Turkey says it shot down a plane … Americans get a big travel warning … and throngs of Muslims are happy to show Donald Trump their “Muslim IDs.” It’s Tuesday, and here are the 5 things you need to know to Get Up to Speed and Out the Door:
PARIS TERROR ATTACKS
Vested interest: Who ditched a possible suicide vest in a garbage can near Paris? Many wonder if it belonged to Salah Abdeslam, a key suspect in the November 13 terror attacks in Paris. Or maybe it belonged to someone we don’t even know about. But it has the same explosives found in the suicide belts used by the Paris attackers. And Abdeslam is still nowhere to be found.
RUSSIAN WARPLANE SHOT DOWN
Not in my backyard: A Russian warplane was shot down near the Turkish-Syrian border Tuesday, Russian officials said. Turkey said it “responded” to a jet that violated its airspace and ignored warnings to leave. Russian officials denied that and said the pilots managed to eject – but their fates are unknown.
WORLDWIDE TRAVEL ALERT
You’ve been warned: The U.S. State Department has issued a travel alert for Americans going … well, pretty much anywhere around the world. It says a bunch of terrorists – namely, ISIS, al-Qaeda and Boko Haram – “continue to plan terrorist attacks in multiple regions.” That doesn’t mean Americans should put away their passports – but they should stay vigilant and avoid large crowds.
MINNEAPOLIS SHOOTINGS
On the loose: Police are looking for three guys who opened fire near a police station where demonstrators were protesting the death of Jamar Clark. Five people were shot, but they’re all expected to survive. Clark, a 24-year-old black man, was shot by police on November 15 as they tried to arrest him.
‘CLOCK BOY’ FAMILY WANTS $15 MILLION
Tick, tock: Remember Ahmed Mohamed, the Texas teen who brought a homemade clock to school – only to get arrested because the grown-ups thought he made a bomb? Well, an attorney said his family wants an apology from the city and police – oh, and also $15 million. The clock is ticking: Officials have been told they have 60 days to cough it up before the family sues.
BREAKFAST BROWSE
People are talking about these stories. Read up. Join in.
Muslim Marine’s comeback to Trump
When Donald Trump suggested all Muslims in the U.S. should be registered, Tayyib M. Rashid said he’s already got a special ID:
@MuslimMarine’s post was retweeted more than 33,000 times – and prompted doctors, officers and other service members to tweet their #MuslimID cards to Trump.
Bernie Sanders hangs out with a killer …
… Killer Mike, that is. The rapper took the presidential candidate out to lunch and posed with him before introducing Sanders at a campaign rally in Atlanta. Apparently Killer Mike is feeling the Bern.
WHAT’S FOR LUNCH
Here’s what’s coming up later:
Bracing for turmoil
The city of Chicago has been fighting the release of a video reportedly showing a white police officer shooting a black teenager 16 times. But after a judge’s ruling, that video could be released today. A Chicago Tribune columnist says the video “could tear Chicago apart.”
Hollande visits the U.S.
Since Paris terror attacks, French President Francois Hollande has been on a mission to unite a grand coalition against ISIS. And today, he’s visiting President Barack Obama to try to see what the allies can do in the fight against enemy No. 1.
AND FINALLY …
Talk about a downward spiral! If this is Tony Hawk’s midlife crisis, can it please continue? The 47-year-old pro skateboarder took insanity/awesomeness to new heights when he nailed a horizontal loop. (Don’t try this at home!)