5 Things to Know About December 12: Prison Sentences, Ukraine Aid, Supreme Court, Abortion, and Climate
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1. Hostages in Gaza
President Joe Biden pledged unwavering support for Israel and expressed hope in securing the release of hostages from Gaza. Biden made these comments during the Hanukkah Menorah lighting ceremony at the White House, attended by approximately 800 guests, including Holocaust survivors, lawmakers, and Jewish leaders. The families of US citizens believed to be held hostage in Gaza never received an invitation to attend. The UN General Assembly will have an emergency meeting on the Gaza Strip today, following the United States' veto of a Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire.
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**Enrichment Data:**
The families of US citizens reportedly held hostage in Gaza were not invited to attend a White House event on the release of hostages because the specific event mentioned in the sources does not directly relate to the release of hostages from Gaza. The White House event mentioned in the sources involved the release of an American citizen held hostage in Belarus, not Gaza[2].
However, the broader context of hostage releases and negotiations involving Gaza is significant. The families of hostages held in Gaza have been actively advocating for their loved ones' release and have been involved in various rallies and protests demanding action from leaders like President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu[3][4]. The absence of these families from a specific White House event related to a different hostage release does not necessarily reflect a lack of engagement or concern from the White House regarding the Gaza situation, but rather a focus on a different specific case.
2. Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet with US lawmakers today, urging them for increased aid in the country's defense against Russian aggression. Despite Zelenskyy's third trip to the US since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, it's unlikely that his appeal will sway Republican senators who have been hesitant to provide additional aid. Many Republicans, even those who advocate for more aid for Ukraine, are unwilling to take action unless Democrats agree to significant changes in border security policies.
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3. Supreme Court Decision
The Supreme Court has agreed to quickly decide if former President Donald Trump is entitled to immunity for crimes allegedly committed during his presidency. Special Counsel Jack Smith presented a rare question to the Court, requesting that attorneys arguing Trumps's election fraud case in a federal appellate court bypass a fundamental issue. This is the first time the Supreme Court has weighed in on a historical criminal investigation of a former president. If the conservative-leaning Court rules in Trump's favor, it could have far-reaching consequences, possibly determining the outcome of Trump's trial before the 2024 presidential election.
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4. Abortion in Texas
The Supreme Court of Texas has ruled against a woman seeking to terminate her pregnancy under Texas's medical emergency exemption. The woman, Kate Cox, was informed by her doctors that her unborn child had a rare and lethal genetic disorder. Cox petitioned for an abortion under the Texas medical emergency exception, which had temporarily been reinstated by a state judge due to her deteriorating health. However, the Supreme Court of Texas overturned the lower court's decision last week, causing Cox to seek an abortion outside the state to avoid further legal proceedings.
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5. Climate Conference in Dubai
Climate activists and negotiators are deeply divided as a new draft proposal for the COP28 climate conference in Dubai omits any reference to phasing out fossil fuels. The proposal encourages countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and includes energy conservation, reduced consumption, and decreased production of oil, coal, and gas among the measures. Many climate experts have criticized the vague language and lack of concrete action plans, while a recent report shows that the fossil fuel industry is increasingly attending climate conferences.
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Number of the Day
8 - The number of years a man from New Jersey was sentenced to prison after a security camera captured him screaming racial slurs at his neighbors. The man's actions were recorded in 2021 and eventually led to his arrest.
Today's Quote
"He should not have been incarcerated. We are working with our embassy in Moscow to find out how many more pieces of information we can get." — John Kirby, White House Press Secretary, on Alexei Navalny, a Russian opposition leader who was sentenced to 19 years in prison for extremism-related charges. Navalny's lawyers claim he has been in a penal colony outside Moscow and is unable to communicate with his legal team.
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