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10 things you need to know today: January 24, 2024

theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (Harold Maass, The Week US) — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 12:15:08 +0000

1. Trump closes in on nomination with New Hampshire win

Former President Donald Trump won New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation presidential primary on Tuesday, beating former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley in what political analysts had considered her last and best chance to slow his march to the Republican nomination. Trump, who also dominated last week's Iowa caucuses, now turns to the February primary in Haley's deeply conservative home state, hoping a blowout in South Carolina will wrap up the nomination. Haley, who was popular with New Hampshire independents, argues she can beat President Joe Biden more easily and vowed to stay in the race. Biden wasn't on the ballot due to a primary-scheduling clash, but he easily beat lesser-known Democrats after an organized write-in effort. The Boston Globe, The Washington Post

2. 'Oppenheimer,' 'Poor Things' lead Oscar nominations

"Oppenheimer," the blockbuster film about the dawn of the Atomic Age, led the Oscar nominations announced Tuesday with 13 nods. "Poor Things" was close behind with 11. "Killers of the Flower Moon," a historical crime drama about murders targeting members of the Osage Nation over their oil wealth, followed with 10 nominations. Box-office smash "Barbie" picked up eight nominations, including Best Picture alongside "Oppenheimer" and "Killers of the Flower Moon," but director Greta Gerwig and star Margot Robbie were among this year's notable snubs. Lily Gladstone made Oscars history as the first Native American to be nominated for Best Actress for her role in "Killers of the Flower Moon." Variety

3. 20 Israeli soldiers killed in blast, UN warns of 'catastrophic hunger' in Gaza

Israeli leaders on Tuesday reiterated their vow to destroy Hamas after the country's military suffered its worst day of losses in its Gaza offensive. Twenty-four Israeli soldiers were killed, 20 of them in a blast after an Israeli engineering unit came under fire while setting explosives in buildings being destroyed to create a buffer zone near Israel's border. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would "not stop fighting until absolute victory." Palestinian health officials said 195 Palestinians had been killed in the last 24 hours, increasing the death toll from Israel's offensive to 25,490. The United Nations warned Tuesday that more than half a million Gazans face "catastrophic hunger" because of Israel's restrictions on supplies allowed into the Palestinian territory. Reuters, The New York Times

4. Biden focuses on abortion access in first 2024 rally

President Joe Biden campaigned on abortion rights Tuesday in Virginia at his first 2024 political rally. Biden slammed former President Donald Trump, his likely opponent in the November presidential election, for the overturning of Roe v. Wade — the Supreme Court decision that protected abortion rights for half a century — by a conservative majority expanded with Trump's three appointees. "Donald Trump is betting you won't vote on this issue," Biden said. "Well guess what? I'm betting he's wrong." The rally took place in a state where Democrats won control of the legislature last year in a campaign centered on abortion access. A dozen protesters interrupted Biden's speech with shouted criticism of his handling of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. The Wall Street Journal, CNN

5. Turkish lawmakers ratify Sweden's bid to join NATO

Turkey's parliament on Tuesday backed Sweden's bid to join NATO, removing a key obstacle to adding the Scandinavian nation to the Western military alliance. Sweden applied in 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine and other nations wondered if they would be next. Turkey had delayed its approval, demanding Sweden stop supporting Kurdish separatists Ankara views as terrorists. Hungary is now the sole NATO member that has not ratified Sweden's accession. "Today we are one step closer to becoming a full member of NATO," Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson wrote in a social media post. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg urged Hungary to quickly ratify the change, too. BBC, The Associated Press

6. US attacks Iran-backed militia in Iraq

U.S. forces carried out strikes Tuesday against Iran-backed militias in western Iraq near the Syrian border in a "direct response" to "escalatory attacks" against U.S. and coalition allies in Iraq and Syria, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said. The strikes targeted the headquarters, training locations and weapon storage facilities of the Kataib Hezbollah militia blamed for a Saturday attack on a major base in Iraq. U.S. Central Command said at least four U.S. service members were injured in that attack. A senior Iraqi official called the U.S. strikes a "flagrant violation of Iraq's sovereignty." The fighting, like strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen, underscored how the Gaza war threatens to trigger broader conflicts. BBC, The New York Times

7. Appeals court declines to reconsider Trump's gag-order challenge

The U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday declined former President Donald Trump's request to have the full appellate court hear his challenge of a gag order in his federal election interference case. A three-judge panel upheld but narrowed Judge Tanya Chutkan's gag-order ruling, which limited what Trump can say in the case and barred him making statements that "target" witnesses, prosecutors or court staff. The appeals court's refusal to hear the case set the stage for a likely appeal to the Supreme Court, where Trump can ask the justices to pause the gag order while they considers the case. If the high court steps in, it will be the first time it has done so in Trump's four criminal cases. The Hill

8. School shooter's mother goes on trial

Jury selection began Tuesday in the trial of Jennifer Crumbley, charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with a deadly 2021 mass shooting her son, Ethan Crumbley, carried out at Oxford High School in Michigan. Jennifer Crumbley and her husband, James Crumbley, are being tried separately, and both have pleaded not guilty. Jennifer Crumbley is the first U.S. parent prosecuted in connection with a mass shooting by their child. James Crumbley goes on trial in March. They are accused of buying the gun their son used in the shooting, which left four people dead and six injured, and disregarding warnings about his mental health struggles, including an alert from a teacher the day of the shooting. Detroit Free Press, The Washington Post

9. S&P 500 sets another record

The S&P 500 closed at a record high for a third straight day on Tuesday. The S&P 500 rose 0.3% to 4,864.60 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq rose 0.4% as investors digested a wave of earnings reports and anticipated more, including from electric vehicle maker Tesla, later in the week. Netflix's surge following an unexpectedly large subscriber gain last quarter helped keep a tech rally going. "It's a crescendo of reports tomorrow and Thursday, and then next week will be even busier," said Art Hogan, chief market strategist at B. Riley Wealth. "We've got a lot of things to contemplate." Reuters

10. Powerful earthquake hits remote region in China

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Tuesday in a remote part of China's western Xinjiang region, killing at least three people. Officials in the region said the "very strong" quake caused extensive damage, but they attributed the low death toll to the sparse population in the hardest hit areas. The China Earthquake Networks Center said the quake struck around 2 a.m. in freezing weather. About 1,000 rescuers had rushed to the area by midday, bringing coats, tents and other emergency supplies for the thousands of people forced to flee their homes. The epicenter was in a mountainous area 9,800 feet above sea level. The Associated Press

10 things you need to know today: January 23, 2024

theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (Harold Maass, The Week US) — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 12:20:40 +0000

1. Haley barnstorms in bid to upset Trump in New Hampshire

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley dashed from one campaign event to another Monday before voting got underway early Tuesday in New Hampshire's Republican primary. Political observers say the New Hampshire primary could be her last chance to prevent former President Donald Trump from sealing the nomination. "Do we want more of the same or do we want a new generational leader?" Haley said. Some polls showed Trump extending his lead after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, once considered his main rival, dropped out and endorsed him. A tracking survey released Monday by Suffolk University showed Trump ahead 57% to 38%. Trump suggested Haley should drop out, too, and rally behind him in his expected rematch against President Joe Biden. The New York Times, New Hampshire Union Leader

2. Supreme Court backs US over Texas in border fight

The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 on Monday that the U.S. Border Patrol could remove concertina wire that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) ordered installed as part of his broader fight with federal government over immigration authority on the U.S.-Mexico border. The decision reversed a federal appeals court order for Border Patrol agents to stop removing the wire on a small stretch of the Rio Grande. The ruling was a temporary blow to Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton but their underlying lawsuit will continue. "This fight is not over," Paxton said. The Biden administration's lawyers argued the appeals court decision turned the Constitution's Supremacy Clause, giving federal laws precedence over state laws, "on its head." The Dallas Morning News, USA Today

3. New Hampshire investigates fake Biden robocall

The New Hampshire attorney general's office said Monday it was investigating fake robocalls impersonating President Joe Biden urging New Hampshire residents not to vote in the state's primary on Tuesday, claiming it "only enables the Republicans in their quest to elect Donald Trump again." The message begins with a term Biden has used many times — "What a bunch of malarkey!" It ends with a phone number belonging to Kathy Sullivan, a former New Hampshire Democratic Party chair running a super PAC urging voters to write in Biden's name in the primary. Biden won't appear on the ballot because New Hampshire Democrats defied the national party's decision to make South Carolina its first primary this year. NBC News

4. Arab states prepare proposal for postwar Gaza

Arab countries are developing a proposal that would create a pathway toward a Palestinian state in exchange for Saudi Arabia's recognition of Israel after the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza ends, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday, citing Arab officials. The proposal was passed on to Israel by the United States. Five Arab states are jointly working on the plan's final terms. Israeli officials made no immediate comment. President Joe Biden's top Middle East adviser, Brett McGurk, arrived in the region Monday to join the talks on the war and the fate of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Israel sent Hamas a proposal through Qatari and Egyptian moderators offering a two-month pause in its Gaza offensive as part of a deal that would include releasing the remaining hostages. The Wall Street Journal, Axios

5. Biden announces contraception, emergency abortion protections on Roe anniversary

The Biden administration marked the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade — the Supreme Court decision that protected abortion rights nationwide for half a century — on Monday by announcing several measures aiming to ensure access to contraception, abortion medication and emergency abortions at hospitals. Vice President Kamala Harris warned of what she called "the horrific reality that women are facing every single day" since the high court, with a conservative majority expanded under former President Donald Trump, overturned the landmark decision 18 months ago. "He intended for them to take away your freedoms," Harris said. "And it is a decision he brags about." Trump said at a recent Fox News town hall he was "proud" to get "Roe v. Wade terminated." The Washington Post

6. US commander says Iran 'directly involved' in Houthi attacks

Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, head of the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet and the Navy's top Mideast commander, told The Associated Press on Monday that Iran is "very directly involved" in Houthi rebels' attacks from Yemen on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Cooper stopped short of accusing Iran of directing individual missile and drone attacks, but said the strikes demonstrated clearly that Iran's belligerence was expanding across the region. Houthis have launched at least 34 attacks on ships traversing the important trade route since Hamas attacked Israel in October, sparking the Gaza war. The U.S. and Britain launched the latest in a series of attacks on Houthi missile sites on Monday. The Associated Press, NBC News

7. Judge delays Trump defamation trial after juror falls ill

Judge Lewis Kaplan on Monday delayed the trial in writer E. Jean Carroll's sexual abuse defamation lawsuit against former President Donald Trump until at least Wednesday. Kaplan didn't give a reason for the decision, but it came after a juror fell ill. Trump, the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, had requested a postponement until after Tuesday's New Hampshire primary. Trump has been alternating between appearing at the trial and on the campaign trail, although he has also combined both activities by complaining outside court that he is being unfairly persecuted, The New York Times reports. Trump's lawyer said in court that her client wanted to testify but couldn't do it Tuesday because of the primary. The New York Times

8. Dow, S&P 500 set fresh records

The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 climbed to fresh record highs on Monday, adding to gains from a Friday rally fueled by surging technology companies. The Dow rose 0.4% to close above 38,000 for the first time. The S&P 500 rose 0.2%, reaching a new high mark after Friday's record close, its first in roughly two years. The tech-heavy Nasdaq gained 0.3%. Stocks ended 2023 strong but retreated at the start of 2024 before rebounding, thanks partly to a strong start to the earnings season and new data showing the economy remains strong as inflation cools. The Wall Street Journal

9. Suspect in suburban Chicago killing spree kills himself in Texas

A man suspected of killing eight people in the Chicago suburb of Joliet, Illinois, fatally shot himself in Texas after a confrontation at a gas station with federal and local law enforcement agents. U.S. Marshals and other agencies caught up to the suspect, 23-year-old Romeo Nance, near Natalia, Texas, after the Medina County Sheriff's Office received a call about a person fitting the suspect's description heading into the area on Interstate 35. Seven of the victims in Joliet were found in two homes. Those victims, who have not been publicly identified, are believed to be from the same family. Nance did "know the victims," although investigators are still trying to determine a motive, Joliet Police Chief Bill Evans said Monday. The Associated Press, CNN

10. Dexter Scott King dies at 62

Dexter Scott King, the third of the four children of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, died Monday after a "valiant battle with prostate cancer," the King Center announced Monday. He was 62. Dexter King was 7 years old when his father was assassinated. He "turned that pain into activism, however, and dedicated his life to advancing the dream Martin and Coretta Scott King had for their children" and others, the Rev. Al Sharpton said. Dexter King's life was enmeshed in his parents' civil rights legacy. He served as chair of the nonprofit King Center for Nonviolent Social Change, cowrote "Growing Up King: An Intimate Memoir," and portrayed his father in the 2002 film "The Rosa Parks Story." The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Associated Press

10 things you need to know today: January 22, 2024

theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (Harold Maass, The Week US) — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 12:08:52 +0000

1. DeSantis drops out, endorses Trump

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis dropped out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination on Sunday and endorsed former President Donald Trump. DeSantis, once considered Trump's main rival, was polling in the single digits ahead of Tuesday's New Hampshire primary and said in a video posted on X that he couldn't ask supporters for their time and money "if we don't have a clear path to victory." Trump's campaign said it was "honored" by DeSantis' endorsement and called for Republicans to rally behind the front-runner. DeSantis' departure left former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley as Trump's last viable rival ahead of the vote in New Hampshire, where she trails Trump by double-digits in polls. Sarasota Herald-Tribune, The Washington Post

2. US, Arab allies push plan to end Gaza war

The U.S., Egypt and Qatar are pressuring Israel and Hamas to agree to a phased diplomatic process that aims to free Hamas' remaining hostages and eventually includes the withdrawal of Israeli troops and an end to the war in Gaza, The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday, citing diplomats involved in the talks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected Hamas' demand to end the war as a condition for freeing the rest of the hostages it seized in its Oct. 7 surprise attack in southern Israel. A senior Hamas official, Sami Abu Zuhri, told Reuters that Israel's refusal to end its Gaza offensive "means there is no chance for the return of the (Israeli) captives." The Wall Street Journal, Reuters

3. Iconic New Hampshire newspaper endorses Haley

The New Hampshire Union Leader on Sunday endorsed Nikki Haley in the state's Tuesday Republican primary, saying the former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador is the most qualified candidate running for the White House. "It would be challenging to dream up a more solid résumé for a candidate to guide our country through the troubled world which we face," the iconic newspaper's editorial board wrote. Without mentioning by name the GOP front-runner, former President Donald Trump, or the "'inevitable,' but very vulnerable, Democratic nominee," President Joe Biden, the Union Leader said Haley offered "an opportunity to vote for a candidate rather than against" the "dinosaurs" leading the primary-season polls. New Hampshire Union Leader, The Hill

4. Russian energy company idles fuel terminal after drone attack

Russian energy company Novatek said Sunday it suspended operations at its giant Ust-Luga Baltic Sea fuel export terminal due to a fire started by an apparent Ukrainian drone attack. Novatek ships oil and gas products to international buyers from the complex on the Gulf of Finland. The company did not say how long the terminal would be out of commission or how many tankers would be stuck waiting for it to reopen. Russia put other critical infrastructure facilities in the surrounding Leningrad region on high alert after the attack, which the Interfax-Ukraine news agency, citing unnamed sources, said was the work of Ukraine's security services. Reuters

5. Modi opens Hindu temple on site of demolished mosque

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday opened a Hindu temple built on the ruins of a 16th-century mosque, delivering on a key Hindu nationalist promise months before he seeks a rare third term in national elections. The consecration of the controversial temple, dedicated to Hinduism's Lord Ram, marked the "unofficial start" of Modi's reelection campaign, according to Al-Jazeera. The temple was built on the site of the Babri mosque, which was torn down in 1992 by a Hindu mob, triggering India's worst religious riots since independence. More than 2,000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed in the violence. Many members of the Hindu majority are celebrating, said CNN, but for the country's minority Muslim population, it's a "painful reminder of religious divisions." Al-Jazeera, CNN

6. Sen. Tim Scott gets engaged

Former Republican presidential candidate Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), who endorsed Donald Trump last week and is considered a possible vice presidential nominee, got engaged on Saturday to his girlfriend, Mindy Noce. Scott, 58, proposed at the beach on South Carolina's Kiawah Island. Scott's love life stirred interest on the campaign trail before he ended his White House bid in November — he would have been the first unmarried president in more than a century. Scott, the only Black Republican in the Senate, campaigned with Trump in New Hampshire last week and was met with chants of "VP!" at a rally. He declined to rule out being Trump's running mate in an interview with CNN's Dana Bash on Sunday's "State of the Union." The Washington Post, The Hill

7. Tara VanDerveer sets record for most wins as NCAA basketball coach

Stanford's Tara VanDerveer surpassed former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski to become the winningest coach in NCAA basketball history on Sunday when the Stanford women's basketball team beat Oregon State 65-56, giving the 70-year-old VanDerveer her 1,203rd career victory. The record win came on the Cardinal home court, with dozens of former players in attendance. VanDerveer's career record is now 1,203-267 overall and 1,051-216 over 38 seasons at Stanford, where she led the team to NCAA titles in 1990, '92 and 2021. She has been Pac-12 Coach of the Year 17 times and national Coach of the Year five times. She also coached the 1996 U.S. women's Olympic basketball team to a gold medal. The Associated Press, ESPN

8. Percentage of teens working reaches highest level since 2009

An increasing number of high schoolers are working after-school and summer jobs these days as more part-time work becomes available, The Washington Post reported Sunday. At least 250,000 more teens are employed now than before the start of the coronavirus pandemic. In 2022, 37% of 16- to 19-year-olds had a job or were looking for one, the most since 2009, according to the Labor Department. Economists said a gradual shift toward more teen employment was supercharged by the abundance of post-pandemic jobs available in businesses like restaurants and stores amid a tight labor market. "They're energetic and ready to work, which wasn't really the case with the previous generation of millennials," Albuquerque pizzeria owner Nilo Gonzalez told the Post. The Washington Post

9. Sarah Ferguson diagnosed with malignant skin cancer

Sarah, the Duchess of York, has been diagnosed with a malignant skin cancer detected during her treatment for breast cancer, The Associated Press reported Sunday. A spokesperson said the second cancer diagnosis was "distressing but the duchess remains in good spirits." The melanoma was found after doctors removed several moles while performing reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy. The former Sarah Ferguson, known as "Fergie," is the ex-wife of Prince Andrew and mother of Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. The announcement of her medical issues came five days after Britain's royal family announced that Kate, the Princess of Wales, had abdominal surgery and King Charles III is scheduled to have prostate treatment this week. The Associated Press

10. Chiefs, Lions advance to NFL conference championships

The Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions advanced to their conference championship games on Sunday. The Chiefs beat the Buffalo Bills 27-24 on Sunday to advance to their sixth straight AFC Championship game. Bills kicker Tyler Bass missed a 44-yard field goal that would have tied the game with 1:43 remaining. It was the third time in four years the Chiefs ended the Bills' playoff hopes. The Chiefs play the Ravens in Baltimore next Sunday for a shot at the Super Bowl. The Lions advanced to the NFC Championship for the second time in the football team's history by beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-23 on Sunday. They will play the San Francisco 49ers next Sunday. The Athletic, Yahoo Sports

10 things you need to know today: January 21, 2024

theweek@futurenet.com (Justin Klawans, The Week US) — Sun, 21 Jan 2024 14:36:39 +0000

1. Palestinian death toll reportedly passes 25,000

More than 25,000 Palestinians have died in the Gaza Strip during the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, officials from Gaza's health ministry said Sunday. An additional 62,000 Palestinians have reportedly been wounded. This far and away marks the deadliest moment in the Israel-Palestinian conflict in decades and comes as Israel has continued to push for the total destruction of Hamas. However, it appears that an end to the fighting is not on the horizon, as Hamas continues to hold dozens of Israelis hostage and daily bombardments of the Gaza Strip by Israel continue. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected calls for a two-state solution, saying it is not currently feasible. The Associated Press, Reuters

2. Top Biden adviser to travel to Egypt and Qatar for hostage talks

A senior adviser to President Joe Biden will visit Egypt and Qatar this week to try and reenergize the countries to help secure the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, Axios reported Sunday. Brett McGurk, a National Security Council coordinator, will visit the region for the second time in a month, where he will meet with top intelligence ministers from both countries. Egypt's intelligence service was a key mediator in prior negotiations, and the Biden administration is hoping to bring them in for additional talks this time around. The trio of countries are continually pushing Israel and Hamas to try and find a proposal that would eventually end the war. Axios, The Wall Street Journal

3. At least 25 people reportedly killed during market shelling in Ukraine

At least 25 people were killed in Ukraine on Sunday during a shelling of the Russian-occupied city of Donetsk, the region's leader said. Denis Pushilin, who was installed by Russia to oversee the occupying forces, said the strike also injured an additional 20 people. Alexei Kulemzin, the Russian-installed mayor of Donetsk, said the shells fell on a busy area of the city filled with a number of shops and markets. Pushilin claimed the attack was perpetrated by Ukrainian forces, though Ukraine's military has not commented on the shelling. Moscow claimed the attack was carried out "with the use of weapons supplied by the West," though this has not been verified. BBC, Reuters

4. Haley questions Trump’s mental capacity after he confuses her with Nancy Pelosi

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley questioned former President Donald Trump's mental stability on Saturday after he confused her with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi multiple times. "Trump is at a rally and he’s going on and on, mentioning me several times as to why I didn’t take security during the Capitol riots. Why I didn’t handle Jan. 6 better," Haley said during a rally in New Hampshire. "I wasn’t even in DC on Jan. 6." Haley added that when "you’re dealing with the pressures of a presidency, we can’t have someone else that we question whether they’re mentally fit to do it." The two GOP candidates have been sparring ahead of the New Hampshire primary. CNN, The Hill

5. North Korea expresses willingness for Putin to visit country

North Korea's state news agency said Sunday that Russian President Vladimir Putin could soon visit their country. The invitation comes as the two authoritarian states have been working closer together, causing concerns among Western nations of an enhanced alliance. North Korean officials said Putin's visit would create "a new multi-polarized international order." The Russian president reportedly "expressed his willingness to visit [North Korea] at an early date" and thanked North Korea for the invitation. Putin last visited North Korea in 2000. North Korea has reportedly been selling weapons to Russia to use in their war against Ukraine, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited Russia last year to shore up support. Politico, Bloomberg

6. Thousands protest in Germany against the country’s far-right

More than 100,000 people marched in cities across Germany on Saturday to protest the rise of the country's leading far-right party. Anger toward the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party began brewing after it was revealed that members of the far-right faction discussed implementing mass deportations of migrants. Opponents labeled the plan a vestige of the Nazi era and took to the streets in numerous cities. At least 35,000 people marched in Frankfurt, many carrying banners saying, "Defend democracy — Frankfurt against the AfD." Similar protests were also seen in the cities of Hamburg, Stuttgart, Dortmund and Nuremberg. A large demonstration in Berlin is also being planned for Sunday. The Guardian, CNN

7. Cold temperatures cause deadly chills across much of the US

Large swaths of the United States continue to experience deadly winter weather this weekend as dangerously cold temperatures take hold over much of the country. At least 89 people have died over the past week due to the weather, according to a CBS News tally, including 25 deaths in Tennessee alone. Many of the coldest temperatures were seen in traditionally moderate climates across the South; Louisville, Kentucky, saw a high of just 5 degrees Fahrenheit, while Atlanta reached just 21 degrees. Single-digit temperatures were also seen in states throughout the Midwest and New England. Dangerously cold temperatures are expected to continue into the coming week before a gradual warm-up. CBS News, The New York Times

8. NASA reestablishes contact with Ingenuity helicopter on Mars

NASA was able to reestablish communications with its Ingenuity helicopter on Mars two days after it lost its signal, the agency said Saturday. The helicopter's signal was lost last Thursday during a "quick pop-up vertical flight" to test its systems, NASA said. The Ingenuity was shown to have ascended to an altitude of 40 feet before the signal was lost. After a few days of trepidation, though, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory wrote on X that contact with Ingenuity had been reestablished after a Martian rover performed "long-duration listening sessions for Ingenuity's signal." NASA said it was reviewing the data to understand why Ingenuity went offline for a time. NPR

9. Ravens and 49ers advance in NFL playoffs

The Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers advanced to their respective conference championship games on Saturday with a pair of wins. The Ravens were able to easily dispatch the Houston Texans 34-10, with Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson going 16 for 22 passing with two touchdowns. The 49ers beat the Green Bay Packers in a heart-stopping 24-21 match that featured a star effort from 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey and quarterback Brock Purdy. The final two divisional games take place Sunday, with the Detroit Lions playing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs taking on the Buffalo Bills. Sports Illustrated

10. 'Saturday Night Live' returns to mock Trump’s courthouse appearances

"Saturday Night Live" returned following its holiday hiatus Saturday with host Jacob Elordi and musical guest Reneé Rapp. The show's cold open featured James Austin Johnson back in his role parodying former President Donald Trump. Johnson spoofed Trump's ongoing legal troubles and headline-making courtroom behavior, saying that 2024 would see him either "go to jail, be president, or frankly, 'The Purge,'" a reference to the horror franchise where all crimes are legal for a day. Johnson also made mention of Trump's dominating win in the Iowa caucuses and the poor performance of Ron DeSantis, saying he "went to 99 counties but bitch couldn’t win one." The Hollywood Reporter

10 things you need to know today: January 20, 2024

theweek@futurenet.com (Justin Klawans, The Week US) — Sat, 20 Jan 2024 14:38:49 +0000

1. Grand jury reportedly convened to investigate Uvalde shooting response

A special grand jury was seated on Friday to examine the response of law enforcement officers in the 2022 shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, multiple media outlets reported. The jury will determine whether to criminally charge any first responders in the shooting in what will be the first criminal justice actions related to the police response at Uvalde. The jury selection comes one day after a scathing Justice Department report described widespread police failures that likely led to further deaths at the school. The May 24, 2022, shooting resulted in the deaths of 19 children and two teachers, and the delayed response by police has been the subject of harsh criticism. Uvalde Leader-News, USA Today

2. Families protest outside Netanyahu's house as pressure mounts for hostage deal

Dozens of families of Israeli hostages protested outside the home of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday, expressing anger toward his government for their loved ones' continued captivity by Hamas. A group representing the protesters said they were angered that it had been over 100 days since the hostages had been taken and asked for Netanyahu to come speak to them. "The days of grace in which you dragged your feet are over," the families said in a statement. The protest is a continuing display of anger in Israel over Netanyahu's handling of the ongoing war, and the prime minister has reportedly rejected calls for a two-state solution to the problem. The Times of Israel, The Associated Press

3. Biden signs stopgap measure to avoid government shutdown

President Joe Biden signed a congressional stopgap bill on Friday, the White House said, officially avoiding a partial government shutdown one day before it was slated to begin. The legislation was finalized late Thursday by both chambers and extends the expiration date for four government funding bills from Jan. 19 to March 1. Eight other bills related to the measure are now set to expire on March 8 instead of Feb. 2. While Biden was able to put pen to paper on these bills, continued fighting within the House of Representatives is likely to make ongoing negotiations difficult, particularly due to in-fighting between the center and far-right factions of the House GOP. ABC News, The New York Times

4. Iran and Hezbollah reportedly helping coordinate Houthi attacks

Commanders from the Iranian military and Lebanon's militant Hezbollah group are overseeing attacks by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, Reuters reported Saturday. Sources told the outlet that military leaders from both factions are on the ground in Yemen to help coordinate the attacks, and that Iran is continuing to fund the Houthis directly with weapons and training. This includes the provision of drones, anti-ship missiles, ballistic missiles and medium-range missiles, sources said. Houthi rebels have been attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea in response to anger over the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, which they see as a sign of Israeli aggression. Iranian and Hezbollah officials have repeatedly denied involvement in the Houthi attacks. Reuters

5. Alec Baldwin charged for second time in deadly 'Rust' shooting

Actor Alec Baldwin was charged Friday with involuntary manslaughter in the 2021 shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film "Rust." This marks the second time that Baldwin has been indicted on charges related to the shooting. Baldwin was charged by prosecutors in New Mexico after new evidence was reportedly found in relation to the prop firearm that caused Hutchins' death. If convicted, Baldwin could face up to 18 months in prison. The actor was previously charged with Hutchins' death last year. Those charges were eventually dismissed last April, but prosecutors left the door open to re-filing charges if new evidence came to light. NBC News, CNN

6. Harvard creates task forces on antisemitism and Islamophobia

Harvard University on Friday announced the creation of task forces devoted to combating antisemitism and Islamophobia. "Incidents of bias and hate against Jews and against Muslims, Palestinians, and other people of Arab descent have risen across the country," Harvard Interim President Alan Garber said in a statement. "We need to understand why and how that is happening—and what more we might do to prevent it." The creation of the two task forces comes after criticism of the Ivy League institution's handling of racism on campus related to the Israel-Hamas war. The controversy culminated in the resignation of Harvard President Claudine Gay, who faced backlash for comments made during a congressional hearing on the matter. The Associated Press, Bloomberg

7. NYC mayor vetoes ban on solitary confinement in city jails

New York City Mayor Eric Adams vetoed a bill Friday that would have banned solitary confinement in the city's jails. "Vetoing this bill will keep those in our custody and our correction officers safer," Adams said of the legislation, which was passed in the city council by a large margin. The mayor added that the bill would mean corrections officers would "no longer be able to protect people in custody, or the union workers charged with their safety, from violent individuals." Adams has already claimed that the city does not use solitary confinement, though others have argued that New York's current "restrictive housing" policy amounts to basically the same thing. ABC News, The Hill

8. Sports Illustrated lays off nearly entire staff as financial woes mount

Amid continued financial woes, Sports Illustrated on Friday announced a series of widespread layoffs. These layoffs affected the sports magazine's writers and editors, and could reportedly impact all of the remaining editorial staff of the publication. The layoffs come as Sports Illustrated was unable to finalize payment of its licensing deal, resulting in a breach of its publisher's contract. The magazine's entire staff could be laid off within three months if the issue is not resolved. The layoffs are occurring weeks after Sports Illustrated stirred controversy by publishing articles that were allegedly generated by artificial intelligence. The magazine's union pledged to fight for its employees in a statement on X. Front Office Sports, The Washington Post

9. Russia was China's top oil supplier in 2023, data shows

Russia was China's top supplier of crude oil in 2023, surpassing Saudi Arabia, data released Friday showed. This represents a large circumnavigation of Western sanctions by China in order to purchase cheap petroleum for its workforce. Russia shipped 107.02 million metric tons of oil to China last year, significantly more than any other nation. This equates to nearly 2.14 million barrels of Russian crude oil per day entering the country. The second-place Saudis shipped just 85.96 million metric tons of oil to China, a decrease of 1.8%. Russia was able to take the top spot in China as the majority of the Western world shunned its oil industry. Reuters

10. Malia Obama debuts short film at Sundance Film Festival

Malia Obama debuted her short film "The Heart" at the Sundance Film Festival on Friday. The 25-year-old daughter of former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama wrote and directed the short film using her middle name Malia Ann. The film was previously screened at the Telluride Film Festival in 2023 and won an award at the Chicago International Film Festival. Obama has spent the last few years working in Hollywood writers' rooms, including internships on the HBO show "Girls" and as a CBS production assistant. She also worked as a writer on the Donald Glover-created series "Swarm" for Amazon Prime Video. IndieWire

10 things you need to know today: January 19, 2024

theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (Harold Maass, The Week US) — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 12:13:42 +0000

1. Congress averts a government shutdown

Congress on Thursday approved a stopgap measure to keep the federal government funded into March, sending it to President Joe Biden for his signature just before a deadline to avoid a partial government shutdown. The legislation — the third short-term spending deal since October — extends the deadlines to March 1 and March 8, giving lawmakers time to pass a dozen spending bills totaling $1.66 trillion to fund government agencies through the fall. The shutdown would have affected about 20% of the federal government, including the Transportation Department. The House passed the bill in a 314-108 vote over the strong objections of far-right Republicans, who had demanded deeper spending cuts and a crackdown on immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border. The New York Times, The Washington Post

2. DOJ report finds 'cascading failures' during Texas school shooting

The Justice Department on Thursday released a long-awaited report on the "cascading failures" in the slow law enforcement response to the May 2022 school shooting that left 19 students and their two teachers dead at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. The report said no one took full command and attempted to stop the gunman from killing people after he shut himself into adjoining classrooms. Attorney General Merrick Garland said at a news conference in Uvalde that the best way to honor the victims was working to "prevent anything like this" from happening again. "Law enforcement response at Robb Elementary School on May 24 and in the hours and days after was a failure that should not have happened," Garland said. Austin American-Statesman

3. Netanyahu opposes Palestinian state in postwar Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday rejected U.S. calls for a path to establishing a Palestinian state after Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza. Netanyahu said he told the Biden administration he opposes including the creation of a Palestinian state in postwar plans. He also reiterated Israel's plan to continue its offensive in Gaza until it achieves a "decisive victory over Hamas." The comments came a day after Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Israel would never have "genuine security" until Palestinians were on track toward independence. The U.S. has also been pressing Israel to reduce the intensity of the fighting to protect civilians. The Hill, The Associated Press

4. Defamation trial judge shuts down Trump lawyer

The judge in Donald Trump's defamation trial denied a request for a delay from Trump's lawyer Alina Habba as the former president attended the funeral of his mother-in-law in Florida. It was not the first time Habba had cited the funeral as a reason to slow the trial. "The application is denied. I will hear no further argument on it," U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan said. Kaplan later lost patience with Habba as she cross-examined E. Jean Carroll, who accused Trump of raping her in the 1990s then sued for defamation when he called her a liar. "Come on, this is Evidence 101!" Kaplan said as Habba grilled Carroll about her social media history and how much money she makes. The New Republic, CNBC

5. Biden says strikes against Houthis will continue

President Joe Biden said Thursday that U.S. attacks against Houthi rebels in Yemen would continue as long as the militant group continued launching missiles and drones at ships in the Red Sea. The fifth round of U.S. strikes "took out a range of Houthi missiles" that had been readied to be fired, White House spokesperson John Kirby said Thursday. The strikes came after a Houthi drone struck a U.S. ship. The Houthis started attacking vessels in the Red Sea last year to show support for Hamas in its war with Israel. A Houthi leader said in a televised speech it was a "great honor" for the group to be in "direct confrontation" with Israel, the United States and Britain. BBC

6. Drugmakers hiked prices in first 2 weeks of 2024

Pharmaceutical companies raised prices for their medicines by a median 4.5% at the start of 2024, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday, citing an analysis by 46brooklyn Research, a nonprofit drug-pricing analytics group. The list prices for widely used drugs, including Ozempic and Mounjaro, were among those hiked. Ozempic maker Novo Nordisk, Mounjaro maker Eli Lilly and other companies raised prices on 775 brand-name drugs in the first two weeks of January, according to the Journal. The increases were not as big as hikes in previous years, but still higher than inflation, which hit 3.4% in December, so they could increase scrutiny from the Biden administration as it works to reduce federal drug spending. The Wall Street Journal

7. Hunter Biden agrees to House deposition

Hunter Biden has agreed to appear for a closed-door deposition before the House Oversight Committee in February, ending months of wrangling over his testimony, the committee's chair, Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), said Thursday. Republicans want to question Hunter Biden about foreign business dealings they claim, without evidence, benefited President Joe Biden; the White House says that's untrue. "The president's son is a key witness in this investigation and he's gonna be able to come in now and sit down and answer questions in a substantive, orderly manner," Comer said. Hunter Biden had resisted testifying behind closed doors, calling the House's first subpoena invalid and offering a public hearing instead. USA Today, The Associated Press

8. Judge schedules hearing on Fani Willis allegation

The judge overseeing former President Donald Trump's criminal election-subversion case in Georgia scheduled a Feb. 15 hearing on a co-defendant's allegation that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is romantically involved with Nathan Wade, a top prosecutor she hired for the case. The accusation surfaced last week in a court filing by lawyers for Trump 2020 campaign operative Mike Roman. Trump said Willis was "totally compromised" and the case should be dropped. Lawyers for Wade's estranged wife, Joycelyn Wade, subpoenaed Willis to give a pretrial deposition in the couple's divorce case. Willis' lawyer filed to quash the deposition, writing that Joycelyn Wade "has conspired with interested parties in the criminal election interference case" to use the divorce case to "embarrass" Willis. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Hill

9. Spelman College receives a record donation

A billionaire couple, Ronda Stryker and her husband William Johnston, announced Thursday they were giving $100 million to Atlanta's Spelman College. The women's school said the gift from Stryker — a longtime Spelman board member and the granddaughter of medical-device maker Stryker Corp.'s founder — and Johnston, chair of money management firm Greenleaf Trust, was the largest single donation ever received by a historically Black college or university. HBCUs have received increased donations since the police killing of George Floyd sparked a wave of racial justice protests, helping them add to small endowments. "I think it says that it's worth investing in HBCUs more broadly, schools that have been far too underinvested in," Spelman College President Helene Gayle told CBS News. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, CBS News

10. Peregrine lunar lander meets a fiery end

The Peregrine lunar lander burned up over the South Pacific Ocean as it reentered Earth's atmosphere Thursday, after a fuel leak had prevented it from landing on the moon. Peregrine, made by Astrobotic Technology, would have been the first U.S. spacecraft to make a soft lunar landing since the 1972 Apollo 17 mission, and the first private venture ever to accomplish the feat. It launched successfully on Jan. 8 atop a Vulcan Centaur rocket developed by United Launch Alliance, a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Boeing. But hours into Peregrine's solo flight the leak forced Astrobotic to scrap the moon mission. The company tested scientific instruments and other systems instead before crashing the lander into the atmosphere. CNN, BBC

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theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (The Week Staff) — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 17:38:11 +0000

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theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (The Week Staff) — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 17:38:06 +0000

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theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (The Week Staff) — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 17:38:02 +0000

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theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (The Week Staff) — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 17:37:58 +0000

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theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (The Week Staff) — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 17:37:37 +0000

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10 things you need to know today: January 18, 2024

theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (Harold Maass, The Week US) — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 12:28:26 +0000

1. Judge threatens to remove Trump from civil defamation trial

Writer E. Jean Carroll testified Wednesday in her defamation lawsuit against Donald Trump that her life changed after she accused the former president of raping her in a Bergdorf Goodman department store dressing room in the 1990s. "I was attacked on Twitter. I was attacked on Facebook. I was living in a new universe," said Carroll, who is seeking $10 million in damages from Trump for claiming she was lying and he didn't know her. Trump, sitting at the defense table, scoffed, gesticulated and spoke audibly to his lawyer. Carroll's lawyer said she heard Trump say, "it really is a con job." Judge Lewis Kaplan threatened to eject Trump from the courtroom if he didn't keep quiet. "I would love it," Trump said. Axios

2. Medicine for hostages, Palestinian civilians reaches Gaza

A shipment of medicine and other supplies for Hamas-held hostages and Palestinian civilians arrived in Gaza on Wednesday under a deal mediated by France and Qatar. The agreement was the first between Israel and Hamas since a weeklong cease-fire in November. The five trucks were allowed to cross into Gaza after undergoing security checks by Israel. The shipment included medicine for Israeli hostages, many of whom have chronic conditions requiring prescription drugs, who have been held by Hamas since its militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, igniting the war. A senior Hamas official said the shipment included 1,000 boxes of medicine for Palestinians for every box intended for the hostages. Al-Jazeera, The Times of Israel

3. Johnson digs in against Ukraine aid without border crackdown

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) held out against new Ukraine aid, reiterating after a White House meeting Wednesday that the Republican-led House won't consider defense funding for Kyiv without increased measures to crack down on migration at the U.S.-Mexico border. "We must insist — must insist — that the border be the top priority," Johnson said after meeting with President Joe Biden and other congressional leaders. But Johnson and other leaders expressed optimism. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D.-N.Y.) said everyone agreed they had to address both Ukraine and the border. Schumer said he would put the chances of an agreement in the Senate "at a little bit greater than half now, and that's the first time I can say that." The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal

4. Conservative justices appear inclined to limit federal regulatory power

Members of the Supreme Court's conservative majority asked questions Wednesday suggesting they might limit or overturn a 1984 precedent that has protected the regulatory power of federal agencies, frustrating business groups. Conservative justices pressed Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar to justify the so-called Chevron deference, which instructs courts to defer to federal agencies' interpretation of laws that could have multiple meanings. The precedent has bolstered the ability of presidential administrations to regulate everything from artificial intelligence to cryptocurrency to environmental protections. Prelogar said overturning the doctrine would cause "unwarranted shock to the legal system." Justice Brett Kavanaugh said "Chevron itself ushers in shocks to the system" with every new administration. The Hill, The New York Times

5. Pakistan hits separatist targets in Iran in retaliatory strikes

Pakistan's air force launched airstrikes against alleged Baluch separatist camps in Iran early Thursday in retaliation for Iran's strikes against a similar separatist militant group in Pakistan. Pakistan's attacks reportedly killed at least nine people. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said the "precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts" were launched based on "credible intelligence of impending large scale terrorist activities." The tit-for-tat strikes between the neighboring countries came as tensions rise in the Middle East over Israel's war in Gaza against Hamas, an Iran ally. Iran also attacked targets in Iraq and Syria on Monday in response to an Islamic State suicide bombing that killed more than 90 people in early January. Reuters, Hindustan Times

6. Maine judge freezes Trump ballot ban pending Supreme Court decision

Kennebec County, Maine, Superior Court Justice Michaela Murphy on Wednesday suspended Secretary of State Shenna Bellows' decision to bar former President Donald Trump from appearing on presidential primary ballots while the U.S. Supreme Court considers a similar case out of Colorado. Murphy ordered Bellows to wait and issue a new ruling after the Supreme Court decides the Colorado case. Bellows had found that Trump is ineligible to run because his incitement of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack violated the Constitution's 14th Amendment, which bars from public office anyone who has engaged in insurrection. Trump appealed her decision earlier this month. Oral arguments in the Colorado case are scheduled for Feb. 8. Portland Press Herald

7. Shell halts shipments through the Red Sea

British oil giant Shell has halted shipments through the Red Sea due to fears that attacks on vessels by Houthi rebels in Yemen could escalate following U.S. and U.K. strikes against Houthi targets, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter. The United States and Britain hit Houthi military sites after the Iranian-backed militants launched dozens of missiles and drones at commercial ships in the region, purportedly in a show of support for Hamas as it battles Israel in Gaza. A tanker chartered by Shell was targeted by a drone and Houthi boats last month. Shell CEO Wael Sawan told the Journal at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that rerouting ships will increase costs. The Wall Street Journal

8. Prosecutor investigating TV attack assassinated in Ecuador

A prosecutor in Ecuador who was investigating last week's gang attack on a television studio during a live broadcast was assassinated Wednesday in Guayaquil, according to the South American nation's attorney general, Diana Salazar. Armed men stormed the public TV channel TC and threatened employees at gunpoint amid a wave of violence following a gang leader's prison escape. Police later arrested the TV studio attackers. Salazar said the murder of the prosecutor, Cesar Suarez, would not stop the investigation. "I am going to be emphatic," Salazar said. "The organized criminal groups, criminals, terrorists will not stop our commitment to the Ecuadorian society, we will continue with more strength and commitment." CNN

9. Minnesota man freed after 25 years in prison sues medical examiner

A Minnesota man, Thomas Rhodes, freed last year after nearly 25 years in prison for his wife's death has filed a lawsuit against a former medical examiner and other authorities. Rhodes, 64, accuses former Ramsey County medical examiner Michael McGee and others of contributing to his conviction by fabricating and withholding evidence. Rhodes' wife lost her balance and fell overboard during a late evening boat ride. Rhodes searched frantically but couldn't find her. Fisherman found her body the next day. Rhodes cooperated with investigators. A breathalyzer test found no alcohol in his system. Rhodes was convicted of first- and second-degree murder, but last month he became the first person freed by the state's new conviction review unit. Star Tribune, The Associated Press

10. King Charles, Kate Middleton undergo medical procedures

The British royal family announced Wednesday that King Charles III and the Princess of Wales, formerly Kate Middleton, are both undergoing medical procedures. King Charles will have a "corrective procedure" for an enlarged prostate next week, a condition common in older men. Buckingham Palace described his condition as benign, not cancerous. The princess, wife of heir to the throne Prince William, will receive care at a private hospital in London for as long as two weeks as she recovers from planned abdominal surgery, her office said. The twin announcements provided unusual detail about the health of members of the royal family. But the openness was seen an effort to avoid speculation if the royals miss events scheduled in the next few weeks. BBC, The Associated Press

10 things you need to know today: January 17, 2024

theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (Harold Maass, The Week US) — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 12:25:47 +0000

1. US strikes Houthi targets for third time

The U.S. military carried out more strikes Tuesday against Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile sites in Yemen, knocking out several missiles as they were being prepared for launch, U.S. officials said. Also Tuesday, a suspected Houthi missile hit a Greek-owned ship in the Red Sea. The U.S. has targeted the Iran-backed militants at least three times in the last week as it steps up its response to the disruptive Houthi attacks on vessels, which began in November in a show of support for Hamas in its war with Israel in Gaza. The Biden administration also plans to put Houthi militants back on a list of terrorist organizations to help cut off their funding and weapons, two officials told Reuters. Reuters, The Washington Post

2. Trump sex defamation trial begins

Hours after decisively winning the Iowa caucuses, former President Donald Trump sat in a New York courtroom on Tuesday during the start of his second defamation trial for comments he made about writer E. Jean Carroll after she said Trump raped her in the 1990s. Judge Lewis Kaplan told potential jurors that a May defamation trial had already determined that Trump "did sexually assault Ms. Carroll." The current case will focus on damages. Carroll's lawyer said in an opening statement that Trump, the Republican presidential front-runner, used "the world's biggest microphone" to destroy Carroll's reputation by calling her a liar, and should "pay dearly." Trump's attorney said Carroll is going after him over "a few mean tweets from Twitter trolls." The Associated Press, Politico

3. Trump turns focus to Haley in New Hampshire

Donald Trump and his two remaining rivals for the Republican presidential nomination, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, pivoted to New Hampshire on Tuesday. The Jan. 23 contest in New Hampshire, the next primary battleground following Trump's big win in the Iowa caucuses, is widely considered Haley's best and possibly last chance to establish herself as the top Trump alternative. DeSantis edged ahead of Haley in Iowa to place a distant second behind Trump. The former president focused his attention on Haley on Tuesday, telling New Hampshire Republicans she "is counting on the Democrats and liberals to infiltrate your Republican primary" and give her a boost. Haley's campaign said Trump is "more vulnerable than commonly believed." The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times

4. Iran attacks sites in Pakistan

Pakistan on Tuesday condemned Iran for strikes that killed two children and three others. Pakistan called the attacks, which reportedly targeted two sites linked to the militant group Jaish al-Adl, "illegal acts" that would have "serious consequences." Tehran also attacked sites in Iraq and Syria this week as regional tensions spread over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Iraq recalled its ambassador from Iran in protest over an Iranian missile strike in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region in northern Iraq. Tehran said the missile hit an Israeli espionage center, which Baghdad denied. Iraqi security and medical officials said the attack hit the home of Kurdish businessman Peshraw Dizayee, killing him and several relatives. BBC, Reuters

5. Report: Austin security detail asked for ambulance without sirens

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's security detail asked in a 911 call for the ambulance summoned to his Northern Virginia house on Jan. 1 to keep its lights and sirens off because they were "trying to remain a little subtle," USA Today reported Tuesday, citing a copy of the call the newspaper obtained. Austin, 70, has faced a backlash in Washington, D.C., for hiding his prostate cancer diagnosis and hospitalization for complications from surgery, declining to tell anyone, including the White House, until he had been at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for days. Austin was released from the hospital Monday and is continuing his recovery at home. USA Today

6. Supreme Court declines to review Indiana school transgender bathroom policies

The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to consider whether schools can bar transgender students from using a bathroom corresponding to their gender identity. The decision left in place a lower court ruling that let an Indiana transgender boy use the boys' bathroom at his middle school. The school district had asked the justices to rule in the case, saying schools "desperately need" definitive guidance on transgender policies. "This is a step in the right direction in our ongoing fight to protect LGBTQ+ youth from anti-equality extremism," the Human Rights Campaign said on X. USA Today, The Hill

7. Negotiators reach bipartisan tax deal but obstacles remain

Leading congressional Democrats and Republicans released a $78 billion bipartisan tax proposal on Tuesday that would revive expired business tax breaks and expand the child tax credit through 2025. The leaders hope to push the compromise legislation through Congress in the next few weeks, in time for tax filing season, but they face opposition from some members of both parties. The agreement includes $33 billion to restore expired business tax benefits related to research, business and capital deductions, and another $33 billion to extend the child tax credit included in the 2021 pandemic assistance law. The New York Times

8. Club Q shooter expected to plead guilty to hate-crime charges

Anderson Aldrich, the 23-year-old serving multiple life sentences for a deadly 2022 mass shooting at a Colorado Springs LGBTQ nightclub, plans to plead guilty to federal hate crimes in a deal that would rule out the death penalty, according to court documents made public Tuesday. Aldrich in June pleaded guilty to state charges that included five counts of murder and 46 counts of attempted murder, one each for every person who was in Club Q during the mass shooting. Aldrich, who is nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns, entered an initial not-guilty plea Tuesday on the federal charges. The Denver Post, The Associated Press

9. Judge blocks JetBlue-Spirit Airlines merger

A judge on Tuesday blocked Spirit Airlines' proposed merger with JetBlue, sending Spirit's stock plummeting 47%. A federal judge in Boston ruled against JetBlue's planned $3.8 billion acquisition of the discount carrier over concerns that the deal would increase fares for passengers, especially Spirit's customers, and saddle JetBlue with big debts. The two airlines said they disagreed with the decision. "We continue to believe that our combination is the best opportunity to increase much-needed competition and choice by bringing low fares and great service to more customers in more markets while enhancing our ability to compete with the dominant U.S. carriers," they said in a joint statement emailed to CNN. CNN

10. Woman accuses James Dolan, Harvey Weinstein of sexual abuse

A woman who worked as a masseuse on a 2013 Eagles tour filed a lawsuit Tuesday accusing Madison Square Garden CEO and Chair James Dolan and convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault and trafficking. The woman, Kellye Croft, said Dolan pressured her into unwanted sex, then hired her for the tour. Croft accuses Weinstein of sexually assaulting her during the tour, and says Dolan dismissed the allegation when she told him about it. Croft said in a statement she "suffered so profoundly" and "to truly address my trauma, I need to seek accountability." Dolan lawyer E. Danya Perry said there was "absolutely no merit to any of the allegations against Mr. Dolan." Rolling Stone, The New York Times

10 things you need to know today: January 16, 2024

theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (Harold Maass, The Week US) — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 12:38:06 +0000

1. Trump wins Iowa caucuses in a landslide

Former President Donald Trump cemented his dominance in the race for the Republican presidential nomination on Monday, winning the Iowa caucuses with a record 30-percentage-point margin of victory over his nearest rivals, Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley. The Associated Press declared him the winner 31 minutes after the first votes were cast in the party's first 2024 nominating contest. Florida Gov. DeSantis came in second, narrowly ahead of Haley, a former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador. Vivek Ramaswamy finished fourth and dropped out of the race. The remaining candidates next compete in the Jan. 23 New Hampshire primary, where Trump holds a big lead but is expected to face a stronger challenge. Des Moines Register, The Wall Street Journal

2. Houthi missile hits US commercial ship

Houthi rebels in Yemen hit a U.S. cargo ship, the Gibraltar Eagle, with an anti-ship ballistic missile in the Gulf of Aden on Monday, U.S. Central Command said. The strike appeared to be the first successful Houthi attack on a U.S.-owned and operated vessel since the Iran-backed group began strikes in the area to show support for Palestinians after the outbreak of the Hamas-Israel war in Gaza. Eagle Bulk Shipping confirmed that its vessel, which was carrying steel products, had been hit "by an unidentified projectile" about 100 miles offshore. The damage was limited and nobody onboard was injured, and the ship continued its journey. The U.S. and the U.K. last week struck 28 Houthi sites in retaliation for previous attacks. CNN

3. Hamas video appears to show 2 dead hostages

Hamas on Monday released a video it said showed the bodies of two Israeli hostages, Yossi Sharabi and Itai Svirsky. The Palestinian militant group, which had warned Sunday that the hostages might be killed if Israel didn't stop bombing Gaza, said they were killed by Israeli strikes. Israel's military spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said that at least one of the hostages shown in the video, Svirsky, had not been killed by Israeli forces. "That is a Hamas lie. The building in which they were held was not a target and it was not attacked by our forces," Hagari said. Reuters

4. Trump's second defamation trial set to start

The trial in writer E. Jean Carroll's second defamation lawsuit against former President Donald Trump starts Tuesday. A Manhattan jury will be tasked with deciding how much money Trump must pay Carroll for defaming her by calling her a liar after she accused him of raping her in a Bergdorf Goodman department store dressing room decades ago. In May, a jury awarded Carroll $2 million for the sexual assault and nearly $3 million for defamation over Trump's branding of her allegations as "a complete con job" in a 2022 statement. The new trial focuses on a 2019 statement in which Trump said Carroll's allegation was "totally false" and intended to sell copies of her book. The New York Times

5. Austin released from hospital

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was released from a hospital on Monday after treatment for complications from prostate cancer surgery in December. Austin was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Jan. 1 and failed to notify the White House for several days, a breach of protocol that sparked investigations and widespread condemnation. Austin's doctors said he would not return immediately to the Pentagon but would work remotely as he continues his recovery. Pentagon officials have struggled to explain why Austin kept the illness secret for so long. The Washington Post

6. Navy searches for 2 Navy SEALs lost at sea off Somalia

U.S. Navy ships and planes searched the Gulf of Aden for two Navy SEALs who went missing during a mission to board and seize a vessel carrying Iranian missile components to Somalia, a U.S. defense official said Monday. The SEALs were on a small combat craft traveling from the USS Lewis B. Puller to intercept the unflagged vessel carrying the missile parts, including warheads and engines. Waves knocked one of the SEALs overboard as he boarded the boat in high seas, and the other went in after him. Both remained missing Monday. U.S. officials said the SEALs are trained for such an emergency and could survive in the warm waters of the Gulf of Aden. The Associated Press

7. Winter weather disrupts MLK Day activities in parts of South

Extreme winter weather hit much of the South with ice and snow on Monday, forcing several governors to declare states of emergency and limiting commemorations of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday in the region. The National Civil Rights Museum, which is located at the Memphis site of King's 1968 assassination, closed and held its M.L.K. Day programming virtually. San Antonio, Texas, called off its annual walk honoring King due to "dangerously low temperatures and potentially hazardous walking conditions." Tennessee lawmakers canceled the week's legislative meetings after parts of the state got six inches of snow. The New York Times

8. Iran says it hit Israeli 'spy' site in Iraq with missile

Iran said its Revolutionary Guards had destroyed an Israeli "spy headquarters" in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region on Monday. The Kurdistan Region Security Council said the strike killed four people and wounded six. The United States condemned Iran for what it called "a reckless and imprecise set of strikes." Iraq denounced the attack as a violation of its sovereignty. Kurdistan authorities also said they had shot down three armed drones flying over the airport in the northern city of Irbil, where U.S. and other international forces are based. The Iranian strikes fueled fears that the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza would spread to other parts of the region. BBC, The Washington Post

9. Washington sues to block Kroger-Albertsons merger

Washington state's attorney general, Bob Ferguson, filed a lawsuit on Monday seeking to block the merger of Kroger and Albertsons, the two largest U.S. supermarket chains. Ferguson said the $24.6 billion proposal to combine No. 1 grocery operator Kroger — owner of Ralphs, Harris Teeter, Fred Meyer and other chains — and No. 2 Albertsons would give shoppers "fewer choices and less competition," eventually forcing customers to pay higher prices. Kroger and Albertsons, which owns Safeway and Vons, say they need to join forces to compete with giant, nontraditional rivals such as Amazon, Costco and Walmart. NPR

10. 'The Bear,' 'Succession' win big at Emmys

"The Bear" and "Succession" led the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday night with six wins each. HBO's "Succession" won best drama and FX's "The Bear" took best comedy. The Netflix show "Beef," created and written by showrunner Lee Sung Jin, won five Emmys, including best limited/anthology series. "The Last of Us" and "Ted Lasso," among the shows with the most nominations, both came up empty on Monday, although "The Last of Us" picked up two guest acting awards in last week's Creative Arts ceremonies. Elton John won for outstanding variety special, joining the exclusive EGOT club of artists who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony award. USA Today

10 things you need to know today: January 15, 2024

theweek@futurenet.com (Justin Klawans, The Week US) — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 14:46:33 +0000

1. Freezing Iowa caucuses to mark first voting of 2024 election

The opening battle of the 2024 presidential election will begin Monday as Iowa's Republican caucuses get underway. Former President Donald Trump is widely expected to win the state, putting the quadruply indicted former president on his clearest path yet to securing the Republican nomination. Nikki Haley is in second place in the latest Des Moines Register poll, and a strong showing for her could mean the end of the road for Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy. All of this comes under the shadow of frigid temperatures throughout the state as this year's caucuses are expected to be the coldest in Iowa's history. Wind chills are expected to be as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit. The New York Times, The Hill

2. Subzero temperatures place stranglehold on much of US

An Arctic vortex continued to bring subzero temperatures across large swaths of the United States on Monday. More than 110 million people are under wind chill warnings and advisories as the weather drops to dangerous levels. Wind chills below -30 degrees Fahrenheit are expected from the Rocky Mountain region into parts of the Midwest, with temperatures anywhere from 25 to 40 degrees below average, according to the National Weather Service. The extreme cold was seen as far south as northern Texas, while New England is expected to see another winter storm Monday night. That storm is expected to ride a jet stream and affect large portions of the country into the coming week. USA Today, Axios

3. US shoots down Houthi rocket fired at Navy warship

A U.S. fighter jet shot down a rocket fired toward an American warship by Houthi rebels on Sunday, officials said. The missile was fired from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen at the destroyer USS Laboon. It was then "shot down in [the] vicinity of the coast of Hudaydah by U.S. fighter aircraft," U.S. Central Command wrote on X. Houthi rebels have been sparring with ships in the Red Sea as part of a retaliation for the Israel-Hamas war, and this was the first attack against the Americans since a joint U.S.-U.K. task force began striking Houthi targets in Yemen. No injuries or damage to the USS Laboon was reported. ABC News, BBC

4. Climate protesters interrupt Trump rally in Iowa

Former President Donald Trump was interrupted by protesters multiple times during a rally in Iowa on Sunday, the first such incident at one of his events in years. The former president was speaking in the town of Indianola when a group of protesters holding climate change banners began heckling him, and at least one held a sign calling him a "climate criminal." They accused Trump of having "taken in millions," seemingly a reference to the millions of dollars he has accepted for his 2024 campaign from oil and gas industry donors. The former president told the protesters to "go home to mommy" as they were escorted out. Rolling Stone, The Messenger

5. US commemorates Martin Luther King Jr. Day

The United States commemorated Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, celebrating the life of the pastor and civil rights icon on what would've been his 95th birthday. Numerous cities across the country were planning to host parades, though a number of these events were forced to be postponed due to the freezing weather in much of the country. President Joe Biden is expected to mark the holiday by participating in a service event in Philadelphia, while Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to South Carolina to headline an NAACP prayer event while delivering a speech. Many people traditionally use the holiday to participate in services or volunteer efforts. USA Today, Reuters

6. Microsoft passes Apple as world’s most valuable public company

Microsoft entered this week with a new title; the tech conglomerate is now the world's most valuable publicly traded company, surpassing its rival Apple. At the end of last Friday's trading day, Microsoft's market capitalization grew by 3% to stand at $2.887 trillion, its highest-ever, while Apple's market cap had fallen to $2.875 trillion. Once left in the dust by Apple, Microsoft has seen its market value soar in recent years due to its focus on developing AI technologies. The company's ability to incorporate OpenAI into much of its software has helped turbocharge this rise, and Microsoft's valuation has risen by more than $1 trillion in the last year. CNBC, Reuters

7. Taiwan loses diplomatic ally 2 days after presidential election

The island nation of Nauru on Monday severed diplomatic recognition from Taiwan in favor of China, less than two full days after Taiwan's presidential election. Nauru's government said it was recognizing the diplomacy of the Chinese mainland and that diplomacy with China was "in the best interests of [China] and people of Nauru." The island nation's decision leaves Taiwan with just 12 formal diplomatic allies as China continues its threats to proceed with an invasion. Relations between China and Taiwan were further strained by the election of Lai Ching-te as president in what was seen as a blow to Chinese efforts. Lai has long been seen as a strong supporter of Taiwanese independence. The Guardian, The Washington Post

8. Icelandic volcano erupts for second time in under a month

The Icelandic town of Grindavík is in dire straits after a nearby volcano erupted for the second time in less than a month on Sunday. The Fagradalsfjall volcano blew its top hours after an evacuation notice had been given for the area, sending lava flows and volcanic ash into the fishing town. Several homes were destroyed along with water and electric supplies. Fagradalsfjall also erupted on Dec. 18, but residents had already been evacuated as a precaution. However, some in the area are casting doubt about whether the dual eruptions will leave Grindavík inhabitable at all. The town sits about 25 miles from Iceland's capital, Reykjavik. The Guardian

9. Detroit Lions win first playoff game in 32 years

The Detroit Lions on Sunday accomplished what many fans thought could never be done — they won a playoff game. The Lions ended a 32-year playoff victory drought by beating the Los Angeles Rams 24-23. The nail-biter of a game saw Lions quarterback Jared Goff dominate the gridiron, completing 22 of 27 pass attempts while throwing for one touchdown. His 277 passing yards led the Lions to victory over the Rams and former longtime Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who left the team in 2021. The Green Bay Packers also advanced in their playoff game, beating the Dallas Cowboys 48-32. Two more games are on the docket on Monday to complete the wild card round. Yahoo! Sports

10. Hollywood’s television stars to gather for Primetime Emmy Awards

The 75th Primetime Emmy Awards will be held on Monday, arriving four months later than usual due to last year's Hollywood strikes. The ceremony is expected to draw less attention than normal due to its postponement and the fact that many of the nominees are for seasons that are long over. HBO continues to dominate awards season with the three most nominated shows this year: "The Last of Us," "The White Lotus" and "Succession." The latter received 27 nominations, the most of the night, while "The Last of Us" came in second place with 24 nods. Other notable shows to receive nominations include "The Bear" and "Ted Lasso," among others. The Associated Press

10 things you need to know today: January 14, 2024

theweek@futurenet.com (Justin Klawans, The Week US) — Sun, 14 Jan 2024 14:39:00 +0000

1. Israel and Hamas mark 100th day of war

Sunday marks the 100th day of the war between Israel and Hamas, with no end in sight and the violence ramping up on a continuing basis. Thousands in Israel commemorated the events of Oct. 7, in which Hamas launched a terrorist attack against the country that left more than 1,000 people dead and hundreds as hostages of Hamas. Protests were also seen throughout the Middle East in response to Israel's ongoing bombardment of Gaza, which has killed more than 23,000. Israeli leadership, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has claimed that Hamas has been severely weakened by the ongoing attack and has pledged to continue the fight until the terrorist group is destroyed. The New York Times, BBC

2. GOP candidates campaign on final day before frigid Iowa caucuses

Republican presidential candidates on Sunday participated in the last full day of campaigning before voting begins in the Iowa caucuses. A highly anticipated Des Moines Register/NBC News poll released yesterday shows former President Donald Trump with 48% support, far ahead of all other contenders. Nikki Haley appeared to seize the second place spot from Ron DeSantis, with the former South Carolina governor now polling at 20%. This could prove to be the final blow for those looking in from the outside, including DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy. The jostling comes as voters in Iowa will face record-low temperatures in what is expected to be the coldest caucus day ever in the state. The Washington Post, Des Moines Register

3. Winter storms cause plummeting temperatures and snowfall

Winter storms continued to blanket large portions of the United States on Sunday, bringing snowfall and deadly low temperatures along with them. The Arctic chill led to more than 44 million people being placed under a winter weather advisory as of Saturday evening, with a further wind chill warning affecting 29 million people, according to the National Weather Service. Southern states were also bracing for their first winter weather of the season, as more than 250 cold records could be broken this week from Oregon to Mississippi. Temperatures in southern cities such as Atlanta, Dallas and Nashville are expected to reach the teens. Many of these cities are expected to see extended cold streaks throughout the coming week. CNN, NBC News

4. Denmark proclaims new king as Queen Margarethe abdicates

Denmark's Queen Margarethe II signed her instrument of abdication on Sunday as her son acceded to the throne as King Frederik X. The 83-year-old Margarethe, who had served as the queen of Denmark for more than half a century, became the first Danish ruler in 900 years to voluntarily step down from the throne. In Copenhagen, crowds gathered outside of the royal palace, hoping to catch a glimpse of the new king and his family. Frederik's wife, born in Australia, will become Queen Mary, while his son, 18-year-old Christian, becomes heir to the throne as Denmark's new crown prince. Margarethe had announced her intention to abdicate last year on New Year's Eve, citing health concerns. Reuters, The Associated Press

5. North Korea reportedly launches mid-range ballistic missile

North Korea launched a suspected mid-range ballistic missile into the sea on Sunday, officials from Japan and South Korea said. Officials said the weapon was apparently fired from North Korea's capital, Pyongyang, toward the East Sea around 3 p.m. local time. It traveled about 621 miles before hitting the water, officials said. South Korean officials were monitoring the missile's metrics along with Japan and the United States. The South Korean military decried the launch in a statement, saying it "seriously threatens peace and stability." The test comes as North Korea in recent weeks has pledged to ramp up its nuclear capabilities against its southern counterpart and the West. ABC News, Reuters

6. 2 Navy SEALs missing after nighttime mission off Somalia

Search-and-rescue operations were underway Saturday for a pair of Navy SEALs that went missing following a mission off the coast of Somalia. The incident occurred last week when the two SEALs fell into the ocean while attempting to board a ship. The SEALs were reportedly operating in rough seas and fell off a ladder, officials told The Washington Post. It is unclear why the SEALs were attempting to board the ship, and no details about the mission were given. It was reported that the vessel had been marked as suspicious by the Navy and was being boarded for further inspection. The missing SEALs have not been identified. The Washington Post, The New York Times

7. Diplomats meet in Davos to discuss Ukraine’s path to peace

Representatives from 81 countries and international groups met in Davos, Switzerland, on Sunday in an attempt to rehash Ukraine's path to peace against Russia. The meeting came prior to the start of the World Economic Forum, and featured national security advisers and top officials. Many of them were from countries in the Global South, an area that has been less supportive of Ukraine's efforts than northern countries. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to attend the meetings and give a headlining speech. The meetings are also expected to address Ukraine's potential reconstruction after the war as well as the use of any frozen Russian assets. Bloomberg

8. John Kerry stepping down as US climate envoy

John Kerry, the U.S. special envoy on climate, will step down from his role in the Biden administration to help the president's reelection campaign, it was reported Saturday. An exact timeline hasn't been set, but he is expected to step down in the coming months. The 80-year-old Kerry reportedly wants to ensure Biden's victory because it is the "single biggest" difference that can be made in terms of the global climate this year, an administration official told Axios. Kerry, who previously served as secretary of state and was the Democratic nominee for president in 2004, is reportedly planning to channel environmental causes for the campaign, as well as the ongoing threat of global warming. Axios, Business Insider

9. Texans, Chiefs emerge victorious in NFL wild card games

The wild card round of the NFL playoffs began Saturday with a pair of raucous games. The reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, who have at times struggled this season under quarterback Patrick Mahomes, defeated the Miami Dolphins 26-7 in one of the coldest NFL games ever. Meanwhile, the Houston Texans, led by rookie quarterback sensation CJ Stroud, dispatched the Cleveland Browns 45-14. Stroud's three touchdown passes in the first half tied the league's rookie record, and he also became the youngest quarterback to earn a postseason victory. The remaining four wild card games will be played on Sunday and Monday. USA Today

10. Bill Hayes, star of 'Days of Our Lives,' dies at 98

Bill Hayes, a star of the NBC soap opera "Days of Our Lives," died Friday at the age of 98. Hayes was best known for playing Doug Williams on the show since his debut in 1970, and would become famous over the next five decades for portraying the character. "I have known Bill for most of my life and he embodied the heart and soul of ‘Days of our Lives,'" executive producer Ken Corday said in a statement. Hayes met his wife, Susan Seaforth, on the set of "Days of Our Lives," and like the real-life couple, their characters on the show would also get married. Variety

10 things you need to know today: January 13, 2024

theweek@futurenet.com (Justin Klawans, The Week US) — Sat, 13 Jan 2024 14:38:42 +0000

1. Winter storm blankets large swath of northern United States

A powerful winter storm blew across large portions of the northern United States Friday into Saturday, causing snow buildups, plunging temperatures and rain in a number of states. The storm continued an ongoing week of winter weather in the United States and more than 70 million people from California to New York remained under a winter weather advisory heading into Saturday. There are currently 36 states that have winter storm advisories, warnings or watches. Most of Iowa remains under a winter storm warning with six to 10 inches of snow expected, causing most of the Republican presidential candidates to cancel campaign events ahead of the state's upcoming caucuses. CNN, The Associated Press

2. More than 30 Palestinians reportedly killed during overnight airstrike in Gaza

More than 30 Palestinians were reportedly killed in the Gaza Strip during a series of overnight airstrikes by Israel on Saturday, local officials said. The dead reportedly included women and children. One of these attacks reportedly landed on a home in Gaza City, as video provided by the state's civil department shows rescue workers appearing to comb through the rubble. At least 20 people were killed in this specific attack, which occurred in the city's Daraj neighborhood, Gaza officials said. The airstrikes come as Israel and Hamas approach their 100th day of war, with no end to the conflict in sight and the death toll continuing to rise. The Associated Press

3. Ruling party candidate wins Taiwan’s presidential election

Lai Ching-te was elected president of Taiwan on Saturday, securing a third straight victory for the island's ruling political party in a blow to China's hopes of controlling the country. Lai, a member of the Democratic Progressive Party, won the election as part of a three-way contest that saw bitter campaigning from all sides, though each of the trio of candidates promised to protect the island from Chinese pressure. China has long claimed sovereignty over Taiwan and has threatened to launch an invasion, while Taiwanese leaders view the island as an independent state. China's morale on the matter will likely be deflated by the victory of Lai, who China has called an "instigator of war." NPR, Bloomberg

4. US military launches strike against Houthi stronghold in Yemen

U.S. military forces launched another airstrike on a Houthi-controlled site in Yemen on Saturday, marking the second time in two days that Western forces have attacked the rebel group. The destroyer USS Carney conducted the strike around 3:45 a.m. using Tomahawk missiles. No additional details were provided, though witnesses in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, reportedly heard one loud boom. The airstrike came following an additional barrage of attacks against the Houthis by a joint U.S.-U.K. strike team that left at least five Houthis dead. The back-and-forth has come in response to Houthi rebels attacking shipping vessels in the Red Sea, angered over the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. The New York Times, CBS News

5. Trump ordered to pay The New York Times nearly $400,000 in legal fees after failed lawsuit

Former President Donald Trump must pay nearly $400,000 in legal fees to The New York Times and a trio of Times reporters, a judge ruled Friday. The former president was ordered to pay $393,000 to cover the legal fees of his lawsuit against the newspaper that was dismissed last year. Trump had sued the Times and the three reporters, Susanne Craig, David Barstow and Russ Buettner, over a 2018 story about his family's history of tax schemes. Trump had sought $100 million in damages, but the newspaper and its reporters were dismissed from the lawsuit after it was determined that his claims "fail as a matter of constitutional law." Politico, CNBC

6. Federal prosecutors to seek death penalty for Buffalo mass shooter

The U.S. Justice Department said Friday it was seeking the death penalty for Payton Gendron, the white supremacist who killed 10 Black people at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, in 2022. Prosecutors believe that "the circumstances in Counts 11-20 of the Indictment are such that, in the event of a conviction, a sentence of death is justified," the Justice Department wrote in a court filing. Gendron, now 20, was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to a slew of state charges including murder and domestic terrorism. New York state does not have capital punishment, but federal prosecutors are seeking death as part of a separate hate crimes statute. The Guardian, ABC News

7. Cockpit window crack forces Japanese ANA Boeing 737-800 flight to turn back

A Japanese ANA Boeing 737-800 flight was forced to return to the airport Saturday after a crack was discovered in the cockpit window, an ANA spokesperson said. The flight, headed to Toyama airport, was forced to return to Sapporo-New Chitose airport after a crack was found on the outermost of four layers covering the plane's cockpit. No injuries were reported. The incident marks the latest in a series of mechanical failures and close calls for airline manufacturers, in particular Boeing and Airbus. The recent blowing off of a cabin door on an Alaska Airlines Boeing flight has led to renewed scrutiny of the industry. Reuters

8. Supreme Court to hear dispute over Starbucks firing of pro-union workers

The U.S. Supreme Court said Friday it would hear oral arguments in a case pitting Starbucks against its former employees. The coffeehouse giant is appealing a ruling that ordered the company to re-hire seven terminated employees who were part of a push to get their store to unionize. The case will likely have a wide swath of implications for labor and union rights across the country, and the court will decide the proper standards to be held by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against employers in these types of cases. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is supporting Starbucks, arguing that the company was within its right to fire the employees. The Hill, The New York Times

9. Kansas Proud Boy sentenced to more than 4 years for Jan. 6 attacks

A Kansas man was sentenced Friday to more than four years in prison for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. William Chrestman, 50, a member of the far-right Proud Boys movement, was sentenced to 55 months behind bars, with the judge saying he added "fuel to the fire" during the attack. Chrestman brought a large ax to the Capitol and admittedly threatened to kill a Capitol police officer. He was also seen shouting and egging on the crowd, telling them to "take back their house." Chrestman became notable for his garb, as he arrived at the building dressed in tactical gear and a gas mask. The Washington Post

10. Air Canada passenger falls onto tarmac after opening cabin door

An Air Canada flight from Toronto to Dubai was delayed for almost six hours this week after a passenger opened a cabin door and fell onto the tarmac, Peel Regional Police said. Authorities reportedly responded to the airport after receiving a call of a man who "opened an aircraft door and fallen out onto the tarmac while the aircraft was at the gate and boarding," police said in a press release. The man had minor injuries and was later taken into custody. Air Canada said in a statement that the man boarded the plane and opened the door instead of taking his seat, adding that the airline had followed all proper boarding procedures. USA Today

10 things you need to know today: January 12, 2024

theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (Harold Maass, The Week US) — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 12:06:19 +0000

1.Trump slams judge, New York attorney general in fraud trial closure

Former President Donald Trump bashed New York Judge Arthur Engoron during closing arguments in his $370 million civil fraud trial on Thursday, despite being told by the judge not to speak unless he agreed to refrain from criticizing the court or making a campaign speech. Trump claimed he was "an innocent man" being "persecuted" by New York Attorney General Letitia James for political reasons. He also said Engoron had his "own agenda" before the judge told Trump's lawyer to "control your client" and called a lunch break. James accuses Trump of fraudulently inflating his properties' values to get preferential treatment from banks. Kevin Wallace, a lawyer for James' office, said Trump and his co-defendants "acted knowingly and intentionally." The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times

2. US, UK hit Houthi military sites in Yemen

The United States and Britain on Thursday attacked Houthi military targets in Yemen with fighter jets and Tomahawk missiles fired from Navy ships. President Joe Biden said the strikes targeted Houthi-controlled areas where rebels were firing at ships in the Red Sea and endangering "freedom of navigation in one of the world's most vital waterways." Biden said the strikes, supported by Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands, showed that the coalition would "not tolerate" Houthi aggression. Nasr Aldeen Amer, vice president of the Houthi Media Authority, called the attacks, which hit the capital Sanaa and other cities, "a brutal aggression against our country, for which they will pay absolutely." NBC News, BBC

3. Putin ally Medvedev issues nuclear warning

A former Russian president and powerful Vladimir Putin ally, Dmitry Medvedev, warned Thursday that any attacks by Ukraine on missile launch sites in Russia using long-range missiles supplied by the United States and other Western allies could prompt a nuclear response. Medvedev, currently serving as deputy chair of Russia's Security Council, said some Ukrainian commanders were considering such strikes. He noted in a post on the Telegram messaging app that a clause in Russia's 2020 nuclear doctrine says Russia could use a nuclear weapon in response to an attack with conventional weapons "when the very existence of the state is put under threat." "This should be remembered," he wrote. Medvedev has threatened nuclear strikes on Ukraine before. Reuters

4. Maryland election official resigns after Jan. 6 riot arrest

A top Maryland election official, Carlos Ayala, resigned Thursday after being arrested on charges of participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. Ayala, wearing a "Stop the Steal" button, allegedly scaled a police barricade during the riot by supporters of former President Donald Trump. He was carrying a black flag that said "We the People" and had an image of an assault-style rifle, according to the criminal complaint unsealed after his Tuesday arrest. The flag was captured on video being hoisted through a window where Capitol Police were trying to block rioters. The Maryland Senate in March 2023 confirmed Ayala as one of the state GOP's two representatives on the five-member Board of Elections, which oversees elections. The Washington Post

5. Inflation ticked higher in December due to housing, fuel costs

Inflation edged up in December due largely to higher housing and energy costs, the Labor Department reported Thursday. The consumer price index rose 3.4% in December from a year earlier, slightly more than economists had expected and up from November's 3.1%. Core inflation, excluding volatile fuel and food costs, fell slightly to 3.9% year-to-year, just above estimates but below 4% for the first time since May 2021. Inflation dropped by nearly half in 2023, The Wall Street Journal reported, while real wages grew. The inflation declines in previous months fueled hope the Federal Reserve would soon start cutting interest rates, but December's data showed it will still be challenging to get inflation down to the central bank's 2% target. The Wall Street Journal, The Associated Press

6. Pentagon watchdog investigates Austin hospitalization secrecy

The Defense Department inspector general's office announced Thursday it would start an investigation this month into Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's secrecy over his recent hospitalization. Austin was sent to the Walter Reed Medical Center on Jan. 1 after developing serious and painful complications from prostate cancer surgery in December, none of which the White House knew about until several days after Austin returned to the hospital. The apparent breach of protocol sparked outrage from politicians. The Republican-led House Armed Services Committee has indicated it also plans to hold an inquiry, which could involve public hearings later in the year as President Joe Biden campaigns for reelection. CNN, The Washington Post

7. Hunter Biden pleads not guilty to tax charges

Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty Thursday in a Los Angeles federal court to tax charges filed after the collapse of a plea deal that would have averted a trial while his father, President Joe Biden, runs for reelection this year. Hunter Biden was indicted last month on charges that include neglecting to pay federal income tax on time from 2016 to 2019. During that period, Hunter Biden was fighting alcohol and crack cocaine addiction. The indictment says he "willfully" failed to pay $1.4 million he owed the Internal Revenue Service, instead spending heavily on such things as "drugs, escorts and girlfriends, luxury hotels" and "exotic cars." Biden's lawyers say he has since paid what he owed, with interest. Los Angeles Times, Reuters

8. Taiwan heads into elections amid tensions with China

Political parties in Taiwan are making a final appeal for votes Friday ahead of Saturday presidential and parliamentary elections being held as the self-governed island faces increasing pressure from China, which views it as a rogue province. The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which promotes Taiwan's separate identity, is running Vice President Lai Ching-te — whom Beijing has called a dangerous separatist — as its presidential candidate, hoping to win a third straight term for the party. Opposition candidate Hou Yu-ih, whose Nationalist Party favors a conciliatory approach to China, trails by just a few percentage points in polls. Third-party candidate Ko Wen-je has been gaining support with a focus on domestic issues but remains a long shot. The New York Times, Reuters

9. Spain's first parliamentarian with Down syndrome breaks barrier

Mar Galcerán, 45, has become the first person with Down syndrome to serve in a regional parliament in Spain. Galcerán joined the conservative People's Party when she was 18, attracted by its embrace of tradition, according to The Guardian. She slowly worked her way up the ladder in the party until being added last May to a list of candidates in Valencia's regional elections. When she won, she joined a small number of people with Down syndrome who have broken barriers to enter politics in the last few years. "It's unprecedented," Galcerán told The Guardian. "Society is starting to see that people with Down syndrome have a lot to contribute. But it's a very long road." The Guardian

10. Patriots, Bill Belichick part ways after 24 years

The New England Patriots and longtime coach Bill Belichick announced Thursday that they "mutually agreed" to part ways, ending a 24-year tenure in which Belichick led the football team to six Super Bowl wins in nine appearances. Belichick and legendary quarterback Tom Brady built a "19-year dynasty," The Boston Globe reported, during which most opponents "regarded Brady as the greatest quarterback and Belichick as the greatest coach of all time." But the team went downhill after Brady left in March 2020. The Patriots have gone 29-38 since then, missing the playoffs in three of the last four seasons. The team just finished their season with a 4-13 record. The Boston Globe

10 things you need to know today: January 11, 2024

theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (Harold Maass, The Week US) — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 12:11:04 +0000

1. Haley and DeSantis clash as Trump skips debate

Republican presidential hopefuls Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis exchanged attacks Wednesday night in their first head-to-head debate in a battle to show who was the best alternative to former President Donald Trump, the odds-on favorite to win the Republican presidential nomination. Trump stayed away and held his own town hall. The Iowa forum took place five days before the state's caucuses, which start the GOP primaries. Former South Carolina Gov. Haley and Florida Gov. DeSantis "called each other liars and insulted each other's records and character in the opening minutes," The Associated Press reported. Haley said trouble in DeSantis' campaign operation showed he couldn't lead the country; DeSantis accused Haley of flip-flopping on conservative issues. The Washington Post, The Associated Press

2. UN court hears South Africa genocide case against Israel

The International Court of Justice on Thursday started two days of hearings on South Africa's allegation that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in its war with Hamas in Gaza. Israeli President Isaac Herzog has called the allegation "atrocious and preposterous," noting that Hamas is the one with a charter calling for the annihilation of Israel, "the only nation-state of the Jewish people." Israel is defending itself in person against the claim for the first time, "attesting to the gravity of the indictment and the high stakes for its international reputation and standing," The New York Times reports. Initially, South Africa is asking the United Nations' top court to order an immediate halt to Israel's military operations in Gaza. The New York Times, NBC News

3. Chris Christie suspends presidential campaign

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie dropped out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination on Wednesday, just days before the Republican primary season kicks off with Monday's Iowa caucuses. "There isn't a path for me to win the nomination," Christie said at a New Hampshire town hall. Christie set himself apart from the rest of the GOP field by harshly criticizing former President Donald Trump. Christie's decision to bow out now could boost former United Nations ambassador and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who has battled with Christie for anti-Trump voters and gained on Trump in New Hampshire ahead of its Jan. 23 primary. Christie was caught on a hot mic saying Haley was "going to get smoked." Axios

4. Judge says Trump won't speak during civil fraud case closing arguments

The judge overseeing Donald Trump's New York civil fraud case said Wednesday that Trump would not speak during Thursday's closing arguments, as the former president had requested, after his lawyers rejected the judge's conditions. Trump attorney Chris Kise had informed Judge Arthur Engoron in a Jan. 4 email that Trump intended to speak. Andrew Amer of state Attorney General Letitia James' office objected, saying letting Trump participate in closing arguments "would effectively grant him an opportunity to testify without being subject to cross-examination." Engoron had said he was leaning toward letting Trump speak but he could not "testify," "deliver a campaign speech" or "impugn" court employees. Kise said Trump couldn't agree to those terms. NBC News

5. Al-Shabab militants seize UN helicopter, crew in Somalia

The Somali armed Islamist group al-Shabab seized a United Nations helicopter that made an emergency landing Wednesday. Armed members of the al-Qaeda-linked insurgent group set the helicopter on fire and abducted most of the four Europeans and five Africans who were onboard. The attackers reportedly killed one crew member. Two others were unaccounted for and might have escaped, a Western official told The Washington Post. A U.N. memo said there were no U.N. staff involved. All the passengers and crew were third-party contractors, according to AFP. BBC, The Washington Post

Two committees in the Republican-led House on Wednesday approved a report recommending holding Hunter Biden in contempt for failing to comply with a subpoena for closed-door testimony. Hunter Biden, President Joe Biden's son, made a brief appearance as the committees began to consider the contempt resolution, angering Republicans. "You are the epitome of white privilege," Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) said, accusing Biden of ignoring the subpoena then showing up and "spitting in our face." Biden and his lawyers left after 10 minutes. Last month, on the day Biden was called to appear, he held a news conference outside the Capitol, offering to testify in public. Republicans allege, without proof, that the president benefited from his son's foreign business dealings. CNN

7. Ecuador, drug mafias declare war on each other

Ecuador's new president, Daniel Noboa, and drug gangs declared war on each other Wednesday as soldiers patrolled mostly empty streets following a drug boss' prison escape that triggered an outburst of gang violence. "We are in a non-international armed conflict," Noboa said in a radio interview. "We are in a state of war. We cannot give in to those terrorist groups." The small, once-calm South American nation has faced years of increasing power by transnational drug cartels, which use Ecuador's ports to ship cocaine to the United States and Europe, according to CBS News. A series of attacks left at least 11 people dead Tuesday in the port city of Guayaquil and nearby towns. The Wall Street Journal, CBS News

8. SEC approves bitcoin ETFs

The Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday approved 11 applications to offer exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tied to bitcoin. The decision came a day after someone hacked the regulator's account on X and claimed the decision had already been made. The authorization of bitcoin ETFs marked an important moment for the cryptocurrency industry. The new financial products will give people an easier way to invest in digital assets. Major financial firms, including asset managers BlackRock and Fidelity, were among the firms approved to offer the products, which could start trading as soon as Thursday. SEC Chair Gary Gensler, a critic of crypto-market fraud and volatility, stressed that the SEC hadn't endorsed bitcoin and urged investors to "remain cautious." The New York Times

9. Amazon, Google lay off hundreds in post-pandemic cost cuts

Amazon and Google on Wednesday announced hundreds of layoffs, the latest sign that tech giants are trying to reverse their over-expansion during the coronavirus pandemic. Amazon, which has cut 27,000 employees since late 2022, is laying off hundreds of workers at its studio division and its subsidiary Twitch. Google said it was cutting hundreds of employees in divisions including Google's Assistant program and hardware and internal software tools. Tech companies laid off tens of thousands of employees last year as consumers continued their return to normal life after the end of the coronavirus crisis, which had forced them to work, play, shop and study online, sparking a boom for the tech industry. The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal

10. Avalanche kills 1 at California ski resort

An avalanche crashed through expert trails at a California ski resort near Lake Tahoe on Wednesday amid a major storm with heavy snow and gusty winds. One person was killed and another injured. The resort, Palisades Tahoe, closed 30 minutes after it opened, and search crews rushed to see if anyone else was hurt or buried. The avalanche hit steep "black diamond" slopes for skilled skiers and snowboarders. The victims were out-of-town guests at the resort. Two others hit by sliding snow were pulled out unhurt. Skier Mark Sponsler, a veteran weather forecaster, said a person who saw the avalanche hit recounted that "there was screaming, there were skis and poles and a hand sticking up out of the snow." The Associated Press

10 things you need to know today: January 10, 2024

theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (Harold Maass, The Week US) — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 12:13:28 +0000

1. Appeals court judges question Trump immunity claim

A three-judge federal appeals court panel asked deeply skeptical questions Tuesday about former President Donald Trump's claim he is immune from charges of trying to subvert the 2020 election. Trump lawyer D. John Sauer argued that Trump couldn't be prosecuted for anything he did while in the White House. Judge Karen Henderson, the panel's only Republican appointee, appeared to reject Trump's claim he was duty-bound to try to overturn his loss to President Joe Biden. "It's paradoxical to say that his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed allows him to violate the criminal law," Henderson said. Sauer also appeared to agree a president could get away with ordering SEAL Team 6 to assassinate a political rival. The New York Times

2. Ecuador violence explodes after prison break, TV takeover

Heavily armed gang members stormed an Ecuador television station Tuesday during a wave of attacks that left several police officers and others dead two days after drug kingpin Adolfo Macías, alias Fito, escaped from prison. Ecuador's new president, Daniel Noboa, declared a state of emergency Monday and, after Tuesday's violence, ordered the military to "neutralize" gangs as chaos erupted in the streets and in prisons. Inmates took dozens of guards hostage. Soldiers searched for Macías, convicted head of the powerful Los Choneros drug gang. At the TC Televisión studio in Guayaquil, the South American nation's biggest city, masked men carrying guns and dynamite disrupted a live broadcast, holding employees hostage until police stormed in and arrested all 13 gunmen. The Guardian, The New York Times

3. Blinken presses Israel on postwar Gaza plan

Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday urged Israel to discuss plans for postwar Gaza with moderate Palestinians and other countries in the Middle East. Blinken said neighboring nations would help rebuild the war-torn, Hamas-run Palestinian enclave but only if the plans included a "pathway to a Palestinian state," The Associated Press reported. The U.S. supports Israel in the war but backs calls from Arab allies to resume a long-stalled peace process Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's conservative government adamantly opposes. Blinken's comments came as he toured the region to push for preventing the Hamas-Israel conflict from spreading, as Israeli attacks on Hamas and Hezbollah leaders in Lebanon intensify fears of a broader war. The Associated Press

4. Austin had surgery for prostate cancer

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had an operation to treat prostate cancer in December and was returned to the hospital on New Year's Day due to complications from the "minimally invasive" surgery, doctors at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center said in a statement Tuesday. After Austin was readmitted for nausea and "severe abdominal, hip and leg pain," doctors discovered he had a urinary tract infection. The Pentagon confirmed Tuesday that Austin had kept his medical issues secret. Nobody in the White House — including President Joe Biden and Austin's stand-in, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks — knew about his hospitalization for several days, prompting criticism for a lack of transparency. CNN

5. Trump claims Willis allegation 'totally compromised' Georgia prosecution

Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday called Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' election interference case against him "totally compromised" after a co-defendant filed a motion alleging, without evidence, that Willis and a top prosecutor are romantically involved. "The case has to be dropped," Trump said after a hearing in his federal election-subversion case in Washington, D.C. Political operative Mike Roman, who served as Trump's director of Election Day operations in 2020, said the seven criminal charges he faced were "fatally defective" because "sources close" to Willis and special prosecutor Nathan Wade said they had an "ongoing" romantic relationship. Willis and Wade have not commented. The Hill, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

6. US, UK intercept biggest Houthi barrage yet in Red Sea

U.S. and British warships on Tuesday shot down the biggest barrage of drones and missiles fired at commercial ships in the Red Sea from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. The Iranian-backed Houthi militia has targeted vessels in the Red Sea to disrupt global trade in a show of support for Hamas in its war against Israel. The United States and Britain said U.S. fighter jets from the aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower and four other warships blocked the "complex attack," which included 18 drones, two anti-ship cruise missiles and an anti-ship ballistic missile. Houthi attacks have forced major shipping companies to reroute vessels, causing delays and added costs for oil and other goods. The New York Times, Reuters

7. Top 1% pay lowest tax rate in most states

The wealthiest people pay lower tax rates than everyone else in most states, according to a study by the Institute on Taxation and Economic policy. "On average, the lowest-income 20% of taxpayers face a state and local tax rate nearly 60% higher than the top 1% of households," according to the analysis. The study found that the lower someone's income, the higher their tax rate, which lets the wealthy off the hook and hampers states' ability to raise revenue. "In other words, not only do the rich, on average, pay a lower effective state and local tax rate than lower-income people, they also collectively contribute a smaller share of state and local taxes than their share of all income," the study found. The Hill

8. Rule could make companies treat more 'gig' workers as employees

The Labor Department on Tuesday issued a final rule requiring companies to treat workers as employees — not independent contractors — if they are "economically dependent" on the company. Business groups are likely to challenge the change. The rule could increase labor costs for companies that rely heavily on contractors and freelancers, including trucking firms, health care groups and app-based "gig" services. Studies indicate that employees can cost businesses 30% more than independent contractors, according to Reuters. The Labor Department said the rule would boost enforcement against businesses that misclassify workers as contractors to save money. Reuters

9. NASA postpones plan to put astronauts on the moon

NASA announced Tuesday it would delay its long-awaited mission to return astronauts to the moon. The latest in a series of postponements was prompted by anomalies on 2022's uncrewed Artemis I mission. Four astronauts in the Artemis II mission will now make a planned flyby in 2025. Their lunar landing on Artemis III has been pushed back from 2025 to 2026. Artemis IV, the first scheduled trip to the extraterrestrial space station Gateway, is still planned for 2028, according to NASA. "The safety of our astronauts is NASA's top priority," NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said. Axios

10. Storms continue, flood risk rises

Much of the United States faces continuing extreme weather on Wednesday. Severe weather Tuesday spawned Gulf Coast tornadoes that left three people dead. Millions were under flood warnings. Heavy snow, dangerous winds, and thunderstorms have knocked out power, disrupted air travel and forced schools to close from the Great Lakes to the Florida panhandle, The New York Times reported. Flood risk could continue through Thursday, after the storm passes. "The worst time for flooding is right after the rain stops," said Patrick Wilson, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Blacksburg, Virginia. A second powerful winter storm, already hammering the Northwest, will sweep across the central and eastern U.S. this weekend. The New York Times, The Weather Channel

10 things you need to know today: January 9, 2024

theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (Harold Maass, The Week US) — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 12:01:49 +0000

1. Israel shifts to more targeted phase of Hamas war

Israel's military said Monday it had started shifting its ground and air offensive in Gaza to a more targeted phase against Hamas leaders and fighters. The disclosure came as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is touring the Middle East in a bid to keep the war from spreading, was expected to urge Israeli leaders to narrow their offensive to protect civilians. The threat that the fighting could spread increased on Monday as Hezbollah, a Hamas ally in Lebanon, said an Israeli strike killed one of its commanders a day after another Israeli attack killed senior Hamas leaders in Lebanon. The New York Times

2. Trump asks judges to rule him immune from prosecution

Former President Donald Trump's lawyers filed a motion Monday asking a Georgia judge to dismiss felony election-interference charges against him, arguing that he was immune from prosecution because his efforts to overturn his election loss were part of his duties as president. "From 1789 to 2023, no president ever faced criminal prosecution for acts committed while in office," Trump attorneys Steve Sadow and Jennifer Little argued. Legal experts told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution the immunity argument is unlikely to prevent Trump's prosecution but could delay the case until after November's presidential election. Trump on Tuesday is asking an appeals court in Washington, D.C., to consider his immunity claim in his federal election-subversion case. A lower court rejected that claim in December. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Associated Press

3. Peregrine moon landing off due to propulsion failure

Astrobotic Technology abandoned its plan for the first U.S. moon landing in a half-century — and the first ever by a private business — after a "critical" fuel leak developed shortly after its Monday launch from Florida. The company said it turned its Peregrine spacecraft toward the sun so its solar panel could charge its battery, and was now focusing on getting the lander, which carries experiments but no people, as close to the moon as possible before it loses power. The 202-foot-tall Vulcan Centaur rocket developed by the United Launch Alliance, a Boeing-Lockheed Martin joint venture, had a successful first launch after years of delays, powering the lander into space. Spaceflight Now, The Wall Street Journal

4. Austin moved from intensive care as calls for accountability continue

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin left intensive care on Monday as he faced intensifying criticism for failing to tell the White House about his emergency hospitalization for days. Austin, 70, was taken to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland on Jan. 1 in "severe pain" due to complications from a Dec. 22 elective medical procedure that included an overnight stay. He remains under doctors' supervision at Walter Reed. The Pentagon has given halting explanations for why Austin's staff failed to notify the White House immediately. Republicans and Democrats have demanded accountability. Politico reported that President Joe Biden would not accept Austin's resignation if offered. The Washington Post, Politico

5. Pakistan high court lifts lifetime ban on politicians with criminal convictions

Pakistan's Supreme Court on Monday threw out a law that barred people with criminal convictions from running for political office, clearing the way for former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to run in February parliamentary elections. A seven-justice panel headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa ruled 6-1 that politicians could be barred for five years but not for life. Sharif has served as prime minister three times, but never completed a term due to corruption allegations and military opposition. He was disqualified from elections for life in 2017. Sharif's political party, the Pakistan Muslim League, called the ruling a "vindication," saying Sharif had been the victim of political persecution. The New York Times

6. Florida GOP ousts leader accused of rape

The Republican Party of Florida on Monday formally removed its scandal-plagued chair, Christian Ziegler, in an overwhelming vote as he continued to fight a weeks-long sexual assault investigation. A woman accused Ziegler of raping her after his wife — Bridget Ziegler, co-founder of the far-right Moms for Liberty group — backed out of a planned three-way sexual encounter. The accuser said she and the Zieglers previously had a three-way tryst. Both Zieglers resisted calls to resign — Christian Ziegler from his GOP position and Bridget Ziegler from her seat on the Sarasota County, Florida, School Board. Three weeks before the closed-door vote to oust Ziegler, the state GOP had stripped him of all authority and cut his salary from $120,000 to $1. The Miami Herald, The Washington Post

7. France's prime minister resigns

French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne submitted her resignation to President Emmanuel Macron on Monday, less than 20 months after he appointed her. Macron accepted it, praising Borne for showing "courage, commitment and determination" during her time as prime minister. He appointed Gabriel Attal to replace her; at 34, Attal will be France's youngest prime minister in modern history. Bourne was the second woman to hold the job. Her departure came as Macron gets started with an overhaul of his government's leadership, hoping to boost his political strength six months before European elections. Borne's chances of holding onto the position had been sinking for weeks, particularly after the passing of a divisive "immigration" law. Le Monde, BBC

8. Michigan beats Washington to take college football national championship

The University of Michigan Wolverines won the College Football Playoff national championship Monday, beating the University of Washington Huskies 34-13 at NRG Stadium in Houston. Michigan held Washington's quarterback, Heisman Trophy runner-up Michael Penix Jr., to 255 yards and one touchdown, plus two interceptions, as he completed 27 of 51 passes. The win gave Michigan its first national title since 1997. Michigan senior running back Blake Corum had 134 rushing yards and two touchdowns, increasing the Wolverines' lead after his backfield mate Donovan Edwards scored the game's first two touchdowns to help Michigan complete its return to the top under head coach Jim Harbaugh. The Athletic

9. Plains, Midwest hit by back-to-back winter storms

An intense storm crossing the Plains states is hitting the central and eastern United States with dangerous weather into early Wednesday. The system is expected to whip much of the Lower 48 states with strong tornadoes, blizzard conditions, torrential rains and powerful winds. The low-pressure system first appeared near Oklahoma and is heading northeast across the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys toward Quebec. Areas from southern Texas to eastern North Carolina could face damage from high winds and tornadoes through Tuesday. An even stronger and colder storm is forecast to hit the Plains and the Midwest on Friday and Saturday, possibly shutting down travel and putting anyone caught outdoors at risk. The Washington Post, Accuweather

10. Tiger Woods and Nike split after 27-year partnership

Golf legend Tiger Woods on Monday announced the end of his longtime partnership with Nike. "Over 27 years ago I was fortunate to start a partnership with one of the most iconic brands in the world," the 15-time major champion wrote. "The days since have been filled with so many amazing moments and memories, if I started naming them, I could go on forever." Woods, who had worn Nike shoes and golf apparel since turning pro in August 1996, deflected speculation about a possible split with the athletic shoe and clothing brand in December, saying, "I'm still wearing their product." Nike confirmed the breakup on Instagram, thanking Woods for challenging "the entire institution of golf." Sports Illustrated, ESPN

10 things you need to know today: January 8, 2024

theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (Harold Maass, The Week US) — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 12:25:07 +0000

1. Congressional leaders agree on spending levels as shutdown looms

House and Senate leaders announced a tentative spending deal Sunday in a step toward averting a government shutdown later this month. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) settled on funding levels that included $886 billion for defense spending and $773 billion in non-defense spending for a total of about $1.66 trillion for fiscal year 2024. Congress still must approve funding bills or a stopgap resolution ahead of Jan. 19 and Feb. 2 funding deadlines to prevent a shutdown. Johnson said Republicans won concessions like IRS funding cuts, while Schumer said Democrats protected health care and nutrition assistance from "draconian cuts sought by right-wing extremists." CNN, The New York Times

2. 'Oppenheimer' leads Golden Globes with 5 wins

"Oppenheimer" led the winners of the 2024 Golden Globes on Sunday, taking five awards, including best film, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy) in the drama category. "Barbie," "Poor Things," "Anatomy of a Fall" and "The Holdovers" also received multiple awards. "Barbie" won a new award for cinematic and box office achievement. Emma Stone took her second Golden Globe for her performance in "Poor Things." Lily Gladstone became the first Indigenous woman to win for best actress for her portrayal of Mollie Burkhart, an Osage woman whose relatives were murdered for their oil money, in Martin Scorsese's "Killers of the Flower Moon." "Succession" led TV shows with four wins. The Hollywood Reporter, Variety

3. Lawmakers demand answers on Lloyd Austin's hospitalization

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin faced intensifying criticism over the weekend for failing to notify the White House for days that he had been hospitalized for complications from recent elective surgery. Congressional leaders from both parties demanded clarification on unanswered questions, including details about the surgery and complications, and Austin's current health status. House Armed Services Committee Chair Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) and ranking member Adam Smith (D-Wash.) said they were "concerned with how the disclosure of the secretary's condition was handled," and wanted details "as soon as possible," adding, "Transparency is vitally important." Austin said Saturday he "could have done a better job ensuring the public was appropriately informed." Axios

4. Blinken meets with Arab leaders in push to contain Israel-Hamas war

Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Jordan's King Abdullah II and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Sunday in an urgent push to prevent the Israel-Hamas war from spreading in the Middle East. Blinken will also visit the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the West Bank and Egypt before he returns to Washington at the end of his fourth diplomatic trip to the region since Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct 7, sparking the current war. Blinken said Palestinians who fled their homes must be allowed to return once it's safe, doubling down on the Biden administration's rejection of calls from some Israeli government ministers for Palestinians to be resettled outside Gaza. The Associated Press, The Hill

5. Report: Investors, executives concerned about Musk's alleged drug use

Elon Musk's alleged use of drugs — including LSD, cocaine, ecstasy, psychedelic mushrooms and ketamine — has become a concern for some executives at the Tesla and SpaceX CEO's companies, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday. People close to Musk told the Journal they worried Musk's drug use could result in a health crisis or damage the companies. Illegal drug use could violate federal policies and threaten SpaceX government space-flight contracts worth billions of dollars. Musk is a big part of the value of the companies, which employ tens of thousands of people and account for $1 trillion in investor assets. A Musk lawyer said the billionaire is "regularly and randomly drug tested at SpaceX and has never failed a test." The Wall Street Journal, Fortune

6. Boeing 737 Max 9 jet groundings spread

Groundings of Boeing 737 Max 9 jets spread from the United States to Panama and Turkey over the weekend as regulators rushed to inspect the planes after a piece of an Alaska Airlines jet blew out in midflight, forcing the pilots to make an emergency landing. The groundings mark the biggest setback for Boeing's most popular aircraft since the entire fleet of Max jetliners was taken out of service in 2019 after two deadly crashes. Federal investigators prioritized the search for the Alaska Airlines plane's missing "plug door" for clues about what caused it to fall off. The piece was found in the backyard of a home in the Portland, Oregon, area, officials announced Sunday. CNN, NBC News

7. Iowa students plan walkout to protest school shooting

Iowa students plan to walk out of class Monday and march to the state Capitol to call for lawmakers to take action to prevent gun violence in the wake of last week's deadly shooting at Perry High School. Police say a student at the school killed sixth-grader Ahmir Jolliff, 11, and wounded seven others before taking his own life. March for Our Lives Iowa — a nonpartisan group that encourages youth political involvement — organized the walkout in response to student frustration over the shooting, the Des Moines Register reported. Akshara Eswar, one of the group's state executive directors, said the goal was to let lawmakers know "we are not happy with the state of the gun laws in Iowa." Des Moines Register

8. Bangladesh prime minister wins as opposition boycotts

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina won her fourth straight term in a controversial Sunday election boycotted by the main opposition, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. The opposition called the vote a "sham" after mass arrests targeting BNP leaders and supporters, according to BBC. Hasina's Awami League party and its allies won 152 of the 300 parliamentary seats, giving her another five years and her fifth term overall. Human Rights Watch estimated that police arrested nearly 10,000 activists after violence broke out at an Oct. 28 opposition rally, leaving at least 16 people dead and more than 5,500 injured. BBC, The Associated Press

9. First commercial moon mission launches

The Peregrine lunar lander developed by Astrobotic headed for the moon early Monday atop a Vulcan rocket made by a Lockheed Martin-Boeing joint venture, the United Launch Alliance. The rocket launched from Cape Canaveral on a mission aiming for a Feb. 23 soft landing on the moon — America's first lunar landing in more than 50 years and the first-ever commercial mission to the moon. The Peregrine lander, launched under the Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, is carrying five NASA instruments. It will also deliver nonscientific items, including payloads for Elysium Space and Celestis, companies that offer "space burials" of cremated remains. CBS News, NBC News

10. 'Wonka' leads box office for third weekend

"Wonka" held onto the top spot at the domestic box office for the third straight weekend, with the Warner Bros. musical featuring Timothée Chalamet bringing in another $14.4 million in ticket sales. Weekend ticket sales lifted the total domestic haul of the prequel about Roald Dahl's mysterious chocolatier to $164.7 million. "Night Swim," the only other big new movie in theaters and the first nationwide release of 2024, brought in $12 million from 3,200 North American theaters, enough for second place. Overseas, it collected just $5.7 million in 36 markets. Variety, The Associated Press

10 things you need to know today: January 7, 2024

theweek@futurenet.com (Justin Klawans, The Week US) — Sun, 07 Jan 2024 14:44:39 +0000

1. White House reportedly left unaware of defense secretary’s hospitalization

The Pentagon did not tell the White House for more than three days that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had been hospitalized, U.S. officials said Saturday. The revelation caused alarm across the federal government given that Austin is the top official in charge of the Defense Department. Austin was hospitalized for an elective medical procedure on New Year's Day, but national security adviser Jake Sullivan was not informed of this fact until Jan. 4, officials told Politico. It is believed that President Joe Biden was also unaware of Austin's hospitalization until Sullivan told him. In a statement, Austin wrote, "I recognize I could have done a better job ensuring the public was appropriately informed." Politico, The Washington Post

2. Biden to deliver State of the Union address on March 7

President Joe Biden will deliver the State of the Union address on March 7, in what will be the third such speech of his presidency. In a letter to Biden on Saturday, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) formally extended an invitation to address Congress, asking him to deliver the speech during "this moment of great challenge for our country." Biden replied on X that he was "looking forward" to the speech. The speech will notably fall at a late date; the State of the Union is typically given in February, such was Biden's 2023 speech which took place on Feb. 7. The date also falls after a pair of deadlines to keep the government funded. The New York Times, Bloomberg

3. Special counsel reportedly finds new details about Trump’s inaction on Jan. 6

Special Counsel Jack Smith has uncovered new information about the inaction of former President Donald Trump during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, ABC News reported Sunday. Many of the details came from Trump's former deputy chief of staff, Dan Scavino, who spoke with Smith's team last year. Scavino reportedly said that Trump "was just not interested" in doing anything to stop the violence as it unfolded. When Trump was told that his vice president, Mike Pence, had to be taken to a secure location, Trump reportedly replied, "So what?" Scavino reportedly told Trump on that night, "This is all your legacy here, and there's smoke coming out of the Capitol." ABC News

4. Israeli strike reportedly kills 2 Palestinian journalists

A pair of Palestinian journalists were reportedly killed during Israeli airstrikes in Gaza on Sunday. The pair of freelancers, Hamza Al-Dahdouh and Mustafa Thuraya, reportedly died following an airstrike on a car in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza. Al-Dahdouh had worked as a reporter for Al Jazeera television while Thuraya was a video stringer for the AFP news agency. A third freelancer traveling with the pair was also wounded. The Israeli Defense Force has continued to ramp up airstrikes and bombing attacks in its war with Hamas, which has now been ongoing for exactly three months. Hamas' government office said 109 journalists have been killed in the war. Reuters, AFP

5. FAA grounds additional Boeing 737-9s after Alaska Airlines emergency landing

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Saturday ordered the temporary grounding and inspection of dozens of Boeing 737-9 Max airplanes. The move comes one day after an Alaska Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing after a piece of its fuselage blew out in the air, causing a rapid decompression of the cabin. No injuries were reported, and Alaska Airlines said it was grounding its entire fleet of 737-9s as a result. The FAA followed suit by grounding 171 more 737-9s across numerous U.S. airlines, saying in a statement that it was "requiring immediate inspections of certain Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes before they can return to flight." CBS News, CNBC

6. Winter weather to cause ongoing issues across US

Large swaths of the United States are already dealing with winter storms and there doesn't appear to be any respite on the horizon. Winter weather struck both ends of the country on Saturday, as storm and snow warnings enveloped the East Coast while a snowstorm battered the Sierra Nevada mountain range on the West Coast. Winter storm warnings in the Northeast also caused icy conditions as far south as North Carolina. Blizzard-like conditions, flooding and tornadoes are also possible this coming week as the winter weather pattern carves its way through the central portion of the United States. More than 10 million people remain under winter weather advisories. CNN, The Associated Press

7. Michigan Republicans vote to oust controversial chairwoman

A group of Michigan Republicans voted Saturday to remove the head of their state's party, Kristina Karamo, from office. Republicans reportedly cheered as Karamo was ousted from power, with around 88% of the 45 people participating in the vote choosing to remove her. The exact number remains unclear as the vote was conducted using secret ballots. Karamo said that she would not accept the results of the vote, calling it illegitimate, amid continuing signs of division growing within Michigan's Republican Party. Karamo and party leadership have been criticized for the GOP's string of losses at the ballot box as well as mounting financial troubles and infighting with party members. The Detroit News, The Detroit Free Press

8. Italian foreign minister calls for EU to create its own army

Italy's foreign minister said Sunday that the European Union should form its own army to play a role in peacekeeping across the continent. Antonio Tajani told Italian newspaper La Stampa in an interview, "If we want to be peacekeepers in the world, we need a European military. And this is a fundamental precondition to be able to have an effective European foreign policy." Tajani, who is also the deputy prime minister of Italy, said that forming an EU army was a priority for his Forza Italia political party. "Italian, German, French or Slovenian citizens can only be protected by something that already exists, namely the European Union," Tajani added. Reuters

9. ‘Barbenheimer’ to lead controversially renewed Golden Globes

The 81st Golden Globe Awards will take place Sunday night in Los Angeles, as the award show that appears to be impossible to kill will play host to one of Hollywood's biggest nights. The night will likely be dominated by Warner Bros.' "Barbie" and Universal's "Oppenheimer," the two films that defined a social media sensation last summer; both films are up for numerous awards. The Globes will also take place under the shadow of controversy, as the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, long accused of racist standards, no longer has control; the Globes are now co-owned by Penske Media, the parent company behind the largest Hollywood trade publications. The Associated Press

10. World’s largest cruise ship arrives in Puerto Rico ahead of maiden voyage

The world's largest cruise ship is preparing for final inspections ahead of its maiden voyage this month. Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas arrived in Ponce, Puerto Rico this week for its last "regulatory inspections" before officially setting sail. The ship will embark on its maiden voyage from Miami on Jan. 27. The 20-deck vessel dwarfs its competitors and has room for 5,610 guests and another 2,350 crew members. The ship was handed over to Royal Caribbean upon its completion last November after taking 900 days to construct. The ship's features include a large waterpark, different neighborhoods and more than 40 dining and bar options. CNN

10 things you need to know today: January 6, 2024

theweek@futurenet.com (Justin Klawans, The Week US) — Sat, 06 Jan 2024 14:36:33 +0000

1. Supreme Court to rule on Trump being kept off 2024 presidential ballots

The U.S. Supreme Court said Friday it will decide whether former President Donald Trump can be listed on primary ballots for the 2024 election. The high court will consider whether or not states have the right to kick Trump off their ballots due to his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election and his actions during the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. In a legal order, the court said it would review the basis of these efforts: a recent decision from the Colorado Supreme Court that removed Trump from the state's ballot. Colorado found that Trump was ineligible to run for president under the 14th Amendment restricting insurrectionists from holding office. Politico, The Washington Post

2. Hezbollah fires rockets toward Israel following Hamas leader’s death

The militant group Hezbollah launched a barrage of rockets toward northern Israel on Saturday in what it called an "initial response" to the killing of a senior Hamas leader in Lebanon. There were no initial reports of injuries from the attacks, as the Israeli Defense Force said some 40 rockets had been fired toward a military installation near Mount Meron. The IDF said it responded by attacking one of the Lebanese groups that had assisted with the rocket launches. The Beirut-based Hezbollah is an ally of Hamas and has pledged continued retaliation following the death of Saleh al-Arouri, a senior Hamas commander, last week. Israel has not claimed responsibility for al-Arouri's death. The New York Times, The Times of Israel

3. Supreme Court temporarily upholds strict Idaho abortion ban

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday allowed Idaho to temporarily enforce its strict abortion ban, even in cases of certain medical emergencies. The court's decision marks a blow to a Biden administration effort to require hospitals to circumvent abortion bans in red states. The federal law, the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, requires emergency rooms to perform abortions if the mother's life is at risk, even in states where abortion is banned. The Biden administration claims that the law circumvents state abortion bans, but Idaho criminalizes abortions unless the mother's life is in imminent danger. The Supreme Court is allowing Idaho's ban to remain in place while arguments are heard. CBS News, USA Today

4. Biden marks third anniversary of Jan. 6, calls Trump a danger to democracy

President Joe Biden marked the third anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol on Friday by blasting former President Donald Trump's actions on that day. Speaking near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, Biden sought to paint the upcoming election as a referendum on democracy. "We nearly lost America — lost it all," Biden said of Jan. 6, adding, "we all know who Donald Trump is. The question we have to answer is who are we?" The president said that Trump's actions on Jan. 6, in which he has been accused of inciting the violent mob that overtook the Capitol, were "among the worst derelictions of duty by a president in American history." The Associated Press, Axios

5. Wayne LaPierre resigns from NRA ahead of corruption trial

Wayne LaPierre resigned as the leader of the National Rifle Association on Friday, ending his control of one of the country's most prominent and controversial gun rights groups. LaPierre, who served as executive vice president and chief executive officer, announced his decision in a statement, saying he "will never stop supporting the NRA and its fight to defend Second Amendment freedom." LaPierre's resignation comes days before he is set to begin a civil trial in New York. The trial pits LaPierre and other former NRA leaders against the state, which is alleging that the NRA misused millions of dollars of funds and violated tax laws for nonprofit groups. NBC News, CNN

6. Alaska Airlines grounds all its Boeing 737-9s after emergency landing

Alaska Airlines on Friday said it was temporarily grounding its Boeing 737-9 Max fleet after a window blowout forced a plane to make an emergency landing. The flight, bound for Ontario, California, was forced to return to Portland, Oregon, after the cabin depressurized following the blowout, reports said. The window damage occurred despite the plane in question being brand-new, and Alaska Airlines said in a statement that it was grounding its 65 other 737-9s as a result. The planes will be put back into service "only after completion of full maintenance and safety inspections," the airline said. Boeing said it was aware of the incident and was working to gather more information. ABC News, Reuters

7. Michigan Republicans to vote on ousting controversial chairwoman

Michigan Republicans on Saturday will vote on the removal of their statewide leader, Kristina Karamo, amid ongoing chaos and problems within the party. Karamo, the chairwoman of the Michigan GOP, has said she will not accept the results of the vote if she is ousted, paving the way for a potential fight in Michigan's court system. The Michigan Republican Party suffered a wave of losses during the 2022 midterms and has since been hit with issues of financing and widespread infighting between the state's more moderate wing and its far-right leadership. Eight of the 13 GOP congressional district chairs in Michigan have called for Karamo to resign. The Associated Press

8. Death toll in Japan earthquake passes 100

The death toll from the earthquake in Japan on New Year's Day passed 100 on Saturday as hope of finding more survivors dwindles. At least 110 people have been confirmed dead, Japanese officials said, and more than 200 people are still missing. "I am keenly aware of the extent of the damage caused," Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said. The 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck Japan's Hokuriku region, destroying buildings and infrastructure in the area and forcing more than 30,000 people to evacuate. Kishida has ordered government officials to hasten emergency efforts, as rescue workers currently number around 5,400. Reuters

9. Actor Christian Oliver and his daughters die in plane crash

Actor Christian Oliver and his two young daughters died in a plane crash in the Caribbean, the Grenadines Police Force announced Friday. Oliver, 51, and his daughters, Madita Klepser, 12, and Annik Klepser, 10, passed away Thursday after the small one-engine plane they were on crashed off the coast of Petit Nevis, a small island in the Grenadines. The pilot, Robert Sachs, also died in the crash. No other passengers were aboard the plane. Oliver was best known for appearing in the live-action adaptation of "Speed Racer" in 2008 and also had a role in "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" last year. Variety

10. Mark Cuban to distribute $35M in bonuses to Dallas Mavericks staff

Former Dallas Mavericks majority owner Mark Cuban said Friday that he would distribute more than $35 million in bonuses to the team's employees. In a memo obtained by ESPN, Cuban said the payout was a "thank you for all your hard work making the Mavs an amazing organization." The amount of each bonus will be calculated by how long an employee has worked for the team, Cuban said. The billionaire investor recently sold his controlling interest in the Mavericks to the Adelson and Dupont families of Las Vegas fame. The exact details of the transaction weren't disclosed, but reportedly valued the Mavericks franchise at around $3.5 billion. CNN

10 things you need to know today: January 5, 2024

theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (Harold Maass, The Week US) — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 13:26:01 +0000

1. Islamic State claims responsibility for Iran bombings

The Islamic State claimed responsibility Thursday for an attack that killed more than 80 people gathered Wednesday to honor Gen. Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's elite Quds Force who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Iraq four years ago. The twin suicide bombings marked the deadliest militant attack in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The attack came as Middle East tensions escalate over Israel's war against Hamas, a Palestinian militant group that runs the Gaza Strip and is linked to Iran. The bombers likely hoped to prompt Iran to strike Israel, according to Aaron Y. Zelin, a senior fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. NPR, Axios

2. US drone strike kills Iraqi militia leader in Baghdad

A Thursday U.S. drone strike in Baghdad killed a senior figure in an Iran-linked militant group, the Harakat al-Nujaba, the Pentagon said was linked to recent attacks on U.S. personnel in Iraq. An Iraqi government spokesperson called the attack a "flagrant violation of the sovereignty and security of Iraq" that was "no different from a terrorist act." The missile hit a vehicle near a headquarters of the 12th brigade of Nujaba, part of the Popular Mobilization Forces security group, and killed brigade commander Mushtaq Talib al-Saidi and two others. The State Department designated Nujaba a terrorist organization in 2019. Nujaba has tried to help Hamas in its war with Israel, and the strike fueled fears of a wider war. The New York Times, Reuters

3. Israel outlines 'new combat approach' ahead of Blinken visit

Israel's defense minister, Yoav Gallant, on Thursday described the scaled-down "new combat approach" Israeli forces plan to use in the next phase of fighting in northern Gaza and said the war against Hamas would continue in southern Gaza "for as long as necessary." The comments came ahead of a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken for weekend talks. The U.S. has urged Israel to shift to less intense fighting in Gaza and do more to protect civilians. On Thursday, an Israeli strike flattened a home in part of Gaza's southern coastline that Israel had designated a safe zone. Palestinian hospital officials said the blast killed at least 12 people, including 10 children. The Associated Press

4. China, other countries paid millions to Trump properties

Governments and state-linked entities from China, Saudi Arabia and other countries paid at least $7.8 million to Donald Trump's hotels in Washington and Las Vegas and his properties in New York while he was president, according to public documents and internal financial records obtained by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee. China's government and entities were the biggest spenders, paying Trump businesses more than $5.5 million, according to a report published Thursday by the committee's Democratic minority. The report came out as House Republicans conduct an impeachment inquiry focused on unproven allegations that President Biden benefited from his son Hunter's overseas business dealings. The Wall Street Journal

5. Poll: 25% of Americans believe FBI instigated Jan. 6 attack

Twenty-five percent of Americans believe the FBI "probably" or "definitely" organized and encouraged the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack by a mob of former President Donald Trump's supporters, according to a Washington Post-University of Maryland poll released Thursday. Among Republicans, 34% say the FBI was behind the insurrection — a conspiracy theory promoted by right-wing media and denied by federal law enforcement agencies — compared to 30% of independents and 13% of Democrats. The poll confirms that "misinformation about Jan. 6 is widespread as the United States heads into a presidential election year" with Trump the strong favorite to win the Republican presidential nomination, according to the Post. The Washington Post

6. Sixth grader killed, 5 injured in Iowa school shooting

An Iowa high school student armed with a pump-action shotgun and a small-caliber handgun allegedly shot six people, killing a sixth grader and injuring five others at Perry High School about 40 miles northwest of downtown Des Moines on Thursday. Police said the suspect, identified as 17-year-old Perry student Dylan Butler, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the school. Investigators also said they found an improvised explosive device on the campus. The Iowa State Fire Marshall disarmed it. The wounded victims reportedly included Perry High School's principal, Dan Marburger. Des Moines Register

7. Flu, Covid surge hits much of US

Thirty-three states are reporting high to very high case counts of flu and similar illnesses, with the flu season expected to continue getting rougher as students return from winter break. So far, health officials have recorded about 4,500 flu-related deaths, including 20 children, since the season began in October. The flu outbreak comes as a new coronavirus variant, JN.1, causes another Covid-19 wave. The new dominant variant appears to be more likely than many other variants to infect those who have been vaccinated or previously infected. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 29,000 people were hospitalized with Covid in the week before Christmas, compared to 39,000 a year earlier. NBC News, The Washington Post

8. Second release of Epstein documents details sex-crime allegations

A court released a second trove of documents related to the late financier and sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein on Thursday. The papers, related to Virginia Giuffre's now-settled lawsuit accusing jailed Epstein associated Ghislaine Maxwell of helping Epstein abuse her as a minor, includes a deposition from Palm Beach, Florida, Detective Joseph Recarey, describing how Epstein and Maxwell allegedly recruited girls "to perform massages and work at Epstein's home." Documents released Wednesday didn't include much new information, but mentioned former presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, and a few other celebrities, without accusing them of wrongdoing. Epstein died by suicide in jail while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. CNN

9. Dozens protest police raid at iconic Berkeley, California, park

Nearly 100 protesters rallied near historic People's Park in Berkeley, California, on Thursday after police conducted a surprise raid overnight and barricaded the iconic property. The University of California, Berkeley, plans to build student housing in part of the park. The protesters chanted, "Hey, hey, what do you say, People's Park is here to stay." During the raid, law enforcement officers removed several dozen activists and homeless campers from the park before building a wall around the perimeter using about 160 empty shipping containers. The move came while most of the university's students were still away on winter break. San Francisco Chronicle, The New York Times

10. Oscar Pistorius released on parole

South African former Paralympic star sprinter Oscar Pistorius was released on parole from a South African prison on Friday after nearly nine years behind bars and seven months under home arrest for the murder of his girlfriend, model and law school graduate Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentine's Day nearly 11 years ago. Pistorius, dubbed "Blade Runner" for his carbon-fiber prosthetic legs, has insisted he fired four shots through his bathroom door, killing Steenkamp, because he thought an intruder was inside. Steenkamp's mother, June Steenkamp, said under Pistorius' supervised release he will have to attend anger management and gender-based violence programs. NBC News, Reuters

10 things you need to know today: January 4, 2024

theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (Harold Maass, The Week US) — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 13:23:24 +0000

1. Dozens die in blasts at gathering for slain Iranian general

Two blasts in the central Iranian city of Kerman killed at least 95 people during a gathering commemorating the fourth anniversary of the assassination of Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani in a U.S. drone strike in Iraq. More than 200 people were injured in the explosions, Iran's health minister, Bahram Eynollahi, said, according to the official Islamic Republic News Agency. The deputy governor of the city, Soleimani's hometown, called the explosions about a half-mile from the general's burial site a "terrorist attack." Thousands of mourners were crowded into the streets in a slow-moving procession before the blasts. The Washington Post

2. Trump asks Supreme Court to get him back on Colorado ballot

Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to invalidate a decision by Colorado's highest court to keep him off the state's presidential primary ballot. Colorado's Supreme Court ruled last month that Trump engaged in insurrection during and before Jan. 6, 2021, and was ineligible under the Constitution's post-Civil War insurrection clause. Maine's secretary of state last week decided that Trump should be barred from that state's ballot, too. Trump also is appealing that ruling. Several other states are considering keeping Trump off their ballots. Trump's lawyers argued that the Colorado decision "would unconstitutionally disenfranchise millions of voters in Colorado and likely be used as a template to disenfranchise tens of millions of voters nationwide." The New York Times

3. Court releases papers naming Epstein associates

A federal court late Wednesday released documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died in jail in 2019, that mention dozens of prominent people, including Bill Clinton, Donald Trump and Stephen Hawking — none of whom are implicated in any wrongdoing. The papers include an allegation of groping against Britain's Prince Andrew, which he has denied. The documents were part of a lawsuit against longtime Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who was sentenced last year to 20 years in prison on sex trafficking and other charges for helping Epstein sexually abuse teenage girls. Virginia Giuffre, who accused Maxwell of facilitating her abuse, settled the suit in 2017. Axios, BBC

4. Utah becomes first state to give RFK Jr. ballot access

Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. formally filed papers to appear on Utah's presidential ballot, making the state the first where the former Democrat secured access to the ballot in his longshot bid for the White House. "Utah has once again shown that it's the pioneer state," Kennedy said. To qualify in Utah, unaffiliated candidates must gather 1,000 signatures from registered voters and get the signatures verified by county election clerks. They also must pay a fee and submit a certificate of nomination required of unaffiliated candidates. Kennedy's campaign aims to get him on the ballot in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. CNN, Deseret News

5. Junior doctors strike in Britain

Thousands of junior doctors started a six-day strike in England on Wednesday to demand better pay. The strike as planned will be the longest in the history of the 75-year-old National Health Service. The agency was forced to cancel thousands of appointments during a period of peak winter demand. Doctors represented by the British Medical Association and workers in other sectors have held a wave of shorter walkouts in the last year to demand better pay to help them keep up with high inflation. "Morale across the health service is at an all-time low," the BMA said, adding that "the government has the chance to show those doctors they still have a future working in this country." Reuters

6. Russia, Ukraine exchange hundreds of prisoners

Russia and Ukraine exchanged hundreds of prisoners of war on Wednesday. Ukraine said 230 Ukrainian prisoners returned home in the swap, the biggest yet since Russia invaded in February 2022. Russia's Defense Ministry said 248 Russian soldiers were freed. The United Arab Emirates brokered the deal, citing its "strong friendly relations" with both countries. The two sides have exchanged prisoners 49 times, according to Ukraine's human rights ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets. The exchange came as Ukraine steps up bombardment of the Russian border city of Belgorod in an apparent effort to discredit President Vladimir Putin's claim that life in Russia remains normal despite the war. The Associated Press

7. Education official resigns over Biden's handling of Gaza

A senior Education Department official resigned Wednesday in protest of President Joe Biden's handling of the Israel-Hamas war. On the same day, 17 Biden reelection campaign staffers released an anonymous letter urging Biden to call for a cease-fire in Gaza, warning the issue could cost him votes. Tariq Habash, a Palestinian American student-debt expert who was special assistant in the Education Department's Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development, said in a letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona he could not "stay silent as this administration turns a blind eye to the atrocities committed against innocent Palestinian lives." The U.S. has pushed Israel to reduce civilian deaths in Gaza. The Washington Post, Reuters

8. State Capitol buildings evacuated after emailed threat

Officials in multiple states temporarily closed and evacuated their Capitol buildings Wednesday due to an emailed bomb threat. CNN reported that the email listed 23 states as recipients, warning that explosives had been placed in "your state Capitol," without mentioning further specifics. "It was a mass email sent to several (Secretaries of State) and state offices across the country,” said Michon Lindstrom, a spokesperson for the Kentucky of Secretary of State's office. The closures disrupted Capitol proceedings in Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota and Mississippi, although none of the states reported finding anything threatening in their buildings. CNN

9. House Republicans push to impeach Mayorkas over border policies

House Republicans are moving forward with an effort to impeach Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas over his handling of a wave of migrants trying to cross the border from Mexico into the United States, CNN reported Wednesday, citing a GOP source. A spokesperson for the House Committee on Homeland Security said in a statement that the panel had spent nearly a year conducting a "comprehensive investigation into Secretary Mayorkas' handling of, and role in, the unprecedented crisis at the Southwest border." The committee next "will be conducting hearings," according to the statement. The news came as House Speaker Mike Johnson led a group of Republican lawmakers on a visit to a busy stretch of the border. CNN

10. New Jersey imam killed outside mosque

An imam was killed in a shooting outside a Newark, New Jersey, mosque on Wednesday. The victim, identified as Imam Hassan Sharif, was shot twice in the parking lot of the mosque and died after surgery in a nearby hospital, according to Imam Wahy-ud Deen Shareef, a convener of the Council of Imams in New Jersey. Sharif also worked as a Transportation Security Officer at Newark Airport. Sharif was attacked at gunpoint several months ago but wrestled the weapon out of the hands of the gunman, who fled and was never caught. The killing came as Islamophobic and antisemitic incidents escalate in response to the war between Israel and Hamas, the New York Daily News noted. New York Daily News

10 things you need to know today: January 3, 2024

theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (Harold Maass, The Week US) — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 13:07:56 +0000

1. Hamas deputy leader killed in Beirut blast

An alleged Israeli drone attack killed the deputy head of Hamas, Saleh al-Arouri, in a Beirut suburb on Tuesday. Israel did not comment officially, but two senior U.S. officials confirmed to The New York Times that Israel was responsible. Hamas condemned the strike, which Lebanon's prime minister called an attempt "to drag Lebanon into" the Israel-Hamas war. A U.S. official told the Times the killing was likely the first of many covert strikes against Hamas leaders linked to the group's deadly Oct. 7 surprise attack in southern Israel. Hamas's leader, Ismail Haniyeh, said two leaders of the group's armed wing had been killed in the explosion. Reuters, The New York Times

2. Harvard President Claudine Gay resigns

Harvard University President Claudine Gay resigned Tuesday after weeks of intense pressure that started with criticism of her testimony during a congressional hearing on campus antisemitism. Harvard's board backed Gay, the first Black person to serve as the school's president, but her failure during the hearing to specify that calling for genocide against Jews would violate the school's rules triggered scrutiny that resulted in allegations of plagiarism in her academic work. Gay, who served just six months in the post, wrote in a letter to the Harvard community that she decided to resign "so that our community can navigate this moment of extraordinary challenge with a focus on the institution rather than any individual." The Boston Globe, NBC News

3. 5 confirmed dead in fiery collision on Tokyo runway

Five people were confirmed dead on a Japanese Coast Guard earthquake relief plane after a collision on the runway of Tokyo's busy Haneda Airport with a Japan Airlines flight. The Japan Airlines plane, which was carrying 379 passengers, caught fire but all of its passengers and crew managed to escape on inflatable slides just before the aircraft was engulfed in flames. Former commercial pilot Rodger Whitfield told The Guardian, "We just witnessed a miracle," adding, "The way they got all those passengers off that airplane is almost beyond belief." One person on the Coast Guard plane survived. Regulators and police are investigating how the planes wound up on the same runway. The Guardian, The Associated Press

4. U.S. asks Supreme Court to let it cut Texas razor wire on border

The Biden administration on Tuesday asked the Supreme Court to restore the federal government's authority to cut razor wire that Texas officials placed along the U.S.-Mexico border to deter migrants crossing into the United States. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans last month sided with Texas, which sued the Department of Homeland Security under state trespass laws after Border Patrol agents cut barbed wire installed by state officials. U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar argued in court papers that Congress had given the Border Patrol the right to enter private property to enforce federal border laws, and that state governments can't override federal authority over immigration. The Wall Street Journal

5. Trump appeals Maine's decision to keep him off ballot

Former president Donald Trump on Tuesday challenged Maine's decision to keep him off the state's presidential primary ballot. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows ruled last week that Trump's actions surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack disqualified him under the 14th Amendment's clause barring insurrectionists from office. The Republican frontrunner called Bellows, a Democrat, "biased" and asked the Kennebec County Superior Court to put her decision on hold while he appeals. Trump reportedly is preparing a separate appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court over a decision by Colorado's top court to bar him from that state's ballot. Several other states are considering whether Trump's actions made him ineligible to run. The Washington Post, USA Today

6. Japan earthquake death toll rises as rescuers 'battle against time'

The death toll from central Japan's powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake rose to at least 62 on Tuesday as aftershocks continued to shake the Noto peninsula. Authorities warned of possible landslides as rescuers rushed to find survivors in freezing rain. "Rescue efforts are a battle against time," Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said. Tens of thousands of homes were knocked down, according to Japanese media. Toshitaka Katada, a University of Tokyo disaster expert, told The Associated Press that people were prepared for the disaster with evacuation plans and emergency supplies because they had lived through previous quakes. "There are probably no people on Earth who are as disaster-ready as the Japanese," Katada said. The Associated Press, CNN

7. Russia hits Ukraine's biggest cities with intense air strikes

Russia launched a wave of major air strikes against Ukraine's two biggest cities, Kyiv and Kharkiv, on Tuesday. The attacks killed at least five civilians and injured 135 others, Ukraine's Interior Ministry said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the strikes caused widespread damage and hurt power supplies. Russia has intensified its attacks in Ukraine since Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Monday that Ukraine's strike on the Russian city of Belgorod near the Ukraine border would "not go unpunished." That air strike killed 25 civilians in Belgorod, according to Moscow. Reuters

8. Tesla sets a quarterly record for EV sales

Tesla delivered a record 484,507 vehicles in the fourth quarter of 2023, exceeding anaylsts' expectations of 475,000 to 480,000. The production brought the U.S. electric vehicle maker's total for the year to more than 1.8 million vehicles. That was enough for Tesla to remain the world's No. 1 EV maker for the year, but China's BYD sold 526,409 fully electric vehicles to beat Tesla in quarterly EV sales for the first time thanks to its broader lineup of cheaper models in China. A year ago, Tesla CEO Elon Musk told analysts Tesla might produce two million cars in 2023, but price cuts failed to boost demand enough for the company to hit that target. Electrek, The Detroit News

9. Maersk halts shipping in Red Sea after weekend attack

Danish shipping giant Maersk said Tuesday it was halting voyages in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden "until further notice" after Houthi militants from Yemen attacked one of its cargo ships over the weekend. "An investigation into the incident is ongoing and we will continue to pause all cargo movement through the area while we further assess the constantly evolving situation," the company said in a statement. Maersk is the world's largest container shipping company. A major rival, Germany's Hapag-Lloyd, also said it would halt shipping through the area until Jan. 9 or later. Houthi rebels have attacked ships with missiles, drones, and gunfire from small boats since November in support of Hamas' war with Israel. USA Today

10. Former Kentucky official ordered to pay same-sex couple's lawyers

A federal judge has ruled that former Rowan County, Kentucky, clerk Kim Davis must pay $260,104 in fees and expenses to attorneys who represented one of the same-sex couples whose request for a marriage license she denied due to her personal beliefs. The judgment added to the $100,000 in damages a jury said Davis should pay after losing a lawsuit over the 2015 case. Davis' lawyers had argued the request for fees was excessive, but U.S. District Judge David L. Bunning disagreed. Bunning said the couple, David Ermold and David Moore, "sought to vindicate their fundamental right to marry and obtain marriage licenses" and won, so Davis must pay their attorneys' fees. Lexington Herald-Leader, The Associated Press

10 things you need to know today: January 2, 2024

theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (Harold Maass, The Week US) — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 13:04:42 +0000

1. Powerful earthquake kills dozens in Japan

A 7.5-magnitude earthquake shook part of central Japan on Monday, killing at least 48 people, toppling buildings and knocking out power to tens of thousands of utility customers. Around 100,000 people were ordered to evacuate coastal areas as authorities issued tsunami alerts as far away as eastern Russia. Japan dispatched army personnel to help in rescue efforts. A Japan Coast Guard plane that was to deliver supplies to the region collided with Japan Airlines jet at a Tokyo airport, causing the airliner to burst into flames on the runway. All passengers were evacuated, but five of the six people on the Coast Guard plane are confirmed dead. CNN, The New York Times

2. Israel announces new phase of Gaza war

Israel pulled tanks out of parts of Gaza City on Monday as the government announced a tactical change in its war against Hamas. Israel said it was pulling out thousands of the troops it had in Gaza, much of which has been reduced to rubble, but signaled that it expected its war against Hamas to continue through 2024. An Israeli official told Reuters that reducing troop strength would allow some reservists to return home while remaining forces continued "mopping up" in parts of the Palestinian enclave, where local health officials say more than 20,000 people have died since Israel attacked in response to Hamas' deadly Oct. 7 surprise attack in southern Israel. Reuters

3. Israeli high court overturns Netanyahu's judicial overhaul

Israel's Supreme Court on Monday narrowly struck down a controversial judicial reform law pushed through by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's conservative government, saying it threatened "severe and unprecedented harm" to Israel's democracy. The law, which seeks to restrict the high court's ability to review government decisions, had sparked widespread anti-government protests. The ruling threatened to reignite a constitutional and political crisis as Israel battles Hamas in Gaza, according to Axios. Netanyahu's Likud party said the decision conflicted with "the nation's desire for unity, especially in a time of war." Opposition leader Yair Lapid said if Netanyahu's government resumes its "fight over the Supreme Court it will show they didn't learn anything" from Hamas' Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel. The Washington Post, Axios

4. Russia, Ukraine exchange New Year's Day attacks

Russia and Ukraine accused each other of New Year's Day attacks against civilians. A Russian-installed official in Donetsk said Ukrainian shelling killed four people in the eastern Ukraine city. The Russian Foreign Ministry called the shelling a "terrorist act" targeting civilian infrastructure, according to Reuters. Russia hammered Kyiv with a large-scale missile attack that came hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to retaliate for a Saturday bombardment that killed 24 people in the Russian city of Belgorod, just north of the Ukraine border. Local officials in several Ukrainian regions said Russian air attacks had damaged civilian areas and killed at least one person. Reuters, The New York Times

5. Navy helicopters sink 3 small Houthi boats

U.S. Navy helicopters sank three boats in the Red Sea that were believed to be carrying Houthi militants from Yemen over the weekend, military officials said. The helicopters exchanged fire with the boats after responding to a distress call from a Maersk container ship, the Singapore-flagged Hangzhou, that reported being attacked by four small boats. The boats "fired crew-served and small-arms weapons at the Maersk Hangzhou, getting to within 20 meters of the vessel, and attempted to board the vessel," U.S. Central Command said. The Houthis, responsible for numerous Red Sea attacks since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, said they lost 10 fighters and warned that the U.S.' "dangerous behavior" would have "negative repercussions." ABC News

6. South Korean opposition leader stabbed

A man stabbed the leader of South Korea’s main opposition party, Lee Jae-myung, in the neck on Tuesday after approaching him saying he wanted his autograph. Lee, 59, had just toured the site of a planned airport in the port city of Busan. The suspect, a 66-year-old man, was immediately detained. Lee's injury was not believed to be life-threatening. Lee, leader of the liberal Democratic Party, narrowly lost to conservative Yoon Suk Yeol in South Korea's 2022 presidential election. Division between his supporters, who see him as a champion of the poor, and conservatives, who consider him a corrupt populist, has deepened South Korea's political polarization in recent years, according to The New York Times. The New York Times

7. Delayed federal financial aid form launches with glitches

The delayed launch of the simplified Free Application for Federal Student Aid got off to a bumpy start Sunday and Monday. The new FAFSA form, which millions of students will be filling out to qualify for financial aid in the 2024-25 academic year, was only accessible sporadically, higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz told CNBC. "I am convinced that nobody has been able to submit the form," he said. "Congress required the FAFSA to be available before Jan. 1, 2024. They missed that deadline." The Education Department said Sunday it had "identified some minor issues" and was "working to resolve them." Financial aid consultant Kalman Chany urged families not to panic, and simply wait for the problems to be fixed before applying. CNBC

8. Colorado mother accused of killing 2 of her kids arrested in UK

A Colorado mother accused of killing two of her three children was arrested over the weekend in the United Kingdom, the Colorado Springs Police Department said in a statement. British police did not immediately provide details on the arrest. The woman, Kimberlee Singler, 35, and her 11-year-old daughter were found injured in their home by police responding to a Dec. 19 burglary call. Her 9-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son were dead. Singler initially cooperated in the investigation and was considered a witness rather than a suspect. She now faces charges of first-degree murder, child abuse, attempted murder and assault, according to police. USA Today

9. 24 EVs lose tax credits

The number of electric vehicles eligible for federal tax credits of up to $7,500 fell from 43 to 19 on Monday as updated rules on battery sourcing took effect in the new year. The Treasury Department issued guidelines in December eliminating the credits for vehicles with batteries made in China. The change stripped eligibility from the Nissan Leaf, Tesla Cybertruck All-Wheel Drive, some Tesla Model 3s, Chevrolet Blazers, and other vehicles, the Treasury Department said. Tesla, Nissan, and Volkswagen said they were optimistic that some of their vehicles would regain eligibility after battery sourcing changes. Reuters

10. Denmark's Queen Margrethe II to abdicate

Denmark's Queen Margrethe II announced that she plans to step down on Jan. 14 and hand the throne to her son, Crown Prince Frederik. The day will mark the anniversary of the 83-year-old monarch's accession to the throne after the death of her father, King Frederik IX, 52 years ago. Margrethe said as she announced her abdication that she started having "thoughts about the future" in 2023 after undergoing back surgery, and had decided "now is the right time." The role of the monarch in Denmark, home to Europe's oldest ruling monarchy, is largely ceremonial, but Margrethe is one of the country's most popular public figures. She has been known for walking around Copenhagen virtually unescorted. The Associated Press

10 things you need to know today: December 22, 2023

theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (Harold Maass, The Week US) — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 12:21:55 +0000

1. Student kills 14 at Prague university

A student fatally shot at least 14 people and injured 25 others on Thursday at Prague's Charles University, in the Czech Republic's worst-ever mass shooting, local police said. Photos posted on social media showed students barricading themselves inside classrooms. Multiple news outlets identified the suspected shooter as David Kozak, 24, a history student who had written on the Telegram messaging app that he "always wanted to kill." Police posted on X, formerly Twitter, that the suspected attacker had been "eliminated." Gun violence is rare in the Czech Republic, but Prague's mayor, Bohuslav Svoboda, said "our world is also changing and the problem of the individual shooter is emerging here as well." BBC, The Telegraph

2. Giuliani files for bankruptcy protection

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, an ex-lawyer for former President Donald Trump, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Thursday, a day after being ordered to expeditiously pay $148 million in damages for defaming two Georgia election workers he falsely accused of ballot fraud. Giuliani's bankruptcy lawyers said the filing in New York should surprise nobody because Giuliani clearly can't "pay such a high punitive amount." Giuliani has been overwhelmed with legal bills in civil and criminal cases over his pushing of debunked claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Trump. Giuliani has complained he doesn't have enough money to defend himself. His filing listed debts of $500 million and assets of $10 million. Bloomberg

3. UN agency says 1 in 4 Gazans are starving

"Woefully insufficient" food supplies have reached Gaza since the Israel-Hamas conflict erupted 10 weeks ago, leaving more than a quarter of the Palestinian enclave's population of 2.3 million starving, according to a United Nations World Food Program report released Thursday. "I have never seen something at the scale that is happening in Gaza. And at this speed," said Arif Husain, chief economist for the U.N. agency. Israel says its military has nearly cleared Hamas fighters out of northern Gaza, but will continue fighting in the south for months. The Hamas-run Gaza government says 20,000 Palestinians have died in the war, which started when Hamas executed a deadly Oct. 7 surprise attack in southern Israel. The Associated Press

4. Report: Scant evidence of Hamas presence at hospital

A Washington Post analysis published Thursday concluded that evidence provided by the Israeli government "falls short" of proving that Hamas was running a command-and-control center at Gaza City's al-Shifa Hospital. Before and after Israeli forces stormed the complex on Nov. 15, Israeli Defense Forces officials said they had "concrete evidence" that Hamas was operating in tunnels and bunkers under the medical complex, the Palestinian enclave's largest. "Terrorists came here to command their operations," Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Daniel Hagari said on Nov. 22. But the Post reported that rooms connected to a tunnel the IDF found showed no sign of militant activity, and none of the five hospital buildings Hagari pointed to had access to tunnels. The Washington Post

5. Seattle hospital sues Texas AG over request for trans-care records

The Seattle Children's Hospital is suing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) to block his demand for information about gender-affirming treatment that Texas youths may have received across state lines, according to court filings. The dispute signaled an escalation of efforts by Paxton's office to crack down on the availability of transgender health care more than two months after Texas enacted a law banning the use of puberty blockers and hormone therapy for transgender youth. The Seattle hospital argued that Paxton's request violates Washington and federal laws, his office lacks jurisdiction over a medical facility in Washington state, and his demands under the guise of a consumer-protection investigation are "sham requests." The Seattle Times, The Texas Tribune

6. Mortgage rates fall to lowest level since June

U.S. mortgage rates fell for the eighth straight week to their lowest level since June, according to data released by Freddie Mac on Thursday. The rate on the popular 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, which dropped below 7% last week for the first time in four months, continued declining this week to an average of 6.67%. A year ago, the average rate on the long-term loan was 6.27%. The Federal Reserve's aggressive campaign to raise interest rates to cool the economy and bring down inflation pushed mortgage rates up from historic lows. Combined with high housing prices, that created the "least affordable housing market since the 1980s," according to CNN. Mortgages have fallen as inflation edged down, stoking anticipation of Fed rate cuts next year. CNN

7. Jury acquits 3 Tacoma officers in Manuel Ellis' death

A jury on Thursday found three Tacoma, Washington, police officers — Matthew Collins, Christopher Burbank and Timothy Rankine — not guilty on all charges in connection with the 2020 death of Manuel "Manny" Ellis, a Black man who died after being shocked, beaten and held face down on a sidewalk, pleading for breath. Police said they were trying to arrest Ellis, who was unarmed and walking home after buying donuts from 7-Eleven, for trying to open the doors of occupied cars. Three witnesses said they didn't see Ellis do anything suspicious. Matthew Ericksen, a lawyer representing the Ellis family, said they were "emotionally devastated" by the decision. About 100 protesters gathered at a mural of Ellis in Tacoma. The Associated Press, The Seattle Times

8. US, China military leaders resume dialogue

Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr., chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke with his Chinese counterpart, Gen. Liu Zhenli, in a teleconference call on Thursday, restoring direct military dialogue between the two world powers after a dangerous 16-month rupture, The Wall Street Journal reported. China's Defense Ministry said the generals discussed Taiwan and the South China Sea. The call occurred just over a month after President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping talked at a summit outside San Francisco and agreed to restart military contact in an effort to ease U.S.-China tensions. U.S. officials said China has also cracked down on illegal trade in chemicals used to make fentanyl. The Wall Street Journal

9. Honda recalls 2.5 million US vehicles

Honda's American arm said in a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that it was recalling more than 2.5 million Honda and Acura vehicles in the United States and a total of 4.5 million worldwide to address a fuel pump defect, multiple news outlets reported Thursday. The problem can cause the engines of affected cars and SUVs to fail or stall. The automaker said it would replace the fuel pumps at no cost, but that it would notify drivers in phases because it didn't have enough parts to fix all of the vehicles at once. Dealers are expected to start notifying owners this week, Honda said in the NHTSA filing. NPR, Reuters

10. Vin Diesel accused of sexual assault

A former assistant to actor Vin Diesel filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles on Thursday accusing the "Fast & Furious" star of groping and sexually assaulting her in 2010. The woman, Asta Jonasson, said the incident occurred in Atlanta during the filming of "Fast Five." Jonasson said Diesel's production company One Race hired her to help organize Diesel's activities and accompany him to social events. She said Diesel assaulted her at the St. Regis hotel late at night after entertaining hostesses from a club. Bryan Freedman, a lawyer for Diesel, said the actor "categorically denies this claim in its entirety," and that the lawsuit "is the first he has ever heard about this more than 13-year-old claim made by a purportedly 9-day employee." USA Today

10 things you need to know today: December 21, 2023

theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (Harold Maass, The Week US) — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 12:20:28 +0000

1. Security Council prepares for cease-fire vote after delay

The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday delayed for another day a vote on a resolution calling for an Israel-Hamas cease-fire and increased aid to civilians in Gaza. The United States lobbied for more time for negotiations as it sought to avoid using its veto power for the third time since Hamas started the conflict with its deadly Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel. The draft resolution, now scheduled for a Thursday vote after several delays, seeks to dilute Israel's control over inspections of aid deliveries to the war-torn Palestinian enclave through the Rafah crossing from Egypt. Hamas' political leader was in Cairo amid a diplomatic push for another cease-fire with hostage swaps. Reuters, NPR

2. US, Venezuela exchange prisoners

The United States and Venezuela exchanged prisoners Wednesday. The U.S. freed Alex Saab, a close ally of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro; the South American nation released 10 Americans and handed over fugitive defense contractor Leonard Glenn Francis, widely known as "Fat Leonard." Francis, a Malaysian ship-servicing company owner, is the central figure in a major Pentagon bribery scandal. The trade marked the Biden administration's "boldest move yet to improve relations" with the oil-rich nation, according to The Associated Press. The White House agreed several weeks ago to suspend sanctions against Maduro's government in exchange for his pledge to work toward a free and fair presidential election next year. The Associated Press

3. Boston's mayor apologizes to men falsely implicated in 1989 murder

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu on Wednesday apologized on behalf of the city to two Black men falsely implicated in the 1989 murder of a pregnant white woman, Carol Stuart. Charles Stuart told investigators a Black man carjacked him and his wife after a birthing class and shot them. Police stopped and searched men and boys in the Black community. News outlets identified Alan Swanson and Willie Bennett as suspects, although neither was formally charged. Charles Stuart later killed himself. His brother told friends that Charles Stuart was the murderer. Wu apologized to Swanson, Bennett and the Black community, saying: "What was done to you was unjust, unfair, racist and wrong." The Boston Globe

4. EU leaders reach an immigration deal

European Union leaders on Wednesday reached a landmark deal on new policies to curb migration. Exhausted EU lawmakers emerged after overnight talks and announced agreement "on the core political elements" of the Pact on Asylum and Migration. The agreement seeks to address waves of migrant arrivals over the last decade that have fueled a rise of far-right, anti-immigration parties across Europe. "It's truly a historic day," European Parliament President Roberta Metola said. But critics warned that the reforms would weaken the rights of people seeking asylum, many of them fleeing wars in Syria and Iraq. NPR, The New York Times

5. Oklahoma man declared innocent after 48 years in prison

An Oklahoma County District Court judge has formally declared Glynn Simmons, 71, innocent after he served 48 years in prison for a murder he didn't commit — the longest wrongful imprisonment in U.S. history, USA Today reported. "It's a lesson in resilience and tenacity," Simmons said. Simmons was convicted of the murder of Carolyn Sue Rogers during a December 1974 liquor store robbery. Judge Amy Palumbo said that before granting a request for a declaration of "actual innocence" she reviewed decades of reports, testimony and other evidence. The hearing came at the request of Vicki Zemp Behenna, the Oklahoma County district attorney, who reviewed the case and found important evidence that wasn't turned over to defense lawyers. USA Today

6. India suspends 141 opposition lawmakers

India's government suspended 141 opposition lawmakers in a single day this week. Most of the members of parliament pushed out for the remainder of the legislative session belong to the INDIA alliance, an opposition coalition hoping to beat Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party in a general election next year. Modi, whose Hindu nationalist party has a majority in both houses of India's parliament, is expected to legislate unopposed until the current session ends Friday. "Unfortunately, we have to start writing obituaries for parliamentary democracy in India," lawmaker Shashi Tharoor said after being suspended. CNN, BBC

7. Stocks drop, ending Dow's 9-day winning streak

U.S. stocks plunged on Wednesday after a two-month hot streak. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, which had logged gains for nine straight days, dropped 475.92 points, or 1.3%. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq fell 1.5%. The pullback came after the major U.S. indexes got a big boost from the Federal Reserve, which signaled last week it anticipated cutting interest rates three times next year now that inflation is cooling. Since then, Fed leaders have tried to douse expectations of a rate reduction in March. The Dow hit a string of record highs and the S&P 500 was nearing a record, too, before Wednesday's losses. The Wall Street Journal

8. Poland yanks public news channel off air to restore 'impartiality'

Poland's new government on Wednesday pulled a public news channel off the air and fired state media officials in what Prime Minister Donald Tusk's culture ministry said was a bid to restore "impartiality." Tusk's pro-European Union coalition took over last week from the nationalist Law and Justice party, which critics accused of damaging judicial independence and EU relations, and using state-owned media for propaganda. The crackdown on state media came a day after the new parliament passed a resolution calling for taking immediate "action aimed at restoring constitutional order in terms of citizens' access to reliable information." Reuters

9. Judge orders Giuliani to pay defamation damages immediately

A federal judge ruled Wednesday that Rudy Giuliani must immediately pay the $148 million judgment he owes for defaming two Georgia election workers, Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss. Judge Beryl Howell wrote that Giuliani is unlikely to get the verdict overturned on appeal, and there is a strong danger he will hide his assets from Freeman and Moss, whom he falsely accused of committing fraud during ballot counting to steal votes from former President Donald Trump. "Giuliani has never denied that he has taken steps to hide his assets from judgment creditors," Howell wrote. Giuliani's lawyer had said the $43 million the plaintiffs sought "would be the end of Guliani," and the actual verdict was three times that. The Washington Post, Axios

10. Texas sends migrants to Chicago by plane after bus crackdown

Texas sent a chartered jet carrying more than 120 migrants from the U.S.-Mexico border to Chicago. The flight escalated efforts by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) to send asylum seekers who entered his state to cities run by Democrats. Abbott has bused more than 80,000 migrants to Chicago, New York and other Democrat-run cities since last year. Abbott's office said it was shifting to flights because Chicago was "targeting migrant buses from Texas" with a new ordinance letting city officials tow and impound buses. The first bus impounded under the enhanced rules tried to drop off 49 passengers from Eagle Pass, Texas, last week. Chicago Sun-Times, The Associated Press

10 things you need to know today: December 20, 2023

theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (Harold Maass, The Week US) — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 12:19:26 +0000

1. Colorado justices disqualify Trump

The Colorado Supreme Court on Tuesday disqualified former President Donald Trump from running in the state's presidential primary after concluding he participated in an insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021. The 4-3 ruling was "historic," The Washington Post reported — the first time a court had barred a presidential candidate from the ballot under the post–Civil War 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which prohibits insurrectionists from holding office. Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung called the decision "completely flawed" and said the Trump campaign would appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to end "these un-American lawsuits." Several other states are considering efforts to disqualify Trump. The Denver Post, The Washington Post

2. Hamas, rivals discuss governing Gaza after war

Hamas political leaders have met with Palestinian rivals to discuss governing Gaza and the West Bank after Hamas' war with Israel ends, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday. "We don't fight just because we want to fight," said Husam Badran, a member of Hamas' political bureau in Qatar. "We want the war to end." The remarks suggested potential tensions with Hamas' militant wing, which started the war with its deadly Oct. 7 surprise attack in southern Israel. Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh arrived in Cairo to discuss Gaza with Egyptian officials as the fighting, which has killed nearly 20,000 Palestinians, continued. Israel and Hamas recently relaunched indirect talks mediated by Egypt and Qatar on a new cease-fire and hostage release deal. The Wall Street Journal, The Associated Press

3. Biden eulogizes Sandra Day O'Connor as 'American pioneer'

President Joe Biden praised the late Sandra Day O'Connor, the Supreme Court's first female justice, as an "American pioneer" at her funeral Tuesday. O'Connor died Dec. 1 at age 93. "She was especially conscious of the law's real impact on people's lives," Biden said. "One need not agree with all her decisions in order to recognize that her principles were deeply held." Chief Justice John Roberts said in his eulogy that Justice O'Connor's leadership helped shape the legal profession, as she rose to the high court at a time when "most men in the established profession did not want women lawyers — let alone judges." O'Connor stepped down in 2006 to care for her husband, who had Alzheimer's disease. The Associated Press, CNN

4. New York becomes third state to look at reparations for slavery

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) on Tuesday signed a bill making the state the third in the nation to establish a task force to consider reparations for slavery. The commission will study the history of slavery, which was outlawed in New York in 1827, and examine its lingering effects, including housing discrimination, biased treatment by police and the disproportionate incarceration of Black Americans. So far, California and Illinois are the only other states to formally study the controversial issue of reparations for descendants of enslaved people. In California, the estimated multibillion-dollar cost has threatened to stall the project. The New York Times

5. Removal of Confederate memorial resumes

A federal judge on Tuesday cleared the way for the removal of a century-old Confederate memorial from Arlington National Cemetery, a day after halting the work to review a report that gravesites were being disturbed. U.S. District Judge Rossie Alston said he toured the site after receiving an urgent call from memorial supporters but "saw no desecration of graves. The grass wasn't even disturbed." An independent commission reviewing Army bases with Confederate names recommended removing the statue last year. The memorial includes a bronze woman on a 32-foot pedestal and also features enslaved Black people, one of them a woman holding the child of a white Confederate officer. Politico

6. Southwest Airlines, pilots reach preliminary deal

Southwest Airlines and the union that represents its pilots reached a preliminary deal Tuesday on a new five-year contract, after three years of haggling. The deal is expected to cost $12 billion. "We are finally at a place where we think the value of our pilots and their productivity is being realized," Southwest Airlines Pilots Association President Casey Murray said in a statement. The union said its board would go over the proposal on Wednesday to decide whether to officially back it, setting up a vote by the union's nearly 11,000 members. Southwest called the agreement "a key milestone in the process, and we look forward to the next steps." Bloomberg, CNN

7. Immigrant advocates challenge Texas plan to deport border-crossers

Immigrant rights organizations filed a lawsuit Tuesday seeking to block a Texas law that allows police to arrest migrants suspected of crossing the southern border illegally and authorizes state judges to deport them. The American Civil Liberties Union and the Texas Civil Rights project said the law, signed Monday by Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and scheduled to take effect March 5, violates the Constitution because Congress has empowered only the federal government to enforce immigration laws. Anand Balakrishnan, senior staff attorney at the ACLU's Immigrants' Rights Project, said it also "will disproportionately harm Black and Brown people regardless of their immigration status." State Rep. David Spiller (R), who sponsored the bill, defended it as "the Texas solution to a Texas problem." Houston Chronicle, The Texas Tribune

8. Spanish journalist files rape complaint against Depardieu

Spanish journalist and author Ruth Baza, 51, has filed a criminal complaint in Spain against French actor Gérard Depardieu, accusing him of raping her when she went to interview him for Cinemania magazine. Baza was 23, Depardieu was 46. Baza said in the complaint, first reported by Barcelona's La Vanguardia newspaper, that the alleged assault occurred in the offices of the former Roissy Films production company. She described what happened as "an intrusion without any consent, at any time." Depardieu was charged in 2021 with the alleged rape of actor Charlotte Arnould in Paris in 2018. He called the accusation "baseless." The Guardian

9. Murder suspect accused of luring victims with promise of gold

A Washington state man accused of killing a woman after luring her into the woods promising to dig up buried gold has been identified as a suspect in three other murders. The man, 40-year-old Richard Bradley Jr., was arrested in May 2021 and accused in connection with the killing of Brandi Blake, 44, whose body was found in Game Farm Park in a Seattle suburb. Prosecutors alleged that Bradley got all of the victims to follow him into the woods with the same gold-hunting ruse. He reportedly told them he had buried loot he stole in previous robberies. Investigators said he killed the victims and buried them deep in the woods. USA Today

10. Epstein documents to be unsealed

A federal judge in New York on Tuesday ordered the unsealing of court documents that include the names of more than 170 associates of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier who committed suicide in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Judge Loretta Preska scheduled the release for Jan. 1, giving anyone concerned time to object to making the documents public. The material was part of a settled lawsuit that accused Epstein's former paramour Ghislaine Maxwell of enabling the sexual abuse of Virginia Giuffre. Maxwell was convicted of sex trafficking and procuring girls for Epstein and is serving a 20-year prison sentence. ABC News, BBC

10 things you need to know today: December 19, 2023

theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (Harold Maass, The Week US) — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 12:15:15 +0000

1. Israel signals gradual shift after Austin urges 'more surgical' war

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant signaled Monday that Israel would gradually move to the next phase of its military operations against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The remarks came after talks with Gallant's U.S. counterpart, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who visited Israel to push for "more surgical" Israeli operations against Hamas and increased efforts to avoid civilian casualties, as the death toll reported by Gaza authorities neared 20,000. In the next phase of Israel's efforts to crush Hamas in response to its deadly Oct. 7 surprise attack in southern Israel, north Gaza residents who followed Israel's instructions to evacuate to the south would probably be able to start returning, Gallant said. Reuters

2. Volcano erupts in Iceland

A volcano erupted on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwest Iceland on Monday after weeks of earthquakes. The eruption, which sent lava high into the air, was no surprise but it was larger than expected. Lava flowed about 1.5 miles from Grindavik, but the fishing town's 4,000 inhabitants were evacuated earlier so there was no immediate threat to people. The location of the fissure does pose a risk to property in the town and the nearby Svartsengi Power Plant, however. The eruption is not sending ash into the sky, so it wasn't expected to cause as much disruption to air travel as a 2010 volanic blast that grounded European flights for more than a week. BBC, The New York Times

3. El-Sisi wins third term as Egypt's president

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has overwhelmingly won a third term, Egypt's National Election Authority said Monday. Sisi faced three little-known challengers in what The Economist described as a "stage managed" election. He received 89.6% of the vote. Sisi called his victory a rejection of the "inhumane war" between Israel and Hamas in neighboring Gaza. The balloting came as Egypt struggles through an economic crisis and tries to keep the Gaza crisis from spilling into Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. As Palestinians in Gaza face a worsening humanitarian crisis and daily bombardments by Israel, aid groups warn that nowhere is safe for civilians in the Palestinian enclave and refugees could try to cross into Egypt to escape the violence. The Economist, Reuters

4. Texas authorizes police to arrest undocumented migrants

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed legislation Monday permitting Texas law enforcement officials to arrest undocumented migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. The measure escalated Abbott's confrontation with President Joe Biden over border policy. Texas' Republican-controlled state legislature passed the bill last month despite arguments by Democrats and immigrant-rights groups that the law would violate the Constitution and fuel racial profiling. Abbott said the measure was needed to counter a surge in migrants crossing the border without legal authorization. Congressional Republicans are negotiating with Democrats for tighter border policies in exchange for more Ukraine aid. The New York Times

5. Pope Francis approves blessings for same-sex couples

The Vatican on Monday issued formal permission for Catholic priests to bless couples in same-sex relationships, with caveats. Pope Francis signed off on the high-profile move, apparently intended to make LGBTQ Catholics feel more welcome in the church. The decree marked a shift in longstanding Vatican policy that homosexuals are "disordered" and validating their unions in any way "would be tantamount to blessing sin," The Washington Post reported. Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the church's office on doctrine, said the blessings would not amount to an official validation of same-sex unions, or change "the traditional doctrine of the church about marriage" being only between a man and a woman. The Washington Post

6. Strong earthquake kills dozens in China

A magnitude-6.2 earthquake hit a rural part of Gansu province in western China overnight, killing at least 118 people, China's Xinhua state news agency reported Tuesday. More than 500 other people were injured. The temblor hit the remote, mountainous region while many residents were sleeping, jolting people awake and sending them rushing into the street. Rescuers struggled to find survivors in subzero temperatures. The earthquake also destroyed roads and other infrastructure, triggering landslides that blocked search crews. One village was half buried in silt, Aljazeera reported. Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called for "all-out efforts" to rescue survivors and limit the quake's toll. NPR, Aljazeera

7. Georgia election workers sue Giuliani again

Ruby Freeman and her daughter Shaye Moss, the Georgia election workers who won a $148 million defamation verdict against Rudy Giuliani last week, have filed another lawsuit seeking to stop him from lying about them again. Since losing the defamation case, Giuliani, who helped former President Donald Trump try to overturn his 2020 election loss, has continued repeating his long-debunked allegations that Freeman and Moss committed fraud during ballot counting. Giuliani told Newsmax after the trial he was "in possession of video evidence demonstrating the truth" of his allegations. The lawsuit adds to Giuliani's legal troubles as he heads into trial in Georgia on criminal charges stemming from his 2020 election work for Trump. NBC News

8. BP stops sending tankers through Red Sea as Houthi attacks continue

Energy giant BP said Monday it had stopped sending tankers through the Red Sea due to drone and missile attacks by Houthi fighters in Yemen. The announcement sent global oil prices surging. The Red Sea is a vital shipping lane, but it has become increasingly dangerous since Houthi gunmen started attacking merchant ships following the eruption of the Israel-Hamas war. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Monday night that at least nine other nations had agreed to join the United States in a joint operation aiming to protect shipping traffic in the Red Sea from attacks threatening "innocent mariners" and "the free flow of commerce" through the crucial Suez Canal route. The New York Times

9. Nippon Steel agrees to buy US Steel for $14.9 billion

Nippon Steel, the world's fourth-largest steel producer, said Monday it had agreed to buy Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel for $55 a share in cash. The $14.9 billion deal will be Nippon Steel's largest acquisition ever in the U.S. market. The offer amounts to a 40% premium over U.S. Steel's Friday closing price. The price is 140% more than domestic rival Cleveland-Cliffs' $7.3 billion offer, which U.S. Steel rejected in August. The United Steelworkers union reacted angrily to news of the deal, saying it hadn't been consulted. Union President David McCall said U.S. Steel "chose to push aside the concerns of its dedicated workforce and sell to a foreign-owned company." Financial Times, The Associated Press

10. Marvel drops actor Jonathan Majors after assault conviction

A New York jury on Monday found Marvel actor Jonathan Majors guilty of reckless assault and harassment in a domestic incident. Majors was acquitted on intentional assault and aggravated harassment charges. Majors' ex-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari, testified that he grabbed her hand, twisted her arm and hit her in the back of the head during a dispute in the backseat of a car. Majors called the allegations "fake" and said Jabbari was the aggressor. The incident started when she saw a romantic text on his phone from someone else. Majors' attorney said the actor "still has faith in the process and looks forward to fully clearing his name." Marvel Studios said it was calling off future projects with Majors. The Hollywood Reporter, CNN

10 things you need to know today: December 18, 2023

theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (Harold Maass, The Week US) — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 12:14:33 +0000

1. Israel-Hamas cease-fire calls intensify

Israel, which said Sunday its forces found Hamas' biggest Gaza tunnel yet, bombarded dozens of sites in the Palestinian enclave over the weekend, defying intensifying calls for a cease-fire in its war against Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel would "fight to the end." The brother of one of three hostages Israeli soldiers mistakenly shot dead on Friday — Alon Shamriz, 26, Yotam Haim, 28, and Samar Fouad Talalka, 24 — criticized the government and the military for the tragedy. "The one who abandoned you also murdered you," said Shamriz's brother, Ido. The hostages' deaths fueled questions about the way Israel has conducted the war, ignited by Hamas' deadly Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel. The Associated Press, The Times of Israel

2. Florida GOP censures scandal-plagued leader

The Florida Republican Party's executive board on Sunday voted to strip authority from the state GOP chair, Christian Ziegler, and cut his salary to $1, launching a bid to oust him over a woman's claim that he raped her in October. The woman said that she, Ziegler and his wife, Sarasota County School Board member and Moms for Liberty co-founder Bridget Ziegler, had a three-way sexual encounter more than a year ago and had planned another tryst. After Bridget Ziegler backed out, the woman said, Christian Ziegler showed up anyway and sexually assaulted her. He maintains the sex, which he filmed, was consensual. The Florida GOP board plans to meet again in a month and decide whether to oust Ziegler. The New York Times, USA Today

3. Biden campaign says Trump immigrant remark 'parroted' Hitler

President Joe Biden's reelection campaign accused former President Donald Trump of echoing Nazi rhetoric by saying immigrants are "poisoning the blood of our country." "Donald Trump channeled his role models as he parroted Adolf Hitler," Biden-Harris 2024 campaign spokesperson Ammar Moussa said. Hitler wrote in his "Mein Kampf" manifesto that blood poisoning threatened the Aryan race. Trump, the front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, made the remark about immigrants during a New Hampshire rally and in a Truth Social post Saturday night. Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung accused the media and the academics criticizing Trump's immigration comments of giving "safe haven for dangerous antisemitic and pro-Hamas rhetoric." CNBC, Reuters

4. Chileans reject proposed conservative constitution

Chilean voters on Sunday rejected a conservative constitution proposed to replace one dating to the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. The proposed new charter was drafted by a right-leaning constitutional council and was more conservative than the old one, according to CNN. With nearly all the votes counted, 55.8% opposed the new constitution while 44.2% favored it. The balloting came more than a year after voters overwhelmingly rejected a proposed progressive constitution drafted by a left-leaning convention. Chilean President Gabriel Boric said his government wouldn't take a third stab at changing the constitution. He conceded that he had failed to "channel the hopes of having a new constitution written for everyone," and said after two fruitless referendums "the country became polarized." The Associated Press, CNN

5. Negotiators scramble to reach a border-security deal

White House and Senate negotiators on Sunday tried to hammer out a compromise border security deal to satisfy the demands of Republicans blocking President Joe Biden's request for more than $60 billion in new aid for Ukraine. Negotiators met behind closed doors at the Capitol in a rush to strike a deal before senators leave town for the holidays. "Every day we get closer, not farther away," said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.). Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) disagreed, saying on NBC's "Meet the Press" that deliberations would likely continue into the new year. "We're not anywhere close to a deal," he said. The Associated Press

6. Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai's trial starts

The landmark trial of prominent Hong Kong activist and publisher Jimmy Lai opened Monday. Lai, 76, was arrested in August 2020 during a crackdown on the city's pro-democracy movement. If convicted, he faces a possible life sentence under a security law Beijing imposed to stamp out protests by dissidents. The trial of Lai, who founded the now-shuttered pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper, is widely considered a crucial test of judicial independence in the semi-autonomous Asian financial hub. China had promised it would respect Hong Kong's Western-style civil liberties for 50 years after the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997. NPR

7. North Korea test-fires missiles

North Korea on Sunday fired suspected short-range and long-range ballistic missiles off its east coast. The launches came as Pyongyang accused the U.S. of leading its allies in aggressive measures, including the arrival of a submarine in South Korea, that amounted to "a preview of a nuclear war." The short-range missile flew about 350 miles and came down in the ocean. South Korea and Japan had warned that Pyongyang planned the missile tests, including the suspected firing of one of the isolated communist-led nation's longest-range intercontinental ballistic missiles, Reuters reported. North Korea says its missile program is part of its legitimate self-defense measures, although its ballistic missile launches violate United Nations Security Council resolutions. Reuters

8. 61 die in migrant boat wreck off Libya

About 61 migrants died in a shipwreck off Libya, the United Nations' International Organization for Migration said Sunday. The agency's Libya office said the boat left Zuwara, a coastal town west of the capital Tripoli and 37 miles from the Tunisian border. Survivors said there were 86 people on board, the IOM's Libya office posted on X, formerly Twitter. Libya is a main transit point for asylum-seekers trying to reach Europe. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees says more than 2,500 people have died or gone missing this year in the central Mediterranean, which "continues to be one of the world's most dangerous migration routes." CNN

9. Powerful storm hits Florida, heads up East Coast

A powerful storm system hammered Florida and the Carolinas over the weekend and threatened to batter other places up the East Coast as a "bomb cyclone" on Monday. The high winds knocked down trees and power lines, leaving more than 33,000 utility customers without power in Florida on Sunday. Another 8,000 faced power outages in South Carolina. Heavy rains caused potentially dangerous flooding in low-lying areas on South Carolina's coast, including downtown Charleston. The National Weather Service issued flash flood and coastal flood warnings. Charleston Harbor experienced the highest tide on record not associated with a tropical storm system, according to the National Weather Service. NBC News, USA Today

10. 'Wonka' debut fuels hopes for holiday box office

"Wonka," featuring Timothée Chalamet in the title role, brought in a better-than-expected $39 million in its debut weekend in North American cinemas, in a promising sign for the holiday season box office. The musical fantasy film led the domestic box office, beating out another prequel, "Hunger Games: A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes," for the top spot. "Wonka," which tells the origin story of the fictional chocolatier, also scored $92.6 million in ticket sales overseas, making it the No. 1 movie globally over the weekend. The film follows a young Willy Wonka before his days as the mysterious chocolate factory owner from Roald Dahl's 1964 book, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." The Hollywood Reporter, CNN

10 things you need to know today: December 17, 2023

theweek@futurenet.com (Justin Klawans, The Week US) — Sun, 17 Dec 2023 14:42:51 +0000

1. Putin rejects Biden's claim that Russia will attack NATO

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Sunday that he has "no interest" in attacking NATO if his country were to gain control of Ukraine, rebuking statements on the matter from President Joe Biden. The U.S. president previously said that Putin wouldn't stop at Ukraine and would attack NATO countries, leading to potential armed conflict between the U.S. and Russia. In an interview with Russian state media, Putin called Biden's claim "complete nonsense," adding that Russia had "no reason, no interest — no geopolitical interest, neither economic, political nor military — to fight with NATO countries." Biden has consistently warned that allowing Putin to annex all of Ukraine would have dire consequences for global affairs. Politico, Reuters

2. Israel ramps up bombardments of Gaza overnight

Israeli forces continued bombing large swaths of the Gaza Strip overnight Sunday, killing at least 40 additional people, Palestinian officials said. The bombs killed at least 24 members of a single family when they fell on a house in the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, Palestinian state radio said, adding that the area suffered "tank, air and naval bombardment." The ramping-up of attacks by Israel comes as the country's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has persisted in his claims that Hamas must be bombed into submission to save Israeli hostages. Israeli officials held talks on Friday with Qatar, the nation that helped mediate the prior hostage releases. Reuters

3. American and British navies shoot down attack drones over Red Sea

U.S. and U.K. naval vessels shot down at least 15 attack drones over the Red Sea on Saturday, the respective militaries said. The navies are in the area as part of an effort to mitigate the risk from Yemen's Houthi rebels, who have been attacking container ships throughout the region. Officials from U.S. Central Command said their warships had shot down 14 drones from "Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen," while British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said the Royal Navy destroyed a drone that was "targeting merchant shipping." The Houthis, who are backed by Iran, have been attacking civilian ships to increase pressure on Israel to stop its bombardment of Gaza. The Guardian, Al Jazeera

4. Top strategist for DeSantis' super PAC resigns

Jeff Roe, the chief strategist for the super PAC backing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' (R) presidential run, resigned from his position Saturday night. Roe's resignation came following a report in The Washington Post that detailed deep turmoil between DeSantis, his campaign team, and his super PAC, Never Back Down. "I cannot in good conscience stay affiliated with Never Back Down given the statements in The Washington Post today," Roe wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Roe had been running DeSantis' Iowa operations in the lead-up to the state's caucus. His resignation represents a major blow to the Republican candidate's presidential run, which has been besieged by consistently low poll numbers. The Washington Post, NBC News

5. Activision Blizzard to pay $54M settlement over workplace discrimination suit

Video game publisher Activision Blizzard agreed to pay $54 million on Friday to settle a lawsuit alleging the company discriminated against women in the workplace. The company agreed to a settlement with the state of California that will give at least $46 million of the money to a fund for affected women. The Microsoft-owned company had been sued by California's civil rights division, which alleged that it participated in sexual harassment, retaliation and discrimination against its female employees. Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick reportedly stated that he was aware of the misconduct allegations but that relevant information was kept from the company's board. CNBC, The Wall Street Journal

6. Chile heads to polls in referendum to replace dictatorial constitution

Chileans headed to the polls Sunday in a referendum that would fundamentally alter the law of the land. If passed, the referendum would replace Chile's current constitution, which has been controversial given that it was passed by the dictatorial regime of Augusto Pinochet in 1980. A push to replace the document has been in the works in Chile for years, but some have expressed concerns over the new draft constitution, which is based on the tenets of American conservatism and would shift the country's laws further to the right. "Unexpectedly, they managed to write an even worse constitution," one Chilean, Gustavo Gatica, told The New York Times. BBC, The New York Times

7. Thousands in Australia urged to evacuate amid flooding in Queensland

Thousands of Australians in the state of Queensland were urged to move to higher ground Sunday as the region prepared for major flooding. The flooding, a result of typhoon-level rainwaters after Tropical Cyclone Jasper recently made landfall in the area, is expected to surpass previous flood records for the state. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the area of Cairns was already "dealing with significant flooding," and Queensland state Premier Steven Miles said there were "significant concerns" for families in the region. "We've seen rainfall in some places of almost 600mm with more to come," Miles said. "There are currently 10,500 people without power." The Guardian

8. Confederate memorial to be removed from Arlington National Cemetery

A Confederate memorial will be removed from Virginia's Arlington National Cemetery in the coming days, officials said Saturday. The decision came despite a push from more than 40 GOP lawmakers to try and save the memorial and is part of a recent effort by Arlington to erase Confederate-era symbolism from its grounds. The memorial in question depicts a bronze woman meant to represent the South, as well as a Black woman depicted as a "mammy," and a slave following his owner into battle. Virginia's Republican governor, Glenn Youngkin, disagreed with the decision and said he would be relocating the statue. An exact date for the removal of the statue has not been revealed. The Associated Press, The Washington Post

9. Quaker Oats recalls granola products over salmonella risk

Quaker Oats is recalling a number of its granola-based products due to a risk of salmonella contamination, the company said Friday. The Food and Drug Administration published a full list of the recalled products, which includes numerous varieties of Quaker Oats' boxed granola and granola bars. Quaker Oats said in a statement that it hadn't had any confirmed reports of illnesses as a result of the contaminated products and that the recall was precautionary. Any consumers who purchased the products in question should not eat any of them, disposing of them instead. Quaker Oats also set up a line where consumers may request information on reimbursement. USA Today

10. Boston Tea Party reenacted in celebration of 250th anniversary

Revelers celebrated one of the American Revolution's most iconic moments on Saturday as New England commemorated the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. Hundreds of historical re-enactors, dressed in colonial-era garb, tossed more than 2,000 pounds of tea into Boston Harbor as thousands of people watched from the shore. The actual Boston Tea Party was a protest that occurred on Dec. 17, 1773, by Massachusetts rebels known as the Sons of Liberty who were protesting taxes implemented on the colonies by the British Empire. The event was led by iconic Founding Fathers such as Paul Revere, Sam Adams and others. Boston Herald

10 things you need to know today: December 16, 2023

theweek@futurenet.com (Justin Klawans, The Week US) — Sat, 16 Dec 2023 14:32:49 +0000

1. Rudy Giuliani ordered to pay $148M to defamed election workers

A federal judge on Friday ordered Rudy Giuliani to pay $148 million to a pair of Georgia election workers he falsely accused of fraud. The former New York City mayor and onetime attorney for former President Donald Trump had been sued by Ruby Freeman and her daughter Shaye Moss. The pair had been falsely accused by Giuliani and others on Trump's team of manipulating ballots in Georgia during the 2020 presidential election, something that Freeman and Moss said led to threats and emotional distress. "The lies in this case became a sustained, deliberate, viral campaign, the purpose of which was to overturn an election," Michael Gottlieb, an attorney for the duo, said during his closing arguments. The Washington Post, USA Today

2. Israeli hostages mistakenly killed by IDF were waving white flag, report says

Three Israeli hostages who were mistakenly killed by IDF soldiers on Friday were waving a white flag at the time, according to a preliminary investigation of the incident. The trio of hostages had managed to escape Hamas captivity when they were mistakenly identified as enemy insurgents by Israeli soldiers. The three hostages were holding up a makeshift white flag and were reportedly yelling for help in Hebrew, the investigation says. The soldiers reportedly believed this to be a Hamas trap and immediately opened fire. The report concluded that the IDF soldiers did not follow the Israeli military's rules of engagement, and an investigation remains ongoing. Haaretz, The Times of Israel

3. Ukraine and Russia exchange drone strikes

Russia and Ukraine traded attempted drone strikes on Friday night, with the vast majority intercepted by the respective countries. Ukrainian Air Force officials said on social media that they'd downed 30 out of 31 Russian drones headed toward Ukraine, while Russia also reported that it'd stopped at least 32 Ukrainian attacks over the Crimean Peninsula. The trading of drone strikes came hours after Hungary vetoed 50 billion euros ($54.5 billion) of European Union aid to Ukraine. Hungary has long been the holdout among the EU when it comes to sending additional funds to Ukraine. EU leaders have maintained that the funds will be coming to Ukraine regardless of Hungary's position. The Kyiv Independent, The Associated Press

4. Iran reportedly executes officer of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency

Iran executed a member of Israel's Mossad intelligence service on Saturday, the country's state media said. The agent "communicated with foreign services, specifically Mossad, collecting classified information, and with participation with associates, provided documents to foreign service," Iran's IRNA newswire said. The news report added that an appeal for leniency by the agent had been rejected. Iran has been one of the countries working against Israel in its fight against Hamas and is a main supporter of Islamic militants in the region. Israel has previously accused Iran of providing material support to Hamas, though Iranian leadership has pushed back against the idea of officially entering the conflict. Reuters

5. Mother of 6-year-old who shot teacher sentenced to prison

The mother of a six-year-old boy who shot his teacher was sentenced to two years in prison on Friday. Deja Taylor had pleaded guilty in August to felony child neglect. Police say Taylor's son brought a handgun to his classroom and shot his teacher, Abby Zwerner, in January. Taylor bought the handgun in 2022 and failed to secure it properly, prosecutors said, as the weapon did not have a lockbox or trigger lock. Taylor is already serving a 21-month sentence for a pair of federal felony charges related to the shooting. This includes the use of a controlled substance while possessing a firearm and making a false statement while purchasing the firearm. CNN, ABC News

6. East Coast bracing for major weekend storm

Large swaths of the East Coast are preparing for a major storm this weekend that could bring heavy winds and torrential downpours to a significant portion of the country. The storm is expected to form in the Gulf of Mexico and hammer Florida on Saturday with excessive rainfall and winds. From there, the storm is expected to move through the coastal states before eventually extending into portions of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. More than 60 million people are facing flooding risks as the storm brews. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has activated the Florida State Guard to assist in preparations and emergency management. CBS News, CNN

7. Kuwait's ruling emir dies at 86

Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, the ruling emir of Kuwait, has died at the age of 86, the country's state news agency said Saturday. Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, 83, was named as the country's new emir — though he was already considered the de facto ruler of Kuwait given the recent failing health of Sheikh Nawaf. The official appointment of Sheikh Meshal is a continuation of years of familial rule in Kuwait, a trend that is increasingly changing among Arab states in the region. Though one of the smallest countries in the Middle East, Kuwait exerts significant influence in the region's affairs due to its vast oil reserves. The New York Times, The Guardian

8. Australia faces sweltering summer heatwave

Large portions of Australia are facing scorching temperatures as the land down under deals with a sweltering summer heatwave. In Sydney, the country's largest city, temperatures reached 95 degrees Fahrenheit on Saturday, two days after a recorded temperature of 102 degrees. The high heat threatened to deplete energy reserves across Sydney and the totality of New South Wales, though the temperature had dropped by later in the afternoon, falling to around 80 degrees. The heat, combined with high winds, also threatened to start a series of commonly seen bushfires throughout the region, as firefighters work to prevent this. The Sydney Morning Herald

9. Matthew Perry died from ketamine use, autopsy shows

"Friends" star Matthew Perry died from the "acute effects of ketamine," according to autopsy results released Friday. The report concluded that Perry, who passed away in October, died due to an "unknown route of drug intake" after his ketamine usage led to "cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression." Drowning, coronary artery disease and buprenorphine effects were cited as additional factors in his death. Perry had been taking ketamine as part of an infusion therapy treatment, the autopsy report said, but the ketamine in his system was reportedly not related to this treatment. The actor was found dead in his hot tub in Los Angeles, and foul play was not suspected. Entertainment Weekly

10. Mayim Bialik departs as 'Jeopardy!' host

Mayim Bialik will no longer host the syndicated version of the game show "Jeopardy!", she announced Friday. The actress, best known for her time on the sitcom "The Big Bang Theory," wrote on Instagram that Sony had "informed her" that she would no longer be a host on the iconic quiz show. "I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have been part of the Jeopardy! family," Bialik added. Her departure leaves former Jeopardy! champion Ken Jennings as the sole host of the show moving forward. Bialik had garnered a Primetime Emmy nomination for her hosting duties this year, and was also a host on "Celebrity Jeopardy!" NPR

10 things you need to know today: December 15, 2023

theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (Harold Maass, The Week US) — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 11:59:17 +0000

1. US urges Israel to shift to precision attacks on Hamas

The Biden administration is urging Israel to end its large-scale offensive in the Gaza Strip by the end of the year, The New York Times reported Thursday, citing American officials. Israel says its war with Hamas could last "more than several months," but President Joe Biden wants Israel to shift to precision attacks against Hamas as civilian deaths rise and international support for Israel weakens. "I want them to be focused on how to save civilian lives — not stop going after Hamas, but be more careful," Biden said. U.S. intelligence officials believe nearly half of Israel's strikes have used unguided "dumb" bombs more likely to kill noncombatants. The New York Times, The Washington Post

2. Putin says Ukraine goals remain unchanged

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his traditional year-end news conference Thursday that his forces would continue fighting for the original goals of his Ukraine invasion, which he claimed were the "demilitarization" and "denazification" of the country. International officials call his excuses for attacking Ukraine phony, and Russia's relations with the West have fallen to new lows. But Putin appeared "confident" on Thursday, after being "emboldened by battlefield gains and flagging Western support for Ukraine," The Associated Press reported. In 2022, Putin skipped his annual news conference after his troops suffered numerous setbacks in Ukraine. The Associated Press, The New York Times

3. Hungary blocks $54 billion in EU Ukraine aid

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban blocked a $54 billion European Union financial aid package for Ukraine on Thursday. The veto marked a tough setback for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after he failed to persuade U.S. lawmakers to approve $61 billion in new aid. But EU leaders agreed to start negotiations on admitting Ukraine to the 27-nation bloc, a "historic political win for Kyiv" as it pleads for more aid to continue battling invading Russian forces, according to Bloomberg. Orban, considered Russia's closest ally in the bloc, opposed opening Ukraine accession talks but didn't stand in the way, leaving the room before the vote to avoid taking part. The Associated Press, Bloomberg

4. House sends defense spending bill to Biden's desk

The House on Thursday passed the annual defense authorization bill in a 310-118 vote. The overwhelming approval marked a defeat for hardline conservatives who tried to tack on measures to change Pentagon policies on abortion, diversity and LGBTQ+ rights. The Senate passed the bill, the $866 billion National Defense Authorization Act, on Wednesday, also with a large bipartisan majority. President Joe Biden is expected to sign it into law. The sprawling legislation includes a 5.2% pay raise for military personnel. It also extends the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative used by the Biden administration to help Ukraine fight off Russia's invasion. The Washington Post

5. Ex-FBI counterintelligence official gets 50-month sentence

U.S. District Judge Jennifer Rearden on Thursday sentenced former FBI counterintelligence official Charles McGonigal to 50 months in prison for colluding with a Russian oligarch he once investigated. McGonigal, the former counterintelligence chief in the FBI's New York field office, pleaded guilty in August to a conspiracy charge. He told the judge before the sentencing that he "committed a felony, and as a former FBI special agent it causes me extreme emotional and physical pain." McGonigal's lawyers had asked that be spared a prison sentence. Rearden noted McGonigal's "extraordinary contributions" but said the "extraordinary seriousness" of McGonigal's efforts to get the oligarch, Oleg Deripaska, off the U.S. sanctions list required tough punishment. ABC News, CNN

6. 7 arrested in alleged Europe terrorist plots

Authorities in Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands on Thursday arrested seven people, including four suspected Hamas members, on suspicion of plotting terrorist attacks on Jewish institutions across Europe. Three of the suspects were detained in Berlin; one was arrested in the Netherlands. The four suspected Hamas members have close ties to the leadership of the Palestinian Islamist group's military branch, German prosecutors alleged. The arrests came as Israeli forces battle Hamas in the Gaza Strip, aiming to crush Hamas in response to its deadly Oct. 7 surprise attack in southern Israel. Reuters

7. Appeals court rejects Trump challenge of gag order in civil fraud trial

A New York appeals court on Thursday rejected former President Donald Trump's challenge of the gag order barring him from publicly disparaging court staff in his $250 million civil fraud trial. The appellate court said the mechanism Trump's lawyers used was "not the proper vehicle" to challenge Judge Arthur Engoron's gag order, although he can still use the normal appeals process. The court also said "the gravity of potential harm is small, given that the gag order is narrow." In a separate decision, the court rejected the Trump team's request for the Court of Appeals, New York's highest court, to review the gag order. Testimony in the trial ended Wednesday. A verdict could come in January. CNN, Politico

8. US to impose pricing penalties on 48 drugs

The Biden administration said Thursday it would impose pricing penalties on 48 drugs in the Medicare program that have grown costlier, outpacing inflation in the fourth quarter of the year. The manufacturers of the drugs might have to pay rebates, Reuters reported. President Joe Biden's signature Inflation Reduction Act lets the administration penalize drugmakers who sell prescription medicines through Medicare, the government program providing health coverage for disabled people and those age 65 and older. Rebates for Medicare recipients could cut their co-insurance costs by between $1 and $2,786 per dose. Biden said big pharmaceutical companies "jacked up" prices at nearly four times the inflation rate in the year before the legislation passed. Reuters

9. 30-year mortgage rate falls to lowest since August

The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to 6.95% from 7.03% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. The decline, announced a day after the Federal Reserve said it might cut interest rates three times next year now that inflation is cooling, marked the first time since August that long-term mortgage rates dropped under 7%. A year ago, the average rate was 6.31%. It peaked in late October at 7.79%. Falling rates are expected to help would-be homebuyers who have been kept out of the market by high borrowing costs coupled with still-high real estate prices. The Associated Press

10. GOP picks local politician to run for George Santos House seat

New York Republicans on Thursday chose Mazi Melesa Pilip, a local legislator who was born in Ethiopia and served as a paratrooper in the Israel Defense Forces, to run in a special election to fill the House seat left vacant when George Santos was expelled. The selection of a little-known politician first elected in 2021 is "a bold gamble by Long Island Republicans" who typically nominate older, white establishment politicians, The New York Times reported. Pilip is a fierce Israel advocate but hasn't taken public stands on abortion rights, gun laws and other key issues. She will be running against Democrat Tom Suozzi, who once held the seat and has been a Long Island political fixture for decades. The New York Times

10 things you need to know today: December 14, 2023

theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (Harold Maass, The Week US) — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 12:00:38 +0000

1. House Republicans approve formal impeachment inquiry

The Republican-controlled House on Wednesday approved a formal impeachment inquiry against President Joe Biden. Republican lawmakers rallied behind the investigation even though hearings on Biden family finances have failed to produce evidence of wrongdoing, particularly regarding discredited GOP allegation that, as vice president, Biden pushed to fire a Ukrainian prosecutor to benefit a gas company while his son, Hunter Biden, served on its board. Biden called the House GOP inquiry a "baseless political stunt." Hunter Biden defied a House subpoena for a closed-door deposition, saying at a surprise appearance outside the Capitol that he would only testify publicly. House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) accused Hunter Biden of trying to hide his "influence-peddling schemes." The Hill

2. Judge pauses Trump election case pending immunity decision

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan on Wednesday paused former President Donald Trump's federal election interference case while he pursues his immunity claim in higher courts. Chutkan didn't change Trump's March trial date on charges he plotted to overturn his 2020 election loss to President Joe Biden, but said she would reconsider the timetable once the immunity question was settled. Also on Wednesday, an appeals court granted a request from prosecutors to expedite the review of Trump's immunity appeal. Trump's lawyers asked the court to go slowly to avoid a "reckless rush to judgment" that would "irreparably undermine public confidence in the judicial system." The Associated Press, The New York Times

3. Intense Israel-Hamas combat fuels humanitarian concerns

Israel on Wednesday said it suffered its worst day of combat losses in a month after 10 of its soldiers were killed in 24 hours, including two Israeli commanders and seven other soldiers killed in a Hamas ambush in a Gaza City suburb. The heavy fighting came as Israel faced increasing diplomatic isolation due to rising Palestinian civilian casualties and disrupted aid deliveries that are fueling concerns of a worsening humanitarian disaster. A day after the United Nations General Assembly called for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire and President Joe Biden warned that Israel's "indiscriminate" bombing was eroding international support, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was "continuing until the end, until victory, until Hamas is annihilated." The Guardian, Reuters

4. Supreme Court to decide on abortion-pill restrictions

The Supreme Court said Wednesday it would consider a case on whether to restrict availability of the abortion drug mifepristone, setting up its first major abortion ruling since the conservative majority overturned Roe v. Wade last year. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Food and Drug Administration's decades-old approval of the abortion pill could remain in place but with sharply restricted access, including barring sending the drug by mail or prescribing it remotely. The Biden administration asked the justices to step in to keep the pill available to safeguard access to legal abortion. The drug is used in more than half of U.S. pregnancy terminations. The New York Times, CNN

5. Fed signals interest rate cuts in 2024

The Federal Reserve ended its last policy meeting of 2023 on Wednesday by keeping interest rates unchanged, as expected, and boosted markets by projecting three rate cuts next year. The Fed has aggressively raised rates to slow the economy and bring down stubbornly high inflation. Recent signs that inflation is cooling have fueled hopes that the central bank will bring inflation down to its 2% target without triggering a recession. Fed Chair Jerome Powell said after the meeting that the Fed's historic tightening of monetary policy is probably over, now that inflation is coming down faster than anticipated, and the time for reducing borrowing costs is coming "into view." Reuters

6. Supreme Court agrees to hear key Jan. 6 appeal

The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear an appeal brought by a man accused over his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. The defendant, Joseph Fischer, is asking the court to dismiss a charge of obstructing an official proceeding — Congress' certification of President Joe Biden's victory over former President Donald Trump in the 2020 election. Fischer's case is linked to those of two other people accused in the riot — Edward Lang and Garrett Miller — but it could also have a significant impact on criminal prosecutions of hundreds of Jan. 6 defendants, including Trump. Conviction can bring a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. NBC News, The Hill

7. Argentina devalues currency

Argentina announced plans to devalue its currency, the peso, by more than 50%, an early sign of the emergency measures that newly inaugurated President Javier Milei promised would turn around the South American nation's struggling economy. The move will change the official conversion rate to 800 pesos per dollar, up from 365 pesos. Milei, a self-proclaimed anarcho-capitalist, promised during his campaign to replace the peso with the U.S. dollar to put the economy on more solid ground after years of artificial support for the local currency. The change is one of several proposed by Milei's government to contain hyperinflation. CNN

8. Senate passes $886 billion defense bill

The Senate on Wednesday passed an $886 billion annual defense spending plan, which includes aid for Ukraine and annual raises for the military. The bipartisan 87-13 vote came amid a push to authorize spending on Pentagon priorities before the end of the year, something Congress has done for 61 straight years. The bill now heads to the House, "where some ultraconservative Republicans have threatened to tank it" after lawmakers removed modifications to Pentagon policy on abortion and some gender-affirming health care, USA Today reports. Those provisions were in a version of the bill the Republican-controlled House passed earlier this year. USA Today

9. Appeals court rejects Trump immunity claim in defamation case

A federal appeals court in New York on Wednesday ruled that former President Donald Trump can't use presidential immunity to avoid writer E. Jean Carroll's defamation lawsuit. The court said Trump waited too long to claim immunity in the case, which centers around Trump's denial and disparaging remarks about Carroll's claim that he raped her decades ago in a New York City department store dressing room. The decision marked the third time in recent weeks that a federal court had rejected Trump's attempts to invoke presidential immunity as he fights several civil and criminal cases. Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan rejected Trump's immunity claim in his federal election-subversion case. Politico

10. Tesla recalls 2 million EVs for Autopilot fix

Tesla will recall more than two million of its electric vehicles over concerns about crashes related to its Autopilot driver-assistance technology, according to the National Highway Safety Administration. The recall covers nearly all of the Models 3, S, X and Y sold in the United States between 2012 and 2023. The regulator said Tesla's Autopilot system might not have sufficient controls to prevent drivers from abusing it. The company will offer affected Tesla owners a free software update. News of the recall sent Tesla shares falling by about 1.5%. Tesla didn't immediately respond to The Wall Street Journal's request for comment. The Wall Street Journal

10 things you need to know today: December 13, 2023

theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (Harold Maass, The Week US) — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 12:17:49 +0000

1. Biden warns Israel is losing support

President Joe Biden said Tuesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, which he described as "the most conservative in Israel's history," was losing support because of its "indiscriminate bombing" in Gaza following Hamas' deadly Oct. 7 attack. The comments marked Biden's most direct criticism yet of Netanyahu as international pressure mounts to ease a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Netanyahu said he hoped the U.S. and Israel could settle their differences but that his government wouldn't "give in to international pressure." The United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday approved a non-binding call for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire. Reuters, The Washington Post

2. Zelenskyy appeals to Congress for more aid

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday made an emotional appeal to congressional leaders for more aid to help his country counter a Russian invasion, reportedly telling lawmakers that his country was in a do-or-die "fight for freedom." He also visited the White House and asked President Joe Biden to step up his effort to push through a $110 billion package that includes $61.4 billion for Ukraine. "Mr. President, I call on Congress to do the right thing, to stand with Ukraine, and to stand up for freedom," Zelenskyy said. Congress is deadlocked on the legislation, as Republicans insist on pairing the aid with measures to increase security at the U.S.-Mexico border. The Associated Press

3. Harvard board backs embattled university president

Harvard's board expressed unanimous support Tuesday for the university's president, Claudine Gay, after she and two other university leaders faced intense criticism over their testimony during a congressional hearing on campus antisemitism tied to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The board said that after "extensive deliberations" it decided "President Gay is the right leader to help our community heal" in "this tumultuous and difficult time." Gay and the presidents of the University of Pennsylvania and MIT gave what The Boston Globe described as "legalistic and equivocal answers" when asked during the Dec. 5 hearing whether calls for the genocide of Jews violated school rules. Some wealthy donors, alumni and lawmakers pushed for their removal. UPenn President Liz Magill resigned Saturday. The Boston Globe

4. COP28 calls for transitioning away from fossil fuels

Negotiators at the United Nations–sponsored COP28 climate summit released a central document Wednesday calling for the world to transition away from burning planet-warming fossil fuels, a first. "Humanity has finally done what is long, long, long overdue," said Wopke Hoekstra, European Union commissioner for climate action. U.K. climate minister Graham Stuart called the delegates' approval of the document, which takes stock of how far off track the world is in fighting climate change, the beginning of the end of the fossil fuel era, BBC News reported. "We're now unified in a common commitment to move away from fossil fuels," he said. Some delegates wanted the document to go further and call for phasing out coal, gas and oil entirely. BBC News, The Associated Press

5. Inflation slows slightly ahead of Fed meeting

Inflation edged lower last month thanks largely to falling gas prices, the federal government reported Tuesday. The Consumer Price Index rose 0.1% on a monthly basis and 3.1% compared to a year earlier. That was just under the 3.2% annual pace in October and far below a peak of more than 9% in summer 2022. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy costs, held steady at 4%. The report came as the Federal Reserve started its last two-day meeting of the year. The Fed is expected to end the gathering Wednesday with a decision to keep interest rates unchanged amid mounting the evidence that inflation is cooling. The New York Times, The Associated Press

6. Court tells New York to redraw congressional map, boosting Democrats

New York's top court on Tuesday ordered the state to redraw its congressional districts, giving Democrats an opportunity to create a map that could flip as many as six seats currently held by Republicans. A shift in the balance of the state's 26-member congressional delegation would have national implications as Republicans struggle to hold onto their narrow House majority in the 2024 elections. The 4-3 decision by the New York Court of Appeals, which has a new liberal majority, called for the state's Independent Redistricting Commission to restart the process of drawing a new map before the 2024 election season. The Democratic-dominated state Legislature has final approval of the map. The New York Times, Reuters

7. US details Russian losses in Ukraine

A newly declassified U.S. intelligence assessment shared with Congress concluded that 315,000 Russian military personnel had been killed or injured since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday. The losses amount to 87% of Russia's pre-war troop strength of 360,000. Moscow has also lost 2,200 of the 3,500 tanks it had before the invasion. The assessment provided new details about the magnitude of Russia's widely reported losses in Ukraine. The United States didn't release new estimates of Ukraine's casualties. Officials have acknowledged that tens of thousands of Ukraine's troops have been killed or injured. The Wall Street Journal

8. Busy Rhode Island bridge closed

Authorities shut down one side of one of Rhode Island's busiest bridges after engineers found a critical structural failure. The westbound side of the Washington Bridge, which carries Interstate 195 over the Seekonk River from Providence to East Providence, is expected to be closed for three or more months until repairs are completed. The failure involves "some original 1960s bridge components," the Rhode Island Department of Transportation said. The closure of the bridge, which carries nearly 100,000 vehicles daily, caused major traffic jams on Tuesday. The Providence Journal, The Associated Press

9. Judge approves bankrupt Yellow's sale of shipping centers

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Craig Goldblatt on Tuesday approved trucking company Yellow's plan to sell most of its shipping centers and other real estate for $1.88 billion. Goldblatt called the price a "tremendous outcome" for Yellow. The sale will generate enough money to pay off the $1.2 billion in debt the shipping company had before seeking bankruptcy protection. The debt includes $700 million that Yellow owed on a federal Covid-19 relief loan. The judge's decision to allow the sale to multiple buyers ended a bidder's effort to keep the company intact. Sarah Riggs Amico, executive chair of trucking company Jack Cooper Transport, led a bid to buy Yellow and said she still wanted to buy some of Yellow's terminals and rehire as many as 15,000 of its workers. Reuters

10. Election worker testifies Giuliani's 'crazy lies' disrupted her life

One of the two former Georgia election workers a judge said Rudy Giuliani defamed with baseless allegations of 2020 election fraud testified Tuesday that Giuliani's "crazy lies" disrupted her life and triggered racist threats. The election worker, Wandrea "Shaye" Moss, said she suffered panic attacks and had to quit the job, which she loved. Moss and her mother, Ruby Freeman, sued Giuliani for falsely accusing them of tampering with the counting of votes in Atlanta. Giuliani, one of Donald Trump's lawyers who tried to overturn the former president's election loss, conceded in July that he made "false" statements, but he said outside the courtroom he did not regret anything, claiming he "told the truth." The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, NBC News

10 things you need to know today: December 12, 2023

theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (Harold Maass, The Week US) — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 12:08:35 +0000

1. Gaza fighting forces UN to curb aid distribution

Israeli warplanes and tanks continued the bombardment of Hamas strongholds in southern Gaza overnight. The United Nations said Tuesday it had largely halted aid distribution to civilians in the Palestinian enclave due to the intense fighting. "At night we can't sleep because of the bombing and in the morning we tour the streets looking for food for the children, there is no food," Abu Khalil, a father of six, told Reuters. The 193-member U.N. General Assembly is expected to pass a draft resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire on Tuesday, but General Assembly resolutions are not binding. The United States vetoed a similar resolution at the Security Council on Friday. Reuters

2. Special counsel asks Supreme Court to rule on Trump immunity

Special counsel Jack Smith on Monday asked the Supreme Court to rule expeditiously on whether former President Donald Trump can be prosecuted for trying to overturn his loss in the 2020 election. "This case presents a fundamental question at the heart of our democracy: whether a former president is absolutely immune from federal prosecution for crimes committed while in office," Smith wrote in the filing. The Supreme Court said late Monday it would quickly consider whether to hear the case. Smith is pushing for a rapid decision because Trump is the front-runner to win the Republican presidential nomination and a delay in the trial, now set for March 2024, could push it until after the 2024 presidential election. NBC News, The Associated Press

3. Texas Supreme Court rules against woman seeking emergency abortion

The Texas Supreme Court on Monday overturned a lower court ruling that would have let a woman obtain an emergency abortion under an exception to Texas' near-total ban. The court said a doctor's "good faith belief" that the woman, 31-year-old mother-of-two Kate Cox, needed an abortion for medical reasons wasn't sufficient under state law. Cox's lawyers told the court Monday that she had left the state to get an abortion. Cox's fetus was diagnosed with a genetic abnormality that is usually fatal. Her doctors say continuing the pregnancy could jeopardize her ability to have more children. A lower court ruled she could terminate the pregnancy but the state's Republican attorney general, Ken Paxton, appealed to the state Supreme Court. Reuters

4. Giuliani defamation trial starts

Lawyers made opening statements Monday in Rudy Giuliani's civil trial for defaming Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Wandrea "Shaye" Moss after the 2020 election. Giuliani, then one of former President Donald Trump’s lawyers, baselessly accused Freeman and Moss of tampering with Atlanta ballots. They received racist threats from people saying they should be hanged as traitors. U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell in August awarded the women a default judgment, so the trial is focused on the damages Giuliani will pay. Lawyers for Freeman and Moss, seeking up to $43.5 million, urged jurors to send a message that behavior like Giuliani's "will not be tolerated." Giuliani lawyer Joseph Sibley called the requested amount "the civil equivalent of the death penalty." Politico, The Washington Post

5. COP28 delegates clash over phasing out fossil fuels

Negotiators at the United Nations' COP28 climate summit in Dubai continued trying to reach a deal on a package of agreements after a deadline expired Tuesday, the gathering's last official day. Negotiators remained divided after a draft of the centerpiece agreement published Monday dropped references to phasing out fossil fuels. The watered-down version urged countries to reduce planet-warming pollution, and listed cutting back oil, coal and gas burning among possible actions. Delegates criticized the draft as "incoherent" and "grossly insufficient" to fight climate change devastation. "We will not sign our death certificate," said Cedric Schuster of Samoa, chair of the Alliance of Small Island States. CNN, The Guardian

6. Donald Tusk chosen as Poland's prime minister

Poland's new Parliament rejected a bid by right-wing lawmakers to stay in power and chose opposition leader Donald Tusk as prime minister on Monday. Mateusz Morawiecki had been serving as caretaker prime minister after his right-wing ruling Law and Justice party lost its majority in October elections. Law and Justice won the most votes but lacked coalition partners to stay in power. Tusk promised to "chase away the darkness ... chase away the evil" after eight divisive years of national-conservative rule. Tusk's three-way alliance won a comfortable majority that he said would allow them to "fix everything together" and "right the wrongs so that everyone, without exception, can feel at home." The New York Times, The Guardian

7. Zelenskyy heads to Capitol Hill amid Ukraine aid stalemate

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit Capitol Hill on Tuesday as Congress remains deadlocked on President Joe Biden's request for a $110 billion national security package that includes more aid to help Ukraine fight off a Russian invasion. Republicans are insisting on tightening security on the U.S.-Mexico border in exchange for Ukraine aid, but Democrats say their proposed measures go too far. "It is maddening," said Biden ally Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.). "A very bad message to the world, to the Ukrainian people." Zelenskyy plans to meet with senators and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.). Biden has expressed a willingness to discuss border policy with Republicans as migrant crossings hit record highs. The Associated Press

8. Epic Games wins antitrust case against Google

Epic Games on Monday won its antitrust lawsuit against Google. A San Francisco jury's finding that Google's app store is an illegal monopoly was "a major blow to the tech giant, which has mostly been able to avoid losing lawsuits and being forced to make changes" despite years of allegations that it violated competition laws, The Washington Post reported. Epic Games has battled Google and Apple for years over their control over their app stores. The game-maker's victory could expose other Big Tech companies to legal challenges over pricing and payments on dominant internet platforms. The Washington Post

9. Air Force disciplines 15 airmen over leak

The Air Force has disciplined 15 Air National Guard members implicated in a "culture of complacency" that allowed a 21-year-old airman, Jack Teixeira, to share hundreds of classified documents over the popular gaming chat platform Discord, according to an Air Force investigation report released Monday. The Air Force blamed Teixeira's superiors for failing to restrict his access to classified systems when they became aware he was seeking out intelligence, although the watchdog report found no evidence Teixeira's superiors knew he was sharing the information. The Air Force relieved Col. Sean Riley of his command of the 102nd Intelligence Wing as a result of the investigation. ABC News, The Washington Post

10. Hasbro cuts jobs after toy sales fall from pandemic highs

Hasbro plans to cut 1,100 jobs, about 17% of its workforce, as toy and game sales remain weak heading into the crucial holiday shopping season, according to a Monday memo from CEO Chris Cocks to employees, The Wall Street Journal reported. The reductions come on top of layoffs earlier this year that affected 800 workers. The company, which makes Transformers action figures, the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy game, Monopoly and other popular toys and games, posted toy sales that were weaker than expected in the first nine months of 2023, coming back down after "historic, pandemic-driven highs," Cocks said. The Wall Street Journal

10 things you need to know today: December 11, 2023

theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (Harold Maass, The Week US) — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 12:13:44 +0000

1. UN warns that Gaza refugees could be forced into Egypt

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned Sunday that conditions for Palestinian civilians displaced by fighting between Israel and Hamas are getting so bad that tens of thousands could soon be forced over the border into Egypt. "The health care system is collapsing," Guterres said, and there is "no effective protections of civilians in Gaza." Israel has not publicly urged Gaza civilians to leave the Palestinian enclave, but foreign diplomats have said the Israeli government is privately calling for housing refugees in Egypt until the war ends. Egypt opposes establishing humanitarian camps within its borders, partly due to concerns the situation could destabilize Egypt. Palestinians are concerned they would never be allowed to return. The New York Times

2. Biden invites Zelenskyy to White House

President Joe Biden has invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the White House on Tuesday, as Congress continues to debate more aid for Ukraine. Zelenskyy will also speak to senators in a visit the White House said would "underscore" the U.S. commitment to supporting Ukraine as its people "defend themselves against Russia's brutal invasion." The Ukrainian president is scheduled to meet with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) as well. White House officials noted that public support for Ukraine has increased after Zelenskyy's previous visits. "It's an opportunity for front-page news, to remind people what's at stake," one administration official said. Politico

3. Trump cancels plan to testify in New York civil fraud trial

Former President Donald Trump wrote in a social media post Sunday that he had canceled his plan to testify Monday at his New York civil fraud trial. "I have already testified to everything & have nothing more to say other than this is a complete & total election interference (Biden campaign!) witch hunt," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. Trump has already testified once during the trial. A second appearance would have let him speak directly about the properties he is accused of overvaluing to get favorable loans. Trump's lawyers said they advised him not to testify because of the reinstated gag order Judge Arthur Engoron has imposed barring him from disparaging court staff. CNN, NBC News

4. Jailed Narges Mohammadi's children accept her Nobel Peace Prize

The teenage children of jailed Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf at a ceremony Sunday. "The Iranian people, with perseverance, will overcome repression and authoritarianism. Have no doubt, this is certain," Mohammadi, who was imprisoned for "spreading propaganda," wrote in her speech. The Norwegian Nobel committee awarded Mohammadi, 51, the prize in October for her nonviolent fight "against oppression of women in Iran" and work promoting human rights in general. Her 17-year-old twins Kiana and Ali Rahmani collected the award at a ceremony in Oslo's City Hall attended by several hundred guests. Reuters, BBC News

5. Arizona Supreme Court to consider 1864 abortion ban

Arizona's state Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments Tuesday on whether to allow a near-total abortion ban from 1864 to take effect. The state has two abortion laws — the 19th century ban and a 2022 law, passed months before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, outlawing the procedure after 15 weeks of pregnancy. An appeals court ruling sought to "harmonize" the state's conflicting laws last December, applying the 1864 law to non-physicians and the new law to doctors. A decision by the justices to let the older law take effect could escalate tensions over abortion as activists push a ballot measure next year seeking to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution. NPR, The Wall Street Journal

6. Philippines, China boats collide in South China Sea

A boat from the Philippines collided Sunday with a Chinese coast guard ship near a contested reef in the South China Sea. The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea reported that the Chinese vessel "rammed" the Philippines craft, one of two boats delivering supplies to Filipino fishermen near Scarborough Shoal off the main island of Luzon. The Philippines accused the Chinese ship of "deliberately colliding" with the supply boat. China put the blame on the Philippines. China seized the shoal from the Philippines in 2012. BBC News, USA Today

7. China deflation accelerates

China's consumer price index fell in November for the second straight month, in the latest sign of trouble for the world's second-largest economy. Consumer prices fell 0.5% in November on an annual basis, steeper than the 0.2% drop in October, China's National Bureau of Statistics reported Saturday. Beijing has been fighting weak prices for most of 2023 as a real-estate crisis and sagging consumer confidence drag down the economy. But the latest deflation numbers prompted calls for urgent measures to boost demand and prevent prices from plunging further. Inflation slowed in China early this year, then turned negative in July. CNN, The Guardian

8. Milei takes oath of office promising to make Argentina 'a power again'

Javier Milei, an unconventional self-declared "anarcho-capitalist," told Argentine citizens to brace for big public spending cuts as he was inaugurated as the South American nation's president on Sunday. "We are going to begin the reconstruction of Argentina after more than a hundred years of decline," said Milei, an economist and former TV commentator. "We are going to be a power again." Milei won a November runoff election promising shock economic reforms to lift South America's second-largest economy out of its worst crisis in a generation. Annual inflation has hit 143%, and the currency has plunged, impoverishing four in 10 Argentines. Critics fear Milei, a Trump admirer, will bring back authoritarian rule. The Associated Press, The Wall Street Journal

9. SmileDirectClub says it's shutting down

SmileDirectClub announced over the weekend that it was shutting down, several months after the telehealth orthodontics provider filed for bankruptcy protection. The company, which provided clear aligners remotely without in-person visits to an orthodontist, called the decision "incredibly difficult." It marketed its teeth aligners, which sold for $1,850, as a faster and cheaper alternative to braces offered at orthodontists' offices. Its treatments took four to six months, with online check-ins with dentists. The company was founded in 2014 and was valued at $8.9 billion in its 2019 initial public offering, but it became weighed down by debt. BBC News, The New York Times

10. Turnout hits record low in Hong Kong's 'patriots only' election

Hong Kong voters snubbed China's "patriots only" election on Sunday, with turnout falling to a record low since the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997, The Associated Press reported. With all pro-democracy candidates barred, only 27.5% of the city's 4.3 million registered voters cast ballots, according to data released Monday. That was down from a record high turnout of 71.2% in 2019 elections dominated by pro-democracy candidates. Under recent reforms, candidates undergo a national security screening. Government-appointed committees decide on nominations, and only "patriots" loyal to Beijing are allowed to run for directly elected district council seats, which have been reduced by 80% to 88 seats out of 470. The Associated Press, CNN

10 things you need to know today: December 10, 2023

theweek@futurenet.com (Justin Klawans, The Week US) — Sun, 10 Dec 2023 14:40:11 +0000

1. Fighting continues across Gaza Strip as Israeli tanks reach city center

Heavy fighting continued throughout Gaza on Sunday as the battle between Israel and Hamas insurgents raged on. Israeli tanks fought their way into the center of Khan Younis, the main city in southern Gaza, as part of a primary new offensive toward the heart of the strip. Israeli warplanes continued dropping bombs on the area west of the Khan Younis battle. As calls for a cease-fire continue to grow, the United States — Israel's primary backer in the fight — has provided more ammunition to its ally to shore up their offensive. Nearly 85% of Palestinians in Gaza have reportedly been displaced, and the United Nations has claimed there is no safe haven for them to flee to. The Associated Press, Reuters

2. University of Pennsylvania president resigns after antisemitism testimony

The president of the University of Pennsylvania, Liz Magill, resigned Saturday after criticism of her handling of antisemitism on her college's campus. Magill's resignation comes four days after bipartisan backlash of a congressional hearing on the issue of punishment for antisemitism rhetoric at Ivy League schools. During the hearing, Magill appeared to dodge the question of whether students who call for the genocide of Jews should face punishment, causing widespread anger. Her resignation also follows growing anger over her handling of protests on Penn's campus along with accusations of mismanagement. She will remain a tenured member of Penn's staff. The chair of Penn's board of trustees, Scott L. Bok, also announced his resignation. The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer

3. Democrat John Whitmire wins Houston’s mayoral election

Democratic Texas state Sen. John Whitmire was elected mayor of Houston on Saturday, defeating Democratic Texas Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee in a runoff election. A tally from the Harris County clerk showed Whitmire leading Lee by an insurmountable lead of 65% to 35%. "Great cities solve their problems. Together, we can solve our problems. The first way you solve your problem is to admit you have one. And I don't mind telling folks what a great city we have, but we've got great challenges," Whitmire said during his victory speech. Whitmire, who has more than 50 years of experience in public service, had consistently led Lee in the polls. NPR, CBS News

4. At least 6 dead and dozens injured following Tennessee tornado

At least six people are dead and nearly two dozen were injured after a series of tornados tore through central Tennessee on Saturday. The tornados destroyed buildings and left cars overturned throughout the region. Three people, including a child, died after a tornado leveled Clarksville in northern Tennessee, local officials said. Montgomery County, where Clarksville is located, received the worst of the damage, and county officials said they were in a "search-and-rescue phase" looking for survivors. Storms also whipped through nearby Davidson County and neighborhoods of Nashville, and more than 160,000 Tennessee residents are estimated to be without power. CNN, The Tennessean

5. Javier Milei to be inaugurated Argentina’s next president

Javier Milei will be sworn in as Argentina's next president on Sunday in a major shift to the right for the economically devastated South American nation. Milei campaigned on a promise to crack down on rampant inflation and poverty while also maintaining his persona as a political outsider. A populist and professed admirer of former U.S. President Donald Trump, Milei will be inaugurated exactly 40 years after Argentina returned to democracy following the end of its military dictatorship. Survivors of that time period told Al Jazeera they were wary of a potential return to a military junta or other form of authoritarianism under Milei. The Washington Post, Al Jazeera

6. Egypt holds presidential election amid the shadow of Gaza war

Egyptians headed to the polls Sunday in a presidential election that is expected to give President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi another six-year term in office. The election is taking place amid the shadow of the war in Gaza, as the country attempts to stop any violence from taking place in Egypt while also battling inflation and a foreign currency shortage that has left the nation struggling economically. Despite his expected electoral victory, al-Sisi has faced growing weariness among the population as his promises of bringing Egyptians out of poverty have fallen short. Critics of al-Sisi say his rampant spending on infrastructure projects has left Egypt with massive amounts of debt. Reuters, BBC

7. Shohei Ohtani signs record-shattering $700M contract with Dodgers

Baseball phenom Shohei Ohtani signed a record-shattering 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday. This makes Ohtani the highest-paid player in MLB history — and the highest-paid athlete in the history of North American sports. The previous record for a baseball contract was held by Ohtani's teammate on the Los Angeles Angels, Mike Trout, who inked a $426.5 million deal. Ohtani's contract is also likely the largest in world history, surpassing soccer star Lionel Messi's reported $674 million deal (though details of that contract remain ambiguous). The designated hitter is also an ace starting pitcher and is seen as one of the rare two-way players in baseball. Sports Illustrated, Los Angeles Times

8. Elon Musk reinstates X account of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones

X owner Elon Musk said Sunday he was restoring the account of Alex Jones, a far-right conspiracy theorist known for spreading misinformation online. Musk said that he was reinstating Jones' account after a poll in which 70% of respondents voted to allow him online. "The people have spoken and so it shall be," Musk posted on X, formerly Twitter. Jones is best known for spreading false narratives about the Sandy Hook school shooting and was banned from Twitter in 2018. He filed for bankruptcy last year after being ordered to pay more than $1 billion in damages related to his Sandy Hook conspiracies. Musk had previously promised not to allow Jones back onto the platform. Axios

9. Mahsa Amini’s family banned from traveling to accept human rights award

Iran has banned the family of Mahsa Amini from traveling to France to receive a human rights award on her behalf. Amini's family was reportedly stopped at the airport while trying to leave the country to receive the European Union's top award for human rights work. Only the family's lawyer was reportedly allowed to leave the country. The posthumous prize was awarded by the EU to Amini after her death in 2022 sparked massive protests across Iran. The 22-year-old died in custody after being arrested and reportedly beaten by the country's "morality police" when she refused to wear a hijab in public, causing widespread anger among Iranian women. The Guardian

10. X-37B space plane to launch atop a SpaceX rocket

The United States military is slated to launch its secretive X-37B space plane on Sunday in what will be the craft's seventh mission into orbit. The unmanned vehicle is scheduled to lift off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center atop SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket, marking the first time the two craft will be used in conjunction. Once in orbit, X-37B will conduct experiments with "space domain awareness technologies and [investigate] the radiation effects to NASA materials," according to the U.S. Space Force. Most of the details around X-37B's missions are not disclosed, so the exact metrics of the experiments remain unclear. It is also unknown how long this mission is supposed to last. NBC News

10 things you need to know today: December 9, 2023

theweek@futurenet.com (Justin Klawans, The Week US) — Sat, 09 Dec 2023 14:42:16 +0000

1. Texas Supreme Court temporarily blocks woman from receiving abortion

The Texas Supreme Court on Friday temporarily blocked a woman who is 20 weeks pregnant from having an abortion after the state's attorney general requested they do so. The order placed an administrative hold on the abortion requested by Kate Cox, 31, after a district judge had previously allowed her procedure to move forward. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wrote the Supreme Court a letter asking the lower court's ruling to be halted and also threatened legal action if hospitals performed Cox's abortion. The Supreme Court is slated to hear the merits of the case at a later date. Cox's fetus has a genetic condition, Trisomy 18, that often results in miscarriage or stillbirth. The Washington Post, The Texas Tribune

2. European Union reaches world-first deal on AI regulations

The European Union reached a deal Friday to implement vast new regulations on the use of artificial intelligence. The agreement was reached following 37 hours of negotiations between the EU member states and the European Parliament. Known as the AI Act, the regulations place new levels of scrutiny on companies using AI throughout the EU. This includes new transparency requirements for AI systems, protections against the spread of misinformation and the use of facial recognition software. European Commissioner Thierry Breton noted that the agreement makes Europe "the very first continent to set clear rules for the use of AI," describing it as a "launchpad for EU startups and researchers to lead the global AI race." The New York Times, The Guardian

3. US vetoes UN resolution calling for Gaza cease-fire

The United States vetoed a motion Friday from the United Nations calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza. The motion was introduced by the United Arab Emirates and backed by U.N. Security General Antonio Guterres, who urged members of the body's Security Council to approve the call. The motion was agreed to by 13 of the 15 Security Council members, with the United States voting against and the United Kingdom abstaining. The draft of the cease-fire had been co-signed by 97 other U.N. member states, and comes as civilian casualties in Gaza continue to rise as Israel moves ahead with its bombardment of the territory. Axios, Politico

4. Israel continuing with bombardments in Gaza

Israel continued its bombardment of Gaza on Saturday as warplanes dropped bombs throughout the territory, including a number of regions where Israel had previously told Palestinian civilians to flee. The strikes, which came a day after the United States vetoed a resolution calling for a cease-fire, have led to a death toll in Gaza of more than 17,000 since Hamas' Oct. 7 terrorist attack prompted the war. Israel continues to place the blame for civilian deaths on Hamas, saying the group is using Palestinians as human shields. However, the areas where Palestinians can be safe from bombardment in Gaza are continuing to shrink as Israel expands its campaign of attack. The Associated Press, Reuters

5. US, South Korea and Japan to ramp up initiatives on North Korean cyber attacks

Officials from the United States, South Korea and Japan agreed Saturday to ramp up their combined efforts to stop North Korean threats from cyberspace. The agreement came during a trilateral meeting in Seoul between national security officials, just weeks after North Korea said it successfully launched its first spy satellite into orbit. The three allies had previously agreed to strengthen security ties, and the countries "launched new trilateral initiatives to counter the threats posed by [North Korea], from its cybercrime and cryptocurrency money laundering to its reckless space and ballistic missile tests," U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters after the meeting. Bloomberg, Reuters

6. More than $6 billion granted for high-speed rail developments

The U.S. Department of Transportation on Friday announced it had allocated more than $6 billion for high-speed rail projects in Nevada and California. This includes the ramping up of production on Brightline West, a 218-mile high-speed train route that would connect Los Angeles and Las Vegas in two hours. There were also additional funds allocated to a high-speed track that would connect Los Angeles and San Francisco in less than three hours. Brightline, the company behind the projects, is already operating the country's first high-speed rail system between Miami and Orlando. The funds were part of an $8.2 billion total allocation for rail projects across the United States. NPR, NBC News

7. FDA approves gene therapy treatment for sickle cell disease

The Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved a pair of gene therapy treatments for sickle cell disease in what is being heralded as a breakthrough in the fight against the blood disorder. The therapies are the first FDA-approved treatments using the gene-editing tool CRISPR, and makes sickle cell the most common illness yet to become treatable using gene therapy. While the treatments are initially cost-prohibitive and limited to those who have severe forms of the disease — estimated to be around 20,000 people — experts are optimistic that the breakthrough could open the door for widespread use of the procedures in the future. USA Today, The Wall Street Journal

8. Southwest flight attendants reject proposed contract with airline

Southwest Airlines flight attendants rejected a tentative agreement between their union and the airline, bringing the parties back to square one ahead of the holiday travel season. The vote, announced Friday by the Transport Workers Union Local 556, saw flight attendants overwhelmingly reject the deal by a 64% to 36% tally. "We have seen the results ... and we've heard you," union president Linda Montgomery said. "We've heard that we must stand united, ever further, even stronger to deliver the results that are required." The tentative agreement would've seen Southwest flight attendants receive raises of up to 36%, but the majority of employees had pushed for more. CBS News

9. Oxford High School mass shooter sentenced to life without parole

Ethan Crumbley, the perpetrator of the 2021 mass shooting at Oxford High School in Michigan, was sentenced Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Crumbley murdered four students and wounded seven others during the shooting. "The terror that he caused in the state of Michigan — and in Oxford — is a true act of terrorism," Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Kwame Rowe said while announcing the verdict. Rowe also rejected the premise that Crumbley had carried out the shooting due to mental illness. The shooter was 15 at the time, and his parents are also facing criminal charges for allegedly aiding in the attacks by allowing their son to possess a gun. Detroit Free Press

10. 'Love Story' actor Ryan O’Neal dies at 82

Actor Ryan O'Neal, the star of classic films such as "Love Story," "Paper Moon" and "Barry Lyndon," died Friday at the age of 82. O'Neal's son Patrick wrote on Instagram that his father "passed away peacefully today, with his loving team by his side." Beginning his career in the 1960s, O'Neal became endeared to audiences alongside Ali MacGraw in "Love Story." The romantic film established O'Neal's legacy in Hollywood and propelled him to stardom. It also earned him an Oscar nomination, though his off-screen life and relationships were more strained in the tabloid press. He also had a well-documented relationship with actress and model Farah Fawcett. CNN

10 things you need to know today: December 8, 2023

theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (Harold Maass, The Week US) — Fri, 08 Dec 2023 12:29:38 +0000

1. Hunter Biden indicted on tax evasion charges

Special counsel David Weiss on Thursday filed an indictment against Hunter Biden, accusing President Joe Biden's son of evading $1.4 million in federal taxes from 2016 through 2019. During that period, Hunter Biden earned more than $7 million, including payments for his work for energy companies in Ukraine and China, according to The Washington Post. Prosecutors say he spent that money on an "extravagant lifestyle" instead of paying his taxes. He also faces gun charges filed in Delaware in September after a plea deal on both cases fell apart. Defense attorney Abbe Lowell said Hunter Biden paid his tax bill two years ago and wouldn't have been charged if his "last name was anything other than Biden." The Washington Post, CNN

2. Israel says Hamas fired rockets from 'humanitarian zones'

Israel on Thursday accused Hamas of firing rockets from "humanitarian zones" where the Israeli military has directed people fleeing the fighting in southern Gaza. The allegation intensified fears that nowhere is safe for civilians in the Palestinian enclave. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said U.S. pressure on Israel has yielded incremental improvement in Israel's protection of civilians and the flow of aid into Gaza. The United Nations has warned that without a cease-fire, Gaza faces a looming humanitarian catastrophe as aid deliveries are disrupted and civil order breaks down. The New York Times, The Guardian

3. Texas judge grants emergency abortion request despite ban

A Texas district judge in Austin ruled Thursday that a pregnant woman whose fetus has a lethal genetic condition can terminate the pregnancy despite the state's abortion ban. Lawyers for the woman, Kate Cox, said the lawsuit was the first of its kind since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark case that had made abortion legal nationwide. Cox — a mother of two — is 20 months pregnant. She and her husband want to have a third child, but her doctors said continuing the nonviable pregnancy threatened her health and ability to have another baby. The Texas attorney general's office is considering appealing the ruling and threatened to prosecute Cox's doctor despite the judge's order. The Texas Tribune, USA Today

4. Poll: Haley edges ahead of DeSantis

A Wall Street Journal poll released Thursday showed former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley edging into second place in a Republican presidential primary field still dominated by former President Donald Trump. The poll, released the day after the party's fourth primary debate, showed Haley with the support of 15% of the poll's participants, narrowly ahead but essentially tied with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, at 14%. The other candidates had single-digit support. Political observers said Haley's recent surge explained the attacks rivals focused on her during the debate. The Wall Street Journal

5. Trump appeals immunity rejection

Former President Donald Trump filed notice Thursday that he is appealing a ruling against his argument that he is immune from prosecution on charges of plotting to overturn his 2020 election loss to President Joe Biden. The appeal marked one of the Trump team's last options to delay the federal election interference trial, which U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan has scheduled to start in March. The one-page filing started a process that could potentially reach the Supreme Court in the coming months as Trump runs for president again. If he delays the trial until after the election, and wins, Trump is expected to engineer the case's dismissal. The Associated Press

6. House censures Rep. Jamaal Bowman for pulling fire alarm

The House voted mostly along party lines Thursday to censure Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) for pulling a fire alarm in a congressional office building even though there was no emergency. The incident occurred in September while the House was voting on a measure related to preventing a government shutdown. Republicans accused Bowman of trying to delay the funding vote. Then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) called for punishing Bowman and likened the incident to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump. Bowman said he pulled the lever because he thought it would open a door. Bloomberg, NBC News

7. Trump attends civil trial as defense witness says 'no fraud here'

Former President Donald Trump on Thursday attended his ongoing New York civil fraud trial, as an expert witness for the defense told the court that Trump's statements about his finances were detailed and transparent. "There is no fraud here," said the witness, New York University accounting professor Eli Bartov. New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against Trump, his two eldest sons, and their company, accusing them of inflating the value of some of their properties to get favorable loans. James is seeking $250 million in penalties. Trump is expected to testify Monday as the trial wraps up. Reuters

8. UNLV gunman had a hit list, targeted faculty

All four victims shot by a gunman at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas were faculty members, police said Thursday. Three of the victims died. The fourth was critically injured. Investigators said the attacker, who was killed in a shootout with police, had a list of people he was targeting, but the victims weren't on it. Police confirmed that the suspect was a college professor who had applied for a job at UNLV but wasn't hired. Police have not named the suspect, but news organizations have identified him as Anthony Polito, 67, who once worked at East Carolina University in North Carolina. USA Today

9. Ex-police chief sentenced to 11 years for Jan. 6 role

A judge on Thursday handed down an 11-year prison sentence to a former California police chief, Alan Hostetter, who brought a hatchet to the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. It was one of the longest sentences for crimes committed during the riot. Hostetter, who didn't enter the Capitol building, was convicted earlier this year on several counts, including entering restricted grounds with a deadly weapon. He represented himself at trial, and in a statement asking for leniency, he claimed the 2020 election was "stolen" from former President Donald Trump, and the Jan. 6 Capitol attack was a "false flag" operation to entrap protesters. He previously led pro-Trump protests and called for "traitors" inside the government to be "executed as an example." Axios, CBS News

10. Donor calls for UPenn president to resign

Pressure mounted on University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill on Thursday after a prominent donor, Ross Stevens, called for her to resign and threatened to claw back a $100 million gift. The university's board of trustees held an emergency meeting as Magill faced harsh criticism over her responses at a recent House hearing in which she and the presidents of Harvard and MIT stopped short of saying that calling for the genocide of Jews would violate their code of conduct on harassment. Magill had already faced criticism from donors, faculty, students and alumni over antisemitism on campus since the Israel-Hamas conflict erupted. UPenn's Wharton business school board called for a leadership change. CNN

10 things you need to know today: December 7, 2023

theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (Harold Maass, The Week US) — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 12:07:57 +0000

1. GOP candidates trade insults in debate

Four Republican presidential hopefuls — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy — clashed Wednesday in a heated debate. With time running out for someone in the shrinking field to catch front-runner Donald Trump, who skipped this forum like the previous three, DeSantis tried to cement his second-place spot by attacking the surging Haley. He accused her of courting China when she was South Carolina's governor. Ramaswamy called her a "fascist." "I love the attention, fellas," Haley replied, presenting herself as the most electable candidate. Christie accused Ramaswamy of smearing the only woman on stage, and called him "the most obnoxious blowhard in America." The New York Times

2. McCarthy announces retirement from Congress

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), ousted as House speaker by hard-right Republicans two months ago, announced Wednesday he would retire from Congress at the end of the year. McCarthy said in a Wall Street Journal op-ed he would "serve America in new ways," including recruiting "our country's best and brightest to run" for office. California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, will have to call a special election to fill McCarthy's seat. In the meantime, his absence will narrow the GOP's already slim majority in the House. Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), who filled in as temporary House speaker after McCarthy lost the job, also said this week he wouldn't seek reelection. The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal

3. UN chief warns of 'humanitarian catastrophe' in Gaza

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday invoked a rarely used power to warn the Security Council that Gaza faces a "humanitarian catastrophe." Guterres called for world leaders to demand an immediate cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. The Palestinian enclave's humanitarian system is on the verge of collapse after two months of fighting that has caused "appalling human suffering, physical destruction and collective trauma," he said. Guterres also warned that extended bombardment could result in epidemic diseases and force civilians who have had to flee their homes to seek refuge in neighboring countries. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza says more than 16,000 people have been killed in Gaza since Hamas' deadly Oct. 7 attack in Israel triggered the war. The Associated Press, The Hill

4. Gunman kills 3 people at UNLV

A gunman shot and killed three people and critically wounded another at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, on Wednesday. Law enforcement sources told ABC News that the suspected attacker was Anthony Polito, a 67-year-old professor who had unsuccessfully sought a job at the school. Two university police detectives killed the gunman in a shootout. The school issued an alert after the shooting started at a building housing UNLV's Lee Business School, saying, "This is not a test. RUN-HIDE-FIGHT." Journalism student Matthew Felsenfeld, 21, and a dozen classmates barricaded themselves in the student union next door. "It's the moment you call your parents and tell them you love them," he said. Las Vegas Review-Journal, The Associated Press

5. Wisconsin fake electors settle lawsuit, admit Biden won

Wisconsin's 10 Republican fake electors settled a lawsuit against them on Wednesday, acknowledging that they engaged in a plot to overturn President Joe Biden's victory over former President Donald Trump. The lawsuit, filed last year by two of the state's legitimate electors, had sought up to $200,000 from each of the fake electors. No money was included in the settlement, but the 10 Republicans agreed to never serve as electors in a presidential election with Trump on the ballot, and reaffirmed that Biden won the 2020 election and they were not "duly elected presidential electors." A Nevada grand jury on Wednesday indicted six fake Trump electors, including Nevada GOP chairman Michael McDonald, on felony charges for their roles in the same scheme. Wisconsin Examiner, The Associated Press

6. Senate Republicans block Ukraine aid

Senate Republicans on Wednesday blocked billions of dollars of additional aid to Ukraine in a procedural vote, demanding that the bill include tighter security along the U.S.-Mexico border. President Joe Biden said before the vote that he was open to "significant compromises" on border policies, but also criticized "extreme Republicans" for "playing chicken with our national security." Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a GOP negotiator, said he was "encouraged" by Biden's willingness to consider immigration policy changes. House Republicans earlier this year demanded the removal of more military and economic aid for Ukraine from a deal to keep the government funded and avert a shutdown. The Washington Post, USA Today

7. McDonald's launches CosMc's spinoff restaurant

McDonald's is launching its new spinoff restaurant brand, CosMc's, this week. The fast-food giant plans to open 10 CosMc's locations by the end of 2024 to test the concept. The first one opens this week in Bolingbrook, Illinois. The other nine restaurants will be in Texas. The menu will include familiar offerings like Egg McMuffins and M&M McFlurries, and new fare like Churro Frappes and pretzel bites, CNBC reported. The burger chain is marketing CosMc's, named after a space alien that appeared in McDonaldland advertisements in the 1980s and early '90s, as a place for customers to get quick snacks and coffee. CNBC

8. Boris Johnson testifies, apologizes in Covid inquiry

Former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson testified Wednesday in Britain's public Covid-19 inquiry, apologizing for mistakes in not recognizing the severity of the crisis but faulting advisers for not sounding a "loud enough klaxon of alarm" about the pandemic. "I was not being informed that this was something that was going to require urgent and immediate action," he said. His remarks came after former Health Secretary Matt Hancock and other ministers said they tried to push the government to take stronger action. Britain went into lockdown on March 23, 2020, and Hancock said that starting it a few weeks earlier could have saved thousands of lives. Johnson is testifying for a second day on Thursday. ABC News, CNN

9. New Mexico sues Meta over child safety

New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez filed a lawsuit against Meta Platforms on Wednesday, accusing the social media giant of recommending sexual content to children and steering underage users' accounts to adult predators on Facebook and Instagram. The lawsuit also named Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg as a defendant. Torrez said his office's investigation found that Meta's networks "are not safe spaces for children but rather prime locations for predators to trade child pornography and solicit minors for sex." Meta said it uses sophisticated technology and child safety experts to "help root out predators." Albuquerque Journal

10. Norman Lear dies at 101

Television writer and producer Norman Lear, who left an indelible mark on TV in the '70s and early '80s with shows like "All in the Family" and "Good Times," died this week at his Los Angeles home, a family spokesperson said Wednesday. He was 101. "All in the Family," featuring the bigoted Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor, jolted viewers with edgy, topical episodes that introduced political and social commentary to the sitcom world. In the '60s, the biggest problems TV families faced were "the boss is coming to dinner, and the roast's ruined," Lear said in a 2012 New York Times interview. "The message that was sending out was that we didn't have any problems." The New York Times

10 things you need to know today: December 6, 2023

theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (Harold Maass, The Week US) — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 12:37:46 +0000

1. Israeli troops enter Gaza's second-largest city

Israel said Tuesday its military forces had reached the "heart" of Khan Younis, Gaza's second-largest city and Hamas' last major bastion. The push followed Israel's intensifying bombardment in southern Gaza after an initial focus on the north of the Palestinian enclave. Ambulances rushed to hospitals with wounded and dead Palestinians. Israel's military said it was engaged in the "most intense day" of battles since Hamas' deadly Oct. 7 surprise attack in southern Israel triggered the war. The United Nations said 1.87 million people, 80% of Gaza's population, have been driven from their homes in the conflict. Thousands of Palestinian civilians have been killed. Hamas' leaders are reportedly hiding in a vast tunnel network. The Associated Press, The Wall Street Journal

2. Tuberville stops blocking most military promotions

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) ended his blockade against military promotions, which he started in February to protest Pentagon policy on abortion. Tuberville said Tuesday he would lift holds on nominees from three-star generals and below. "It's been a long fight. We fought hard. We did the right thing for the unborn and for our military," the Republican lawmaker said. The Senate quickly approved the promotions of more than 400 officers his blockade had stymied. Tuberville's continued hold on roughly a dozen four-star nominees means each will require an individual Senate vote. Some of his fellow Republicans had criticized his blockade, calling it "dangerous" and a threat to military readiness. Democrats had been preparing a procedural workaround. USA Today

3. McHenry won't seek reelection

Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), who served as temporary House speaker during a Republican leadership fight this year, announced Tuesday he will not seek reelection in 2024. McHenry, 48, became speaker pro tempore after eight Republican hardliners triggered former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's (R-Calif.) ouster. Democrats bristled over his decision to remove former Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi from her ceremonial Capitol office, but members of both parties praised him for maintaining order for 22 days, through several failed attempts to elect a new speaker. McHenry resisted calls to accept more power to let the House pass legislation, and stepped aside after Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) was elected in late October. The Wall Street Journal

4. Israeli regulators deny investors profited from Hamas attack

Israeli regulators said they had detected no suspicious stock trading ahead of Hamas' deadly Oct. 7 attack, although an independent report this week said investors made millions by short-selling Israeli stocks ahead of the assault, news organizations reported Tuesday. The report by Robert Jackson of New York University School of Law and Joshua Mitts of Columbia Law School said profitable bets against Leumi, Israel's largest bank, spiked in the days ahead of the attacks, suggesting some investors knew about them in advance. The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange said the authors had miscalculated, and short-selling profits were far smaller. But the report focused heavily on a U.S.-traded fund Israeli regulators didn't review. Bloomberg, CNN

5. Special counsel says Trump encouraged Jan. 6 violence

Federal prosecutors on Tuesday accused former president Donald Trump of sending supporters, including angry groups like the Proud Boys, to the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, to criminally prevent Congress from certifying his election loss to President Joe Biden. The new court filing by prosecutors on special counsel Jack Smith's team linked Trump to the Capitol attack more directly than in his August indictment. A Trump spokesperson accused Smith of trying to interfere in the 2024 presidential election, where Trump is the overwhelming favorite to win the Republican nomination. Biden said at a campaign fundraiser that he might not have run for reelection if Trump weren't trying to return to the White House. "We cannot let him win," Biden said. The Washington Post, The New York Times

6. Ex-DEA informant pleads guilty in Haiti assassination plot

Joseph Vincent, a former U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration informant, pleaded guilty Tuesday to participating in the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise at his home in the mountains above Port-au-Prince, the Caribbean nation's capital. Vincent, a Haitian-American, was the fourth person to plead guilty in the case. He and another Haitian-American, James Solages, were among 11 defendants, including ex-Colombian soldiers, arrested shortly after the attack. Vincent and Solages initially claimed to have been hired by the conspirators as interpreters, but a court filing Vincent signed said he had provided advice about Haitian politics and other support for the murder, which created a power vacuum that has destabilized the country. Reuters

7. Nigeria investigates deadly drone strike at religious celebration

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday promised a "thorough and full-fledged investigation" into a drone strike that killed at least 85 people at a public gathering for the Muslim celebration of the Prophet Muhammad's birthday. The blast hit a village in Nigeria's northern Kaduna state. An army spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said Nigerian forces had spotted a group of people and "misinterpreted their pattern of activities," concluding they were militants. Tinubu said the "bombing mishap" was "disturbing and painful." Amid calls for accountability, the army said it would "do everything possible" to avoid repeating the deadly mistake. NPR

8. 23andMe hack affects millions

Hackers used old passwords to access information on 6.9 million 23andMe customers, more than half of the genetic testing firm's users, multiple news organizations reported. The compromised data included the genetic testing firm's ancestry reports, birth years and ZIP codes for the affected customers, 23andMe told CNN. The company had said in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing Friday that the accounts of only about 14,000 customers, 0.1% of its users, had actually been breached. It stood by that number Tuesday, but said basic information on 5.5 million profiles was accessed using the company's DNA Relatives feature, and some family tree information was compromised for 1.4 million DNA Relatives profiles. BBC News, CNN

9. US teens' math scores plunge

U.S. students' performance in math plunged last year in a global exam, according to results released Tuesday. Scores fell in much of the world, but U.S. 15-year-olds, with their 13-point drop, lagged behind their global competitors. U.S. math scores were lower than 20 years ago. About 66% of U.S. students performed at a basic level or better in math, compared with 80% in reading and science, The New York Times reported. U.S. students fell behind peers in similar industrialized democracies like the United Kingdom, Australia and Germany, and trailed far behind students in the highest-scoring countries, including Singapore, South Korea and Estonia. The results provided the first global comparison since the pandemic. Axios, The New York Times

10. Moody Blues co-founder Denny Laine dies at 79

Denny Laine, the British rock star who co-founded The Moody Blues and Paul McCartney's Wings, died "peacefully" Tuesday, his wife, Elizabeth Hines, said in a post on his Facebook page. He was 79. Hines added that Laine hoped he would "overcome his health setbacks" and return home, but his interstitial lung disease was "unpredictable and aggressive," weakening and damaging his lungs with a series of infections. Hines thanked fans who "sent him so much love." Laine was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2018 for The Moody Blues, the iconic band he helped found in 1964 with hits like "Nights in White Satin." Laine later joined Paul McCartney and his wife Linda to form Wings. NBC News

10 things you need to know today: December 5, 2023

theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (Harold Maass, The Week US) — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 12:14:55 +0000

1. Southern Gaza fighting escalates

Israeli forces intensified their ground and air assault in southern Gaza on Monday in a new phase of their war against Hamas. The United Nations warned that the fighting was forcing civilians already displaced from northern Gaza to flee again, creating "an even more hellish scenario." "For people ordered to evacuate, there is nowhere safe to go and very little to survive on," said a spokesperson for U.N. Secretary General António Guterres. Israeli forces set up a checkpoint outside Khan Younis, Gaza's second largest city, on a road previously identified as an evacuation route, adding to the confusion for fleeing civilians. A communications blackout also hampered humanitarian workers. The Washington Post, NBC News

2. GOP debate field is down to 4

Four Republican presidential candidates — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie — qualified for the fourth GOP primary debate in Alabama on Wednesday, the Republican National Committee said Monday. Front-runner Donald Trump will stay away again. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) dropped out after the third debate. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who failed to qualify for the last two Republican forums, suspended his campaign Monday, criticizing the party for "clubhouse debate requirements" he said reduced competition "months before the Iowa caucuses." Vice President Mike Pence, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, former Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas) and businessman Perry Johnson bowed out earlier. Axios, Politico

3. Netanyahu corruption trial resumes

An Israeli court on Monday resumed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial, after a pause in non-urgent cases due to the conflict started by Hamas' deadly Oct. 7 surprise attack. Netanyahu didn't attend the hearing, which focused on procedural issues, but he might testify in his own defense next spring. Netanyahu has been on trial since 2020 on allegations he did political favors for a businessperson in exchange for lavish gifts, and offered favorable regulations to media moguls for positive news coverage, The New York Times reported. Netanyahu denies the allegations and has rejected calls from critics to resign. The New York Times

4. White House warns Ukraine aid running out

The White House on Monday urged Congress to approve more military and other aid for Ukraine. "We are out of money — and nearly out of time," Shalanda Young, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, wrote in a letter to leading lawmakers. She said allowing the flow of U.S. aid to stop would "kneecap" Ukraine as it fights invading Russian forces. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has expressed support for more Ukraine aid but a significant number of Republicans in the House and Senate insist on linking the assistance to new spending on border security. Axios

5. Justices appear split on Purdue Pharma deal

The Supreme Court justices appeared split Monday on whether to uphold a Purdue Pharma bankruptcy deal that includes $6 billion from the Sackler family, which owned the company, but shields them from future lawsuits for fueling the opioid crisis. Justice Brett Kavanaugh noted that the states included in the settlement, which would use part of the money for addiction treatment programs, and tens of thousands of families directly affected by the highly addictive painkiller OxyContin "overwhelmingly approve of this settlement." Justice Elena Kagan also questioned why the government would try "to blow up the deal" all sides support, although she asked whether the bankruptcy process should be used to shield wealthy people from lawsuits. The Justice Department argues it shouldn't. Los Angeles Times, The New York Times

6. Divers find remains of 5 airmen in sunken Osprey

U.S. and Japanese military divers found a large part of the fuselage of a U.S. Osprey aircraft that crashed during a training flight in southwest Japan, the U.S. Air Force said Monday. The divers found the bodies of five of the U.S. tilt-rotor aircraft's eight crew members inside the submerged wreckage. Search teams have been looking for the crew members and the wreckage since the aircraft went down last week near the small island of Yakushima; they had found the remains of only one crew member, Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Galliher, 24, before Monday. The Air Force declined to identify the five people whose bodies the divers found. CBS News

7. Business economists say recession unlikely

Most business economists believe the U.S. economy can avoid a recession next year despite high interest rates, according to a survey released Monday by the National Association for Business Economics. The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates from near zero to more than 5.25%, the highest level in roughly two decades, to slow the economy and bring inflation down to the central bank's 2% target. Only 24% of the 38 surveyed economists said they thought the slowdown would result in a recession. "While most respondents expect an uptick in the unemployment rate going forward, a majority anticipates that the rate will not exceed 5%,” Ellen Zentner, president of the association and chief U.S. economist at Morgan Stanley, said in a statement. The Associated Press

8. UK government moves to curb migration

The British government on Monday announced measures to curb high levels of legal migration as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faces pressure to reduce new arrivals, which hit a record of 745,000 in 2022. Home Secretary James Cleverly said that figure was "far too high," and the changes could bring it down to 300,000 migrants a year. The measures include a one-third increase in the minimum salaries migrants must earn in a skilled job. Immigration has been a hot political issue for more than a decade and fueled the 2016 vote to exit the European Union. Lawmakers in Sunak's Conservative Party have criticized him for his record on the issue ahead of elections expected next year. The opposition Labour Party is far ahead in polls. Reuters

9. Boston tourist dies in Bahamas shark attack

A shark killed a 44-year-old tourist from Boston while she was paddleboarding near a beach resort in the Bahamas on Monday, the Royal Bahamas Police Force said in a news release. The woman and a male relative were paddling away from shore when the shark attacked her. "The victim suffered significant trauma to the right side of her body," police said. The male relative wasn't hurt in the incident, which occurred near a resort on the western end of New Providence Island, where the capital, Nassau, is located. A 26-year-old Mexican woman who was swimming with her 5-year-old daughter off Mexico's Pacific coast was killed in a shark attack on Saturday near a play platform 75 feet from the beach in Melaque. CNN, USA Today

10. Volcanic eruption death toll rises in Indonesia

Search crews found more bodies on the dangerous slopes of Indonesia's Mount Marapi volcano on Monday, bringing the presumed death toll from a weekend eruption to 23. Eleven hikers had been confirmed dead a day earlier. Emergency workers have recovered five bodies, but 18 people presumed dead were too close to the spewing hot gases and ash for crews to reach them safely. More than 50 climbers have been rescued. A new burst of volcanic ash on Monday briefly halted the search. Under an eruption alert, climbers were barred from getting closer than 1.8 miles from the peak, but authorities said some climbers and locals might be stranded above the permitted level. The Associated Press

10 things you need to know today: December 4, 2023

theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (Harold Maass, The Week US) — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 12:39:56 +0000

1. US ship downs drones near Yemen

Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen on Sunday claimed responsibility for drone and missile attacks targeting commercial vessels and a U.S. warship in the Red Sea. The USS Carney, a guided-missile destroyer, shot down several drones and was not damaged, the Pentagon said. The Carney has also shot down missiles aimed at Israel since the Israel-Hamas war erupted in Gaza, but Sunday's attacks marked an escalation of spillover violence in the Red Sea. The commercial ships had "no connection to the state of Israel," an Israeli military spokesperson said, adding that one targeted ship was "significantly damaged" and "in danger of sinking." The Associated Press, The Guardian

2. Israel expands Gaza ground invasion

Israel's ground forces expanded their offensive into southern Gaza on Sunday and issued new evacuation orders for Palestinians in the area, two days after a week-long cease-fire between Israel and Hamas ended. Families in the southern city of Khan Younis left their homes carrying mattresses and other personal items, seeking materials and safe space to build shelters, a Norwegian Refugee Council advocacy officer said. The situation in the city is "beyond catastrophic," a British-Palestinian man told the BBC. Israel's military said its troops were "conducting face-to-face battles with terrorists" while making "maximum effort" to avoid killing civilians. A UNICEF representative said patients at Nasser Medical Hospital are asking him, "Where is safe?" The New York Times, BBC News

3. 'Terrorist' fatally stabs German tourist near Eiffel Tower

A man fatally stabbed a German tourist and wounded two other people, including a British man, with a knife and a hammer near the Eiffel Tower in Paris. French President Emmanuel Macron called it "a terrorist attack." The suspect, a 26-year-old French national, had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in a video recorded before Saturday's attack, French anti-terrorism prosecutor Jean-Francois Ricard said Sunday. The suspect told police he acted out of anger over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and the fact that "so many Muslims are dying in Afghanistan and in Palestine," Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said. Reuters

4. Beyoncé's 'Renaissance' concert film debuts at No. 1

Beyoncé's "Renaissance" movie led the domestic weekend box office, grossing $22 million in its debut. The film knocked "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" to No. 2, with $14.5 million in ticket sales in its third week. Industry analysts said the "Renaissance" opening met expectations and marked a strong performance for the normally slow post-Thanksgiving weekend. "Renaissance" was the second recent concert movie to debut at No. 1, after "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour," which opened to $92.8 million in the biggest debut ever for a concert movie. "Renaissance" posted the fifth-best domestic debut weekend ever for a concert movie. Deadline

5. Swing-state Muslim leaders oppose Biden over handling of Gaza conflict

Muslim leaders from several swing states gathered in Dearborn, Michigan, over the weekend to launch a national push against re-electing President Joe Biden, citing his handling of the Israel-Hamas war. Muslim leaders in the United States have been pressuring Biden to call for a cease-fire in the conflict. Palestinian health officials in Hamas-run Gaza say Israeli strikes have killed 15,000 people since Hamas militants killed more than 1,000 Israelis in an Oct. 7 surprise attack. The organizers of the U.S. campaign came from Michigan, Minnesota, Arizona, Wisconsin, Florida, Georgia, Nevada and Pennsylvania. Biden narrowly beat Republican Donald Trump, his likely opponent again in 2024, in most of those states. Politico

6. Nicaragua cracks down on Miss Universe

Nicaraguan police have accused the family that runs the country's Miss Universe franchise of "conspiring against the nation." President Daniel Ortega's government initially praised 23-year-old Nicaraguan Sheynnis Palacios for winning the Miss Universe pageant on Nov. 18, becoming Central America's first contestant to take the crown. But then photos emerged showing Palacios participating in anti-government protests in 2018, which were eventually crushed by security forces. Nicaraguan police claimed in a statement issued Friday that the local organizer, Karen Celebertti, a past beauty queen who now owns a modeling agency, and her family rigged contests so anti-government contestants would win, turning "innocent beauty pageants into political traps and ambushes financed by foreign agents." The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal

7. Former US ambassador accused of working for Cuba

Federal authorities have arrested former American diplomat Manuel Rocha on charges that he secretly served as an agent of Cuba's government, The Associated Press reported Sunday. The Federal Bureau of Investigation targeted Rocha, 73, in a long-running counterintelligence operation, AP reports, and one source said the Justice Department accuses him of promoting Cuba's interests. The Colombian-born Rocha served as ambassador to Bolivia 20 years ago. He was a career U.S. foreign service officer, and started a second career in business after retiring. The State Department declined to comment. His wife hung up when called by the AP. The Associated Press, ABC News

8. Alaska Air to buy Hawaiian Airlines

Alaska Airlines announced Sunday that it has reached a $1 billion deal to buy Hawaiian Airlines. The deal would combine two longtime rivals and cement Alaska Air's position as the nation's fifth-largest carrier, but it will have to win approval from antitrust authorities first. Regulators have challenged other airline mergers in recent years, although this deal involves two airlines that are too small to threaten the four biggest domestic carriers, which handle 80% of the domestic market, The Wall Street Journal reported. If the acquisition goes through, the brands will remain separate but with expanded reach, connecting Hawaii with three times as many continental U.S. destinations. The Wall Street Journal

9. 11 hikers killed in Indonesia volcanic eruption

Search and rescue crews found the bodies of 11 hikers killed when Indonesia's Mount Marapi volcano erupted Sunday, blasting ash nearly 10,000 feet high. Another 12 hikers were missing, local authorities said. Seventy-five people were on the slopes of the volcano in West Sumatra province or nearby when it erupted, and all but 26 were evacuated, according to Al-Jazeera. Indonesia, the world's largest archipelago nation, sits on the Pacific's so-called Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates meet, causing earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. There are 127 active volcanoes in the region. Al-Jazeera, The New York Times

10. Michigan, Washington, Texas, Alabama make College Football Playoff

No. 1 Michigan (13-0), No. 2 Washington (13-0), No. 3 Texas (12-1) and No. 4 Alabama (12-1) took the four College Football Playoff spots on Sunday. Florida State (13-0), ranked No. 5, became the first undefeated Power Five conference champion to be excluded from the playoffs in the current bowl system's 10-season history. Michigan will play Alabama in the Rose Bowl national semifinal on Jan. 1. Washington will face Texas in the Sugar Bowl. Florida State's prospects dimmed with starting quarterback Jordan Travis' gruesome Nov. 18 leg injury, followed by second-string quarterback Tate Rodemaker's injury on Saturday. Third-stringer Brock Glenn led the team to a 16-6 win over No. 14 Louisville in the ACC championship game. The Washington Post

10 things you need to know today: December 3, 2023

theweek@futurenet.com (Justin Klawans, The Week US) — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 14:36:14 +0000

1. Gaza residents flee as Israel continues bombardment

Palestinians throughout the Gaza Strip sought shelter Sunday night as Israel's bombing of the territory continued. Top Israeli officials ordered more evacuations in areas around the Gazan city of Khan Younis, where the fighting has been some of the heaviest. Israel has notably shifted its offensive to the area surrounding the city — which Israeli forces claim is where many of Hamas' top leaders are hiding. Those remaining in Gaza are seeing their safe haven continue to shrink as Israel widens its bombardment. The renewal of warfare between Israel and Hamas comes following the end of a week-long cease-fire that brought the release of Hamas-held hostages and Israeli-held prisoners. The Associated Press, Reuters

2. Trump tells supporters to 'guard the vote' in Democratic cities

Former President Donald Trump told supporters on Saturday that they should "guard the vote" in Democrat-run cities during the 2024 election. "The most important part of what's coming up is to guard the vote. And you should go into Detroit and you should go into Philadelphia and you should go into some of these places, Atlanta," Trump said during a speech in Ankeny, Iowa. The former president's call to arms comes as he is facing federal charges related to alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, culminating in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Trump's speech also included repeated unfounded claims of voter fraud. Reuters, The Messenger

3. Head of Florida Republican Party accused of rape

The leader of the Florida Republican Party, Christian Ziegler, came under fire over the weekend as details emerged regarding an allegation of rape. Ziegler has not been charged, but a search warrant affidavit shows that he is currently under investigation for allegedly raping a woman with whom Ziegler and his wife agreed to have a three-way sexual encounter. The woman told police that Ziegler showed up to her apartment and raped her after his wife backed out, according to the affidavit. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) called on Ziegler to step down amid the allegations. "I don't see how he can continue with that investigation ongoing," DeSantis told reporters. The Washington Post, The Hill

4. Mexico practically ensured to elect its first woman president

A third-party candidate announced Saturday that he was dropping out of Mexico's 2024 presidential election, all but guaranteeing that the country will elect its first female president. Samuel García, the governor of the Mexican state of Nuevo Leon, withdrew from the race amid consistently low poll numbers. This leaves just two major candidates remaining in the election, both women: Claudia Sheinbaum from Mexico's ruling Morena Party and Xóchitl Gálvez, the candidate from a three-party opposition coalition. García had been backed by sitting Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, but critics of the president say he was supporting García only in an effort to split the vote between the two female candidates. The Associated Press, Bloomberg

5. North Korea reportedly begins satellite reconnaissance operations

North Korea said Sunday that it had begun a reconnaissance mission, less than three weeks after the hermit country launched a spy satellite into orbit. The satellite will help North Korea's nuclear program obtain a "more solid readiness posture," state-run media agency KCNA said. The satellite will additionally report information to North Korea's army and other military units, KCNA said. The launch of the spy satellite on Nov. 21, which was overseen by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, drew international condemnation for violating peace treaties. The U.S., Japan and South Korea have all confirmed that the satellite is orbiting Earth but have raised doubts about its capabilities. The Independent

6. About 190 migrants rescued from English Channel

Around 190 migrants were rescued from stranded ships in the English Channel, French authorities said Saturday. The migrants, who were attempting to cross the Channel toward the United Kingdom, became stuck on dinghies off the coast of Calais following a series of strong currents, authorities said. It is unclear where the migrants had come from or what their nationalities were. The rescuing of migrants has become a common occurrence in the English Channel, which is often plagued by strong riptides and busy shipping lanes that can spell danger for those attempting to cross. Human trafficking and modern-day slavery are also common across the waterway. Reuters

7. Suspected terrorist bombing kills 4 in the Philippines

A bomb that killed four people in the southern Philippines on Sunday was "perpetrated by foreign terrorists," Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said. The explosion occurred during a Catholic mass inside a gymnasium at Mindanao State University. The college is located about 500 miles from Manila in a majority Muslim city. Marcos wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that he condemned with the "strongest possible terms the senseless and most heinous acts," adding that "extremists who wield violence against the innocent will always be regarded as enemies to our society." The region where the blast occurred has historically been a powder keg of violence. Insurgent groups continue to fight for control in much of the southern Philippines. The Washington Post, BBC

8. Palestinian student shot in Vermont is paralyzed, mother says

A Palestinian-American student shot in Vermont over Thanksgiving weekend is paralyzed from the chest down, his mother said. Hisham Awartani was walking with a pair of friends last Saturday in Burlington when the trio was shot, according to law enforcement. Awartani's mother, Elizabeth Price, told CNN on Sunday that a bullet lodged in her son's spinal cord, rendering him paralyzed. Awartani's family has started a GoFundMe to help the 20-year-old recover. "We believe that Hisham will meet this challenge with the same determination I’ve witnessed this week," Price said. A suspect, 48-year-old Jason Eaton, was arrested the day after the shooting by Burlington Police. CNN

9. Alabama upsets Georgia to win SEC championship

The Alabama Crimson Tide is consistently a college football powerhouse but came into Saturday's SEC Championship game as the underdogs. But this didn't stop them from knocking off the top team in the country, as Alabama defeated the Georgia Bulldogs, 27-24, to claim its ninth SEC title. Alabama started the game strong but allowed Georgia to get back into the mix after gaining just 36 yards on their first four drives of the second half. The Crimson Tide's fortunes then changed, though, as quarterback Jalen Milroe helmed a 75-yard drive with just over five minutes left to seal the deal for Alabama. USA Today

10. 'Saturday Night Live' bids farewell to George Santos

"Saturday Night Live" bid farewell to ousted GOP Rep. George Santos (N.Y.) on Saturday, giving the audience a final look at the former congressman. Santos, portrayed by cast member Bowen Yang, spoofed Elton John with a rendition of "Candle in the Wind," at one point pulling out a fake baby and describing himself as a "Latina queen." Santos has been the butt of jokes for months following his admission that he fabricated large parts of his life and background. After the recent release of a House Ethics Committee investigation, Santos was expelled from Congress. Yang recently portrayed Santos in other "SNL" episodes, including a sketch on Weekend Update. Variety

10 things you need to know today: December 2, 2023

theweek@futurenet.com (Justin Klawans, The Week US) — Sat, 02 Dec 2023 14:35:52 +0000

1. Gaza airstrikes intensify as death toll reportedly passes 15,000

The death toll in Gaza has passed 15,000 since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war, Gaza's Health Ministry said Saturday. The ministry added that there were more than 40,000 people wounded and that 70% of those who had been killed were women and children. The reported increase in deaths comes following Israel's renewed bombing campaign after its truce with Hamas came to an end on Friday morning. Israel began firing rockets minutes after the pact ended, accusing Hamas of breaking the cease-fire early. Foreign organizations and Western countries are continuing to push for humanitarian aid to be brought into Gaza. French President Emmanuel Macron called for "stepped-up efforts" to reach a long-term cease-fire. The Washington Post, The Associated Press

2. George Santos expelled from the House of Representatives

GOP Rep. George Santos was expelled from the House of Representatives on Friday, becoming just the sixth congressman in United States history to be booted from the chamber. The New Yorker was expelled following a bipartisan 311-114 vote as 105 Republicans joined all but four Democrats in voting to oust Santos. The move to expel Santos came after a report from the House Ethics Committee found that he "sought to fraudulently exploit every aspect of his House candidacy for his own personal financial profit." Santos has also been federally charged with allegations of Covid-19-related fraud, and made national headlines for admittedly fabricating large parts of his personal life, education and work experience. CNN, The Hill

3. Israel reportedly promises not to target Hamas leaders in Qatar

Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have reportedly promised not to target Hamas officials living in Qatar. Netanyahu previously ordered Israel's foreign intelligence service, Mossad, to go after top Hamas operatives, and The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that the agency is planning to target Hamas around the world. However, this may not include those in Qatar, which helped to broker the temporary cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. Reports emerged that Netanyahu had promised Qatar that Mossad would not target anyone from Hamas who was hiding in the country. While Netanyahu has denied this, Israel has reportedly made at least some commitments to Qatar not to perform assassinations within the country. The Jerusalem Post, The Wall Street Journal

4. Judge denies bid from Trump to dismiss 2020 election lawsuit

A federal judge on Friday rejected a bid from former President Donald Trump to dismiss the federal case charging him with interference in the 2020 presidential election. Judge Tanya Chutkan ruled that Trump was not immune to prosecution based on presidential immunity, something that his attorneys had made as their primary argument. While Trump has long claimed that presidents can't be charged with crimes, Chutkan noted that the office "does not confer a lifelong 'get-out-of-jail-free' pass." Chutkan added that Trump had attempted to "usurp the reins of government" in allegedly trying to overturn the results of the election. The former president has been charged with four federal crimes in the case. CBS News, The New York Times

5. EPA introduces new regulations targeting methane emissions

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Saturday that it was approving new regulations to eliminate methane production from the oil and gas industries. In a statement, released to coincide with the COP28 climate conference in Dubai, EPA Administrator Michael Regan said the regulations were part of a "historic action to reduce climate pollution, protecting people and the planet." The new rule will slash methane emissions to 80% of what their original projections, according to the EPA, while also preventing 58 million tons of methane waste. The regulations are seen as a major victory for President Joe Biden, whose administration has pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by the next decade. NPR, Politico

6. Trump and DeSantis to hold campaign events in Iowa

Former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will go head-to-head in Iowa on Saturday during a pair of dueling campaign events. The former president, who is enjoying a steady lead with the state's crucial caucuses just six weeks away, is set to take the stage in Cedar Rapids in an effort to shore up support. The Florida governor, meanwhile, will appear at an event in Newton. The pair have been at each other throats throughout the campaign with Trump maintaining double-digit leads in the polls. However, DeSantis recently received a key endorsement from Iowa's GOP governor, Kim Reynolds. The Associated Press, CNN

7. Inmate charged with murder after allegedly stabbing Derek Chauvin

A federal prison inmate has been charged with stabbing Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who murdered George Floyd. The Justice Department (DOJ) said in a statement that John Turscak, 52, had stabbed Chauvin at least 22 times. He was charged with attempted murder, assault with intent to commit murder, assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury, the DOJ said. Chauvin was stabbed last week in a federal facility in Tucson, Arizona. Prosecutors alleged that Turscak attacked him on Black Friday as a symbolic gesture toward the Black Lives Matter movement. Prison officials said that Chauvin is expected to survive his injuries. Time, Business Insider

8. Police raid gay clubs in Moscow after anti-LGBTQ+ court ruling

Law enforcement raided gay clubs and bars across the city of Moscow on Friday night, one day after Russia's Supreme Court issued a ruling against LGBTQ+ people. Police burst into LGBTQ+-friendly locations throughout the city and detained an unspecified number of people, according to local media. "It was an established scheme, this is how they closed similar clubs in St. Petersburg. Someone was panicking," one eyewitness said. The raids came after the Supreme Court declared the "international LGBT movement" to be an "extremist organization." It is unclear what the court was referring to, as there is no formal group called the "LGBT movement." The Moscow Times

9. Bangladesh hit by 5.5-magnitude earthquake

Bangladesh was hit Saturday morning by a 5.5-magnitude earthquake that sent shockwaves across the country. The temblor began around 9:35 a.m. local time, according to a report from the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The earthquake's epicenter was at a depth of 6 miles, striking about 5 miles east of the city of Ramganj. Many people throughout the South Asian country reportedly took to social media to document the earthquake. No deaths or injuries were immediately reported, according to local news outlets. The country has experienced several large earthquakes this year, including a major one this August. The Associated Press

10. SpaceX launches first South Korean spy satellite

South Korea launched its first-ever spy satellite on Friday, carried into orbit on the back of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The satellite was launched from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, and the successful orbiting comes days after North Korea claimed to have launched a spy satellite of its own. The device "successfully established communication with an overseas ground station" a little over an hour after the launch, according to South Korea's defense ministry. South Korea has a contract with SpaceX to launch five spy satellites by 2025 in an effort to ramp up surveillance on North Korea and its surrounding territories. Reuters

10 things you need to know today: December 1, 2023

theweekonlineeditors@futurenet.com (Harold Maass, The Week US) — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 12:22:22 +0000

1. Gaza cease-fire ends

The week-long Gaza truce expired Friday and Israel said its military has resumed airstrikes against Hamas. Talks aimed at a new cease-fire continued as about 140 hostages remained in Gaza, out of the 240 people Hamas fighters captured in their deadly Oct. 7 raid in southern Israel. Hamas leaders said they were "still interested in a truce." The Palestinian militant group released eight Israeli hostages on Thursday, including six women aged 21 to 41, plus two Bedouin Arabs, a teenage brother and sister. At least three people were killed in a shooting at a Jerusalem bus stop, fueling concerns of mounting violence outside of Gaza. Hamas claimed responsibility for the shooting. Haaretz, NBC News

2. Appeals court reinstates Trump gag order

A New York appeals court on Thursday reinstated a gag order barring former President Donald Trump from publicly disparaging court staff in his civil fraud trial. Judge Arthur Engoron, who is presiding over the state's $250 million fraud lawsuit, had issued the order after Trump publicly accused a court clerk of being biased against him. The appeals court paused the gag order earlier this month, and Trump's lawyers argued that the subsequent threats against the clerk and Engoron didn't "justify" curbing Trump's constitutional right to speak freely in his own defense. The appeals court ruled that the order should go back into effect while the appeal is pending. CNN

3. Report: Israel had Hamas attack plan a year ago

Israel learned of Hamas' plan for its terrorist attack in southern Israel more than a year ago, but believed it was too difficult for the Palestinian militant group to attempt, The New York Times reported Thursday, citing documents, emails and interviews. The 40-page document, which Israeli officials code-named "Jericho Wall," was "circulated widely among Israeli military and intelligence leaders," the Times reported. On July 6, three months before the Oct. 7 assault, a veteran Israeli signals intelligence analyst warned that Hamas was conducting training exercises matching the "Jericho Wall" plan, which turned out to contain a remarkably accurate description of the deadly attacks Hamas militants carried out, killing 1,200 people and triggering the Gaza conflict. The New York Times

4. COP28 starts with surprise deal

The United Nations–sponsored COP28 climate summit kicked off Thursday with the approval of a new fund to help poor nations tackle the costs of climate change–driven storms and drought. COP28 President Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber called the deal on the two-week conference's first day a "positive signal of momentum to the world and to our work here in Dubai." Several governments followed up with about $400 million in pledges meant to get the "loss and damage" fund started, including $100 million from the United Arab Emirates, which is hosting COP28, and contributions from the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom. Reuters

5. Senate Judiciary Committee subpoenas two conservative power brokers

The Democrat-led Senate Judiciary Committee voted Thursday to subpoena conservative legal activist Leonard Leo and billionaire GOP donor Harlan Crow, a Texas real estate developer with ties to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and other members of the high court's conservative supermajority. Democrats requested information on gifts and travel access Crow has provided to Thomas and other justices. Some of the cases have been linked to Leo, a co-chair of the Federalist Society who has pushed to get conservative judges onto federal courts. Republicans on the panel stormed out after the vote and accused Democrats of political theater and violating committee rules. USA Today

6. Russian court calls gay rights movement 'extremist'

Russia's Supreme Court declared that the international gay rights movement is an "extremist organization," The New York Times reported Thursday. The ruling in a lawsuit filed by the Ministry of Justice followed a crackdown by Russian President Vladimir Putin's government that has lumped gay communities together with Ukraine war opponents as potential sources of Western influence. It could result in criminal prosecutions "for something as simple as displaying symbols like the rainbow flag," the Times reported. "You are already marked as foreign, as bad, as a source of propaganda," said Alexander Kondakov, a Russian sociologist at University College Dublin, "and now you are labeled an extremist — and the next step is terrorist." The New York Times

7. Tesla begins Cybertruck deliveries

Tesla started delivering its long-awaited electric Cybertrucks to customers on Thursday. The EV maker unveiled the futuristic, sharp-angled electric pickup truck in November 2019. It starts at $60,990 and runs as high as $90,990. CEO Elon Musk touted the vehicle at a live event at the company's Gigafactory in Austin, Texas, boasting that its ride is "silent" and its exterior is bulletproof. The Cybertruck, which has a six-foot bed, is Tesla's first vehicle that isn't a sedan. It joins a growing electric-pickup market that already includes vehicles from Ford and Rivian. Cnet, Fox Business

8. Newsom, DeSantis clash in Fox News debate

California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, and Florida's Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, clashed over red- and blue-state polices in a Thursday night debate on Fox News. DeSantis, now running for the Republican presidential nomination, dismissed Newsom as a "slick politician" whose state has "failed because of his leftist ideology." Newsom, considered a possible 2028 presidential candidate, alluded to how badly DeSantis and other GOP candidates trail former President Donald Trump in primary polls, saying he and DeSantis had one thing in common: "Neither of us will be the nominee for our party in 2024." Newsom slammed DeSantis over Florida's lax gun laws and for limiting abortion rights. "You're nothing but a bully," he said. Los Angeles Times

9. Investigators hope composite image will help ID Lake Mead remains

Nevada investigators released a composite image of what they believe to be an approximation of the face of a person whose remains were found in a corroded barrel in Lake Mead last year. Authorities hope the distribution of the image will help identify the person after months of investigation proved fruitless. Investigators believe the person died from a gunshot wound decades ago. The remains were the first of four sets of bones found at the lake in 2022 as an extended drought caused water levels to plunge to nearly 150 feet below 2000 levels. The other three have been identified. One was a man who drowned a half century ago. The New York Times

10. Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan dies at 65

Pogues lead singer Shane MacGowan, known for his raspy voice and poetic lyrics, died Thursday. He was 65, and had been diagnosed with viral encephalitis last year. MacGowan "served as the bridge between traditional Irish folk music and punk rock," according to Rolling Stone. Nick Cave, who collaborated with the Irish frontman in the 1990s, said he was "the greatest songwriter of his generation." In four decades as a singer, songwriter and guitarist, MacGowan transformed traditional pub anthems like “Waxie's Dargle" and "I'm a Man You Don’t Meet Every Day" into some of the Pogues' most memorable rock anthems. Rolling Stone

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10 things you need to know today: January 24, 2024

1. Trump closes in on nomination with New Hampshire win

2. 'Oppenheimer,' 'Poor Things' lead Oscar nominations

3. 20 Israeli soldiers killed in blast, UN warns of 'catastrophic hunger' in Gaza

4. Biden focuses on abortion access in first 2024 rally

5. Turkish lawmakers ratify Sweden's bid to join NATO

6. US attacks Iran-backed militia in Iraq

7. Appeals court declines to reconsider Trump's gag-order challenge

8. School shooter's mother goes on trial

9. S&P 500 sets another record

10. Powerful earthquake hits remote region in China

10 things you need to know today: January 23, 2024

1. Haley barnstorms in bid to upset Trump in New Hampshire

2. Supreme Court backs US over Texas in border fight

3. New Hampshire investigates fake Biden robocall

4. Arab states prepare proposal for postwar Gaza

5. Biden announces contraception, emergency abortion protections on Roe anniversary

6. US commander says Iran 'directly involved' in Houthi attacks

7. Judge delays Trump defamation trial after juror falls ill

8. Dow, S&P 500 set fresh records

9. Suspect in suburban Chicago killing spree kills himself in Texas

10. Dexter Scott King dies at 62

10 things you need to know today: January 22, 2024

1. DeSantis drops out, endorses Trump

2. US, Arab allies push plan to end Gaza war

3. Iconic New Hampshire newspaper endorses Haley

4. Russian energy company idles fuel terminal after drone attack

5. Modi opens Hindu temple on site of demolished mosque

6. Sen. Tim Scott gets engaged

7. Tara VanDerveer sets record for most wins as NCAA basketball coach

8. Percentage of teens working reaches highest level since 2009

9. Sarah Ferguson diagnosed with malignant skin cancer

10. Chiefs, Lions advance to NFL conference championships

10 things you need to know today: January 21, 2024

1. Palestinian death toll reportedly passes 25,000

2. Top Biden adviser to travel to Egypt and Qatar for hostage talks

3. At least 25 people reportedly killed during market shelling in Ukraine

4. Haley questions Trump’s mental capacity after he confuses her with Nancy Pelosi

5. North Korea expresses willingness for Putin to visit country

6. Thousands protest in Germany against the country’s far-right

7. Cold temperatures cause deadly chills across much of the US

8. NASA reestablishes contact with Ingenuity helicopter on Mars

9. Ravens and 49ers advance in NFL playoffs

10. 'Saturday Night Live' returns to mock Trump’s courthouse appearances

10 things you need to know today: January 20, 2024

1. Grand jury reportedly convened to investigate Uvalde shooting response

2. Families protest outside Netanyahu's house as pressure mounts for hostage deal

3. Biden signs stopgap measure to avoid government shutdown

4. Iran and Hezbollah reportedly helping coordinate Houthi attacks

5. Alec Baldwin charged for second time in deadly 'Rust' shooting

6. Harvard creates task forces on antisemitism and Islamophobia

7. NYC mayor vetoes ban on solitary confinement in city jails

8. Sports Illustrated lays off nearly entire staff as financial woes mount

9. Russia was China's top oil supplier in 2023, data shows

10. Malia Obama debuts short film at Sundance Film Festival

10 things you need to know today: January 19, 2024

1. Congress averts a government shutdown

2. DOJ report finds 'cascading failures' during Texas school shooting

3. Netanyahu opposes Palestinian state in postwar Gaza

4. Defamation trial judge shuts down Trump lawyer

5. Biden says strikes against Houthis will continue

6. Drugmakers hiked prices in first 2 weeks of 2024

7. Hunter Biden agrees to House deposition

8. Judge schedules hearing on Fani Willis allegation

9. Spelman College receives a record donation

10. Peregrine lunar lander meets a fiery end

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