December 4 top stories
It is December 4. Here are today’s top stories.
11 hikers killed by volcanic eruption in Indonesia
CBS News said eleven hikers were found dead today and another 12 were missing after a volcano erupted in Indonesia. The volcano’s name is Mount Marapi. There were about 75 hikers in the area when it erupted for the first time on Sunday. Most were safely evacuated and there was a search for the remaining hikers today, but it had to be halted after Marapi erupted again, sending hot ash over 2,600 feet in the air. A local official said the dead hikers were found near Marapi’s crater and that there were survivors who were injured and burned. Nearby villages experienced ash falling down on them.
CBS News said Marapi is usually very active and that there is a prohibition against climbers and people within 1.8 miles of the peak, but that there are hikers who break the rules because they want to be near the peak.
Man fatally stabs 4 family members in Queens, NY
USAToday reported that a 38-year-old man in Queens, New York City allegedly stabbed and killed four family members, including an 11-year-old girl and a 12-year-old boy, on Sunday morning.
Police said they received a 911 call from a woman who said her cousin was killing her family. Two officers went to the area and as they approached the suspect, he stabbed both officers. One of the officers shot and killed the suspect. Other officers couldn’t enter the family home because the living room and foyer area were set on fire, presumably by the suspect. When firefighters put out the fire, they found the two child victims and two other victims, a 44-year-old woman and a man in his 30s.
The suspect was identified as Courtney Gordon, who was visiting family from the Bronx. Police showed an image of a typical kitchen steak knife. Police said the scene was chaotic and that the suspect was a “madman on a rampage.”
The NY Post said the two officers who were injured were hospitalized and were released on Sunday. One of the officers was honored when he exited the hospital in a wheelchair.
Israeli military may move into southern Gaza
The New York Times reported that the Israeli military redoubled its orders today for Palestinians in Gaza to leave parts of Khan Younis, a large city in southern Gaza, to go further south.
Aid agencies warned that shelters in Rafah, on the Egyptian border, were already overcrowded. Palestinians reported that Israeli warplanes struck the Rafah area today. Many Gazans said they were confused by the announcements on whether they should flee and that it’s difficult to get information online because there are many disruptions in electricity and communications.
The Israeli military appears to be preparing a ground invasion of southern Gaza. The military already has a presence in the northern half of Gaza.
There was a cease-fire that lasted a week but it expired on Friday. Israel has been at war with Hamas since Hamas killed at least 1,200 people on October 7. Israel’s military action has resulted in over 15,000 Palestinian deaths and pushed an estimated 1.75 million Gazans south.
The U.S. is pressing Israel and Hamas to resume negotiations so they can do another cease-fire and exchange more prisoners for hostages.
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Inmate charged with stabbing Chauvin 22 times
CNN reported that the inmate who allegedly stabbed Derek Chauvin in a federal prison in Arizona used an improvised knife and stabbed him 22 times.
The inmate’s name is John Turscak. The attack happened in a law library. Turscak was stopped by corrections officers. He later said he would have killed Chauvin if he was not stopped so quickly.
He said he attacked Chauvin on a Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) to be symbolic of the Black Lives Matter movement and the Black Hand symbol associated with the Mexican Mafia.
CBS News said Turscak is serving a 30-year sentence for crimes committed while a member of the Mexican Mafia gang.
Turscak was charged with attempted murder and other related charges.
Chauvin’s attorney said he is recovering and has returned to the prison from a hospital.
Chauvin is serving a prison sentence of 22 years for the murder of George Floyd.
Alaska Airlines to buy Hawaiian Airlines
Alaska Airlines announced on Sunday it plans to buy Hawaiian Airlines for $1.9 billion.
CNN Business said the deal is forecast to take between nine and 18 months. The deal must receive the approval of federal antitrust regulators.
Both airlines will keep their names and brands.
Macaulay Culkin receives star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
Actor Macaulay Culkin, best known for his role in “Home Alone,” received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday.
Culkin thanked those who helped his career and expressed his love for his fiancee Brenda Song and their two sons.
Culkin ended his speech by saying, “Merry Christmas, ya filthy animals.”
That is all the top stories for today. See you tomorrow and stay with the light.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/volcano-erupts-indonesia-mount-marapi-hikers-dead-missing/
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/12/04/world/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news
https://nypost.com/2023/12/03/metro/4-people-killed-2-cops-injured-in-queens-rampage-sources/
https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/01/us/inmate-stabbing-derek-chauvin-charged-attempted-murder?cid=ios_app
https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/03/business/alaska-airlines-to-acquire-tk?cid=ios_app