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Israeli Airstrikes Resume in Gaza as Truce Ends, Escalating Humanitarian Crisis

Israel launched airstrikes on Gaza on Friday following the breakdown of talks to extend a week-old truce with Hamas. The intensified bombardment affected eastern areas of Khan Younis, causing residents to flee for shelter. In the north of Gaza, previously a major conflict zone, significant smoke and sounds of gunfire were reported. Both Israel and Hamas accused each other of derailing negotiations, with the White House singling out Hamas for not providing a new list of hostages for truce extension.

The UN warned of a worsening humanitarian emergency, stating that “Hell on Earth has returned to Gaza.”

Within hours of the truce expiring, Gaza health officials reported 109 people killed and dozens wounded. Israel claimed to have targeted over 200 “terror targets.” Defense Minister Yoav Gallant emphasized a commitment to continuing military action until war goals are achieved.

Reports suggest Israel aims to establish a buffer zone on Gaza’s Palestinian border to prevent future attacks. The bombing was most intense in Khan Younis and Rafah, affecting Gazans who sought refuge from northern conflicts.

The dire situation is exemplified by emotional scenes in hospitals, such as a mother’s cry for her injured son, Anas Anwar al-Masri, in Khan Younis.

KHOU 11 Goes Dark on DirecTV and AT&T U-Verse Amid Contract Dispute

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KHOU 11 Goes Dark on DirecTV and AT&T U-Verse Amid Contract Dispute

As of 7:00 p.m. Thursday night, KHOU 11, the Houston CBS affiliate, is currently unavailable for DirecTV and AT&T U-Verse subscribers due to an ongoing contract dispute between Tegna, the station’s owner, and DirecTV. This outage impacts viewers’ access to NFL and SEC football coverage on CBS TV, as well as local programming and KHOU News.

The screen on KHOU 11 now displays a message stating, “The owner of this station, Tegna, is temporarily suspending your usual access,” and directs viewers to TVPromise.com for the latest information and alternative viewing options.

Despite efforts to negotiate a new agreement, the two parties have yet to reach a resolution. Tegna claims that DirecTV has refused to agree to a fair, market-based deal to continue broadcasting the station on both DirecTV and AT&T U-Verse. A statement on KHOU 11’s website warns that if an agreement is not reached by November 30th, DirecTV customers may lose access to the station.

Over the weekend, KHOU began airing on-air messages cautioning viewers about the potential removal of the channel from DirecTV and AT&T U-Verse. Social media posts indicate some viewer dissatisfaction with the disruption, describing it as disruptive during football games and urging an end to the dispute.

DirecTV responded to Tegna’s claims on its website, attributing the public nature of the negotiations to Tegna. The statement accuses Tegna of creating unnecessary concern among customers and seeking higher rates for local broadcast stations.

This isn’t the first contract dispute between Tegna and DirecTV; a similar disagreement in 2020 resulted in a temporary blackout of Channel 11 for AT&T customers. That dispute was resolved within three weeks.

Cristiano Ronaldo Faces $1 Billion Lawsuit Over Alleged Role in Binance Crypto Promotion

Soccer icon Cristiano Ronaldo is now confronting a $1 billion class action lawsuit over his endorsement of Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange.

The legal action, filed on Tuesday in a Florida court, alleges that Ronaldo “promoted, assisted in, and/or actively participated in the offer and sale of unregistered securities in coordination with Binance.” This includes the sale of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) featuring Ronaldo, which purportedly resulted in significant financial losses for investors.

Binance has not yet responded to CNN’s request for comment, and a representative for Ronaldo has chosen not to provide a statement.

In November 2022, Ronaldo collaborated with Binance to release exclusive NFTs portraying “an iconic Ronaldo moment immortalized in the form of a digital statue.” This partnership was heavily promoted, including on Ronaldo’s social media channels.

NFTs, a widely popular crypto-related trend, convert digital art and collectibles into unique, verifiable assets easily traded on the blockchain.

The lawsuit accuses Ronaldo of making “deceptive statements” and asserts that he “allowed his name and likeness to be used in connection with Binance’s deceptive statements in promotions of its product,” particularly the sale of unregistered crypto securities prone to unpredictable volatility.

Furthermore, the plaintiffs claim Ronaldo failed to disclose “the form or amount of his compensation by Binance,” a requirement under US law. They allege that both Binance and Ronaldo were aware that their advertisements targeted individuals unfamiliar with crypto.

Citing Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler’s stance on celebrity endorsements, the lawsuit emphasizes the need for public disclosure of payment details. The SEC imposed a fine of over $1 million on Kim Kardashian last year for a similar issue.

The class action lawsuit seeks damages exceeding $1 billion. Notably, Ronaldo continues to endorse the company, with his most recent Binance ad posted on November 28 on his X account, boasting 110 million followers.

El Artista Ganador De Múltiples Premios Grammy, Luis Miguel, Colabora Con Alignment Health Para Defender Vivir Con Confianza

El ícono cultural y músico galardonado, Luis Miguel, y Alignment Health, una empresa de Medicare Advantage, anunciaron hoy su colaboración en una nueva campaña: “La vida se hace de momentos únicos”, para celebrar el espíritu de una vida bien vida. Con un enfoque en la comunidad latina, uno de los segmentos de la población estadounidense que más rápido crece, la nueva campaña contará con la participación del músico en diversos anuncios televisivos en español, comunicaciones por correo y publicaciones impresas, digitales y de redes sociales de Alignment a partir de diciembre de 2023.

Conocido popularmente como “El Sol de México”, Luis Miguel es una figura global, increíblemente influyente y con una profunda conexión con la comunidad latina. Su voz y su música se han vuelto un sinónimo de la identidad latina, desatan emociones y evocan recuerdos de varias generaciones de personas.

“Nos emociona presentar a Luis Miguel como el vocero famoso de la inauguración para enfatizar los principios distintivos de nuestra empresa: la compasión, la atención y el respeto, así como la importancia de la familia: valores que coinciden con los de la comunidad latina”, expresó la presidenta de mercados de Alignment Health, Dawn Maroney. “Los miembros de Medicare son consumidores muy perspicaces que buscan conexiones con empresas que los celebren y les brinden confianza mientras viven sus vidas”.

La música de Luis Miguel resuena más allá de las fronteras de los países latinoamericanos. Tiene un fuerte atractivo universal y es uno de los artistas latinos con más ventas de todos los tiempos. Más allá de su éxito comercial, ha ganado seis premios Grammy y ha recibido 15 nominaciones a dichos premios, junto con seis Grammy Latinos y nueve nominaciones. Estos galardones no solo reconocen su talento, sino que también destacan su importancia en la industria musical latinoamericana.

Como empresa de Medicare Advantage de rápido crecimiento, Alignment se enorgullece de prestar servicios a más de 115,000 miembros, de los cuales más del 25% se identifican como hispanos. En reconocimiento de las necesidades específicas de este grupo de miembros y de la creciente población hispanoamericana, Alignment ofrece “el ÚNICO”, un plan HMO que incluye representantes de servicios y una red de proveedores hispanohablantes, como también material en español para los miembros.

En 2024, “el ÚNICO” estará disponible en mercados selectos de Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada y Texas, y forma parte de la diversa cartera de Alignment de planes y beneficios de MA que están disponibles para 8.5 millones de adultos que cumplen los requisitos de Medicare en los cinco estados mencionados y Carolina del Norte. Los adultos que cumplen los requisitos de Medicare pueden seleccionar planes durante el periodo de inscripción de Medicare, que finaliza el 7 de diciembre, para recibir beneficios del plan a partir del 1 de enero de 2024.

Vea el primer anuncio televisivo en alignmenthealthplan.com/luismiguel.

Harris County’s Fugitive Friday

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In an effort to keep our neighborhoods safe, Crime Stoppers of Houston and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office are seeking the public’s help locating the following individuals that have active Felony and/or Misdemeanor Warrants.

Crime Stoppers may pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the location and arrest of the suspects featured. Information may be reported by calling 713-222-TIPS (8477), submitted online at www.crime-stoppers.org or through the Crime Stoppers mobile app. All tipsters remain anonymous. Only tips and calls DIRECTLY TO Crime Stoppers are anonymous and eligible for a cash reward.

All warrants are active at the time this press release was created and is subject to change.  Crime Stoppers of Houston and this news organization are not making any legal claims that this is the most current legal status.
The following individuals all have active warrants as of November 30, 2023 at 3:40 pm.
OMAR AVILESW/M      03-12-93      5’11”/160 Lbs.      Blk/Bro
Warrant #: 1841353
SOLICIT PROST/OTHER PAYOR
Last known location: Houston Texas
EMMANUEL CHINEDU EGWIMB/M      11-17-86      5’08”/160 Lbs.      Blk/Bro
Warrant #: 1657554, 1841788
MONEY LAUNDERING >=$300K     
BAIL JUMP-FAIL TO APP-FEL    
Last known location: Houston Texas
HOLLY ELIZABETH GIBSONW/F      06-09-83      5’09”/164 Lbs.      Bln/Gry
Warrant #: 1777693
PROB VIOL POSS CS PG 1/1-B >=1G<4G     
Last known location: Houston Texas
CHELSEA MIKELLE HOGANB/F      09-18-96      5’06”/140 Lbs.      Bro/Bro
Warrant #: 1842100
THEFT >=$30,000 <$150,000
Last known location: Houston Texas
HORTENSE M MUGWANEZAB/F      01-17-93      5’09”/132 Lbs.      Bro/Bro
Warrant #: 1841796
FRAUD SECURITY BUS PRACTICE >=
Last known location: Houston Texas
OBED OBREGONW/M      05-08-92      5’07”/150 Lbs.      Bro/Bro
Warrant #: 1841706, 1841707
ASSAULT EMS PERSONNEL PROV SER x2
Last known location: Houston Texas
NANCY ESTHER RIGNEYW/F      03-17-85      5’01”/195 Lbs.      Bro/Bro
Warrant #: 1785106
PROB VIOL ABAN/ENDANG CHILD W/INT TO RET
Last known location: Houston Texas
RYAN ALAN SCHARNBERGW/M      11-11-89      6’01”/210 Lbs.      Bln/Bro
Warrant #: 1757684
ARSON   
Last known location: Pearland Texas
JASON ALEXANDER STCYRB/M      06-07-89      5’11”/150 Lbs.      Blk/Blk
Warrant #: 1832857, 1832858, 1832897
EVADING ARREST/DETENTION W/VEH
TAMP W/EVIDENCE – HUMAN CORPSE
CREDIT/DEBIT CARD ABUSE      
Last known location: Houston Texas
GUADALUPE VASQUEZW/F      04-05-84      5’04”/185 Lbs.      Blk/Bro
Warrant #: 1842106
THEFT/AGG>=$2500<$30K ELDER/NO
Last known location: Humble Texas

Harris County Officials Emphasize Year-Round Preparedness as 2023 Hurricane Season Concludes

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On November 30, Harris County officials officially marked the conclusion of the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season, taking the opportunity to emphasize the importance of continuous preparedness beyond the designated season.

While the county experienced a fortunate reprieve from tropical weather during the year, residents still grappled with unprecedented summer temperatures and drought conditions, highlighting the need for a resilient community approach. Mark Sloan, Harris County Emergency Management Coordinator, stressed the necessity of preparedness for various potential events, including hurricanes, floods, extreme cold, or heat.

The 2023 season witnessed a total of 19 named storms, with seven evolving into hurricanes, including major hurricanes Franklin, Idalia, and Lee. Tropical Storm Arlene emerged on June 2, and a burst of activity in August brought forth four tropical storms within a span of less than 48 hours: Emily, Franklin, Gert, and Harold. While Harris County avoided a direct hit from a major storm, parts of south Texas experienced heavy rains and high winds from Tropical Storm Harold, which made landfall on Padre Island.

Tropical Storm Tammy, the final system of the active season, formed on October 18. It intensified into a Category 2 Hurricane, maintaining that strength for five days before being downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone.

Even though the official hurricane season has concluded, HCOHSEM continues to urge residents to remain vigilant and well-informed throughout the year. Residents can proactively sign up for emergency alerts and access valuable disaster preparedness tools, including checklists, hurricane brochures, and resources for children, by visiting www.readyharris.org.

Looking ahead, the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season is set to commence on June 1, 2024. The county encourages residents to prioritize preparedness as an ongoing commitment to community resilience.

Pioneering Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor Passes Away at 93

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Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the inaugural woman to serve on the highest court in the United States and a pivotal swing vote throughout her nearly 25-year tenure, passed away at the age of 93 on Friday.

Renowned for her involvement in groundbreaking Supreme Court cases addressing issues such as abortion, affirmative action, and civil rights, O’Connor retired in 2006. In 2018, she disclosed her diagnosis of dementia and announced her withdrawal from public life.

Originally nominated by President Ronald Reagan, O’Connor assumed her role on the Supreme Court in 1981. Before her appointment, she had already achieved distinction as the majority leader in Arizona’s state Senate, becoming the first woman to hold that position nationally.

The Supreme Court confirmed that O’Connor succumbed to complications arising from advanced dementia and a respiratory ailment in Phoenix.

Throughout her tenure on the court, spanning three chief justices, O’Connor frequently held the decisive vote in numerous landmark cases. This made her arguably the most influential woman in the country. Notably, she played a crucial role in shaping the 1992 opinion in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, which affirmed a woman’s right to abortion while allowing states to impose additional restrictions. However, this decision, along with the court’s 1973 ruling in Roe v. Wade, was overturned by the conservative majority last year.

Hall & Oates Legal Dispute Unveils Shocking Allegations of Betrayal


In a surprising turn of events, the legal battle between iconic musical duo Hall & Oates took a dramatic twist on November 29. Daryl Hall filed court papers accusing his partner, John Oates, of a betrayal he termed the “ultimate partnership betrayal.” The court declaration, obtained by Billboard, sheds light on a complex web of disputes, personal feelings, and a looming sale of their joint venture.

The dispute, initially shrouded in mystery, revolves around Oates’ alleged secret move to sell his half of their joint venture, Whole Oats Enterprises, to music company Primary Wave. Hall described this as an “ambush” that left him “blindsided,” filing a lawsuit in Tennessee seeking to block the sale.

Hall’s unsealed declaration not only revealed details about the alleged betrayal but also highlighted ongoing issues in their musical partnership. He accused Oates of engaging in the “ultimate partnership betrayal” by attempting to sell assets without obtaining his consent. The filing hinted at a broader “divorce” between the two partners, with Hall expressing disappointment over Oates’ recent adversarial behavior.

The declaration disclosed Hall’s strong objection to partnering with Primary Wave, citing concerns over the company’s focus on exploiting copyrights, trademarks, and name and likeness rights. Hall emphasized the highly personal nature of these assets, expressing deep upset at the potential forced partnership.

Furthermore, Hall disclosed that Oates never discussed selling his share in Whole Oats Enterprises during discussions about dissolving their touring company and other joint ventures. Oates, in response, refuted accusations of breaching their agreement and insisted that Hall’s claims were not true.

The legal dispute has gripped the public’s attention since news of the lawsuit first surfaced, leading to days of speculation. A court hearing is scheduled for Thursday morning in Nashville, promising further revelations and potentially bringing clarity to this unexpected rift between the legendary musical partners.

Elon Musk’s Transformative Year at X (Formerly Twitter): Successes and Struggles

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Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, now rebranded as X, has been marked by significant changes and challenges over the past year. Musk, initially a fervent Twitter user, made headlines with a $44 billion bid for the platform, facing legal battles when attempting to backpedal on the deal due to fluctuations in tech stocks.

Since closing the debt-heavy deal on October 27, 2022, Musk wasted no time implementing substantial alterations. This includes an 80% reduction in staff, a renaming of the company to “X,” and modifications to the blue check-mark system, now reserving “verified” status for $8-per-month X Premium subscribers. Additionally, Musk initiated a test to charge users $1 per year for posting, citing the need to combat bots.

However, the aftermath of Musk’s takeover has been marked by a decline in user engagement. Numerous users, including celebrities, have reportedly left X/Twitter in response to the dramatic changes. Monthly active users for X/Twitter saw a 15% drop worldwide (18% in the U.S.) year-over-year in September 2023, according to SimilarWeb. Sensor Tower reported a 16% decrease in mobile daily active users to 183 million in the same month.

Advertising on X/Twitter has also experienced a significant downturn, with U.S. ad spending dropping by 54% from September 2022 to August 2023, according to Guideline. Musk’s decisions, such as reinstating banned accounts and his own unconventional posts, have left advertisers cautious.

Musk attributes the decline in ad sales to activist groups, including the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), accusing them of harming X’s advertising business. Despite a threat to sue the ADL for defamation, tensions seem to have eased, with the group acknowledging X’s intent to address hate speech.

In March, Musk stated that Twitter’s value had decreased by more than half, reaching $20 billion. Admitting to a cash-flow negative status in July, Musk, with an estimated net worth of $220.8 billion, expressed his commitment to transforming X into an all-encompassing platform, handling users’ entire financial lives.

Facing criticism and controversies, Musk hired Linda Yaccarino as X’s CEO in the summer, overseeing ad sales and business operations while Musk retains control over technology and product decisions. Yaccarino, however, faced challenges in staying aligned with Musk’s plans, as evidenced in her apparent lack of awareness regarding Musk’s announcement of a fee for all users.

Despite the challenges, Yaccarino remains optimistic, highlighting achievements in a blog post and claiming that X is regaining “advertiser momentum.” The company aims to launch a global payment system, with licenses secured in several states.

As X celebrates its one-year anniversary, Musk’s ambitious vision for the platform’s future and its financial outlook remain uncertain.

Renowned Diplomat Henry Kissinger Passes Away at 100

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On Wednesday, the firm representing Henry Kissinger announced the passing of the influential diplomat at the age of 100. Kissinger, who served as secretary of state and national security adviser under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, continued to be a significant voice on foreign policy matters long after leaving government service in 1977.

Known for his approach of “realpolitik,” engaging with the world based on practical objectives rather than moral ideals, Kissinger played a key role in the secret diplomacy that facilitated a thaw in U.S.-China relations. However, he faced accusations of war crimes for actions such as the bombing of Cambodia during the Vietnam War and support for Pakistan’s actions in Bangladesh.

Born as Heinz Alfred Kissinger in Germany in 1923, his Jewish family fled Nazi Germany in 1938, settling in New York City. After serving in the U.S. Army, where he became a naturalized citizen, Kissinger embarked on a distinguished academic career, eventually joining Harvard’s faculty.

In 1968, Nixon appointed Kissinger as his national security adviser, and later, he became secretary of state, holding both titles simultaneously in a historic first. Kissinger’s diplomatic efforts with the Soviet Union and China are credited with reshaping the direction of the Cold War, including landmark agreements like the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks and the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.

While he received a Nobel Peace Prize in 1973 for his role in Vietnam War talks, Kissinger faced criticism for his involvement in controversial actions, such as the U.S. carpet-bombing of Cambodia and support for undemocratic regimes in Chile and Pakistan.

After leaving government, Kissinger remained a prominent figure in foreign policy, advising multiple presidents and offering insights into global events. Even in his late 90s, he continued to contribute to discussions on international affairs.

Survived by his two children from his first marriage, Elizabeth and David, and his wife, Nancy, whom he married in 1974, Kissinger’s passing marks the end of an era for American diplomacy. His legacy is celebrated by some, while others remember the controversies surrounding his influential career.