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Ivy League Grad Arrested in UnitedHealthcare CEO Murder

In a high-profile case that has gripped the healthcare industry, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione has been arrested in connection with the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Thompson was fatally shot in what authorities have described as a “targeted attack” outside a Manhattan hotel last week. Mangione, a former Ivy League graduate, was taken into custody Monday at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, bringing an end to a multi-state manhunt.

Thompson, 50, was killed on December 4 outside the Hilton Midtown in Manhattan, where he was heading to attend UnitedHealthcare’s annual investor conference. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the attack as “premeditated,” explaining that the gunman appeared to have been “lying in wait” before shooting Thompson from behind.

You can read more on the matter here.

What’s going on?

• ByteDance Makes Last-Minute Bid to Block TikTok Sale Deadline (theDeepDive)

• 'Governor Justin Trudeau': Trump appears to mock PM in social media post (CTV)

• Wall Street’s complex debt bonanza hits fastest pace since 2007 (FT)

• Tokyo University Blocked Applications From China By Using Tiananmen Square As A Keyword (theDeepDive)

• Russia would not invade NATO, says Latvian foreign minister (Reuters)

• Investigation: Visas have become an Indian foreign interference tool (Global)

• Could Assad’s Fall Revive Qatar-Turkey Gas Pipeline Plans? (theDeepDive)

• Proposed class-action lawsuit accuses companies of price-fixing rents in Canada (CBC)

• Taxpayer-funded Eras Tour tickets returned by federal minister (CTV)

• Executive Protection Is About to Become Big Business After UnitedHealthcare CEO Shooting (theDeepDive)

What’s the latest?

• Lithium: The EU and five Mercosur countries, including Argentina and Brazil, finalized a major trade deal on Dec. 6 after 25 years of negotiations, creating one of the world's largest free trade zones with over 700 million people and 20% of global GDP. Analysts highlight the strategic importance of lithium, with Latin America supplying 35% of the world's production and holding over half of global reserves, crucial for Europe's green industries. If ratified, the deal could save EU companies €4 billion annually in export duties while granting better access to critical materials, despite opposition from European farmers concerned about competition.

• UnitedHealthcare: UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed in a targeted shooting in New York, with the gunman fleeing to Pennsylvania. After a multi-state investigation utilizing surveillance, DNA, and public tips, police arrested Luigi Nicholas Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League graduate, who allegedly carried a gun and a manifesto criticizing corporate America. Mangione, found with $10,000 and false IDs, faces charges including murder. The attack appears linked to anti-insurance industry sentiments, with words like “delay, deny, depose” found near Thompson's body.

• TikTok: TikTok warned that U.S. small businesses and creators could lose $1.3 billion in a single month if the app is banned on January 19 under a law targeting its China-based parent, ByteDance. In a court filing, TikTok sought a temporary injunction to delay the ban while it appeals to the Supreme Court. The app reportedly supports over 7 million U.S. businesses, contributing $24.2 billion to GDP in 2023, with 69% of businesses citing increased sales through TikTok. A federal court upheld the ban, citing national security concerns over ByteDance’s alleged ties to China.

• Energy: British Columbia approved nine wind energy projects, expected to generate $5–6 billion in private investment, power 500,000 homes, and add 5,000 gigawatt-hours of energy annually—boosting BC Hydro’s supply by 8%. Eight projects have 51% Indigenous ownership and are set for completion by 2031. The government aims to expedite permitting while maintaining environmental and Indigenous protections.

• Trump vs Trudeau: Donald Trump referred to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the "Governor of the Great State of Canada" in a Truth Social post, doubling down on teasing comments reportedly made during a recent dinner. At the dinner, Trump jokingly suggested making Canada the 51st U.S. state and discussed potential 25% tariffs on imports. Trudeau warned that such tariffs would harm Canada’s economy, calling Trump's tactics an attempt to introduce chaos into trade negotiations.

The current state of gold market w/ Kenneth MacLeod

The stock market and stuff

• Stellantis and CATL Commit €4.1 Billion to Spanish Lithium Battery Plant (theDeepDive)

• China’s CATL to build $4.3bn battery factory with Stellantis in European expansion (FT)

• Lundin Gold Guides To Slight Production Uptick In 2025 (theDeepDive)

• ETFs holding bitcoin are now the crypto’s largest holders, surpassing creator Satoshi Nakamoto (CNBC)

• El Salvador Weighs Bitcoin Law Change to Access $3.3 Billion in Loans (theDeepDive)

In the juniors

• Palisades Goldcorp To Acquire Radio Fuels In All Stock Transaction (theDeepDive)

• How Water Rights Can Help Fund A 100K Ton Copper Project | Christian Easterday – Hot Chili (theDeepDive)

• Torex Gold Sees Authorities Shut Down Operations At Morelos (theDeepDive)

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