President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks in California, giving the impression of a new era of bilateral goodwill. However, it is important not to be fooled by this display, as intense competition and Mr. Xi's ambition to upend the U.S.-led international order remain.Both leaders have their reasons for appearing to get along at the moment. Mr. Xi needs foreign investment and export markets to counter China's slowing economy. He wants to avoid further economic sanctions and limits on technology sales. Meanwhile, President Biden aims to avoid another security crisis, wanting to put China on hold at least until his re-election next year. He particularly wants to prevent a crisis over Taiwan.Despite these motivations, it is essential to question the significance of verbal commitments considering the Chinese Communist Party's ideology and ambitions. China has made promises in the past without significant results. Biden's assertion that Xi is a dictator further strains relations, with China criticizing the comment as "extremely wrong and irresponsible political manipulation." The meeting did result in the restoration of military-to-military communication, a positive step forward, but the extent to which these commitments will matter in the long run remains uncertain.

A House Ethics Committee report released on Thursday indicates that there is "substantial evidence" that Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) knowingly violated a number of ethics and criminal laws. The report, compiled after months of investigation, includes over 170,000 pages of documents and testimonies from numerous witnesses.

The committee found that Santos sought to exploit his House candidacy for personal financial gain, including by diverting funds from his campaign for personal use. He deceived donors into contributing to his campaign under false pretenses. The report stated that his conduct warrants public condemnation and has brought severe discredit upon the House.

While the report did not recommend expulsion or other disciplinary actions, it suggested that the allegations be referred to the Justice Department for further investigation. However, the committee Chairman, Michael Guest (R-Miss.), stated that these additional measures would have required significant more time.

Santos responded to the report, calling it a "disgusting politicized smear" and claiming that he was being unfairly targeted. He also announced that he will not seek reelection in 2024, contradicting a previous statement made in April.

The release of the report is expected to reignite efforts to expel Santos from the House. Expulsion, a rare occurrence, would require a two-thirds majority vote in favor. Supporters of expulsion believe that the report's findings will persuade more lawmakers to back the effort.

Santos currently faces separate federal charges, including fraud related to Covid-19 unemployment benefits, misusing campaign funds, and lying on House disclosure reports.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that there were "strong indications" that hostages held by Hamas were at Gaza's Al-Shifa Hospital, but they were no longer there when Israeli forces entered the hospital. Netanyahu said his government had intelligence about the hostages but declined to provide further details. The Israel Defense Forces carried out a targeted operation against Hamas in a specified area of the hospital after warning the group not to use the medical complex as a base. Hamas has denied the accusation that it had a command center underneath the hospital. Only four hostages out of the 240 taken during an attack on Israel by Hamas militants on October 7 have been released so far. BBC journalists were recently given access to Al-Shifa Hospital by the Israel Defense Forces and were led around the compound, where they were shown stashes of weapons and military equipment. While international humanitarian law requires the protection of hospitals during armed conflicts, there have been claims that Hamas has co-opted hospitals and ambulances in the past.

A 50-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the death of a 69-year-old Jewish man following an altercation at dueling protests in Thousand Oaks. Loay Abdelfattah Alnaji, a computer science professor at Moorpark College, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and battery causing serious bodily injury. The victim, Paul Kessler, died from a severe head injury after being struck in the head by a megaphone wielded by a pro-Palestinian protester. The incident took place on November 5th, and Kessler passed away the following day in the hospital.

Although authorities had initially not ruled out the possibility of a hate crime, there is no mention of a hate crime charge in the sources. The arrest comes after new evidence emerged, but the specifics of this evidence have not been disclosed. The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles expressed support for the arrest, stating that violence towards the Jewish community will not be tolerated. The suspect is currently being held on $1 million bail and is set to appear in court on Monday. Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko and Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff are due to hold a press conference on Friday to provide further details.

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"Are We Prepared for the Next Pandemic?"

As the world continues to battle the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many are wondering if the world is prepared for the next potential global health crisis. With the devastating impact of the current pandemic, there is growing concern about the readiness and response capabilities of countries worldwide.

According to experts, the global community needs to reassess and strengthen its pandemic preparedness measures to prevent future outbreaks from reaching the same magnitude. This includes better surveillance systems, early warning systems, improved healthcare infrastructure, and efficient vaccine distribution networks.

International organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) have emphasized the need for increased global cooperation and coordination to address future pandemics effectively. They stress the importance of sharing information, resources, and expertise to respond swiftly and decisively to emerging health threats.

While some progress has been made in improving pandemic response capabilities, there is still a long way to go. Adequate funding, political commitment, and public health investments are necessary to build resilient healthcare systems that can effectively combat future outbreaks.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the vulnerabilities and shortcomings of our global health systems. It serves as a wake-up call to prioritize pandemic preparedness and work towards a safer, healthier future for all.

A collision between a CTA Yellow Line train and a piece of snow removal equipment at the Howard rail yard in Rogers Park left 38 people injured and 23 of them hospitalized. The crash occurred just after 10:30 a.m. and involved a two-car Yellow Line-Skokie Swift train. The train rear-ended a snow fighter locomotive used for clearing snow from the CTA tracks during the winter. It remains unclear why the machine was sharing the same track as the train.

During a press conference, the Chicago Fire Department stated that 38 people were evaluated by medical personnel, with 23 being transported to area hospitals. At least three people were critically injured, but none of the injuries were life-threatening. Among the injured were four children and seven CTA employees. The NTSB is expected to release more details into the investigation.

Audio obtained from the CTA traffic control tower reveals a warning about maintenance equipment on the tracks prior to the collision. The control tower repeatedly instructed the train operator to stop, but it is unclear if the train involved in the crash was the one being referred to in the audio. Transportation experts suspect a combination of technology and human error may be responsible for the incident.

The CTA has not provided further updates regarding the cause of the collision.

A federal judge declared a mistrial in the case against former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison, who was charged with violating the civil rights of Breonna Taylor and others in a March 2020 raid that resulted in Taylor's death. The jury informed the judge that they were deadlocked and unable to reach a unanimous verdict after three days of deliberations. This outcome is a major blow for Taylor's family and local civil rights leaders who have been pushing for accountability. It also highlights the difficulty federal authorities face in convicting law enforcement officers.

Hankison was charged with endangering Taylor, her boyfriend, and their neighbors when he fired 10 shots during the raid. He claimed he feared for the safety of fellow officers. If convicted, he could have faced a maximum sentence of life in prison. This mistrial means that no officer has been held accountable for Taylor's death on state or federal charges.

Federal authorities will now decide whether to retry Hankison, who has already been acquitted on state charges. Another former officer involved in the raid pleaded guilty to federal charges in August. The mistrial reflects the challenges of convicting law enforcement officers and the ongoing fight for justice in police shootings.

Inspectors from Caltrans were aware of the conditions under Interstate 10, where a massive fire recently damaged the freeway, as recent as October 6. The fire, which has been classified as an arson, was fueled by wood pallets stored under the freeway. The site was home to several businesses, including a pallet distributor and a mechanic shop, and homeless people would often camp in the area and light fires to keep warm. Despite the visible hazards and regular inspections, no alarms were raised by state officials. Caltrans spokesperson Eric Menjivar stated that inspectors checked for safety hazards and lease violations during annual inspections and that deficiencies were reported to the tenant for remedy. However, the inspection reports have not been released to the public. Caltrans had filed a lawsuit to evict the tenant, Apex Development Inc., for noncompliance with the lease, stating that the company had not paid rent for over a year and had illegally sublet the land. The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.

Rural Palestinians in the occupied West Bank say they have faced increased harassment from Israeli settlers since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Settlers have been blocking roads and engaging in armed raids, sabotaging wells, and using the war as a pretext to expropriate Palestinian lands. According to the UN's humanitarian agency, there has been a significant increase in the number of incidents between settlers and Palestinians since the start of the war. European and US diplomats have condemned the rise in violence by settlers, which undermines Palestinian human rights and the prospects for a two-state solution. The violence has strained the relationship between the US and Israel, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling the incidents "unacceptable" during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The surge in settler violence has led to record levels of Palestinian deaths in the West Bank and the displacement of Palestinian communities. This heightened aggression by settlers raises concerns about the well-being and safety of West Bank Palestinians.

The Capitol Police were confronted with a violent protest outside of Democratic Party headquarters on Wednesday night. The incident occurred as a group of protesters advocating for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war blocked an entrance to the headquarters. The police attempted to clear the protesters, but they refused to obey orders to move back. According to the Capitol Police, the group became violent after officers tried to remove them, resulting in attendees pepper-spraying officers. However, the coalition of groups at the protest claimed that nonviolent demonstrators were violently attacked by the police, resulting in over 90 injuries. Several House Democratic lawmakers, including party leadership, were present at an event in the building and had to be evacuated. Lawmakers emphasized the importance of allowing police to assess the intent of demonstrators to ensure the safety of everyone involved. The incident comes after recent assaults on lawmakers and the January 6th insurrection, leaving the Capitol Police on edge. House office buildings were placed on lockdown during the incident.

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley recently called for a national TikTok ban over videos on the social media app promoting Osama Bin Laden's justification for the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. The 2002 letter, which condemned U.S. support for Israel, resurfaced on TikTok under the hashtag #lettertoamerica during the Israel-Hamas conflict. TikTok has since banned the hashtag. Bin Laden, the former leader of Al Qaeda, was killed in 2011.

The letter gained attention after being unearthed from documents related to the 9/11 attacks on The Guardian's website. After The Guardian removed the letter, young TikTok users began reading it aloud, and similar campaigns spread on other platforms like Twitter (now X) and Facebook. References to Bin Laden jumped more than 4,300% on X, and mentions of the "Letter to America" increased 1,800%.

Haley argued that banning TikTok was necessary because of videos promoting Bin Laden's letter and attracting support for his justification of the attacks. TikTok responded by saying that content promoting the letter violates its rules on supporting terrorism, and it is proactively removing such content and investigating how it appeared on the platform. Despite some videos garnering hundreds of thousands of views and likes, TikTok claims that the number of videos praising Bin Laden's argument is not large.

A federal jury has convicted David Wayne DePape of a hammer attack on the husband of former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. DePape broke into the Pelosis' San Francisco home on October 28, 2022, and struck Paul Pelosi over the head with a hammer. The jury found DePape guilty of attempted kidnapping and assault of an immediate family member of a federal official. These crimes carry potential prison sentences of 20 and 30 years, respectively. DePape also faces further charges, including attempted murder in California state court, which could result in a sentence of 13 years to life in prison.

During the trial, Pelosi testified that he tried not to relive the episode, but did remember waking up in a "pool of blood." DePape's defense attorney argued that he did not commit a federal crime because he was not motivated by Pelosi's official duties as speaker. Instead, they claimed that DePape's belief in conspiracy theories motivated the attack. Nancy Pelosi issued a statement on behalf of her family, thanking people for their support and saying that Paul Pelosi continues to make progress on his recovery.

A Texas jury has convicted Kaitlin Armstrong of murder in the shooting death of professional cyclist Anna Moriah Wilson. Prosecutors argued that Armstrong killed Wilson out of jealousy, as Wilson had briefly dated Armstrong's boyfriend. The jury deliberated for under three hours before reaching a guilty verdict. Armstrong now faces a potential sentence of life in prison. Wilson's family and friends were visibly emotional following the verdict, while Armstrong's family appeared shocked. Wilson, a rising star in pro gravel and mountain bike racing, was found shot multiple times at a friend's home in Austin in May 2022. Armstrong was arrested in June of that year in Costa Rica after a 43-day international search. During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Armstrong had been monitoring Wilson's social media and had tracked her down before the shooting. The defense argued that there was not enough evidence to link Armstrong to the crime and criticized the investigation. The sentencing phase of the trial will continue on Friday.

The Biden administration is launching new initiatives to combat the rising incidents of antisemitism and Islamophobia on college campuses across the country. In response to the Israel-Hamas war, the White House is providing resources from the Education Department to students, parents, and staff to prevent bigotry and discrimination at all levels of education. Two guides, tailored for young students and higher education institutions, have been created by the National Center for Safe and Supportive Learning Environments. These tools complement the national strategy to combat Islamophobia, which involves collaboration between the departments of Justice and Homeland Security to address growing threats on college campuses in conjunction with campus law enforcement.

Recent incidents have highlighted the urgency of these actions. Two student groups critical of Israel were suspended by Columbia University for violating school policy with threatening rhetoric and intimidation. Cornell University had to cancel classes due to violent antisemitic threats and arrest of a student. The FBI is investigating death threats against a Palestinian staff member of American University in Washington, D.C. The Department of Education is conducting investigations into six colleges and one school district over allegations of antisemitic or anti-Muslim discrimination during the Israel-Hamas war.

The DOE will offer recommendations to these institutions, which could lose federal funding if they fail to comply. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona emphasized that hate has no place in schools and highlighted the significance of safe and inclusive educational environments for all students. The listening sessions organized by the Education Department aim to gather insights from educators and students from various backgrounds. This comprehensive approach reflects the Biden administration's commitment to addressing discrimination and fostering a more tolerant and inclusive education system.

U.S. President Joe Biden's vision for a regional trade pact to counter China's influence is facing challenges as negotiations stall over workers' rights. Despite this setback, Biden remains determined to advance high-standard trade that prioritizes workers' rights. The 21-member Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, held in San Francisco, witnessed Biden's commitment as he addressed corporate CEOs. The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), a 14-nation group established by the Biden administration, also faced obstacles in reaching a trade deal due to disagreements over labor and environmental standards. However, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Sarah Bianchi indicated that negotiations would resume early next year with a focus on an "accelerated timeline." The White House views the IPEF as a means to enhance economic engagement with Asia following the U.S.'s withdrawal from a regional trade pact in 2017. Biden's persistence in pursuing these trade agreements comes as he faces potential competition from Republican former President Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential election. Despite these challenges, Biden secured agreements at the APEC summit, including a supply chain agreement, commitments to clean energy transitions, and efforts to combat corruption. The launch of an "investment accelerator" to attract private investment for clean energy and technology investments was also announced.

A federal jury has found David DePape guilty on all charges in the violent attack on Paul Pelosi, the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in their San Francisco home. The jury unanimously convicted DePape of attempted kidnapping of a federal official and assault on the immediate family member of a federal official. The verdict followed two days of deliberation, in which the jury deliberated for a total of eight hours. DePape, 43, now faces up to life in federal prison.

During the trial, DePape's defense did not contest that he broke into the Pelosis' home and attacked Paul Pelosi with a hammer. Instead, they argued that DePape did not intend to kidnap anyone and that his actions were not specifically tied to Pelosi's work as a federal lawmaker. However, the jury did not agree with this defense and found DePape guilty on all counts.

The attack on Paul Pelosi occurred on October 28, 2022, and left him with a fractured skull. The Pelosi family released a statement expressing their pride in Paul Pelosi's courage and recovery. DePape is also facing state charges connected to the incident, including attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon.

A college professor and pro-Palestine protestor has been arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter for the death of a Jewish protester in Ventura County. Loay Alnaji, 50, allegedly attacked 69-year-old Paul Kessler during dueling pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli rallies on November 5. Kessler suffered a head injury after being struck in the face with a bullhorn and later died from his injuries. Video footage posted on social media shows Kessler lying on the ground with blood pouring from his head after the attack. Alnaji, who works as a professor in the computer science department at Moorpark College, is now in custody with bail set at $1 million. Authorities have urged anyone with information about the incident or any potential witnesses to come forward. The investigation is ongoing and it is unclear what interaction took place between Kessler and Alnaji before the incident. The arrest has raised questions about potential hate crime charges, but investigators have not ruled out any possibilities at this time.

The report reveals that at least $200,000 was transferred from a company owned by Santos to his personal bank accounts. The funds were then used for various purposes, including paying off personal debt and making purchases at luxury retailers like Hermes and Sephora. The report also mentioned "smaller purchases" from websites like OnlyFans.

While the Ethics Committee did not recommend any disciplinary action in its report, sources indicate that there is a renewed effort to expel Santos from the House of Representatives. Previous attempts to expel him had failed, but with the release of the damning report, there may be more support for his expulsion this time around.

Santos, who is also facing federal charges including fraud and misuse of campaign funds, has remained defiant in the face of these allegations. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and continues to serve in Congress.

The release of the Ethics Committee report further adds to the legal troubles faced by Santos and raises questions about his conduct as a public servant.

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined Florida's emergency request to enforce a state law that targets drag show performances. The law makes it a crime to admit minors to shows that the state deems sexually explicit. Lower courts had previously blocked the law statewide, citing violations of free speech rights. The conservative-backed law, officially known as the Protection of Children Act, has been seen as part of a broader conservative campaign against LGBTQ rights. The three conservative justices on the Supreme Court, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch, dissented and voted in favor of reviving the law. However, the majority did not provide an explanation for their decision. The legal challenge was brought by an Orlando bar and restaurant called Hamburger Mary's, which hosts family-friendly drag shows. The district court judge found the law to be too vaguely written, and the decision was upheld by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The case will now return to the appeals court for the full appeal process.

Chinese President Xi Jinping hinted at the possibility of sending new pandas to the United States as a symbol of friendship between the two nations. Speaking at a dinner with business leaders, Xi expressed a willingness to continue cooperation with the US on panda conservation. While he did not provide specific details on when or where the pandas might be sent, he suggested that California, particularly San Diego, could be a likely destination. Panda loans have historically been a symbol of goodwill between China and other countries, with more than 20 nations participating in the "panda diplomacy" program. However, China has not granted any new panda loans to the US in the past two decades. This statement comes after the recent return of the National Zoo's three giant pandas to China, marking the end of over 50 years of housing Chinese pandas in the US. Currently, the Atlanta Zoo is the only US zoo with pandas, but their contract is set to expire next year. The possibility of new panda arrivals could be seen as a positive sign for US-China relations, as the two nations seek to reduce tensions.

In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, pressure has been mounting on US President Joe Biden to take a firm stance and give Israel a deadline to end its campaign. However, Biden has defied this pressure, refusing to impose any deadlines on Israel. This decision comes as Israeli forces have dropped leaflets warning Palestinians to flee parts of southern Gaza, potentially signaling an expansion of their offensive. The majority of Gaza's population has already fled to the south to escape the intense bombardment and ground assault.

The situation in Gaza is already dire, with over 1.5 million people internally displaced and facing shortages of food, water, and electricity. Egypt has also refused to allow a mass transfer of Palestinians onto its soil, leaving them with limited options for shelter and safety. The war, now in its sixth week, was triggered by a Hamas attack into southern Israel that resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the capture of hundreds more.

With over 11,200 Palestinians reported killed, including two-thirds women and minors, and an additional 2,700 missing, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to escalate. The conflict has also led to tensions elsewhere, as gunmen recently shot and wounded four people at a checkpoint on the road between Jerusalem and Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Despite calls for intervention and a deadline for Israel to end its campaign, Biden has chosen not to impose any such ultimatums. His decision has drawn criticism from those who believe that the US should be taking a stronger stance to bring an end to the violence and suffering in Gaza.

Former President Donald Trump's legal team has requested a mistrial in the civil fraud case against him and his family, claiming bias from the judge and court staff. However, legal experts say the chances of a mistrial being granted are slim. Trump and his family are being sued for fraudulent business practices by the New York Attorney General's office. The trial is to determine the damages Trump will pay for inflating the value of his assets. In a letter to the judge, the Attorney General's office stated that Trump's mistrial demand lacks merit. Trump's lawyers argue that the judge's gag order and the involvement of his law clerk indicate bias, but legal experts believe the judge has not crossed any lines. Despite Trump's complaints about the fairness of the trial, the experts say that the mistrial request is unlikely to succeed. The case will continue, and the judge will ultimately decide the damages Trump will pay.

A photo of Lionel Messi leaping in the air during an Argentina training session has gone viral, sparking a frenzy of reactions on social media. The image shows Messi executing a powerful header while teammate Rodrigo De Paul looks on with an admiring smile. Fans on Twitter have jokingly referred to De Paul as Messi's "bodyguard" and speculated about the duo's camaraderie on and off the field. The photo has become a symbol of Messi's enduring excellence and the unity within the Argentine national team. In the training session, Messi also scored a remarkable goal, further showcasing his skills. This comes after Messi recently secured his eighth Ballon d'Or, a remarkable feat considering the challenges he faced in previous seasons. Overall, fans have been amazed by Messi's aerial prowess, with some suggesting that he could have been even better if he had focused more on heading. With the World Cup qualifiers coming up, Messi's stellar performance in training bodes well for Argentina's chances as they aim to defend their World Cup trophy in 2026.

With star cornerback Marlon Humphrey sidelined due to a calf injury, rookie Brandon Stephens is expected to play a significant role for the Baltimore Ravens against the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday Night Football.

Stephens, who has been impressive in coverage this season, will likely be tasked with guarding Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase. In their previous matchup in Week 2, Stephens held Chase to just five receptions for 31 yards in a Ravens victory.

Despite being in his third NFL season, Stephens has had a breakout year and hasn't allowed a single touchdown in coverage through 10 games. He leads all cornerbacks in the league with 427 coverage snaps without a touchdown.

In addition to his strong coverage skills, Stephens has also contributed with 48 tackles, eight passes defended, and two interceptions this season.

The Ravens will rely on Stephens to continue his solid play as they aim to complete a season sweep of the Bengals and maintain their position in the competitive AFC North.

This Thursday Night Football matchup will be an important test for Stephens as he steps into a more prominent role within the Ravens' defense.

In Thursday's game against the Bengals, the Ravens suffered a significant blow when tight end Mark Andrews went down with a hip injury and was ruled out for the rest of the game. Andrews has been an integral part of Baltimore's offense, but the team has made moves in the offseason to bolster their receiving corps. Can Lamar Jackson and the Ravens overcome the loss of Andrews and continue to thrive offensively?

Jackson has always been a dynamic playmaker on his own, capable of taking over games as a passer or a runner. This season, the Ravens made it a priority to improve their passing attack. With the hiring of offensive coordinator Todd Monken and the additions of Nelson Agholor, Odell Beckham Jr., and Zay Flowers, Baltimore has a trio of speedy receiving threats to complement Jackson's skills.

Although Andrews' absence will be felt, Agholor, Flowers, and Beckham all stepped up in Thursday's game. Flowers had a spectacular catch-and-run for a would-be touchdown, Agholor scored on a tipped pass, and Beckham finished with a team-high 116 receiving yards.

While the loss of Andrews is significant, the Ravens have the talent and depth at the receiving position to overcome his absence. Jackson's efficiency and effectiveness as a passer have improved this season, and with the speed and playmaking ability of Agholor, Flowers, and Beckham, the Ravens can still find success offensively.

It remains to be seen how long Andrews will be sidelined with his hip injury, but the Ravens have shown that they have the weapons to continue thriving without him. Can Jackson and his speedy receiving threats carry the Ravens' offense forward?