New York
New York City Mayor Eric Adams suspended his re-election bid, less than five weeks before Election Day, citing relentless media scrutiny and a Campaign Finance Board decision to withhold millions in funds that hampered fundraising efforts.
Adams, who ran as a third-party candidate after failing to secure the Democratic nomination, announced the decision in a nine-minute video posted on X, walking down stairs to Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” while holding a photo of his late mother. He stated, “Despite all we’ve achieved, I cannot continue my re-election campaign,” and declined to endorse any successor, vowing to complete his term ending January 1, 2026. The move, long anticipated amid Adams’ plummeting approval ratings below 20 percent and lingering corruption allegations despite dismissed federal charges, narrows the field to Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, independent Andrew Cuomo, and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
Two Syracuse University freshmen face burglary as a hate crime and criminal nuisance charges after they allegedly entered the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity house and threw a clear plastic bag of pork against an interior wall. The incident disrupted a Rosh HaShanah dinner attended by fraternity members. Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick emphasized the charges stem from the act’s timing on a Jewish holiday, the pork’s religious implications, and Zeta Beta Tau’s status as a historically Jewish fraternity. “This incident is not a foolish college prank … it will be treated for what it is, a crime directed against a group of Jewish students,” Fitzpatrick stated. Syracuse University Chief Student Experience Officer Allen Groves called the act “abhorrent” and vowed intolerance for such violations of campus values.
President Donald Trump alleged “triple sabotage” at the United Nations during his General Assembly address, citing an escalator that halted mid-ride with First Lady Melania Trump, a teleprompter failure forcing him to read from paper for 15 minutes, and audio issues preventing world leaders from hearing without earpieces. In a Truth Social post, Trump demanded an immediate Secret Service investigation and instructed U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres to preserve security footage, stating, “This wasn’t a coincidence, this was triple sabotage at the U.N. They ought to be ashamed of themselves.” U.N. officials attributed the escalator stoppage to a safety mechanism possibly triggered by a U.S. delegation videographer moving backward, while the teleprompter belonged to Trump’s team. U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz requested a detailed U.N. probe into the root causes.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced that a 15-mph speed limit for e-bikes, e-scooters, and pedal-assist commercial bikes will take effect on October 24, aiming to enhance public safety amid the rising use of micromobility devices. The policy, part of the city’s Vision Zero initiative to reduce traffic fatalities, responds to concerns over high-speed collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists. While enforcement details remain unspecified, officials hinted at potential NYPD patrols and technological measures like geofencing to cap device speeds. The regulation targets both private and commercial users, including delivery workers, who number over 60,000 citywide. Data show e-bike-related injuries rose 20 percent last year, prompting the measure. The city will launch an education campaign to inform riders before enforcement begins.
A federal immigration officer was relieved of duty on Friday after videos surfaced showing him pushing a woman to the ground outside the immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan. The incident occurred Thursday afternoon amid a protest by New York City Comptroller Brad Lander and other Democratic officials demanding access to ICE holding cells, where the woman, identified as State Sen. Julia Salazar, was part of the group detained earlier for refusing to leave the building. Footage captured the officer shoving Salazar, causing her to fall and injure her knee, as bystanders shouted for him to stop. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the officer’s administrative leave pending an internal investigation.
U.S.
A federal grand jury in Alexandria, Virginia, indicted former FBI Director James Comey on Thursday on one count of making a false statement and one count of obstruction of a congressional proceeding, stemming from his September 2020 Senate Judiciary Committee testimony on the FBI’s Russia investigation. The charges allege Comey falsely denied authorizing anonymous leaks of sensitive information related to the probe, potentially facing up to five years in prison if convicted. The indictment, signed solely by interim U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan — a Trump loyalist with no prior prosecutorial experience — followed intense pressure from President Trump, who publicly demanded action against Comey and others on Truth Social, warning it was “killing our reputation and credibility.” Attorney General Pam Bondi affirmed the Justice Department’s commitment to accountability, stating, “No one is above the law.”
Hundreds of U.S. generals and admirals convened at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia on Tuesday for a rare, urgent gathering ordered by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, where they heard addresses from Hegseth and President Donald Trump. The assembly, involving approximately 800 senior officers stationed worldwide, marked an unprecedented concentration of military leadership at one site, prompting concerns over costs, operational disruptions, and security risks amid ongoing global commitments. Hegseth delivered a speech emphasizing a renewed “warrior ethos,” including stricter grooming and fitness standards and a shift toward an aggressive military posture, while announcing plans to reduce four-star positions by 20 percent to streamline commands. Trump, speaking afterward, praised the military’s progress and highlighted “esprit de corps,” framing the event as a unifying moment following recent high-level firings. Pentagon officials described the session as lasting about 30 minutes and recorded for potential public release.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order designating Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization, fulfilling a campaign promise amid heightened concerns over left-wing extremism. The order describes Antifa as a “militarist, anarchist enterprise” that seeks to overthrow the U.S. government through violence, citing its role in suppressing political activity and obstructing the rule of law. Trump directed federal agencies, including the Justice Department and FBI, to investigate, disrupt, and prosecute Antifa-linked operations, including funding sources, under existing authorities like 18 U.S.C. 371 for conspiracy. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated the move targets “radical left violence” following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
A gunman opened fire on a Dallas ICE field office from a nearby rooftop on Wednesday, killing two detainees and critically wounding a third before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The shooter was a 29-year-old, who fired indiscriminately with a rifle, striking a van in the sally port where the victims were processing for short-term detention. Shell casings recovered at the scene bore “anti-ICE” messages, indicating targeted animosity toward immigration enforcement. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated, “This vile attack was motivated by hatred for ICE,” linking it to inflammatory rhetoric against the agency. The incident was the third such assault on Texas DHS facilities this year. ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons confirmed no officers were harmed.
A 40-year-old former U.S. Marine and Iraq War veteran crashed his pickup truck through the front doors of a Mormon church in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, during a crowded worship service. Hundreds of congregants were inside when the man exited the vehicle, opened fire with an assault rifle, and deliberately set the building ablaze, killing four people and wounding eight others. Two police officers arrived within 30 seconds and engaged the man in a shootout, fatally shooting him in the parking lot eight minutes later. The church was engulfed in flames, complicating the investigation as crews searched the ruins for additional victims, though none were found.
Congressional leaders from both parties met with President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday afternoon, emerging without a compromise to avert a government shutdown set to begin at midnight Tuesday. Republicans, holding slim majorities in Congress, advanced a clean continuing resolution to extend funding at current levels until November 21, rejecting Democratic demands to tie it to health-care provisions. Democrats insisted on extending enhanced Obamacare subsidies expiring at year’s end and reversing recent Medicaid cuts enacted in the GOP’s summer spending bill, arguing these protect millions of Americans from premium spikes. Vice President J. D. Vance accused Democrats of holding funding “hostage” for political gain, stating, “I think we’re headed to a shutdown.” House Speaker Mike Johnson echoed that view, warning the consequences rest with Democrats if they block the measure. Senate Majority Leader John Thune scheduled a Tuesday vote on the bill, daring Democrats to oppose it hours before the deadline.
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis revised second-quarter GDP growth to 3.8 percent annualized, up from the previously reported 3.0 percent, reflecting robust economic activity from April to June 2025. Stronger consumer spending, particularly on durable goods like vehicles, fueled the increase, with personal consumption expenditures rising 2.9 percent. Higher personal incomes, supported by wage growth in manufacturing and tech sectors, further bolstered demand. A decline in imports, notably in energy and raw materials, also contributed to the upward revision, narrowing the trade deficit. Business investment in equipment remained steady, though residential construction saw slight declines. The revision aligns with expectations of sustained economic momentum despite global uncertainties.
YouTube agreed to pay $24.5 million to settle a lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump in October 2021 over the suspension of his account following the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. The platform froze Trump’s channel for seven days initially, then indefinitely, citing risks of further violence from his content, though the account was restored in March 2023. Of the total, $22 million will fund the Trust for the National Mall’s White House State Ballroom project, directed by Trump, while $2.5 million goes to co-plaintiffs, including the American Conservative Union and writer Naomi Wolf. Trump’s attorney noted that his client’s re-election facilitated the resolution, avoiding prolonged litigation. The settlement includes no admission of liability by YouTube. This follows similar payouts from Meta ($25 million in January) and X ($10 million in February), resolving Trump’s claims of censorship against major tech firms.
Israel
President Donald Trump unveiled a 20-point peace plan for Gaza during a White House meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who announced Israel’s agreement to the proposal aimed at ending the nearly two-year war with Hamas. The plan calls for an immediate ceasefire if accepted by both sides, with all Israeli hostages — alive and deceased — released within 72 hours in exchange for Israel freeing 250 life-sentence prisoners and 1,700 Gazans detained since October 7, 2023. Gaza would be demilitarized as a terror-free zone, redeveloped for its residents’ benefit, and governed temporarily by a technocratic Palestinian committee overseen by a “Board of Peace” chaired by Trump and including former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair. Amnesty would be offered to Hamas members who decommission weapons and commit to peaceful coexistence, while full humanitarian aid resumes through the reopened Rafah crossing. Trump stated, “This is a historic day for peace,” warning that if Hamas rejects the deal, Israel has U.S. backing to “finish the job.” Netanyahu echoed the sentiment, affirming Israel’s readiness to proceed or resume operations if necessary.
A Houthi drone struck the Israeli resort city of Eilat, penetrating after two failed interception attempts by IDF air defenses and wounding at least 22 people, including two in serious condition with limb injuries. The unmanned aerial vehicle crashed near a hotel, causing structural damage to nearby buildings and triggering immediate evacuations by Magen David Adom paramedics. Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed responsibility, stating the attack targeted multiple sites including Eilat and Beersheba to support Palestinians in Gaza. This incident marks the second successful drone hit on Eilat within a week, following a September 18 strike on a hotel entrance that caused no casualties but highlighted vulnerabilities in southern defenses. Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed a forceful response, emphasizing that the Houthis would “learn the hard way” for escalating threats. The IDF confirmed the drone’s late detection, prompting an internal probe into interception protocols. Eilat Mayor Eli Lankri urged intensified strikes on Yemen to secure the Red Sea port’s operations.
Israeli forces launched a series of airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, killing at least eight people and wounding 142 others, according to the Houthi-led health ministry. The Israeli military deployed dozens of air force jets in a wide operation against military infrastructure, including the headquarters of the Houthi military propaganda department, manned camps storing weapons, and fuel storage sites.
Microsoft restricted access to its Azure cloud storage and AI services for a unit within Israel’s Ministry of Defense following an internal investigation into allegations of mass surveillance on Palestinian civilians. The decision, announced Thursday by company President Brad Smith in a staff email and blog post, stemmed from an August 6 Guardian report — co-published with +972 Magazine and Local Call — claiming the IDF’s Unit 8200 used Azure to store recordings of millions of daily phone calls intercepted in Gaza and the West Bank. Smith stated the review found evidence supporting elements of the reporting, including the unit’s consumption of Azure storage in the Netherlands, violating Microsoft’s terms against facilitating civilian surveillance. The move halted specific subscriptions without affecting other Israeli military contracts.
WORLD
A Paris criminal court sentenced former French President Nicolas Sarkozy to five years in prison on Thursday after convicting him of criminal conspiracy related to efforts by his aides to secure illicit funding from Libya for his successful 2007 presidential campaign. The 70-year-old conservative leader, who served from 2007 to 2012, was acquitted of additional charges including passive corruption and illegal campaign financing, as prosecutors could not definitively prove Libyan funds reached his coffers despite opaque financial trails. The court described the plot, spanning 2005 to 2007, as a “Faustian pact” with Muammar Gaddafi’s regime, potentially exchanging money for diplomatic favors like economic deals and rescinding an arrest warrant. Sarkozy, who denies wrongdoing and calls the case politically motivated, vowed to appeal, stating, “I will sleep in jail but with my head held high.” The ruling marks the first prison sentence for a modern French head of state, with incarceration possible immediately despite appeals.
The United States and Turkey signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation at the White House during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit. Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, alongside U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, inked the deal in the presence of Erdoğan and President Donald Trump. The agreement aims to expand bilateral ties in civilian nuclear technology, investment, and energy security, supporting Turkey’s efforts to diversify energy sources and advance clean-energy initiatives. Details remain undisclosed, but the pact may involve U.S. participation in Turkish nuclear projects, including small modular reactors.
Russia launched nearly 500 drones and over 40 missiles in a prolonged overnight assault on Ukraine, marking one of the heaviest bombardments in recent months and the first major wave since last month’s strike that killed 21. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted most projectiles, but the attack inflicted severe damage across multiple regions, with Kyiv suffering the worst impacts, including strikes on residential buildings, a medical facility, and a kindergarten. At least four people died in the capital, while over 70 others were wounded nationwide. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the operation as “vile and brutal,” stating, “They shoot and deliberately kill civilians. This is our reality.” The barrage targeted civilian infrastructure in Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Khmelnytskyi, Sumy, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv, and Odesa, prompting rescue efforts at more than 20 sites.
