Beyoncé performed a medley of hits from her record-breaking "Cowboy Carter" album during Netflix's first-ever NFL Christmas Gameday halftime show on Wednesday.

The big picture: Guests at the show in Houston, Texas, during the break at the Houston Texans-Baltimore Raven game included Post Malone, Shaboozey, Reyna Roberts, Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, and Tiera Kennedy, and Beyoncé's elder daughter, Blue Ivy Carter.

Go deeper: Beyoncé makes history again with "Cowboy Carter"

President Biden on Wednesday denounced Russia's large-scale Christmas Day attacks on Ukraine that damaged critical energy infrastructure and vowed to continue a U.S. surge in weapons deliveries" to Kyiv.

The big picture: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on X called the attacks "inhumane," while Russia's Defense Ministry said the "long-range precision weapons and strike drones on critical energy infrastructure facilities" in Ukraine had achieved the goal of Putin's forces.

• At least one person in the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region died and six others in Kharkiv were injured during the attacks, according to local officials.

What they're saying: "The purpose of this outrageous attack was to cut off the Ukrainian people's access to heat and electricity during winter and to jeopardize the safety of its grid," Biden said in a statement.

• "In recent months, the United States has provided Ukraine with hundreds of air defense missiles, and more are on the way," added Biden, who will be succeeded by President-elect Trump next month.
• "I have directed the Department of Defense to continue its surge of weapons deliveries to Ukraine, and the United States will continue to work tirelessly to strengthen Ukraine's position in its defense against Russian forces."

Trump's pick for special envoy for Ukraine and Russia also criticized the assault.

• "Christmas should be a time of peace, yet Ukraine was brutally attacked on Christmas Day," Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg said on X.
• "Launching large-scale missile and drone attacks on the day of the Lord's birth is wrong. The world is closely watching actions on both sides. The U.S. is more resolved than ever to bring peace to the region."

Go deeper: Russia says it's using bitcoin to evade sanctions

President Biden and President-elect Trump both delivered warm Christmas messages as a change in presidential administrations nears, though the Republican leader went on to take aim at Canada, Greenland and the Panama Canal.

The big picture: Biden in a post to X acknowledging this would be the last time as president he'd wish the nation a Merry Christmas said he hoped the U.S. would "continue to seek the light of liberty and love, kindness and compassion, dignity and decency."

• He later said in a message wishing a happy Hanukkah, "As Hanukkah begins, may it shine from menorahs around the world."

Meanwhile, Trump began on Truth Social by wishing a Merry Christmas to all and posted a video with Melania Trump paying tribute to Christianity and thanking Americans who keep the U.S. safe before extending his holiday wishes in a later post to Chinese soldiers that he claimed were "lovingly, but illegally," operating the Panama Canal.

Zoom in: He did not elaborate further on these claims. Instead, he moved on to single out "Governor Justin Trudeau of Canada," whose citizens' he said paid taxes that were "far too high."

• If Canada "was to become our 51st State, their Taxes would be cut by more than 60%, their businesses would immediately double in size, and they would be militarily protected like no other Country anywhere in the World," said Trump, who in a later post wished a Merry Christmas to "Radical Left Lunatics."
• "Likewise, to the people of Greenland, which is needed by the United States for National Security purposes and, who want the U.S. to be there, and we will!" added Trump, who will be sworn in as president on Jan. 20.

Context: Trump's remarks build on earlier comments about Panama, Canada and Greenland.

• He's floated the idea of the U.S. taking ownership of Greenland and suggested annexing Canada amid border security negotiations in a pitch that Axios' Dave Lawler notes that's designed at least in part to needle Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
• And he's said the Panama Canal should be returned to the United States if Panamanian authorities don't lower fees for U.S. ships.

Flashback: Biden, Trump deliver starkly different Fourth of July messages

Bird flu cases in Washington have spread to an animal sanctuary, resulting in the deaths of 20 big cats and forcing the center into quarantine until further notice.

The big picture: Wild Felid Advocacy Center in Shelton is working closely with public health officials to monitor workers and animals after the presence of bird flu (HPAI) was confirmed in some big cats at the sanctuary, per a statement on its website.

• The center confirmed in a Friday Facebook post that the virus had killed five African servals, four bobcats, four cougars and two Canada lynx. One Amur/Bengal tiger, a Bengal cat, an African caracal, a Geoffroy's cat and a Eurasian lynx also died of bird flu.
• The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in a statement warning that bird flu cases were on the rise in the state confirmed two cougars in Clallam County contracted the H5N1 strain of the virus.

Zoom in: The sanctuary said in a Dec. 2 Facebook post earlier this month that it would temporarily close because some of its big cats were "experiencing unknown illness" and confirmed four days later that bird flu had been detected in the animals.

• "We are heartbroken to share that animal health officials have confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) among over half of our wild felids as of December," per a Friday Facebook post from the nonprofit that houses big cats were previously not well looked after or whose owners could no longer care for them.
• Mark Mathews, founder and director of the sanctuary, told the New York Times on Tuesday that the animals' deaths occurred from late November to mid-December.
• The center has removed 8,000lbs of frozen food and had begun the weeks-long task of disinfecting the area the area, per the NYT.

What we're watching: The cause of the outbreak was not immediately known, but the center noted on Facebook that bird flu "spreads primarily through respiratory secretions and bird-to-bird contact and can also be contracted by carnivorous mammals that ingest birds or other products."

• Cats "are particularly vulnerable to this virus, which can cause subtle initial symptoms but progress rapidly, often resulting in death within 24 hours due to pneumonia-like conditions," the post added.

What they're saying: "This tragedy has deeply affected our team, and we are all grieving the loss of these incredible animals," the sanctuary said in its post.

• Mathews told the NYT they'd "never had anything like it." The big cats "usually die basically of old age," not something like this "pretty wicked virus," he said.
• "It looks like the virus has taken its course," he added. "We're just trying to make [one of the animals] that's incapacitated now just a little stronger."

What's next: The sanctuary aims to reopen in the new year, per the center's website.

Zoom out: A pet food company in Oregon this week issued a voluntary recall of its raw and frozen products, as state officials investigate the bird flu death of an indoor cat that they linked to its food.

• Meanwhile, Los Angeles County health officials are investigating the H5 bird flu deaths of four house cats that consumed recalled raw milk.

Go deeper: CDC reports first severe human case of bird flu in U.S.

A pet food company in Oregon has issued a voluntary recall of its raw and frozen products, as state officials investigate the bird flu death of a cat that they linked to its food.

The big picture: Northwest Naturals' recall of its 2lb Feline Turkey Recipe brand also prompted Los Angeles County health officials to warn pet owners not to feed their animals raw food.

Driving the news: Testing conducted by health officials confirmed a house cat in Washington County, Ore., "contracted H5N1 and died after consuming the raw frozen pet food," per a statement the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) issued on Tuesday.

• "Tests confirmed a genetic match between the virus in the raw and frozen pet food and the infected cat," the statement added.

Details: The recalled product is packaged in 2-pound plastic bags with "Best if used by" dates of May 21, 2026 and June 23, 2026, per a statement from Northwest Naturals.

• The product was sold through distributors in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington and the Canadian province of British Columbia.
• Public health officials are monitoring household members who had contact with the dead cat, but the ODA said no human cases of HPAI had so far been linked to this incident.

What they're saying: "We are confident that this cat contracted H5N1 by eating the Northwest Naturals raw and frozen pet food," said ODA State Veterinarian Ryan Scholz in a statement.

• "This cat was strictly an indoor cat; it was not exposed to the virus in its environment, and results from the genome sequencing confirmed that the virus recovered from the raw pet food and infected cat were exact matches to each other."

Zoom out: The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said in its advisory that it recently confirmed H5 bird flu in four house cats that consumed recalled raw milk and became sick and died in incidents currently under investigation.

• "Public Health is also investigating additional possible cases of H5 bird flu in three house cats from a different household," the department said.
• "Public Health is awaiting confirmatory testing. These cats were not known to be exposed to raw milk, however public health is investigating other possible sources of infection, including raw meat."

Go deeper: CDC reports first severe human case of bird flu in U.S.

The bald eagle is now officially the national bird of the U.S. after President Biden signed into law legislation amending a code to formally recognize the previously unofficial American emblem.

Why it matters: "The Bald Eagle has symbolized American ideals since its placement on the Great Seal in 1782," per a statement from Preston Cook, co-chair of the National Bird Initiative for the National Eagle Center, after Congress passed earlier this month the bill that was sent to Biden's desk.

• "With this legislation, we honor its historic role and solidify its place as our national bird and an emblem of our national identity," added Cook, who spearheaded the legislative effort with Minnesota Reps. Brad Finstad (R) and Angie Craig (D) and Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.).

Zoom out: The bill officially recognizing the bird of prey was among some 50 bills Biden signed into law on Christmas Eve.

The big picture: The bald eagle has unofficially been the national bird since its appearance on the Great Seal, which symbolizes the sovereignty of the U.S. as a nation.

• The bird also features on the president's flag, the mace of the House of Representatives, military insignia and "billions of one-dollar bills," per a Department of Veterans Affairs post.
• However, it had never been legally designated as the country's national bird until now.

Fun fact: Founding father Benjamin Franklin objected to the bald eagle's appearance in a letter to his daughter describing it as "a bird of bad moral character," per the Franklin Institute.

Go deeper: U.S. bald eagle population has quadrupled since 2009

Denmark is increasing defense spending in Greenland, said a Danish official Tuesday who called the announcement's timing with President-elect Trump's suggestion that the U.S. should own the territory an "irony of fate."

The big picture: Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen told the outlet Jyllands-Posten on Tuesday of plans to spend a "double-digit billion amount" in krone, equivalent to at least $1.5 billion, on the self-ruled territory that's part of its kingdom to ensure a "stronger presence" in the Arctic.

• Trump said on Sunday the "ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity" for the U.S., which has a strategically important base on the northwest coast of the territory.
• His remarks that built on comments he made during his first term about buying Greenland prompted the territory's prime minister to say on Monday that it is "not for sale and will never be for sale."

State of play: Poulsen told Jyllands-Posten the Danish government's plan for Greenland included long-range drones, more inspection ships and sled patrols in the territory and an upgrade to Kangerlussuaq Airport so it can accommodate F-35 fighter jets.

• He said that Denmark had "not invested enough" for many years in the Arctic — where countries including China and Russia have been racing for resources in the region that's feeling the effects of climate change.
• Russia has already sought to claim territory up to Greenland's Exclusive Economic Zone.

Between the lines: The Danish Defense Academy's Army Maj. Steen Kjaergaard told the BBC Tuesday that Trump may have been pressing Denmark's government to act on this threat.

• "It is likely to be sparked by the renewed Trump focus on the need for air and maritime control around Greenland and the internal developments in Greenland where some are voicing a will to look towards the U.S. — a new international airport in Nuuk was just inaugurated," Kjaergaard said.
• "Trump is smart… he gets Denmark to prioritize its Arctic military capabilities by raising this voice, without having to take over a very un-American welfare system," he added, in reference to Greenland's reliance on money from Copenhagen.

Zoom in: Greenland's foreign, security and defense policy Arctic strategy for 2024-2033 outlines its goal for improved relations with the U.S. to increase the possibilities for more cooperation, with direct trade and transportation routes supporting this development — particularly with fellow Inuit in Alaska.

• It notes that a 1951 defense agreement means that the U.S. is, in effect, "the military defender in the event of a possible military conflict."
• The United States' Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base) has a missile in the territory that's in North America but which has close ties to Europe, which has early warning radar that can detect Russian missiles.
• The base once sought to secretly store a nuclear reactor under an Arctic ice sheet called Camp Century, also known as the "city under the ice," during the Cold War era in a drive called Project Iceworm.
• Representatives for Trump did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment in the evening.

Go deeper: Trump dreams of empire expansion

Editor's note: This article has been updated with more context.

Andrew Freedman contributed reporting.

The Starbucks baristas strike is spreading to more cities, leaving dozens of stores shut on Christmas Eve — the last day of the five-day walkout.

Why it matters: The escalating strikes are taking place during one of the coffee giant's busiest periods.

• Starbucks Workers United, the union representing baristas, said some 300 stores closed as 5,000 workers went on strike across 43 states Tuesday.
• Starbucks disputes the union's closure figure, saying only 170 stores shut on Tuesday, with 60 closed on Monday.

State of play: The strike that began in Chicago, Los Angeles and Seattle last Friday had expanded to cities including New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Dallas and Los Angeles by Monday.

• Starbucks Workers United said Atlanta and Buffalo will on Tuesday be among the cities joining the biggest-ever strike against the company, per the Washington Post.

Driving the news: Contract negotiations between the two sides that have been ongoing since April broke down after the union said Starbucks' offers were not economically viable, per Axios' Emily Peck.

• The union said its workers are striking to "win fair raises, benefits and staffing, protest unfair labor practices, and resolve outstanding litigation with Starbucks."
• Starbucks has said Workers United's proposals calling for "an immediate increase in the minimum wage of hourly partners by 64%, and by 77% over the life of a three-year contract" are "not sustainable."

What they're saying: Sara Kelly, executive vice president and chief partner officer, said in a statement that while Workers United will seek to cause more stores to close, the work stoppages would have "a very limited impact to our overall operations."

• That's because 97-99% of stores would continue to operate, according to Kelly, who said Starbucks "offers a competitive average pay of over $18 per hour, and best-in-class benefits" that include health care, free college tuition and paid family leave.

Zoom out: 535 of the 10,000 U.S. Starbucks stores have unionized since 2021.

• Representatives for the union did not immediately respond to Axios' requests for comment in the evening.

Flashback: Starbucks workers strike at 200 union stores on Red Cup Day

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional developments.

A government review board was unable to reach a consensus in Nippon Steel's planned $15 billion purchase of U.S. Steel and has referred the matter to President Biden, the two companies said on Monday night.

The big picture: The Washington Post first reported on Monday's deadlock by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) over the potential impact on national security if U.S. Steel were sold to Japan's largest steelmaker.

State of play: White House spokesperson Saloni Sharma confirmed in a media statement that they had "received the CFIUS evaluation and the President will review it."

• Both Biden and President-elect Trump have signaled their opposition to the purchase of the Pennsylvania-based U.S. Steel, which the United Steelworkers (USW) union is also against.
• Nippon Steel urged Biden late Monday to reflect during the 15-day period that he has to make a final decision "on the great lengths that we have gone to address any national security concerns that have been raised."

What they're saying: U. S. Steel said in a statement late Monday that the deal "enhances U.S. national and economic security through investment in manufacturing and innovation" by a company "based in one of the United States' closest allies."

• The emailed statement said the proposal "forges an alliance in steel to combat the competitive threat from China" and the sale should be approved on its merits and it should be a model for "friendshoring" investment.
• "Nippon Steel has made extraordinary commitments, including over $2.7 billion of investments in our USW facilities, that will be in a binding legal agreement enforceable by the U.S. government, to ensure these virtues are realized," the statement added.
• "It is our hope that President Biden will do the right thing and adhere to the law by approving a transaction that so clearly enhances U.S. national and economic security."

Nippon Steel wants Biden to reflect on the "significant commitments we have made to grow U. S. Steel, protect American jobs, and strengthen the entire American steel industry, which will enhance American national security," said a spokesperson for the world's fourth-largest steelmaker.

• "We are confident that our transaction should and will be approved if it is fairly evaluated on its merits," added the spokesperson over email.
• Representatives for the CFIUS and Biden did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.

Go deeper: Inside U.S. Steel's decision to be acquired by Japan's Nippon Steel

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.

Greenland's leader on Monday responded to President-elect Trump suggesting the U.S. should take ownership of the autonomous territory that's part of the kingdom of Denmark by making clear it's not for sale.

What they're saying: "Greenland is ours," Prime Minister Múte Egede said on Facebook. "We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our years-long struggle for freedom. However, we must continue to be open to cooperation and trade with the whole world, especially with our neighbours."

The big picture: Trump said in announcing PayPal co-founder Ken Howery as his choice for United States ambassador to Denmark on Sunday, "For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity."

• He did not elaborate further on his intentions for the world's largest island that's not a continent after he takes office on Jan. 20, and his representatives did not immediately respond to Axios' requests for comment on Sunday or Monday evening.

Flashback: Trump expressed interest in buying Greenland during his first term as president, but Danish officials made clear it was not for sale.

Go deeper: Trump demands return of Panama Canal if rates aren't cut

Editor's note: This article has been updated with further context.

A trial for the man accused of a second assassination attempt on President-elect Trump was delayed until next year by a federal judge in Florida on Monday.

The big picture: Ryan Wesley Routh's defense team sought a delay from the scheduled trial start of Feb. 10 to December 2025, but U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon ruled this was "excessive" and moved the trial to September.

• Routh, 58, has pleaded not guilty to five counts in West Palm Beach, Florida, including the attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate.
• He's accused of waiting for Trump at his Florida golf club for hours last September before a Secret Service agent spotted him pointing a rifle through a fence.

Driving the news: Routh's defense cited the need to review an "extraordinary volume of discovery" and "evaluate potential defenses," along with "logistical difficulties" associated with his detention in Miami, according to Cannon's order.

• Cannon noted that Routh's lawyers have indicated "that mental health evaluations are ongoing to assess a potential insanity defense and competency evaluation."

Zoom out: Cannon also presided over Trump's federal classified documents case, which she dismissed in July citing the "unlawful appointment and funding of special counsel Jack Smith."

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.

NASA's Parker Solar Probe will make history during a flight around the Sun on Christmas Eve.

Why it matters: "No human-made object has ever passed this close to a star, so Parker will truly be returning data from uncharted territory," said Nick Pinkine, Parker Solar Probe mission operations manager at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Maryland, in a statement.

• The project aims to "answer longstanding questions about our universe," per a statement from Arik Posner, Parker Solar Probe program scientist at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

The big picture: Parker became in 2018 the first spacecraft to enter the Sun's corona, the outermost part of the star's atmosphere that can be seen during a total solar eclipse.

• The probe aims to again "touch" the Sun when it flies up to about 430,000 mph at its closest approach "just 3.8 million miles" from the surface of the star at 6:53am on Tuesday ET, per NASA.
• Scientists have been using Parker to study the heating of the solar corona and explore what accelerates the solar wind in the hope they can better predict dangerous space weather that can disrupt communications on Earth and also light up the skies with auroras.

What we're watching: During its closest approach mission operations will be out of contact with the spacecraft, which NASA notes can travel in temperatures up to 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Parker is scheduled to transmit a beacon tone on Friday to confirm its health following the close flyby, according to the space agency.

Flashback: Parker Solar Probe breaks record for traveling closest to the sun

President-elect Trump indicated he wants Greenland under U.S. control as he named PayPal co-founder Ken Howery as his pick for United States ambassador to Denmark on Sunday.

The big picture: Trump said during his first administration that he was looking into the U.S. buying Greenland and canceled a state trip to Denmark after Danish officials said the autonomous territory that's part of its kingdom was not for sale.

• He made his latest comments on Greenland after demanding earlier in the weekend that Panamanian authorities lower fees for U.S. ships to transit the Panama Canal or return its control to the United States.

Driving the news: "For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity," Trump said in a post to Truth Social on Howery.

• "Ken will do a wonderful job in representing the interests of the United States."
• Representatives for both Trump and Denmark's Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to Axios request for comment in the evening.

Background: The U.S. has on several occasions since 1867 considered or attempted to buy Greenland — the world's largest island that's not a continent.

• Greenland is part of the continent of North America, but it has close geopolitical ties to Europe and has received EU funding as it's classed as an overseas territory associated with the bloc via Denmark.

Between the lines: The territory has access to the Arctic, where there's been a race between nations for resources in a region that research shows is already feeling the impacts of climate change.

• Russia has in recent years sought to claim territory up to Greenland's Exclusive Economic Zone.
• Greenland's natural resources include gold, silver, copper and uranium and there's believed to be significant potential for oil in the waters off the territory.

Go deeper: The great game comes to Greenland

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.

President Biden urged Democrats to "stay engaged" and "never give up" as he and Vice President Harris thanked donors and party members at the Democratic National Committee's holiday reception in Washington, D.C., on Sunday.

The big picture: In a nod to President-elect Trump defeating Harris and Republicans winning control of the House and Senate in November's election, Biden said at the DNC event "we all get knocked down," you've just "got to get up" as he touted his administration's legislative accomplishments.

• "That's the road ahead, to never give up, to keep the faith," Biden said. "To know, that what we're doing matters."

What he's saying: Biden pointed to achievements including 2021's $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, 2022's CHIPS and Science Act that was designed to bolster domestic semiconductor manufacturing and the Inflation Reduction Act that he signed into law that same year to lower the deficit and drive down inflation while addressing climate change.

• "We passed historic legislation. Laws that are literally building the strongest economy in the world," Biden said.
• "Many of the laws we passed were so consequential it wouldn't be implemented right away. It takes time to build those ... factories for chips. It takes time to get this construction going."

Zoom in: Biden said he's always believed it's important to ask yourself in public service "have we left the country in better shape than we found it?'"

• The answer "is a resounding 'yes,'" he said. "Because of all of you assembled here, we can be proud we're leaving America in a better place today than we came here four years ago," Biden said.

Go deeper... Biden's consequential presidency: His key policies, wins and setbacks

Officials in the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte estimate Tropical Cyclone Chido killed hundreds of people after the worst storm in 90 years struck the Indian Ocean archipelago.

The big picture: Mayotte hospital officials confirmed Tropical Cyclone Chido killed at least 11 people and wounded some 250 others on Saturday, but a top Mayotte official told local news outlet Mayotte La 1ere Sunday he expects the death toll to rise exponentially.

• "I think there will certainly be several hundreds, maybe we will reach a thousand, even several thousands," prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville said.

Driving the news: Tropical Cyclone Chido was at least the equivalent of a Category 3 hurricane in the Atlantic when it made landfall in Mayotte, per the U.S. military's Joint Typhoon Warning Center.

• It was possibly stronger since it was so compact.
• Surface wind readings of higher intensity suggest it was stronger from the storm, which also brought powerful winds and heavy rains to Mozambique when it made landfall on Sunday.
• During the passage of the cyclone in Mayotte, 140 mph winds were recorded in the eye wall at Pamandzi on Mayotte's island of Petite-Terre, per a post to X by the weather agency Météo-France.

State of play: French President Emmanuel Macron said on X that he's closely monitoring the situation on Mayotte — which is the poorest territory in the European Union, with some 77% of people living below the national poverty line.

• "Our island is at this moment deeply affected by the most violent and destructive cyclone that we have seen since 1934," Bieuville said on Facebook Saturday. "Many of us have lost everything."
• European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Bluesky that "Europe stands alongside the people of Mayotte in this terrible ordeal" and the EU was "ready to provide support in the days to come."
• Phone and internet networks were still disrupted on Sunday, as French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau prepared to visit Mayotte on Monday.

Between the lines: Studies show that climate change is increasing maximum wind speeds of hurricanes and causing them to intensify more rapidly.

• They are also producing greater amounts of precipitation than they did just a few decades ago.

These storms are the same type of weather system, but with different terminology depending where they occur.

• Hurricanes and typhoons form in the Atlantic and western Pacific, respectively. Cyclones occur off the southeastern coast of Africa, among other locations.

In photos: Cyclone Chido causes widespread destruction in Mayotte

Go deeper: Why climate change hits poorest countries hardest

Editor's note: This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Sunday that he's "working to pass a bill" to give local law enforcement "more tools for drone detection" following a spate of mysterious sightings in Northeastern U.S. states.

The big picture: Schumer in online statements urged Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to send "special drone-detection tech" to New York and New Jersey to tackle the unidentified flying objects problem that saw N.Y. Stewart International Airport shut down Friday.

• The Senate majority leader told reporters Sunday he's requesting Robin Radar Systems because they have "360-degree technology."
• He added: "If the technology exists for a drone to make it up into the sky, there certainly is technology that can track the craft with precision and determine what the heck is going on, and that's what the Robin does."

State of play: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) in an online statement Sunday said "our federal partners" were "deploying a state-of-the-art drone detection system" to N.Y., which she said would support state and federal law enforcement in their investigations into the matter, but she said further assistance was needed.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D), who reposted Schumer's X post Sunday, has also requested that President Biden direct more resources to investigate the origins of the mystery of the drones.

• Murphy said on X he had met with N.J. State Police officials and radar technicians Sunday night who are "surveying the area for unmanned aircraft systems."
• "The public deserves clear answers — we will keep pushing the federal government for more information and resources," he said, adding in a later post following a meeting with an FBI official on the matter: "We are ready to assist the federal government in getting to the bottom of this."

What they're saying: Mayorkas indicated on X that the Biden administration had sent some tech to N.J., saying that many of the "reported sightings have turned out to be piloted aircraft" as the "technology we have deployed to New Jersey has confirmed this."

• He told ABC News' "This Week" earlier Sunday there's no evidence of "foreign involvement with respect to the sightings in the northeast."
• When asked for comment on Schumer's call, a Department of Human Services spokesperson said in an emailed statement early Monday: "DHS responds to Congressional inquiries directly via official channels, and the Department will continue to respond appropriately to Congressional oversight."
• Representatives for Schumer and Murphy did not immediately respond to Axios' requests for comment in the evening.

Go deeper: White House shoots down drone theories

Editor's note: This article has been updated with comment from the DHS and Gov. Phil Murphy, and with further context.

The suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was not a client of the medical insurer, a spokesperson for parent company UnitedHealth Group confirmed to Axios on Thursday night.

The big picture: NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told NBC New York earlier Thursday there's "no indication" that Luigi Mangione "was ever a client of UnitedHealthcare," but evidence police allege the suspect wrote "does make mention that it is the fifth largest corporation in America, which would make it the largest healthcare organization in America."

• That's possibly why the company was targeted in the Dec. 4 New York City shooting, said Kenny who alleged the suspect "had prior knowledge" that the conference Thompson was due to attend when he was killed "was taking place on that date, at that location."
• Mangione's defense attorney Thomas Dickey, who is representing him on forgery and gun charges in Pennsylvania, said the 26-year-old would plead not guilty in the state and suggested he'd do the same with the New York counts, which include a murder charge.

What they're saying: "Today we are confirming that [Mangione] and his mother were not UnitedHealthcare members," a spokesperson for UnitedHealth Group said in a statement first shared with the Star Tribune on Thursday.

• "We are working closely with law enforcement officials who continue their investigation of this horrific crime, and we continue to support those who depend on us for their health care."

Between the lines: AP notes that UnitedHealthcare isn't the fifth-largest company by market capitalization, though it is in the top 20 and is the biggest health insurer in the U.S.

Zoom in: Kenny gave more details to NBC New York on the spinal fusion surgery investigators believe Mangione underwent.

• "It seems that he had an accident that caused him to go to the emergency room back in July of 2023, and that it was a life-changing injury," Kenny said.
• "He posted X-rays of screws being inserted into his spine. So the injury that he suffered was, was a life-changing, life-altering injury, and that's what may have put him on this path."

What we're watching: Mangione, who remains in jail after being denied bail, is fighting extradition to N.Y.

• A hearing has been scheduled for Dec. 30 at the Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg, Penn.
• New York Gov. Kathy Hochul told MSNBC's "Morning Joe" on Thursday she expects an indictment to be issued in N.Y. "any day now and at the second that happens, I'm issuing a warrant for extradition."

More from Axios:

• America obsesses over Luigi Mangione's digital footprint
• Corporate America gets more reclusive following CEO's killing
• Book is a bestseller after "delay," "deny" bullet casings found on CEO killing site

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.

Amazon gave $1 million to President-elect Trump's inaugural fund, the company confirmed Thursday — one day after Facebook and Instagram parent Meta announced a similar donation.

Why it matters: Trump noted to CNBC's Jim Cramer on Thursday that he's returning to the White House with warmer relations with Big Tech leaders and said Amazon founder Jeff Bezos planned to visit him next week, following a similar Mar-a-Lago meeting with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

• Trump had an at times adversarial relationship with both Amazon and Facebook during his last term, but last week Bezos expressed optimism about the incoming administration. He described the president-elect as "calmer than he was" and "more settled."

Details: In addition to the $1 million cash donation, a source close to the company said Amazon would provide a $1 million in-kind donation by broadcasting Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20 on Prime Video.

• Amazon also streamed President Biden's inauguration and offered to donate to the 2021 event but his campaign told the online retailer it wasn't accepting donations from Big Tech companies, according to the source.

The big picture: Bezos and Zuckerberg were among a series of Big Tech CEOs who quickly congratulated the president-elect on his election win last month, as business leaders seek access to and gain influence with the second Trump administration.

Go deeper: Tech titans scramble to be inside Trump's tent

President-elect Trump appeared to indicate his support for the dockworkers union in its contract dispute with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) that led to a major strike at East Coast and Gulf ports earlier this year.

Why it matters: Though port workers are back on the docks after a three-day work stoppage in October, they haven't yet finalized a new contract with the shipping companies — the prospect of an economy-crushing strike still looms. The deadline is just five days before Trump's inauguration.

Driving the news: "I've studied automation, and know just about everything there is to know about it," Trump said on Truth Social after meeting with International Longshoremen's Association president Harold Daggett and executive vice president Dennis Daggett.

• "The amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers, in this case, our Longshoremen."
• Trump said foreign companies had "made a fortune in the U.S." and he'd rather they spend it on dock workers than expensive machinery that will constantly have to be replaced.
• "For the great privilege of accessing our markets, these foreign companies should hire our incredible American Workers, instead of laying them off, and sending those profits back to foreign countries," Trump added.

Context: The United States Maritime Alliance and International Longshoremen's Association agreed to a 62% pay rise over six years to end the strike, but negotiations have reached an impasse over semi-automated cranes.

What they're saying: "It's clear President-elect Trump, USMX, and the ILA all share the goal of protecting and adding good-paying American jobs at our ports," USMX said in a statement.

• "We need modern technology that is proven to improve worker safety, boost port efficiency, increase port capacity, and strengthen our supply chains."

Between the lines: The president-elect's post is a sign that Trump 2.0 might be more labor friendly than Trump 1.0.

• Trump's pick for Labor Secretary, Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.), also has appeared to signal a more pro-union approach.

Go deeper: Striking port workers are trying to fend off the inevitable

Editor's note: This article has been updated with more details from the negotiations.

President-elect Trump said Wednesday the next head of the agency in charge of Voice of America will appoint former television news anchor Kari Lake to serve as director of the federally funded broadcaster.

The big picture: Lake will work with the next head of the U.S. Agency for Global Media "to ensure that the American values of Freedom and Liberty are broadcast around the World FAIRLY and ACCURATELY, unlike the lies spread by the Fake News Media," Trump said of the MAGA loyalist on Truth Social.

• "Kari was a beloved News Anchor in Anchor in Arizona, which supported me by record margins, for over 20 years," he added in reference to the state that elected Trump in November but voted for President Biden in 2020.

State of play: Lake had a 30-year media career in Arizona before unsuccessfully running for looking to go into politics.

• The staunch Trump supporter unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate in Arizona last month.
• She was also the defeated Republican gubernatorial candidate in 2022 and unsuccessfully challenged the results.

VOA was established in 1942 to counter Nazi propaganda with unbiased news and information.

• It's funded by the government through the U.S. Agency for Global Media and is governed by a longstanding charter that legally requires the VOA to report "accurate, objective, and comprehensive" news abroad, per Axios' media correspondent Sara Fischer.

By the numbers: VOA broadcasts in more than 40 languages to an estimated weekly global audience of more than 354 million people.

What she's saying: Lake said on X she's "honored" that Trump asked her to lead VOA.

• "Under my leadership, the VOA will excel in its mission: chronicling America's achievements worldwide," she added.

Flashback: Two top VOA officials resigned from their posts in 2020 after the Trump White House accused the independent international news agency of promoting Chinese propaganda in its coverage of the COVID pandemic.

What's next: Trump said he would announce his pick to run the U.S. Agency for Global Media soon.

Go deeper: Senate GOP leader hopefuls swarm Kari Lake for MAGA cred

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.