The Daily Factum
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Allegations of Sexual Violence During Hamas Attack Spark Protests at UN Headquarters
Broke On: Monday, 04 December 2023Protests were held at the UN Headquarters in New York, highlighting allegations of sexual assaults during the October 7th Hamas attack in Israel. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and an Israeli women's rights campaigner have called on the UN to denounce Hamas for allegedly using sexual violence as a weapon of war. Hamas has dismissed these allegations as unfounded lies. Supreme Court Considers Tax Case with Potential to Impact Wealth Tax Plans
Broke On: Tuesday, 05 December 2023The Supreme Court is hearing a case involving a retired couple challenging a provision in the 2017 corporate tax cut. The couple argues that they are being unconstitutionally taxed on unrealized income from their foreign investment. Justice Alito has rejected calls for his recusal due to his ties with one of the lawyers involved in the case. Tax experts warn that a ruling in favor of the couple could lead to chaos and years of tax litigation. Escalation in Israel-Hamas Conflict: Civilian Casualties Rise as Humanitarian Crisis Worsens
Broke On: Monday, 04 December 2023Israeli forces have advanced into southern Gaza, particularly targeting Khan Younis, leading to an increase in civilian casualties and a worsening humanitarian crisis. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 15,000 Palestinians, including thousands of children and women. The main hospital in Khan Younis is severely overcrowded and lacks medical staff and supplies. Israeli forces claim to have destroyed a significant number of Hamas tunnel shafts, many of which were located in civilian areas. The first death of a Lebanese soldier due to an Israeli attack has been reported. Rise in Prevalence of New COVID-19 Variant BA.2.86, WHO Approves Novavax's Updated Vaccine
Broke On: Tuesday, 28 November 2023Nearly 1 in 10 new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. are from the BA.2.86 variant, a figure that has tripled in the past two weeks. The WHO has approved Novavax's updated COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use. Rapper Young Thug's Trial Begins: Art or Evidence?
Broke On: Monday, 27 November 2023Rapper Young Thug, real name Jeffery Williams, is on trial under a RICO indictment, accused of leading a criminal gang named Young Slime Life (YSL). The prosecution alleges that Williams used his music and influence to promote his gang and lead them in committing crimes. The defense insists that Williams' music is a reflection of his upbringing, not a chronicle of his activities. The trial has sparked controversy, with critics arguing it violates constitutionally protected expression and unfairly targets artists of color. Spotify Wrapped 2023: A Yearly Recap of Music Listening Habits
Broke On: Monday, 27 November 2023Spotify Wrapped 2023 is expected to be released at the end of November or early December. The feature provides a summary of users' music listening habits for the year. Spotify Wrapped is available to both premium and non-premium subscribers. The data is only accessible on mobile devices. Spotify stops tracking users' streaming habits for Wrapped on October 31st each year. Mark Cuban in Talks to Sell Majority Stake in Dallas Mavericks to Sands Casino Family
Broke On: Tuesday, 28 November 2023Mark Cuban is reportedly selling a majority stake in the Dallas Mavericks to the Adelson family, who runs the Las Vegas Sands casino company. The deal is estimated to be worth around $3.5 billion. Cuban will retain control of basketball operations and remain the Mavericks' governor. Colorado Buffaloes End Season with Loss, Coach Sanders Expresses Optimism for Future
Broke On: Saturday, 25 November 2023The Colorado Buffaloes ended their season with a 23-17 loss to Utah, marking their sixth consecutive defeat. The Buffaloes were without their injured starting quarterback, Shedeur Sanders, and instead, true freshman Ryan Staub made his starting debut. Coach Deion Sanders expressed optimism about the team's future, stating that the Buffaloes are 'heading in the right direction' and 'trending forward'. Failures in the first year of Sanders' tenure as coach included the neglect of the offensive line, a devastating loss to Stanford, and numerous unforced errors. Successes included a promising start to the season, an upgrade in talent, and generating significant hype for the team. GM Announces Investor-Focused Initiatives Amid Labor Strikes and Setbacks
Broke On: Wednesday, 29 November 2023GM is increasing its quarterly dividend by 33% and initiating a $10 billion share repurchase program. The company is also reinstating its 2023 guidance after a year of labor strikes and setbacks in its plans for electric and autonomous vehicles. GM's new labor deals will cost it $9.3 billion, translating to about $575 per vehicle over the life of the deals. COP28 President Accused of Planning to Push Fossil Fuel Deals
Broke On: Monday, 27 November 2023Sultan Al Jaber, the president of COP28, is accused of planning to use his position to push fossil fuel deals. Al Jaber is also the CEO of the world's sixth-largest oil company, the state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc). The leaked document suggests that the UAE is using its position as the host of the COP28 climate talks to lobby for oil and gas deals globally.