8k8 withdrawal

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said Sunday that the is a “fundamental act of justice” after decades of repression, but it was “a moment of risk and uncertainty” for the Middle East. Biden spoke at the White House hours after rebel groups completed a takeover of the country following more than a dozen years of violent civil war and decades of leadership by . Biden said the United States was monitoring reports of the whereabouts of Assad, with Russian state media saying he had fled to Moscow and received asylum from his longtime ally. The outgoing Biden administration and President-elect Donald Trump were working to make sense of new threats and opportunities across the Middle East. Biden credited action by the U.S. and its allies for weakening Syria’s backers — Russia, Iran and Hezbollah. He said “for the first time” that they could no longer defend Assad’s grip on power. “Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East,” Biden said, after a meeting with his national security team. Trump said Sunday that Assad had fled because close ally the Russian president, “was not interested in protecting him any longer.” Those comments on Trump’s social media platform came a day after he used another post to in Syria to aid the rebels, declaring, “THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT.” The Biden administration said it had no intention of intervening. The U.S has about 900 troops in Syria, including forces working with Kurdish allies in the opposition-held northeast to prevent any resurgence of the Islamic State group. Biden said he intended for those troops to remain, adding that U.S. forces on Sunday conducted “precision air strikes” on IS camps and operations in Syria. U.S. Central Command said the operation hit more than 75 targets. “We’re clear-eyed about the fact that ISIS will try and take advantage of any vacuum to reestablish its credibility, and create a safe haven,” Biden said, using a different acronym for the group. “We will not let that happen.” The Syrian opposition that brought down Assad is led by , which the U.S. says is a terrorist organization with links to al-Qaida, although the group says it has since broken ties with al-Qaida. “We will remain vigilant,” Biden said. “Make no mistake, some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses.” He added that the groups are “saying the right things now.” “But as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words, but their actions,” Biden said. A senior Biden administration official, when asked about contact with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leaders after Assad’s departure, said Washington was in contact with Syrian groups of all kinds. The official, who was not authorized to publicly discuss the situation and spoke on condition of anonymity, also said the U.S. has focused over the past several days on chemical weapons that had been controlled by the Assad government, aiming to ensure they were secured. Still, Assad’s adds to an already tense situation throughout much of region on many fronts — including Israel’s and its fragile in Lebanon. Like Biden, Trump, who takes office in five-plus weeks, made a connection between the upheaval in Syria and , noting that Assad’s allies in Moscow, as well as in Iran, the main sponsor of Hamas and Hezbollah, “are in a weakened state right now.” Vice President-elect , a veteran of the U.S.-led war in Iraq, wrote on social media Sunday to express skepticism about the insurgents. “Many of ‘the rebels’ are a literal offshoot of ISIS. One can hope they’ve moderated. Time will tell,” he said. Trump has suggested that Assad’s ouster can advance the prospects for an end to fighting in Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia in February 2022. The president-elect wrote that Putin’s government “lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine” and Trump called for an immediate ceasefire, a day after meeting . The Syrian rebels face the daunting task of healing bitter divisions in a country ravaged by war and split among armed factions. Turkey-backed opposition fighters are battling U.S.-allied Kurdish forces in the north, and the Islamic State group is still active in remote areas. As they pushed toward the Syrian capital of Damascus, the opposition forces freed political detainees from government prisons. The family of missing U.S. journalist renewed calls to find him. Tice disappeared in 2012 outside Damascus as the civil war was intensifying.

TOKYO — Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan announced plans to work toward a merger that would form the world's third-largest automaker by sales, as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels. The two companies said they signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday and that smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors Corp. also agreed to join the talks on integrating their businesses. Automakers in Japan lag behind their big rivals in electric vehicles and are trying to cut costs and make up for lost time as newcomers such as China's BYD and EV market leader Tesla devour market share. Honda's president, Toshihiro Mibe, said Honda and Nissan will attempt to unify their operations under a joint holding company. Honda will lead the new management, retaining the principles and brands of each company. They aim to have a formal merger agreement by June and to complete the deal and list the holding company on the Tokyo Stock Exchange by August 2026, he said. People are also reading... Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen hospitalized at UNMC after falling from horse Nebraska volleyball falls to Penn State in 5 sets in Final Four: How it happened Nebraska volleyball libero Lexi Rodriguez signs to play with Omaha pro team Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola addresses transfer portal speculation: 'It was unfortunate' Longtime Wahoo boys basketball coach Kevin Scheef resigns Amie Just: Lexi Rodriguez deserved a national title. For her career to end like this? Gutting Final Four volleyball: Roca native a regular for No. 1 Pitt; Kennedi Orr's impact on Nebraska 'Multiple wins for me': Lincoln North Star rallies from double-digit deficit hours after coach's son is born Nebraska volleyball laments being a 'couple plays' short of finishing off Penn State 3 Nebraska starters still with team to miss bowl game with mix of injuries, opt outs Here's a list of Lincoln restaurants open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day Man killed in Friday night crash north of Lincoln Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen sustained fractured ribs, lacerated spleen in fall from horse Penn State swipes Final Four match from Nebraska, which was one point away The Journal Star's 2024 Super-State and all-state football teams No dollar value was given and the formal talks are just starting, Mibe said. There are "points that need to be studied and discussed," he said. "Frankly speaking, the possibility of this not being implemented is not zero." A merger could result in a behemoth worth more than $50 billion based on the market capitalization of all three automakers. Together, Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi would gain scale to compete with Toyota Motor Corp. and with Germany's Volkswagen AG. Toyota has technology partnerships with Japan's Mazda Motor Corp. and Subaru Corp. News of a possible merger surfaced earlier this month, with unconfirmed reports saying Taiwan iPhone maker Foxconn was seeking to tie-up with Nissan by buying shares from the Japan company's other alliance partner, Renault SA of France. Nissan's CEO Makoto Uchida said Foxconn had not directly approached his company. He also acknowledged that Nissan's situation was "severe." Even after a merger, Toyota, which rolled out 11.5 million vehicles in 2023, would remain the leading Japanese automaker. If they join, the three smaller companies would make about 8 million vehicles a year. In 2023, Honda made 4 million, and Nissan produced 3.4 million. Mitsubishi Motors made just more than 1 million. "We have come to the realization that in order for both parties to be leaders in this mobility transformation, it is necessary to make a more bold change than a collaboration in specific areas," Mibe said. Nissan, Honda and Mitsubishi earlier agreed to share components for electric vehicles like batteries and to jointly research software for autonomous driving to adapt better to electrification. Nissan struggled following a scandal that began with the arrest of its former chairman, Carlos Ghosn, in late 2018 on charges of fraud and misuse of company assets, allegations that he denies. He eventually was released on bail and fled to Lebanon. Speaking Monday to reporters in Tokyo via a video link, Ghosn derided the planned merger as a "desperate move." From Nissan, Honda could get truck-based body-on-frame large SUVs such as the Armada and Infiniti QX80 that Honda doesn't have, with large towing capacities and good off-road performance, Sam Fiorani, vice president of AutoForecast Solutions, told The Associated Press. Nissan also has years of experience building batteries and electric vehicles, and gas-electric hybrid powertrains that could help Honda in developing its own EVs and next generation of hybrids, he said. The company said in November that it was slashing 9,000 jobs, or about 6% of its global workforce, and reducing its global production capacity by 20% after reporting a quarterly loss of $61 million. It recently reshuffled its management and Uchida, its chief executive, took a 50% pay cut while acknowledging responsibility for the financial woes, saying Nissan needed to become more efficient and respond better to market tastes, increasing costs and other global changes. "We anticipate that if this integration comes to fruition, we will be able to deliver even greater value to a wider customer base," Uchida said. Fitch Ratings recently downgraded Nissan's credit outlook to "negative," citing worsening profitability, partly because of price cuts in the North American market. But it noted it has a strong financial structure and solid cash reserves that amounted to $9.4 billion. Nissan's share price also fell to the point where it is considered something of a bargain. On Monday, its Tokyo-traded shares gained 1.6%. They jumped more than 20% after news of the possible merger broke last week. Honda's shares surged 3.8%. Honda's net profit slipped nearly 20% in the first half of the April-March fiscal year from a year earlier, as its sales suffered in China.The Chicago Cubs are going to be aggressive this offseason after missing the postseason in 2024. They may have to dump an expensive contract to do so. FanSided's Zach Pressnell predicted that the Cubs would trade Cody Bellinger by the end of Major League Baseball's Winter Meetings because his contract could prevent them from signing star free agents. "For Chicago, it's the contract that kills them," wrote Pressnell. "Having to pay Bellinger right around $30 million for the next year or two is quite crippling to the pursuit of any big-name free agent like Corbin Burnes or Pete Alonso." Bellinger signed a three-year, $80 million deal with the Cubs before last season. The deal included player options for 2025 and 2026. He accepted his option for 2025, meaning the Cubs are set to pay him $27.5 million. The belief around the league is that the Cubs are actively trying to trade Bellinger, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal . "While rival executives say the Chicago Cubs want to trade first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger, they also note the difficulty the team likely will face pulling off such a move," wrote Rosenthal. "They should be able to pull off a trade, but it may look more like a salary dump than trading somebody who was an MVP candidate in 2023," wrote Pressnell. "A team like the New York Yankees or New York Mets makes sense as a landing destination, depending on where Juan Soto lands." Bellinger is a good player, but the Cubs need an upgrade at first base. With Pete Alonso available, they need as much room to spend as possible. The Cubs could also target a guy like Blake Snell or Max Fried. Regardless of who they target, Bellinger's contract on the payroll is not going to help them out. More MLB: Cubs trade proposal ships 2-time All-Star to Yankees to replace Anthony Rizzo

IRS may drop cash into your stocking

Bitcoin BTC/USD started the year with an impressive All-Time High (ATH) of greater than $77,000 in March after the approval of Bitcoin ETFs by the US Security and Exchange Commission (SEC). However, BTC has a penchant for exceeding expectations. It shattered the high from earlier in the year on December 3 when it finally crossed the $100,000 mark and reached over $103,5000. Two weeks later, Bitcoin exceeded $107,000 and now sits at just over $92,000. There are many reasons for Bitcoin's growth and the burgeoning mainstream acceptance of the coin. Consistent global inflation and low interest rates have encouraged institutional and retail investors to look to BTC as a hedge against inflation. The re-election of Donald J. Trump and the announced resignation of Gary Gensler as chairman of the SEC have also helped foster optimistic sentiments among investors. Trump nominated Paul Atkins as Gensler's successor and Atkins has a reputation of supporting cryptocurrencies and creating a more open regulatory environment for digital assets stemming from his tenure as SEC Commissioner between 2002 and 2008. Read Also: Bitcoin Price Decisively Back Below $100,000: What Is Going On? In November, we spoke with investor and Bitcoin supporter, Tim Draper, who called for $120,000 BTC in 2024. Judging by MicroStrategy's $5.4 billion BTC buy , Draper later said the estimate may be too low. What do other experts in digital assets have to say about the trajectory of the world's most famous cryptocurrency in the waning days of 2024? And where do they see BTC going in 2025? We spoke with Grant Cardone of Cardone Capital, Caitlin Long of Custodia Bank, Anthony Scaramucci of Skybridge Capital, Sandeep Nailwa l of Polygon and Dean Skurka of WonderFi to get their unique perspectives on the future of BTC. Grant Cardone, Fund Manager / CEO Cardone Capital, CEO of Cardone Training Technologies, Inc. Cardone, entrepreneur, real estate mogul and motivational speaker, has taken an avid interest in crypto and recently announced the launch of Cardone Capital Space Coast Bitcoin Fund (Fund 26). In a tweet on X, Cardone said: "Commitments for ~100% of $87.5M fund. Targeting 30% annual returns & 100% return of all capital at 48 months." When asked in interview about the future of Bitcoin, Cardone said "It is still early in fact because of the amount of adoption by governments, corporations, state treasuries & private business owners; we are still very early." Cardone added the number of ways it's possible to gain exposure to Bitcoin as another cause for confidence. "You can gain exposure to Bitcoin by buying it directly, through ETF investments, stocks of companies like MicroStrategy and now in real estate vehicles like we've created at CardoneCapital that uses cash flow to dollar cost average purchase the Bitcoin and spike traditional stable real estate returns." Caitlin Long, Founder & CEO, Custodia Bank Long is a vocal advocate of Bitcoin and has been an open critic of Gensler's tenure at the head of the SEC. Custodia Bank faced resistance from federal regulators, and in 2023, the Federal Reserve Board rejected it, citing concerns over the risks in digital assets. Custodia offers segregated custody accounts for Bitcoin and Long is a true believer in the fundamentals behind BTC. In an interview, she expressed her optimism for BTC. "I don’t make price predictions, but for fundamental reasons tied to halvings, Bitcoin has pronounced 4-year cycles – 210,000 blocks at 10-minute average block intervals, to be precise. If the past is prologue, 2025 will be a bull market year. Generally, more ‘up and to the right' movements should be on tap!" Anthony Scaramucci, Founder & CEO of SkyBridge Capital Scaramucci is a strong supporter of cryptocurrencies and uses his platform to educate traditional investors on BTC's potential. SkyBridge offers crypto funds including the SkyBridge Bitcoin Fund . He recently published his latest book, "The Little Book of Bitcoin: What You Need to Know that Wall Street Has Already Figured Out." Asked where he expects BTC to land by the end of 2024, Scaramucci said, "I see us finishing the year around the $100,000 level. We need to digest this big post-election move and see more concrete plans from the Trump regime on new regulatory frameworks." Scaramucci's prognostications for 2025 were even more bullish, similar to Tim Draper's predictions. "I see Bitcoin doubling in 2025 to $200,000. Don’t underestimate Sen. Cynthia Lummis’ determination to build a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, which would likely cause a cascading effect with other nation-states and corporations." Sandeep Nailwal, Co-Founder Of Polygon Nailwal is a visionary in the blockchain industry, not only for helping to found the Layer 2 blockchain network, Polygon MATIC/USD to add speed and reduce costs while using the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) , but also for his work shaping the Ethereum ETH/USD ecosystem, creating tools to make blockchain development easier as well as for his work developing ZK-rollups, sidechain technology and modular frameworks for greater scalability. Nailwal stands with most leaders in the blockchain space – a stronger BTC is a net win for all parts of Web3. “Bitcoin's success is a win for everyone in crypto. It builds trust, brings in more people, and shows the world what decentralized tech can do. As more users and institutions embrace Bitcoin, it creates a gateway for them to explore the broader blockchain space. That isn't just about Bitcoin thriving – it's about unlocking new ideas, driving innovation, and helping the entire ecosystem grow stronger together.” Dean Skurka, President And CEO WonderFi Skura's work has focused on compliance and accessibility in cryptocurrency, ultimately seeking to bring traditional finance and digital finance closer together. Skura is optimistic that the changing regulatory landscape in the US will be good news for BTC. "With the incoming administration in the US, discussions of a National Bitcoin Strategic Reserve, and continued institutional inflows into US Spot Bitcoin ETFs, we expect Bitcoin to continue to gain mainstream adoption, which will only further improve the long-term prospects for Bitcoin. The industry's prospects have never looked brighter, and we look forward to many more milestones in 2025." Now Read: $84,000 Is Bitcoin’s Worst Case, Options Trading Firm CEO Says © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.No. 25 Illinois rebounds in big way, blasts UMES 87-40France's Macron vows to stay on, promises PM in 'coming days'

The masked gunman who stalked and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel used ammunition emblazoned with the words “deny,” “defend” and “depose,” a law enforcement official said Thursday. The gunman is still at large and a manhunt is underway. Here's the latest: Water bottle and protein bar wrapper may hold clues to the shooter’s identity Just minutes before the shooting, the suspect was seen on surveillance footage purchasing the two items from a nearby Starbucks. Both the water bottle and protein bar wrapper were later recovered from a trash can in the vicinity of the killing, according to a police spokesperson. They’ve been sent to the city’s medical examiner for expedited fingerprint testing. Tips about the shooting, many unfounded, are pouring in through a police hotline As the suspect remained at large Thursday afternoon, New York police were sorting through a growing number of leads coming in through a public hotline. Many have been unfounded, including a tip from a commuter who claimed to have spotted the shooter on a Long Island Rail Road train Wednesday evening. Police searched the train, but found no sign of the gunman. Members of the public have also provided police with several different names of people who bear a resemblance to the gunman — though they have yet to confirm the shooter’s identity. NYPD spokesperson Carlos Nieves urged anyone with information to contact the department “even if it seems trivial.” “We ask you to call the tip line because that little piece of information could be the missing piece of the puzzle that ties everything together,” he said. Anger and vitriol against health insurers filled social media in the wake of Thompson’s killing Users’ reactions — and in many cases jokes — populated comment sections teeming with frustration toward health insurers broadly and UnitedHealthcare in particular. “I would be happy to help look for the shooter but vision isn’t covered under my healthcare plan,” one comment read on Instagram. “Thoughts and prior authorizations!” wrote another user. Police searched Upper West Side hostel seen in new images Images released by police of a person they say is wanted for questioning in connection with the shooting match the lobby of the HI New York City hostel on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Both feature a black-and-white checkered floor and a distinctive bench in the shape of a semicircle. Matheus Taranto, a guest at the hostel who’s visiting from Brazil, says he saw police at the lodging Wednesday evening. He said an officer wouldn’t let him access a bathroom where he wanted to brush his teeth. “I asked why, he was like, no, nothing happened,” said Taranto, 24. He didn’t connect the dots with the shooting until later. Police in Minnesota say they believe bomb threat against Thompson’s home was a hoax In Minnesota, police in the Minneapolis suburb of Maple Grove, where Thompson lived, said Thursday they believe a bomb threat on Wednesday night was a hoax. Maple Grove police put out a statement Thursday saying a “suspected swatting investigation” was underway. The department said it received a report of a bomb threat directed at two addresses around 7 p.m. CT Wednesday. The Minneapolis Bomb Squad and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office assisted, but investigators found no suspicions devices or other items. “The case is considered an active investigation, while the incident appears to be a hoax. No further comments will be made at this time,” the police statement said. Police reports provided to The Associated Press by the department show that officers made contact with family members at one of the homes and were told they had seen nothing suspicious and had received no direct threats. In Minnesota, authorities investigate reported bomb threat against Brian Thompson’s home Back in Thompson’s home state of Minnesota, authorities were investigating a bomb threat that reportedly was made against his home Wednesday night, after his death. It was first reported by TMZ. City Prosecutor Andrew Draper confirmed to The Associated Press via email Thursday that he received an email Wednesday night “regarding a bomb threat. I reported it to the Maple Grove Police Department and do not have any additional information.” Maple Grove police officials did not immediately respond to requests for details Thursday. Local ATF spokesperson Ashlee Sherrill said: “ATF was made aware of the incident in Maple Grove last night, but no ATF resources were deployed. We are unable to confirm any further details.” A local FBI spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for information on the FBI’s involvement in the investigation. Words on ammunition were written in marker, AP source says The words emblazoned on the ammunition used in the shooting – “deny,” “defend” and “depose” – were written in permanent marker, according to a law enforcement official. The official wasn’t authorized to publicly discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. — Jake Offenhartz What’s known about the search As of Thursday morning, police were still searching for the shooter. They released new photos of a person they said is wanted for questioning in connection with the shooting. The images match the lobby of the HI New York City hostel on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, including its black-and-white checkered floor and a distinctive bench in the shape of a semi-circle. An employee at the hostel said police had visited but declined to provide further information. Danielle Brumfitt, a spokesperson for the lodging, said in an emailed statement that they are cooperating with the NYPD but can’t comment due to the active investigation. According to the official who spoke to AP about the ammunition messaging, investigators are running DNA and fingerprint analysis on items found near the shooting, including a water bottle, that they believe the suspect may have discarded. Additionally, they’re looking into whether the suspect had pre-positioned a bike as part of an escape plan. What is the criticism of insurers? Doctors and patients have become particularly frustrated with prior authorizations, which are requirements that an insurer approve surgery or care before it happens. UnitedHealthcare was named in an October report detailing how the insurer’s prior authorization denial rate for some Medicare Advantage patients has surged in recent years. The report from the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations also named rivals Humana and CVS. Insurers say tactics like prior authorization are needed to limit unnecessary care and help control spiraling medical costs. Frustrations extend beyond the coverage of care. Expensive breakthrough medications to slow Alzheimer’s disease or help with obesity are frequently not covered or have coverage limits. How do Americans feel about insurers? In the U.S. health care system, patients get coverage through a mix of private insurers such as UnitedHealthcare and government-funded programs such as Medicaid and Medicare. That can prove particularly frustrating for doctors and patients because coverage often varies by insurer. Polls reflect those frustrations with the U.S. health care system in general and insurance companies in particular. About two-thirds of Americans said health insurance companies deserve “a lot of blame” for high health care costs, according to a KFF poll conducted in February . Thompson’s wife said her husband had received previous threats Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, told NBC News that he told her “there were some people that had been threatening him.” She didn’t have details but suggested the threats may have involved issues with insurance coverage. Eric Werner, the police chief in the Minneapolis suburb where Thompson lived, said his department had not received any reports of threats against the executive. Words on ammo in CEO shooting echo common phrase on insurer tactics: Delay, deny, defend A message left at the scene of an insurance executive’s fatal shooting — “deny,” “defend” and “depose” — echoes a phrase commonly used to describe insurer tactics to avoid paying claims. The three words were emblazoned on the ammunition a masked gunman used to kill UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson , a law enforcement official told The Associated Press on Thursday. They’re similar to the phrase “delay, deny, defend” — the way some attorneys describe how insurers deny services and payment, and the title of a 2010 book that was highly critical of the industry. Police haven’t officially commented on the wording or any connection between them and the common phrase. But Thompson’s shooting and the messages on the ammunition have sparked outrage on social media and elsewhere, reflecting a deepening frustration Americans have over the cost and complexity of getting care. ▶ Read more about the messaging left behind by the shooter New photos released by the NYPD The New York Police Department released photos Thursday morning, asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the individual pictured. Police say the person is wanted for questioning in connection with the shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO. UnitedHealthcare’s history of claim denials A Senate panel has been investigating how frequently three major insurers, including UnitedHealthcare, deny care to patients who are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans. It has also investigated the use of artificial intelligence in deny those claims. Medicare Advantage is the private version of Medicare, which provides health insurance to millions of older Americans. The Senate’s Permanent Subcommittee’s report released earlier this year found that as UnitedHealthcare relied more on its automated system to review claims denials increased for post-acute treatment, which includes nursing home or rehabilitation care. The insurer denied nearly a quarter of claims, a rate that doubled over just a two-year period from 2020 to 2022. What’s known about the suspected shooter? Joseph Kenny, the NYPD chief of detectives, says the shooter wore a black face mask, black-and-white sneakers and a distinctive gray backpack. He arrived outside the hotel about five minutes before UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson did, then waited and ignored other pedestrians before he approached Thompson from behind. After the assailant began to fire, his 9 mm pistol jammed but he quickly fixed it and kept firing, Kenny said, another sign of the shooter’s professionalism. “From watching the video, it does seem that he’s proficient in the use of firearms as he was able to clear the malfunctions pretty quickly,” Kenny said. Hunt for the shooting suspect brought New York police to at least two hostels Thursday morning The hostels were on Manhattan’s Upper West Side and police were following a tip that the suspect may have stayed at one of the residences, according to a law enforcement official briefed on the investigation. The official requested anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the ongoing search. According to an employee of Kama Central Park, two detectives arrived at the hostel at 7 a.m. Thursday with a photo of the shooter and asked staff if they recognized the man. They did not, the employee said, and the detectives left soon after. An employee at the nearby HI New York City hostel also confirmed that police had visited the location Thursday, but declined to provide further information. — Jake Offenhartz New York Mayor Adams says he’s ‘never seen a silencer before’ New York Mayor Eric Adams said Thursday the shooter used a silencer — something he’d never encountered in his 22 years as a police officer. “In all of my years in law enforcement I have never seen a silencer before,” Adams, a retired NYPD captain, said in an appearance on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” “And so that was really something that was shocking to us all.” Deny,’ ‘defend’ and ‘depose’: Ammunition used in CEO’s killing had writing on it, AP source says The masked gunman used ammunition emblazoned with the words “deny,” “defend” and “depose,” a law enforcement official said Thursday. The official was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. The words on the ammunition may have been a reference to strategies insurance companies use to try to avoid paying claims. Investigators recovered several 9 mm shell casings from outside the hotel, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny had said earlier. — Mike Balsamo, Jake Offenhartz and Michael R. Sisak Just getting up to speed? Start here The chief executive of UnitedHealthcare, one of the nation’s largest insurers, was killed Wednesday in midtown Manhattan in what police described as a targeted attack by a shooter outside a hotel where the company was holding a conference. ▶ Read more about the key things to know about the fatal attack The Associated Press

The Xiong'an New Area in Hebei province has taken a solid step towards transitioning into an urban management system, with newly adjusted departments and committees now operational. The move is part of efforts to support high-standard construction and high-quality development in the national-level new area. Located about 100 kilometers southwest of Beijing, Xiong'an was established in April 2017 to advance the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, a key national strategy. The area convened a mobilization meeting on Saturday to announce organizational adjustments. According to the adjustments, the area now houses 21 working departments and four subdistrict administrative committees. The changes aim to enhance institutional functions, including in education, healthcare, technological innovation, industrial development, administrative approvals and urban governance. The restructuring adheres to principles of streamlining and efficiency, aligning with directives from President Xi Jinping during his May 2023 visit to Xiong'an. Xi emphasized the need to make steady progress toward the establishment of an urban management system. Under the new adjustments, Xiong'an now operates under a two-tier management structure encompassing the new area and subdistricts and a three-tier service model that includes communities. The changes strengthen the role of administrative committees in four key sub-districts: Rongdong, Rongxi, Zan'gang and a startup area. Xiong'an's administrative committee, a dispatched agency of the Hebei provincial government, wields powers akin to a municipal government but with provincial-level authority over economic and social management. A regulation implemented in 2021 mandates that Xiong'an optimize its organizational structure for efficiency and establish a comprehensive institutional framework. The adjustments are driving innovations in management hierarchy, resource allocation, law enforcement, public services and urban operations. Officials are also creating effective market mechanisms to spur development and a modern social security system to enhance public services. Efforts are underway to provide staffing support for relocated universities, hospitals, newly established schools and community health centers, facilitating Xiong'an's role as a hub for relocating noncapital functions from Beijing. Together with Beijing's subcenter in Tongzhou, Xiong'an is part of a dual-wing strategy addressing Beijing's urban challenges. As of present, the development area of Xiong'an spans more than 200 square km and it boasts a total construction area of nearly 50 million square meters, with 4,780 buildings completed, according to the administrative committee. By 2035, Xiong'an aims to become a high-level, modern socialist city characterized by green development, openness, innovation, smart systems, livability, and harmony between people and nature, according to the area's development plans.Expressing concerns over the escalating situation in West Asia, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday said that India has been in regular touch with both Israel and Iran to "advocate constraints" and "enhance communication" in an attempt to resolve the conflict between both countries. In his opening remark at the MED Mediterranean Dialogues Conference in Rome, Italy, the Foreign Minister reiterated India's strong condemnation of terrorism, and the abduction of hostages by Hamas, and affirmed support for reaching a ceasefire. Jaishankar, however, also emphasised the need to abide by international humanitarian law and called large-scale civilian casualties "unacceptable." ALSO READ: Israel Nears Ceasefire Deal With Lebanon: Netanyahu Gives In-Principle Nod | What’s Next? "Today I focus my remarks on the conflicts. The situation in the Middle East is obviously deeply concerning, both for what has happened and what may still come. India unequivocally condemns terrorism and hostage taking. It also regards large-scale civilian casualties in military operations to be unacceptable. International humanitarian law cannot be disregarded in immediate terms. We should all support a ceasefire," EAM Jaishankar said. "India favours a two-state solution. Our concerns have also been increasing on the widening of the conflict. We have been in regular touch with both Israel and Iran at the highest levels to advocate restraint and enhance communication," he added. Jaishankar further expressed India's willingness to contribute to meaningful International diplomatic endeavours. Shifting his focus on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the EAM emphasised "serious destabilising consequences" including the challenge faced by the Mediterranean. He reiterated India's stand on the situation and said that the disputes in this era cannot be settled by war but only through dialogue and diplomacy. "Addressing the conflict in Ukraine is the other urgent imperative of our times. It is well into its third year. The continuation of this conflict has serious destabilising consequences, including for the Mediterranean. What is clear is that no solution is going to emerge from the battlefield. India has consistently held the view that disputes in this era cannot be settled by war. There must be a return to dialogue and diplomacy. The sooner the better. This is a widespread sentiment in the world today, especially in the Global South," Jaishankar said. He further noted PM Modi's efforts with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine to find common ground in an attempt to end the nearly three-year-long conflict. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has personally engaged leaders of both Russia and Ukraine to this end. this has included his visit to Moscow and Kyiv. Our senior officials remain in continuous touch. We firmly believe that those who have the ability to explore finding common ground must step up to that responsibility," Jaishankar said. Jaishankar further called for a "closer and stronger" relationship between India and the Mediterranean in the new era of "re-globalising, rebalancing and multi-polarity." "We are today on the threshold of a new era. It is one of re-globalising, rebalancing and multi polarity. It is also a more technology-centred future with a premium on the mobility of talent and greener growth. Opportunities in this world are as indivisible as anxieties. A closer and stronger relationship between India and the Mediterranean will serve both of us," he added. The External Affairs Minister is on a three-day official visit to Italy during which he will participate in the Outreach Session of the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Fiuggi, Italy, where India has been invited as a guest country. He also inaugurated the new Chancery of the Indian Embassy in Rome on Sunday. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

The Latest: Police search for man who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO, new photos of suspect released

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Formula 1 on Monday at last said it will expand its grid in 2026 to make room for an American team that is partnered with General Motors. “As the pinnacle of motorsports, F1 demands boundary-pushing innovation and excellence. It’s an honor for General Motors and Cadillac to join the world’s premier racing series, and we’re committed to competing with passion and integrity to elevate the sport for race fans around the world," GM President Mark Reuss said. "This is a global stage for us to demonstrate GM’s engineering expertise and technology leadership at an entirely new level.” The approval ends years of wrangling that launched a U.S. Justice Department investigation into why Colorado-based Liberty Media, the commercial rights holder of F1, would not approve the team initially started by Michael Andretti. Andretti in September stepped aside from leading his namesake organization, so the 11th team will be called Cadillac F1 and be run by new Andretti Global majority owners Dan Towriss and Mark Walter. The team will use Ferrari engines its first two years until GM has a Cadillac engine built for competition in time for the 2028 season. Towriss is the the CEO and president of Group 1001 and entered motorsports via Andretti's IndyCar team when he signed on financial savings platform Gainbridge as a sponsor. Towriss is now a major part of the motorsports scene with ownership stakes in both Spire Motorsports' NASCAR team and Wayne Taylor Racing's sports car team. Walter is the chief executive of financial services firm Guggenheim Partners and the controlling owner of both the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers and Premier League club Chelsea. “We’re excited to partner with General Motors in bringing a dynamic presence to Formula 1," Towriss said. “Together, we’re assembling a world-class team that will embody American innovation and deliver unforgettable moments to race fans around the world.” Mario Andretti, the 1978 F1 world champion, will have an ambassador role with Cadillac F1. But his son, Michael, will have no official position with the organization now that he has scaled back his involvement with Andretti Global. “The Cadillac F1 Team is made up of a strong group of people that have worked tirelessly to build an American works team,” Michael Andretti posted on social media. “I’m very proud of the hard work they have put in and congratulate all involved on this momentous next step. I will be cheering for you!” The approval has been in works for weeks but was held until after last weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix to not overshadow the showcase event of the Liberty Media portfolio. Max Verstappen won his fourth consecutive championship in Saturday night's race, the third and final stop in the United States for the top motorsports series in the world. Grid expansion in F1 is both infrequent and often unsuccessful. Four teams were granted entries in 2010 that should have pushed the grid to 13 teams and 26 cars for the first time since 1995. One team never made it to the grid and the other three had vanished by 2017. There is only one American team on the current F1 grid — owned by California businessman Gene Haas — but it is not particularly competitive and does not field American drivers. Andretti’s dream was to field a truly American team with American drivers. The fight to add this team has been going on for three-plus years and F1 initially denied the application despite approval from F1 sanctioning body FIA . The existing 10 teams, who have no voice in the matter, also largely opposed expansion because of the dilution in prize money and the billions of dollars they’ve already invested in the series. Andretti in 2020 tried and failed to buy the existing Sauber team. From there, he applied for grid expansion and partnered with GM, the top-selling manufacturer in the United States. The inclusion of GM was championed by the FIA and president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who said Michael Andretti’s application was the only one of seven applicants to meet all required criteria to expand F1’s current grid. “General Motors is a huge global brand and powerhouse in the OEM world and is working with impressive partners," Ben Sulayem said Monday. "I am fully supportive of the efforts made by the FIA, Formula 1, GM and the team to maintain dialogue and work towards this outcome of an agreement in principle to progress this application." Despite the FIA's acceptance of Andretti and General Motors from the start, F1 wasn't interested in Andretti — but did want GM. At one point, F1 asked GM to find another team to partner with besides Andretti. GM refused and F1 said it would revisit the Andretti application if and when Cadillac had an engine ready to compete. “Formula 1 has maintained a dialogue with General Motors, and its partners at TWG Global, regarding the viability of an entry following the commercial assessment and decision made by Formula 1 in January 2024,” F1 said in a statement. “Over the course of this year, they have achieved operational milestones and made clear their commitment to brand the 11th team GM/Cadillac, and that GM will enter as an engine supplier at a later time. Formula 1 is therefore pleased to move forward with this application process." Yet another major shift in the debate over grid expansion occurred earlier this month with the announced resignation of Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei, who was largely believed to be one of the biggest opponents of the Andretti entry. “With Formula 1’s continued growth plans in the US, we have always believed that welcoming an impressive US brand like GM/Cadillac to the grid and GM as a future power unit supplier could bring additional value and interest to the sport," Maffei said. "We credit the leadership of General Motors and their partners with significant progress in their readiness to enter Formula 1." AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racingShawl Steel: Democrats Won California Seats with Ballots Counted After Election Day

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