This morning begins a four-day ceasefire in Gaza, setting the table for hostages to be released. And if you are looking for a Black Friday deal, the U.S. Marshals might have some for you. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, Nov. 24, 2023.
Four-day ceasefire in Gaza begins
This morning marks the beginning of a four-day ceasefire between Israeli and Hamas forces in Gaza following weeks of secret hostage negotiations. The ceasefire, beginning at 7 am local time, is expected to last at least four days, giving Gaza residents a break from near-constant bombardment and allowing aid into Gaza.
During the pause in fighting, Hamas is expected to release 50 women and children who were taken captive during Hamas’ Oct. 7 terror attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people. It has been reported that during the attack in October, Hamas took nearly 250 hostages.
Hamas said that during the ceasefire, Israel will release 150 Palestinian prisoners.
Also, this morning, the ceasefire allowed more aid to enter Gaza. According to Israeli officials, four trucks carrying fuel made their way into Gaza on Friday morning, Nov. 24, adding that more than 34,000 gallons of fuel will be delivered to Gaza during the ceasefire, a critical need to keep lights on at hospitals, power water treatment facilities, and other critical infrastructure in Gaza.
Still, according to the United Nations, that amount of fuel is significantly lower than the more than 260,000 gallons needed daily.
The four-day truce, which was brokered with the help of officials in Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S., may be extended with the additional release of hostages. According to Qatari officials, the first 13 hostages are set to be freed Friday afternoon, Nov. 24.
Fiery crash that killed 2 at U.S.-Canada border likely not terrorism
A deadly crash at the U.S.-Canada border in Niagara Falls, New York, on Wednesday, Nov. 22, received a lot of media attention, with fear that this may have been a result of a terror attack.
I want to be very, very clear to Americans and New Yorkers. At this time, there is no indication of a terrorist attack.
Gov. Kathy Hochul
With the fear of terrorism surrounding the crash, the FBI announced it concluded its investigation and declared it found no evidence of terrorism.
“I just returned from the scene of a horrific accident that led to a high-level of anxiety all the way from Western New York to Albany to Washington, but before I describe the details, I want to be very, very clear to Americans and New Yorkers. At this time, there is no indication of a terrorist attack,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “Let me repeat that at this time there is no indication of a terrorist involved attack here at the Rainbow Bridge in western New York.”
In a security camera video, you can see a car speeding, going airborne, and then exploding on the Rainbow Bridge crossing Niagara Falls.
The driver and the only passenger in the car died, according to officials. CNN reported that the couple from New York, who have yet to be identified by law enforcement, were planning to attend a Kiss concert in Canada that had recently been canceled.
The crash shut down multiple border crossings in Western New York, but all have reopened. After concluding its investigation, the FBI turned the scene over to local law enforcement.
NYC mayor facing sexual assault allegations
New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who is at the center of an FBI probe into his campaign finances, is now being accused of sexual assault. The allegations stem from his time as a New York City police officer in 1993.
A lawsuit filed under the Adult Survivors Act in New York on Wednesday, Nov. 22, alleges that Adams sexually assaulted the plaintiff while they were working for the city. The plaintiff is seeking $5 million in damages.
The Guardian reported that Mayor Adams denied the allegations, stating that he does not know the plaintiff and would never physically harm another person.
The Adult Survivors Act gives sex assault accusers a one-year window to retroactively file civil suits, which otherwise would have been blocked due to the statute of limitations; that window expires Friday, Nov. 24.
World Health Organization looking into cluster of pneumonia cases in children in China
The World Health Organization is investigating a cluster of pneumonia cases in children in China following an alert on Tuesday, Nov. 21, calling for more information about undiagnosed pneumonia in China.
The standard alert, which looked and read similar to a 2019 alert about the illness that stopped the world in its tracks, COVID-19, led to some fear the world was looking at the beginning of another potential global pandemic. The WHO, though, is urging that we don’t jump to conclusions about pandemics just yet.
According to a WHO release, scientists attribute the rise in respiratory illness to lifting COVID restrictions, adding that this is likely a rise in common respiratory illnesses, like the flu, and could be an uptick in COVID cases.
The WHO added that it always requests additional information when unknown diseases are reported as part of its International Health Regulations System.
Amazon workers around the world strike as Black Friday begins
More than 1,000 Amazon workers hit the picket line in Europe as one of the year’s busiest shopping days gets underway. At Amazon’s Coventry warehouse in the UK, one of the online retailer’s busiest hubs, workers are the first to strike as Amazon workers globally call for better wages.
It comes as Amazon extended its Black Friday deals throughout a couple of days with millions of consumers ready to cash in on the savings.
Workers in the U.S., Germany, Italy, and dozens of other countries are expected to leave the job. Some workers told The Independent that working at Amazon is physically and mentally draining. Reuters is reporting that an Amazon spokesperson said the strike will not cause any disruption in Black Friday operations.
News of the strikes follow walk outs across several states in the U.S. as drivers have looked for wage increased and better working conditions.
Five for Friday: most interesting goods auctioned by U.S. Marshals
Black Friday is all about shopping; well, how about a trip to the auction block?
From Hermes bags to rare Pokémon cards, you never know what law enforcement may seize from criminals to auction off to the highest bidder. Each year, the U.S. Marshals Service gets tens of millions of dollars’ worth of wild goods.
Bloomberg analyzed years of data, and our Simone Del Rosario broke down some of the most interesting and expensive scores.
- Irish sport horse: $60,000
- Ferretti Yacht: $3.2 million
- 2 Boston Whaler boats: $815,000
- 1994 Raytheon Hawker 800 plane: $405,000
- 1991 Ferrari f40: $760,000
You can see what luxuries round out the rest of the list in the Five for Friday report.
