Articles by Eli Auslender
Bangladeshi Ferry Carrying 250 Passengers Capsizes
A ferry carrying around 250 passengers capsized in Bangladesh's Padma River in the Munshiganj district, killing at least two people, authorities have stated. Many more are likely dead, though no official body count has been released.
Argentina Enters its Second Default in 13 Years
In a move that surprised very few on Wednesday, credit rating agency Standard & Poor's deemed Argentina to be in default of its debt to bondholders in New York. The default has been perceived as imminent, as the negotiations between Argentine finance ministers and bondholders had been described as icy, at best.
Israeli Mortars Strike Another UN School in Gaza, Kills at Least 15
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are investigating claims that at least 4 of its mortar rounds landed on and damaged another UN school in Gaza that housed refugees from the fighting. Gaza health officials have stated that at least 15 died in the strike and 90 were injured in the strike.
FAA Seeks $12 Million Fine Against Southwest Airlines
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a $12 million fine against American airline Southwest over negligence in complying with FAA-mandated repairs to Southwest's aircraft, the FAA stated in a recent press release.
5 Stand-Up Comedians You May Not Have Heard Of
The world of stand-up comedy is wider than the average person's hips during Thanksgiving. There are so many comedians trying to make their way in the field that they often get lost in the fray of the larger names, such as Louis C.K., Dave Chappelle, Aziz Ansari, etc. It's hard to compare to their comedic styles since their storytelling abilities are second to none.
Venice Beach Man Killed by Lightning Strike
13 people were struck by lightning on Sunday in Venice Beach. One man, as of yet unidentified, was killed by the strike. Nine people were taken to a local hospital for observation, including a 15-year-old, with one remaining in intensive care.
Israel Strikes a UN School in Gaza, Kills at Least 15 Civilians
The death toll in Gaza passed the 700 mark on Thursday as Israeli tanks shelled a UN-run school housing those who were taking shelter from the fighting, the Associated Press (AP) reports. As quoted from the AP, "Pools of blood soiled the school courtyard, amid scattered books and belongings. There was a large scorch mark in the courtyard marking the place where one of the tank shells hit."
Delta Airlines Suspends all Flights to Israel
In light of the constant barrage of rockets between Israel and Gaza, some of which have come within a mile to hitting Ben Gurion International Airport, Delta Airlines suspended all flights to and from Israel. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) followed soon after, declaring a total ban on flights to Israel for at least 24 hours.
International Community Pleads for a Ceasefire in Gaza as Palestinian Death Toll Climbs
The number of dead Palestinians in the current Israeli ground invasion of the Gaza Strip has reached 500 and continues to climb, say international humanitarian groups. The international community, including President Obama and Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
A Plan For Six Californias: 800,000 Signature Petition On Ballot in 2016
California is massive, both in terms of economy and land size. Many are surprised, upon visiting the state, to find just how incredulously far it is to drive from the northern border of the state to the southern tip. The state also has one of the largest economies in the world, producing much of the USA's food and being home to Hollywood. With all that under consideration, why would anyone want to fracture the state?
Israel Invades Gaza: U.S. Urged Caution To Avoid Civilian Casualties
On Thursday night in Gaza, Israel launched a ground offensive into the Palestinian territory after weeks of exchanging rocket fire with Hamas, the governing body and US-classified terrorist organization in Gaza.
Flight from Tel Aviv to New York Grounded
Despite the worry about the persistent rocket attacks launched from the Gaza strip into Israel, New York-bound flight 469 was grounded due to wing flap malfunction rather than any external threat.
The Five Most Affordable Housing Markets in America
Chances are that, if you're living in a big metro area on either coast in America, you're paying a lot of money for a little bit of space. Typically, this is done for the glamour of the city itself; after all, if one wishes to be an actor or some kind of performer, then the only real choices available are in New York or California. For everyone else, luckily (or unluckily) there are cities in America where the housing markets haven't quite recovered from the 2006-07 real estate bubble, and prices are valued at below fundamental asking prices.
Police Officer Pushes Over Wheelchair-Bound Paraplegic
Police in Lafayette, Indiana have finally released a video taken in October of last year showing police Lieutenant Tom Davidson pushing over 25-year old paraplegic Nicolas Kincade. Kincade fell out of his chair and suffered abrasions to his face.
Cold War Rehashed: Germany Arrests a Double Agent
In yet another bizarre turn in the ever-unraveling NSA spying scandal, German intelligence services have arrested a German intelligence officer for passing on top-secret documents to a foreign service for payment.
JK Rowling Writes a New Piece on Harry Potter
At 34, Harry now sports a new scar on his cheek aside from the classic lightning bolt that adorns his forehead, or so writes author JK Rowling in a new piece published on Pottermore, the interactive Harry Potter website.
USA Eliminated from World Cup Despite An Epic Performance by Tim Howard
Without Tim Howard, it's reasonable to assume that the US wouldn't have stood a chance. Without Tim Howard, it's reasonable to assume that the US wouldn't have stood a chance.
Japanese Man Sets Fire to Himself to Protest Government Re-Militarization
A man in Tokyo set fire to himself after railing against Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's plan to re-militarize the country in light of recent Chinese aggression against neighboring country Vietnam. The man, still as of yet unidentified, sat in public with a megaphone, speaking out against Abe's plan, before dousing himself in flammable liquid and self-immolating.
US To Build Holding Facilities in Texas for Illegal Migrant Children
In an effort to streamline illegal immigration services, the US government has approved a permit to turn a 55,000 square-foot warehouse in south Texas into a processing center for the ever-increasing number of migrant children who cross the Rio Grande illegally.
The ‘Grand Bargain’ To Save Detroit: Van Gogh, Monet, Degas, Rembrandt Paintings To Be Kept By Detroit Institute of Arts
Detroit has long been in the economic doldrums. As a former powerhouse of automotive production, Detroit now has approximately 27 jobs per every 100 people, whereas other American cities, such as Philadelphia, have 35 jobs per every 100 people or more. It is a city where only 12% of the population has a bachelor's degree, and 20% don't even have a high school diploma.
2010 World Cup Champions Eliminated Without a Fight
It has been one the most surprising results of the World Cup thus far: Spain, the reigning World Cup champions, have not only been outscored this time around 7-1, but have been eliminated in the first round of matches. After a 5-1 romping by the Dutch over Spain in the first match, Chile made the old guard look foolish with a 2-0 victory on Wednesday.
Team USA Soccer Captain to Release a Rap Album
Adding to his impressive professional football/soccer resume, which includes being the highest-paid American soccer player ever along with scoring the fastest American goal in Sunday's match with Ghana, Clint Dempsey is set to release a rap album, titled 'The Redux.' Dempsey goes by the rap name 'Deuce,' a name he used in US Soccer's 2007 rap video 'Don't Tread.'
Brazilian Officer Reportedly Fires Live Round into Protest Crowd
The Associated Press has reported that they have obtained a video showing a uniformed Brazilian police officer firing live rounds into a crowd. The Brazilian government has stated that, should the video hold merit, the officer in question will be investigated and, if found guilty, chastised.
World Cup to Kick Off Amid Scandal
The run-up to the World Cup in Brazil has brought nothing but bad publicity on both the Brazilian government and FIFA. In the weeks leading to this day, where Brazil will play Croatia to open the month-long games, there have been protests by the dozens, all of which lamented the amount of money that went into the construction of public transport facilities and stadia at the expense of public health care and education. In total, approximately $14 billion has been spent on the World Cup-related projects, and not all of them are finished as opening day looms.
Student, Suspect Dead in Yet Another American School Shooting
The small city of Troutdale, Oregon was rocked yesterday by a shooting at Reynolds High School. Police officers from as far as Portland, 16 miles away, responded to the shooting quickly. The first reports of a shooter in the school emerged just after 08:00, and an hour later, it was reported that the shooter was confirmed dead from an apparent self-inflicted wound. The local police department has not released the name of the suspect, though the victim has been identified as a 14-year old male.
5 Countries that Won’t Exist at the End of the 21st Century
As citizens in the United States witnessed during Hurricane Katrina, the city of New Orleans was nearly submerged completely underwater. The torrent was seemingly unstoppable as the levees broke, unleashing water up to or more than 11 feet from ground level.
Loaded Gun Found in Toy Aisle of a Myrtle Beach Target
Mistakenly identified by a Myrtle Beach Target employee as a toy gun, the very real gun was confiscated by police upon being reported by Target. Because of its placement in the toy aisle on top of a superhero Playskool toy box, it is thought that the gun was placed in the aisle on purpose. Police have combed through the store's security footage, and have released a picture of the suspect.
Travel Alert: Ebola Outbreak Strikes Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia
More than 200 people have died from Ebola in Guinea, and reported cases of the virus have continued to rise: there have been over 300 reported cases in Guinea alone, and it seems the deadly virus may be spreading across borders. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that cases have begun to crop up in neighboring countries Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The Fluffiest Vacation Spot in the World: Japan’s Bunny Island
It's hard to imagine that an island once used for the creation and deployment of Japanese chemical weapons during World War II has turned into a haven for small, cuddly rabbits, but it is the strange truth. On the island of Okunoshima, also known as Usaga Jima or simply Rabbit Island, herds upon herds of wild rabbits run free, interact with tourists, or laze around.
Thinking of Buying Tickets to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar? Hold Onto Your Paychecks.
Ever since Qatar won the bid to host the 2022 World Cup, both the awarding of the decision and the country itself have faced intense scrutiny. Allegations of corruption within FIFA have been slung around, and now, FIFA has stated that it would support a revote on the 2022 World Cup should investigations reveal that bribes and internal corruption played an issue in Qatar winning the bid.
