New York News
Thomas G. Donlon, New York City’s interim police commissioner, revealed that federal agents searched his homes and seized materials unrelated to his work with the NYPD, just nine days after being appointed. Donlon stated that the seized materials, obtained about 20 years ago, were unconnected to ongoing federal criminal investigations involving Mayor Eric Adams’ administration. While no details were provided about the items taken, federal sources indicated they were classified documents. Donlon, a former FBI official, has a background in counterterrorism and private security. The FBI declined to comment on the searches, which have raised questions about Donlon’s future as commissioner.
Federal and NYC investigators are scrutinizing City Safe Partners, a security firm once owned by Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks, as part of a broader probe into Mayor Eric Adams’ administration. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Department of Investigation are investigating City Safe’s $154 million contract with the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), which was approved by Sheena Wright, the fiancée of Banks’ brother and a NYCHA board member. The investigation examines whether Banks steered contracts toward companies linked to his family. Although Banks sold his stake in City Safe in 2018, the firm has benefited from substantial public contracts since Adams took office.
A pro-Palestinian protester was arrested in Nassau County for violating a recently enacted law banning face masks in public. The 26-year-old man was wearing a keffiyeh scarf, a symbol of Palestinian solidarity, during a protest outside an Orthodox synagogue. Police questioned him, and after confirming he wore the scarf for political reasons rather than medical or religious purposes, he was arrested and later released with a court date. This marks the third arrest under the new “Mask Transparency Act,” sparking concerns from pro-Palestinian activists that the law is being used to suppress free speech.
Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo personally altered a state report that undercounted COVID-19 nursing home deaths, according to newly revealed emails, contradicting his previous claims of no involvement. The emails show Cuomo’s direct edits, including blaming nursing home staff and visitors for spreading the virus, despite his earlier testimony denying any role in reviewing the report. This report, issued in July 2020, has been labeled a “cover-up” by the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic. Families of those who died in nursing homes, along with critics, are calling for Cuomo’s prosecution, accusing him of lying to Congress and mishandling the pandemic. Cuomo’s spokesperson defended him, asserting the pandemic policies followed federal guidance.
Vice President Kamala Harris has decided to skip the 2024 Al Smith Dinner, breaking a long-standing tradition where presidential candidates attend the event to roast each other in a light-hearted setting. Harris’s team cited her focus on campaigning in key battleground states as the reason for her absence. Former President Donald Trump confirmed his attendance at the event, which is set for October 17. The Al Smith Dinner, which dates back to 1946, serves as a major charity fundraiser, and Harris’s decision marks the first presidential candidate absence since Walter Mondale in 1984. Organizers expressed disappointment, hoping she would reconsider.
A New York resident from Ulster County has died from Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), the state’s first confirmed case of the rare, mosquito-borne virus since 2015. In response, Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald declared an imminent public health threat, enabling increased mosquito control efforts across the state. EEE, which has a 30% fatality rate, causes severe symptoms in some cases and can lead to long-term neurological damage. Governor Kathy Hochul extended condolences to the family and announced preventive measures, including expanded mosquito spraying and public awareness campaigns, as the virus has been detected in 15 counties this year.
Kmart, once a dominant discount retailer in the U.S., is closing its last full-size mainland store in Bridgehampton, New York, on October 20, marking the near end of an era for the iconic brand. The retailer, which once had thousands of stores, has been in decline following its ill-fated 2005 merger with Sears, driven by hedge fund manager Eddie Lampert. The company struggled to compete with big-box rivals like Walmart and Target, as well as the rise of online shopping, leading to a bankruptcy filing in 2018. Today, only a few smaller Kmart stores remain, primarily in Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Miami.
US NEWS
The United States is deploying additional troops to the Middle East as tensions rise, particularly between Israel and Lebanon. While Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder did not specify the number of troops or their mission, the deployment is described as precautionary. This follows increased military activity, including Israeli strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. Currently, the U.S. has around 40,000 troops in the region. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department has updated travel advisories, urging Americans to leave Lebanon, where an estimated 86,000 U.S. citizens reside.
In a U.S. federal court case, the United Nations has argued that its subsidiary, UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees), and its staff involved in the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel are immune from prosecution under international agreements, including the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the U.N. This position is supported by the U.S. Department of Justice, which claims that there is no legal basis for waiving the U.N.’s immunity in this case. The lawsuit, filed by victims of the attack, alleges that UNRWA facilitated the diversion of funds to Hamas for terrorist activities. Despite the accusations, the U.N. maintains that both it and its officials, including those associated with UNRWA, enjoy immunity from legal proceedings. Israel has criticized UNRWA for employing Hamas members and being complicit in supporting terrorist activities in Gaza.
Benjamin Weber, the only Jewish member of the Boston City Council, chose not to support a resolution condemning Hamas for the Oct. 7 attacks and calling for the flying of the Israeli flag at City Hall Plaza in remembrance. Weber expressed concern that the resolution had not been discussed with him or local Jewish groups and argued that the timing could inflame tensions rather than foster healing, especially following a recent shooting at a pro-Israel rally in Newton. He emphasized the importance of creating a space for Jews to mourn peacefully and indicated that he is working with Jewish advocates and the mayor’s office to ensure their perspectives are considered in memorializing the victims.
Under extraordinarily tight security, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Pennsylvania ammunition factory that is producing one of the most critically needed munitions for his country’s fight to fend off Russian ground forces. In an interview, Zelenskyy criticized GOP vice presidential hopeful J.D. Vance as “too radical” during a recent interview, condemning Vance’s proposed plan for ending the war in Ukraine, which Zelenskyy interpreted as advocating for Ukraine to concede territory. Zelenskyy emphasized that any resolution should not come at Ukraine’s expense, asserting that the concept of sacrificing Ukrainian land is unacceptable. He noted that while Vance’s stance is concerning, his previous discussions with Donald Trump were more positive, suggesting Trump had expressed support for Ukraine. Zelensky’s visit to the U.S. includes meetings with President Biden and plans to outline a “plan for victory,” aiming for a complete return to Ukraine’s 1991 borders, including Crimea.
The Arizona Supreme Court unanimously ruled that nearly 98,000 voters, whose citizenship documents were previously unverified due to a two-decade-old database error, can participate in state and local elections. The court’s decision came amid a dispute between Secretary of State Adrian Fontes and Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer regarding the status of these voters, with Fontes advocating for their full voting rights. The court found that disenfranchising these voters, most of whom are long-time residents of Maricopa County, would raise concerns about equal protection and due process, especially given the upcoming general election on November 5. This ruling allows these voters, many of whom are Republicans, Democrats, and independents, to vote on critical ballot measures, including abortion rights and immigration laws, potentially influencing tight legislative races in the state.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters announced that it will not endorse either Kamala Harris or Donald Trump for president, citing a lack of sufficient commitments from both candidates to prioritize the interests of working people over big business. Teamsters President Sean M. O’Brien emphasized the union’s requests for pledges regarding non-interference in union campaigns and respect for members’ rights to strike, which were not met by either candidate. This decision highlights the internal conflict within the labor union and reflects a broader national division, as Vice President Harris has shown strong support for organized labor, while Trump has garnered support among some blue-collar workers despite his mixed history with unions. By refraining from endorsing a candidate, the Teamsters are relinquishing some electoral influence, even as both candidates seek to claim support from its 1.3 million members.
Israel NEWS
The Israeli airstrike that targeted senior Hezbollah leaders reportedly killed 16 operatives who were planning an invasion similar to the October 7 Hamas attack. This operation took place in Beirut’s Dahiya neighborhood, where the leaders were allegedly meeting to develop plans for an assault into northern Israel. Israeli President Isaac Herzog emphasized the connection between these leaders and Iran’s influence, asserting that their intended actions mirrored the horrific nature of the earlier attacks by Hamas. In response to the airstrike, Hezbollah retaliated with over 100 rockets into Israel, injuring several individuals. This escalation follows a series of attacks attributed to Israel aimed at disrupting Hezbollah’s command structure and operations. The U.S. government, while supporting Israel’s right to defend itself, has cautioned against further military escalation in the region.
The Israeli Air Force conducted extensive strikes against Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley as part of “Operation Northern Arrows,” targeting over 1,600 locations in a 24-hour period. This escalation followed a series of rocket attacks from Hezbollah on northern Israel, which included the destruction of launchers used in these attacks. The Israeli military reported heavy casualties in Lebanon, with 558 deaths and 1,835 injuries according to Lebanese health officials, though these figures did not differentiate between combatants and civilians. The conflict has led to widespread evacuations in northern Israel and a significant disruption to daily life, as Hezbollah continues to fire rockets deeper into Israeli territory. In response, the Israeli government declared a “special emergency situation,” granting authorities additional powers for civilian safety. The IDF has emphasized the threat posed by Hezbollah’s use of civilian structures for military purposes, releasing video evidence of munitions stored in residential areas.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Karim Khan for meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, sarcastically labeling them as “two great champions of human rights.” Netanyahu expressed outrage that while these leaders have controversial human rights records, Khan focuses on labeling Israeli leaders as war criminals. Israel has filed a petition to the ICC to drop arrest warrant requests against Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, challenging the court’s authority and asserting that Israel deserves fair treatment due to its democratic judicial system. Netanyahu condemned the proceedings as politically biased and lacking a legitimate legal basis, emphasizing that the ICC has no jurisdiction over Israel since it is not a signatory to the Rome Statute, despite the court claiming jurisdiction through the acceptance of “Palestine” as a signatory in 2015.
The Tel Aviv District Court upheld the municipality’s ban on gender-separated prayer on public grounds, specifically regarding a Yom Kippur event planned by Rosh Yehudi in Dizengoff Square. Judge Erez Yakuel ruled that the municipality’s decision was reasonable and free from discrimination, despite acknowledging that it had not enforced its policies uniformly between Jewish and Muslim residents. The petition, filed by 14 residents, argued that the refusal was discriminatory, especially given that similar events for the Muslim community had been allowed. Rosh Yehudi expressed disappointment with the ruling, emphasizing that Orthodox Jewish law mandates gender separation during prayer and is considering an appeal to the Supreme Court, arguing that it is unacceptable for such prayer to be banned in Israel, particularly on Yom Kippur.
WORLD NEWS
Japan’s Defense Minister Minoru Kihara reported that Japanese warplanes employed flares to warn a Russian reconnaissance aircraft, an Il-38, that had violated Japanese airspace above Rebun Island for nearly a minute on Monday. This incident occurred shortly after a joint fleet of Chinese and Russian warships had navigated near Japan’s northern coasts. Kihara suggested that the airspace breach might be linked to a recent military exercise announced by Russia and China. In response, Japan scrambled F-15 and F-35 fighter jets, marking the first use of flares to signal the Russian plane, which reportedly ignored initial warnings. Kihara expressed strong regret over the violation and stated that Japan had lodged a formal protest with Russia, emphasizing the need for heightened surveillance and defense measures due to increasing military cooperation between China and Russia. The tensions are exacerbated by territorial disputes between Japan and Russia over islands seized by the Soviet Union after World War II, which have hindered the signing of a formal peace treaty.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reaffirmed his country’s commitment to supporting Hezbollah in Lebanon amid escalating Israeli attacks on the group. Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, he stated that Iran would back “any group that wants to defend its rights” and emphasized that Iran is willing to disarm if Israel does the same. His comments come in the context of a significant Israeli military campaign targeting Hezbollah since mid-September, which included airstrikes on over 300 sites across Lebanon. Despite the ongoing conflict, Pezeshkian claimed that Iran does not seek to escalate tensions and desires peace in the region, blaming Israel for the potential for wider conflict. This escalation follows a year of consistent Hezbollah rocket attacks on northern Israel, which have forced tens of thousands of Israeli residents to evacuate. Pezeshkian also dismissed allegations that Iran was funding pro-terror protests at U.S. universities, highlighting the challenges of domestic financial management instead.
