NEWS

Unbiased headline news – Following the South Korean State Council’s decision to officially lift martial law, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s chief of staff, along with nine other senior presidential secretaries, announced their resignations. The Presidential Office in South Korea confirmed to reporters on Wednesday morning, local time, that Chief of Staff Jeong Jin-seok and the other senior staff members have stepped down in response to the president’s lifted declaration. — French Prime Minister Michel Barnier has been ousted after losing the confidence of France’s National Assembly, which voted in favor of a “no-confidence” motion, forcing his resignation. The motion passed with a 331 to 247 vote, supported by a coalition of right- and left-leaning ministers. Barnier, 73, resigned just three months after becoming prime minister in September, marking the shortest term in French history. His removal signals the collapse of the government, leaving the remnants of his cabinet in charge for now. — Over 4,000 people have been killed and 16,600 injured during nearly 14 months of Israeli air strikes and bombardments targeting Lebanon. Health Minister Firas Abiad reported these numbers, linking most casualties to events after Sept. 15, when Israel intensified its campaign with large-scale attacks on Beirut’s southern suburbs and southern and eastern Lebanon as part of its ongoing conflict with Hezbollah. — Russia’s top general recently held a previously undisclosed conversation with his U.S. counterpart, warning about upcoming test launches of hypersonic missiles in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. General Valery Gerasimov contacted General CQ Brown, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to caution that U.S. Navy vessels should avoid the target area for safety. The discussion also addressed Ukraine and the need to prevent miscalculations in the ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Russia. — A 7-year-old boy accidentally shot and killed his 2-year-old brother after discovering a gun in the glove box of a truck, according to California authorities. The shooting occurred just before 4 p.m. Monday in a parking lot in Rancho Cucamonga, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department reported. Sheriff’s spokesperson Gloria Huerta stated that the boys’ mother was unloading items outside the truck at the time, and the incident appeared to be accidental. — A California art teacher has died after contracting rabies from a bat she discovered in her classroom. Leah Seneng, 60, passed away on Nov. 22, roughly a month after finding the bat in her Fresno classroom and removing it to prevent her students from being exposed. Seneng was hospitalized on Nov. 18 at Saint Agnes Medical Center in Fresno after experiencing fever and uncontrollable shaking. She was placed in a medically induced coma the following day.

Unbiased headline news – Political uncertainty in South Korea has led to a significant drop in the value of the country’s won and has destabilized confidence in its stock market. South Korean financial assets were once considered strong by investors, but President Yoon Suk Yeol’s unexpected declaration of martial law on Tuesday—though it was quickly rescinded—triggered widespread financial disruption both domestically and across Asian markets. The political unrest has undermined the nation’s currency and stock market, with ripple effects harming investor confidence in the region. — The U.S. Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on 35 entities and vessels that have been involved in transporting Iranian oil to international markets in defiance of U.S. restrictions. Officials described an elaborate scheme orchestrated by Iran and its affiliates, which involved frequently renaming ships and altering their country flags to evade detection. The Treasury stated that this tactic enabled Iran and its accomplices to bypass sanctions while avoiding accountability for violating international rules. — China has barred exports of critical materials used in semiconductor production, in a move aimed at retaliating against U.S. restrictions on Chinese technological advancements. The Ministry of Commerce announced that exports of gallium, germanium, antimony, and certain superhard materials to the United States are now prohibited. Additionally, sales of graphite will be restricted. In a separate statement, a ministry spokesperson attributed the escalating conflict to U.S. political motives, accusing Washington of instigating the standoff. — A man convicted of first-degree murder escaped custody while being transported, according to the California Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections. Cesar Hernandez, 34, escaped from a CDCR-operated van en route to a courthouse in Delano, California. Hernandez had been serving a sentence of 25 years to life for murder, according to the Delano Police Department. Authorities reported the escape occurred at approximately 10:40 a.m. local time and issued a community safety alert to warn residents. — Authorities in western Massachusetts announced that a fingerprint from a decades-old taxi license application has led to the arrest of a suspect nearly 46 years after a double homicide. The case began on November 19, 1978, when police discovered the bodies of Theresa Marcoux, 18, and Mark Harnish, 20, fatally shot near Route 5 in West Springfield, Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni stated. Harnish’s Dodge pickup truck was found nearby, with bloodstains and a damaged window. Investigators determined that the pair were shot inside the truck, and their bodies were later moved. — A 22-year-old professional skateboarder and X Games competitor is facing charges after allegedly driving his Porsche the wrong way in Manhattan while under the influence, officials reported. Kader Sylla was apprehended around 2 a.m. Sunday on the Lower East Side, according to the NYPD. Police said his blood alcohol content measured .063 and observed that Sylla displayed slurred speech, unsteady movements, and bloodshot eyes. Authorities reported Sylla admitted, stating in part, “I have been drinking.”

Unbiased headline news – Israeli airstrikes have targeted several locations in southern Lebanon after Hezbollah launched an attack on an Israeli Army border post, marking its first response to a series of Israeli violations. The Israeli Army reported that it carried out “widespread strikes” aimed at multiple Hezbollah rocket launchers, including one in the “Berghoz area in southern Lebanon,” along with other critical infrastructure across the region. In a statement, the Army emphasized that Hezbollah’s assault on the border post was “a clear violation” of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon. — Israeli officials have confirmed that an Israeli Defense Forces soldier, originally from Long Island, New York, and previously thought to have been taken hostage by Hamas, has died. Katz, who assumed the role of Israeli Minister of Defense last month, did not specify how authorities confirmed that Omer Neutra, an IDF tank commander, was deceased. New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who met with Neutra’s parents in March, expressed her condolences on X. Officials believe Neutra was killed during the October 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack on Israeli civilians. — Eight people were killed and two others injured after gunmen opened fire on customers and bystanders at a roadside stand in north-central Mexico, authorities reported. Prosecutors in the violence-stricken state of Guanajuato said the attack occurred late Saturday in Apaseo el Grande. The victims, eight men, were killed near the stand, which was selling a traditional milk-based fudge. A man and a woman were also wounded in the shooting, though their conditions have not been immediately reported. — A former white Kansas police detective, accused of sexually assaulting Black women and girls, died from a gunshot wound just as his trial was set to begin, authorities confirmed. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation stated that “there are no indications of foul play” regarding the death of Roger Golubski. Police in Golubski’s hometown of Edwardsville, near Kansas City, Kansas, discovered his body on his back porch after a local resident reported hearing a gunshot. — Authorities have charged a 37-year-old man from Chicago with first-degree murder in connection to the shooting death of a suburban police detective. Detective Allan Reddins of the Oak Park Police Department was fatally shot on Friday morning after responding to a report of a man with a gun near a bank just west of Chicago. He later succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. Jerell Thomas of Chicago has been charged with murder in the killing, according to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office. — Elton John has revealed that he has lost his sight due to an eye infection earlier this year. John expressed cautious optimism about his condition, stating, “There’s hope and encouragement that it will be OK, but I’m kind of stuck at the moment.” He added, “I can do something like this, but going into the studio and recording, I don’t know.” John emphasized his focus on improving his vision, explaining that he currently cannot see, read, or watch anything.

Unbiased headline news – Palestinian chef Mahmoud Almadhoun was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza, his brother revealed on social media. The chef, widely admired in the Palestinian culinary community, was honored by Palestinian restaurants across the United States, which paid tribute to his legacy. Hani Almadhoun, Mahmoud’s elder brother, shared in a statement that around 9 a.m. on Saturday, Mahmoud and his close friend Abu Tamer were walking together when an Israeli drone strike landed directly beneath Mahmoud’s feet, causing fatal injuries. — Several prominent Canadian news organizations have filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, alleging unauthorized use of their content to enhance the platform’s software capabilities. The group, which includes the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Toronto Star, Canadian Press, and Globe and Mail, initiated the legal action in Ontario Superior Court. They are demanding punitive damages of up to $20,000 per article utilized, a figure that could ultimately amount to billions of dollars. — Federal and state health officials are intensifying efforts to gather more information on a Salmonella outbreak linked to Mexican-grown cucumbers that has sickened 68 individuals across 19 states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, and state regulators are collaborating to analyze epidemiologic, traceback, and food testing data related to the Salmonella Typhimurium infections, CDC officials reported. The illnesses were traced back to cases that began between October 12 and November 16. — Russian authorities raided multiple bars and nightclubs in Moscow on Saturday as part of an ongoing crackdown on so-called “LGBTQ-plus propaganda,” according to state media reports. During the raids, officers seized smartphones, laptops, and video cameras, and inspected patrons’ identification documents, Tass news agency reported, citing law enforcement sources. The operation coincided with the one-year anniversary of Russia’s Supreme Court declaring the “LGBTQ+ movement” an extremist organization. — A man who had been missing for over five weeks in the Canadian wilderness has been found alive, authorities confirmed. Sam Benastick disappeared during a solo trip into the backcountry of British Columbia, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. More than five weeks after his disappearance, the Northern Rockies RCMP reported that he was discovered by two individuals traveling near the Redfern Lake trail. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents intercepted more than 3,000 counterfeit Gibson electric guitars shipped from Asia at the Los Angeles-Long Beach Seaport, officials announced. If genuine, the guitars would have been valued at $18 million, according to a statement from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Gibson verified that the guitars were indeed fake. Established in 1894 and headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, Gibson is a leading manufacturer of premium electric guitars, all handcrafted in Nashville and Bozeman, Montana.

Unbiased headline news – Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law prohibiting the adoption of Russian children by individuals from countries where gender transitioning is legally permitted. Putin also enacted legislation banning the distribution of materials that discourage having children. Both measures, previously passed by Russia’s parliament, are part of a broader wave of laws targeting sexual minorities and promoting traditional values. — European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has urged both Israel and Hezbollah to accept a U.S.-backed truce proposal to halt their ongoing conflict. Borrell warned that Lebanon is nearing collapse and pledged $208 million to support the Lebanese Army. As the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs, Borrell called for an immediate and mutual ceasefire, alongside full adherence to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. — Israeli Rabbi Zvi Kogan, who was reported missing in Dubai last Thursday, has been found deceased, officials confirmed. “Tragically, Emirati authorities recovered Kogan’s body early Sunday morning, and his family has been informed,” the Hasidic Jewish movement Chabad said in a statement. Israeli officials alleged that Kogan was murdered and described his death as a suspected act of “terrorism.” — A suspect accused of killing a 20-year-old mother and her 4-month-old son in a Hartford, Connecticut, drive-by shooting has been apprehended in Puerto Rico, authorities reported. Lance Morales, 23, faces murder charges for the fatal shooting on Tuesday, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. Originally from Waterbury, Connecticut, Morales fled to Puerto Rico after the incident and was arrested there on Saturday, officials said. — A Las Vegas man seeking police assistance during a home invasion was fatally shot by an officer, according to law enforcement and released 911 recordings. Brandon Durham called 911 on Nov. 12, saying he was hiding with his 15-year-old daughter after an intruder entered their home, Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren said. In recordings obtained by KVVU-TV, Durham is heard pleading for help, saying, “send someone ASAP.” Koren identified the officer who shot Durham as 26-year-old Alexander Bookman. — Sugar Foods has issued a recall of its Fresh Gourmet Tortilla Strips Santa Fe Style after customers found crispy onion strips in their store-bought packages. The Food and Drug Administration announced Friday that the mix-up resulted in the presence of an undeclared wheat allergen. The crispy onion strips contain wheat, which is not listed on the tortilla strips’ packaging, posing a risk to consumers with wheat allergies.

Unbiased headline news – A federal jury in Minnesota has convicted two men of human smuggling in a tragic case involving the 2022 deaths of an Indian family who froze near the Canada-U.S. border. Steve Anthony Shand and Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel were each found guilty on four counts, including conspiracy to bring individuals illegally into the United States. The verdict, reached by a jury of seven men and five women after an hour of deliberations, was delivered in Fergus Falls, Minn., prosecutors announced. — Philippines Vice President Sara Duterte stated on Saturday that if she were to be killed, she has arranged for an assassin to target President Ferdinand Marcos Junior. The contract also includes plans to assassinate First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and House Speaker Martin Romualdez. The 46-year-old Duterte’s claim of an “active threat” has been referred by the Presidential Security Command to the appropriate authorities for investigation. — The Texas Board of Education has approved a new K-5 curriculum allowing for the inclusion of Bible teachings in classrooms. The curriculum incorporates Biblical and Christian content, such as lessons on Moses, the Good Samaritan, the Golden Rule, and readings from The Book of Genesis. Proponents argue these teachings provide historical context and moral lessons, while critics contend the move violates First Amendment protections of religious freedom. — The defense team in the manslaughter and negligent homicide trial of Daniel Penny rested its case without Penny taking the stand. Penny is accused of manslaughter and negligent homicide in the May 2023 chokehold death of Jordan Neely, a homeless man, on a New York City subway. Neely was reportedly behaving erratically when Penny, a former Marine, restrained him in a fatal chokehold. Penny has pleaded not guilty to all charges. — The co-owners of a Colorado funeral home where nearly 200 decomposing bodies were discovered have pleaded guilty to corpse abuse charges. Jon and Carie Hallford operated the Return to Nature Funeral Home, with locations in the Colorado Springs area and Penrose, Colorado. Authorities made the grim discovery at the Penrose site in October 2023 after complaints of a foul odor. Officials revealed that some of the bodies had been there since 2019. — A listeria outbreak linked to a brand of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products has resulted in the death of an infant, federal officials reported. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated Friday that 11 people across four states have been infected, with nine hospitalized and one infant in California deceased. The outbreak has been tied to recalled products from Yu Shang Food, based in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the CDC said.