NEWS

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.

Unbiased headline news for Thursday November 30, 2023 – The U.S. Department of the Treasury on Wednesday announced sanctions against several individuals and entities connected to extensive Iranian military financial networks. These sanctions target 20 individuals and entities for their involvement in financial operations supporting Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, Iranian Armed Forces General Staff, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force. According to the Treasury Department, these sanctioned parties are financing activities that destabilize the region. — Internationally, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky maintains a consistent message, seeking advanced weaponry, ammunition, and financial support for Kyiv in visits to Washington and other Western capitals. Domestically, Zelensky is grappling with a manpower dilemma. As the war nears its second-year mark, Ukraine struggles to maintain its forces against Russia, which has a much larger population. Ukraine’s chief military commander, Valery Zaluzhny, in a recent essay, admitted that training and recruiting enough troops is becoming increasingly difficult. — Next month, House Republicans are contemplating an official vote to authorize their impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, aiming to give a formal structure to a process that has not yet produced any concrete evidence of presidential misconduct. GOP leaders proposed this vote in a confidential meeting with Republican legislators on Wednesday, as per a source who requested anonymity to discuss the private meeting. This potential change in the House Republicans’ approach arises from an impasse with the White House over information requests concerning Biden and his family. — Ryan Fournier, co-founder of Students for Trump, was arrested in North Carolina this month, facing charges of assault with a deadly weapon and assault on a female, as per court records. Johnston County Sheriff’s Office’s court documents state that Fournier, 27, is accused of grabbing a woman’s arm and hitting her with a pistol on Nov. 21. Fournier has been released on bond, with his next court date scheduled for Dec. 18. He has declined a court-appointed attorney, according to the records. — In a significant labor movement, thousands of workers at 13 non-unionized car manufacturers, including Tesla, Toyota, BMW, and Nissan, are joining the United Auto Workers union, the union reports. These autoworkers are enrolling in the union online via the UAW’s website, part of broad campaigns at these 13 companies. The union described this as an extraordinary step on Wednesday. UAW President Shawn Fain, in a video message, encouraged non-union autoworkers to seize this opportunity. — An FBI special agent was a victim of a carjacking at gunpoint in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday afternoon, according to several law enforcement sources. The carjacking took place near the 1200 block of Constitution Ave., NE. The agent’s blue Chevy Malibu, containing body armor and a radio, was stolen. The agent was unharmed, the sources confirmed. — Authorities in Maui prepared on Wednesday to shield storm drains from ash remnants of August’s devastating wildfire in Lahaina, anticipating heavy rain and strong winds from a forecasted winter storm. The National Weather Service warned of potential localized flooding due to rain exceeding 1 inch per hour over Lahaina’s burn scars and in Kula, another wildfire-affected mountainous region. Maui County has positioned 40 pallets of straw barriers in Lahaina and has 25 personnel on standby. — Shannen Doherty remains hopeful despite her stage 4 breast cancer advancing to her bones. In an interview with People Magazine published Wednesday, the 52-year-old actress expressed her positive outlook, despite the progression of her cancer. Doherty shared her commitment to continue acting, support cancer research, and contemplate the broader aspects of her life. “I don’t want to die,” she stated firmly.

Unbiased headline news for Wednesday November 29, 2023 – CIA Director William Burns visited Qatar on Tuesday for discussions with Middle Eastern intelligence leaders, focusing on a comprehensive peace agreement between Israel and Hamas, which could include the release of additional hostages from Gaza, including nine Americans. Burns held meetings with Egypt’s Intelligence Director Abbas Kamel and Mossad Chief David Barnea of Israel, as reported by CNN, The Washington Post, and The Times of Israel. In these meetings, as The Washington Post noted, Burns emphasized the immediate release of up to nine American hostages by Hamas. — Congress is currently embroiled in a budget debate, with critical decisions pending on aid allocation to Israel, Ukraine, and the Palestinian territories. Following their Thanksgiving break, lawmakers returned to Capitol Hill with a limited schedule – twelve working days before the holiday recess and only eight more in January. This tight timeframe precedes the January 19 deadline to secure government funding. Amid this period, negotiations over aid to Ukraine, Israel, and the Palestinians are anticipated to be contentious, with smaller factions within both Democratic and Republican parties expected to exert influence. — In Chilpancingo, a city in southern Mexico plagued by violence, four journalists were injured by unidentified attackers on Tuesday, as confirmed by local authorities. The Guerrero state prosecutors reported that all four photographers, who seem to be associated with local media outlets, were hospitalized. The nature of their injuries wasn’t specified. The incident is being treated as an attempted murder case by the state prosecutors. — The first of three U.S. military aircraft, carrying essential supplies for Gaza’s civilians, landed in Egypt on Tuesday. This mission is part of an effort to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza during the pause in the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) reported that the Air Force C-17 brought 54,000 pounds of food and medical supplies to Egypt, from where they will be transported to Gaza. The United Nations will oversee the distribution to civilians in the region. — South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh, who once pledged support to his clients, was found guilty of defrauding them of approximately $12 million. On Tuesday, Murdaugh faced his former clients in court as he was sentenced to 27 years in prison. Jordan Jinks, a lifelong friend of Murdaugh’s, expressed her devastation not just for the financial loss but for the betrayal of trust, reflecting the sentiments of many affected by his actions. — The Akron Police Department announced on Tuesday the completion of its internal investigation into the fatal shooting of Jayland Walker, a 25-year-old Black man, by eight officers in June 2022. The department found that the officers’ actions were in line with its policies. Police Chief Steve Mylett’s announcement followed a special grand jury’s decision seven months prior, which ruled the officers’ use of deadly force as legally justified, leading to no criminal charges being filed. — Charlie Munger, widely recognized as Warren Buffett’s closest associate and Berkshire Hathaway’s vice chairman, passed away at 99 years old. Berkshire Hathaway confirmed Munger’s death on Tuesday in a California hospital. Munger played a pivotal role in transforming Berkshire Hathaway into a globally acclaimed financial powerhouse, known for its shrewd investments in companies like Apple and GEICO. — A strong wind caused the collapse of the National Christmas Tree at President’s Park in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday afternoon, just days before the scheduled lighting ceremony, as reported by the National Park Service. Despite the mishap, the Park Service remains committed to ensuring a successful event, examining all alternatives. Efforts to restore the decorated tree were underway Tuesday evening, with a crane deployed at the scene. According to reports, the tree was re-erected by 6 p.m.

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.