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Weekend Edition Latest News Headlines – The United Nations has criticized the United States for vetoing a Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. The resolution was supported by 14 of the 15 council members, but the United States vetoed it, arguing that it was not balanced and would not have been effective in stopping the violence. Meanwhile, Israel has said that a hostage rescue attempt in the Gaza Strip has failed. The Israeli military has not yet released any details about the operation, but Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that controls Gaza, has accused Israel of killing civilians and targeting journalists. — Eleven people were killed in a violent clash between a criminal gang and villagers in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato. The villagers were reportedly armed and defending themselves against the gang, which is known for its involvement in drug trafficking and kidnapping. The violence in Mexico has been escalating in recent years, with record-high murder rates. The government has deployed troops to combat the violence, but the situation remains fragile. — Six teenagers in France have been convicted of involvement in the beheading of Samuel Paty, a teacher who showed cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad in class. The teenagers were sentenced to prison terms ranging from four to 10 years. The murder of Paty in October 2020 shocked France and sparked a debate about freedom of expression and religious extremism. — Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that he will seek another presidential term in the 2024 election. Putin has been in power since 2000, and if he wins the election, he will extend his rule until 2036. The announcement has sparked speculation about Putin’s long-term plans and the future of Russia. — A federal judge in California has issued a nationwide injunction prohibiting the Biden administration from separating migrant families at the U.S. border. The judge ruled that the practice is cruel and inhumane, and that it violates a 1997 settlement agreement that prohibits the government from separating families without a compelling reason. The ruling is a major victory for immigration advocates, who have long argued that separating migrant families is a violation of human rights. — The city of Chicago is facing a growing crisis as residents in the Little Village neighborhood raise concerns about the presence of toxic metals in the soil at a proposed migrant shelter camp. The city has hired a contractor to test the soil for lead and arsenic, and the results are expected to be released soon. In the meantime, residents are demanding that the city reconsider its plans for the shelter camp. — The city of San Francisco has passed a new law that makes it illegal to use Chinese characters in political ads or campaign materials without providing a translation. The law is intended to prevent candidates from using Chinese names to deceive voters and gain an unfair advantage in elections. The law has been praised by Asian American activists, who say it will help to ensure that elections are fair and transparent. — Rock giants Def Leppard and Journey have announced a co-headlining tour for 2024. The tour will kick off in April and will make stops across North America. This is the first time that the two bands have toured together, and it is sure to be a major event for fans of classic rock.

Headline news for Thursday December 7, 2023 – Israeli military forces have encircled Gaza’s largest refugee camp after a raid on a Hamas command post in the settlement, where they uncovered surveillance equipment, weapons, and maps. The Israeli Defense Forces are actively operating around the Jabalya Camp, north of Gaza City, following their earlier actions against other Hamas bases, where they demolished military infrastructure and seized critical military positions used for attacks on Israeli troops, as per an IDF news release. — In a tragic error, the Nigerian Army inadvertently killed at least 88 individuals during a drone strike at a religious festival in Kaduna State, as reported by local authorities. The accidental strike happened on Sunday night in Tudun Biri, Kaduna State, during a gathering for Mawlid al-Nabi, a Muslim holiday celebrating Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, officials stated. The casualties were from four different communities congregated for the celebration. — In a groundbreaking action, the U.S. Justice Department announced on Wednesday that it is unsealing war crimes charges against four individuals connected to the Russian military. This marks the first instance of the U.S. filing charges under its war crimes statute. The charges accuse Suren Seiranovich Mkrtchyan, Dmitry Budnik, Valerii (surname unknown), and Nazar (surname unknown) of detaining, brutally assaulting, and torturing an American citizen they allegedly kidnapped from his home in Mylove, Ukraine, following Russia’s 2022 invasion. — Following an internal review triggered by sexual assault and harassment reports, U.S. Coast Guard officials are pledging reforms to address safety concerns and declining trust in leadership among members. The comprehensive 90-day review, unveiled on Wednesday, recommends eliminating a culture that tolerates inappropriate jokes and comments, and emphasizes early intervention against “inappropriate or unhealthy behavior.” The report’s suggestions are based on interviews with numerous Coast Guard members across various locations. — Ten Republicans from Wisconsin, involved as alleged “fake electors” in the 2020 presidential election, have conceded to a settlement, recognizing their participation in an effort to contest the election results in favor of Donald Trump. Following a $2.4 million lawsuit filed by the Biden campaign in December 2020, the defendants, while avoiding monetary penalties, issued a statement affirming the 2020 election’s outcome and admitted involvement in an attempt to challenge the results. — A man has received a four-year prison sentence after a video recorded by his 9-year-old child, showing him assaulting his wife, came to light, as per authorities. Miguel Lazaro-Castillo was given the maximum sentence of four years last Friday by Yuba County Judge Julia Scrogin, after pleading no contest in October to felony domestic violence, false imprisonment, and misdemeanor child abuse, according to the Yuba County District Attorney’s Office, north of Sacramento. — The Biden administration is postponing its initiative to prohibit menthol cigarettes until next March, following intense lobbying by civil rights groups, some backed by the tobacco industry, citing concerns over racial targeting. This postponement, revealed in an online announcement, represents a significant setback for health advocates who have long sought to restrict access to menthol cigarettes, heavily marketed in Black communities. The CDC notes that menthol enhances the addictive qualities of cigarettes and complicates quitting efforts. — The White House has confirmed the approval of nearly $5 billion in additional student loan debt relief for over 80,000 borrowers, enabled by improvements to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. With this new allocation of $4.8 billion, the total amount of debt cancellation authorized by the administration now stands at $132 billion, benefiting more than 3.6 million Americans, as per the White House’s latest announcement.

Latest news headlines for Wednesday December 6, 2023 – On Tuesday, President Biden expressed uncertainty about his reelection campaign, hinting it might be influenced by Donald Trump’s potential candidacy. Speaking at a Boston fundraiser, Biden remarked, “If Trump wasn’t running, I’m not sure I’d be running,” emphasizing the importance of defeating Trump. Despite no visual media presence at the event, reporters accompanying Biden shared these insights. During the 2020 race, Biden identified as a “transitional” candidate, but stopped short of committing to a single term. — Governor Kathy Hochul of New York announced on Tuesday that February 13 will see a special election to fill George Santos’ former seat in the U.S. House. This election, set in parts of Long Island and Queens, is seen as a pivotal moment in a series of important congressional battles in New York. The election is crucial for Democrats, testing their ability to win over districts near New York City, key to their strategy for regaining House control. — In a budget plan revealed Tuesday, Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis proposed eliminating over 1,000 state positions, aiming to reduce the budget by more than $4.6 billion, while preserving popular tax holidays. DeSantis has outlined a $114.4 billion budget. In a departure from tradition, he announced this budget far from the Capitol, opting for a charter school in Marco Island, Southwest Florida, as the venue. — Senate Democrats are progressing with plans to vote on President Biden’s emergency funding request of $106 billion, which includes significant foreign aid. This week, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer from New York scheduled a critical vote on the package, which provides support to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. However, the vote might fail unless a last-minute agreement on U.S.-Mexico border security funding, currently a point of contention, is reached. — A tragic incident in Portland resulted in the death of a six-year-old boy and injuries to a woman, following a dog attack at a residence. Portland Police, responding to the incident on Tuesday, found that two dogs, believed to be Great Dane-Mastiff mixes, had attacked the child and the woman attempting to intervene. The boy was declared deceased at the scene, while the woman was hospitalized with minor injuries. — Joseph David Emerson, a 44-year-old off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot, faced indictment on Tuesday in Portland, Oregon, on numerous charges of endangering others and an aircraft. Initially suspected of attempted murder for allegedly attempting to disable a jet’s engines mid-flight in October, Emerson, under the influence of hallucinogens and battling depression, was instead charged with 83 counts of reckless endangerment and one count of first-degree aircraft endangerment. — The U.S. Supreme Court is set to deliberate on a case challenging the 16th Amendment, potentially redefining the U.S. tax landscape and affecting the federal budget. The case, Moore vs. United States, traces back to 2006 and is causing a stir from Washington to Wall Street, as it could significantly alter longstanding tax laws and influence Congress’ taxation authority under the Constitution. — Vice President Kamala Harris set a new record with her 32nd tie-breaking Senate vote, the most by any vice president in U.S. history. After casting her vote for Loren Alikhan as U.S. district judge for the District of Columbia, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer honored Harris with a golden gavel. Schumer highlighted Harris’ crucial role in passing significant legislation like the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act, and in confirming numerous federal judges.

Latest News Headlines for Wednesday December 6, 2023 – Israeli fighter jets conducted intensive bombardments near Khan Younis in Gaza’s south on Monday, as the military prompted widespread evacuations from the town amid an escalating ground operation. This push is forcing Palestinians into increasingly confined areas of the encircled territory. The intensified offensive presents a grave dilemma for numerous Palestinians: remain in the path of advancing Israeli forces or attempt to escape within southern Gaza’s limited space, with no assurance of safety. Humanitarian agencies caution that this widespread displacement could exacerbate the already critical humanitarian crisis in Gaza. — In the week leading up to the most lethal attack in Israel’s history, unusual financial activity might have signaled foreknowledge. Significant bets against the Israeli stock market were noted prior to the Hamas attack on Oct. 7. A report titled “Trading on Terror?” by Columbia University and NYU researchers posits that an investor, possibly privy to the impending attack, profited by short-selling on both U.S. and Israeli stock exchanges. The study highlights the early October short-selling as “exceptionally high, even compared to other periods of instability.” — A former U.S. ambassador to Bolivia and National Security Council member has been detained on charges of covertly operating as an agent for Cuba’s government, according to U.S. authorities. 73-year-old Victor Manuel Rocha, residing in Miami, is accused of committing “numerous federal offenses” over many years while clandestinely representing Cuba, stated Attorney General Merrick Garland. Garland emphasized that Rocha, by serving a foreign nation, gravely betrayed the United States, an act that the Justice Department will confront vigorously. — China has lodged a strong protest against the U.S. Navy, alleging a breach of its sovereignty by the USS Gabrielle Giffords near a contested reef in the South China Sea. The protest was issued by China’s Southern Theater Command, which accused the U.S. vessel of “unauthorized entry into waters near Ren’ai Reef.” This action by the U.S. was condemned as a severe violation of international norms and laws governing international relations. — A fire in a New York City apartment, reportedly caused by an electric bicycle battery, resulted in one death and six injuries, officials reported on Monday. The blaze began around 7 p.m. Sunday in a Bronx public housing complex, engulfing a 10th-floor apartment, said a Fire Department spokesperson. One individual, critically injured, was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Two others are facing life-threatening injuries, while four sustained minor wounds, according to the spokesperson. — A U.S. woman has tragically died in a shark attack while paddleboarding in the Bahamas, as confirmed by the Royal Bahamas Police Force. The victim was paddleboarding with a male relative near a Sandals resort when the shark struck. A lifeguard swiftly responded with a rescue boat, and though CPR was administered, her right-side injuries were too critical, said police. — In northern Tanzania, severe floods and landslides have claimed at least 47 lives, with 85 more injured, officials stated on Monday. The Tanzanian military has been mobilized to assist in rescuing those trapped by the deluge, considered the most severe in recent memory in the East African country. The disaster occurred around Mount Hanang, resulting in extensive damage to homes, roads, and bridges, further complicating rescue efforts. — Uber is set to join the S&P 500 index this month, marking a significant milestone in the company’s recovery post-pandemic struggles. Announced by S&P Dow Jones Indices on Friday, Uber will be added to the benchmark index before trading opens on Dec. 18. Entry into the S&P 500 is a notable boost for stocks, attracting a wide array of funds that mirror the index, which forms a core part of many 401(k) accounts.

News Headlines for Monday December 4, 2023 – House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner stated the U.S. is aiding Israel in locating Hamas leaders and pinpointing vulnerabilities that might have averted the October 7th attack. “This reflects a broad oversight by Israel and its intelligence community regarding the potential magnitude of such a threat, leading to this complete lapse,” Ohio’s Republican representative commented on “Face the Nation.” — A Gallup Poll released Thursday shows a divided opinion among Americans on Israel’s Gaza conflict, with 50% supporting and 45% opposing it. The poll also revealed that 40% believe the U.S. provides insufficient humanitarian aid to Palestinians. When asked about their stance on Israel’s military actions in Gaza, the Nov. 1-21 poll indicated a split across gender, age, race, and political affiliations. Only 32% approve of President Joe Biden’s handling of the Israel-Gaza conflict, compared to his overall job approval rating of 37%. — Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to expand the armed forces by 170,000 personnel, citing the Ukraine conflict and “NATO expansion.” Putin has mandated an increase in the Russian Armed Forces’ staffing levels to 2.2 million, including 1.32 million military personnel, as stated in a press release from the president’s office on Friday. — As Florida Governor Ron DeSantis completes a key presidential campaign step by visiting all 99 counties in Iowa, former President Donald Trump focused on President Biden instead of his GOP competitor during concurrent rallies in the state. At a Cedar Rapids event, Trump directed his criticisms at Mr. Biden, accusing him of “destroying American democracy.” Trump is positioning the primary election as a foregone conclusion, concentrating on his 2020 adversary. — A U.S. Navy vessel in the Red Sea on Sunday intercepted several drones approaching from Yemeni regions under Houthi control, per a U.S. official. “The USS Carney engaged in multiple encounters in the Red Sea with Houthi assaults on commercial ships today. The Carney successfully neutralized [unmanned aerial vehicles] heading towards it in at least two instances,” the official reported. “Reports of attacks on the USS Carney and commercial ships in the Red Sea are being monitored,” the statement added. — Mount Marapi in Indonesia’s West Sumatra erupted, ejecting ash plumes over 9,800 feet high and dispersing hot ash several miles. Ahmad Rifandi, a representative from Indonesia’s Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center at the Marapi monitoring post, reported no immediate casualties. Post-eruption, two climber routes were closed and residents on the mountain’s slopes were advised to keep a 1.8-mile distance from the crater due to potential lava flow. — The father of a slain 6-year-old Palestinian American boy, victim of an alleged hate crime, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit. Oday Al-Fayoume filed the lawsuit last month against the suburban Chicago landlord accused in the attack, which resulted in his son’s death and severe injury to the child’s mother. The incident, sparking renewed concerns of anti-Islamic bias in Chicago’s sizable Palestinian community, has garnered White House condemnation. — For the second consecutive Sunday, a recovering Pope Francis missed his customary public appearance in St. Peter’s Square, but said in televised remarks that he is improving, despite his voice hindering his ability to read all his comments. Francis, speaking briefly from the Vatican hotel chapel where he resides and recuperates from infectious bronchitis, addressed thousands in the square through outdoor screens. The Pope, nearing his 87th birthday, also mentioned remotely following the U.N. climate conference in Dubai.

Weekend Edition of Latest News Headlines – Israel escalated its operations in the Gaza Strip’s southern region on Saturday, reigniting hostilities following a week of ceasefire with Hamas, raising fresh concerns over civilian harm. Israeli authorities informed media outlets that the resurgence of conflict was partly due to a terrorist assault in Jerusalem on Thursday that claimed four lives. Israel expressed its readiness to implement further temporary ceasefires to facilitate the release of all hostages. Saturday’s military strikes by Israel were primarily concentrated in Gaza’s Khan Younis area. — Two individuals were detained in London on Saturday amidst pro-Palestinian demonstrations, part of a nationwide “day of action” organized by activists. In Brixton, South London, one man was apprehended for suspected racially aggravated disorder after displaying a sign, as reported by the Metropolitan Police. When officers attempted to leave, they were encircled and temporarily obstructed by other protestors. A teenage boy was also detained for vandalizing a police vehicle. — A substantial earthquake, registering a preliminary 7.6 magnitude, struck off the Philippines’ southern coast on Saturday, causing panic among villagers who fled their homes near midnight, following a tsunami warning issued by Philippine authorities. The earthquake occurred at 10:37 p.m., at a depth of 20 miles, as per the U.S. Geological Survey. There were no immediate reports of significant damage or casualties. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially predicted tsunami waves impacting the southern Philippines, Indonesia, Palau, and Malaysia, based on the quake’s magnitude and location. — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Friday an acceleration in several key COVID-19 trends nationwide, marking the first major national increase in virus spread in months. The CDC’s latest weekly report highlighted significant rises in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic, though virtually all U.S. regions are experiencing an upsurge. — A shooting at a Las Vegas homeless encampment on Friday resulted in one fatality and four injuries, according to police. The incident took place near Charleston Boulevard and U.S. 95 around 5:30 p.m. Responding officers were guided to multiple victims at a homeless camp, as stated by Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Lt. Jason Johansson during a Friday night briefing. — In less than two days following Russia’s Supreme Court labeling the “global LGBTQ+ movement” as extremist, security forces raided various gay clubs and bars in Moscow on Friday. Local media reported that the police conducted searches, including at a nightclub, a male sauna, and a bar hosting LGBTQ+ events, under the guise of a drug operation. Eyewitnesses shared that patrons’ identification was documented and photographed by security forces, and that venue managers managed to alert customers before police arrival. — Former U.S. Olympic swimmer Klete Keller received a sentence of 36 months probation on Friday for participating in the U.S. Capitol riot, evading jail time after admitting guilt to a federal felony charge. Keller, 41, also faces six months of home confinement and is required to complete 10 hours of community service monthly. The two-time gold medalist, one of the earliest Jan. 6 riot defendants to admit to a felony, was identified in Capitol footage donning a Team USA jacket amidst the pro-Donald Trump crowd. — BMW has issued a recall for a limited number of SUVs in the U.S. due to a defect where driver’s air bag inflators could rupture in a collision, potentially launching metal fragments and causing injuries or fatalities. The recall, announced Saturday by U.S. auto safety regulators, affects 486 X3, X4, and X5 SUVs from the 2014 model year with Takata Corp.-manufactured air bags. This raises concerns about the safety of approximately 30 million Takata inflators still under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with most yet to be recalled.