NEW YORK NEWS
In New York City, hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators, organized by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), rallied in Times Square, stomping on and burning the Israeli flag, displaying swastikas, and chanting “Palestine will be free” while the fight between Israel and Hamas continued. Counter-protesters supporting Israel were also present, leading to verbal clashes and at least one skirmish near the United Nations compound in Midtown.
The rally drew criticism from New York Governor Kathy Hochul and resulted in scuffles between the two groups, with three arrests for disorderly conduct. The DSA’s decision to hold the rally in the wake of the Hamas attack on Israel sparked condemnation from various political figures, including Mayor Eric Adams and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who denounced it as support for terrorism.
Frank James, who carried out a shooting in a Brooklyn subway car in April 2022, injuring 10 people but not killing anyone, received 10 life sentences in federal court. During the hearing, James expressed remorse but also claimed to be a victim of racism and mental illness. Judge William F. Kuntz II acknowledged his troubled background but strongly condemned his actions, describing each mass shooting as an act of evil. The shooting, which led to panic and chaos on the subway, ended with James being arrested after a citywide manhunt. Victims and witnesses recounted the terrifying ordeal, and James’s lawyers argued mental breakdown, while prosecutors countered with evidence of premeditation. In the end, James was sentenced to life in prison for each victim and an additional 10 years for a firearms charge.
US NEWS
Former President Donald Trump has endorsed Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan’s bid for Speaker of the House. Trump’s endorsement comes after he had considered the possibility of temporarily serving in the role himself, an idea that intrigued him but is not being seriously entertained. The House Republicans are set to hear from speaker candidates at a forum, with the next possible House-wide speaker vote scheduled for October 11. Jordan, along with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, has announced his candidacy for the position, but the race remains uncertain as Republicans seek a viable successor to Kevin McCarthy. Trump’s endorsement adds weight to Jordan’s campaign in this leadership contest.
President Joe Biden has stated that he cannot stop the construction of the border wall on the U.S. southern border, despite his Secretary of Homeland Security waiving dozens of laws to expedite additional sections of the wall’s construction. Biden explained that when money was initially appropriated for the border wall, he attempted to redirect those funds but was unsuccessful. He also expressed his belief that border walls do not work. Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas had previously waived numerous laws and regulations to speed up the construction of border wall sections in response to dire conditions on the U.S.-Mexico border, where illegal entries have been a major concern, with nearly a quarter of a million individuals apprehended attempting to enter the U.S. in August alone. The waiver allows for construction in specific “project areas” and involves the suspension of 26 laws, including environmental, wildlife protection, and historic preservation regulations.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has declared that he will continue his presidential run as an independent candidate, ending his pursuit of the Democratic nomination. Speaking to supporters, Kennedy, known for his vaccine skepticism and promotion of conspiracy theories, stated that he represents a populist movement that defies left-right divisions. He acknowledged that his candidacy could potentially spoil the election for both President Biden and former President Trump. Kennedy’s campaign has focused on criticizing Democratic leadership and their perceived abandonment of principles. Running as an independent will be a challenging endeavor, requiring him to secure ballot access in all 50 states. Kennedy has built a base of support among disaffected voters across the political spectrum, with some polls initially showing him with up to 20 percent of Democratic support. However, his numbers have sagged in recent months, and his campaign appeals to a particular cross-section of skeptical Democrats, conservatives, and independents.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced a series of proposed policies to show support for Israel during its conflict with Hamas. Speaking at a news conference, DeSantis connected Iran to the violence and urged the Biden administration to take stronger action. He proposed increasing sanctions on Iran and blocking Iranian business in Florida, expanding existing bans on Iranian-owned businesses. DeSantis emphasized the need to choke off money going to the Iranian regime, which has a history of funding terrorism in Israel through groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. In addition, DeSantis ordered flags across Florida to be flown at half-staff at all local and state buildings, installations, and grounds throughout the state of Florida from sunrise Tuesday until sunset on Friday, Oct. 13.
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has filed a defamation lawsuit against President Joe Biden for calling him a “Russian pawn” during a presidential debate in 2020. Giuliani announced the lawsuit in New Hampshire, where he filed to take advantage of the state’s defamation laws. He is seeking damages for harm caused by Biden’s comments, which he claims are false. The lawsuit comes as Giuliani is facing legal challenges on several fronts and questions about his ability to pay his legal fees. Giuliani has not been charged with a crime in connection with the federal election interference case in which he is listed as co-conspirator 1.
The Biden administration has announced an additional $9 billion in student loan forgiveness, benefiting nearly 125,000 borrowers. This relief comes through fixes to income-driven repayment (IDR) and Public Service Loan Forgiveness, as well as debt cancellation for borrowers with total and permanent disabilities. Of the $9 billion, $5.2 billion is approved to provide relief for 53,000 borrowers under Public Service Loan Forgiveness programs, $2.8 billion for about 51,000 borrowers through fixes to income-driven repayment, and $1.2 billion for nearly 22,000 borrowers with total or permanent disabilities. This announcement comes after the U.S. Supreme Court blocked Biden’s initial student loan forgiveness plan in June, which aimed to cancel up to $10,000 in federal loans per borrower making less than $125,000 a year and up to $20,000 per borrower for Pell Grant recipients. In total, the Biden administration has now canceled $127 billion in student debt for 3.6 million Americans.
Approximately 75,000 health care workers at Kaiser Permanente hospitals in California, Virginia, and three other states have gone on strike over wages and staffing shortages. The Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions, representing around 85,000 of the health system’s employees nationally, approved a strike for three days in California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington, and for one day in Virginia and Washington, D.C. The strike includes licensed vocational nurses, home health aides, technicians, and others but excludes doctors, with Kaiser bringing in temporary workers to maintain operations. The strike comes amid ongoing labor unrest in various industries, including transportation and hospitality, and reflects the health care industry’s struggle with burnout and staffing issues exacerbated by the pandemic. The unions are demanding a $25 hourly minimum wage and yearly pay increases.
General Motors (GM) has secured a $6 billion line of credit with JPMorgan Chase just two days after cutting 164 more jobs due to the ongoing United Auto Workers (UAW) strike, which is now in its 20th day. The deal requires GM to maintain at least $4 billion in global liquidity and $2 billion in U.S. liquidity. GM estimates the strike has impacted its third-quarter earnings by about $200 million. The strike has already cost the U.S. economy nearly $4 billion, with workers losing $325 million in direct wages, automakers losing $1.12 billion, and suppliers taking a $1.29 billion hit, according to a Michigan economic consulting firm.
Israel NEWS
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that it has regained control over its border with the Gaza Strip, 72 hours after Hamas militants breached the barrier and launched an invasion that resulted in over 1,000 Israeli casualties. The death toll in Israel from the attack rose above 900, with over 500 people still hospitalized, and more than 2,700 injured. Some 130 Israelis are believed to have been abducted by the militants and taken into Gaza. In response to the situation, Israel continued airstrikes in Gaza, striking more than 200 targets, including a weapons storage site in a mosque and a high-rise tower used by Hamas. Despite a threat from Hamas to execute hostages in response to Israeli strikes, the IDF intensified its operations, and there were reports of extensive destruction in Gaza. UN agencies reported that over 187,500 people have been displaced in Gaza since the conflict began.
In addition to the ongoing conflict with Hamas, tensions on Israel’s northern border threatened to escalate into a second front. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi held a phone call with his U.S. counterpart, Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., who confirmed that the U.S. would provide military aid to Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu compared Hamas to the Islamic State group and called for opposition parties to join an emergency cabinet. The war is expected to continue for an extended period, leading to panic-buying in Israel as the Home Front command advised citizens to stock up on essential supplies.
Representatives of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party and MK Benny Gantz’s opposition National Unity party are in discussions to form an emergency unity government amidst Israel’s ongoing war with Gazan terror groups, which resulted in over 900 casualties and over 100 hostages. Progress has reportedly been made, and a deal is likely. National Unity has proposed creating a small “war cabinet” with representation from its party and significant influence over managing the war to join the government. However, Netanyahu has called for opposition leaders to establish a national emergency government with no preconditions. The situation remains fluid, with discussions ongoing.
WORLD NEWS
The leaders of the UK, US, France, Germany, and Italy, representing the Quint international organization, released a joint statement expressing strong support for Israel and unequivocal condemnation of Hamas following the unprecedented attack on Israel by the Palestinian militant group. The statement emphasized that there is no justification for terrorism and condemned Hamas’s actions, including massacres, kidnappings, and hostage-taking. While recognizing the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people, the statement made it clear that Hamas does not represent those aspirations and offers nothing but terror and bloodshed. The leaders pledged to support Israel in defending itself against such atrocities and warned against any party exploiting the attacks for their advantage.
Australian police have launched an investigation into a pro-Palestinian protest outside the Sydney Opera House after video footage showed a small group engaging in antisemitic chants such as “gas the Jews” and “f--- the Jews.” Approximately 1,000 pro-Palestinian supporters had gathered in Sydney to express their views regarding the conflict in the Middle East. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the antisemitic chants, emphasizing the importance of respectful political discourse. The protest’s organizers, Palestine Action Group Sydney, denounced the antisemitic chants and stated that antisemitic individuals were not welcome at their rallies. New South Wales state police are reviewing footage to determine if any crimes were committed during the protest.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the “glorification of violence” at rallies supporting Hamas in Canada and expressed strong support for Israel during a solidarity rally in Ottawa. He stated that the glorification of death, violence, and terror has no place in Canada and emphasized that Hamas terrorists are not freedom fighters but terrorists. Trudeau reiterated Canada’s support for Israel’s right to defend itself in accordance with international law. Canada had previously condemned Hamas’s “brutal terror attack” and called for the release of hostages held by the group. Multiple rallies both in support of Israel and Palestine have taken place across Canada amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
