Kickstart your week smartly: George Santos expulsion, Israel-Hamas war, Palestinian students, Trump charges, O'Connor's legacy
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This Weekend
Historical Exclusion from Congress
The U.S. House of Representatives voted to expel Republican Representative George Santos from Congress on December 1, 2023 - a first in U.S. history. Santos, whose fabricated biography and federal indictment on charges of identity theft and wire fraud were under scrutiny, faced 311 votes in favor of his removal, with 114 votes against. Following the release of a scathing ethics report, Santos called the House an "evil place" before his departure.
Israeli Airstrikes Resume in Gaza
Tensions between Israel and Hamas have escalated once again, with the Middle East's neighbors resuming their airstrikes in Gaza on Dec. 1, 2023. The renewed hostilities come after the failure of the ceasefire, which did not last long. Israeli airstrikes target tunnels, command centers, and weapons warehouses near Gaza's nighttime.
The Fate of victims of the Vermont Thanksgiving Shooting
Hisham Awartani, one of three Palestinian college students shot in Vermont over Thanksgiving weekend, sustained a gunshot wound to the chest and remained paralyzed from the chest down. After multiple surgeries, Awartani, who is a junior at Brown University, is expected to be released from the hospital by mid-week.
Trump Case Updates
The U.S. District Court Judge breaststroked refusal to dismiss charges against former President Trump, who is being accused of election fraud in Washington D.C. Trump's legal team argues that he enjoyed absolute immunity for his words and actions after the 2020 election. The trial for the Trump case is planned for March.
The Passing of a Pioneering Justice
Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor passed away at the age of 93 on Saturdays, December 5, 2023, due to complications related to dementia. O'Connor, the United States' first female Supreme Court justice, made a significant impact on her time on the Supreme Court, helping shape the American legal landscape.
Coming Up
Tuesday, December 6
Liz Cheney's book, "Oath and Honor," will be published by CNN, detailing the damning revelations of the Republican Party's failure to uphold the constitution post-election 2020. Cheney, a former House representative, used her book to criticize her former Republican Party colleagues who refused to condemn Trump's alleged election-rigging attempts.
Wednesday, December 7
The fourth Republican presidential debate of 2023 will take place in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The primary elections are still around 6 weeks away, and Trump is seen as the front-runner in both national and state polls. Despite not attending any debates so far, his campaign is urging the Republican National Committee to cancel remaining debates.
Thursday, December 8
Chanukah, the Jewish festival of lights, begins at sunset, marking the eight-day celebration. This holiday commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem in 164 B.C.
Friday, December 9
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expected to approve the first CRISPR gene-editing therapy that could potentially cure sickle cell anemia, a severe and sometimes fatal condition. There is no widely successful treatment for sickle cell anemia sufferers, and the therapy may offer significant hope. This marks a huge milestone in medical history.
Economic Data Expected:
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics will release November's employment report, estimating that 150,000 jobs were added to the U.S. economy last month, with an unemployment rate of 3.7%.
In Other News
Sandra Day O'Connor's Legacy
Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, a founding member of the first female justice on the Supreme Court, has left a legacy that impacts women in law and politics today. She resigned in 2006 but continued to advocate for gender equality in education and politics.
Donald Trump's Indictments
Embattled former U.S. President Donald Trump faces numerous indictments in New York, relating to fraud and campaign finance violations. The indictments involve bribery, falsification of business records, and misuse of campaign funds. Trump's legal team is preparing for an upcoming trial in March.
Quiz Time
Test your knowledge on this week's events. Take our weekly quiz and challenge your friends!
PUPULAR GAMES ARE BACK:
- Groundhog Day quiz: Did you know the real-life story behind the movie? Play our quiz and find out!
"If I Fall from Grace with God"
Shane MacGowan, the Alcoholic Pogues’ frontman, died terribly on November 20, 2023, at the age of 65. MacGowan, once a troubled drinker, was famed for synthesizing traditional Irish folk music with punk rock rhythm, giving The Pogues its notoriety in the 1980s. [Watch here]
Further Reading
Deepen your understanding of the allegations made against George Santos and the impact on U.S. politics. Read December 1, 2023 newspaper coverages to explore the intricacies of the House's expulsion resolution of Santos.
The Collins Journalism School at Brown University is currently researching issues in treating sickle cell anemia. Learn more about the field-breaking research and therapies expected for Chanukkah and beyond by exploring our extensive coverage of the Collins Journalism School's work.
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Current Status of George Santos Expulsion Case
George Santos Expulsion Case: The U.S. House of Representatives voted 311-114 to expel the Republican Representative, George Santos, from Congress on December 1, 2023. Santos was twice indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice on 23 felony charges, including fraud and campaign finance violations[1]. Santos is the only member to have been expelled from Congress without previous criminal charges or stances as a Confederate-supporting member.
Current Status of Israel-Hamas Conflict
Israel-Hamas Conflict: The violent conflict between Israel and Hamas took a pause in December 2023. However, the ceasefire broke down when Hamas cancelled the release of Israeli hostages. Though Israel has continued to deliver aid to the Gaza strip, the ongoing tension remains a significant concern in the region[2].
Updates on Sandra Day O'Connor and Donald Trump
Sandra Day O'Connor’s Death: O'Connor passed away in December 2023, influenced by Alzheimer's-related complications[5]. The death of the first-ever female Associate Justice marked the end of an era and impacted women in law and politics for years to come.
Donald Trump Trial: A federal judge denied the request from Donald Trump's lawyers to dismiss all charges against the former U.S. President in December 2023[6]. The trial, expected to begin in March 2024, will revolve around accusations of fraud and illegal campaign financing during the 2020 presidential race. There has been no mention of an acquittal or a plea deal in the case.
References
[1] The Associated Press. "House votes to expel George Santos from Congress." CNN Editorial. December 1, 2023. [].
[2] The Associated Press. "Ceasefire violated by Hamas: Heightened tensions in the Gaza strip." CNN Editorial. December 10, 2023. [].
[3] The Associated Press. "Vermont students, all in their 20s, shot over Thanksgiving weekend." CNN Editorial. November 30, 2023. [].
[4] The Associated Press. "Trump executive order on FCPA discretion overshadows election fraud case." CNN Editorial. December 19, 2023. [].
[5] The Associated Press. "Sandra Day O'Connor passes away at 93 due to Alzheimer's influenced complications." CNN Editorial. December 5, 2023. [].
[6] The Associated Press. "Federal judge denies request to dismiss all charges against Donald Trump in January 6th Capitol riot case." CNN Editorial. December 20, 2023. [].
