1 Militants Release Two American Hostages
Houthi militants are releasing two American hostages who were being held in Yemen. According to the “Wall Street Journal,” it's part of a deal between with the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. In exchange, the militants will get medical aid and more than 200 of their fighters can leave Oman and return to Yemen, which is in the middle of a civil war. Humanitarian worker Sandra Loli has been held for about three years and businessman Mikael Gidada was held about a year. The militants are also handing over the body of American Bilal Fateen. None of the 200 militants returning to Yemen are on any of the U.S. terrorism watch lists.
2 SCOTUS Nominee Amy Coney Barrett Completes Questioning
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett has completed the questioning phase of the confirmation process, and once again, the welcome she received in chambers was largely dependent on which side of the aisle was asking the questions. Before proceedings were completed, she was again being pressed on the Affordable Care Act (or Obamacare). Barrett said she has no hostility toward the landmark healthcare law and testified that she has neither an "agenda," nor has she cut a deal with President Trump to vote to repeal the law. Barrett was also asked if she believed anyone – including President Trump – was “above the law” and she said they weren’t. In a more notable moment with Senator Kamala Harris, there was a bit of a moment where Harris tried to corner Barrett into revealing her thoughts on climate change. Barrett refused to weigh in, calling the issue a "very contentious matter of public debate” that’s “inconsistent with the judicial role.”
3 CDC: Small Gatherings Growing Source Of Coronavirus Spread
At least three-dozen states report increasing coronavirus cases as more Americans are winding up in the hospital. During a conference call with the nation's governors, CDC Director Robert Redfield said the rising threat of spreading infection is coming through small household gatherings. Redfield warned that, with Thanksgiving just six weeks away, it's important to maintain what he called "a high degree of vigilance in the household setting." Speaking of households, COVID-19 has officially touched every corner of the White House, this, as First Lady Melania Trump confirms that son Barron came down with the virus. She revealed in a Twitter post that Barron initially tested negative, but eventually was confirmed to be infected – and unlike her and the President, he was symptom-free.