Biggest news you missed this weekend
Gunman kills two NYPD officers
Two New York City police officers died Saturday afternoon after being shot "execution-style" while in a parked patrol car in Brooklyn. The suspect, Ismaaiyl Brinsley, 28, fled to a nearby subway station, where he was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Earlier Saturday, Brinsley shot his former girlfriend, injuring her at a Baltimore County, Md., residence. Brinsley posted on the victim's Instagram account, where his comments indicated he had a "very strong bias against" police, New York City Police Commissioner William Bratton said. The Internet postings appear to show Brinsley, who is black, wanted revenge for the deaths of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., and Eric Garner in Staten Island, N.Y., police said. President Obama, Attorney General Eric Holder, Rev. Al Sharpton, and the families of Eric Garner and Michael Brown have condemned the killings. The incident has fueled tensions between Mayor Bill de Blasio and his police union. On Sunday a police officer was shot and killed in Florida. Charles "Charlie K" Kondek previously served for more than five years as a New York City police officer.
Arrested Mall of America protesters to be charged
More than 20 arrests were made at the Black Lives Matter protest held at the Mall of America on Saturday night. Organizers of the protest believe the event was a success, however both Bloomington police officials and the city attorney say that those arrested will face serious consequences. "The organizers of the event were well aware of the fact that they were not welcome to participate or to hold a protest at the mall today," said Mark Stehlik, Bloomington Police commander. Hundreds of protesters with the Black Lives Matter organization protested anyway, knowing what they were doing was illegal. The protesters were warned that the facility is private property.
N. Korea: U.S. govt behind making of 'Interview'
Calling the U.S. an "ill-famed cesspool of injustice," North Korea accused the Obama administration Sunday of being behind the making of The Interview and threatened it had already begun to take "counteraction." In a lengthy, rambling statement carried on the state-run Korean Central News Agency, the reclusive nation charges the U.S. government "conceived and produced" the film out of the belief that such movies hurt the dignity of North Korea. In strongly worded graphs near the end of the statement, North Korea calls out Obama for saying Friday that the U.S. will respond "proportionally" to the cyberattack. North Korea calls Obama's declaration a "disgraceful behavior," before saying it has "already launched the toughest counteraction." Obama, however, said Sunday the United States is not at cyberwar with North Korea. "I don't think it was an act of war," Obama said on CNN'sState of the Union. "I think it was an act of cyber vandalism that was very costly, very expensive. We take it very seriously. We will respond proportionately, as I said."
Elton John tying the knot today
Now that's social. Sir Elton John officially got married Sunday to his long-time partner, filmmaker David Furnish — and we were all invited. "Sir Elton John and David Furnish request the pleasure of your company to celebrate their wedding on Sunday the 21st of December," said the invite, posted in Sir Elton's brand new Instagram account, on a photo of a bed of red roses. Both the grooms posted live photos of the event throughout the day.
Lindsey Vonn's record bid on hold after Super-G crash
American Lindsey Vonn's bid for a record-equaling 62nd World Cup win will have to wait a little while longer. The four-time World Cup winner crashed out of Sunday's super-G race after entering a gate slightly too wide, as Elisabeth Goergl beat Olympic champion Anna Fenninger by .05 seconds to lead an Austrian 1-2. Although Vonn did no damage to her troublesome right knee — after only starting to race again recently following two operations — she landed heavily on her right elbow.
Australian woman charged with murder of 8 children
An Australian woman was charged with murder Sunday in the deaths of seven of her children and her niece, whose bodies were found inside her home, police said. Mersane Warria, 37, was charged with eight counts of murder in a bedside hearing at a hospital in the northern city of Cairns where she is recovering from stab wounds, Queensland state police said. Police haven't said how the children died, but Queensland Police Detective Inspector Bruno Asnicar said they're examining several knives in the home that may have been the weapon used to kill them. Suffocation was also a possible cause of death, he said. The children, four girls and four boys, were ages 2 to 14.
Muhammad Ali hospitalized with pneumonia
Muhammad Ali was admitted to an undisclosed hospital Saturday morning with what his representatives are calling a "mild" case of pneumonia. Prognosis for the 72-year-old champion boxer, who has for decades battled Parkinson's disease, is considered good. And because the Louisville native was treated early, his stay is expected to be short, according to a news release. The Ali family declined to disclose more information, citing privacy.
State Department issues worldwide travel alert
The U.S. State Department has issued a worldwide travel alert in response to a lone wolf attack in Australia earlier this week that resulted in the deaths of two hostages. The department said the assault on a cafe in Sydney on Dec. 15 is "a reminder that U.S. citizens should be extra cautious, maintain a very high level of vigilance, and take appropriate steps to enhance their personal security." The travel alert will expire March 19. "An analysis of past attacks and threat reporting strongly suggests a focus by terrorists not only on the targeting of U.S. government facilities but also on hotels, shopping areas, places of worship, and schools, among other targets, during or coinciding with this holiday period," the State Department said in a statement Friday.
