New York
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries endorsed Zohran Mamdani for New York City mayor,
providing a significant late boost to the Democratic nominee just before early voting began on Saturday. The Brooklyn Democrat, who had withheld support for months amid policy tensions over Mamdani’s progressive agenda including rent freezes and free public transit, cited the assemblyman’s focus on affordability and commitment to retaining NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. The endorsement, following Governor Kathy Hochul’s backing last month, aims to unify Democrats against President Trump’s agenda but drew Republican criticism, with House Speaker Mike Johnson calling it a surrender to socialism.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams endorsed former Governor Andrew Cuomo for mayor, marking a dramatic reconciliation with a former rival he had previously labeled a “snake and a liar” amid their own contentious campaigns. The endorsement aims to consolidate moderate Democratic support against Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, whom Adams branded the “king of the gentrifiers” for policies like rent freezes that could exacerbate displacement in low-income neighborhoods. Adams, who suspended his reelection bid last month after federal corruption charges were dismissed, plans to campaign alongside Cuomo to highlight shared priorities on public safety and Israel support. “Brothers fight, but when families are attacked, brothers come together,” Adams stated. Cuomo welcomed the backing, noting their mutual Democratic roots and opposition to Mamdani’s progressive agenda.
Former New York State Assemblyman Dov Hikind, a prominent Orthodox Jewish activist and founder of Americans Against Antisemitism, withdrew his endorsement of Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa on Sunday and urged New Yorkers to support independent Andrew Cuomo in a desperate bid to prevent Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani from winning. In a video posted to X, Hikind, who represented Brooklyn’s Borough Park and Midwood for 36 years, expressed reluctance but prioritized the city’s survival, stating, “I like Curtis. I still think he’d be a great mayor, but right now, there’s only one person who can stop Mamdani, and that’s Andrew Cuomo.” He warned that a Mamdani victory would endanger public safety, erode support for Israel, and deepen divisions, citing the socialist’s pro-Palestinian activism, BDS endorsement, and pledge to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on an ICC warrant. Hikind, who once trolled Cuomo in a 2020 book mocking his pandemic leadership, acknowledged past criticisms but emphasized pragmatic unity amid Mamdani’s double-digit polling lead.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the nation’s first pilot program integrating public schools directly with 911 services for rapid emergency response during active shooter or weapon-based threats. The Emergency Alert System (EAS), developed by the Office of Technology and Innovation, debuted at the Spring Creek Community School campus in Brooklyn, marking the first U.S. school building with such direct integration. Each participating site will feature multiple fixed buttons and wireless lanyards to activate alerts, bypassing standard 911 call flows and dispatching responders in under 10 seconds with real-time school data. NYC Chief Technology Officer Matthew Fraser stated, “This marks a crucial advance in our city’s broader school safety efforts and provides additional peace of mind for parents and families.” The program will expand to 25 school buildings across all five boroughs, covering 51 public schools, during the 2025-2026 school year.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced $30 million in emergency state funding to bolster food pantries and support over 16 million meals for New Yorkers at risk of losing federal SNAP benefits starting November 1 due to the ongoing government shutdown. The allocation, fast-tracked through the state’s food security network, builds on $11 million provided last week and addresses threats to nearly 3 million residents facing hunger before Thanksgiving. The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed it will withhold SNAP payments amid the funding lapse, marking the first such halt during a shutdown.
A federal jury in Brooklyn convicted Abdullah At Taqi, 26, of Queens, on all three counts of an indictment charging him with conspiring and attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization, and conspiring to launder money. Co-defendant Mohammad David Hashimi, 38, of Virginia, pleaded guilty to all counts on October 6, ahead of trial. The convictions stemmed from an FBI-led investigation with the NYPD and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, which uncovered the pair’s transfer of thousands of dollars to ISIS operative Osama Obeida via Bitcoin, PayPal, and GoFundMe campaigns disguised as humanitarian aid. At Taqi executed 15 Bitcoin transactions totaling over $2,700 to Obeida’s wallet, while Hashimi contributed $364 through GoFundMe and participated in an encrypted ISIS supporter group chat, warning members about law enforcement detection. Obeida provided proof of fund use by sending photos of ISIS flags and weapons purchased for fighters.
Rabbi Mayer Chaim Brikman, the esteemed Shliach and Rov of Congregation Kneses Israel – Chabad of Sea Gate, Brooklyn, passed away at the age of 58 after a prolonged battle with illness. Since 1991, Brikman served as a devoted emissary in the Sea Gate and Coney Island communities, guiding residents with his soft-spoken kindness and unwavering faith. Known for his example of simchah and bitachon amid personal challenges, he also volunteered with Hatzalah and the Chevra Kadisha, providing critical support during crises. His funeral procession drew hundreds from Crown Heights and Sea Gate, passing by 770 Eastern Parkway before burial in Queens.
U.S.
President Donald Trump announced the groundbreaking for a new 90,000-square-foot White House State Ballroom, marking the largest structural expansion of the executive mansion since the Truman renovations in the 1940s. Construction crews began demolishing the East Wing facade to accommodate the $300 million project, which will feature neoclassical architecture with arched windows, gilded columns, coffered ceilings, and chandeliers to host state dinners for up to 900 guests—tripling the East Room’s capacity. Trump described the addition as a “big, beautiful” enhancement funded entirely by private donors, including corporations like Apple, Microsoft, and Coinbase, and himself, with no taxpayer dollars involved. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized the ballroom’s separation from the main residence while preserving historical integrity, stating it will modernize event hosting for world leaders.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed that due to exhausted contingency funds amid the federal government shutdown, now in its fourth week, affecting over 42 million low-income Americans who rely on the program for an average $190 monthly per person in grocery assistance. The lapse stems from Congress’s failure to pass appropriations since October 1, with Republicans advancing clean continuing resolutions rejected 12 times by Democrats demanding extensions for expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies and reversals of Medicaid cuts from Trump’s summer spending law. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins stated, “We don’t even have close to that in contingency funding,” referring to the $9.2 billion needed for November payments, blaming Democratic obstruction for the crisis. More than two dozen Democratic-led states filed a lawsuit Tuesday in Massachusetts federal court, arguing the administration can legally tap multiyear reserves to sustain benefits, citing congressional intent for uninterrupted operations. While October disbursements proceeded normally, recipients may use any leftover EBT funds, though experts warn food banks are already overburdened.
Timothy Mellon, an 83-year-old reclusive billionaire and heir to the Mellon banking fortune, has been revealed as the anonymous donor who contributed $130 million to the Pentagon to help fund U.S. military salaries during the ongoing government shutdown. The donation, accepted under the department’s general gift authority, aims to offset costs for over 1.3 million active-duty service members facing delayed paychecks amid the funding impasse now in its fourth week. President Trump announced the gift on Thursday, describing the benefactor as a “great gentleman,” “great patriot,” and “friend” who “doesn’t want publicity,” adding, “He put up $130 million... to make sure the military got paid.” Mellon, a major Trump supporter who donated over $165 million to Republican causes in the 2024 cycle including $25 million directly to the president’s campaign, has a net worth estimated near $1 billion from his railroad and aviation ventures.
The House Oversight Committee released a 100-page report titled “The Biden Autpen Presidency: Decline, Delusion, and Deception in the White House,” alleging former President Joe Biden suffered cognitive decline during his term, concealed by aides through an autopen for signatures on executive actions. The document claims many decisions, including the pardon of his son Hunter Biden, should be voided due to lack of personal authorization, citing aides’ accounts of bypassing Biden amid his impairment. No concrete evidence beyond staff testimonies supports the cover-up assertion. Chairman James Comer requested Attorney General Pam Bondi investigate the validity of Biden’s actions, to which she replied on social media that the Justice Department is reviewing autopen use for pardons and will pursue accountability with Republicans.
President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi signed two key agreements in Tokyo during Trump’s Asia tour, focusing on strategic investments and critical minerals to counter China’s dominance in rare earth supplies. The first pact outlines coordinated economic policies and investments to secure mining and processing of rare earths and minerals essential for semiconductors, electric vehicles, and defense technologies, with Japan pledging up to $550 billion in U.S. projects across energy, AI, and infrastructure. Takaichi hailed the deal as ushering in a “golden age” of the U.S.-Japan alliance, while Trump praised her as a “great leader” and noted streamlined permitting processes to accelerate supply chain resilience. The second agreement implements a July trade framework imposing 15% U.S. tariffs on Japanese goods in exchange for Tokyo’s commitments to boost American manufacturing. The signing at Akasaka Palace followed Trump’s speech to U.S. troops aboard the USS George Washington, where Takaichi joined him to emphasize defense cooperation.
The Social Security Administration announced a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2026, increasing monthly benefits by an average of $56 for over 72 million retirees, disabled workers, and survivors starting in January. The adjustment, based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, raises the average retirement benefit from $1,927 to $1,983 per month. Agency Acting Commissioner Michelle King stated the increase ensures purchasing power amid inflation, though it marks the smallest COLA since 2022’s 3.2%. Maximum taxable earnings will rise to $176,100 from $168,600, boosting payroll contributions. Over 7 million SSI recipients will see payments begin December 31.
Israel
IDF troops in Gaza received a casket containing the apparent body of a slain Israeli hostage from the Red Cross, after the organization collected it from Hamas in Gaza City. The remains, transferred amid the U.S.-brokered ceasefire under President Trump’s 20-point peace plan, underwent immediate inspection by military personnel, who draped the casket in an Israeli flag for a brief honor ceremony led by a military rabbi. Troops saluted and recited psalms before escorting the casket to Israel proper, where police transported it to the Abu Kabir forensic institute in Tel Aviv for DNA identification, a process expected to take up to two days. Israeli officials later identified the remains as partial fragments of Ofir Tzarfati, a 26-year-old whose full body was recovered by the IDF in December 2023, accusing Hamas of staging a fraudulent “unearthed” discovery via drone footage showing operatives burying and re-exhuming the bag. This marks the 16th set of remains returned since the October 10 ceasefire, with 12 more believed held by the group, prompting Defense Minister Israel Katz to vow “powerful” strikes for violations.
The Israel Defense Forces foiled an attempt to smuggle weapons into Israel from Egypt using a drone in the southern Paran Brigade sector along the border. IDF surveillance units detected the unmanned aerial vehicle crossing from Egyptian territory and promptly downed it with ground fire, preventing the delivery of two assault rifles and several magazines of ammunition. Troops secured the site and confiscated the contraband, which bore markings consistent with Sinai-based smuggling networks linked to Islamist militants. This marks the latest in a series of at least five drone incursions intercepted this year, highlighting persistent threats from the porous frontier despite enhanced bilateral security cooperation with Cairo.
Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the termination of the “special situation” emergency status in southern Israel, effective Tuesday, marking the first time since the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre that the region will operate without heightened Home Front Command restrictions. The designation, continuously in place for over two years, empowered authorities to limit public gatherings, close educational institutions, and evacuate areas in response to rocket threats and border incursions. Katz attributed the decision to the IDF’s decisive operations that dismantled Hamas’ military capabilities. The move coincides with the U.S.-brokered ceasefire and hostage releases under President Trump’s 20-point peace plan, signaling restored civilian normalcy in communities like Sderot and Kibbutz Be’eri.
Nvidia announced plans to relocate its Beersheva research and development center to a new 3,000-square-meter facility at Gav-Yam’s high-tech park, tripling the size of its current site. The expansion, set to reach full capacity by mid-2026, will accommodate growing teams focused on AI, chip design, and automotive technologies, reinforcing Israel’s role as a key Nvidia R&D hub. CEO Jensen Huang stated the investment reflects confidence in Beersheva’s engineering talent and the country’s innovation ecosystem. The move aligns with Nvidia’s global growth strategy amid surging demand for AI infrastructure. Local officials hailed the project as a boost to southern Israel’s economy, creating hundreds of high-tech jobs. Construction begins next quarter.
WORLD
Argentina’s midterm legislative elections delivered a resounding victory for President Javier Milei’s La Libertad Avanza party, securing 41 percent of the national vote and 64 seats in the Chamber of Deputies, up from 37 previously. The coalition, running a unified ballot with Republican Proposal and allies, also gained ground in the Senate, positioning Milei to protect his vetoes and advance libertarian reforms despite not achieving a congressional majority. The win marked a dramatic rebound in Buenos Aires province, where Milei’s party edged out opponents 41.5 percent to 40.8 percent after a 14-point loss in September provincial polls. Voter turnout reached 68 percent, the lowest since democracy’s return in 1983, amid mandatory voting with minimal fines. The outcome, hailed by Milei as a “tipping point” ending a century of Peronist “decadence,” followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s $40 billion bailout conditioned on strong results, boosting markets.
Ireland elected Catherine Connolly as president in a landslide victory with 63 percent of the vote, marking the largest margin in the nation’s history and elevating a far-left independent known for her anti-Israel rhetoric to the largely ceremonial role. Connolly, a 68-year-old former barrister and parliament member since 2016, defeated center-right candidate Heather Humphreys of Fine Gael, who conceded early as counts showed Connolly’s commanding lead. The election, which replaced outgoing President Michael D. Higgins after his two-term limit, reflects Ireland’s international stance critical of Israel, including recognition of Palestine and boycotts of Israeli goods. Connolly has repeatedly labeled Israel a “terrorist state” and accused it of pursuing “Jewish supremacy” in 2021, drawing condemnation from Jewish leaders as antisemitic. In September, she described Hamas as “part of the fabric of the Palestinian people,” later clarifying she “utterly condemns” their actions while accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza.
The United Kingdom signed an £8 billion deal with Turkey to supply 20 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, marking Britain’s largest aircraft export in nearly two decades and the first new Typhoon order since 2017. Prime Minister Keir Starmer finalized the agreement in Ankara alongside President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, following Germany’s lifting of a long-standing veto within the Eurofighter consortium of Britain, Germany, Italy, and Spain. The package includes weapons like MBDA Meteor missiles, with deliveries starting in 2030 and an option for additional jets. Starmer stated the pact bolsters NATO’s southeastern flank. Turkey also plans to acquire 24 used Typhoons from Qatar and Oman to bridge capability gaps until its KAAN fighter enters service.
The 33rd Conference of European Rabbis, planned for November 3–6 in Baku, Azerbaijan, has been postponed indefinitely due to heightened security concerns, including threatening social media posts from Azerbaijanis in Turkey and Iran opposing the event. The Conference of European Rabbis (CER) issued a statement expressing deep regret, noting the gathering would have marked the organization’s 70th anniversary and highlighted interfaith cooperation in a Muslim-majority nation. Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt emphasized the decision followed consultations with local authorities after a concrete alert, prioritizing participant safety. The event was expected to draw around 600 rabbis from Europe, Israel, and the U.S., including Israel’s Chief Rabbis David Yosef and Kalman Ber, along with Ministers Amichai Chikli and Amichay Eliyahu. Organizers thanked the Azerbaijani government for its support of Jewish communities and committed to rescheduling soon.
