Israel ups bombing of central Gaza | The Excerpt

The podcast reports on Israel's increased bombing of Gaza, a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, and threats against Trump cabinet nominees. It also discusses the impact of Trump's new tariffs on consumer prices and offers advice on navigating political conversations during Thanksgiving, highlighting the importance of respecting differing viewpoints and preserving democratic norms.

Gaza Bombing

• 00:00:30 Israel increased its bombing of central Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least 17 Palestinians. Months of ceasefire negotiations have yielded little progress, and the mediator has suspended efforts until both sides are willing to compromise. A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, brokered by the US and France, took effect before dawn yesterday, providing hope for ending a year of cross-border strikes.

Threats to Trump Nominees

• 00:01:17 Several of Donald Trump's cabinet nominees have been the target of violent threats, including bomb threats and swatting incidents. The FBI is actively investigating these incidents, which included targeting individuals like Alise Stepanic, nominated for UN Ambassador, and Lee Zeldon, tapped to lead the EPA. Pete Hegseth, a Fox News personality, was also a target.

Trump Tariffs

• 00:02:26 Trump's newly announced tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China are expected to negatively impact American consumers. These tariffs, designed to curb illegal immigration and drug trafficking, could decrease household purchasing power by $1,200 per year, according to Yale budget lab economist Ernie Tashi. Certain consumer goods, like fresh food, will be particularly affected by the tariffs.

Thanksgiving Political Discussions

• 00:03:52 Navigating political conversations during Thanksgiving can be challenging due to the heated nature of recent elections and strong feelings surrounding the results. Many recommend avoiding discussions about the election results and instead focusing on expressing gratitude for loved ones and the holiday itself. Focusing on the importance of the holiday and shared experiences can help promote a more positive and civil environment.

Biden-Trump White House Meeting

• 00:07:24 The meeting between President Biden and President-elect Trump at the White House symbolizes a crucial aspect of democratic norms. Biden's actions in accepting the election results and meeting with Trump contrast with Trump's refusal to do so in 2020, following the previous election. This event demonstrates that despite significant political differences, the peaceful transition of power can still occur, although the future of democratic norms with Trump in power remains uncertain.