NEWS

Latest News Headlines for Monday January 22, 2024 – The death toll in the Gaza Strip, as reported by the Hamas-run Health Ministry, has exceeded 25,000 due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Despite this significant loss of life and extensive destruction, the Israeli government’s objectives to dismantle Hamas and secure the release of over 100 hostages remain unfulfilled. The Israeli authorities predict that the hostilities may persist for several additional months, given the current situation. — Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York and a breast cancer survivor, has also been diagnosed and treated for malignant melanoma. Her representative confirmed, “Sarah, Duchess of York, after her early-stage breast cancer diagnosis this summer, has now been treated for malignant melanoma.” The diagnosis came as several moles were removed and examined during her reconstructive surgery following a mastectomy, as per her representative’s statement. — In Germany, massive demonstrations erupted nationwide, with an estimated 250,000 individuals protesting against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The protests were sparked by a January 10th report from Correctiv, revealing that AfD representatives convened with extremist groups in Potsdam in November. Discussions at the meeting reportedly included the forced removal or “remigration” of foreigners and Germans of migrant heritage. — Moscow-appointed officials reported that Ukrainian shelling resulted in at least 27 fatalities and 25 injuries on Sunday at a marketplace on the outskirts of Donetsk, a city under Russian control in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities in Kyiv have not issued any statements regarding the incident, and The Associated Press has not independently verified these claims. Amid the almost 2-year-old conflict, both parties have increasingly resorted to long-range assaults due to largely static front-line positions across the 930-mile stretch. — An air ambulance helicopter crash in Oklahoma late Saturday night claimed the lives of three crew members. The incident was reported near Weatherford after Air Evac Lifeteam lost contact with the helicopter crew just before 11:30 p.m. According to a company statement on Sunday, the crew was en route back to their base in Weatherford, located 70 miles west of Oklahoma City, after completing a patient transport to the capital. — A “domestic-related shooting” in a suburb outside Chicago resulted in four fatalities on Sunday. A suspect was apprehended on the same day, as announced in a social media post by the Tinley Park Public Safety Department. Tinley Park, a village with a population of around 55,000, is situated approximately 30 miles southwest of Chicago. Police were actively investigating the residential area where the shooting occurred on Sunday afternoon. — In Killington, Vermont, 23 skiers and snowboarders were rescued from frigid conditions over the weekend after losing their way in the backcountry. Killington police, responding to a call around 2:30 p.m., utilized hiking, snowshoeing, and skiing with skins to cover approximately 5 miles and safely retrieve 21 lost individuals. The operation took place amid single-digit temperatures, as reported on the police department’s Facebook page. — Recently disclosed audio recordings reveal that the Marine Corps contacted 911 after an F-35 fighter jet disappeared over South Carolina in September of the previous year. The incident, referred to as a “mishap” by Marine Corps officials, occurred in the Lowcountry region of the state on September 17, 2023. The pilot managed to eject from the jet and safely parachute into a residential area in North Charleston, according to military reports. — Michigan firefighters swiftly responded to save a deer stuck in the icy waters of a frozen pond. The city of Wyoming shared on Facebook that their firefighters were called into action when a deer broke through the ice on a pond near 52nd Street. The city posted a photo depicting a firefighter cutting through the ice, creating a route for the deer to be safely pulled to shore. The city used this incident to emphasize the importance of vigilance around bodies of water, cautioning that ice can be deceptively thin, posing risks to animals and children alike.

Latest News Headlines for Saturday January 20, 2024 – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed concern over the possibility of Donald Trump returning to the U.S. presidency, labeling Trump’s assertion that he could halt the war between Ukraine and Russia in one day as “very dangerous.” During an interview with Channel 4 News in the U.K., Zelenskyy extended an invitation to Trump, the leading Republican presidential candidate, to visit Kyiv on the condition that he fulfills his bold claim. Trump’s campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung, did not provide a comment on the matter. — An Israeli assault on Damascus this Saturday resulted in the destruction of a facility utilized by the Iranian paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, leaving at least five Iranians dead, as reported by Syrian and Iranian authorities. According to the Syrian military, the building in Mazzeh, a heavily fortified district in western Damascus, was completely obliterated. The Israeli air force reportedly launched the missiles from above the Golan Heights, an area under Israeli control. The Israeli military has not issued a statement regarding this incident. — Recent winter weather conditions have been linked to 83 confirmed fatalities over the past week, as per a tally by CBS News, with the nation still grappling with severe cold. The Tennessee Department of Health reported 19 weather-related deaths, and Oregon authorities confirmed 16 fatalities, which included three adults who perished when a tree toppled onto their car. Remarkably, a baby in the vehicle survived, as previously covered by CBS News. — President Biden announced student loan relief for an additional 74,000 Americans, encompassing professions such as teaching, nursing, and firefighting. This initiative introduces a further $5 billion in debt forgiveness. This recent announcement follows a series of debt cancellations after the Supreme Court halted Mr. Biden’s student loan forgiveness program last summer. To date, $136.6 billion has been forgiven for over 3.7 million Americans. — Sports Illustrated’s workforce received notice on Friday about the impending elimination of a “significant number, if not all,” of their positions, as disclosed by the publication’s union. The Sports Illustrated union conveyed through X: “This marks yet another challenging day in the turbulent four-year tenure of Sports Illustrated under Arena Group (formerly The Maven) management. We urge ABG to guarantee the continued publication of SI, maintaining its tradition of serving readers for nearly seven decades.” — Astrobotic Technology confirmed that its lunar lander met a fiery end over the South Pacific after a failed moon mission. The company lost contact and subsequently tracking of the lander as it re-entered Earth’s atmosphere, 10 days post-launch from Florida. John Thornton, the CEO, confirmed on Friday that U.S. Space Command verified the spacecraft’s disintegration in its final moments. — A small aircraft made an emergency landing on Loudoun County Parkway in Virginia on Friday afternoon. Miraculously, all seven passengers aboard emerged unscathed, as reported by the Virginia State Police and the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA detailed that the single-engine Cessna two-oh-eight Caravan executed a “hard landing” on the road around 12:50 p.m., shortly after its 12:15 p.m. departure from Virginia’s Dulles International Airport. The aircraft was originally bound for Lancaster Airport in Pennsylvania. — Microsoft disclosed on Friday that a Russian-affiliated group infiltrated some of its corporate email accounts. In a blog post, the tech giant reported that its security team detected the breach on January 12th and swiftly pinpointed the perpetrators: Midnight Blizzard, also known as Nobelium, a group with ties to the Russian state. According to Microsoft, Nobelium orchestrated a “password spray attack,” using a single widely-used password to attempt access to numerous accounts on the same platform. — A woman from Hagerstown, Maryland, made a spontaneous decision to buy a scratch-off lottery ticket instead of her usual drawing game entries, leading her to a $50,000 windfall. Normally a patron of games like Powerball and Mega Millions, the woman recounted to Maryland Lottery officials her last-minute change of heart. “I typically go for Mega Millions and Powerball tickets, but on a whim, I decided otherwise,” she shared. Her attention was drawn to a $1 Million Royale scratch-off ticket. She couldn’t pinpoint exactly why, stating, “There was just something compelling about that particular ticket.” At first glance, the ticket didn’t seem to be a winner. “It was a letdown initially; there were no matching numbers,” she explained. However, a unique symbol on the ticket, rather than a number, signified her substantial $50,000 prize. She described her reaction as a mix of astonishment and disbelief, questioning, “Could it actually be $50,000?”

Latest News Headlines for Thursday January 18, 2024- Texas Attorney General Paxton firmly resisted federal demands for state authorities to vacate a public park along the U.S.-Mexico border, recently taken over by state National Guard soldiers. This defiance sets the stage for a legal confrontation with the Biden administration regarding national immigration policies. Responding to DHS Jonathan Meyer, Paxton staunchly refuted the administration’s claim of the state’s actions being “clearly unconstitutional,” signaling that Texas has no intention of retreating from its stance. — The U.S. launched its fourth series of strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen within a week, in response to continuous Houthi attacks on commercial vessels. U.S. Central Command confirmed that the operation targeted “14 Iran-backed Houthi missiles ready for launch in Houthi-dominated areas of Yemen.” CENTCOM highlighted the urgent threat these missiles posed to merchant vessels and U.S. Navy ships, ready to be launched at any moment. — Intense Israeli air raids hammered the Gaza town of Khan Younis, escalating the death toll of the conflict with Hamas militants to 24,448 Gaza residents and 193 Israeli troops. Yasser Zaqzouq, seeking refuge with his family at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, shared his harrowing experience with the BBC, stating, “This level of air strikes is unprecedented. The sheer terror, the children’s screams and cries, it’s the most intense armed confrontation we’ve ever witnessed.” — Hawaii’s state Legislature commenced a new session, committing to tackle critical issues exposed by the catastrophic wildfire that obliterated the historic town of Lahaina in August. Legislators emphasized the urgency of addressing these challenges not just for Maui, but statewide. Fire prevention is a paramount concern, affirmed Senate President Ron Kouchi. Meanwhile, Lahaina remains devastated, with cleanup progressing slowly, nearly six months after the fire claimed 100 lives. — In Massachusetts, Dean Kapsalis received a life sentence, with parole possible after 15 years, for the 2021 murder of Henry Tapia following a racially charged road rage incident. Last year, a jury found Kapsalis guilty of second-degree murder and other charges, stemming from a confrontation with Tapia on January 19, 2021. The altercation concluded with Kapsalis using a racial slur and fatally striking Tapia with his vehicle. Tapia later succumbed to his injuries at a hospital, according to prosecutors. — King Charles III of England is postponing upcoming engagements to undergo treatment for an enlarged prostate next week. Buckingham Palace announced, as reported by Politico’s European edition, that the king requires a “corrective procedure” for his benign enlarged prostate. Following the treatment, King Charles, aged 75, will take a brief hiatus from public appearances to recover. — A federal appeals court has opted to reinstate a U.S. sales prohibition on Apple’s premium watches amid a patent infringement dispute involving a sensor, potentially leading to the removal of these devices from stores for the second time in under a month. The U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington issued this decision three weeks after temporarily lifting the ban, allowing Apple to resume sales of the implicated Series 9 and Ultra 2 watch models. This move reignites the legal battle with Masimo, a medical technology firm. — Americans facing hefty overdraft fees could soon see significant relief. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has proposed a new rule aimed at curbing exorbitant overdraft fees charged by banks. In the past two decades, Americans have shelled out nearly $300 billion in such fees, typically $35 per overdraft transaction. The new regulation could reduce this fee to as low as $3, offering substantial financial relief to millions. — A library in England recently received a book that was overdue by 44 years. The Essex Library Service shared on Instagram that an individual returned Great Prime Ministers by John Whittle to the Manningtree Library. The return date for the book was originally set for June 30, 1979. While it’s not specified if any late fees were charged for this delayed return, the Essex Library System disclosed in 2018 that it had accumulated over $442,000 in outstanding fines.

Remember in 1985 there was a movie about dancing being banned in a southern state? We thought it was entertaining but ridiculous. Imagine if that same movie was made about dictionaries being banned. We would have thought it was totally bonkers. Well, a school district in Florida is considering an unconventional addition to the state’s book prohibition: dictionaries. As revealed by the non-profit organization PEN America, Escambia County’s educational district has listed five dictionaries, eight encyclopedias, and “The Guinness Book of World Records” among over 1,600 titles potentially facing a ban. The right has officially gone “totally bonkers.”

Latest News Headlines for Wednesday January 17, 2024 – The Biden administration is considering reclassifying Yemen’s Houthi rebels as a global terrorist organization in reaction to their attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, as per an informed official. This Iranian-supported group was initially labeled as a terrorist organization in January 2021, a decision that sparked concern among humanitarian organizations. They feared that the accompanying restrictions would severely hamper efforts to deliver aid to Yemen’s impoverished population. — The United States has executed another airstrike, targeting a Houthi missile facility in Yemen, as reported by U.S. Central Command. “Around 4:15 a.m., U.S. Forces successfully hit and obliterated four Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles ready for launch in Houthi-controlled Yemen,” U.S. Central Command announced. This marks the third U.S. military strike against Houthi targets, prompted by the imminent threat these missiles posed to merchant ships and U.S. Navy vessels, according to two U.S. officials. — Former President Donald Trump achieved a record-breaking victory margin in the Iowa caucuses on Monday, highlighting his widespread popularity in the initial stage of the 2024 Republican nomination process. The previous Iowa GOP caucus record, since the start of the modern primary system in 1972, was set by Sen. Bob Dole in 1988, who surpassed evangelical leader Pat Robertson by 13 points. Dole garnered 37.4% of the votes, compared to Robertson’s 24.6% and George H.W. Bush’s 18.6%. — ABC News and WMUR have decided to cancel their scheduled Republican primary debate in New Hampshire on Thursday due to insufficient candidate participation. This cancellation followed the deadline imposed by ABC News and New Hampshire’s WMUR for responses from former President Donald Trump and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley regarding their debate invitations. Neither campaign confirmed their attendance by the specified Tuesday afternoon deadline. — A plane taxiing for departure clipped another aircraft at Chicago O’Hare International Airport on Sunday evening, as confirmed by the Federal Aviation Administration on Monday. No injuries were reported. Boeing is facing increased scrutiny following recent mechanical issues and the grounding of its Boeing 737 Max 9 model after an emergency exit door malfunction led to an emergency landing last week. The cause of Sunday’s incident and its potential link to manufacturing defects remain unclear. — James Dolan, CEO of Madison Square Garden Entertainment and owner of the New York Knicks and New York Rangers, faces allegations of sexual assault and trafficking in a new lawsuit filed in Los Angeles on Tuesday. The lawsuit also accuses Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault. The federal lawsuit claims that Dolan and Weinstein, on separate occasions, sexually assaulted massage therapist Kellye Croft in 2013 and 2014 while she was working with the band the Eagles. Representatives for both Dolan and Weinstein have publicly denied these allegations. — Senator Chuck Grassley, currently the oldest active member of the U.S. Senate, is undergoing treatment with antibiotic infusions at a hospital for an infection, according to a statement from his office. The 90-year-old Iowa Republican is reportedly in good spirits and is expected to resume his duties following his doctor’s advice. Intravenous antibiotic treatments are typically used for serious infections or those not effectively managed with oral antibiotics. — The parent company of Burger King, Restaurant Brands International Inc., is set to acquire its largest franchisee in the U.S., Carrols Restaurant Group Inc., in a deal valued at approximately $1 billion. This acquisition includes plans to renovate numerous locations. Restaurant Brands International Inc. will purchase all shares of Syracuse, New York-based Carrols Restaurant Group Inc. that it doesn’t already own for $9.55 per share. Carrols operates 1,022 Burger King restaurants across 23 states, representing about 15% of all U.S. Burger King locations, and also manages 60 Popeyes restaurants. — An issue of The Amazing Spider-Man No. 1, dated March 1963, recently fetched a staggering $1.38 million at auction, setting a new record. This iconic comic, showcasing Spider-Man’s initial interaction with the Fantastic Four, is one of only two known copies graded as Near Mint/Mint 9.8 by the Certified Guaranty Company. Released just seven months following Spider-Man’s first appearance in Amazing Fantasy No. 15, this issue was sold by Heritage Auctions for an unprecedented $1.38 million, surpassing the previous record of $520,380 set in July 2023 for the same title. Additionally, the auction featured a copy of Superman No. 1, which sold for $2.34 million, and a 1942 issue of All Star Comics No. 8, marking Wonder Woman’s debut, which garnered $1.5 million.

Latest News Headlines for Tuesday January 16, 2024 – Since 2020, the world’s five wealthiest individuals have seen their combined fortunes soar from $405 billion to $869 billion. Meanwhile, nearly 5 billion people globally have experienced a decline in wealth, as highlighted in a recent report urging public intervention against rising inequality. Oxfam’s Inequality Inc., released in conjunction with the World Economic Forum’s commencement, notes that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated wealth disparities, with extreme wealth surging as global poverty persists. The report warns that if this trend continues, the world may see its first trillionaire in a decade. — The Ukrainian military has claimed a significant achievement by shooting down two Russian aircraft over the Sea of Azov, including an A-50 early warning and control aircraft. Ukraine’s Armed Forces commander-in-chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi announced via Telegram that, alongside the A-50, an Il-22M airborne command post and electronic intelligence aircraft were downed. Ukrainian media reports corroborated Zaluzhnyi’s claim, emphasizing the strategic significance of these Russian aircraft. — The Biden administration has formally requested Texas authorities to permit federal Border Patrol agents access to a section of the U.S. southern border currently controlled by state National Guard soldiers. The administration has labeled these restrictions as “clearly unconstitutional,” as per a recent letter. Should Texas’s National Guard disregard the Biden administration’s directive and continue hindering Border Patrol access to a public park in Eagle Pass, the Department of Homeland Security intends to involve the Justice Department and examine alternative measures. — Ecuador’s security forces have successfully regained control of several prisons previously overrun by gang members, following the release of over 200 officials held captive inside. The country’s ongoing security crisis escalated last week as the government and major narcotic gangs entered open conflict, spurred by the jailbreak of a notorious drug lord. Gang-controlled riots erupted in prisons, resulting in hostage-taking of guards and staff. Concurrently, a surge of street violence has claimed 19 lives. — Residents and activists in Rankin County, Mississippi, are demanding the removal of the county sheriff following repeated sentencing delays for deputies convicted of torturing and sexually abusing two Black individuals. Tasha Parker, co-chair of the Local Organizing Committee, emphasized the need for orderly leadership for a just system. The Rankin NAACP, Local Organizing Committee, and local residents held a press conference on January 15 to address the second postponement of sentencing for the six former officers convicted in August 2023. — The trial of Victoria Jacobs, an Uzbekistan native accused of financing Syrian-based terrorist groups with cryptocurrency, commenced with opening statements on Tuesday. Jacobs is charged with laundering $10,661 for Malhama Tactical through cryptocurrency, Western Union, and MoneyGram transfers from global supporters, and directing the funds to Bitcoin wallets controlled by the group. The indictment also alleges she bought Google Play gift cards for the organization. — Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was discharged from the hospital on Monday after a two-week stay for an infection following prostate cancer surgery. Austin’s hospitalization, initially undisclosed to officials, sparked controversy and calls for investigation among lawmakers. The Department of Defense stated, “The Secretary is recuperating well and will, as per doctors’ advice, continue his duties remotely before returning full-time to the Pentagon.” — In response to a measles outbreak in Philadelphia, a group of doctors is providing free measles vaccines to the community. The Philadelphia Department of Public Health has confirmed eight cases of measles since late December, all in unvaccinated individuals. The outbreak began with a child admitted to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in December, where at least three other unvaccinated children were subsequently exposed and infected. —