This Week in Historyby Dianne Hermann “History is a vast early warning system.” Norman Cousins Nov. 27-Dec. 3‚ 2023 November 27 1870 – The New York Times dubs baseball “The National Game.” 1924 – In New York City‚ the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is held. Watch a History Channel report on the history of […] The post This Week in History: Nov. 27-Dec. 23‚ 2023 appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) stated that the US is obligated to fund Ukraine’s war before doing anything on the US Border [where an invasion is taking place]. House Republicans advanced a bipartisan funding bill that includes aid for Israel. President Biden has vowed to veto any standalone packages that do not include $61 billion+ in […] The post Democrat Sen. Says We’re Obligated to Ukraine Before Our Border appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

Every Sunday morning‚ legacy media outlets are taken over by elected officials‚ aspiring elected officials‚ administration insiders‚ and the usual collection of talking heads — all of whom are there to discuss specific policies‚ push talking points‚ or simply promote their own campaigns. For those who don’t spend their Sunday mornings glued to the television — and their Sunday afternoons attempting to unravel a full week’s worth of network and cable news media spin — The Daily Wire has compiled a short summary of what you may have missed. ABC News‚ “This Week”: Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) joined ABC News anchor Jonathan Karl on “This Week” to discuss the ongoing situation in Gaza and the temporary pause in fighting that has allowed for the release of a few of the Israeli hostages who were taken from their homes during the October 7th massacre perpetrated by Hamas terrorists. Khanna began his assessment by insisting‚ as a number of Democrats — up to and including President Joe Biden — have in recent weeks that the only real solution to the conflict is a two-state solution. They have continued to make this assertion in spite of that fact that a two-state solution has been offered on multiple occasions‚ and Palestinian leadership in Gaza — Hamas — has rejected it out of hand. CHECK OUT THE DAILY WIRE BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE The California congressman went on to argue that the Israeli Defense Forces had already diminished Hamas’ military capabilities in recent weeks‚ and claimed that Hamas was likely to gain political support as long as the war continued and they could use dead civilians as propaganda. Khanna concluded by repeating the casualty counts provided by the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry‚ claiming that 12‚000 Palestinian civilians had been killed in Israel’s efforts to kill 2‚000 Hamas terrorists — and argued that the ratio was unacceptable. “What is Israel’s plan? Are they going to try to kill 40‚000 fighters? 12‚000 Palestinians who have died on 2‚000 fighters…That's not a realistic solution‚” Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna tells @JonKarl. https://t.co/M7ByVTcKdE pic.twitter.com/jOWEuIeCek — This Week (@ThisWeekABC) November 26‚ 2023 CBS News‚ “Face the Nation”: Qatar’s Prime Minister joined host Margaret Brennan on CBS News’ “Face the Nation‚” where he said that he remained “hopeful” that the temporary pause in fighting could be extended and more hostages released in the coming days. “This is something we cannot confirm yet until we get to the fourth day‚” al Thani said. “Then Hamas should present the list if they are available.” Al Thani also addressed the future of Hamas leaders — who have been living in luxury in Qatar while the Palestinian people live in poverty in Gaza — and claiming that Qatari officials only ever dealt with Hamas political leaders‚ never the military leaders within the terrorist group. Qatari Prime Minister Al Thani says he's "hopeful" the four-day truce between Israel and Hamas can be extended‚ if Hamas can produce more hostages. "This is something we cannot confirm yet until we get to the fourth day. Then Hamas should present the list if they are available." pic.twitter.com/MiQggOVorh — Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) November 26‚ 2023 CNN‚ “State of the Union”: Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Herzog joined CNN anchor Dana Bash on Sunday morning’s broadcast of “State of the Union‚” and he said that Israel was prepared to pick up the military offensive against Hamas as soon as the temporary pause in fighting expires. The four-day pause was put into place in order to facilitate the safe release of Israeli hostages‚ who have been held in Gaza by Hamas since the terrorist group breached the border on October 7th and killed more than 1‚400 people — many of them civilians. And while some have called for a longer ceasefire in the hopes of getting more hostages released‚ Israeli officials have been adamant that securing the safe return of hostages was only a part of their strategy — and that they plan to continue the war until they fully eliminate Hamas from Gaza. .@AmbHerzog tells @DanaBashCNN that Israel will resume its offensive against Hamas once the four-day pause expires if more hostages aren’t released. #CNNSOTUhttps://t.co/hjBOSbamgr — State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) November 26‚ 2023 NBC News‚ “Meet the Press”: Brendan Buck‚ Leigh Ann Caldwell and Symone Sanders-Townsend took part in a panel discussion on NBC’s “Meet the Press‚” and in addition to a conversation about the imminent release of hostages from Gaza‚ they also discussed President Joe Biden’s uphill battle when it came to re-election. The issue‚ as anchor Kristen Welker pointed out‚ was that fact that Biden continued to lean in to touting “Bidenomics” even though the American people were not feeling the relief that his administration has continued to insist is happening‚ whether they see it or not. GET 50% OFF DAILYWIRE+ ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS The end result‚ as the panelists noted‚ was that the American people were not looking at their financial situations and thinking that‚ first‚ things were looking up — and second‚ that they had the Biden administration to thank for that. Full Panel: Bidenomics has become a 'negative word' amongst Democrats https://t.co/yahGTwRmZU — Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) November 26‚ 2023 FOX‚ “Fox News Sunday”: Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) joined “Fox News Sunday” anchor Shannon Bream to discuss the pause in fighting between Israel and Hamas‚ and he argued that it had been made necessary by President Biden and the fact that‚ “behind the scenes‚” he had pressured the Israelis to make concessions that were not in their best interest. Among those concessions‚ Cotton said‚ was the decision to include fuel in the aid that was sent into Gaza. The Arkansas Senator explained that giving fuel to Gaza — which is controlled by Hamas — was effectively giving “ammunition” to the enemy. Cotton also said that Hamas’ decision not to release American hostages in the first group showed the terrorist group’s contempt for Biden and the “weakness” he has projected on the global stage. WATCH: @SenTomCotton reacts to the temporary cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war. pic.twitter.com/i0hAeDw3Jt — Fox News Sunday (@FoxNewsSunday) November 26‚ 2023 MSNBC‚ “Inside With Jen Psaki”: Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) sat down with former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on her MSNBC show to discuss the Israel-Hamas War‚ and attempted to thread a very narrow needle. He claimed that even amid the current hostilities‚ it was possible to be “pro-Palestinian‚ anti-Hamas‚ and pro-Jewish state and against the leadership of Israel right now.” Swalwell said that he agreed that Hamas was a terrorist organization — and affirmed Israel’s right to self-defense — and concluded by joining others in pushing the “two-state solution” that Palestinian leaders and Hamas have repeatedly rejected. .@RepSwalwell: "You can say Hamas is a terrorist state. You can say Israel should protect against innocent life. You can be pro-Palestinian‚ anti-Hamas‚ and pro-Jewish state and against the leadership of Israel right now‚ and not be contradictory." pic.twitter.com/9HtVSfOCHo — Inside with Jen Psaki (@InsideWithPsaki) November 26‚ 2023 Ben Rhodes‚ who worked in former President Barack Obama’s White House‚ also spoke to Psaki about the hostage deal with Hamas — and he said that every agreement was a “test” of what the other party was willing to do or capable of doing. “In these kinds of situations‚ the only thing you know is whether or not the party you’re dealing with can deliver on something they say they’re going to do‚” he said. “So you’re testing with each agreement what Hamas is capable of delivering here.” "In these kinds of situations‚ the only thing you know is whether or not the party you're dealing with can deliver on something they say they're going to do. So you're testing with each agreement what Hamas is capable of delivering here." @brhodes on Israel-Hamas hostage deal. pic.twitter.com/bC4pg6Cg3n — Inside with Jen Psaki (@InsideWithPsaki) November 26‚ 2023

Arkansas GOP Senator Tom Cotton ripped President Joe Biden when he discussed American hostages still held by the terrorist group Hamas‚ asserting that the terrorist group is simply contemptuous of Biden. Cotton appeared on Fox News with Shannon Bream‚ who noted Cotton’s service in the military overseas‚ then asked‚ “What do you make about this call for using special forces to get our folks out?” “We should certainly be open to that; we have elite special operation forces who are specifically trained in hostage rescue‚” Cotton answered‚ before pointing out that any action would have to be coordinated with the Israeli forces fighting Hamas in Gaza. “I do think we have to be deferential to the Israelis‚ to the Israeli government and the Israeli Defense Forces about the tactical situation on the ground. But if American military forces are called upon and can provide a viable solution to get out American citizens and the citizens of Israel or other nations then we have to be open to that.” Then he took aim at Biden’s perceived weakness among terrorist groups abroad: But again‚ it’s not just those small special operations units that we have trained; we have two aircraft carriers in the region; we’ve increased the number of troops and aircraft in the region. Yet Hamas is still so contemptuous of President Biden that it hasn’t yet released American hostages. This would never have happened under Donald Trump or Ronald Reagan. In fact‚ if you will recall Jimmy Carter had a hostage crisis with Iran‚ Hamas’ patron‚ for over 400 days. Iran released those hostages the day Ronald Reagan took office‚ because they were so scared of what Ronald Reagan might do to them.  You don’t see that kind of fear of President Biden from Hamas‚ or Iran‚ or frankly‚ anyone around the world. Even before Biden was elected president‚ Cotton — who deployed to both Afghanistan and Iraq‚ serving in combat units including the 506th Infantry Regiment and the 101st Airborne — slammed Biden before for his weakness on foreign policy; in April 2020‚ Cotton penned a piece titled‚ “Joe Biden Is China’s Choice for President.” Cotton listed Biden’s actions: Biden had shot down opposition to granting China most-favored-nation trade status and World Trade Organization membership in the 1990s when Biden served as the senior Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as well as Biden praising Chinese president Xi Jinping as he seized absolute power. Cotton also said that Biden “continued to push for closer ties [with China] and even more trade‚” while millions of American jobs were being lost. He concluded‚ “The competition between the United States and China‚ strategic and economic‚ will define the next century for our nation. We will need to be led by presidents for whom there’s no question as to which side they are on.”

In a sweeping move that has left many communities reeling‚ PNC Bank has recently closed 19 branches across the United States in a single week. This action is part of a broader trend among major financial institutions‚ including US Bank‚ JPMorgan Chase‚ and Bank of America‚ which have also been reducing their physical presence‚ leaving customers questioning the future of in-person banking services. The closures‚ which occurred between November 12th and November 18th‚ have particularly affected Pennsylvania‚ Illinois‚ and Texas‚ with multiple locations shuttered in each state. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) was notified of these changes‚ as banks are required to do so‚ but the regulator’s power stops there; they cannot object to the closures. @Chase There is no other branch for almost 3 miles &; this one is locked up! There is no signage about closures or construction. Just a sealed bank. Guess my money is safe after all; even I can’t get to it. pic.twitter.com/pn6g6qilqk — HolliWoode   (@HolliWoode) April 16‚ 2022 US Bank followed closely behind PNC in the number of closures‚ planning to eliminate seven branches‚ three of which are located in Tennessee. Citizens Bank targeted six branches for closure‚ all within New York State. Meanwhile‚ both Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase have announced the closure of four branches each‚ though Chase plans to offset its closures by opening 12 new branches. These closures are part of a disturbing trend that has seen a total of 1‚144 national and regional bank branches close their doors from January to July of this year alone. This pattern is not only inconvenient for customers but also raises concerns about the availability of basic financial services‚ especially in underserved communities. EXPLOSIVE: ANZ deepthroat exposes deliberate bank deception to close branches The most revealing line in this explosive story comes from an ANZ supervisor:"If customers want service‚ it’s on our terms."That is the attitude of a cartel! #auspolhttps://t.co/uZRFav3DdE — Australian Citizens Party (@CitizensPartyAU) November 22‚ 2023 A recent poll highlighted the growing unease among consumers‚ with over half expressing concern about the dwindling number of bank branches. The survey also shed light on a racial disparity in banking access‚ revealing that black Americans are less likely to have a local branch compared to their white counterparts. The impact of these closures extends beyond mere statistics. For many‚ the local bank branch is more than just a place to conduct transactions; it’s a community hub where relationships are built‚ and personalized service is provided. The shift towards online banking‚ while convenient for some‚ does not meet the needs of all customers‚ particularly the elderly‚ those without reliable internet access‚ or individuals who prefer face-to-face interactions for complex financial matters. Financial institutions argue that the closures are a necessary response to the changing landscape of banking‚ with more customers opting for digital services over traditional brick-and-mortar locations. However‚ this rationale does little to comfort those who rely on their local branches. As banks continue to pivot towards digital platforms‚ one must question whether enough is being done to ensure that all Americans have equal access to essential financial services. The industry’s drive for efficiency and cost-cutting should not overshadow the need for inclusivity and community support. The recent wave of bank branch closures is a stark reminder of the evolving financial sector. While progress and innovation are inevitable‚ they must be balanced with the responsibility to serve all members of society equitably. As we witness the transformation of our banking system‚ it is imperative that we advocate for solutions that bridge the gap between the old and the new‚ ensuring no customer is left behind. The post Nationwide Bank Branch Closures Signal Shift in Financial Service Accessibility appeared first on The Conservative Brief.

Buddy the golden retriever used to be the baby of the household‚ but nowadays he’s been promoted to babysitter. We have to say‚ he’s doing an excellent job! The Matthews family‚ better known by their social media handle Life with Malamutes‚ highlighted some of Buddy’s sweetest moments with their kids in a beautiful YouTube video. Spanning from the puppy’s first visit to the birth of new baby Nathan‚ the footage shows how much this canine has cared for his “kids” throughout the years. The bond between this golden retriever and the family’s babies is too pure for words. Screengrab from Life with Malamutes/YouTube Technically‚ Buddy doesn’t live in the Matthews household. They explained in an Instagram post that the golden retriever belongs to another relative. However‚ the pooch still treats Nathan and his older sister‚ Amelia‚ as though they were his own! The golden retriever’s bond with the family’s baby just proves that love knows no bounds. We see plenty of pets grow attached to infants within their own household‚ but this pup is an “uncle” to the baby and still shares that special bond! Watch the video below to see the adorable relationship develop between these kids and their four-legged friend. You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post Family’s Golden Retriever Instantly Adopts New Infants As His Own. appeared first on InspireMore.

Prepare for a level of absurdity and cuteness you’ve never before seen fused together: Neil the Seal. A Tasmanian woman was recently housebound due to a visitor that she didn’t expect. A seal in her yard! She woke up to the sound of rustling near her vehicle and assumed that‚ unfortunately‚ her car was being broken into. However‚ what was happening was quite a bit sillier! This image is from TikTok. Neil the Seal was dropping by for a visit! After moving around the yard for a bit‚ Neil settled in for a nap in front of the woman’s car‚ leaving her unable to get to work. She called her boss and‚ as the clip says‚ received a “seal of approval” to miss work that day. Neil seemed comfortable‚ but the woman wasn’t sure what was going on. She reached out to marine experts to inquire about the seal‚ and they informed her that this was a normal part of Neil’s routine! In fact‚ he’s been equipped with a tracking device to ensure that he doesn’t wind up in an unsafe situation! Check out Neil’s full story below. BRB… catching a flight to Tasmania! @thatgoodnewsgirl A woman had no choice but to stay home from work when Neil the seal chose her front yard as his nap spot. Thanks‚ Neil! Neil the elephant seal is a respected resident in Tasmania. The local marine conservation experts manage an IG account for him: neiltheseal22 Amber Harris / neiltheseal22 #seal #sealtok #marinelife #goodnews #positivecontent ♬ original sound – jenn good news &; fun stories The featured image for this post is from TikTok. The post Neil The Seal “Forces” A Tasmanian Woman To Play Hooky. appeared first on InspireMore.

A group of marine life researchers were surprised when they found a shark off the coast of Belize that could only be described as “really‚ really‚ old.” That’s because the animal was a Greenland shark‚ which can live to be over 500 years old. While the exact age of the fish was unclear‚ it was still a very rare find. Typically‚ these sharks prefer the Arctic to warmer waters. “It was just very surprising and confusing‚” said Devanshi Kasana‚ Ph.D. candidate at the Predator Ecology and Conservation lab at Florida International University‚ according to NPR. “As soon as it entered our field of vision‚ we saw a black figure that was getting bigger and bigger. When it came to the surface‚ none of the crew with all of their combined fishing experience had seen anything like that.” Screengrab from 7News Belize/YouTube What makes researchers believe Greenland sharks can live up to 500 years old? Scientists aren’t exactly sure‚ but they believe it might have something to do with the frigid waters they live in. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says it’s possible that these animals age slowly because of their lethargic metabolisms‚ which could be the result of a colder climate. They don’t even finish puberty until somewhere around the age of 100! Wikimedia Commons Another thing that was unusual about Devanshi and her team’s catch was that their setup was not geared toward this type of shark at all. In fact‚ the waters they were exploring were shallower than these creatures typically like to swim. However‚ it’s possible that the shark could have been hanging out in one of the area’s drop-offs. Wikimedia Commons “It slopes suddenly and the depth goes really deep really fast‚” Devanshi explained‚ adding‚ “If we were to catch another individual it would be sheer luck‚ we don’t set our lines in a way that targets Greenland sharks.” Not wanting to accidentally injure the rare animal‚ the scientists refrained from any tagging. However‚ they did take a picture before releasing the shark back into the water. Watch the video below to learn more about the intriguing find! You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post Oldest Living Animal? Arctic Shark Could Be Half A Millennium Old. appeared first on InspireMore.