NEW YORK NEWS
New York Governor Kathy Hochul visited Cornell University in response to online threats of violence against Jewish students and institutions, condemning the hate speech and assuring safety measures. The threats were made on the Greekrank website, and Jewish students quickly reported them, leading to a swift police response and increased security. Governor Hochul emphasized the state’s commitment to combating hate crimes and reassured the Jewish community of their support. The FBI was notified of the threats as a potential hate crime, and the state increased monitoring of social media for antisemitic hate speech in the wake of recent global events.
Jewish students at Cooper Union, including sophomore Taylor Roslyn Lent, found themselves locked inside the university library as pro-Palestinian protesters pounded on doors and windows. About 50 students were barricaded in the library after a staffer locked the door while protesters bypassed security. Some Jewish students in the library expressed fear for their safety as protesters chanted and pounded on windows. While the university president addressed the “peaceful protest,” representatives for the Jewish students are demanding the president’s resignation, pressing for criminal charges against the demonstrators, and suing the school. Jewish students’ safety on campus has come into question, and parents are reconsidering their support for the institution.
Pro-Israel activists have initiated a petition to defund Bronx Defenders, a taxpayer-funded legal aid group, after the union representing its lawyers released a pro-Palestinian statement accusing Israel of being “genocidal” and supporting “ethnic cleansing” without mentioning Hamas’ terrorist activities. Brooklyn Assemblyman Dov Hikind, founder of Americans Against Antisemitism, launched the petition, demanding that Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams withdraw financial support for the organization. The Bronx Defenders has received over $300 million in city and state funding over the past decade but has faced criticism in the past for alleged anti-Semitism and hostility towards the police. In response, Bronx Defenders defended their pro-Palestinian statement, asserting that supporting Palestinians is not anti-Semitic and expressing opposition to anti-Semitism and violence.
A protest organized by Jewish Voices for Peace, a left-wing and anti-Zionist activist organization, led to the shutdown of Grand Central Station in New York City on the evening of October 27. Demonstrators called for a cease-fire in Gaza and halted commuter access for several hours. The protest resulted in 335 people being taken into custody and issued summons for disorderly conduct and criminal trespass. Prominent attendees included State Assembly Member Emily Gallagher and State Senator Julia Salazar, who jointly called for de-escalation by Israel. Pro-Palestinian protests continued the following day, with a march across the Brooklyn Bridge, where one arrest was made.
An alleged hate crime occurred in Manhattan when Christopher D’Aguiar, 28, was arrested and charged with a hate crime after reportedly punching a 29-year-old Jewish woman in the face at a subway station on October 14. He allegedly told her, “You are Jewish,” as he attacked her. The victim sustained minor injuries. This incident is part of a notable surge in hate crimes in New York City, with approximately 60% of them targeting the Jewish community, amid ongoing tensions related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The NYPD reported 51 hate crimes since October 9, with 30 of them involving Jewish victims, a significant increase compared to the same period the previous year. The attacks do not appear to be directly linked to pro-Israel or pro-Palestinian protests but rather random acts of hatred on public transportation.
Former President Donald Trump was fined $10,000 during his civil fraud trial after allegedly violating a gag order by making comments about a person in the courtroom. This marked the second fine he received within a week due to similar infractions. Judge Arthur Engoron, overseeing the trial, imposed the fine after Trump claimed that his earlier comment was directed at the judge and Michael Cohen, a former attorney, rather than the clerk, which the judge found not credible. These incidents raise questions about Trump’s ability to adhere to court directives aimed at controlling his rhetoric while respecting his free speech rights as he campaigns. In a separate federal case, a gag order was imposed on Trump to prevent public statements that could lead to threats or harassment of prosecutors, court staff, and potential witnesses. Trump is expected to testify in the ongoing New York trial, which involves allegations of fraudulent financial documents related to his real estate holdings.
New York has enacted a law banning corporal punishment in all private schools, following a New York Times investigation that revealed the use of such punishment in some Hasidic Jewish community schools. The ban applies to all private schools, making New York one of the few states to bar teachers from physically disciplining students in all types of schools. While corporal punishment had been prohibited in New York’s public schools since 1985, it was allowed in private schools until this law. The new legislation was introduced in response to The Times’ reporting and is part of a series of bills proposed to address issues in Hasidic schools, including deficiencies in secular education. The ban also formalizes regulations passed by the New York State Board of Regents in July. Critics of corporal punishment stressed the importance of strong enforcement and cultural change for the law to be effective.
US NEWS
A sense of relief washed over a grieving Maine community after authorities found the man accused of killing 18 people, Robert Card, dead near a river with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The discovery of Card’s body in a box trailer near a recycling center ended a two-day manhunt that left the community living in fear. The shooting rampage had started at a bowling alley and later continued at a bar, prompting shelter-in-place orders for the area. The victims, ranging in age from 14 to 76, included a boy bowling with his father, contestants in a cornhole tournament, and several fathers who left behind young children. Although the motive remains unclear, it is believed Card went to these locations because they were places he used to frequent with his former girlfriend. Relatives and friends are left grappling with a lack of answers about the tragedy. President Joe Biden expressed relief at the end of the manhunt and called for congressional action on gun violence.
Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) has been elected as the 56th Speaker of the House in the GOP-led House, ending a weeks-long stalemate. Johnson won a majority of votes on the first House floor ballot, defeating Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY). His election came after several Republican nominees failed to secure the speakership. Johnson, known for uniting the GOP conference, has pledged to deliver results, advance a conservative policy agenda, and combat policies of the Biden Administration. He now leads the House while Democrats control the Senate and President Joe Biden is in the White House. Johnson has proposed measures to avert a government shutdown, condemn Hamas, and expand the GOP majority in the 2024 elections.
Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) has been charged with one misdemeanor count of falsely pulling a fire alarm in a House office building ahead of a government spending vote last month. The incident led to an evacuation of the Cannon House Office Building. Bowman has agreed to plead guilty, pay a $1,000 fine, and issue a formal apology to the Capitol Police. He will also be on three months’ probation, and if he complies with the terms, the charge will be dropped. The charge carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail. Bowman had apologized soon after the incident, and he maintains that he did not intend to obstruct any House vote or proceedings.
Attorney Jenna Ellis, who was part of former President Donald Trump’s legal team after the 2020 election, pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting false statements in a racketeering case in Fulton County, Georgia, involving alleged efforts to overturn the election results. She was sentenced to five years’ probation, a $5,000 fine, and must write a letter of apology to the state. Ellis will also testify against remaining defendants in the case. These charges were reduced from more severe charges she initially faced. In her statement to the court, Ellis expressed remorse for her actions and stated she relied too heavily on the information provided by other lawyers during her involvement in challenging the election results.
Former Vice President Mike Pence announced the suspension of his 2024 presidential campaign during a speech at the Republican Jewish Coalition Conference in Las Vegas. He expressed that it’s not his time to run for president and did not immediately endorse any specific candidate, cautioning against the allure of populism. Pence’s campaign, which emphasized policies like expanding federalism and putting American values first, struggled to gain traction, with low polling numbers and fundraising challenges. While serving as vice president under President Donald Trump, Pence had disagreements with Trump over the Capitol breach on January 6, 2021, and the 2020 election results. He will continue to be involved in conservative politics.
President Joe Biden issued an executive order on artificial intelligence (AI), marking the first government action of its kind in the United States. The order has eight key components, including creating safety and security standards for AI, protecting consumer privacy, advancing equity and civil rights in AI applications, and protecting consumers from harmful AI practices in healthcare and education. It also focuses on supporting workers impacted by AI, promoting innovation, collaborating with international partners, developing guidance for federal agencies’ use of AI, and expanding the hiring of AI-skilled workers in the government. The order emphasizes the importance of AI safety, security, and trust and seeks to harness the benefits while managing the risks associated with AI development.
A federal judge has granted Texas’ request to temporarily halt the Biden administration’s removal of razor wire at the US-Mexico border, pending a preliminary injunction hearing. The order states that the wire should not be removed unless there is a “medical emergency that mostly likely results in serious bodily injury or death to a person.” The lawsuit was filed by Texas, alleging that federal agents were destroying state property by cutting concertina wire and dismantling border barriers to allow migrants into the US. A preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled for November 7, and the temporary restraining order expires on November 13.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is facing a lawsuit from over three dozen US states, including Colorado and California, for knowingly using features that hooked children to its platforms while claiming its social media sites were safe for young users. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, alleges that Meta violated consumer protection laws by unfairly ensnaring children and deceiving users about platform safety. The states claim Meta used psychologically manipulative product features to induce young users into compulsive and extended use, pushing them into harmful content rabbit holes with features like “infinite scroll.” Meta is also accused of violating a federal children’s online privacy law by unlawfully collecting the personal data of young users without parental consent.
Israel NEWS
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted a successful operation to rescue Private Ori Megidish, an IDF soldier who had been taken hostage by Hamas terrorists on October 7. The rescue operation took place in Gaza and was confirmed by both the IDF and Israel’s security agency, Shin Bet. Private Megidish was kidnapped by Hamas and held captive, but she has now been reunited with her family. A subsequent medical examination revealed that she is in relatively good health. Earlier, Hamas released a propaganda video featuring three hostages, demanding the release of Palestinian terror prisoners in exchange for the liberation of the remaining hostages, suggesting that Israel’s successful rescue operation may present alternative strategies for addressing such hostage situations.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed to have fired drones into Israel in retaliation for its conflict with Hamas in Gaza, further escalating tensions in the region. The Houthi rebels are believed to have targeted the city of Eilat. This development underscores the complexity of conflicts in the Middle East and the potential for regional spillover. Iran’s top diplomat has stated that Tehran-backed groups may continue to attack Israel if no ceasefire is reached, adding to concerns that the fighting in Gaza could lead to a broader regional conflict. Israel faces security threats from various directions, including Hamas to the east, Hezbollah in Lebanon to the north, and Syria’s National Defence Forces to the west, along with the recent threat from the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Billionaire Elon Musk recently stated that his Starlink satellite service will extend support for internet access to internationally recognized aid organizations in Gaza, addressing the recent telecommunications blackout issue in the region. Starlink’s network of low Earth orbit satellites is poised to provide internet connectivity to remote or disconnected areas. This commitment followed a critical tweet by US Democrat congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez regarding the Gaza blackout. In response to concerns raised by Israel’s Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, Musk shared his assurance via Twitter, stating, “We are not so naive. Per my post, no Starlink terminal has attempted to connect from Gaza. If one does, we will take extraordinary measures to confirm that it is used only for purely humanitarian reasons. Moreover, we will do a security check with both the US and Israeli governments before turning on even a single terminal.”
WORLD NEWS
Twenty-one U.S. service members sustained minor injuries in drone and rocket attacks on coalition military bases in Iraq and Syria. The attacks occurred between October 17 and 18, resulting in minor injuries to the personnel. While all members have returned to duty, some continue to be monitored for possible side effects or injuries. U.S. officials attribute the attacks to Iranian proxy groups and warn of a potential for further escalation by these groups. Iran has been encouraging these groups to attack U.S. forces. The U.S. has increased its defensive and offensive capabilities in response to the attacks, and Iran has warned of a potential escalation in the region.
In his strongest remarks on the Gaza conflict, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan stated that he does not consider the Palestinian militant group Hamas a terrorist organization but rather a liberation group fighting to protect Palestinian lands. Turkey, unlike many of its NATO allies and the European Union, does not classify Hamas as a terrorist organization and hosts its members. Erdogan condemned the civilian deaths caused by Hamas’s actions in southern Israel on October 7 but also urged restraint from Israeli forces in their response. He criticized Western powers for supporting Israel’s actions in Gaza, called for an immediate ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian aid entry into Gaza, and urged Muslim countries to collaborate to stop the violence. Israel rejected Erdogan’s characterization of Hamas, with the Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson referring to the group as “a despicable terrorist organization.” This statement has drawn international reactions, including criticism from Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini and financial market implications with a 7% drop in Istanbul’s shares. Erdogan also indicated that Turkey’s efforts to normalize ties with Israel have been suspended, citing Israel’s alleged exploitation of Turkey’s good intentions.
The devastating impact of Hurricane Otis, which struck Acapulco, Mexico, as a Category 5 storm on October 25, is becoming increasingly evident as authorities report a higher death and missing persons toll, now reaching nearly 100. The governor of Guerrero state, where Acapulco is located, revealed that at least 45 people have died, with 47 individuals still missing. Notably, three of the confirmed casualties are foreign residents from the US, Canada, and the UK. Hurricane Otis astounded experts with its rapid intensification, increasing wind speeds by 115 mph in a single day before making landfall, making it the strongest hurricane in the Eastern Pacific during the satellite era. Meteorologists and climate scientists attribute such intense storms to warming oceans and climate change, warning of the likelihood of more such occurrences in the future. Survivors in Acapulco are grappling with the aftermath, describing the damage as catastrophic, with many homes and buildings severely impacted, and relief efforts are underway to provide essential services to the affected population.
