## Words found on shell casings where UnitedHealthcare CEO was shot dead, senior law enforcement official says

Authored by cnbc.com

Cups mark the location of shell casings found at the scene where the CEO of United Healthcare Brian Thompson was reportedly shot and killed in Midtown Manhattan, in New York City, US, December 4, 2024.

Shell casings found at the scene where the UnitedHealthcare CEO was shot dead by a masked gunman in front of a busy New York City hotel had the words "deny," "defend" and "depose" written on them, a senior New York City law enforcement official briefed on the investigation confirmed to NBC News on Thursday.

Brian Thompson, 50, was killed in a "premeditated, preplanned targeted attack" outside the New York Hilton Midtown on Sixth Avenue in the heart of Manhattan, police said.

Police say they don't yet know the motive of the gunman, who they say is still at large.

ABC News was the first to report the words written on the bullet casings.

I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him."

The gunman continued to fire as Thompson fell to the ground, the video showed. »

### Syrian rebels capture second major city as army withdraws from Hama

Authored by cnn.com

Syrian rebels have driven government forces from Hama, a major city that the country’s regime had held over more than a decade of civil war, further weakening President Bashar al-Assad’s grip on the nation.

The Syrian military said on Thursday that it had to withdraw from the strategically important hub of Hama after the rebels “penetrated several parts of the city.”.

After capturing Aleppo last week, the rebels swept south to Hama – and now are setting their sights on Homs, the next city south on the highway to the Syrian capital of Damascus. »

### White House official: 8 US telecom providers hacked by Chinese

Authored by cnn.com

US officials believe Chinese hackers breached at least eight US telecommunications providers in their quest to spy on top US political figures as part of a hacking campaign that has affected dozens of countries worldwide, a White House official said Wednesday.

Neuberger’s remarks came as senior US intelligence officials gave a classified briefing to senators Wednesday on the Chinese hacking campaign.

But the portal within telecom providers that allows law enforcement agencies to conduct court-ordered wiretaps was not the primary focus of the hackers, the official said. »

### XDefiant officially shutting down as Ubisoft announces FPS end date

Authored by dexerto.com

After weeks of speculation regarding player count and ongoing support, XDefiant is officially on its way out.

“We regret to inform you that we are initiating the sunset process starting today,” a Ubisoft blog post outlined shortly after on December 3, 2024.

Ubisoft While Ubisoft claims XDefiant reached over 15 million players total, devs even admitted the daily active player count was dwindling as 2024 rolled on. »

### Tokyo gov't employees to get 4-day workweek option from April 2025

Authored by mainichi.jp

TOKYO -- Gov. Yuriko Koike on Dec. 3 announced plans to introduce a system that would give metropolitan government workers the option to take three days off per week.

Starting next fiscal year in April 2025, this will be changed to one weekday per week.

The Tokyo government is also eyeing the passing of ordinances to promote women's participation. »

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