• In a surprise attack, Israeli missiles killed a top Palestinian commander of Islamic Jihad in Gaza, Bahu Abu al-Ata. In response to the assassination, Iran-backed Islamic Jihad fired more than 450 rockets into Israel before a ceasefire negotiated by Egypt and the United Nations, took hold.
(“Israel Kills Senior Islamic Jihad Commander in Gaza,” New York Times, Nov. 12, 2019; “PM Sought Abu Al-Ata’s Killing After Rocket Forced Him off Stage Before Election,” Times of Israel, Nov. 12, 2019)
• In the aftermath of another year of deadly wildfires, California Gov. Gavin Newsom blasted electric utility Pacific Gas & Electric for paying huge bonuses to the company’s executives and cash dividends to its investors instead of spending more on infrastructure upgrades that could have prevented the fires.
(“PG&E Helped Fund the Careers of Calif. Governor and His Wife. Now He Accuses the Utility of ’Corporate Greed,” Washington Post, Nov. 11, 2019)
• Twenty years ago, a broad alliance of labor and social activists mobilized in Seattle, Washington to protest the emerging World Trade Organization that set new pro-corporate rules on global trade.
(“The Battle for Seattle at 20,” American Prospect, Nov. 11, 2019)
This week’s News Summary was narrated by Elaine Osowski.
