News Of The Week Roundup: Week 47, 2021
Hanukkah starts to tonight - Chag Sameach to our Jewish friends!
I've had a nice day, watching my Cincinnati Bengals absolutely destroy the Pittsburgh Steelers. The news of the past week was dominated by the Thanksgiving holiday, the Ahmaud Arbery verdict and a scary new COVID variant.
At its core, Hanukkah recounts a story at the heart of the human spirit — one that is inherently Jewish and undeniably American. From my family to yours, we wish you and your loved ones a Chanukah Sameach, a Happy Hanukkah!
— President Biden (@POTUS) November 28, 2021
All three men accused of killing black jogger Ahmaud Arbery were found guilty last week. The case was pretty cut and dry - the three white men basically followed Arbery and gunned him down in some weird vigilante justice sort of way. The convicted men face federal charges for the killing early next year.
Despite criticism that the jury in the Ahmaud Arbery killing trial included only one Black person, CNN senior legal analyst Laura Coates said they all came to the same conclusion: "That a human being was hunted down and killed." https://t.co/gW6li3ce7i pic.twitter.com/5oy6PF2fPW
— CNN Newsroom (@CNNnewsroom) November 24, 2021
"Brunswick, Georgia will go down in history as the place that criminal justice took a different turn," Rev. Sharpton says after three men found guilty of felony murder in death of Ahmaud Arbery. https://t.co/9SQbviNgrb
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) November 24, 2021
The new variant of COVID-19 is called Omicron. The World Health Organization marked it as a variant of concern. Omicron was discovered in South Africa. There is still so much not known about the variant, but it is pretty clear is has spread further than most hoped - especially in the UK. Travel restrictions are starting up again and America will bar travelers from many South African nations starting tomorrow. Canada, the UK, Australia, Israel and many more are doing the same. Seems like the best things people can do is get the vaccine and stay away from big crowds and mask when around a lot of people.
WHO update on Omicron, the new #COVID19 variant of concern: What we know & what we don't https://t.co/OVSKb74pHd
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) November 28, 2021
BREAKING: World Health Organization says 'not yet clear' if Omicron causes more severe disease and that rise in hospitalizations in South Africa could be due to increasing overall numbers of infections, 'rather than a result of specific infection with Omicron'
— The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) November 28, 2021
Lots of smash and grab crime at high end stores the past week, especially in California. The thieves apparently really like to strike high-end designers for handbags. I've mentioned before I have a bag fetish so this has interested me enough to follow closely. Stealing infuriates me. Of course, grabbing a loaf of bead to feed your kids is one thing. Nabbing a $4,000 purse is quite another. Of course, these groups are not "randoms" - it is all organized crime. I suppose all the high-end merchandise ends up immediately on reseller web sites. Thing is, bags from places like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Prada, Fendi and the like all are basically microchipped now. All the wares will be reported stolen, so dealers like The Real Real won't touch the stuff.
Retailers are ramping up security to combat organized theft rings amid rise of smash-and-grab robberies. https://t.co/a4JQXE1uNL
— NBC News (@NBCNews) November 28, 2021
Looters? 25 cars blocked a street so 80 people could go into a Nordstrom, pepper spray and physically attack employees, and steal things in a robbery that lasted ONE MINUTE. That sounds more like organized crime. https://t.co/G23xZy9twl
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) November 21, 2021
80 looters simultaneously broke into a Nordstrom near San Francisco, police say: ‘Clearly a planned event’ https://t.co/gz2Mw1SMg9
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) November 22, 2021
And speaking of The Real Real, a shopping trend that is taking off is buying resale, which I love. I prefer ThredUp personally because it is cheaper - but this is great to see. Consider secondhand this holiday season. It's good for the earth and your wallet! I try to not buy anything new clothing-wise anymore. There is so much good stuff out there with lots of life left that should not be in a landfill.
Shoppers are buying from resale retailers more than ever. Here's why https://t.co/vamyYzsxsl
— CNBC (@CNBC) November 28, 2021
And I leave you with this little nugget of music news:
NITA STRAUSS Lands First Top-10 Billboard Mainstream Rock Hit By A Lead Solo Female Artist In Over 25 Years https://t.co/Y6tpnMlrIU pic.twitter.com/wrI3I4mKVr
— BLABBERMOUTH.NET (@BLABBERMOUTHNET) November 26, 2021