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Latest News Headlines for Thursday January 4, 2024 – The United States has urgently called on the U.N. Security Council to take decisive action against Yemen’s Houthi rebels for their repeated attacks on ships in the crucial Red Sea trade route. Deputy Ambassador Christopher Lu emphasized during an emergency council meeting that the Houthi rebels have carried out over 20 attacks since November 19. Despite losing 10 fighters in a recent confrontation with U.S. forces, the rebels declared they had targeted another container ship on Wednesday. In Iran, two explosions occurred minutes apart, targeting a commemoration for a prominent general killed in a U.S. drone strike in 2020. The attacks resulted in at least 103 casualties and 141 injuries, adding to the tension in the Middle East amid Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. While no group immediately claimed responsibility, Iranian state media labeled the incident a “terroristic” attack, raising concerns about the region’s stability. Ukraine’s major cities, Kyiv and Kharkiv, faced a barrage of Russian missiles overnight, causing four deaths and nearly 100 injuries, according to Ukrainian officials. This attack followed significant aerial assaults between Russia and Ukraine in recent days. During Monday’s assault, residents sought shelter in subway stations as Russian Kinzhal hypersonic missiles struck the Ukrainian cities, as reported by the Associated Press. Hezbollah leader Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah issued a stern warning to Israel, stating that launching a full-scale war on Lebanon would come with a “very costly” price. Nasrallah emphasized that the assassination of a senior Hamas leader in Beirut would not go unpunished. During a live video speech at a rally commemorating Iranian General Qasem Soleimani’s fourth anniversary of assassination, Nasrallah made it clear that Lebanon’s response to a war would be without limits, ceiling, rules, or restraints. In a shocking incident, a Nevada judge was attacked during a felony battery case. The assailant leaped over a defense table, landing atop Judge Mary Kay Holthus. The violent altercation sparked a brawl involving court officials and attorneys. Captured on video, Judge Holthus sustained injuries but was not hospitalized. A courtroom marshal who intervened was hospitalized for a bleeding gash on his forehead and a dislocated shoulder. This highlights the unpredictable challenges in courtrooms, urging a reevaluation of safety protocols. An Idaho man was arrested for stealing a plane from a North Las Vegas hangar, flying it over 100 miles to a southern California airport, and eventually fleeing into a desert area when questioned by officers. The man, currently in custody in San Bernardino County, faces charges related to the possession of a stolen airplane and transporting stolen property across state lines. Authorities are currently investigating the theft of medications prescribed to patients at a southern Oregon hospital. The incident, brought to light last month when officials at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford reported their suspicions, involves a former employee who is believed to have stolen medication. According to a statement from Medford Police Geoff Kirkpatrick, there is concern that this behavior may have resulted in adverse patient care, although the full extent of the impact on those patients is yet to be determined. The investigation is ongoing. Mortgage rates have recently plummeted, presenting new opportunities for homebuyers previously hindered by high borrowing costs. While many forecasters anticipate further rate decreases, the Federal Reserve’s expected cut in its benchmark interest rate this year adds a layer of uncertainty. This poses a dilemma for buyers: whether to seize the current favorable market conditions promising substantial gains or wait for the potential emergence of an even more favorable market.

Latest News headlines for Wednesday January 3, 2024 – The leader identified as Saleh Arouri, previously second in command in Hamas and the head of Hamas in the West Bank, reportedly fell victim to a strike. Lebanese Security Services reported six casualties in the strike, which Hamas attributed to Israel. While the Israel Defense Forces spokesperson declined to comment on the incident, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari emphasized Israel’s preparedness, stating, “I want to be clear we are focused on the fight against Hamas.” Claudine Gay, the president of Harvard University, resigned from her position on Tuesday after just six months in the role. Gay faced sharp public scrutiny over her handling of antisemitism on campus during the Israel-Hamas war and accusations of plagiarism in some of her past academic writings. She announced her decision to resign in a letter addressed to the Harvard community, expressing, “It is with a heavy heart but a deep love for Harvard that I write to share that I will be stepping down as president.” Federal prosecutors on Tuesday recommended a six-month term of imprisonment for a man central to a right-wing conspiracy theory about the January 6th, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol — an attack that he has admitted to joining. Ray Epps, scheduled for sentencing next Tuesday, previously pleaded guilty in September to a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct on restricted grounds. Epps, a onetime Donald Trump supporter from Arizona, became the focus of a conspiracy theory alleging he was an undercover government agent inciting the Capitol attack. Senator Robert Menendez faces additional allegations of wrongdoing contained in a superseding indictment returned Tuesday in New York. The superseding indictment accuses Menendez, who has pleaded not guilty to all prior counts, of making positive comments about Qatar in exchange for items of value, including luxury wristwatches. According to the new indictment, the luxury wristwatches Menendez was allegedly offered were valued between $10,000 and $24,000. A driver fleeing an early New Year’s Day dispute struck seven pedestrians and injured one police officer before crashing on a New York City sidewalk in midtown Manhattan, according to police. The driver, Mohamed Alaouie, of Fort Lee, New Jersey, faces charges including three counts of attempted murder, reckless endangerment, criminal possession of a controlled substance, leaving an accident with a serious injury, and driving while intoxicated, as stated by the police on Tuesday. A man was found dead inside an airplane engine Monday night at Salt Lake City International Airport after police say he breached an emergency exit door, walked onto the tarmac, and climbed inside the jet’s engine. Officers found 30-year-old Kyler Efinger, of Park City, unconscious inside an engine mounted to the wing of a commercial aircraft loaded with passengers, the Salt Lake City Police Department announced Tuesday. The plane had been sitting on a de-icing pad, and its engines were rotating. Efinger was a ticketed passenger with a boarding pass to Denver, according to the police. The woman who was pinned under a food truck when a driver fleeing police plowed into pedestrians in midtown Manhattan early on New Year’s Day has been identified as an actor who has appeared in films such as “Black Panther” and “The Color Purple.” Actor and stunt performer Carrie Bernans suffered broken bones and chipped teeth and is in a great deal of pain following the crash near Penn Station on Monday, her mother posted to Instagram. None of the injuries were life-threatening, police said. The driver was arrested on charges including attempted murder. A 16-year-old boy “mistakenly boarded” a Frontier Airlines flight in Tampa on December 22nd, expecting to land in Cleveland, the airline said in a statement. Instead, he ended up in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The flights were boarding one after the other at the same gate, and the passenger boarded the San Juan-bound flight, which was departing first, Jennifer F. de la Cruz, a spokesperson from the airline stated. The passenger was “immediately flown back to Tampa on the same aircraft and accommodated on a flight to Cleveland the following day,” said the airline.

Latest News Headlines for Tuesday January 2, 2024 – Israel’s military has initiated the relocation of thousands of troops from the Gaza Strip, emphasizing a continued commitment to a prolonged conflict against the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The move follows a statement by Israel’s prime minister anticipating the conflict to extend well into the new year. Despite the troop withdrawal, military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari clarified on Monday that this marks the first significant drawdown since the conflict’s inception, triggered by Hamas’ unprecedented terror attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7. In a significant development, Israel’s Supreme Court has invalidated a crucial aspect of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial judicial overhaul. This landmark decision has the potential to reopen societal divisions in Israel that preceded the ongoing war against Hamas. The proposed judicial overhaul led to extensive protests, risking a constitutional crisis between the judicial and legislative branches and impacting the military’s unity. The divisions temporarily subsided after the cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, sparking a war that has persisted in Gaza for nearly three months. U.S. Navy helicopters engaged and sank three small boats carrying Houthi militants in the Red Sea. This response followed a distress call from a merchant vessel, as the small boats, originating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, fired weapons at the Maersk Hangzhou. Helicopters from the USS Eisenhower and the USS Gravely intervened, issuing verbal warnings to the small boats. A tragic incident in upstate New York on New Year’s Day is under investigation as possible terrorism. A fiery crash outside an entertainment venue resulted in two fatalities and five injuries. A Ford Expedition struck a Mitsubishi Outlander near the Kodak Center in Rochester, raising concerns of intentional harm as concertgoers were leaving the venue. A missing Chinese foreign exchange student, Kai Zhuang, was found safe inside a tent on a Utah mountainside, concluding a dayslong search described as a “cyber kidnapping” case. Zhuang, reported missing by his high school, was allegedly abducted, with his parents receiving a photograph from the alleged kidnappers. Kenyan police have recovered the body of a man, strongly believed to have fallen victim to a lion attack while riding a motorcycle near a national reserve in the southern part of the country. Community members alerted the authorities after spotting an abandoned motorcycle along a road near the Marere forested area, close to the Shimba Hills National Reserve. Upon investigation, officers traced lion footprints from the motorcycle to a thicket, where they discovered the remains of the unidentified individual. The police report details the circumstances, indicating that the man’s tragic encounter with the lion occurred in proximity to the abandoned motorcycle. This incident highlights the inherent risks faced by individuals in areas where wildlife intersects with human activities. In the Sacramento area, a father and his son were arrested in connection with the shooting death of a 10-year-old boy. Responding to calls of a shooting at an apartment complex, deputies found the injured boy, who later died at the hospital. Witnesses directed deputies to the apartment where they observed the suspect entering. In his New Year’s address, Chinese President Xi Jinping affirmed with conviction that China “will surely” be reunited with Taiwan, coinciding with the island nation’s upcoming presidential elections. According to an official translation provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Xi emphasized the imperative for all Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to share a common sense of purpose and partake in the glory of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. This resolute stance underscores China’s unwavering commitment to eventual reunification with Taiwan.

Latest News Headlines for Monday January 1, 2024 – The spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, has stated that the conflict between Israel and the Hamas terrorist group is expected to last throughout 2024. According to Hagari, the Israeli military is making adjustments to its deployment of troops in the Gaza Strip as it anticipates the war lasting for the entirety of 2024. He added that as 2024 begins, “The goal of the war requires lengthy fighting, and we are prepared accordingly.” — U.S. immigration officials along the southern border processed more than 300,000 migrants in December, an all-time monthly high that will likely include record numbers of families traveling with children, according to internal government data. The extraordinary number of migrant arrivals this month is the most dire juncture yet of a three-year-long crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border that has strained resources in small and large U.S. communities, left countless migrants in limbo. — A U.S. destroyer patrolling in the Red Sea Saturday shot down two ballistic missiles fired from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen while it was responding to a report that a commercial vessel was itself struck by a missile, U.S. authorities said. Hours later, four boats tried to attack the same U.S. container vessel. U.S. forces opened fire, sinking three of the four boats and killing the crews, U.S. Central Command said. There was no damage to U.S. personnel or equipment. — Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II announced during a New Year’s Eve address that she plans to abdicate the throne, allowing for her son, Crown Prince Frederik, to take charge. The queen said she would step down on Jan. 14, which is the 52nd anniversary of her own accession to the throne on Jan. 14, 1972. Margrethe ascended the throne following the death of her own father, King Frederik IX. In February, the queen underwent a successful back surgery. — Two Democratic mayors said there’s a lack of coordination over the transportation of migrants to their cities and others by the Texas Governor Greg Abbott, which has led to disorder in managing the arrivals. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said in an interview with “Face the Nation” on Sunday that Abbott, a Republican, is “determined to continue to sow seeds of chaos” by sending busloads of migrants to the city “without any coordination.” — A Colorado mother suspected of killing two of her children has been found and arrested abroad, authorities confirmed. Kimberlee Singler, 35, was taken into custody in the United Kingdom on December 30, Colorado Springs Police said Sunday evening. Singler has been accused of lying about a burglary at her home earlier this month in which two of her three children were found dead, Colorado Springs police previously said. Singler is suspected of killing two of her children and injuring a third. — The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a 10-year-old on a murder charge for allegedly shooting another 10-year-old who died on Saturday. Sheriff’s deputies performed CPR until the Sacramento Metro Fire Department arrived and the juvenile, who was later determined to be 10 years old, was taken to an area hospital. The child — a male — was later pronounced deceased, the sheriff’s office said. He was allegedly shot by another 10-year-old who had gone out to his father’s vehicle to retrieve cigarettes, authorities said. — Cale Yarborough, considered one of NASCAR’s all-time greatest drivers and the first to win three consecutive Cup titles, died Sunday. He was 84. “Cale Yarborough was one of the toughest competitors NASCAR has ever seen. His combination of talent, grit and determination separated Cale from his peers, both on the track and in the record book,” said Jim France, chairman and CEO of NASCAR. “He was respected and admired by competitors and fans alike.”

Latest news headlines for Thursday December 28, 2023 – Some New Year’s Eve celebrants argue that the experience of witnessing the live Times Square ball drop on December 31 is priceless. Exclusive New Year’s Eve party packages are being offered by hotels and restaurants near One Times Square, the iconic site of the New Year’s Eve ball drop. Ticket prices range from $450 to $12,500, typically covering access to food, beverages, live entertainment, and, in some cases, providing views of the Big Ball. — The U.S. declared what officials deem the potentially final package of military aid to Ukraine, contingent on Congress approving stalled supplemental funding legislation. Valued at up to $250 million, the weapons include a variety of air munitions, missiles, artillery, anti-armor systems, ammunition, demolition and medical equipment, and parts. This aid, facilitated through the Presidential Drawdown Authority, will be sourced from Pentagon stockpiles. — President Biden dispatched key officials to Mexico City this week amidst record numbers of migrants crossing the U.S. border and a lack of consensus in Congress on funding for border security. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and Biden’s homeland security adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall traveled to Mexico on Wednesday. The visit aimed to address the surge in unauthorized border crossings that has strained federal and local resources across the U.S. — On Wednesday, the Colorado Republican Party appealed the state Supreme Court’s decision, which found former President Donald Trump ineligible for the presidency. This move marks a potential initial step toward a confrontation at the nation’s highest court over the interpretation of a 155-year-old constitutional provision barring those who “engaged in insurrection” from holding office. The appeal extends the stay of the 4-3 ruling from Colorado’s highest court until Jan. 4 or until the completion of an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. — Two Florida brothers are facing charges after a Christmas Eve altercation ended tragically with the shooting death of their sister. In the midst of an argument over presents, a 14-year-old brother allegedly fatally shot their 23-year-old sister, Abrielle Baldwin, in the chest, as revealed by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday. In response, the 15-year-old sibling then reportedly shot the 14-year-old. The 14-year-old is now charged with first-degree murder, child abuse, and being a delinquent in possession of a firearm. — Former “That ’70s Show” actor Danny Masterson has been incarcerated in state prison following his conviction for raping two women. The 47-year-old actor was admitted to North Kern State Prison in Delano, where he is undergoing the classification and reception process, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. — Herb Kohl, a former Democratic U.S. senator from Wisconsin and ex-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks basketball team, passed away at the age of 88. His death was announced by Herb Kohl Philanthropies, which did not disclose the cause but mentioned it followed a brief illness. The foundation emphasized Kohl’s love for Milwaukee and Wisconsin, where he chose to spend his final days. — Gas prices are projected to decrease in 2024 for the second consecutive year, according to exclusive GasBuddy projections shared with CNN. GasBuddy, known for its accurate forecasts, anticipates that U.S. gas prices will average $3.38 a gallon in the pivotal election year of 2024. This marks a notable improvement from the 2023 average of $3.51 a gallon and a significant drop from the 2022 average of $3.95.

Latest News Headlines for Wednesday December 27, 2023 – Israel escalated its offensive against Hamas, launching heavy strikes across central and southern Gaza overnight and into Wednesday. This included areas where Palestinians had been instructed to seek shelter earlier in the conflict. Residents reported substantial bombing in the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza and the southern cities of Khan Younis and Rafah, where tens of thousands sought refuge amid the destruction of northern Gaza. Rami Abu Mosab described it as a night of unprecedented bombing since the conflict’s onset. — Ukrainian officials reported that Russia fired almost 50 Shahed drones at targets in Ukraine, shelling a train station in Kherson where around 140 civilians were gathered. This attack resulted in at least five deaths and extensive power outages in the southern city. The bombardment struck residential areas, a mall, and the power grid, leaving approximately 70% of households in Kherson without electricity during the winter. The timing and restoration of power remain uncertain. — The United Nations appointed the outgoing deputy prime minister of the Netherlands, Sigrid Kaag, to oversee the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. This appointment follows a UN Security Council resolution addressing the crisis in the Palestinian enclave. Kaag, named senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza, will facilitate, coordinate, monitor, and verify humanitarian relief consignments to Gaza. She will also establish a UN mechanism to expedite aid delivery through states not party to the conflict. — In contrast to the dismal performance last year, the stock market surged to record highs in 2023. The S&P 500, tracking most people’s 401(k)’s, rose nearly 25%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 13%, and the Nasdaq, dominated by tech stocks, soared an impressive 44%. The central question facing Wall Street is whether the positive momentum will continue. The remarkable performance is largely attributed to optimism about the prospects for a “soft landing.” — Missing Texas teen Savanah Nicole Soto, who was due to give birth any day, and her boyfriend have been found dead following a multi-day search, a family member confirmed Tuesday. Soto and her boyfriend Matthew Guerra, who was also reported missing, were found dead inside a vehicle, a family member told CBS San Antonio affiliate KENS 5. The Leon Valley Police Department earlier told CBS News that Soto, 18, was reported missing by her family and was last seen on Friday, Dec. 22, a day before she was scheduled to be induced. — A fire at the Tides at Meadowbrook Apartment complex in East Fort Worth on Christmas Eve resulted in one fatality and over two dozen people becoming homeless. The building’s neighbor, Kyron Kelly, described the shock upon hearing sirens while celebrating Christmas with his family. — Two Indiana fishermen happened upon a crashed motorist who survived almost a week by drinking rainwater while trapped in his mangled truck after it overturned into a creek, police said. “Quite frankly, it’s a miracle that he’s alive,” Indiana State Police spokesperson sergeant Glen Fifield said during a press briefing Tuesday, after the 27-year-old driver was freed from the truck with severe, potentially life-threatening injuries. — Tom Smothers, who was half of the Smothers Brothers comedy team, died Tuesday at the age of 86 following a battle with cancer, the National Comedy Center announced Wednesday. “Tom was not only the loving older brother that everyone would want in their life, he was a one-of-a-kind creative partner,” his brother and comedy partner, Dick Smothers, said in a statement. “I am forever grateful to have spent a lifetime together with him, on and off stage, for over 60 years.”