroke onset times and treatment potential, performing twice as well as current methods and promising faster, more effective emergency care. Link
Quantum computers, which rely on delicate qubits prone to errors, have reached a critical milestone as researchers at Google Quantum AI showed that adding more qubits can significantly lower error rates, a breakthrough essential for achieving practical, large-scale quantum computing. Link
Krispy Kreme disclosed a late-November cyberattack that disrupted online ordering systems in parts of the U.S., though its physical stores remain operational. The company is working with cybersecurity experts to mitigate the impact, restore digital services, and expects insurance to cover some costs. While no group has claimed responsibility, the incident highlights a rise in cyberattacks targeting businesses in 2024. BBC
📺 Sports & Culture
College Football's first 12-team Playoff is set, with Oregon, Georgia, Boise State, and Arizona State leading the field. SMU made the cut, while Alabama missed out. The playoffs kick off December 20, with the championship on January 20. AP
Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, spanning 149 shows across five continents, became the highest-grossing concert tour in history, generating over $2 billion and significantly boosting local economies worldwide. Axios
Bill Belichick's decision to become the head football coach at the University of North Carolina has surprised and saddened many in the NFL, with league executives and coaches lamenting the departure of one of the game's greatest leaders, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. While Belichick seems enthusiastic about taking on the college role—where his father once coached—the NFL world is left reflecting on his legacy and speculating on whether he might ever return to professional football. SI
🏎️ Fast Five
TikTok faces a potential U.S. ban after a federal appeals court upheld a law requiring its China-based parent, ByteDance, to sell the platform by January 19, 2025, citing national security risks. TikTok argues the law violates free speech, but the court deemed it necessary to protect against foreign influence. If unresolved, the case may head to the Supreme Court, with President-elect Trump’s stance likely to influence the platform’s fate. Link
Disney is investing heavily in its cruise line business, planning to double its fleet by 2031 to meet rising demand, particularly in international markets, as part of a broader $60 billion expansion of its Experiences division. WSJ
Reddit is testing "Reddit Answers," a conversational AI tool that provides curated responses to user questions by summarizing relevant posts and threads, positioning the platform to compete with AI tools like ChatGPT while enhancing its search capabilities. Link
A Chicago man returned a baseball book to a Detroit-area library 50 years overdue, receiving no fine as the book and his record had been erased from the system. Inspired by the gesture, he is raising $4,564—equivalent to the would-be fine—for a literacy nonprofit. AP
Credit: Unsplash.com A Massachusetts café offered free coffee to customers who danced for five seconds, sparking joy and positivity as videos of their moves went viral on TikTok, amassing over 7 million views. Today | Video (TikTok)
Thank you for reading. Have a great week!