New York
Representative Jerrold Nadler, a New York Democrat, will not seek re-election in 2026,
ending a 34-year congressional career representing Manhattan’s 12th District. Nadler, who began his tenure in 1992 after serving in the New York State Assembly, has been a prominent liberal voice, notably leading efforts during President Trump’s impeachments. His decision follows calls for generational change within the Democratic Party. The district, encompassing Union Square to Central Park, is a hub of cultural and economic significance. Nadler plans to support former aide Micah Lasher, who may run to succeed him. Nadler, who is Jewish, has been vocally opposed to Israel’s actions in Gaza, calling them war crimes, and intends to block offensive weapons transfers to Israel.
Rudy Giuliani, former New York City mayor, was seriously injured in a car accident in Manchester, New Hampshire, when his Ford Bronco was rear-ended by a Honda HR-V driven by a 19-year-old. Giuliani, 81, suffered a fractured thoracic vertebra, lacerations, and injuries to his left arm and leg. The crash occurred after he stopped to assist a woman reporting domestic violence, contacting 911 and remaining until police arrived. He was discharged from the hospital the next day and is recovering in Manchester. President Trump announced that Giuliani will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, praising him as a patriot and the greatest NYC mayor.
Nassau County introduced a 40-member Strategic Response Team to enhance security across more than 450 schools, including public, private, charter, and yeshiva institutions. The team, equipped with ballistic gear, breaching tools, and medical supplies, is trained to respond immediately to active-shooter situations. This initiative aims to bolster safety in response to rising concerns about school violence. Officers will patrol schools countywide, ensuring rapid intervention capabilities. The program reflects Nassau County’s commitment to protecting students and staff across diverse educational settings.
The Manhattan residence of New York Times Executive Editor Joseph Kahn in Greenwich Village was vandalized with red paint and the message, “Joe Kahn Lies Gaza Dies.” Police responded to the incident around 4:45 a.m., but no arrests have been made. “People are free to disagree with The New York Times’ reporting, but vandalism and targeting of individuals and their families crosses a line, and we will work with authorities to address it,” a Times spokesperson said in a statement to the New York Post. This follows a similar vandalism incident at the New York Times headquarters in July.
New York attorney Abraham Hamra filed a $1 million lawsuit against Al Jazeera, alleging the network falsely claimed he was paid by Israel to promote Gaza aid efforts. The lawsuit accuses Al Jazeera of defamation through misleading reports about Hamra’s humanitarian work. Hamra asserts the claims damaged his reputation and seeks compensation for the alleged harm.
U.S.
Robin Westman, a 23-year-old trans-identified male, killed two children and injured 17 others at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis during a school Mass. Westman, who legally changed his name from Robert to Robin in 2020, fired through church windows using legally purchased firearms, later dying by self-inflicted gunshot. Writings and videos revealed anti-Trump, anti-Catholic, anti-Jewish, and pro-Palestinian sentiments, including “Kill Donald Trump” and “Israel must fall” on weapons and in a manifesto. The FBI is investigating the attack as domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara noted Westman’s obsession with killing children but claimed that no clear motive has been established, despite a lengthy manifesto, several YouTube videos, and other evidence being found.
A federal judge in California issued a ruling blocking the Trump administration’s plan to deploy the National Guard to address crime in the state. The decision came after California officials argued that the deployment infringed on state authority over local law enforcement. The judge’s order cited concerns about the federal government overstepping its jurisdiction without clear evidence of a national emergency. The Trump administration had proposed using the Guard to combat rising urban crime rates, particularly in cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco.
John Kevin Lapinski Jr., 41, of Margate, Florida, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for plotting attacks on Jewish Americans. Authorities discovered weapons, tactical gear, and maps marking synagogues, Jewish businesses, and a Jewish congressman’s residence during a search of Lapinski’s property. He was also linked to a prior shooting at a Jewish resident’s home. The U.S. Attorney’s Office described the sentence as a strong message against hate-fueled violence targeting Jewish communities.
President Trump announced that the U.S. Space Force headquarters will relocate to Huntsville, Alabama, aligning with the state’s robust military and aerospace infrastructure. The move positions the headquarters near Redstone Arsenal, home to the Army’s Space and Missile Defense Command and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, fostering operational synergy. The decision reverses a 2023 Biden administration choice to retain the headquarters in Colorado Springs, following a 2021 Air Force recommendation favoring Huntsville. The relocation is expected to bring around 1,400 jobs, boosting Alabama’s economy.
President Trump urged pharmaceutical companies to publicly release all COVID-19 vaccine data, highlighting the need for transparency. The call came amid debates over vaccine safety and efficacy, fueled by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s skeptical stance on vaccines. The demand has sparked renewed discussions about public access to medical research data. No pharmaceutical companies have issued public responses to the request, and federal agencies have not announced specific actions to enforce or facilitate the data release. The statement aligns with ongoing efforts by some administration officials to scrutinize vaccine-related policies.
Former Special Counsel Robert Mueller was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, according to The New York Times. Mueller, who led the 2017-2019 investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, is experiencing worsening symptoms, including speech difficulties. His condition prevents him from complying with a House Judiciary Committee request to testify about his 2019 report findings. The committee sought his testimony to revisit details of the Russia investigation.
Southwest Airlines became the first U.S. carrier to operate a flight with a secondary cockpit barrier, installed on a Boeing 737 MAX 8. The flight departed from Phoenix to Denver. The barrier enhances security by preventing unauthorized cockpit access, complying with a 2023 FAA rule for newly built commercial aircraft. The mandate addresses aviation safety concerns stemming from post-9/11 security reviews. Southwest’s adoption marks a milestone in implementing the regulation across U.S. airlines. Other carriers are following suit to meet the FAA requirement.
Israel
The Israel Defense Forces conducted an airstrike in Sanaa, Yemen, killing the Houthi-controlled government’s prime minister, Ahmed al-Rahawi, and several senior officials during a cabinet meeting. The IDF targeted the Houthi defense minister and chief of staff, using precise intelligence to execute the strike despite heavy air defenses. The attack responded to Houthi missile and drone assaults on Israel, which began escalating in March. The Iran-backed Houthis vowed revenge, with thousands attending the officials’ funeral in Sanaa. The strike aimed to disrupt the group’s military buildup threatening Israel and regional stability. The operation, codenamed Lucky Drop, was monitored by Israeli defense officials.
The IDF, in a joint operation with the Shin Bet, recovered the bodies of hostages Idan Shtivi and Ilan Weiss from the Gaza Strip. Shtivi, 28, was killed by Hamas at the Nova music festival, and Weiss, 56, died defending Kibbutz Be’eri during the October 7, 2023, attack. The complex rescue was led by the IDF’s Hostages and Missing Persons Headquarters. Shtivi’s body was identified at the Institute of Forensic Medicine. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised their bravery, highlighting Shtivi’s efforts to save others during the attack. The operation underscored ongoing efforts to locate hostages, with 48 still held in Gaza.
The IDF’s Givati Brigade eliminated a Hamas terror cell near Jabaliya in the Gaza Strip, according to an IDF statement. The operation uncovered a weapons depot containing firearms, explosives, and other military equipment used to plan attacks against Israeli forces. The action targeted Hamas’s operational capabilities in northern Gaza, where the group maintains strongholds. The strike was part of broader IDF efforts to degrade Hamas infrastructure in the region. The Givati Brigade’s actions focused on neutralizing immediate threats posed by the cell.
Israel is redesigning residential bomb shelters to address vulnerabilities exposed by Iran and Hamas missile strikes, as reported by Bloomberg. Engineers are testing reinforced materials and thicker steel doors while adding toilets and emergency communication systems to create mini-bunkers. The upgrades aim to enhance protection for residents during prolonged attacks. The Home Front Command is updating shelter guidelines to reflect lessons from the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack and subsequent Iranian barrages. New shelters are expected to cost 12-15% more, with private installations reaching up to $75,000.
WORLD
Ukrainian officials warned that Israeli citizens may face restrictions on entering Uman for the High Holidays, particularly Rosh Hashanah, due to strained relations with Israel, as reported by The Jerusalem Post. Kyiv expressed frustration over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s failure to acknowledge Ukraine’s Independence Day. Uman, home to Rabbi Nachman of Breslov’s burial site, typically draws tens of thousands of Jewish pilgrims annually. A senior Ukrainian official requested financial support and Israeli police assistance to manage the pilgrimage. Israel’s Deputy Attorney-General noted that allowing ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers to travel would violate draft laws. The warning reflects ongoing diplomatic tensions amid Ukraine’s war with Russia.
Belgium’s Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib announced that Belgium will recognize Palestine as a state during the UN General Assembly. The decision aligns with actions by France, Ireland, and Spain, supporting Palestinian statehood amid the Gaza conflict. The recognition aims to strengthen Palestine’s position in international forums. Israeli officials criticized the move, arguing it undermines peace negotiations. Palestine currently holds non-member observer status at the UN. The announcement marks a shift in Belgium’s foreign policy, emphasizing support for a two-state solution.
Białystok, Poland, named a square after Józef Bartoszko, a synagogue caretaker who aided Jews during a 1941 Nazi massacre. Bartoszko helped up to 29 people escape before the synagogue was burned during the Black Friday massacre, which killed 2,000 Jews. The dedication honors his courage and supports efforts to preserve Poland’s Jewish heritage. Białystok’s once-thriving Jewish community was devastated during the Holocaust. Local officials and Jewish community representatives attended the naming ceremony. The square serves as a tribute to Bartoszko’s bravery and a reminder of the city’s historical ties to its Jewish population.
A 26-year-old man from Ferndown, Dorset, was arrested in Bournemouth, England, for attacking a Jewish teenager with an air rifle. The incident occurred in the East Cliff area as the teen walked to a synagogue. The suspect allegedly shouted antisemitic slurs before firing from a passing car, hitting the victim in the forehead. The teenager sustained minor injuries and received medical treatment. Dorset Police are investigating the incident as a hate crime. The suspect remains in custody, and the attack has heightened concerns about rising antisemitism in the UK.
Iran-backed Houthi forces raided UN food and children’s agency offices in Sanaa, Yemen, detaining at least one UN employee. The raids targeted the World Food Programme and UNICEF facilities, escalating tensions with international organizations. The Houthis, controlling Yemen’s capital, offered no stated reason for the actions. The detained employee’s status remains unclear. The incident follows increased Houthi hostility toward UN operations amid Yemen’s ongoing conflict. The raids have raised concerns about the safety of humanitarian workers in the region. The UN has called for the immediate release of its staff member.