Want to catch up with the news quickly? Here are the top stories from Friday, December 1, 2023.

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1. The U.S. Coast Guard has long covered up racism, hazing, and sexual assault

US Coast Guard leaders have concealed a critical report that exposed racism, hazing, discrimination, and sexual assault for over a decade, according to the recently obtained 2015 “Culture of Respect” report.

The Coast Guard continued to keep the report hidden from the public for over eight years, even though it had been asked to release it long before details of a similar report, 2019's "Operation Fouled Anchor," revealed the agency's coverup of sexual assaults over the summer.

Click here for more about the Coast Guard's coverups.

2. Aid workers warn temporary truce wasn't enough time to help Gazans

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has been exacerbated by Israel resuming bombings in the Strip after their temporary truce with Hamas expired today. Aid organizations are warning that they were not allowed to deliver nearly enough resources to meet civilians' basic needs.

Hamas' Oct. 7 attacks on Israel claimed 1,200 lives. Israel's brutal retaliation has killed over 15,000 Palestinians so far, 40 percent of whom were children. Nearly 80 percent of Gaza’s population are now internal refugees.

Click here for how to help Palestinian civilians without donating.

3. The pitfalls of Buy Now, Pay Later spending

Buy Now, Pay Later purchases hit an all-time high on Cyber Monday, up 43 percent from a year ago, according to Adobe Analytics. The number of items per order also rose 11 percent annually, indicating that shoppers are using Buy Now, Pay Later for larger purchases.

Many Buy Now, Pay Later users are financially fragile, according to New York Federal Reserve research published earlier this year. Many take on debt they can’t pay off through Buy Now, Pay Later purchases.

Click here for more about the state of finances in America.