Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., has announced that he is dropping his monthslong hold on hundreds of military nominations, except for four-star generals and flag officers. This hold had caused a backlog of over 450 officers, but Tuberville has now released all promotions three-star and below. He is continuing to protest a Pentagon policy that reimburses travel expenses for service members seeking reproductive health care, and is calling on the Biden administration to reverse the policy.
News Mash
Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., announced Tuesday that he will not seek re-election in 2024, shocking many of his colleagues. McHenry has served in Congress since 2005 and is the longest-serving Republican from North Carolina, recently gaining national attention when he became the first House Speaker pro tempore in history to be removed in a no-confidence vote. His retirement will further thin the ranks of Republican institutionalists in Congress, leaving many of his colleagues unsure of who will take his place and fill the role of chair of the House Financial Services Committee.
Legendary singer Brenda Lee has become the oldest performer in history to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart with her classic holiday tune “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”, which was streamed nearly 35 million times between the Friday after Thanksgiving and Thursday. Lee celebrated the news on Twitter, and her achievement is a testament to the timelessness of her music, reminding us that the holiday season is a time for celebrating the classics.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has announced his opposition to the $10 billion in emergency U.S. aid to Israel proposed by President Joe Biden, citing concerns about the scale of Palestinian civilian deaths and displacement. The aid package has been met with mixed reactions from both sides of the aisle, with some arguing for its necessity and others raising concerns about potential misuse of the funds. Sanders has made it clear that he does not believe the U.S. should be appropriating such a large sum of money to the Netanyahu government as the Senate prepares to vote on the bill this week.
Hamas Refuses to Release Hostages Until War is Over, Sparking Criticism from International Community
Hamas Refuses to Release Hostages Until War is Over, Sparking Criticism from International Community
This article discusses the ongoing conflict between the Israeli military and Hamas, which has resulted in the deaths of nearly 16,000 people, mostly women and children. Hamas has stated that they will not release any more hostages until the war is over, and Ghalayini, a former air quality scientist, believes this is a PR stunt by U.S. politicians. The international community must continue to support the people of Gaza and work towards a lasting peace.
On Monday, Durham Regional Police responded to an unusual call of a kangaroo hopping around Oshawa. Officers were instructed on the safest way to capture the kangaroo, which they did successfully, although the kangaroo punched an officer in the face before being subdued. The kangaroo is now in the custody of a local zoo, and the police reminded the public to be aware of their surroundings and to report any unusual sightings.
Joseph Tyler Goodson, 32, of Woodstock, Alabama, was shot and killed by officers during a weekend standoff in the rural community. The Woodstock Police Department had responded to a “call for service” and Goodson had barricaded himself inside a home and “brandished a gun” at officers. The ALEA is currently investigating the incident and has asked anyone with information to contact their office.
The Republican National Committee (RNC) has set the highest threshold yet for the fourth GOP presidential primary debate, with only four candidates meeting the qualifications. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Former Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley, and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy will take the stage Wednesday night at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The debate will be hosted by Fox News and moderated by Bret Baier, Martha MacCallum, and Bill Hemmer.