November 2023

Tuesdya November 28, 2023 Unbiased headline news – Former President Donald Trump is set to reappear as a witness in his ongoing New York civil fraud trial on December 11, as confirmed by his legal representation. The defense, additionally planning to bring Eric Trump to the stand on December 6, anticipates concluding their case soon after the former president’s testimony. This follows Trump’s prior testimony on November 6, relating to a lawsuit filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James, which seeks $250 million in damages. — In a significant visit on Monday, Elon Musk toured a kibbutz devastated by Hamas alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, ahead of a meeting with President Isaac Herzog. The visit emphasized discussions on combating anti-Semitism online. Musk’s journey included a poignant stop at the Kfar Aza Kibbutz, scene of a tragic massacre of 52 people by Hamas on October 7. There, Musk and Netanyahu visited the home of 4-year-old Abigail Edan, whose parents perished in the attack and who was subsequently abducted to Gaza. — The latest estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that nearly 1 in 10 new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. are now attributed to the BA.2.86 variant, a notable increase from previous figures. This variant shows a significant presence, particularly in the Northeastern U.S., with 13.1% of cases in the New York and New Jersey region being ascribed to BA.2.86. This marks the first time the variant has been distinguished as a unique strain in the CDC’s tracking. — University of North Carolina graduate student Tailei Qi, accused of fatally shooting his faculty advisor, has been deemed unfit for trial following two mental health assessments, as per a judicial ruling on Monday. The 34-year-old Qi, facing charges of first-degree murder and illegal firearm possession on educational property, is believed to suffer from untreated schizophrenia, according to the evaluations. He remains in custody without bond. — Families of the Sandy Hook victims, who secured nearly $1.5 billion in legal judgments against Alex Jones for labeling the 2012 school shooting a hoax, have proposed to settle for a significantly reduced amount of at least $85 million over 10 years. This offer, presented in Jones’ personal bankruptcy proceedings in Houston, is seen as a potential resolution to the bankruptcy cases of both Jones and his Free Speech Systems company. — Montana resident Anthony James Cross intends to enter a guilty plea for threatening to kill U.S. Senator Jon Tester, as part of a plea agreement with federal prosecutors. If the court approves the deal, Cross could face a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. The agreement also includes the dismissal of a separate charge related to threats against President Joe Biden at the time of sentencing. — Stephen Colbert has announced a temporary suspension of his late-night show due to a medical issue, as per a statement released on the show’s Instagram account on Monday. Colbert, 59, humorously dismissed speculations of a “turkey overdose” or “gravy boat capsize,” revealing he is recovering from an emergency appendix surgery. He expressed his thanks to the medical professionals for their care during this time. — Jean Knight, the New Orleans-born soul singer famed for her 1971 hit “Mr. Big Stuff,” has died at the age of 80. The Grammy-nominated artist, celebrated as a vital component of New Orleans’ musical heritage, passed away due to natural causes in Tampa, Florida. Her death has elicited tributes from a wide circle of family, friends, fans, and fellow musicians.

News Headlines for Monday November 27, 2023 – Under increasing scrutiny from Israeli citizens over his management of the Gaza conflict, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a heavily armored visit to the area. Netanyahu, in body armor and a tactical helmet, was seen smiling in a photograph, pointing to an unclear document. During his tour, he participated in security briefings with military leaders and troops and inspected a tunnel Israel claims Hamas used. Netanyahu firmly stated, “We are continuing until the end – until victory.” — In a powerful display of solidarity, hundreds of thousands rallied across Britain on Saturday in pro-Palestinian demonstrations, advocating for an enduring cease-fire in the ongoing Gaza conflict. In cities like London, Manchester, and Glasgow, protestors held aloft “Free Palestine” placards. Particularly in Manchester, activists outside a Barclays bank branch protested, brandishing signs that read “Palestinian Blood on Barclays Hands,” denouncing the bank’s supposed investments in arms manufacturers supplying Israel. — In the backdrop of the Gaza conflict, Israeli software firm Wix has launched a website dedicated to anti-Hamas propaganda. The official Hamas website, Hamas.ps, is currently not operational. Based in Tel Aviv, Wix has acquired Hamas.com, data from GoDaddy reveals. The domain, established in December 1999, had been previously occupied by cybersquatters since around 2000. The site now welcomes visitors with a prominent message advocating for the liberation of Palestine. — Karachi, Pakistan, faced a tragedy on Saturday when a fire ravaged a shopping mall, resulting in at least 11 deaths and 22 injuries, as per local authorities’ reports. Karachi Mayor Murtaza Siddiqui confirmed these numbers in a social media statement. Rescue operations managed to save around 30 individuals, while six of the injured are in serious condition and have been hospitalized. Authorities are still investigating the possibility of additional people trapped, even though the fire is now extinguished. — A violent incident in Burlington, Vermont, left three college students of Palestinian descent wounded on Saturday night. The assailant, described by police as a white male, shot at the students without any verbal exchange. The Burlington Police Department’s preliminary findings indicate the shooting took place outside a relative’s home where the students were visiting for Thanksgiving. The gunman is still at large, as reported by the authorities. — A grim discovery awaited deputies in North Carolina on Sunday responding to reports of gunfire: four individuals fatally shot at what seemed to be a campsite for the homeless. Sampson County Sheriff’s Capt. Eric Pope, in his preliminary analysis, suggested a scenario of triple homicide followed by the shooter’s suicide. Found near a tent at the end of a secluded road near Autryville, the deceased included two men and two women. — The aftermath of a landslide in Alaska has led to a sorrowful conclusion with the discovery of an 11-year-old girl’s body, bringing the total fatalities to four, state officials announced. The body of Kara Heller was located on Saturday evening after a search dog signaled towards a specific area of debris. The Alaska Department of Public Safety, in their Sunday announcement, noted that the death toll included other family members of Kara Heller, all found at the same location last Tuesday. — Television producer Marty Krofft, renowned for his influential work in children’s programming, has passed away at the age of 86. Celebrated for creating beloved TV shows like “Land of the Lost,” “H.R. Pufnstuf,” and “Donny and Marie,” Krofft died on Saturday at his home in Los Angeles due to kidney failure. His passing was confirmed by his representative. Krofft, often hailed as the King of Saturday Mornings, rose to fame in the 1970s alongside his brother, Sid, under their joint venture, Sid & Marty Pictures.

Wednesday November 22, 2023 Unbiased headline news – On Saturday, as a mark of respect for the memory of Rosalynn Carter, flags across the nation will be lowered to half-staff. The wife of former President Jimmy Carter, she passed away this week at the age of 96, after being previously diagnosed with dementia in May of this year. President Biden, in a Monday proclamation, highlighted her life’s impact, noting her roles as First Lady of Georgia and the United States, where she embodied hope, warmth, and a steadfast commitment to addressing many of society’s greatest needs. — U.S. officials have confirmed that the U.S. military retaliated against Iran-backed militants in Iraq early Tuesday morning local time, following an incident where several troops were injured. The militants carried out a ballistic missile attack from a truck targeting U.S. forces stationed at al-Asad Airbase in western Iraq. The attack left several service members with minor injuries. Pentagon Press Secretary Brigantine General Pat Ryder detailed the incident, noting that the missile strike by Iran-backed militias resulted in eight injuries and caused minor damage to the base’s infrastructure. — The House Republicans have issued a subpoena to a federal prosecutor who is involved in the criminal investigation into Hunter Biden, demanding clarity on what they allege to be Justice Department interference in the long-running case involving the president’s son. Representative Jim Jordan, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, has specifically called upon Lesley Wolf, the assistant U.S. attorney for Delaware, to make an appearance before the committee. This request is set for a deadline of December 7th, as per a copy of the congressional subpoena that was obtained by The Associated Press. — In a significant political development, Bob Vander Plaats, an influential evangelical leader in Iowa, has endorsed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. This endorsement, given on Tuesday, is seen as a major boost to DeSantis’s campaign efforts to win in the first state of the presidential primary cycle. While DeSantis still trails behind former President Donald Trump in early polling both in Iowa and nationally, his campaign gains momentum. Supporters in the faith community, referencing Vander Plaats’ audience and influence, argue that his endorsement, alongside that from Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, will aid DeSantis in making significant inroads with the evangelical Christian voters in Iowa, a group that has been consistently supportive of Trump since 2016. — A recent ruling on Tuesday has found that a voter-approved gun control law in Oregon violates the state constitution, thereby continuing to prevent its implementation and casting doubt on the future of this contentious measure. This law, which ranks among the toughest in the nation, was one of the first significant gun restrictions passed in response to a major U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year, which altered the guidance for judges considering Second Amendment cases. The decision against the law was made by Circuit Court Judge Robert S. Raschio, who presides in Harney County in rural southeast Oregon. — Representative Anna Eshoo, a Democrat representing parts of California’s Silicon Valley, made a significant announcement on Tuesday, stating that she will not be running for reelection next year. This decision marks the end of her tenure in Congress, which has spanned more than three decades. Announcing her decision during the Thanksgiving season, Eshoo expressed her heartfelt gratitude to her constituents in a video posted on X, a platform formerly known as Twitter, acknowledging their support throughout her long career in public service. — The U.S. Coast Guard announced on Tuesday that a considerable amount of oil, possibly as much as 1.1 million gallons, may have been discharged into the Gulf of Mexico. This incident is linked to a pipeline system located off Louisiana’s southeast coast. While the affected pipeline has been shut down, authorities are still in the process of determining the exact location and cause of the leak. Officials, during a Coast Guard news conference, mentioned that so far, none of the oil has reached land, but its impact on wildlife and the environment is currently being investigated. — In a major legal development, the Justice Department announced on Tuesday that cryptocurrency giant Binance and its CEO are pleading guilty to violations of U.S. anti-money laundering laws. In addition to admitting guilt, they have agreed to pay more than $4 billion in fines. Chengpeng Zhao, the founder of the company, appeared in a federal court in Seattle to enter his guilty plea. As part of his plea deal, he has agreed to resign from his position, acknowledging the company’s failure to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program as required by U.S. law.

Latest News Headlines for Tuesday November 21, 2023 – With the busiest Thanksgiving travel season ever anticipated, airlines are gearing up for a surge in passengers, and many Americans are preparing to travel by road for the extended weekend. However, stormy conditions could derail the plans of millions. The Southern states, particularly Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, are bracing for severe storms, including potential tornadoes, on Monday night and Tuesday. The Weather Channel meteorologist Chris Warren also warns of the possibility of hail the size of golf balls. — In light of escalating Middle East violence, the FBI, state, and local authorities are raising alerts about heightened threats of a terror attack in New York City. Governor Kathy Hochul is responding by bolstering security and enhancing the staffing of the Joint Terrorism Task Force. This follows a threat assessment from the New York State Intelligence Center, indicating that unrest in Gaza is stirring discussions about targeting New York. The center has also noted a rise in antisemitic and anti-Palestinian rhetoric on social media, contributing to an uptick in hate crimes against Jews, Muslims, and Arabs. — As the Thanksgiving holiday nears, there’s an increase in RSV and influenza cases, contrasting with last year’s trend where cases were threefold higher. Dr. Liz Placzek advises families on simple preventive measures to mitigate the risk of illness during the holiday. Key steps include basic hygiene practices like hand washing and covering coughs. Additionally, for those visiting high-risk individuals for COVID-19, conducting a home test beforehand is recommended. A tragic incident in Suriname claimed at least ten lives following the collapse of an illegal gold mine on Monday. Rescue teams, along with police and military personnel, rushed to the rural southern region where the mine is located. Miners had constructed their own tunnels in search of gold, a common practice in the country. The cause of the collapse remains unclear. — In a shocking development, a 77-year-old Texas attorney, Ronald Lewis, faces allegations of smuggling drugs into the Harris County Jail in Houston. Authorities apprehended him on Friday, alleging that he used legal paperwork laced with ecstasy and synthetic marijuana to pass drugs to inmates. Found with suspected narcotic-laced papers during his arrest, Lewis is now under investigation. — A federal probe into a vast fentanyl ring has led to the arrest of 11 more suspects, bringing the total to 23. This extensive operation involved illegal sales and distribution of fentanyl across several states, including California, Maryland, Tennessee, and Virginia. Authorities have confiscated over 40 pounds of fentanyl powder, approximately 250,000 pills, and 30 firearms, among them six machine guns, as part of this crackdown. — American Airlines flight attendants are pushing for the right to strike, potentially disrupting travel during the Christmas and New Year’s period. The Association of Professional Flight Attendants, frustrated by stalled contract negotiations and lack of raises since 2019, has petitioned the National Mediation Board to declare a deadlock and authorize a strike following a 30-day cooling-off period. However, American Airlines asserts that a strike over the holidays is highly unlikely. — Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood witnessed another mail theft incident, leading to the re-arrest of 36-year-old Gustavo Balleza. He was apprehended on Monday in the vicinity of Francis W. Parker School by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Chicago Police Department. Balleza, found with stolen identifications, burglary tools, and bank cards of victims, faces charges related to mail theft.

Unbiased headline news for Monday November 20, 2023 – Yemeni Houthi insurgents captured a ship linked to Israel on a vital Red Sea transit route on Sunday, taking 25 crew members captive. This incident amplifies concerns about escalating regional hostilities, particularly relating to the Israel-Hamas conflict, and marks a new chapter in maritime confrontations. The Houthis, supported by Iran, claimed they targeted the vessel due to its Israeli connections. They vowed to keep attacking Israeli-affiliated or owned ships in international waters as long as Israel’s operations against Gaza’s Hamas leadership persist. — Jordan’s envoy to the U.S. is advocating for an immediate halt to the Israel-Hamas conflict, citing worries that it could incite extremism. Jordanian Ambassador Dina Kawar, speaking on “Face the Nation,” emphasized the potential for up to 18,000 children becoming orphans due to the Gaza warfare. Kawar highlighted concerns about the future of these children, pointing to research indicating a significant number of Hamas combatants were orphans. — In Argentina, Javier Milei triumphed in the presidential election, signaling a rightward shift amid a divisive campaign. He pledged major reforms to address rampant inflation and escalating poverty. With nearly all votes counted, Milei secured 55.7%, defeating Economy Minister Sergio Massa, who received 44.3%, in Sunday’s runoff. This victory marks the largest margin in an Argentine presidential election since its return to democracy in 1983. — Taylor Swift delayed a concert in Rio de Janeiro scheduled for Saturday, following a tragic incident at her Friday show where a 23-year-old fan passed away. Swift, expressing her decision in a handwritten Instagram post, cited the severe temperatures in Rio as the reason for postponing the event, writing from her stadium dressing room. — A tragic accident in central Mexico saw the collapse of a 50-foot tall scaffolding during a road construction project, resulting in the death of five workers and injuries to three. The incident occurred as workers were cementing a large form, presumably part of a highway barrier, when the structure and scaffolding collapsed, causing fatalities and injuries amidst the metal and concrete debris. The Transportation Department reported the collapse in Hidalgo state, confirming all onsite personnel were rescued from the wreckage. — Efforts to rescue 41 workers trapped for eight days in a collapsed tunnel in northern India faced setbacks, prompting consideration of alternate rescue strategies due to issues with a drilling machine. A replacement drill was brought to the Uttarakhand site on Saturday, substituting a damaged one used to bore through rock and debris. The objective is to create a passage for inserting large pipes, enabling the trapped workers to escape. — A child endangerment charge is being pursued against a woman in southern Ohio after her toddler accidentally discharged a gun found in her purse in a Walmart store. The incident, occurring around 11 a.m. Thursday, involved the child extracting a Taurus 9mm firearm from the purse, resulting in a shot into the store’s ceiling. The Waverly Police Department reported the toddler sustained a minor forehead injury from the gun’s magazine.

How did we get here? This is among the questions asked to the excellent panel of historians at TNR’s Stop Trump Summit this past October at the Cooper Union. Ruth Ben-Ghiat of NYU, Nell Irvin Painter of Princeton, and David Greenberg of Columbia have all published many scholarly works on American and/or world history. This event was huge. They had an impressive range of speakers and panelists who either are working hard to do what the title of the event says—stop Trump—or have particular expertise to lend to the proceedings. Mary Trump, Jamie Raskin, Stuart Stevens, Al Sharpton, Randi Weingarten, and so many more. Panels covered the legal cases against Trump, the role of the media in the election, the No Labels effort, and more. This is just another example of people (serious people) coming together to stop a madman from taking control of our democracy.