Saturday, November 30
Pregnant woman Kate Cox leaves Texas for emergency abortion due to legal obstacles caused by the state's strict abortion laws; Cox is 20 weeks pregnant with a fetus diagnosed with trisomy 18, a rare genetic defect with high risks; Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton appealed to the state's Supreme Court, blocking Cox's right to an abortion; Cox's case highlights the challenges faced by pregnant individuals seeking abortions for medical reasons in states with restrictive laws; concerns rise over the impact of such laws on reproductive health and access to medical care.
Scientists have discovered the largest and most distant reservoir of water ever detected, located around a quasar called APM 08279+5255. This quasar houses a supermassive black hole and emits energy equivalent to a thousand trillion suns. The colossal body of water surpasses the combined volume of all water on Earth by 140 trillion times. Prior to this discovery, water vapor had not been observed in the early universe, making it a milestone in astronomical understanding. The construction of the 25-meter telescope, FYST, in the Atacama Desert has been temporarily halted due to insufficient funding.
Former Navy SEAL Robert J. O'Neill, known for killing Osama bin Laden, is facing opposition over alleged racist and homophobic remarks as he is involved in establishing a military themed brewery in Norfolk, Virginia. The brewery's taproom and distribution center permits have been denied by the planning commission due to widespread opposition and approximately 800 opposing comments. Critics argue that the brewery's ownership lacks diversity and does not represent veterans or the liberal-leaning nature of the city.
More than 300 passengers aboard a Delta flight from Amsterdam to Detroit found themselves in the midst of a travel nightmare, enduring a 36-hour ordeal after their flight faced multiple setbacks, reported WWJ. The scheduled landing at Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. was disrupted when the flight was forced to divert to Goose Bay, Newfoundland, due to an in-flight emergency involving an engine issue, as reported by WWJ’s Jonathan Carlson on Monday afternoon.
Zara issued a public apology for an advertisement campaign that stirred controversy, leading to calls for a boycott by pro-Palestinian activists. The campaign featured statues wrapped in white, with some critics claiming a resemblance to images of corpses in shrouds from Gaza. Tens of thousands of complaints flooded Zara's Instagram, prompting the hashtag "#BoycottZara" to trend. Zara clarified that the campaign aimed to showcase unfinished sculptures in a sculptor's studio and expressed regret for the "misunderstanding." Six posts from the "Atelier" collection were removed from Instagram, and Zara reaffirmed its deep respect for everyone.
The United Nations-led COP28 summit, which aims to address the phase-out of fossil fuels, faces a stand-off between countries that want a rapid transition away from fossil fuels and those that oppose it. The release of a draft agreement calling for a reduction in the consumption and production of fossil fuels has angered countries that insist on a commitment to phase-out. The draft agreement has sparked debates on red lines and a new draft is expected.
Terrorists targeted Daraban police station in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, resulting in the loss of 23 security personnel lives. The police station, located in Dera Ismail Khan district near South Waziristan, was attacked by terrorists driving an explosive-laden vehicle. Amidst the ensuing exchange of gunfire, four security personnel lost their lives. Two terrorists were neutralized by the police. The police station's roof also collapsed. Additional police forces were deployed, and injured were transferred to DI Khan Hospital. Violence has surged in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, marked by deadly attacks.
Oberlin College has removed Mohammad Jafar Mahallati, a former Iranian regime official and religion professor, from his teaching position following a three-year campaign by Iranian Americans. Mahallati was accused of covering up the mass murder of over 5,000 Iranian political prisoners in 1988. Oberlin College President Carmen Twillie Ambar previously defended Mahallati but has now taken action. Mahallati's alleged crimes against humanity, antisemitism, and genocidal rhetoric targeting the Baha’i community in Iran were downplayed by the college, but his profile has been removed and his nameplate has been taken down from his office.
Former Trump adviser May Mailman condemned Meghan Markle for portraying herself as a victim despite her privileged life in an interview with GB News. Mailman disapproved of Markle's tendency to complain and argued that celebrities like Markle understand that being seen as a victim garners respect. She criticized Markle for not using her privilege to advocate for positive causes. Markle and Prince Harry have faced criticism and controversy, including claims of seeking excessive privacy and their Netflix docuseries. Harry's upcoming memoir has shed light on his insecurities as a member of the Royal Family.
