Here are some of the top news stories for today:

Gaza Ceasefire and Hostage Deal: The Israeli security cabinet has recommended approving a ceasefire and hostage return deal in Gaza, ahead of a full cabinet meeting. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed the vote, citing last-minute changes by Hamas.

Trump's Cabinet Confirmation Hearings: Confirmation hearings for Donald Trump's cabinet picks are ongoing, with significant focus on the nominations for Defense Secretary, Interior Secretary, and others. There's particular attention on Pete Hegseth's suitability for Defense Secretary following a contentious Senate hearing.

TikTok in the U.S.: The Biden administration is exploring ways to keep TikTok available in the U.S., as a ban on the app is set to begin if no action is taken by the Supreme Court.

NFL Playoffs: CBS News featured insights from Bill Cowher on the upcoming NFL divisional round, highlighting key matchups like the Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills.

Health News: The American Cancer Society has reported an increase in cancer rates among women, surpassing men in some cases, with CBS News discussing the implications.

Biden's Farewell Speech: Outgoing President Joe Biden gave a farewell speech focusing on his record of upholding democracy, warning against the concentration of power and the impacts of climate change.

Space News: The European Space Agency released new images of Mercury's surface, capturing details of its permanently shadowed craters and volcanic plains.

Local News (Minnesota): A man was arrested following a hit-and-run incident on New Year's Day in Minneapolis, and the weather in Minnesota is expected to remain mild with a thaw.

Today's trending news includes several notable events:

Mass Shooting in Queens: There was a shooting at the Amazura Night Club in Queens, New York, where at least 11 people were injured. The incident happened as people were waiting to enter the club, with suspects firing into the crowd. The NYPD is investigating potential gang-related motives.

Terror Attack in New Orleans: A pickup truck plowed into a crowd in New Orleans on New Year's Day, killing at least 10 people. The FBI is investigating this as an act of terrorism, with an Islamic State group flag found in the vehicle.

Tesla Cybertruck Explosion in Las Vegas: An incident involving a Tesla Cybertruck exploding in Las Vegas has been reported, leading to a hostage situation. This has garnered significant attention due to the high-profile nature of the vehicle and the implications for public safety.

Protest in NYC: A large crowd gathered in downtown Manhattan in support of Hamas, calling for a global intifada. This protest came shortly after the incidents in New Orleans and Las Vegas, highlighting a wave of solidarity or reaction to these events.

Allegations of Child Molestation: A man has been accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl, leading to public outcry after a video surfaced showing the victim's mother apologizing on behalf of her husband, the accused. This case has raised concerns about child protection and justice system responses. Trending on X.

Spider Monkey in DUI Rolls-Royce: During a traffic stop in Madera County, California, a baby spider monkey was found dressed in a onesie in a Rolls-Royce Ghost driven by someone arrested on DUI charges. This unusual event has sparked discussions on exotic animal ownership and legality. Trending on X.

Walmart's Birkin Dupe: Walmart launched a budget version of the Hermès Birkin bag, dubbed the 'Wirkin', which has gone viral for its affordability compared to the original luxury item. This has initiated conversations on luxury branding and consumer culture. Trending on X.

These events are capturing public attention across various news platforms and social media.

NEWS ALERT
Dominique Pelicot, a French national, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the rape of his wife, Gisèle Pelicot. The case took a shocking turn as his daughter came forward with allegations of sexual abuse, claiming he had sedated her before the assaults. A disturbing photograph, taken after one of these incidents, depicted her in a compromising position with her father.  

In a dramatic courtroom confrontation, Dominique's son, David, questioned his father about the abuse, asking if he had also harmed his son and his sister.

The case is part of a larger scandal involving the rape of Gisèle Pelicot. All 51 defendants in this trial were found guilty, with evidence suggesting they were invited to sexually abuse Gisèle after she was sedated. Court documents indicate that Dominique Pelicot photographed these horrific acts.

Full story is found here: https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/12/19/world/france-rape-verdict-pelicot

- Photo curtsey: Guillaume Horcajuelo/EPA, via Shutterstock

#NEWS #ALERT
The fatal shooting of UnitedHealth executive Brian Thompson was a premeditated, targeted attack, NYC police said. The suspect remains at large.

The chief executive of UnitedHealth’s insurance arm was fatally shot outside a hotel in New York City Wednesday morning, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Brian Thompson was shot in the chest and leg shortly before UnitedHealthcare, a Minnesota-based insurance company, was set to hold its annual investors meeting.

NEWS ALERT
Republicans Retake Senate
Republicans picked up Senate seats in West Virginia and Ohio and beat back challenges in Florida, Nebraska and Texas, putting them back in control of the chamber.

The GOP is now poised to determine the fate of the next president’s agenda and whether he or she will be able to confirm executive and judicial nominees, including filling any openings on the Supreme Court.

Election Update: As of the latest data, national polls show a close race between Vice President Kamala #Harris and former President Donald #Trump, often within a margin of error. Many polls indicate that they are roughly tied, with both candidates receiving around 47-49% of the vote, depending on the specific poll and methodology.

General sentiment among voters appears divided, with many expressing concerns about key issues such as the economy, healthcare, and social justice. While some voters remain staunchly loyal to Trump, others are motivated by a desire for change, bolstered by Harris’s platform.

#Tesla Update: Your 30-day complimentary trial* of Full Self-Driving (Supervised) (your model name) has been extended.

Under your supervision, Full Self-Driving (Supervised) can drive your Tesla almost anywhere. It will make lane changes, select forks to follow your navigation route, navigate around other vehicles and objects, and make left and right turns. You and anyone you authorize must use additional caution and remain attentive. It does not make your vehicle autonomous. Do not become complacent.

This trial will end on November 29, 2024.

Michael Saylor, the outspoken co-founder of business intelligence company MicroStrategy, predicted #Bitcoin would reach $13 million per coin by 2045 during a mega-bullish keynote speech on July 26 at the Bitcoin 2024 conference.

The NYS Department of State has new Secretary of New York State: Walter T. Mosley.

#Apple hastily dived into AI race in a cleaver way to boost iPhone Sales but #Tesla CEO Elon Musk says he is worried about data privacy through Apple’s partnership with the #Microsoft backed company #OpenAI therefore he won't allow Apple products to be used throughout his companies. Although Musk has a vested interest in his own xAI, having his own rival AI start-up, he can be right as Microsoft is very well known for quietly collecting a vast amount of user data for decades. - Part of the update - curtsy of Barron's