* Archaeology * Indiana History * Human Remains * Indigenous Peoples Day * Fayette County

Indiana Senator Opposes Redistricting After Trump’s Slur

Indiana Senator Mike Bohacek, a Republican, has announced he will vote against redistricting efforts in the state due to President Donald Trump’s use of a slur in a recent social media post. Trump’s post, which used an offensive term, has been criticized by disability advocates, and Bohacek’s daughter has Down Syndrome. This decision comes as Trump has been urging states like Indiana to redraw congressional maps. The Indiana House is scheduled to discuss a new map on December 1, and the Senate is set to vote on December 8.

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Indiana Man Accused of Murder Gets Bail, Trial Set for March

In a recent court appearance, Curt Andersen, the Indiana man accused of killing Maria Florinda Rios Perez De Velasquez, a house cleaner who mistakenly arrived at his home, had his bail set at $25,000 and was ordered to surrender his passport. Andersen, charged with voluntary manslaughter, appeared in court wearing a jail jumpsuit and bulletproof vest. The judge also scheduled a jury trial for March 30. The incident occurred when Rios and her husband, part of a cleaning crew, went to Andersen’s home by mistake, and Andersen fired a shot through the door, fatally wounding Rios.

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Indiana Senate Rejects Redistricting Push, Defying Trump

The Indiana state Senate will not be holding its planned December session to vote on redistricting, according to Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray, due to a lack of support. This decision, influenced by pressure from the White House, diminishes the likelihood of redistricting the state’s congressional maps before the 2026 midterm elections. Despite a supermajority in both legislative chambers, Indiana Republicans have faced internal opposition to the idea of gerrymandering, with some citing potential political backfire and ethical concerns. This marks the second Republican-led state to resist the push for redistricting, following similar actions in Kansas, as Republicans aim to create new maps that favor their party in the upcoming elections.

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New Egyptian Museum Opens: A Mixed Reception Amid Safety and Ethical Concerns

The Grand Egyptian Museum, a $1 billion project and the world’s largest archaeological facility, is set to open near the Giza pyramids after two decades of construction. Housing over 50,000 artifacts, including colossal statues and ancient boats, the museum boasts 24,000 square meters of exhibition space, educational facilities, and a conservation center. The museum’s use of advanced technology and multimedia presentations aims to engage younger generations with Egypt’s heritage. This strategic cultural-tourism investment is expected to revitalize Egypt’s economy by attracting more tourists and generating much-needed foreign currency, with anticipated daily visitor numbers between 15,000 and 20,000.

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UN Human Rights Chief Condemns US Strikes on Alleged Drug Boats as Unacceptable

According to a UN human rights chief, U.S. military strikes against boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean allegedly carrying illegal drugs are unacceptable and must cease immediately. The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, called for an investigation into these attacks, citing violations of international human rights law. The spokeswoman for Türk’s office stated that the use of lethal force is only permissible as a last resort against an imminent threat to life, otherwise constituting extrajudicial killings. These strikes, part of a campaign to stop the flow of drugs, have raised concerns about the U.S. military’s growing presence and its potential impact on regional conflicts.

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UN Commission: Russian Drone Strikes in Ukraine Are War Crimes Amidst Broader Atrocities

According to a recent report by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, Russian drone strikes along the Dnieper River have been classified as war crimes. The report, based on hundreds of videos and interviews, details attacks targeting Ukrainian civilians and civilian infrastructure with a variety of drones. These attacks are alleged to be deliberately coordinated to instill terror, with evidence including the forced deportation of civilians. While Russia denies these accusations, the U.N. commission was unable to investigate Russian claims of Ukrainian attacks due to lack of access and safety concerns.

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Congo Needs $500 Million for Hunger as Corruption Concerns Mount

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is facing a severe food crisis, with over 26 million people requiring urgent food aid due to conflict, displacement, and climate shocks. Nearly half of Congolese children under five suffer from malnutrition, particularly in eastern provinces where violence is rampant, forcing farmers off their land. United Nations agencies like the World Food Programme (WFP) and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) require hundreds of millions of dollars in funding to maintain crucial food and nutrition programs, as the current shortfall threatens to worsen the crisis and endanger millions of lives. The DRC’s large internally displaced population, coupled with limited resources, could lead to a further deterioration of the situation without immediate international support.

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Syria Demands Golan Heights Return Amid Arab Pressure: Unlikely Outcome

Syria, supported by Turkey and several Arab nations, has launched a diplomatic push at the UN to reclaim the Golan Heights, a territory Israel annexed in 1981 and considers its own. This initiative, spearheaded by Syria’s UN envoy, accuses Israel of violating Syrian sovereignty and calls for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the occupied Golan. Several Security Council members have echoed Syria’s demands, citing the occupation’s threat to Syrian stability. Israeli officials, however, have stated Israel’s intention to maintain its sovereignty and military presence in the area, while some suggest the Syrian campaign aims to expedite ongoing security negotiations.

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Hamas to Release More Hostage Remains Amid Aid Dispute

Following their recovery, the remains of four unidentified hostages were transferred to the National Institute for Forensic Medicine in Abu Kabir for identification. The bodies were received by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and are currently undergoing forensic examination. Details regarding the identities of the deceased are yet to be released to the public. Authorities are working diligently to determine the identities and notify the families involved.

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Russia Attacks UN Aid Convoy in Kherson with Drones and Artillery

On the morning of October 14th, Russian forces launched an attack on a UN humanitarian mission in the Bilozerka community of the Kherson region. The attack, carried out with drones and artillery, targeted four clearly marked white trucks delivering aid. According to the head of the Kherson Regional Military Administration, one truck was destroyed, another heavily damaged, and two escaped the shelling. Despite the deliberate targeting, no injuries were reported.

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