This Week in History, Nov 18 - Nov 24
Nov 18, 1991
Terry Waite released. Shiite Muslim kidnappers in Lebanon free Anglican Church envoy Terry Waite after more than four years of captivity. Waite, looking thinner and his hair grayer, was freed along with American educator Thomas M. Sutherland after intense negotiations by the United Nations.
Nov 19, 1863
MIDDLE EAST MAYHEM. Hundreds of Israeli Strikes Dozens of Gaza Rockets Into Israel.
Israel attacks on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, with 300 air strikes, killing a dozen people and destroying key Palestinian targets.
OIL RIG CADAVER. Body Found Near Burned Gulf Oil Rig.
Divers in the Gulf of Mexico recovered a body in the waters near the site that caught fire, U.S. Coast Guard officials confirmed.
MISSOURI MANIAC. Would-be Killer Targets Walmart.
One of the largest retailers may be facing a holidaze this season. Protesting their low wages, high health care premiums, and allegations of retaliation from managers, workers at Wal-Mart Stores are beginning to walk off the job. First, some workers at Wal-Mart’s distribution warehouses in California have decided to walk, followed by more from half a doze Seattle stores.
In response to the impact of Hurricane Sandy, the Parks Department is engaging our volunteer network like never before. More than 5,000 people have participated in park Hurricane Sandy clean-up activities to date. This weekend, the volunteer effort will continue at several sites across the city.
Please register online at www.nyc.gov/service.
Clean-up sites include:
Bronx
Pelham Parkway (Saturday, November 17, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
Pelham Parkway North & Esplanade
Brooklyn
Canarsie Park (Saturday, November 17, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
Queen Elizabeth ascends to the throne of England. On November 17, 1558, Queen Elizabeth I ascended the throne of England, succeeding her half-sister Mary. Elizabeth was the first-born child of Anne Boleyn, King Henry VIII’s second wife. In 1536, while Elizabeth was 2 years old, her mother was executed due in large part to her inability to bear Henry a son.
RENEWED MIDEAST FIGHTING. Testing Israeli Defense System.
Israel increases its aerial assault on Hamas targets inside Gaza as its troops prepare for a possible ground invasion. Meanwhile, a missile defense shield jointly developed with the U.S. is intercepting 90 percent of Palestinian rockets that appear to be a threat.
TERRORISM IN BENGHAZI. US Was Attacked By Terrorists.
Petraeus informs U.S. lawmakers at a closed-door testimony, but does not clearly state when CIA reached that conclusion.
U.N. NIKE INSPECTION. Nuclear Inspectors Worried About Iran.
US Military Joint Chiefs are holding a meeting in 'Ethics, Behavior. Toppers want to keep philandering from infecting their ranks.
The U.S. military's brass will be meeting next week to discuss the scandal that forced retired Gen. David Petraeus to resign. The group wants to make sure senior military leaders aren't taking the same risks with their careers.
Petraeus reportedly had an extended affair with his biographer, 40-year-old Paula Broadwell, a reserve Army officer. Petraeus, 60, has been married to his wife Holly for 38 years.
VIOLENCE ALONG GAZA. Ground Attack
More attacks as Israel responds to Palestinian airstrikes by moving troops and heavy weapons in Gaza.
HORRIBLE ACCIDENT. Vietnam Veterans Parade.
A train slams into a parade float headed to an event honoring wounded veterans, killing at least four and injuring many others in Texas.
OBAMA, CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS MEET. Are US Toppers Serious On Fiscal Cliff?
Claims from both sides of a willingness to make a deal, our divided government's ability to attack economic woes is no guarantee now, nor ever..
Swimming. You might call swimming the perfect workout. The buoyancy of the water supports your body and takes the strain off painful joints so you can move them more fluidly. Swimming is good for individuals with arthritis because it's less weight bearing. Research finds that swimming can improve your mental state and put you in a better mood. Water aerobics is another option. These classes help you burn calories and tone up.
Obama toured Staten Island along with Gov. Cuomo, Mayor Bloomberg, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan and Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer.
The president promised to work with Congress to come up with the resources necessary to support the restoration of the area.Obama arrived on Staten Island via helicopter.
He also toured parts of Queens and Brooklyn that were hit hard by Sandy.