Drake’s company, Frozen Moments LLC, filed petitions in New York and Texas alleging that Universal Music Group (UMG) employed deceptive practices to artificially inflate the popularity of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” a diss track targeting Drake. The petitions claim UMG used bots, paid for radio play (payola), and manipulated Spotify’s algorithms to boost the song’s streams, all while charging below-market licensing rates. These actions, Drake alleges, caused him significant financial harm and violated the RICO Act. UMG denies the allegations, stating their marketing practices are ethical and that fan preference drives music popularity.
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Following concerns from its internal watchdog about widespread civil rights violations and potential racial profiling, the Justice Department has suspended the DEA’s airport passenger cash searches. The Office of the Inspector General found these searches, often conducted without warrants and based on factors like last-minute ticket purchases, created significant legal risks and wasted resources. The investigation highlighted problematic practices, including paying airline employees a percentage of seized cash, and the inability to determine racial bias due to incomplete data collection. This suspension will allow for an internal evaluation of the program’s legality and effectiveness.
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Walmart, facing right-wing pressure, is scaling back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. This includes ending racial equity training, reviewing supplier diversity programs, and reevaluating funding for Pride events and LGBTQ+ products. The company’s decision follows a broader trend of corporations curtailing DEI efforts amid legal challenges and political pressure. Walmart’s actions, while claiming a desire to foster belonging, signal a potential shift in corporate culture and may impact employee retention.
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John Tinniswood, the world’s oldest man, passed away at age 112 in Southport, England. Born in 1912, he attributed his longevity to luck, though he also advocated moderation. Tinniswood served in the Royal Army Pay Corps during World War II and later worked for Shell and BP, maintaining a lifelong love of Liverpool Football Club and Friday fish and chips. He is succeeded by 116-year-old Tomiko Itooka of Japan as the world’s oldest living person.
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In Brockton, Massachusetts, three individuals—Dinora Cardoso’s daughter and granddaughter, and a visiting nurse—face charges related to the 79-year-old’s death from severe neglect. The victim was found severely malnourished, infested with bedbugs and cockroaches, and fused to a feces- and urine-soaked mattress. This horrific condition, resulting from months of neglect, led to severe infections and ultimately, her death. The three suspects are facing charges including manslaughter and Medicare fraud, with bail set at varying amounts and conditions restricting contact with vulnerable populations and travel.
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Warren Buffett donated over $1.1 billion in Berkshire Hathaway stock to family foundations this Thanksgiving, continuing his tradition of philanthropy. He also detailed succession plans for distributing his remaining $147.4 billion fortune after his death, designating successors for his children to ensure continued charitable giving. This decision acknowledges the potential for his children to predecease him, while reaffirming his commitment to avoiding dynastic wealth. Buffett’s giving has favored the Gates Foundation, but will shift to his children’s foundations after his death. He encourages open communication about estate plans, highlighting the importance of family harmony after inheritance.
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A DHL cargo plane crashed near Vilnius airport, resulting in one fatality and three injuries among the Spanish crew. Investigations are underway in Lithuania and Germany to determine if the crash was accidental or a deliberate act, with officials considering possibilities ranging from technical malfunction to sabotage, mirroring recent incidents involving incendiary devices in DHL facilities. While Lithuanian authorities have not yet linked the crash to prior investigations into incendiary devices, German officials have raised the possibility of a hybrid incident. The investigation is ongoing, and several agencies are working together to determine the cause.
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Following the death of Samir Subedi, a 33-year-old superintendent at a Sofina Foods facility, 26 workplace safety charges have been filed against the company. Subedi died from severe burns after becoming trapped in a malfunctioning smokehouse due to a door that could not be opened from the inside. The charges allege multiple failures by Sofina Foods, including inadequate training, equipment maintenance, and hazard assessments. The company is cooperating with the investigation and will appear in court in January.
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ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe, facing intense competition from cheaper Asian imports, plans to cut its workforce by over 11,000 by 2030, reducing it from 27,000 to 16,000. This restructuring includes 5,000 job cuts through production and administrative adjustments, and another 6,000 through outsourcing or business sales. To combat overcapacity, production capacity will be reduced from 11.5 million to 8.7-9 million metric tons. While the company aims for voluntary departures, the plan has been met with strong opposition from labor unions.
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Following a bankruptcy auction, a federal judge is considering whether to approve the sale of Alex Jones’s Infowars to The Onion, despite a competing bid from a Jones-affiliated company claiming a higher cash offer. The judge will hold an evidentiary hearing to assess the bankruptcy trustee’s decision-making process, specifically regarding the selection of The Onion’s bid, which included a revenue-sharing agreement with Sandy Hook victims’ families. The hearing will determine whether the sale proceeds, intended to satisfy defamation judgments, will be approved, another auction held, or further hearings conducted. The Onion’s bid, while lower in cash, was deemed by the trustee to benefit creditors more, prompting the legal challenge.
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John Q. Hosedrinker