Congo’s health minister says the government is “on general alert” over an unidentified disease that’s killed dozens of people, about half of whom were children. Source

Lawmakers accuse airline executives of gouging travelers with “junk” fees. Carriers say they give people options. Source

After UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot outside a Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan, a citywide manhunt continues. Source

Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department said it was increasing the reward for the top leader of the Jalisco cartel to $15 million. Source

First lady Jill Biden unveiled the White House decorations earlier in the week, with the theme of “A Season of Peace and Light.” Source

Fabio Ochoa Vásquez and his brothers amassed a fortune when cocaine started flooding the U.S. in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Source

Secret Service Acting Director Ronald Rowe is set to testify before the bipartisan House task force investigating the assassination attempts against President-elect Donald Trump. Source

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier is resigning after a no-confidence vote by lawmakers, fueling concern over a “new era of political instability.” Source

Philippine police say Elliot Eastman, American YouTuber kidnapped in October, likely died of gunshots sustained during his abduction in Zamboanga del Norte province. Source

This comes just two years after Bitcoin’s price dropped below $17,000 following the collapse of crypto exchange FTX. Source