U.S. and world news for Dec. 22

Trump pressured Michigan officials: The Detroit News reports that it has a recording of Donald Trump while he was president pressuring election officials in Wayne County Michigan, not to certify results of the 2020 Presidential Election. Michigan’s results clearly showed that Biden had won the state. In the call, Trump falsely claimed that Republicans had been cheated and that Detroit, Michigan, is “crooked as hell.” Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel also was on the Nov. 17, 2020 phone call. She also pushed for the election officials not to certify Biden’s win and said the party would provide attorneys for them.

Border crossing attack: The director and three employees of the Kerem Shalom border crossing between Israel and Gaza were killed today in an Israeli drone strike. Trucks carrying aid for Gaza refugees have used that border crossing. Traffic was suspended after the drone strike but resumed today. The Israel military said it was targeting Hamas militants in the drone strike.

Hostage dies: An American who was among the hostages taken by Hamas on Oct. 7 has died in captivity according to the Missing Persons Forum. He is identified as 73-year-old Gadi Haggai, who also holds Israeli citizenship. His wife, who also was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists, still is being held captive.

Biden pardons drug convicts: President Biden has issued pardons to thousands of people who were convicted of simple marijuana use or possession on federal lands or in Washington, D.C. The exact number of people affected was not immediately reported by the White House. “Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. It’s time that we right these wrongs,” Biden said. In addition, Biden commuted the sentences of 11 people who have been serving time for more serious drug offenses such as dealing in cocaine.

Drug company deal: Bristol Myers Squibb and Karuna Therapeutics, Inc. today announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Bristol Myers Squibb has agreed to acquire Karuna for $14 billion. The transaction was unanimously approved by both companies’ boards of directors. Karuna develops drugs to treat psychiatric and neurological conditions including schizophrenia and conditions associated with Alzheimer’s. Bristol Myers’ CEO Christopher Boerner said the company sees tremendous opportunities in the field of neuroscience where Karuna operates.

Czech shooting investigation: Officials in Prague, the Czech Republic, are investigating yesterday’s mass shooting at Charles University that left 14 dead and 25 injured. The 24-year-old shooter, who killed himself, was a student at the university. The gunman had killed his father in a nearby town and then traveled to the university where he entered a school building and started shooting. The officials did not immediately classify the shooting as a terrorist incident.

Photo courtesy Gage Skidmore / Flickr Creative Commons