NEW YORK NEWS
During a press conference outside the Roosevelt Hotel in Manhattan addressing the migrant crisis, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other Democratic lawmakers faced loud heckling from protesters shouting “Send them back!” and “Close the border!” Despite the disruptions, Ocasio-Cortez discussed the need for resources to assist migrants and work authorizations to help them support themselves. The delegation also called for extending Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans. The Roosevelt Hotel serves as a relief center for asylum seekers, offering food, vaccinations, and caseworker meetings. The event highlighted the contentious issue of immigration as New York City grapples with a significant influx of migrants, leading Mayor Eric Adams to express concerns about its impact on the city’s resources and future.
An open secret in the Bronx reveals that a daycare center, where a toddler tragically died from fentanyl exposure, was operating as a drug front, as claimed by a neighbor. The facility, known as Divino Nino Daycare, had displayed a business sign for over a year but never had any children going in or out. Despite recent licensing, suspicions arose due to the absence of kids and the presence of men frequenting the establishment. The owner, Grei Mendez De Ventura, and a resident, Carlisto Acevedo Brito, were arrested on charges of murder, assault, and child endangerment following the toddler’s death. Law enforcement is now searching for Ventura’s husband, believed to be deeply involved in the illicit drug business. Surprisingly, the daycare had recently passed a city inspection without violations, although a kilo of fentanyl and drug-related equipment were found during a police raid. The daycare was under state regulation but contracted inspections to the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Mayor Eric Adams defended the inspection process, emphasizing that required background checks were performed and highlighting the daycare owner’s responsibility to disclose residents for checks. Only one surprise inspection per year was mandated. Governor Kathy Hochul ordered an investigation into the incident, while details emerged that the children were exposed to fentanyl when the drug was being cut in the daycare, leading to a tragic outcome, with one child dead and others hospitalized.
New York will implement a statewide salary transparency law that mandates employers with at least four workers to disclose salary ranges for job advertisements, whether externally to the public or internally for promotions or transfers. This measure aims to address pay disparities based on age, gender, race, or other irrelevant factors, enhancing equal pay for equal work. Advocates believe it will also help underpaid workers identify wage disparities for similar roles. New York City has had a similar pay transparency ordinance in effect since 2022, and this move aligns the state with other jurisdictions like California and Colorado with similar laws. However, compliance may pose challenges, as some employers may be unaware of the law’s requirements. Still, proponents see this as a victory for labor rights and worker empowerment, particularly for younger individuals entering the workforce.
New York City’s pension funds, representing nearly 800,000 current and retired workers and worth $253 billion, have sued Fox Corporation and its board for alleged neglect of shareholder duty by exposing themselves to defamation lawsuits due to the persistent broadcasting of false information about the 2020 presidential election. The lawsuit accuses Fox of amplifying false claims from former President Donald Trump and his allies about rigged voting, consciously disregarding the risk of defamation litigation, and failing to minimize that risk. The suit seeks unspecified damages and governance reforms, and it is the most significant shareholder action since Fox settled a defamation lawsuit by Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million in April. The State of Oregon has also joined the lawsuit against Fox.
US NEWS
Five Americans who had been detained in Iran were released and returned home as part of a deal that involved the release of nearly $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets by South Korea. The Americans were welcomed back, with President Joe Biden receiving gratitude from their families. However, the deal drew criticism from Republican presidential rivals and opponents for its monetary arrangement with Iran, a major adversary of the United States. Tensions between the U.S. and Iran persist over issues like Iran’s nuclear program, and the prisoner release is unlikely to significantly change the overall relationship.
Federal prosecutors have indicted Hunter Biden on gun charges after the collapse of a plea deal last month. The indictment includes three charges related to false statements made on a federal firearm application in October 2018 when Hunter claimed to be drug-free to purchase a handgun, despite later admitting to addiction issues. Two of the counts carry maximum sentences of 10 years in prison, while the third carries a maximum of 5 years. This indictment is a significant turn from the failed plea deal, which would have placed Hunter in a diversion program if successfully completed, erasing the gun charges from his record. The charges come amidst political and legal challenges for President Joe Biden, as Republicans allege that he benefited from his family’s overseas business ventures.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has stated that President Joe Biden will not consider commuting or pardoning his son, Hunter Biden, if he is convicted of the charges brought against him. Hunter Biden faces three charges related to false statements made on a federal firearm application in 2018 when he claimed to be drug-free despite later acknowledging addiction issues. Two of the counts carry maximum sentences of 10 years, while the third carries a maximum of five years. This decision contrasts with a failed plea deal that would have placed Hunter in a diversion program, removing the gun charges upon successful completion. The charges come amid ongoing political and legal challenges for President Biden, including allegations of benefiting from his family’s overseas business ventures.
Hunter Biden has filed a lawsuit against the IRS, alleging violations of his privacy when agents shared details of their tax investigation with Congress. The lawsuit claims that two whistleblowers, IRS agents Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler, leaked sensitive information about Hunter’s taxes to Congress, which violated federal tax laws and his right to privacy. Hunter’s legal action asserts that no government agency or agent has the right to violate his rights simply because of his identity. The whistleblowers had raised concerns about a double standard in the handling of the investigation into Hunter’s tax affairs and firearm purchase, suggesting he received favorable treatment and that lines of questioning that could implicate his father, President Joe Biden, were blocked. The lawsuit alleges that the whistleblowers disclosed specific tax information that could only be known through a review of Hunter’s personal tax returns during nationally televised interviews and public statements. A plea agreement previously negotiated with the Delaware U.S. Attorney fell apart when questions arose about the limits of immunity in a gun charge diversion agreement.
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased by 0.6% in August, with a 3.7% rise over the last 12 months, according to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This marks two consecutive months of price growth and raises concerns about persistent inflation. Food prices increased by 4.9% between July 2022 and July 2023, with a significant surge under the Biden presidency, tripling since he took office. The CPI-U measures the change in prices paid by consumers for goods and services, and it has risen steadily in recent years, indicating ongoing inflationary pressures in the economy.
The U.S. national debt has surpassed $33 trillion, marking a significant milestone as government spending faces increased scrutiny. This debt level reflects what the U.S. owes its creditors and has seen remarkable growth compared to four decades ago when it was around $907 billion. Experts warn of the potential dangers associated with this high level of debt. At the same time, Congress is working to avoid a government shutdown, with House Republicans proposing a short-term funding plan that includes an 8% spending cut on federal agencies, excluding certain areas like defense and veterans affairs. The Congressional Budget Office predicts the national debt will nearly double in size over the next three decades, reaching an unprecedented burden on the economy. Rising interest rates are also making debt servicing more costly, with interest payments projected to triple by 2032 and surpass spending on various important programs.
The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has initiated a strike against major automakers Ford, General Motors (GM), and Stellantis, impacting around 13,000 auto workers at three factories. The strike comes after failed negotiations over wage increases and “economic and social justice.” The UAW is demanding a 36% pay raise over four years, while the automakers have proposed lower increases. Other union demands include a reduced workweek with full pay, pensions for new employees, and inflation-based pay adjustments. GM had offered additional benefits like “inflation protection” and increased retirement health care contributions. President Joe Biden, who initially downplayed the likelihood of a strike, is expected to address the situation. The strike has raised concerns about its potential economic impact.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott praised Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s acquittal after facing impeachment and allegations of corruption and abuse of public office. The Texas Senate voted to acquit Paxton of the 16 impeachment articles he faced, none of which received even a simple majority vote in favor. Abbott expressed his eagerness to work with Paxton, commended his previous work representing Texas, and emphasized their joint efforts to secure the border and protect Texas from federal overreach. Paxton, in response, thanked his legal team for exposing what he considered false allegations and criticized the impeachment as a weaponization of the process coordinated by the Biden administration and “liberal House Speaker Dade Phelan.” The impeachment had accused Paxton of accepting bribes and providing favors to an Austin real estate developer and campaign backer while under FBI investigation.
Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy defended his campaign’s New Hampshire co-chair, Bruce Fenton, who had posted that “Israel is an apartheid state.” Ramaswamy stated that while he disagrees with Fenton on this issue, Fenton is entitled to his viewpoint. Ramaswamy emphasized that he doesn’t seek Fenton’s advice on Israel and turns to other experts for guidance on the matter. He rejected the idea of canceling or distancing from someone based on a single disagreement and emphasized the importance of pluralistic discourse in his campaign. “This is such a dumb game the media and shallow career politicians play,” Ramaswamy, a technology entrepreneur, wrote. “Guess what? I have volunteers on my campaign whom I don’t agree with on everything. Bruce Fenton is right on fed policy, bitcoin, individual liberty and dismantling the administrative state. Turns out he’s dead wrong on calling Israel an ‘apartheid state.’”
The crash site of a missing stealth fighter jet, an FB-35B Lightning II, was located in rural South Carolina after the pilot safely ejected from the aircraft. The debris field was discovered in Williamsburg County, and a recovery team worked to secure the area. The pilot was in stable condition after parachuting to safety in a North Charleston neighborhood. The incident is under investigation, and the Marine Corps temporarily paused aviation operations following this Class-A mishap, which is the third such event in recent weeks, involving damages exceeding $2.5 million or more. The missing plane’s location initially focused the search on Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion.
Utah Republican Senator Mitt Romney has announced that he will not seek reelection to the Senate, calling for a “new generation of leaders.” In a video message, Romney criticized both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, citing issues like the rising national debt and the climate crisis. Romney has been a rare Republican senator willing to criticize Trump, having voted to remove him from office during his first impeachment trial in 2020. He emphasized the need for new leadership and stated that he would continue to serve as a senator until January 2025, despite not seeking reelection. Romney also criticized Senate Republican colleagues for their loyalty to Trump and expressed concerns about Biden’s age in the next election.
Apple’s iPhone 15 launch saw strong demand, leading to the Apple Store crashing due to website traffic. Delivery estimates for the high-end Pro Max model slipped to weeks in advance. This demand is considered good news for Apple, as it faces challenges in the market and concerns about interest in new iPhones. The launch event itself was seen as a bit of a letdown, but the sustained demand remains to be seen. Apple’s stock fell slightly after the event, but reactions from analysts are mixed, with some maintaining positive outlooks for the stock’s future. Challenges include competition from Huawei in China and a global slowdown in phone sales.
Israel NEWS
Saudi Arabia has reportedly frozen its US-brokered efforts to normalize relations with Israel due to concerns that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is unwilling to make concessions to the Palestinians, according to a Saudi-owned newspaper. However, Israeli and American officials have denied the report, and Netanyahu had previously indicated his openness to gestures to Palestinians if they were a condition for normalization with Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has been stepping up engagement with Palestinians and recently co-hosted an event focused on revamping the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Riyadh has assured the Palestinian Authority that it will not abandon the Palestinian cause while discussing normalization with Israel.
A U.N. committee voted to list prehistoric ruins near Jericho in the West Bank as a World Heritage Site in Palestine, a move opposed by Israel. The site, known as the Tell es-Sultan archaeological site, contains prehistoric ruins dating back to the ninth millennium B.C. and is located near Jericho, one of the oldest continually inhabited cities on earth. Israel criticized the decision, calling it a “cynical” ploy to politicize UNESCO. Israel, which controls the territory, does not recognize a Palestinian state. The move comes at a time when peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians have stalled for over a decade.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), in California during his weeklong visit to the United States. Netanyahu discussed artificial intelligence with Musk and sought to encourage him to invest in Israel. The visit marked Netanyahu’s first trip to the U.S. since being re-elected in November 2022. During his visit, Netanyahu also had a live conversation with Musk on the X platform and scheduled meetings with U.S. President Joe Biden and other world leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Schulz and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Meanwhile, protesters from the “UnXeptable” movement projected an image of Netanyahu behind bars on Alcatraz Island and criticized him during his visit to New York. Netanyahu denounced the protesters, accusing them of harming Israel’s reputation.
WORLD NEWS
China sent 103 warplanes toward Taiwan in a 24-hour period, marking a significant increase and what Taiwan’s defense ministry described as a recent high. The planes were detected but turned back before reaching Taiwan, as has been customary. However, China has been conducting increasingly large military drills in the air and waters around Taiwan, leading to growing tensions between the two and with the United States. The recent actions may be related to Taiwan’s upcoming presidential election in January, as China favors opposition candidates who advocate working with the mainland. The situation continues to be a source of concern in the region.
A U.N. committee has designated a group of medieval Jewish sites in Erfurt, Germany, as a World Heritage Site. This recognition includes Erfurt’s Old Synagogue, a 13th-century stone building, and a traditional ritual bath, or mikveh, shedding light on Jewish family life during the medieval era. These Jewish heritage sites in Erfurt were largely forgotten until recently, with the Old Synagogue having been used for various purposes over the centuries. The rediscovery of their historical importance occurred relatively recently, highlighting the common roots of Jews and Christians in Germany and Europe. This designation adds to the growing recognition of Jewish cultural heritage sites in Germany.
