Good Morning! Today’s edition is 1,072 words, a 4-minute read.

What’s on tap: 

• Judge blocks grocery store merger

• NY charges Luigi Mangione with murder

• The greatest innovations of 2024

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Big Story

Netanyahu Corruption Trial

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the stand for the first time in his long-running corruption trial.

• Netanyahu was indicted in 2019 on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. His trial, which began in 2020, involves three separate criminal cases.

• He testified for four hours, emphasizing his role in leading a “seven-front war” while defending himself against charges of accepting gifts and offering regulatory favors in exchange for positive media coverage.

• Netanyahu's lawyer argued that the investigation was biased, accusing prosecutors of targeting the person rather than a crime.

• Netanyahu's legal troubles have deepened political divisions in Israel, especially after his government sought to reduce judiciary powers. The International Criminal Court has also issued an arrest warrant against Netanyahu for alleged war crimes in the Gaza conflict.

Big Story

California Wildfire

A wildfire called the Franklin Fire erupted in Malibu, California, late Monday and quickly spread to over 2,800 acres by Tuesday evening.

• City officials ordered evacuations in parts of Malibu as the fire reached landmarks like Malibu Pier. Pepperdine University issued a shelter-in-place order overnight.

• Fire crews are battling the blaze, which remains 0% contained as of Tuesday night. Red flag warnings throughout Southern California are worsening the situation as wind gusts reach 93 mph in some areas. Dry air and vegetation are also fueling the fire.

• Utility providers implemented power outages because of the wildfire risk, and all Malibu schools closed until Friday. Approximately 18,000 people and 8,100 structures are in the affected area.

• Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said a “small number of homes” have been burned but didn’t give an exact count.

Big Story

Grocery Merger Blocked

A federal court issued a preliminary injunction against the $25 billion merger of grocery chains Kroger and Albertsons.

• The merger would have created a grocery giant with over 710,000 workers, nearly 5,000 stores, and thousands of pharmacies and fuel centers. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sued to block the deal earlier this year, citing potential harm to competition and workers.

• Albertsons’ lawyers warned that without the merger, the company might need drastic measures to stay afloat, like making layoffs, closing stores, and exiting entire markets.

• According to the FTC, unions have used competition between grocery chains to improve worker pay and benefits, and consolidating these companies could hurt employees and raise prices for consumers.

• The ruling is a big win for FTC, while Kroger believes it will doom the merger. The case could set an important precedent for future mergers and labor market protections.

Quick Stories

U.S. News

• The US East Coast is bracing for a storm that will bring heavy rain and strong winds due to an atmospheric river and a developing bomb cyclone. Flooding and power outages are expected across New England. (More)

• A Texas school teacher is no longer working at her district after reportedly punishing a first-grade class by not allowing them to use the bathroom. This caused several students to wet themselves. (More)

• New York prosecutors charged 26-year-old Luigi Mangione with murder in connection with the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. He faces multiple charges in New York, including murder, possession of a weapon, and possession of a forged document. (More)

World

• Mexican federal congressman Benito Aguas was assassinated, marking another incident in the country's wave of political violence. Aguas, a member of the ruling party, was found dead along with another man. (More)

• Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, 79, had emergency surgery to treat bleeding in his brain. Doctors successfully performed the procedure, and Lula is now recovering in the ICU. (More)

• Taiwanese defense officials report that China has deployed nearly 90 naval and coast guard ships in waters from southern Japan to the South China Sea. This is the largest deployment in the area in nearly 30 years and seems to be part of a military exercise. (More)

Business & Economy

• US stock markets closed lower on Tuesday (S&P -0.30%, Nasdaq -0.25%, Dow -0.35%). The S&P and Dow booked back-to-back losing days while the Dow fell for a fourth day. (More)

• Alaska Airlines will start nonstop flights from Seattle to Tokyo and Seoul next year. This was made possible by the company’s acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines in September, which gave them access to larger planes and routes across the Pacific. (More)

• Stellantis and Chinese battery maker CATL will build a $4.3 billion battery plant in Zaragoza, Spain. The joint venture aims for a production capacity of up to 50 gigawatt hours and is set to open by late 2026. (More)

Sports & Entertainment

• The Washington Nationals won the 2025 MLB draft lottery, earning the first pick for the third time in franchise history. The Los Angeles Angels and Seattle Mariners will pick second and third. (More)

• Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) is set to host a new political talk show on One America News Network starting in January. Titled The Matt Gaetz Show, the one-hour program will air weeknights at 9 p.m. ET. (More)

• Pitcher Max Fried, a two-time All-Star, has agreed to an eight-year, $218 million contract with the New York Yankees, according to sources. The deal is the largest ever for a left-handed pitcher. (More)

Science, Health, & Tech

• Two families are suing Character.AI, saying the chatbot gave their children harmful content, including sexual material and advice promoting self-harm and violence. The lawsuit claims the platform is dangerous for kids, causing issues like depression, anxiety, and even suicide. (More)

• An influential health panel recommends women have the option to take their own samples for cervical cancer screening. For women in their 20s, Pap tests every three years are advised. Women aged 30 to 65 can switch to HPV testing every five years. (More)

• Researchers discovered that too much added sugar increases the risk of heart problems like stroke, heart failure, irregular heartbeat, and artery issues. However, the study also found that drinking small amounts of sweet drinks might lower the risk of some heart diseases. (More)

Extra Credit

🥚 Why don’t we eat turkey eggs?

🧑‍💻 Check out the greatest innovations of 2024.

👷 Visualizing the longest work weeks around the world.

🔧 Where did “Allen Wrench” get its name?