Quote:The White House colonnade now includes a striking addition: an image of an autopen representing President Joe Biden, installed by former President Donald Trump as part of a new “Presidential Walk of Fame.”

A video posted to X by Margo Martin, special assistant to the president and communications adviser, shows the walkway lined with black-and-white presidential portraits. As the camera pans to where Biden's portrait should be, it's revealed to be a zoomed-in photo of an autopen signing his name.

“The Presidential Walk of Fame has arrived on the West Wing Colonnade,” Martin wrote in the caption.

Why It Matters

Trump has repeatedly accused Biden of relying on an autopen to sign pardons, executive orders, and other major documents, claiming Biden wasn’t even aware they had been signed.

Legal experts note that autopen use is acceptable so long as the president directs it, but Trump insists its deployment in Biden’s final days undermines the validity of those actions.

What To Know

Trump publicized the walkway project weeks ago, warning that “not all presidents will be treated equally” in the Walk of Fame outside the West Wing. He told the Daily Caller that Biden’s place would be “a picture of the autopen,” not a formal portrait.

Portraits of Barack Obama and George W. Bush had been moved, either replaced with Trump’s own or placed in less visible spots, but are back in the walkway. The latest changes coincide with a Rose Garden redesign featuring stone tiles and new lighting, which aides call the “Rose Garden Club,” modeled after Mar-a-Lago.

In June, Trump ordered an investigation into Biden’s use of the autopen, citing what he called his predecessor’s “cognitive decline.” Investigators were tasked with reviewing specific policy documents signed using the autopen, including clemency grants, executive orders, memoranda, and other presidential directives.

Biden rejected the claim, saying in a statement that he personally made the decisions on pardons, executive orders, legislation, and proclamations, and called Trump’s suggestion “ridiculous and false.”

Quote:A federal judge in Manhattan warned Wednesday that Justice Department officials could face sanctions if they continue making public comments about the prosecution of Luigi Mangione, who is charged in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

U.S. District Judge Margaret M. Garnett issued an order suggesting that statements by government officials about Mangione potentially facing the death penalty may have violated a local rule designed to limit publicity and ensure a fair trial. Defense attorneys for Mangione had asked Garnett to dismiss his federal charges and to remove the death penalty as a sentencing option, arguing that comments by senior officials poisoned the case.

Mangione, who has pleaded not guilty to state and federal charges, is accused of fatally shooting Thompson on December 4 outside a Manhattan hotel where the health care executive was arriving for his company’s annual investor conference. In the federal case, Mangione is charged with murder through the use of a firearm, stalking and gun offenses. The firearm charge carries the possibility of capital punishment.

Last week, a judge dismissed terrorism charges against Mangione in New York State's case over Thompson's killing but kept the state's second-degree murder charges against the suspect.

In written filings, Mangione’s lawyers said Justice Department officials crossed the line when U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi declared before Mangione’s April indictment that the death penalty was warranted for what she described as a “premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America.” At the same time, Bondi announced she was directing federal prosecutors in Manhattan to pursue capital punishment.

Defense lawyers also pointed to a choreographed “perp walk” staged in April, when Mangione was escorted in handcuffs by heavily armed officers along a Manhattan pier in front of television cameras. They said the Trump administration further tainted the proceedings by disregarding established Justice Department protocols for pursuing a death penalty case.

“These actions have violated Mr. Mangione’s constitutional and statutory rights and have fatally prejudiced this death penalty case,” his attorneys wrote.

Garnett, in her order, said it appeared that at least two high-ranking Justice Department staff members may have violated the Southern District of New York’s rule limiting pretrial publicity. She directed the department to explain how the apparent violations occurred and what measures are being taken to prevent a recurrence.

“Future violations may result in sanctions, which could include personal financial penalties, contempt of court findings, or relief specific to the prosecution of this matter,” Garnett wrote.

It is not the first time a Manhattan federal judge has rebuked prosecutors for public statements. In 2015, Judge Valerie Caproni sharply criticized then-U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara for a press campaign surrounding the corruption case against former New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. Caproni said Bharara came “so close to the edge of the rules governing his own conduct” that Silver had a legitimate claim the publicity was prejudicial.

Silver was eventually convicted, sentenced to more than six years in prison, and died in federal custody in January 2022 at age 77.

Quote:California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been ripped for stoking anti-immigration flames after he decried federal agents as President Trump’s “private domestic army” — just hours before a sniper shot dead multiple people at a Texas ICE field office.

The Democrat spewed the rhetoric during an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Tuesday night as he blasted the Trump admin’s “authoritarian tendencies” and said the “ICE issue is alarming beyond words.”

“People ask, ‘Well, is authoritarianism you being hyperbolic?’ Bulls–t we’re being hyperbolic. If you’re a black or brown community, it’s here in this country… These are not just authoritarian tendencies; these are authoritarian actions by an authoritarian government,” he said during a lengthy rant.
Newsom, who just last week signed a bill banning ICE agents from masking up to conceal their identities during raids, suggested the federal agency was having a “chilling impact” on other law enforcement agencies across the country.

“We’re losing confidence and trust in law enforcement,” he claimed.
“That’s happening in the United States of America: Masked men jumping out of unmarked cars, people disappearing, no due process, no oversight, zero accountability,” Newsom said. “This can’t be normalized. None of this can be normalized.”

Critics quickly blasted the Dem leader’s “absurd” and “inflammatory rhetoric.”

Others argued his remarks were proof that immigration agents were being demonized – especially in the wake of Wednesday’s shooting at the Dallas ICE facility that left two detainees dead and another critically injured.
“Three days ago, Gavin Newsom yelled, “To ICE: unmask! What are you afraid of? What are you afraid of?!” Three people shot by a sniper at a Dallas ICE facility this morning have his answer,” one person raged on X.

Another chimed in, “Newsom LAST NIGHT on ICE: ‘These are authoritarian actions.’ JUST NOW: An ICE facility in Texas was shot up by a sniper.”

Quote:A crazed gunman who scrawled “ANTI ICE” on his ammo opened fire on federal agents and immigration detainees in Dallas on Wednesday morning — killing one migrant and wounding two others — in the latest horrifying attack on ICE and border patrol authorities.

Violence against immigration agents has been skyrocketing since President Trump began his massive deportation sweep — with the Department of Homeland Security warning that threats have increased 1000% in recent months.

The shooter is Joshua Jahn, 29, of suburban Dallas, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene. He’s a former Boy Scout who also has a criminal record after being busted with weed.

The shooting at the Dallas ICE facility is being investigated “as an act of targeted violence,” the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Dallas Field Office, Joe Rothrock, told a press conference on Wednesday morning.

“What I can share with you is that early evidence we’ve seen from rounds that were found near the suspected shooter contain messages that are anti-ICE in nature. Again, this is just the most recent example of this type of attack,” Rothrock said.

The killer fired multiple rounds from a sniper’s nest on the roof of a nearby immigration lawyers office. He shot into the Dallas ICE field office’s sallyport, seemingly indiscriminately, with some witnesses comparing the sounds of the shots to fireworks.

The weapon used appears to be an antique 8mm bold-action rifle — not unlike the gun used to kill Charlie Kirk earlier this month.

It’s not the first attack on federal agents in the Lone Star state — with four wounded in shootings in two other ambushes earlier this year,

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz took the mic to hit out at the demonizing of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers for fueling political violence.

“Just two weeks ago today we saw a political assassination in Utah that tore the heart out of much of this country. This is the third shooting in Texas directed at ICE or CBP. This must stop,” he said.

“Politicians demanding that ICE agents be doxed and calling for people to go after their families: stop,” he told reporters.

Quote:President Trump has threatened to sue ABC over Jimmy Kimmel’s sudden return to air — insisting the network should have let the embattled late-night host “rot” after his inflammatory Charlie Kirk comments.

Trump taunted the network with possible legal action just before a defiant Kimmel fronted his audience Tuesday night, nearly a week after his show was yanked.

“He is yet another arm of the DNC and, to the best of my knowledge, that would be a major Illegal Campaign Contribution. I think we’re going to test ABC out on this. Let’s see how we do,” Trump said on Truth Social.
“Last time I went after them, they gave me $16 Million Dollars. This one sounds even more lucrative. A true bunch of losers! Let Jimmy Kimmel rot in his bad Ratings.”

Trump had slapped the network and ABC host George Stephanopoulos with a defamation lawsuit in early 2024. ABC News later agreed to a $15 million settlement.

Elsewhere, the president blasted the ABC’s decision to reinstate Kimmel — despite the lefty host sparking widespread outrage for claiming that Kirk’s alleged assassin, Tyler Robinson, was likely affiliated with the MAGA movement.

Elsewhere, the president blasted ABC for reinstating Kimmel — despite his false and inflammatory comments about Kirk’s assassination.

“I can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back. The White House was told by ABC that his Show was cancelled!” Trump raged.

“Something happened between then and now because his audience is GONE, and his ‘talent’ was never there. Why would they want someone back who does so poorly, who’s not funny, and who puts the Network in jeopardy by playing 99% positive Democrat GARBAGE.”

Quote:President Trump called for arrests to be made related to an escalator at the United Nations headquarters that abruptly stopped working as soon as he and first lady Melania Trump stepped onto it Tuesday.

The sudden escalator outage, which nearly caused the first lady to fall over, was one of at least three snafus Trump, 79, noticed while he was in the building to address world leaders and diplomats at the UN General Assembly in New York.

“A REAL DISGRACE took place at the United Nations yesterday — Not one, not two, but three very sinister events!” Trump wrote on Truth Social Wednesday.

“First, the escalator going up to the Main Speaking Floor came to a screeching halt. It stopped on a dime. It’s amazing that Melania and I didn’t fall forward onto the sharp edges of these steel steps, face first. It was only that we were each holding the handrail tightly or, it would have been a disaster,” the president continued.

Trump argued the escalator incident was “absolutely sabotage,” pointing to a Times of London report that UN staffers had been overheard joking that they might switch off the escalator and make Trump walk to the hall to give his speech.

“The people that did it should be arrested!” the president fumed.

A UN spokesperson suggested a member of Trump’s entourage may be to blame for the stalling of the escalator.

“In an effort to document their arrival, a videographer from the US delegation stepped on to the escalator ahead of the President and First Lady,” Stéphane Dujarric, a spokesman for the UN secretary-general, said in a statement. “As the videographer, who was traveling backwards up the escalator reached the top , the First Lady, followed by President Trump, each mounted the steps at the bottom. At that moment (9:50am), the escalator came to a stop.”
“A subsequent investigation, including a readout of the machine’s central processing unit, indicated that the escalator had stopped after a built-in safety mechanism on the comb step was triggered at the top of the escalator,” Dujarric added. “The safety mechanism is designed to prevent people or objects accidentally being caught and stuck in or pulled into the gearing.”

“The videographer may have inadvertently triggered the safety function described above.”

Trump demanded an “immediate investigation” into the incident and said “all security tapes at the escalator should be saved, especially the emergency stop button.”

“The Secret Service is involved,” the president noted.
Trump’s teleprompter also stopped working as he delivered his speech, and the president claims his remarks couldn’t be heard by anyone in the auditorium not wearing an earpiece.

“It was stone cold dark,” Trump said of the teleprompter. “I immediately thought to myself, ;Wow, first the escalator event, and now a bad teleprompter. What kind of a place is this?’”

The president said the teleprompter “kicked in about 15 minutes later.”

So how would the videographer manage to stop the escalator if he was busy filming Trump at that moment?  
Then they claim that guy might have been close to get stuck, thus provoking the escalator to trigger the safety mechanism that stopped the machine from moving another inch upwards.
Wouldn't Trump or Melana or the rest of the US delegation have noticed that the worker or the equipment got stuck at the top of the escalator?  
We can't discard it right away, but I can tell for sure that it's a weird explanation on what happened at the UN building. It would have been a lot easier to believe it IF Trump had not heard about the employees making ill comments on the escalator during that time. Only to be followed by another weird event...
Let's keep in mind that the UN is full of leftists so they might not want to listen to Trump who had the intention to speak against the climate change.  
If Trump knew about the next article, he might have convinced many people of firing their local experts on solar plants in no time.

Quote:Seen from the sky, the Ivanpah Solar Power Facility in California’s Mojave Desert resembles a futuristic dream.

Viewed from the bottom line, however, Ivanpah is anything but.

The solar power plant, which features three 459-foot towers and thousands of computer-controlled mirrors known as heliostats, cost some $2.2 billion to build.

Construction began in 2010 and was completed in 2014. Now it’s set to close in 2026 after failing to efficiently generate solar energy.

In 2011, the US Department of Energy under President Barack Obama issued $1.6 billion in three federal loan guarantees for the project and the secretary of energy, Ernest Moniz, hailed it as “an example of how America is becoming a world leader in solar energy.”

But ultimately, it’s been more emblematic of profligate government spending and unwise bets on poorly conceived, quickly outdated technologies.

“Ivanpah stands as a testament to the waste and inefficiency of government subsidized energy schemes,”Jason Isaac, CEO of the American Energy Institute, an American energy advocacy group, told Fox News via statement this past February. It “never lived up to its promises, producing less electricity than expected, while relying on natural gas to stay operational.”

When Ivanpah began operating in 2014, it ranked as the world’s largest solar plant. It seemed like a viable solution to California’s renewable energy goals of employing affordable and efficient technology to reduce the need for fossil fuels.

Located near the California-Nevada border, 65 miles southwest of Las Vegas, the plant’s glowing towers are as striking as some casinos on the Strip.

The facility’s 5 square miles of desert were covered with some 173,500 heliostats, adjusted via computer to catch maximum rays. The computer-controlled mirrors can reflect light from the sun at temperatures that can reach 1,000 degrees in part of the installment.

“The idea was that you could use the sun to produce a heat source,” alternative energy consultant Edward Smeloff told The Post. “The mirrors reflect heat from the sun up to a receiver, which is mounted on top of the tower. That heats a fluid. It creates steam [that spins] a conventional steam turbine. It is complicated.”

Though it sounds like a bit of a Rube Goldberg contraption — and looks like an art installation — Ivanpah was a cutting-edge idea for a while. But, as the market changed, it couldn’t compete with newer and less expensive forms of creating solar power.

“It simply did not scale up,” said Smeloff. “It’s kind of an obsolete technology [that’s] been outpaced by solar photovoltaic technology.”

That tech uses semiconductor material to transform sunlight into energy in a streamlined process. The solar panels you see on many residential rooftops or in endless rows across the desert rely on the technology.

A statement from NRG Energy, the Texas-based company that was an Ivanpah partner and the largest investor, having put up $300 million, agrees with Smeloff’s view.

And not even the photovoltaic technology is free of cumbersome issues, guys.  

Quote:Senate Majority Leader John Thune voiced his reservations Wednesday with the Trump administration linking Tylenol use in pregnancy to autism in children, indicating he was “very concerned” about the impact the warning could have on women.

Thune (R-SD), during an appearance on CNN’s “Inside Politics,” appeared skeptical that recent claims about the popular pain reliever and autism, made by President Trump and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., are conclusively backed by scientific evidence.

“Well, I’m obviously very concerned about that,” the Senate Republican leader responded, when asked by CNN host Dana Bash if he worries Monday’s announcement could adversely affect the health of women and their babies.

“I think that science ought to guide these discussions, these conversations and our decision making around our health,” Thune argued. “There are studies out there that they reference – but again, I think there are an awful lot of people in the medical community who would come to a different conclusion about the use of Tylenol.”

“We ought to be very guarded in making broad assertions and make sure that they are well grounded in science and medicine and where we’re taking the consultation advice of experts in the field and ensuring that these things are all well documented,” he added.

Trump, RFK Jr. and other top administration health officials announced Monday that acetaminophen, the main ingredient in Tylenol, can lead to a “very increased risk of autism.”

The White House cited multiple studies which it claimed show “acetaminophen use in pregnant women, especially late in pregnancy, may cause long-term neurological effects in their children,” in a fact sheet related to the announcement.

The studies appear to show associations between acetaminophen use and autism in children but do not establish a direct link between the drug and the neurodevelopmental disorder.

Quote:The family of Casey Crafton has filed the first lawsuit over the American Eagle Flight 5342 crash in the Potomac River near Washington, D.C., alleging the disaster was avoidable and caused by systemic negligence.

The Jan. 29 crash involved an Army Black Hawk helicopter that collided midair with an American Airlines passenger plane near Ronald Reagan Washington International Airport, killing 64 people on the American Eagle flight and three aboard the military helicopter.

The federal lawsuit was filed on behalf of Casey Crafton’s estate, with his wife Rachel and family leading the legal action.

“Our lives were shattered in a moment,” said Dailey Crafton, Crafton’s brother. “Casey was betrayed by systemic disregard for safety. We cannot stand by and allow his life to be lost in vain.”

The lawsuit accuses American Airlines and PSA Airlines of negligence in operations, training, and knowingly allowing dangerous conditions at DCA, noting the crash was predictable and preventable.

American Airlines allegedly ignored repeated near misses and congestion data, prioritizing profit over safety, according to attorneys.

“The crash of American Eagle 5342 was predictable, preventable, and caused the needless loss of 67 lives,” said attorney Robert Clifford. “… American ran red lights for years by allowing these planes to operate in congested, unsafe conditions.”

Action will also be brought against the U.S. government, encompassing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the U.S. Army, for systemic failures in oversight, air traffic control and military helicopter procedures.

Attorneys said the FAA failed to provide safe air traffic control and allowed unsafe operational environments, while the Army helicopter crew failed to follow basic “see and avoid” flight principles.

“The helicopter crew’s conduct was inexcusable,” said Brian Alexander, an attorney and former Army aviator. “Air traffic control completely failed in their duty as the lifeguards of our aviation system.”

Before suing the government, families must first file separate Form 95 claims, which attorneys said have already been filed by nearly all the victims’ families.

Quote:Conservative CNN analyst Scott Jennings flagged disturbing messages from Keith Olbermann to the FBI — including one in which the liberal political commentator wrote, “You’re next, motherf–ker.”

Jennings on Monday flagged the since-deleted posts from the former MSNBC and ESPN host to the bureau, claiming they amounted to a threat on his life.

“You’re next motherf–ker,” read one of Olbermann’s hateful missives, according to a screenshot shared by Townhall columnist Dustin Grage.

“But keep mugging to the camera,” Olbermann snarled in another deleted post, according to the grabs Jennings retweeted from Grage and tagged FBI Director Kash Patel in his response.

Olbermann appeared to be reacting to a post from Jennings about Disney bringing Jimmy Kimmel’s ABC show back on Tuesday amid uproar over its short hiatus in the wake of Kimmel’s controversial remarks about Charlie Kirk’s assassination and the motives behind it.

“So basically his employer suspended him for being an insensitive pr–k, and we don’t live in an authoritarian regime? Got it,” Jennings wrote in the post that prompted Olbermann’s furious response.

“Now we get the fascists off real TV. That’d mean your career is next, Jennings. Send a tape to Real America’s Voice,” Olbermann added in the same threat.

“But keep mugging to camera, amateur.”

When approached, Olbermann directed The Post to his mealy-mouthed apology on X, admitting they could be “misinterpreted” as threatening.

“Yesterday I wrote and immediately deleted 2 responses to him about Kimmel because they could be misinterpreted as a threat to anything besides his career. I immediately replaced them with ones specifying what I actually meant,” he wrote.

In a follow-up post, he again failed to apologize for the posts, but rather for not deleting them sooner, while acknowledging the charged political climate in which they were made in the wake of Kirk’s assassination.

“I oppose and condemn political violence, and the threat of it. All times are the wrong time to leave even an inadvertent impression of it – but this time is especially wrong. I should’ve acknowledged the deletion and apologized yesterday. I’m sorry I delayed,” he added in a second tweet.

“Per policy, the FBI does not comment on or confirm or deny the existence of an investigation,” the agency told The Post Tuesday.

Olbermann has faced huge backlash in recent days for his controversial posts about Kirk and Kimmel, particularly following the news that several TV affiliates, including those owned by Sinclair, would preempt Kimmel’s show.

“Burn in hell, Sinclair. Alongside Charlie Kirk,” Olbermann wrote in another X post.

Quote:An American Airlines passenger was duct-taped to her seat as she allegedly attacked a flight attendant and erupted into a profanity-fueled tirade, bizarrely admitting to trying to poison her father.

Ketty J. Dilone is accused of walking and yelling throughout the cabin of the Las Vegas-bound flight, where she verbally threatened multiple flight attendants on Sept. 16, according to the United States Attorney’s Office District of Nevada.

Dilone was taking off on a connecting flight in Charlotte, NC, during a return trip from the Dominican Republic when chaos unfolded in front of her fellow passengers.

Flight staff were forced to restrain Dilon with zip ties and duct tape due to her on-flight behavior, authorities said.

After being restrained in her seat, Dilone allegedly kicked a flight attendant and caused the worker to fall.

A viral video posted to TikTok captured her foul-mouthed outburst, where she can be heard shouting that the restraints are hurting her.

“You don’t know what the f–k I’ve been through, bitch!” Dilone screamed towards a flight attendant. “Kill yourself, bitch! You wanna die, bitch?”

Dilone then bizarrely admitted to putting “roach poison” in her father’s coffee when she was 11 with the intention to kill him.

“It didn’t work,” she calmly said. “And in DR (Dominican Republic), we call it ‘Tres Pasito.'”

WARNING: Language

@corbohydrate
American Airlines flight 2470 for CLT to Vegas #crazy #fyp #airplane #mentalillness #foryou

♬ original sound – corbohydrate

Tres Pasitos — which means “three little steps” — is a potent pesticide used to kill cockroaches and mice that is illegal in the US, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Dilone appeared to settle down momentarily as she started singing the chorus to a song in Spanish with the same name.

However, seconds later, she again began flying off the handle.

“So if anybody wants to kill somebody, put roach poison! But make sure it’s not expired, and make sure you put a lot of it!” she shouts, alleging that when she tried it on her father, it only “put him to sleep.”

After a brief moment of silence — with tension still building in the cabin by worried passengers trying to ignore her outburst — Dilone starts screaming that “the show’s f–king over” and rambling on with nonsense before the video ends.

The FBI arrested Dilone after the flight touched down at Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport and she was transported to the Henderson Detention Center.

Quote:At Dearborn, Michigan’s first city council meeting since his clash with a local Christian minister went viral after a heated exchange over a controversial honorary street sign naming, Mayor Abdullah Hammoud declined to apologize for his saying the minister was “not welcome here” and that he would “launch a parade” when he left town.

Ted Barham, the same Christian minister, opened his remarks at Tuesday’s meeting by repeating the words that went viral at the previous one on Sept. 9.

“The mayor, in a way, cursed me, as was seen around the world. And I would like to repeat what I said that day to you, Mr. Mayor: ‘God bless you,’” Barham said.

Barham said he had no plans to file a lawsuit despite pressure from supporters.

“People have been saying I should do that all over the world. I have no intention of doing that,” Barham said.

Instead, he urged the council to consider his larger message: “Bless those who curse you… love your haters. And I would say that in regard to Hezbollah as well. I would [say] that in regard to Mr. Siblani and I would [say] to Israel, too. ‘Love your haters.’”
He then made a new appeal.

“Would it be possible for you, Mayor Hammoud, in front of the world and council members to join me in saying we would like to put out a Christian call to prayer and a Christian call to faith in all the countries around the world where an Islamic call to prayer goes out?”

Others took the microphone to press the council more directly.

Anthony Deegan told the chamber, “We love you with the love of Christ. We want the blessings of God to be in your life… it’s not a matter of us versus them.” But he then asked pointedly: “Do you definitively, unequivocally, by name, denounce Hamas and Hezbollah? Or do you support them?”

Shane Rife of Garden City said he was “shocked” to learn that Hammoud had appeared at a rally where Arab American News publisher Osama Siblani praised Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah as a “hero.”

“We have a mayor in the United States who is sharing a platform with somebody, with [a] terrorist!?” Rife asked. “Where is your allegiance? Is your allegiance to the United States or is your allegiance to Hezbollah?”

Pastor Jeff Davis of Dearborn Evangelical Covenant Church also voiced support for Barham, stressing his long service in the city.

The emphasis is mine, and I had to expose that mayor for what he actually is: a terrorist supporter.

Quote:A radicalized Queens man who plotted a terrorist attack on Big Apple bridges and promenades on behalf of the Islamic State group in 2019 has been sentenced to nine years in prison, according to authorities.

Awais Chudhary, 25, was handed the sentence by United States District Judge Carol Bagley Amon on Tuesday for attempting to provide material support to ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist organization, the US Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of New York announced in a statement.

The terrorist wannabe pleaded guilty to the charges in June.

Chudhary, a Pakistan-born US citizen, became radicalized by watching and sharing violent content online, including knife attacks and beheadings, for more than 16 months while he was merely a braces-wearing teen living with his devout Muslim family.

He then pledged allegiance to ISIS’s then-leader, Abu Bakr al‑Baghdadi, and began to plan a knife or a bomb attack on behalf of the group, authorities said.

Chudhary, who was 19 at the time, planned to strike at the Dunkin’ Donuts just blocks from his East Elmhurst home, pedestrian bridges over the Grand Central Parkway, the Flushing Bay Promenade, and the World’s Fair Marina, prosecutors said in court papers at the time.

He conducted several reconnaissance trips to the popular destinations and made video recordings of the areas he intended to attack, authorities added.

The radicalized teen sought guidance from people he believed to be ISIS supporters, asking them for advice on what knife to use and how to avoid being caught by law enforcement by not leaving “traces of fingerprints [or] DNA,” prosecutors said.

He even sent a screenshot of an ISIS propaganda magazine, including a diagram of a human body depicting where to stab victims with a knife.

In preparation for the lethal attacks, Chudhary ordered a tactical knife, a mask, gloves and a cellphone chest and head-strap to help him record the attack.

He was arrested while attempting to retrieve the items from an online retailer’s locker in Queens.

Chudhary also helped recruit English-speaking internet users to ISIS’s violent cause, working with another ISIS member — who was separately convicted of material support charges — to translate the group’s propaganda materials into English, authorities added.

“Awais Chudhary pledged allegiance to a brutal terrorist organization and set out to kill American citizens,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement.

Quote:The Justice Department is considering seeking a criminal indictment against former FBI Director James Comey, for allegedly making false statements to Congress, according to multiple outlets.

The investigation into Comey is reportedly focused on whether he lied during congressional testimony he delivered on Sept. 30, 2020, related to the 2016 Trump-Russia collusion investigation, Fox News reported on Wednesday.

The statute of limitations on bringing perjury charges is five years, so federal prosecutors would have until next Tuesday to indict Comey.

The US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia is handling the case.

“There is a grand jury underway looking at the matter in Virginia. A decision could come any day,” a source told Fox News.

The extent of the charges Comey could face, and the part of his testimony under scrutiny, is unclear.

President Trump announced last week that he “fired” the top prosecutor in the Eastern District of Virginia, Erik Siebert, over the “UNUSUALLY STRONG support” he had received from Democratic senators.

Siebert, who claimed he resigned, had reportedly been under pressure from the Trump administration to bring charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James related to mortgage fraud allegations.

Trump has nominated White House aide Lindsey Halligan to replace Siebert, who had yet to be confirmed by the Senate.

Comey, 64, was fired by Trump in 2017, during the president’s first term in the White House.

The former FBI director, who has become an outspoken Trump critic, launched an investigation into allegations of collusion between the Russian government and Trump’s presidential campaign in July of 2016, dubbed “Crossfire Hurricane.”

Trump, who was never charged with a crime related to the probe, has long blasted the investigation as a “witch hunt” and “hoax.”

Quote:Beloved Hollywood icon William Shatner was rushed to the hospital after he experienced a medical emergency on Wednesday afternoon.

Shatner, 94, had an issue with his blood sugar while at his Los Angeles home and was hospitalized, TMZ reported.

The actor, best known for his role as Captain James T. Kirk on “Star Trek,” was the one to make the call to emergency medical service workers after realizing something was wrong.

An LAFD ambulance was sent to his home as a precaution, the outlet reported.

Shatner was then taken to a local hospital for evaluation, where he was doing “good” and “resting comfortably.”

The Post has reached out to Shatner’s representatives for comment.

The Hollywood legend has been open about his ongoing health issues throughout his acting career.

In March 2024, Shatner revealed that he had been diagnosed and was treated for stage 4 melanoma — an advanced and aggressive form of skin cancer that spreads to other parts of the body.

Shatner noticed a simple lump under his right ear and visited his family doctor, who told him not to worry and to massage and monitor it, the “Boston Legal” actor told Healio.

Well, last week actor Robert Redford had left this world. Yet, he is not the only one that did so...

Quote:Claudia Cardinale, the Italian actress best known for her roles in “The Pink Panther,” “Once Upon a Time in the West” and “8½,” has died. She was 87.

Cardinale died Tuesday in Nemours, near Paris, her agent, Laurent Savry, confirmed to the Agence France-Presse.

“She leaves us the legacy of a free and inspired woman both as a woman and as an artiste,” Savry said in a statement.

The Post has reached out to Cardinale’s agent for comment.

Born in Tunisia on April 15, 1938, Cardinale was picked out of a crowd to win a beauty contest at age 16. The prize was a trip to the Venice Film Festival, where she was spotted by Italian producers.

Franco Cristaldi, who owned the production company Vides, and would go on to become Cardinale’s husband, offered her a seven-year contract, which she accepted because she was pregnant after being raped.

“One day as I was walking home from school in Tunis a man in a car grabbed me and raped me and I became pregnant,” she told Variety in 2017. “After that my mother and my sister stayed close to me. I gave birth in London, because in those days it would have been a scandal.”

“We pretended that my son was my little brother. I didn’t want to become an actress; I did it so I could be independent,” Cardinale added.

Quote:WASHINGTON — President Trump’s dramatic pronouncement Tuesday that Russia is a “paper tiger” is based on new US intelligence that shows the Kremlin is spiraling toward economic ruin and battlefield defeat as a result of its invasion of Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Trump’s insistence in the same statement that Ukraine can regain all the land currently occupied by Russia is the president’s latest “strategic move” to try and bring Russia to the negotiating table, sources inside and outside the White House told The Post Wednesday.

Despite months of administration efforts and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s stated willingness to pursue peace talks, Russian leader Vladimir Putin has shown no interest in any truce — shunning overtures by Washington and Kyiv as his forces continue to strike civilian targets.

In a lengthy post on Truth Social after meeting Zelensky on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, Trump warned that once the Russian people “find out what is really going on with this war” economically, “Ukraine would be able to take back their Country in its original form and, who knows, maybe even go further than that!”

Asked Wednesday whether the message by Trump was a “strategic move aimed at stirring up negotiations,” a White House official responded: “Yes, that is correct.”

“It doesn’t signal any substantive policy change,” affirmed a source close to the administration. “It’s a clear and obvious negotiating tactic to push Russia.”

However, the president’s statement was also based on fresh information detailing Moscow’s military and financial struggles, according to a source familiar with discussions.

“The president of United States is a person who will listen, but he needs to check, to compare, to speak with many people, and for me, this is absolutely normal,” top Zelensky adviser Andriy Yermak said in an interview Tuesday. “It’s our job as [the] team of our leaders, to speak, to consult, to repeat, to give the evidence, to exchange the information.”

Both Yermak and Zelensky himself stated Tuesday that Trump is coming to realize that Putin’s claims of total superiority on the battlefield are “fairy tales.”

According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russia has gained very little land for the number of casualties its forces have taken in recent months.

Moscow’s forces have advanced a total of 1,910.39 square kilometers (737.6 square miles) inside Ukraine between May and August if this year, while suffering 130,160 killed and wounded in the same time frame, an “extremely heavy casualty rate” by ISW’s definition.

“I think he knows more details than before, and I’m happy with this and I’m thankful for him and also maybe for the people who briefed him,” Zelensky said of Trump during a Tuesday news conference.

Russia’s economic decline, meanwhile, is due to both declining oil revenues and the using up of so-called “free resources,” like liquid assets from its National Welfare Fund.

In August of this year, for example, Russian oil export revenues declined to $13.5 billion from $14.4 billion the previous month, according to the International Energy Agency.

Over the first eight months of this year, the value of Moscow’s oil exports reached $110.6 billion, a decline of 16% from the same period in 2024.

Quote:A Kremlin spokesman has rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's characterization of Russia as a "paper tiger," noting that the country is traditionally seen as a bear, not a tiger, and there are "no paper bears".

Why It Matters

Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, was responding to remarks on Tuesday by Trump who has grown increasingly frustrated with Putin as he seeks to broker an end to Russia's war in Ukraine. Russia has intensified the war as Trump tries to end it.

Trump was referring to Russia's inability to defeat Ukraine since Putin ordered his forces to invade in February 2022, and the U.S. president's comments appeared to signal a sharp shift from his earlier calls for Ukraine to make concessions.

What To Know

"Russia is by no means a tiger. After all, Russia is more associated with a bear. There are no 'paper bears,' and Russia is a real bear," the Kremlin spokesman said, as reported by TASS, a state-run news agency in Moscow.

Peskov said that Putin "has repeatedly and with varying emotion described our bear; you can recall this for yourself. There's nothing paper-based here; Russia maintains its resilience, Russia maintains macroeconomic stability," Peskov added, apparently referring to Trump's assertion on Tuesday that Russia was in "big economic trouble."

Trump is pushing European allies to end their imports of all Russian oil and gas, and said the U.S. would follow their lead on tougher sanctions against China, Moscow's key strategic partner.

Peskov said that Trump is a businessman and is trying to make the world buy more expensive American oil and gas, TASS reported.

Peskov also said that Putin appreciates Trump's willingness to find a solution to the Ukraine conflict, and that a settlement will coincide with a revival of U.S.-Russia relations.

Trump, in a marked change from his earlier position, wrote on his Truth Social platform that he thinks Ukraine, with the help of European NATO allies, can win back all of the territory seized by Russia.

"Russia has been fighting aimlessly for three and a half years a War that should have taken a Real Military Power less than a week to win. This is not distinguishing Russia. In fact, it is very much making them look like 'a paper tiger'," Trump wrote.

Trump has for months been pressing Ukraine to make concessions and floating the idea of territorial swaps with Russia.

Trump's changing stance on the Russia-Ukraine war signals a major shift in the U.S. foreign policy with global implications.

Trump shared the new position in a social media post shortly after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

Quote:Hungary's top diplomat told Newsweek that the only path to obtaining peace in Ukraine and ensuring Europe's security ran through a stable relationship between the United States and Russia, vowing Budapest would not back down in the face of pressure from EU and NATO allies on this front and others.

Speaking Tuesday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where his counterparts from Washington and Moscow were soon set to meet, Hungarian Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Peter Szijjarto said his country would "welcome such an event, because we in Central Europe have a very clear historical experience."

"And this experience says that in case the Americans and the Russians are able to maintain a civilized cooperation, then we in Central Europe enjoy a better security," Szijjarto told Newsweek. "If the Americans and the Russians fail to maintain a civilized relationship, then we are concerned about the consequences on our security."

But as President Donald Trump suddenly took aim at Russia in a remarkable shift Tuesday — promised ongoing U.S. military aid to NATO's pro-Ukraine war effort and even suggesting Ukraine could take back territory it has lost — Szijjarto maintained only a deal between the U.S. leader and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin could pave the path toward peace in Ukraine.

He argued such rapprochement, for which both Trump and Putin had previously called, could also make strides in stabilizing the region.

"I really do believe that the only solution for this war is a comprehensive American-Russian agreement," Szijjarto said. "If there's no Russian-American agreement, I see very limited hope for peace here. The Russians and Americans should come to a big agreement, part of which could end up in in peace returning to the central part of Europe, certainly."

'The Only Hope for Peace'

Yet many on the continent, including Poland, are calling for tougher measures toward the Kremlin and have expressed skepticism toward Trump's diplomatic engagement with Russian President Vladimir Putin—with whom Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has also retained ties.

But if the White House's overtures have failed to make sufficient progress, Szijjarto argues it may be Trump's detractors who are to blame for adopting policies that have fueled the conflict rather than quell it.

"I have to tell you that we do consider President Trump as the only hope for peace in Ukraine," Szijjarto said, "because during the time before him taking office, there had been no hope, because both the former American administration and the current European leaders are very much pro-war. They are more interested in prolonging the war than concluding it, and therefore it is only President Trump who can make the change here, who can give hope for a peaceful settlement."

"So, I think that his efforts must be respected pretty much," Szijjarto said. "And I can tell you that if European leaders had not put so many efforts in undermining the peace process, I would say he would have had a good chance to resolve the issue until now."

Quote:The Spanish Defense Ministry said one of its military planes carrying Margarita Robles to Lithuania was hit by an attempted attack on its GPS navigation as it flew near the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.

"There has been an attempt to disrupt the GPS signal, but as our aircraft has an encrypted system, it was not affected," a defense ministry spokesperson said, Reuters reported. But they added that this was not targeted directly at the NATO ally's aircraft: "It must be common on this route and also with commercial flights. It is not because it is our aircraft."

Newsweek has contacted the Russian Embassy in Spain for comment.

Robles had flown to Lithuania for a meeting with her counterpart there, Dovilė Šakalienė, and to visit the Spanish Vilkas Tactical Air Detachment, part of the forces defending NATO's eastern flank, at the Siauliai Air Base.

NATO-Russia Tensions Heighten

The GPS incident comes as NATO allies accuse Russia of multiple serious airspace violations. Moscow has called the accusations unfounded. It also denied jamming the GPS of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's plane as it tried to land in Bulgaria in August.

Escalating tensions between NATO and Russia bring closer the prospect of a direct clash between the two nuclear-armed sides. They are engaged in indirect conflict over Ukraine, whose defense against the ongoing Russian invasion NATO is supporting with materiel and training.

The Kremlin has described NATO as at war with Russia, though neither side has formally declared war on the other.

Quote:The Russian army is moving at a “glacial pace” and struggling to gain ground more than three years after its invasion — but it still could take years and major losses for Ukraine to reclaim all the territory Moscow has taken since 1991, according to military analysts.

The Ukraine war saw a major shift on Tuesday after President Trump claimed for the first time that Kyiv can push back Russia’s forces and liberate 20% of the country currently occupied by the Kremlin.

Such a feat, however, would come at a high cost that would force Ukraine’s military to ramp up enlistment, weapons production and develop a fully fledged air force and navy, Seth Jones, of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) think tank, told The Post.

“It will be hard, but not impossible to take back the territory,” he said. “The big challenge so far in the Ukrainian war is that the conflict has largely given the advantage to whoever is on defense.”
Moscow has been sluggish to gain ground since attacking Ukraine in February 2022, with the Kremlin’s troops now moving at a “glacial pace,” Jones said.

In the past 20 months, Russia’s forces have only managed to take 1% more of Ukraine, with Moscow barely able to make any dents against Kyiv’s fortress belt cities in Donetsk, according to the CSIS and the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a fellow Washington-based think tank monitoring the war.

The slow advancement is compounded by the massive losses Moscow has faced, with the Russian casualties estimated at 1 million, according to the last CSIS analysis in June.

The estimates include 250,000 dead soldiers, which is about five times greater than all the losses faced in the previous Soviet and Russian wars since World War II combined.

In the last 20 months, Russia was also estimated to have lost more than 4,100 armored vehicles and 1,800 tanks. the CSIS reported.

If Ukraine were to switch to the offense, it would likely face similar losses, Jones warned.

“The fighting has provided the side on defense with the chance to dig trenches and place minefields. It all makes it difficult for the offense to push through without suffering massive casualties like what we’ve seen from Russia,” Jones said.

Quote:A Paris court found former French President Nicolas Sarkozy guilty on some but not all charges on Thursday in his trial for the alleged illegal financing of his 2007 presidential campaign with money from the government of then-Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

The court is still detailing its ruling and hasn’t immediately sentenced the 70-year-old Sarkozy.

That step would come later in the court proceedings Thursday. Sarkozy can appeal the guilty verdict, which would suspend any sentence pending the appeal.

Prosecutors have argued for a seven-year prison sentence.

Sarkozy, accompanied by his wife, the singer and model Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, was present in the courtroom, which was also filled with reporters and members of the public.

Sarkozy sat in the front row of the defendant’s seats. His three adult sons were also in the room.

With the verdict, the 70-year-old Sarkozy becomes the first former French president found guilty of accepting illegal foreign funds to win office.

Sarkozy, who was elected in 2007 but lost his bid for reelection in 2012, denied all wrongdoing during a three-month trial that also involved 11 co-defendants, including three former ministers.

Despite multiple legal scandals that have clouded his presidential legacy, Sarkozy remains an influential figure in right-wing politics in France and in entertainment circles, by virtue of his marriage to Bruni-Sarkozy.

Alleged Libya financing

The accusations trace their roots to 2011, when a Libyan news agency and Gadhafi himself said the Libyan state had secretly funneled millions of euros into Sarkozy’s 2007 campaign.

In 2012, the French investigative outlet Mediapart published what it said was a Libyan intelligence memo referencing a 50 million-euro funding agreement.

Sarkozy denounced the document as a forgery and sued for defamation.

French magistrates later said that the memo appeared to be authentic, though no conclusive evidence of a completed transaction was presented at the three-month Paris trial.

Quote:A Russian submarine capable of launching nuclear missiles was spotted near Japan—a key United States ally—as Moscow continues to flex its military power in the Pacific.
...
Russia operates a fleet of ballistic missile submarines as part of its strategic nuclear forces, including three Borei-class and five Borei-A-class vessels, the defense outlet Naval News reported. Each submarine carries 16 missiles, and each missile can be armed with six nuclear warheads, according to the Federation of American Scientists.

During a July meeting on the development strategy for the Russian submarine forces, President Vladimir Putin said submarines play a key role in ensuring the country's sovereignty and security, protecting its interests and maintaining strategic parity.

While the Russian military continues its war against Ukraine, it remains active in the Far East and the Indo-Pacific, which Japan described as "a strong security concern" in a defense white paper. The Russian Pacific Fleet recently completed deployments with a ballistic missile submarine and a conventionally armed missile submarine.

What To Know

Japan's Defense Ministry reported that three Russian naval vessels passed through the Soya Strait—also called the La Pérouse Strait in Russia—on Wednesday as they sailed from the Sea of Okhotsk to the Sea of Japan, called the East Sea in South Korea.

The Russian flotilla was tracked transiting 24 miles northeast of Cape Soya on Japan's main island of Hokkaido. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea states that a state can claim territorial seas extending up to 13.8 miles from its coastline.

According to the report, one of the Russian vessels was a Borei-class ballistic missile submarine powered by nuclear propulsion, marking the first time the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has spotted this type of Russian submarine near Japanese territory.

U.S. Naval Institute News reported that the Russian Pacific Fleet operates five Borei- and Borei-A-class submarines. It remains unclear which one was spotted by Japan.

The Russian submarine was accompanied by the cruiser Varyag—identified by its hull number—and a rescue tug. The Varyag serves as the Russian Pacific Fleet's flagship.

Japan's Defense Ministry also reported that three Chinese ships—the destroyers CNS Huainan and CNS Kaifeng and the replenishment ship CNS Dongpinghu, identified by hull numbers—passed eastward through the Soya Strait between Monday and Tuesday.

Quote:A top South Korean official said Thursday that North Korea is operating a total of four uranium enrichment facilities, adding to outside assessments that it has multiple covert atomic plants along with the widely known site near the capital of Pyongyang.

The North’s leader Kim Jong Un has called for a rapid expansion of his country’s nuclear weapons program and recently said he would never make the arms a negotiating point in response to overtures by US President Donald Trump.

The South’s Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said uranium enrichment centrifuges at the four facilities — which would include the known site at Yongbyon, about 60 miles north of Pyongyang — are running everyday and stressed the urgency to stop the North’s nuclear program.

Chung did not elaborate further on the location of the other, undeclared nuclear sites.

He spoke about the North with local reporters, according to his ministry.

A nuclear stockpile

Chung cited an assessment that the North possesses about 4,400 pounds of highly enriched uranium.

He first said that was based on intelligence but the ministry later clarified it was attributed to civilian experts.

If confirmed, the amount would also signal a sharp increase in North Korea’s stockpile of nuclear material.

In 2018, Stanford University scholars, including nuclear physicist Siegfried Hecker who had previously visited the Yongbyon complex, said the North had about 550 to 1,100 pounds of highly enriched uranium, sufficient for 25 to 30 nuclear devices.

Nuclear weapons can be built using either highly enriched uranium or plutonium, and North Korea has facilities to produce both at Yongbyon.

Last year, North Korea released photographs of what it said was a uranium enrichment facility, the first such disclosure since it showed the one at Yongbyon to Hecker and others in 2010.

The location and other details of the facility in the photographs remain unknown.

Quote:Kim Keon Hee, the wife of South Korea’s ousted former president Yoon Suk Yeol, appeared in court on Wednesday at the start of her corruption trial, part of a criminal probe that has ensnared high-profile political and religious figures.

Kim, who faces charges including bribery and stock manipulation, arrived at the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul wearing a black suit, making her first public appearance since her arrest in August.

In brief remarks to the court she confirmed her personal information and asked for a trial by judge, rather than a jury, but did not address any of the charges.

A prosecutor outlined charges against Kim, including allegations of stock manipulation, violating political fundraising laws by asking a power broker to carry out free opinion polling, and accepting bribes from South Korea’s Unification Church.

Kim’s lawyers denied all the charges and said the prosecutors had not shared details of the evidence they had obtained.

If convicted on any of the charges, Kim faces penalties ranging from fines to up to five years in prison.

A scandal over a Dior bag she was seen accepting from a pastor, which was filmed on a hidden video camera, came to overshadow her husband’s presidency until his shock martial law declaration in December led to his removal from office.

Yoon is on trial separately for insurrection and has been held in custody since July.

Quote:Super Typhoon Ragasa, one of the strongest in years, whipped waves taller than lampposts onto Hong Kong promenades and halted life on the southern Chinese coast early Wednesday after leaving deadly destruction in Taiwan and the Philippines.

In Taiwan, 14 people died in a flooded township, and four deaths were reported in the Philippines.

The fierce winds woke Hong Kong residents in the early hours, and many went online to describe scenes like a kitchen ventilation fan being blown down and a crane swaying.

Strong winds blew away parts of a pedestrian bridge’s roof and knocked down hundreds of trees across the city. Some vessels crashed into the shore, shattering a row of glass railings along the waterfront. Areas around some rivers and promenades were flooded, including cycling lanes and playgrounds.

At a promenade restaurant, furniture was scattered chaotically by the winds. Over 30 injured people were treated at hospitals.

A video that showed waves of water crashing through the doors of a hotel and flooding its interiors went viral in the financial hub.

The hotel has not immediately commented on the incident. But staff were seen cleaning up the lobby, with parts of its exterior damaged.

Nearly 1.9 million people were relocated across Guangdong province, the southern Chinese economic powerhouse. The national weather agency forecast the super typhoon would make landfall between the cities of Yangjiang and Zhanjiang in the evening.

Quote:Russian MiG-29 fighter jets have touched down in Iran, giving the country’s aging air force a short-term boost amid escalating Middle East tensions, an Iranian lawmaker said Tuesday.

Abolfazl Zohrevand, a member of parliament’s National Security Committee, called the MiG-29s a “short-term solution” while Tehran awaits the more advanced Sukhoi Su-35 jets, signaling a broader push to strengthen its military capabilities.

“Once these systems are fully in place, our enemies will understand the language of power,” Zohrevand told local media, highlighting Tehran’s determination to project strength as regional and global powers watch closely.

Newsweek reached out to Iran's Foreign Ministry for comment.

Why It Matters

The MiG-29 deliveries arrive in the wake of the recent 12-day conflict with Israel, which exposed weaknesses in Iran’s aging air force and defense network. Israeli strikes during the war targeted Iranian assets, highlighting vulnerabilities that Tehran is now moving to address. The new jets provide a boost while signaling Iran’s intent to rapidly modernize its aerial capabilities. The move underscores Tehran’s determination to rebuild its military strength and enhance deterrence amid ongoing Middle East tensions.

What To Know

“Russian MiG-29 fighter jets have arrived in Iran and are stationed in Shiraz, while Sukhoi Su-35 jets are also on the way,” Zohrevand said. He added that China’s HQ-9 air defense system and Russia’s S-400 system were being supplied to Iran “in significant numbers.”

Following recent clashes with Israel, Zohrevand emphasized that the MiG-29 jets are part of a broader effort to rapidly strengthen Iran’s air capabilities. The aircraft serve as an interim measure until Su-35s arrive, though Moscow has not yet officially confirmed any shipments.

Aging Fleet and Air Defense Gaps

Iran has long struggled to modernize its air force, which still relies heavily on U.S.-made jets purchased before the 1979 revolution, supplemented by a small number of Russian aircraft and domestically upgraded platforms. The country’s vulnerabilities were exposed earlier this year when Israeli strikes destroyed its last Russian-supplied S-300 air defense systems, which Tehran had acquired in 2016, leaving significant gaps in its protective network.

To compensate, Iran has bolstered its indigenous air defenses by developing the Bavar-373 long-range surface-to-air missiles, the Khordad and Sayyad missile systems, the Arman long-range anti-ballistic missile defenses, and the S-200 Ghareh long-range surface-to-air missiles.

Quote:Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday dismissed reports that Jerusalem was willing to give up the country’s buffer zone in Syria as part of a potential deal with the new government in Damascus.

The idea is a “joke,” the premier said in a recording on X.

“I’ll tell you what we’re discussing. We’re discussing with Syria something that wasn’t even imaginable before our great victory over Hezbollah. We’re discussing a security arrangement in which they demilitarize southwest Syria, and we ensure the security of our Druze allies in Jabal al-Druze,” said Netanyahu.

Last week, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said that ongoing security negotiations with Israel may soon yield a formal agreement.

During a briefing before his trip to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the Syrian leader said talks could lead to results “in the coming days,” according to Reuters.

A Syrian Foreign Ministry official confirmed progress in talks, telling AFP that several security and military agreements are expected to be signed with Israel by the end of the year.

In an interview aired on Sunday, al-Sharaa told CBS News’ Margaret Brennan that U.S. President Donald Trump’s lifting of sanctions from his country was a “courageous and historic decision.”

Trump “recognized that Syria should be safe, stable, and unified. This is in the greatest interest for all countries of the world, not just Syria,” he added.

When asked if he wants to meet with the American leader during the U.N. General Assembly conference in New York this month, the Syrian president answered affirmatively.

“We need to discuss a great many issues and mutual interests between Syria and the USA. We must restore relations in a good and direct way,” he said.

Brennan also asked al-Sharaa if he had undergone an ideological transformation, having led the Sunni terror group Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS), an offshoot of Al Qaeda, during Syria’s prolonged civil war.

The president replied: “Let’s look at what’s happening now, regardless of what was said in the media. Today, we have really saved the people from the oppression that was being thrust on them by the criminal [Bashar al-Assad] regime. And we have restored hope for the people who are refugees or internally displaced, so they can return to their homeland.

Quote:The Israel Defense Forces is advancing into Gaza City, targeting Hamas’s main stronghold, with troops engaged in combat against terrorists both above and below ground, IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said on Sunday.

“Hamas has shown the world its true strategy: to exploit its own people and prolong this war,” said Defrin.

“Our forces are working day and night, turning over every stone, to bring our hostages home, dismantle Hamas’s terror networks, and secure a safer region for all,” he added.

Over the past week, Hamas had demonstrated its tactics by firing on a U.N. team, using stolen United Nations vehicles to obstruct the building of a new road for aid deliveries and robbing four UNICEF trucks at gunpoint, depriving thousands of infants of baby formula, said Defrin.

Hamas continues to block civilians from leaving combat zones, choosing to sacrifice Gaza’s residents rather than protecting them, he added.

The IDF has carried out a wide-scale operation to warn civilians and move them away from the fighting, using tools such as voice messages, leaflet drops, text messages and phone calls.

The military said it concurrently designated a humanitarian area in Khan Yunis and was working to expand related infrastructure in southern Gaza, including field hospitals, water pipelines, desalination facilities and the continued delivery of food, tents, medicine and medical equipment.

Defrin noted that tons of supplies were waiting at the Kerem Shalom crossing for collection by the United Nations and other international organizations, calling on them to deliver the aid directly to Gazans.

“Israel is ensuring civilians can keep out of harm’s way, enabling access to food, shelter and medicine,” said Defrin.

Quote:President Trump condemned moves by Western nations to recognize a Palestinian state on Tuesday, claiming such steps would only reward Hamas for the atrocities committed on Oct. 7, 2023.

Speaking before the United Nations General Assembly, Trump called on the world powers to help him secure a hostage release deal rather than join the wave of countries that have formally recognized a Palestinian state.

“As if to encourage continued conflict, some of this body is seeking to unilaterally recognize the Palestinian state. The rewards would be too great for Hamas terrorists for their atrocities,” he said.

“This would be a reward for these horrible atrocities,” he charged. “Instead of giving in to Hamas’ ransom demands, those who want peace should be united with one message — release the hostages now, just release the hostages.”

About 48 hostages are still believed to be in Gaza after Hamas kidnapped 251 people on Oct. 7, 2023, which saw the largest modern attack on Israel that left more than 1,200 people dead.

Over the past two days, France, Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal all committed to recognizing Palestine, with other major powers expected to join.

The recognition of a Palestinian state has gained steam in recent months over the ongoing war in Gaza, which has devastated the Gaza Strip with no end in sight.

Although the move is largely symbolic, it has further isolated Israel. The US, however, remains a staunch ally, with Washington joining a boycott on Monday as France voted in favor of embracing a Palestinian state.

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, slammed the vote as a “charade,” claiming it does nothing to end the fighting in Gaza.

“They feel they are doing something, but they are not promoting peace. On the contrary, they are supporting terrorism,” Danon told reporters.

Quote:Archaeologists in Israel recently found an ancient treasure hoard dating back more than 1,600 years – not far from where Jesus carried out much of his ministry.

The coins were found at Hukok, a kibbutz in northern Israel, according to the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA).

Hukok is roughly three miles west of Capernaum, an ancient fishing town where Jesus preached and performed miracles.

Hukok and Capernaum are part of the Galilee region, which stretches from Israel’s Jezreel Valley to the border of Lebanon.

The coins, however, were not contemporary to Jesus.

The IAA said that they date back to the 4th century A.D., over 1,600 years ago.

They were left by Jews during the Gallus Revolt, the last Jewish uprising under Roman rule, between 351 and 352 AD.

The hoard consists of 22 bronze coins found “in a small crevice prepared deep in an underground hiding complex,” the IAA noted.

IAA researcher Uri Berger said the hoard’s location suggests it was “carefully planned its hiding place, [with its owners] hoping to return to it when the threatening troubles were over.”

The coins were found in a pit at the end of a narrow, winding tunnel.

Interestingly, the hiding complex also dates back to earlier revolts, such as the Great Revolt in the first century A.D. and the Bar-Kochba Revolt, between 132 and 136 A.D.

“This shows that hundreds of years after these tunnels were dug out, they were reused,” the IAA noted.

“The hoard provides, in all probability, unique evidence that this hiding complex was used in one way or another during another crisis – during the Gallus Revolt – a rebellion for which we have only scant historical evidence of its existence.”

Researchers were “great[ly] surprised” by the discovery, which was found by volunteers excavating the complex for tourism development.

“Fortunately, it was the many volunteers excavating the hiding complex who actually uncovered this important treasure, and they enjoyed this great moment of the joy and excitement of discovery,” the IAA’s Einat Ambar-Armon said.

“The excavation thus became not only an important scientific event, but also a significant communal educational experience – one that brings the public closer to its heritage, and strengthens the sense of belonging and the connection to the past.”

Quote:The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to rule on the president’s executive order which said the children of illegal migrants and those on short-term U.S. visas should be denied American citizenship, after it was ruled unconstitutional by lower courts.

Newsweek contacted the Department of Justice and the White House for comment on Saturday via online inquiry form and email respectively.

Why It Matters

President Trump signed an Executive Order titled "PROTECTING THE MEANING AND VALUE OF AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP" on January 20 just hours after his second presidential inauguration, showing the importance of the issue to his administration.

With Republican control over both chambers of Congress, the courts have emerged as one of the main impediments of the Trump administration, which has suffered legal defeats on subjects including sanctions on International Criminal Court employees, and a bid to strip Haitian migrants of legal protection. However the Supreme Court, which currently has a conservative majority, could be more favorable.

What To Know

On Friday Solicitor General D. John Sauer submitted a petition to the Supreme Court asking them to hear arguments on the legality of his birthright citizenship executive order early next year, potentially leading to a June ruling.

The move comes after a series of lower courts ruled the Executive Order violated the 14th Amendment, and was thus unconstitutional.

In June, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to limit, but not end, the power of lower courts to obstruct the Executive Order in a procedural case, but it has not ruled on the merits of birthright citizenship itself.

Birthright citizenship has widely been regarded as a constitutional right, with only a few exemptions, since the 1898 United States v. Wong Kim Ark ruling, concerning the son of a Chinese immigrant.

In July, following the Supreme Court’s procedural ruling, a federal appeals court in San Francisco upheld the decision by a Seattle judge which blocked Trump’s birthright citizenship policy nationwide in a case brought by a coalition of Democratic states.

That month also saw a New Hampshire judge bar enforcement of Trump’s Executive Order in response to a lawsuit submitted by the American Civil Liberties Union. The Trump administration is appealing both rulings.

Quote:The White House has hit out at the United Nations (U.N.) following what it called a "disturbing set of failures" which allegedly involved a Trump administration official being assaulted in the body’s New York headquarters on Thursday.

The victim, said to work in a supporting role for the Department of Health and Human Services (DHH), told the network they were subject to a ten-minute ordeal during which she attempted to hide in a bathroom stall.

Newsweek contacted the U.N. for comment via email, and the DHH by press inquiry form, on Saturday outside of regular office hours. 

Why It Matters

Thursday’s incident came after President Trump faced what he described as "triple sabotage" during his visit to the U.N. headquarters in New York on Tuesday to deliver a speech. This saw an escalator abruptly come to a stop as the president and first lady stepped onto it, which Trump described as "absolute sabotage" though U.N. officials insisted it was a "built-in safety mechanism."

Trump also said during his address the teleprompter wasn’t working and that there were problems with the sound in the auditorium. Following his second presidential inauguration in January Trump withdrew the U.S. from the U.N. Human Rights Council.

What To Know

On Friday in a post on X, Anna Kelly, the White House’s deputy press secretary, wrote: "Yesterday, a Trump administration official was assaulted by a deranged leftist at the UN. This is part of a disturbing set of failures by the U.N. after their sabotage of President Trump. The U.N. must answer for this pattern of concerning incidents."

Her post linked to a Fox News article in which the network said it had spoken to a DHH official who said they were attacked on Thursday afternoon in the U.N. headquarters.

Speaking to the network the official, who wasn’t named, said she was walking along a corridor in the U.N. building when a woman began verbally abusing her and shining a light in her face. The official said the woman called her a "fascist" and a "Nazi" and shouted pro-Palestinian slogans while filming her.

According to the official, she retreated into a bathroom stall for safety, which the woman tried pushing open before filming over the door and screaming. She allegedly then waited outside the bathroom and continued berating the official once they had left. Overall the incident lasted 10 minutes according to the official.

Quote:President Donald Trump on Saturday announced in a post on Truth Social that he has directed his administration to deploy troops to Portland, Oregon, as part of his effort to crackdown on crime in major cities across the nation.

Newsweek reached out to the Portland mayor's office by email on Saturday morning outside of normal business hours for comment.

Why It Matters

Trump has highlighted the importance of security and the need for law and order during his second administration, initiating the largest mass deportation operation in United States history, and deploying National Guard troops to Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., to assist in various law enforcement and immigration efforts.

Trump has previously discussed potentially deploying troops to several different locations, all of which are Democrat-run cities, including Chicago to assist in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations or to Memphis, Tennessee, to deal with the highest homicide rate in the country, or even back to California or down to New Orleans.

This week also marked a major escalation in the administration's fight against what it describes as political extremism in the country following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and an attack on a Dallas ICE facility this week, as Trump announced that he would designate Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization.

What To Know

Trump decided that his next major focus would be to tackle "war ravaged" Portland, announcing on Truth Social his intent to deploy troops to the city.

"At the request of Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, I am directing Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland, and any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists," he wrote. "I am also authorizing Full Force, if necessary. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

This week, the president issued an executive order that designated Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization, which allows him to expand the tools available to his administration to pursue the group, which he labeled as "a militarist, anarchist enterprise that explicitly calls for the overthrow of the United States Government, law enforcement authorities, and our system of laws."

He has also expressed his distaste for Portland, telling reporters during a press gaggle in the Oval Office last week that "out of control and crazy people" lived in the city. He also at one point earlier this month said that living in Portland was "like living in hell."

Quote:On Friday President Trump announced that all government documents related to American aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart will be declassified, sparking criticism from commentators and Democratic politicians on social media that a similar move hasn’t been taken with the Jeffrey Epstein files. 

Newsweek contacted the White House for comment on Saturday via email outside of regular office hours.

Why It Matters

President Trump said he would release files held by the government related to convicted sex offender Epstein ahead of the 2024 presidential election. However he has since backtracked, describing the case as “the Democrat Epstein Hoax,” sparking anger from some of his supporters.

Trump is likely to face continued pressure to release all Epstein files held by the government, though the Department of Justice has insisted that there is no “client list” of those implicated in the disgraced financier’s activities as had been widely alleged.

What To Know

In a post on his Truth Social website on Friday Trump said he was “ordering my Administration to declassify and release all Government Records related to Amelia Earhart, her final trip, and everything else about her.”

The president said he has been “asked by many people” to take such a step and noted Earhart disappeared in 1937 over the Pacific Ocean while trying to become the first person to circumnavigate the Earth.

However on X a number of prominent figures questioned why Trump had decided to release the Earhart files rather than the Epstein files.

Quote:President Donald Trump joked that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan “knows about rigged elections better than anybody” during a meeting between the two leaders at the Oval Office on Thursday.

“We’ve been friends for a long time, actually, even for four years when I was in exile, unfairly, as it turns out—rigged election. You know, he knows about rigged elections better than anybody,” Trump said while gesturing towards the Turkish president.

Why It Matters

Trump and Erdogan’s meeting at the Oval Office comes as the two countries seek to rekindle relations after years of distance under the Biden administration.

Trump’s comment about rigged elections referenced concerns about democratic backsliding in Turkey, which had caused the Biden administration to keep Erdogan at arm’s length.

What To Know

Trump’s Erdogan remarks were also a reference to the Turkish leader’s two decades in power, during which he has faced persistent criticism for eroding democratic institutions and curbing press freedom.

International observers have often raised concerns over the fairness of Turkey’s elections, citing the intimidation of opposition leaders and government pressure on the media.

Trump’s joke about suspect elections also repeated his long-held baseless claims that the 2020 election that put Joe Biden in office was rigged.

During the meeting Trump said about Erdogan: “This is a tough man. This is a guy who’s highly opinionated. Usually, I don’t like opinionated people, but I always like this one.”

Trump has long described Erdogan as a friend, praising him for being “very smart” and a “tough leader.” The American president has often voiced admiration for strongman leaders around the world.

Erdogan’s primary goal with the Oval Office meeting was to regain access to the U.S. F-35 fighter jet program, from which Turkey was suspended after purchasing Russia’s S-400 missile defense system.

Trump did not commit to this, but said: “I think you’ll be successful with buying the things you’d like to buy.”

He also noted that the “best thing” Erdogan could do would be to not buy oil and gas from Russia.

The author of that article calls the alleged rigged elections in the US a baseless claim. I wonder why people would ever dare to sign an affidavit and make depositions or face the state congresspeople as witnesses of strange events that had to be denounced. I mean, if you know it's a blatant lie, why would they care so much about it and take unnecessary risks? Or why were some local poll workers recorded while they were ADDING and PROCESSING some extra paper ballots to the Dominion machines or other systems in place? Or is it normal to hide some sort of black travel cases under desks and other places and unveil them ONLY AFTER some of the workers had left the facilities under pressure from the former?

One thing is to call it yet to be proven in court and another one to simply dismiss it as baseless.

Quote:President Donald Trump will meet with the top four congressional leaders at the White House on Monday, just one day before the federal government faces a potential shutdown.

The Oval Office meeting will include House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, according to a White House official and sources familiar with the planning.

Why It Matters

The meeting represents a significant shift in strategy, as Trump had previously been reluctant to engage with Democratic leadership during the current funding standoff. The decision comes as Congress faces a Tuesday deadline to pass a spending measure or trigger a government shutdown.

This high-stakes meeting could determine whether the federal government continues operating beyond Tuesday.

A shutdown would disrupt federal services, potentially affecting everything from national parks to federal employee paychecks. The timing is particularly critical as both parties have been locked in a political standoff for days, with neither side showing willingness to compromise on key provisions.

What To Know

Democrats have refused to support a Republican-proposed seven-week funding extension without additional healthcare provisions. They are demanding an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies that help low- and middle-income Americans purchase insurance, as well as reversing Medicaid cuts included in earlier GOP tax legislation.

Republicans have labeled these demands as "nonstarters" and prefer to address healthcare issues separately from government funding. The GOP position calls for a straightforward extension of current funding levels without additional policy riders.

Earlier this week, both Johnson and Thune had advised Trump against meeting with Democratic leaders, suggesting such discussions would be unproductive until Democrats agreed to pass basic funding measures. Johnson specifically told Trump that Democrats should complete "the basic governing work of keeping the government open" before any presidential meeting.

Quote:A federal grand jury in Alexandria, Virginia, has indicted former FBI Director James B. Comey Jr. on two felony charges tied to testimony he gave before the Senate Judiciary Committee in September 2020.

The indictment, unsealed on September 25, charges Comey with making false statements to Congress and obstruction of a congressional proceeding—both punishable by up to five years in prison.

Comey, the first former FBI director to face federal indictment for testimony to Congress, declared his innocence and said: "Let’s have a trial."

Newsweek contacted both Comey, via his attorney, and the Department of Justice for comment via email outside of normal office hours on Friday.

Why It Matters

The indictment matters well beyond James Comey himself. At its core, the case tests whether Congress can rely on truthful testimony from senior officials and whether the Justice Department can enforce that obligation free from political pressure. Prosecutors must prove not only that Comey misled lawmakers but that he did so knowingly—a high legal bar.

How the charges are handled will signal the strength of congressional oversight, the independence of federal prosecutors, and whether criminal law can be applied even-handedly when political stakes are high.

What To Know

The Charges In The Indictment

The indictment stems from Comey’s sworn appearance during a Judiciary Committee hearing on the FBI’s handling of investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election and related matters. Prosecutors allege that Comey knowingly misled senators on two points.

First, the government claims Comey falsely denied authorizing anyone at the FBI to act as an anonymous source to the media regarding an investigation. According to the charging document, he "did willfully and knowingly make a materially false, fictitious, and fraudulent statement … by falsely stating to a U.S. Senator … that he had not ‘authorized someone else at the FBI to be an anonymous source in news reports’ regarding an FBI investigation concerning Person 1." The indictment asserts that Comey had, in fact, directed another FBI official to speak to reporters.

Second, prosecutors allege Comey obstructed Congress by making "false and misleading statements" that aimed to impede the committee’s inquiry into the FBI’s actions before and after the 2016 election.

A third proposed count—"Obstruction of a Congressional proceeding (18 U.S.C. § 1505)”—was rejected by the grand jury. Court records show jurors did not find sufficient evidence on that point, an uncommon but lawful outcome in grand jury proceedings.

Quote:One of the detained migrants injured during Wednesday’s shooting at an ICE detention facility in Dallas, Texas, is currently in a critical condition according to his family. 

Speaking to Spanish language outlet KUVN-DT, Univision 23, the brother of Miguel Ángel García Medina, a Mexican national, said he was "in very bad shape" in hospital and that doctors had talked about disconnecting him from life support machinery.

Newsweek contacted the Department of Homeland Security for comment via email on Saturday outside of regular office hours.

The Context

On Wednesday 29-year-old Joshua Jahn opened fire at a Dallas Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility killing one detainee and seriously injuring two others, before taking his own life. On Thursday FBI Director Kash Patel said Jahn had left behind a note saying he wanted to "give ICE agents real terror."

The shooting takes place against the backdrop of concerns over rising political violence after prominent conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was assassinated while speaking at a Utah college campus on September 10. In June Minnesota Democratic state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot dead in a separate incident.

What To Know

Speaking to Univision, Gutiérrez said his brother García Medina had been shot in the neck, stomach, back and side during Wednesday’s shooting.

He added that since the attack García Medina, a house painter who spent the past two decades in the United States, was in hospital in a serious condition and had undergone at least two surgeries.

Gutiérrez commented: "His wife tells me—because I don’t talk with the doctors—that he is in very bad shape and they want to disconnect him, because he is only living on machines; the machines are what is keeping him alive."

He said his brother was originally from San Luis Potosí in central Mexico and that their mother had been deported from the U.S. a couple of months ago, and has been speaking to lawyers about reentering the country to visit her son since the shooting. Gutiérrez said he did not know why his brother was in ICE detention at the time of the shooting.

Quote:President Donald Trump has authorized the use of troops to protect Portland, Oregon, and any Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities that are “under siege from attack by Antifa.”

Trump took to Truth Social on Saturday morning to announce the action, which comes at Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s request.

“At the request of Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, I am directing Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland, and any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists,” Trump wrote.

He emphasized that he is “authorizing Full Force, if necessary.”

Trump designated Antifa a terrorist organization on Monday with an executive order on the heels of the assassination of Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk on September 10.

One inscription of an unfired shell casing of accused Kirk Assassin, Tyler Robinson, read, “O Bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao,” per Gov. Spencer Cox (R-UT), an apparent reference to the Italian song “Bella Ciao” idolized in Antifa circles. Another casing inscription read, “Hey Fascist! Catch!” per Cox.

During an executive order signing event on Thursday, Vice President JD Vance highlighted a violent anti-ICE riot in Portland over the Summer that led  to the siege of an ICE building.

“I believe it was in Oregon where you had a federal building where there were men in black ski masks who were committing acts of violence, who were shutting down a government building,” Vance said.

“These are paid people. This is organized,” Vance added. “They’re committing acts of political terrorism on American soil, and it’s time we had a government that looked out for the American people rather than the people who are committing violence against the American people.”

Trump indicated the federal government would soon be stepping into Portland to restore order.

“These are crazy people, and they’re trying to burn down buildings, including federal buildings,” Trump said.

“But we’re going to get out there, and we’re going to do a pretty big number on those people in Portland that are doing that. They’re professional agitators and anarchists. They’re actually anarchists,” he went on to add.

Quote:Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized NATO's "weak reaction" to a series of alleged Russian airspace violations in recent weeks.

“They have to shoot down everything,” Zelensky said in an interview with Axios. "If the jets are in your space, you have to block it." He said some NATO allies are fearful of Moscow's response because "Russia is crazy."

Newsweek has contacted NATO for comment.

There is a growing risk of a direct clash between NATO and Russia, which both have devastating arsenals of nuclear weapons. The Kremlin has described NATO as at war with Russia over Ukraine, though neither side has formally declared war on the other.

NATO is providing Ukraine with materiel and training for its ongoing defense against Russia's invasion, launched in February 2022.
...
U.S. President Donald Trump said he thinks NATO allies should shoot down Russian aircraft that violate their airspace. The Russian incursions are seen by NATO as a provocation and a test of the strength of the alliance.

“Statements that Russian aircraft should be shot down are at the very least reckless and irresponsible,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, originally in Russian, state news agency RIA reported.

Trump Demands More Action From Europe

Trump, who is trying to broker peace, has grown increasingly frustrated with Russian President Vladimir Putin's continuation and intensification of the war in Ukraine, even after the two leaders met for a summit in Alaska. He is urging European allies to increase tariffs and sanctions on Russia and its key strategic partner, China, to add pressure on Moscow to end the war.

Trump said the U.S. will follow the Europeans' lead on both. He is also urging European nations still buying Russian oil and gas, namely Hungary and Slovakia, to stop.

Quote:The Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine has gone several days without external power, stoking safety concerns over overheating and a possible meltdown.

Newsweek has reached out to the Ukrainian and Russian foreign ministries for comment via email on Saturday.

Why It Matters

Zaporizhzhia, which is Europe's largest power plant, has been under Russian control since early March 2022. It was one of the first sites to be seized by Russian forces in Russian President Vladimir Putin full-scale invasion of Ukraine that began in February 2022, which was launched years after Moscow annexed Crimea in 2014.

The outage is the longest recorded during the war, and has raised concerns about nuclear safety.

Russia has since claimed parts of Ukraine, with Kyiv and nations within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) seeking to defend the country's territorial integrity. The over three-years long war has displaced millions and killed large numbers of civilians and soldiers.

What To Know

“As a result of Russian actions, the Zaporizhzhia NPP has been without power for the fourth day. This is the plant’s tenth blackout caused by the Russians,” Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine’s minister of foreign affairs, said in a Saturday X post. The Associated Press reported that external power was cut for its fifth day.

The six-reactor facility requires energy for cooling and safety systems, with the United Nations reporting the final power line was cut on Tuesday.

Cooling is necessary to prevent potential nuclear meltdowns. Some have warned of a potential similar outcome as the Fukushima meltdown, which occurred in 2011 after a tsunami and earthquake hit Japan, if the plant is properly connected to external power.

Before the war, when the plant was operational, it provided around one fifth of Ukraine's electricity.

The AP reported that Russian Telegram channels said there are diesel fuel reserves on site to continue ongoing operations of the plant. Jan Vande Putte, a radiation and nuclear energy specialist at Greenpeace Ukraine, told the outlet that "emergency diesel generators are considered the last line of defense, used only in extreme circumstances.” External power to the plant has been cut a couple times during the war, with this being the longest period of time.

Ukrainian officials and allies have said that Russian shelling resulted in the plant’s lack of external power, however, Russia has not confirmed that.

Quote:COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) – The Danish defense ministry said Saturday that “drones have been observed at several of Danish defense facilities” overnight Friday into Saturday. The renewed drone sightings come after there were several drone sightings in the Nordic country earlier this week, with some of them temporarily shutting down Danish airports.

The Danish defense ministry did not say where exactly the drones were seen, but several local media reported that one or more were seen near or above the military Karup Air Base.

Danish public broadcaster DR reported that there were drones in the air both inside and outside the fence of the air base at around 8 p.m., quoting Simon Skelkjær, the duty manager at the Central and West Jutland Police.

DR said that for a period of time the airspace was closed to civil air traffic, but that did not have much practical significance as there is currently no civil aviation in Karup.

The repeated unexplained drone activity, including over four Danish airports overnight Wednesday into Thursday and a similar incident at Copenhagen Airport, has raised concerns about security in northern Europe amid suspected growing Russian aggression.

The Copenhagen drones grounded flights in the Danish capital for hours on Monday night.
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The goal of the flyovers is to sow fear and division, Danish Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard said Thursday, adding that the country will seek additional ways to neutralize drones, including proposing legislation to allow infrastructure owners to shoot them down.

For the upcoming European Union summit next week, the Danish defense ministry confirmed on X that the country’s government had accepted an offer from Sweden to “lend Denmark a military anti-drone capability,” without giving further details.

In neighboring Germany, several drones were reported in the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein, which borders Denmark, from Thursday into Friday night.

The state’s interior minister, Sabine Sütterlin-Waack, said that “the state police are currently significantly stepping up their drone defense measures, also in coordination with other northern German states,” German news agency dpa reported. She did not provide any further details, citing the ongoing investigations.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that in regard to frequent attacks on infrastructure and data networks, “we are not at war, but we are no longer living in peace either.” He did not allude to a certain country as the actor behind those attacks.

“Drone flights, espionage, the Tiergarten murder, massive threats to individual public figures, not only in Germany but also in many other European countries. Acts of sabotage on a daily basis. Attempts to paralyze data centers. Cyberattacks,” he added during a speech at the Schwarz Ecosystem Summit in Berlin on Friday, dpa reported.

What became known as the “Tiergarten murder” in Germany refers to the case of Vadim Krasikov, who was convicted of the Aug. 23, 2019, killing of Zelimkhan “Tornike” Khangoshvili, a 40-year-old Georgian citizen who had fought Russian troops in Chechnya and later claimed asylum in Germany. Krasikov was returned to Russia as part of a massive prisoner swap between the U.S. and Russia in 2024.

Quote:Detection capabilities with radars and acoustic sensors must be part of plans for a "drone wall" in Eastern Europe to thwart the threat posed by Russia, the EU’s defense commissioner has said.

Andrius Kubilius warned that Russia "is testing EU and NATO" following reports of airspace violations by Moscow’s drones in Estonia, Poland, Romania and Denmark, as he described the challenge of a defensive system that works at long distances.

Karl Rosander, CEO of Nordic Air Defence, a technology developer, told Newsweek that an EU drone wall would be a coordinated, multilayered network designed to detect, track, and intercept unauthorized drones.

Why It Matters

Russian drone incursions across EU and NATO airspace have focused European leaders on how to defend against the growing hybrid threat posed by Moscow which is accused of testing the alliance’s resolve. 

The EU is moving forward with a drone wall as part of an initiative called Eastern Flank Watch and while it has not revealed further details, there will need to be agreement among member states over its funding and its technical specifications.

What To Know

The European Commission, the executive branch of the EU, announced Friday its commitment to building a drone wall to protect Europe against Russia, after airspace violations by drones which it accuses Moscow of launching.

EU defense commissioner Kubilius said that Europe needed to develop better capabilities to tackle drones but admitted a drone shield could take a year to build.

He said that priorities for the project would include boosting detection capabilities such as radars, acoustic sensors and other equipment which would need to detect all drones, including smaller aircraft flying at low altitudes. 

Rosander told Newsweek Saturday that a network of sensors would be deployed across the border to spot incoming drones, which could be a multifaceted detection system including radars, infrared cameras as well as acoustic and radio frequency sensors.

Once a drone is detected and tracked, the system would need to deploy various "effectors" to neutralize the threat and these capabilities are expected to be modular and scalable, Rosander said. 

Public spaces against drones need a more sophisticated solution than just ‘shooting them down’ and using missiles and ballistics to take them out in proximity to fuel tanks, roads and houses only heightens risk, he added.

"Kinetic interception physically takes out the drones in a safer way," Rosander said, "the force of the interceptor missile physically disables the drone, knocking it out of the sky. Other alternatives at their disposal could include deploying nets."

Over the last month, drones have been detected in Polish, Romanian, Danish and Norwegian airspace.

Also, NATO dispatched fighter jets after three Russian MiG-31s aircraft loitered in Estonian airspace for 12 minutes although Moscow said they had remained in international airspace. 

Meanwhile, Denmark and Norway have closed airports this week in response to drones in incidents in which the Kremlin has denied involvement.

This has shifted the debate about how to ensure air defenses, which had been built for missiles and manned aircraft, can deal with cheap disposable drones.

Siete Hamminga, CEO of Robin Radar, a Dutch radar firm, told Newsweek that the drone incursions that shut down Danish airports showed that civil aviation was a frontline target. "Europe must start treating its skies as contested airspace, even at home, and invest in the protection needed to keep them secure."

Quote:Police are investigating after an apparent death threat was daubed onto the wall of a Turin railway station during an hours-long occupation of the interchange by anti-Israel activists, the latest manifestation in a days-long action by Antifa and other left-wing groups in support of Palestine.

The Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni said she was honoured to be compared with assassinated political activist Charlie Kirk after Palestine protesters wrote “Meloni: Come Kirk” [‘Meloni: Like Kirk’] on the wall of Torino Porta Susa station in Turin.

The threat is particularly insidious given Italy’s long history of political violence including the ‘Years of Lead‘, which has been particularly acute by general European standards over the past half-century, and the recent political assassination of Charlie Kirk in the United States. Police are investigating the signal, reports Corriere Torino.

Meloni herself disregarded the implied threat. She said in response: “They wrote it as a threat. But those who live on hatred and intimidation will never be like Charlie Kirk, because they do not know the value of dialogue, confrontation, and democracy.”

The Prime Minister said she felt “pride” in being compared to Kirk and said those who promised violence “will always remain prisoners of violence. We will continue to walk free, strong in our ideas.”

Regional politicians in the Turin area decried the threat. Alberto Cirio, President of the Italian state of Piedmont of which Turin is the largest city, said: “The blockades in Turin , the damage, and the threats against Prime Minister Meloni, to whom I extend my full solidarity, are unacceptable. Everyone is free to peacefully express their opinions, but this can never go beyond respect for the rules and the law.”

His deputy, the Vice President of Piedmont said the threats were cowardly and an affront to the whole Italian political system. She said: “Calling for the death of a political opponent is not dissent: it is barbaric. And it is an insult to millions of citizens who believe in freedom and the strength of democracy. Anyone who thinks they can affirm an idea through hatred has already condemned it to defeat.”

Quote:LONDON (AP) – Russia is selling military equipment and technology to China that could help Beijing prepare an airborne invasion of Taiwan, according to an analysis of leaked Russian documents by a U.K.-based defense and security forum.

The Royal United Services Institute’s analysis is based on around 800 pages of documents, including contracts and lists of equipment to be supplied by Moscow to Beijing, from the Black Moon hacktivist group, which previously published some of the documents online. It does not identify its members but describes itself in a manifesto as opposed to governments that carry out aggressive foreign policy.

The authors of the RUSI report shared some of the documents with The Associated Press and say they appear to be genuine, although parts of the documents may have been omitted or altered. AP is unable to independently verify their authenticity.

The mix of completed and apparent draft Russian documents reference meetings between Chinese and Russian delegations – including visits to Moscow – and payment and delivery timelines for high-altitude parachute systems and amphibious assault vehicles. They suggest that Russia has begun work on the products to be delivered but don´t contain direct evidence from the Chinese side that Beijing has paid any money or received any equipment.

While the authors argue the equipment could be used to invade Taiwan, under Xi Jinping China has embarked upon a broad modernization program of its armed forces with the goal of transforming it into a “world-class” military by 2050.

High ranking U.S. officials have suggested Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered his military to be prepared for a possible invasion of Taiwan as early as 2027. Beijing claims the self-governing democracy is rightfully a part of China and has not ruled out seizing the island by force.

The documents don’t mention Taiwan directly, but the analysis by the London-based institute suggests the deal would help China gain advanced parachuting capabilities that it would need to mount an invasion, potentially speeding up a timeline.

It´s not certain that China has decided to invade Taiwan, but access to Russian equipment and localized training in China means Beijing will be better equipped for a potential invasion, Danylyuk said.

“The Chinese school of airborne landing is very young,” he said, suggesting Moscow´s assistance could help speed up China´s airborne program by about 10 to 15 years.

Quote:Iranian President Mahmoud Pezeshkian, who is subservient to “supreme leader” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, spent much of his Wednesday meeting with European leaders, pressuring them not to implement “snapback” measures that would restore sanctions on his country over its illicit nuclear development.

Iran, the world’s premier state sponsor of terrorism, has alarmed the world with a dramatic increase in nuclear development activities, particularly nuclear enrichment. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) passed a resolution condemning Iran in June for violating its international law commitments with its uranium enrichment, the first time in 20 years the U.N. nuclear agency had done so.

Since then, the remaining members of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), known commonly as the Obama-era Iran nuclear deal, have begun the process of reimplementing sanctions on Iran lifted by the JCPOA. The “snapback” provisions in the agreement allow for the restoration of such sanctions in the event that Iran violated the provisions of the agreement.
...
Iranian state media reported extensively on Pezeshkian’s meetings with various European leaders, many of them not parties to the JCPOA, and his lobbying for them to pressure the relevant countries not to sanction Iran. In multiple meetings at the United Nations in New York, Pezeshkian reportedly made the case that any dialogue with European states would not be “meaningful” if the snapback sanctions return and Iran faces consequences for its actions.

“We welcome diplomatic talks to resolve the [nuclear] issue, but naturally, if the snapback [mechanism of sanctions] is activated, dialogue will no longer be meaningful,” Pezeshkian told Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter on Wednesday, for example, according to the Iranian propaganda outlet PressTV.

“Iran is ready to have this issue verified within the framework of international laws and its rights,” he allegedly added. Separately, in a meeting with European Union bureaucrat António Costa, Pezeshkian said that “Tehran is ready for dialogue and understanding to resolve issues and remove obstacles and concerns with the aim of preventing the escalation of differences.” He reportedly blamed any threat to the JCPOA on “those who failed to honor their obligations as per the JCPOA and withdrew from the deal,” presumably referring to Trump.

The Iranian Tasnim News Agency similarly reported on Pezeshkian’s remarks in a bilateral meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, another European country not party to the JCPOA.

“Pezeshkian emphasized that if the snapback mechanism is triggered, negotiations would lose their significance,” Tasnim reported. “He stated that Western countries should demonstrate their commitment to their obligations for any meaningful understanding to emerge, adding that the current situation has arisen due to the West’s failure to uphold its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal.”

Any concerns about Iran’s illicit uranium enrichment, he reportedly added, was the product of “misleading propaganda from the Israeli regime,” without elaborating.

In reality, concerns about Iran’s uranium enrichment are the product of extensive attempts by the IAEA to oversee the Islamist regime’s activities. IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi publicly protested Iran’s intransigence in working with his agency for months, culminating in a report to the IAEA’s board in June in which Grossi revealed that Iran was actively blocking the agency’s work.

“Unfortunately, Iran has repeatedly either not answered, or not provided technically credible answers to, the Agency’s questions. It has also sought to sanitize the locations, which has impeded Agency verification activities,” he revealed, referring to sites where Iran was engaging in nuclear research.

The sites, he concluded, were likely “part of an undeclared structured nuclear program carried out by Iran until the early 2000s and that some activities used undeclared nuclear material.”

Gladly, the UN didn't listen to the Iranian president.

Quote:The United Nations Security Council adopted “snapback” sanctions on Iran on Saturday, due to the regime’s refusal to cooperate on nuclear monitoring, restoring sanctions to where they were before President Barack Obama’s deal.

The “snapback” provisions of the deal were thought to be toothless, since it was difficult to envision a situation in which European nations would back U.S. demands to restore sanctions on Iran.

But President Donald Trump’s strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities at the end of Israel’s 12 Day War with Iran set events in motion, with Iran pulling out of monitoring commitments and the world understanding the risks.

The Associated Press reported:

The United Nations reimposed sanctions on Iran early Sunday over its nuclear program, further squeezing the Islamic Republic as its people increasingly find themselves priced out of the food they need to survive and worried about their futures.

The sanctions will again freeze Iranian assets abroad, halt arms deals with Tehran, and penalize any development of Iran’s ballistic missile program, among other measures. It came via a mechanism known as “snapback,” included in Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, and comes as Iran’s economy already is reeling.

Iran’s rial currency sits at a record low, increasing pressure on food prices and making daily life that much more challenging. That includes meat, rice and other staples of the Iranian dinner table.

As Breitbart News reported last month, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom set the snapback sanctions in motion. Russia and China, which would normally veto sanctions to protect Iran, cannot do so under the terms of the Iran nuclear deal originally adopted by the Security Council in 2015.

The AP adds that Iran faces economic instability and that it has executed more people in the past year than in the previous three decades.

Obama originally argued that the “snapback” sanctions would prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power.

That was never true: Iran pursued nuclear weapons, regardless, and might have achieved them had Trump not bombed Iran’s nuclear facilities. Now, with Iran defying the world, the sanctions have indeed snapped back — after military action, not before, and with an effect likely not anticipated by the Obama administration when it negotiated the deal.

Quote:The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on Friday that China is leading the effort to prevent the United States from regaining control of Bagram air base in Afghanistan.

The SCMP reported that Yue Xiaoyong, special envoy to Afghanistan from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, held a meeting with delegates from Russia, Pakistan, and Iran on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City on Thursday.

After the meeting, the four nations issued a joint statement urging “respect for Afghanistan’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.”

The statement opposed military bases controlled by anyone the four signatories blamed for the “current situation,” which primarily means the United States. China, Russia, Pakistan, and Iran did not seem inclined to limit themselves from establishing a military presence in Afghanistan, if they so desired.

The airfield at Bagram was constructed by the Soviet Union in the 1950s. It became a key element of the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s. The U.S. took control of the long-abandoned facility in 2001, after overthrowing the first Taliban government.

American forces refurbished and expanded the base, providing it with enough runway space to handle large cargo planes, a prison complex, and various amenities, including fast-food restaurants.

President Donald Trump has been strongly critical of his predecessor Joe Biden for abandoning Bagram during Biden’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan in July 2021. Senior military leaders told Congress they strongly advised Biden to retain control of Bagram and conduct evacuations from there, rather than the more vulnerable Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. Terrorists bombed the Kabul airport during the chaos of Biden’s withdrawal, killing over 100 people, including 13 U.S. service members.

During his trip to the United Kingdom last week, Trump said he wanted the United States to regain control of Bagram, and he was not shy about explaining why.

“One of the biggest airbases in the world, we gave it to them for nothing. We’re trying to get it back, by the way, okay? That could be a little breaking news. We’re trying to get it back because they need things from us. We want that base back,” Trump told reporters. By “they,” he meant the Taliban junta that took control of Afghanistan after Biden’s withdrawal.

“But one of the reasons we want the base is, as you know, it’s an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons. So a lot of things are happening,” he said.

“If Afghanistan doesn’t give Bagram Airbase back to those that built it, the United States of America, BAD THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN!!!” Trump warned in a subsequent post on Truth Social.

Bagram is about 43 miles from Kabul, and about 500 miles from Afghanistan’s border with the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) in China. Among the facilities located in the XUAR is China’s secretive nuclear weapons testing facility at Lop Nur.

Trump later told reporters aboard Air Force One that Bagram was “one of the most powerful bases in the world in terms of runway strength and length.”

“You could land anything there,” he said.

Trump made his comments a few days after White House envoy Adam Boehler had a meeting with Taliban officials. The Taliban praised the meeting as a sign that Washington has “opened its doors to Kabul.”

Taliban Foreign Ministry official Zakir Jalaly quickly dismissed the idea of giving Bagram back to the United States, however.

“The Afghans have not accepted a military presence in history, and this possibility was completely rejected during the Doha talks and agreement, but the door is open for further interaction,” he said.

Quote:Troops from Thailand and Cambodia have engaged in the first clashes since a ceasefire between the neighbors that was backed by President Donald Trump only weeks ago.

Thai and Cambodian troops exchanged fire and launched grenades in northeastern Thailand less than two months after the peace deal was struck on July 28, according to reports.

The increase in tensions over the last few days appear to violate the deal's spirit, although neither side has officially declared the ceasefire void.

Newsweek has contacted the Thai and Cambodian foreign ministries for comment.

Why It Matters

A long-standing dispute between the countries which share a 500-mile land border, largely mapped by France when it ruled Cambodia, was reignited in May after an exchange of gunfire that killed a Cambodian soldier. 

This escalated into clashes in July before talks in Malaysia led to a ceasefire on July 28 which Trump claimed credit for as he touted the impact of sanctions' threats. Renewed clashes between the countries point to a breach of the peace terms which had been touted by the U.S. president as a sign of his ability as a dealmaker. 

What To Know

Much like the previous clashes earlier in the year, both sides have made accusations and counter accusations about renewed hostilities on the border.

Thai army spokesman Winthai Suvaree said Saturday that Cambodian soldiers had fired into the Chong An Ma area in Ubon Ratchathani province, prompting the Suranaree Task Force that maintains border security to be placed on high alert, Bloomberg reported.

He said the Thai side responded "in accordance with the ceasefire measures" without specifying further, adding in his X statement that the task force "is prepared and has ordered retaliatory fire as needed."

There were later reports of a brief exchange of small-arms fire, with no casualties reported on the Thai side, the Bangkok Post reported.

Meanwhile, Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defense said in a statement on Facebook that at 11.52 a.m. local time, Thai military forces had initially fired small arms and mortar rounds on its An Seh military base.

The statement added that the Cambodian Army were ready to protect the land’s natural state but that it was committed to respecting and implement the ceasefire agreement struck in July. 

The Bangkok Post reported that officials in Nam Yuen district, where Chong Arn Ma is located, warned the public to prepare for their evacuation if the situation deteriorated.

Maly Socheata, spokesperson for the Cambodian Ministry of National Defense, said Cambodian forces had exercised restraint, according to the Phnom Penh Post.

The ceasefire struck on July 28 in Kuala Lumpur will continue to hold, because actions by both countries are tied more to domestic politics than direct military confrontation, Channel News Asia reported on Friday.

Dulyapak Preecharush, an associate professor of Asian Studies at Thammasat University in Bangkok told the outlet that the tensions and protests along the border partly reflect local grievances and the revival of nationalist issues, rather than a direct move toward military confrontation between the two sides."

Quote:The president of Colombia has responded to the move to revoke his U.S. visa after he called for soldiers to defy Donald Trump.

Gustavo Petro posted on X, "I don't care," in response to the cancellation of his visa on Friday which is likely to further strain relations between Washington and Bogotá.

Newsweek has contacted the U.S. State Department for comment.

Why It Matters

The Trump administration's decision to revoke Petro's visa and the Colombian president’s response shows the deterioration of ties between the countries amid divisions over U.S. foreign policy, especially related to the Middle East and Latin America.

What To Know

In an X post on Saturday, Petro disparaged the decision by the U.S. State Department to revoke his U.S. visa while he was in the country where he attended the United Nations General Assembly.

He said that he had arrived back in Bogotá, and no longer had a visa to travel to the U.S, but added, "I don't care." 

Petro said that he did not need a visa but an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), referring to the U.S. visa waiver system, because he is not just a Colombian citizen, but also a European citizen. He added that he considered himself "a free person in the world" and that every person on earth must be free.

Petro had his visa revoked after comments he made to a crowd outside the U.N. headquarters about Palestine when he called for "all the soldiers of the army of the U.S. not to point their rifles at humanity."

In the clip which was posted on social media, Petro can be heard saying, "disobey the orders of Trump. Obey the orders of humanity."

Later Friday, the State Department said that Petro’s visa would be revoked "due to his reckless and incendiary actions" in urging U.S. soldiers to disobey orders and incite violence.

Colombian media had reported that Petro had already departed the U.S. when the State Department made the announcement.

Quote:Police identified the suspect responsible for the shooting at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford.

Police provided little information about Sanford, a resident of Burton, Michigan, at their 5 p.m. ET press conference where they named him. More information is expected at another press conference scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.

According to public records reviewed by Newsweek, Sanford was a veteran whose only legal issue arose from an apparent dispute over rent payment in Utah. A later mortgage loan through the Veterans Administration (VA) taken out in 2021 against his property Michigan, indicating he served in the U.S. military, although it is currently unclear in which branch.

The suspect's truck had a license plate with "IRAQ" on it as well as window decals that remain unidentified.

Before killing two and injuring several others on Sunday, the suspect rammed his truck through the front doors of the church during service and purposefully set fire to the building. Police said Sanford opened fire with an assault rifle before trying to flee the scene in his vehicle, during which police fatally shot the suspect.

Police are still working to determine motive.

Just in case people don't know who his victims were, they're also known as the Mormons.

Quote:President Donald Trump issued a statement following the deadly mass shooting at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, that left one person dead, and nine others injured.

Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday afternoon that he has been briefed on the incident and confirmed federal involvement in the investigation.

The attack occurred during Sunday morning services when a suspect drove his vehicle through the church's front doors before opening fire and setting the building ablaze.

Why It Matters

This tragic incident marks another attack on a religious institution in America, prompting immediate federal response and highlighting ongoing concerns about the safety of places of worship.

The shooting occurred just one day after the passing of Russell Nelson, who served as president of the LDS church from January 2018 until his death at age 101.

The attack adds to a disturbing pattern of violence targeting religious communities across the United States, including the recent mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis that killed two children and injured 17 others.

What To Know

The shooting began around 10:25 a.m. local time when the suspect, identified as a 40-year-old man from Burton, Michigan, rammed his vehicle into the front entrance of the church during sacrament services, local law enforcement said.

Armed with an assault rifle, the gunman opened fire on congregants before intentionally setting the building on fire.

The suspect was killed during a shootout with police as he attempted to flee the scene.

Trump confirmed in his Truth Social statement that "the FBI was immediately on scene, and will be leading the Federal Investigation, and providing full support to State and Local Officials. The suspect is dead, but there is still a lot to learn."

Multiple victims remain trapped inside the church as the fire spread throughout the building, though the blaze has been contained as of 1 p.m. ET. Rescue operations continue with manpower shortages noted as a limiting factor.

Medical mutual aid has arrived from as far as Oxford, Michigan, located approximately 20 miles southeast of Grand Blanc.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social: "I have been briefed on the horrendous shooting that took place at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Grand Blanc, Michigan. The FBI was immediately on scene, and will be leading the Federal Investigation, and providing full support to State and Local Officials. The suspect is dead, but there is still a lot to learn. This appears to be yet another targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America. The Trump Administration will keep the Public posted, as we always do. In the meantime, PRAY for the victims, and their families. THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!"

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi: "I am receiving briefings about what appears to be a horrific shooting and fire at an LDS church in Grand Blanc, Michigan. FBI and ATFHQ agents are en route to the scene now. Such violence at a place of worship is heartbreaking and chilling. Please join me in praying for the victims of this terrible tragedy."

FBI Director Kash Patel: "We are tracking reports of the horrific shooting and fire at an LDS church in Grand Blanc, Michigan. FBI agents are on the scene to assist local authorities. Violence in a place of worship is a cowardly and criminal act. Our prayers are with the victims and their families during this terrible tragedy."

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino: "FBI personnel are responding to Grand Blanc, MI to provide any requested support necessary."

Quote:President Donald Trump reacted to a report that found there had allegedly been 274 Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents in the crowd during the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. He wants “to know who each and every one” of the agents in the crowd were and “What they were up to.”

In a post on Truth Social, Trump noted that the reports findings were “different from what” former FBI Director Christopher Wray had “stated, over and over again!” Trump’s post came after a report by the Blaze found that the “FBI has acknowledged it had 274 plainclothes agents” in the crowd that day, after the agent had refused to “disclose the level of its presence at the Capitol.”

“It was just revealed that the FBI had secretly placed, against all Rules, Regulations, Protocols, and Standards, 274 FBI Agents into the Crowd just prior to, and during, the January 6th Hoax,” Trump said. “This is different from what Director Christopher Wray stated, over and over again! That’s right, as it now turns out, FBI Agents were at, and in, the January 6th Protest, probably acting as Agitators and Insurrectionists, but certainly not as ‘Law Enforcement Officials.'”

“I want to know who each and every one of these so-called ‘Agents’ are, and what they were up to on that now ‘Historic’ Day,” Trump added. “Many Great American Patriots were made to pay a very big price only for the love of their Country. I owe this investigation of ‘Dirty Cops and Crooked Politicians’ to them!”

Trump continued to say that Wray “has some major explaining to do.”

“That’s two in a row, Comey and Wray, who got caught LYING, with our Great Country at stake,” Trump added. “WE CAN NEVER LET THIS HAPPEN TO AMERICA AGAIN!”

Per the Blaze, a “senior congressional source said the number is not necessarily a surprise, since the FBI often embeds countersurveillance personnel at large events.”

According to a “report obtained” by Just the News, the FBI “secretly deployed” more than 200 plainclothes agents into the crowd that day:

Scores of FBI agents and personnel — many from the bureau’s premier Washington field office (WFO) — sent anonymous complaints to the after-action team detailing how agents were sent into an unsafe scenario without proper safety equipment or the ability to identify themselves readily as armed officers to other police agencies the report obtained by Just the News shows.

Breitbart News reported in December 2024, then-Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz revealed that “more than two dozen confidential human sources (CHSs)” had been outside of the U.S. Capitol building during the riot.

Quote:Detectives are probing whether Sunday’s mass shooting and fire at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan has any connection to the death a day earlier of longtime national church president Russell M. Nelson, according a report.

Investigators are urgently working the shooter’s motive, checking for any recent threats to the congregation and whether the attack’s timing bears any relation to Nelson’s passing on Saturday in Salt Lake City at age 101, to a source briefed on the investigation who spoke to ABC News.

Police have not announced a motive.
Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye said a 40-year-old man from Burton drove a vehicle through the front entrance around 10:25 a.m., then exited and fired “several rounds” at parishioners.

Ten people with gunshot wounds were taken to local hospitals; one victim died, Renye said at an afternoon briefing.
Responding cops — including a Michigan Department of Natural Resources officer and a township officer — confronted the gunman and exchanged fire. The suspect was shot and died at the scene, authorities said.

Hundreds of parishioners were inside the church at the time of the attack, according to law enforcement officials, who say they expect to find additional victims.

Nelson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the oldest person ever to lead the faith, died late Saturday at his Salt Lake City home. He was 101.

The church said Nelson died shortly after 10 p.m. local time Saturday. He is survived by his wife, Wendy; eight of his 10 children from his first marriage; 57 grandchildren; and more than 167 great-grandchildren.

Before church leadership, Nelson built a renowned medical career. A pioneering heart surgeon, he performed Utah’s first open-heart operation in 1955.

He helped develop an artificial heart-lung machine and served in top professional posts, including president of the Utah State Medical Association.

He later served as director of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. Nelson shifted to full-time church leadership in 1984.

Quote:Federal agents began arriving in “war ravaged” Portland, Ore., over the weekend after President Donald Trump ordered military deployment to the city, with at least one clash already erupting outside an ICE facility.

An Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer was seen Friday shoving a protester to the ground, according to video footage captured by KATU-TV.

Another demonstrator was detained as agents confronted crowds outside the South Portland site.
In an early-morning Truth Social post Saturday, Trump said he authorized “full force” to protect what he called “War ravaged Portland” and federal buildings “under siege by ANTIFA, and other domestic terrorists.”

Mayor Keith Wilson, speaking at a late-night press conference Friday, said, “We now have a sudden influx of federal agents in our city.

“We did not ask for them to come. They are here without precedent or purpose,” Wilson said.
Residents reacted sharply to the deployment.

David Schmidt, who lives near the ICE building, told KATU, “Every night, there’s tons of protesters basically being vagrants on the street. … They are making noise constantly, even when nobody from ICE is outside.”

Other locals warned that the federal presence could escalate unrest.

“I just remember watching night after night … in 2020, and I’m just worried that we’re going to see things blow up like they did in 2020,” said Ocean Hosojasso of Portland.

The White House did not provide details on the number of troops or their assignments.

Pentagon officials did not immediately respond to requests for information, according to the AP. A Politico report said the order came as a surprise to many inside the Pentagon.
Trump has recently stepped up his criticism of Portland, saying being there was “like living in hell.”

Protesters outside the ICE site Friday said they want to challenge that narrative.

“I know that our city gets this loud and unfair reputation … but you come here, and it’s peaceful,” Hosojasso said.

Quote:WASHINGTON — Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman warned his party against allowing the government to shut down with two fast-approaching hurricanes nearing the US East Coast.

Fetterman (D-Pa.), who has also criticized past partial shutdowns, argued that allowing the funding lapse to take place could jeopardize response efforts to Hurricane Humberto — which was previously a Category 5 storm — and Tropical Storm Imelda.

“If you have a Cat 5 storm that’s now facing our nation, why would you even have that conversation right now?” the Keystone State Democrat told Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures” about the shutdown fight.

“I sure [hope] things work out and we don’t shut our government down.”
If Congress fails to act and fund the government for fiscal year 2026, which starts on Oct. 1, there will be a partial shutdown after 11:59 p.m. Tuesday.

Democratic leaders have been demanding key concessions from Republicans on healthcare policy such as an extension of the COVID-19 era enhancements to the Affordable Care Act subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of the year; and a rollback of GOP-championed Medicaid reforms.

Hurricane Humberto intensified into a Category 5 storm Saturday but was downgraded to a Category 4 storm on Sunday morning, according to the National Weather Service. Its current path has it moving out to sea.
Should the government enter a partial shutdown, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be restricted from renewing or selling key flood insurance policies.

Most FEMA employees are expected to work during partial government shutdowns, but the agency’s funds are quickly running dry, which could complicate its response to a significant natural disaster.

Fetterman was the only senator who voted for two stopgap measures, known as continuing resolutions (CRs), that came up for a vote in the Senate just over a week ago to avert a partial shutdown.

He backed both the “clean” CR championed by Republicans and the one favored by Democrats that would give them key wins on healthcare policy.

Given the 60-vote threshold in the Senate needed to break a filibuster, Republicans need Democratic support. The House passed the GOP-championed CR but not the one backed by Dems.

“I’m at, where I have always been, and I will always remain on is, it is always, always wrong to shut our government down,” Fetterman argued. “That is a core responsibility. I’m always going to vote against those things.”

“And if it’s the Republican side or now it’s our side, I’m going to condemn it.”
President Trump has agreed to a last-minute meeting with the top four congressional leaders on Monday to discuss the looming shutdown fight.

That same day, he will also meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Fetterman praised Trump’s support for Israel.

Quote:

House Speaker Mike Johnson tells Fox News Digital Democrats were 'supporting' a shutdown

FIRST ON FOX: House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is putting pressure on House Democrats hours before a critical vote on a bill to avert a partial government shutdown before the end of this week.

A video clip, which runs just under two minutes, is a supercut of top Democratic lawmakers emphasizing that their party does not support government shutdowns nor the office closures and mass furloughs that come with them.

"House Democrats have long warned about the consequences of a government shutdown," the text on the screen begins.

The message is immediately followed by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., stating during a press conference, "We believe in governance. We want to keep government open. A shutdown is very serious."
"It is not normal to hold 800,000 workers' paychecks hostage. It is not normal to shut down the government when we don't get what we want," Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., says on the House floor in another clip.

The video ends with white text on a black screen that reads, "What's changed? Now Democrats want to shut down the government to try to stop President Trump."

"Democrats have railed against government shutdowns. But now they're supporting one," Johnson told Fox News Digital in a written statement. "They're willing to do anything to stop President Trump from implementing his agenda."

It is a marked escalation in the war of words between Democrats and Republicans over a plan President Donald Trump and GOP leaders are pushing to avert a partial shutdown.

The 99-page bill released by House GOP leaders over the weekend would keep the government funded through the end of fiscal year (FY) 2025, on Sept. 30.

It would do so by extending FY 2024 government funding levels, which Republican leaders have celebrated as a victory in that it roughly keeps federal spending levels for another year, rather than the expected increases that come with the annual full-year congressional appropriations bills.

The bill, known as a continuing resolution (CR), is expected to get a House-wide vote on Tuesday afternoon.

Democrats have strongly condemned the bill after not receiving assurances from Republicans that it would include constraints on Trump's authority, particularly related to government spending.

"The partisan House Republican funding bill recklessly cuts healthcare, nutritional assistance, and $23 billion in veterans benefits," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said in a joint statement with other Democratic leaders. "Equally troublesome, the legislation does nothing to protect Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid, while exposing the American people to further pain throughout this fiscal year. We are voting No."

Quote:WASHINGTON — President Trump agreed to hear out House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in a meeting set for Monday amid the looming government shutdown.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) will also join the sit-down as leaders on both sides of the aisle scramble to avert a partial shutdown ahead of the 11:59 p.m. Tuesday deadline.

“Democrats will meet anywhere, at any time and with anyone to negotiate a bipartisan spending agreement that meets the needs of the American people,” Jeffries and Schumer said in a joint statement.

“We are resolute in our determination to avoid a government shutdown and address the Republican healthcare crisis. Time is running out.”
Trump abruptly scrapped a previously planned confab with the Dem leaders last week after consulting Johnson and Thune.

Then, on Wednesday, Trump’s Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought sent out a memo to the heads of federal agencies demanding they draft lists of employees to permanently lay off in anticipation of a partial shutdown.

Schumer called Thune Friday and pushed for a White House meeting due to the rapidly approaching deadline, sources told The Post.

The GOP-led House passed a “clean” stopgap measure to keep the government’s lights on through Nov. 21 earlier this month.

But Senate Democrats blocked the measure, taking advantage of the filibuster, which requires 60 votes to break.

Democrats have demanded key concessions on healthcare policy, such as reversing the Medicaid reforms Republicans passed in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (now the Working Families Tax Cut Act) and demanding an extension of the enhanced subsidies in the Affordable Care Act.

Quote:New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced in a Sunday social media video that he has dropped out of the upcoming mayoral race.

Adams started his statement by reflecting on his New York City roots and touting his achievements, and then turned to his campaign update, stating "despite all we've achieved, I cannot continue my reelection campaign."

The mayor said he dropped out of the race because of “constant media speculation about my future” and the “campaign finance board’s decision to withhold millions of dollars,” which he said “undermined” his ability to raise “the funds needed for a serious campaign.”

Newsweek has reached out to Adam's campaign for comment via email on Sunday.

Why It Matters

Adams’ announcement follows poor polling and scant establishment support, with New York Governor Kathy Hochul having endorsed Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani earlier this month.

In the months leading up to November, the mayor repeatedly said he would stay in the race. But a federal corruption case and Democrats’ wariness of his relationship with President Donald Trump eroded his support. As his popularity slid, he broke with Democrats and launched his reelection bid as an independent.

What To Know

In the video Adams stated, "Although this is the end of my reelection campaign, it is not the end of my public service. I will continue to fight for this city, as I have for 40 years, since the day I joined the NYPD to make our streets safer and our systems fairer."

The mayor also warned in his video that "extremism is growing in our politics. Our children are being radicalized to hate our city and our country. Political anger is turning into political violence."

Adams has been embroiled in controversy over his connection to Trump as well as a federal corruption case, which a federal judge dismissed in April.

The original case, brought during the Biden administration, accused Adams of accepting illicit campaign contributions and travel perks from Turkish officials and associates in exchange for political favors, including allegations that Adams helped Turkey open a diplomatic building in New York City despite it failing fire inspections.

In the video announcement, Adams touted a decrease in multiple crime areas and an increase in diverse leadership across city departments during his time as mayor.

Wrapping up his video, Adams said, "My fellow New Yorkers, this is your city. Its leaders work for you. I am one of you. My story is your story," adding that he "will keep fighting."

What People Are Saying

New York Governor Kathy Hochul said in a Sunday statement on X: "For the last four years I've been proud to work with Mayor Adams to make New York City safer, stronger, and more affordable...We have connected more New Yorkers to mental health services and supportive housing...He leaves New York City better than he inherited it and that will always be central to his legacy as mayor."

Let's take a look at how "safer" the city is now:

Quote:The 16-year-old gunman who allegedly murdered a 13-year-old boy outside of a Dunkin’ Donuts this week will remain behind bars while facing murder and weapons charges that could keep him locked up for 25 years, a Queens judge decided Saturday.

Jaysohn Sykes was denied bail on second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon charges for allegedly shooting Sanjay Samuel once in the head outside of the Springfield Gardens shop Monday morning, the Queens District Attorney’s Office announced.
Sykes, who goes by the nickname “Flex,” was arraigned a day after he turned himself into police at the 105th Precinct in Queens Village.
amuel, a Martin Van Buren High School student, was struck once in the head by the scooter-riding gunman, in what police sources said was a gang related beef. Investigators believe Sykes shot Samuel during a group brawl, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said this week.

What do you think? Post a comment.

Samuel was rushed to Cohen Children’s Medical Center, where he was placed on life support and ultimately succumbed to his injuries Wednesday.

If convicted, Sykes, a student at Campus Magnet High School in Cambria Heights, could face up to 25 years to life in prison, according to the DA’s office. His next court appearance is on Sept. 29.

Quote:A top aide to powerful national teachers’ union president Randi Weingarten claimed Zohran Mamdani lacks the experience to lead New York City — and cited the unpopularity of far-left Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson as a cautionary tale, according to a bombshell email.

Leo Casey, an assistant to Weingarten at the American Federation of Teachers, sent the revealing missive to a Democratic Socialists of America group in May, according to emails leaked by school choice advocate Corey DeAngelis, who first reported the exchange.

“A lot of our discussion here is on blocking [ex-Gov. Andrew] Cuomo and winning the election, which is important,” Casey said in an email on a DSA list serve on May 20, just a month before the June 24 Democratic primary won by Mamdani.
“But the ability to govern also needs to be an important consideration,” Casey added. “And winning an election does not necessarily translate into the ability to govern.”

Casey then discussed the disastrous tenure of union-backed progressive Windy City mayor Johnson, who has an 80% disapproval rating from his constituents.

“It is important to face squarely what happened … It has not gone well,” he wrote. “Because Johnson was our candidate, there is no public discussion on the left of what went wrong.
“But something has clearly gone wrong and it can’t just be attributed to our enemies.”

The United Federation of Teachers in New York City, the largest local in Weingarten’s AFT, stayed neutral during the city’s Democratic primary.

But the union backed Mamdani shortly after he trounced Cuomo, City Comptroller Brad Lander and others in the election, snagging the Dem nomination.

Quote:Mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani on Sunday refused to disavow a sick tribute to fugitive cop-killer Assata Shakur by his own Democratic Socialist comrades — saying he doesn’t have time to worry about it.

The lefty Big Apple pol was grilled by The Post after a troubling tribute posted last week by the Democratic Socialists of America to Shakur, a k a Joanne Deborah Chesimard, who escaped from prison while serving a life sentence in the 1973 execution-style murder of a New Jersey state trooper and was hiding out in Cuba until her death last week.

“We vow to honor her legacy by recognizing our duty to fight for our freedom, to win, to love and protect one another because we have nothing to lose but our chains,” DSA said on X.
Mamdani ducked questions when asked about the sickening tribute.

“I am running to be the mayor of New York city,” he said. “I am running to represent the people of New York city. My focus is on the issues of the city and I’m accountable to those same New Yorkers.

“I am someone who is entire campaign has been about delivering an affordable city for the very New Yorkers who are being priced out of it and that’s my focus,” the candidate said. “My coalition is one that unites across the vast spread, all focusing on the agenda of affordability.”

Many others ripped the DSA shout-out, including New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, who called it “shameful and depraved.”
Shakur was involved in the cowardly May 2, 1973, murder of state Trooper Werner Foerster during a traffic stop.

Shakur was convicted on murder, robbery and other charges in 1977 and sentenced to life in prison — only to escape the Clinton Correctional Facility in Jersey in November 1979 and remain on the run for more than 45 years.

Her supporters long maintained she didn’t commit the crimes.

Quote:WASHINGTON — James Comey’s former No. 2 at the FBI carefully claimed that he was “not aware” of his old boss authorizing leaks that are central to the indictment handed down against Comey last week.

Andrew McCabe, who served as the FBI deputy director from 2016 to 2018 and has a history of not being forthcoming with the truth, also insisted the evidence in the indictment is “far from clear enough” to support prosecution of Comey for making false statements to Congress.

“All I can say to Jake is I’m not aware of Jim Comey ever authorizing some other person to leak information,” McCabe told CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday.
“That’s not something I experienced personally. It’s not something I saw in all the time I spent working around Jim Comey,” he said.

“So I can’t sit here and characterize his testimony, which I think is far from clear enough to be the basis of a false statement or perjury prosecution.”

Last week, Comey was indicted on one count of making a false statement to Congress and one count of obstructing a congressional proceeding.
The indictment references comments Comey made to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Sept. 30, 2020, in which he denied authorizing “someone else at the F.B.I. to be an anonymous source in news reports” about an unnamed person.

It is not entirely clear whether that unnamed person was President Trump or Hillary Clinton, as the FBI’s separate investigations revolving around the two came up in questioning.

Back in 2019, federal prosecutors recommended indicting McCabe for his actions surrounding a leak during his time as deputy FBI director, but a grand jury did not return that indictment.
A 2018 Justice Department inspector general’s report found that McCabe improperly authorized a leak about a federal probe revolving around the Clinton Foundation in the homestretch of the 2016 presidential campaign.

The watchdog found that “McCabe lacked candor on four separate occasions” when questioned under oath about that leak.

“I never asked Jim Comey to authorize any disclosure to the media because I didn’t have to. At that time in the FBI, there’s [sic] only two people who had the authority to make that decision independently. One was Jim Comey, and the other was me,” McCabe told CNN Sunday..

Quote:DENVER – A former FBI agent says a serial killer who doubled as an FBI informant for years manipulated agents into believing he was helping them, all the while preying on unsuspecting victims.

Scott Kimball will likely spend the rest of his life in a federal prison in Colorado after he was sentenced to 70 years in 2009. He pleaded guilty to killing four people between 2003 and 2004, and his number of victims could be much higher, according to former FBI Special Agent Jonny Grusing.

“He made a game out of tricking the FBI,” Grusing told Fox News Digital, adding that Kimball’s case was unprecedented. “As long as he won the game in front of him, that’s all that mattered.”

“To have someone who enjoyed manipulating us, putting stuff in our files, and then making people disappear was beyond anything I’d seen,” Grusing said.

Kimball, now 58, was a known serial fraudster who spent time in and out of prison during his youth and early adulthood. In the 1990s, he practiced working the criminal justice system, becoming an informant for local police and blaming his own crimes on cellmates.

After a 2001 arrest for check fraud in Alaska, he befriended his cellmate Steve Ennis, who had been charged in a drug case. To snake his way into a role as an FBI informant, a calculated Kimball convinced Ennis that he could make the drug case go away, and that he had powerful connections that could have witnesses “taken care of.” During the jail stint, he also befriended Ennis’ girlfriend, a stripper named Jennifer Marcum.

After planting the seeds of a murder-for-hire plot, Kimball reported to the FBI that Ennis was planning to have witnesses killed, and shortly thereafter, was granted confidential informant status. He was moved to a lower-security prison and eventually released.

“Our primary victim in our case was Jennifer Marcum,” Grusing said. “Mainly, he convinced Steve [Ennis] to hook him up with Jennifer to get Jennifer out of stripping. So, at the same time he’s making Steve look like the bad guy, he’s taking Jennifer and isolating her and killing her.”

By February 2003, Scott was a bona fide informant operating throughout the western United States, and Marcum was dead.

During his several-year span as an informant, Kimball was responsible for killing four people, including Marcum. He would later confess to killing at least 21 people, and according to Grusing, told his own attorneys, he was responsible for 45 to 50 killings. His other alleged victims all remain unnamed.

After his eventual arrest, authorities would learn that Scott killed LeAnn Emry, another stripper, whom he shot and left for dead in a remote desert area, just one month prior to Marcum’s murder.

In August of that year, Kayci Mcloed went missing. Her murder was eventually linked to Kimball, and he confessed to it.

In 2004, Kimball killed his own uncle, Terry Kimball.

Quote:Over half a dozen U.S. attorney’s offices around the country have been directed by a senior Justice Department official to draft plans to investigate a George Soros-funded group, multiple reports Friday reveal.

The Open Society Foundations (OSF) is the target of the investigations.

The OSF has been the personal philanthropic fiefdom of multi-billionaire Soros since it was founded in 1993. The Hungarian-born businessman has subsequently never been far from headlines in Europe and the United States, whether by his actions or those of son Alexander.
The New York Times reports the official’s directive, a copy of which was viewed by the outlet, details possible charges prosecutors could file against the left-wing Democratic donor, ranging from arson to material support of terrorism.

ABC News sets out some of the more specific directions:

The order from Aakash Singh, a senior official in Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s office, was sent to U.S. attorney’s offices in at least seven states, the sources confirmed, including California, New York, Illinois, Michigan and Maryland.

The letter lists potential charges prosecutors could take under consideration as they prepare to investigate the Open Society Foundations, ranging from material support to terrorism, arson, wire fraud and racketeering, the sources said.

“This DOJ, along with our hard-working and dedicated U.S. Attorneys, will always prioritize public safety and investigate organizations that conspire to commit acts of violence or other federal violations of law,” a spokesperson for the Justice Department told ABC News when approached for comment and/or confirmation of the directive.

A spokesperson for OSF in a statement to ABC News, said, “The Open Society Foundations unequivocally condemn terrorism and do not fund terrorism. Our activities are peaceful and lawful, and our grantees are expected to abide by human rights principles and comply with the law.”
“These accusations are politically motivated attacks on civil society, meant to silence speech the administration disagrees with and undermine the First Amendment right to free speech.

“When power is abused to take away the rights of some people, it puts the rights of all people at risk,” the statement said.

As Breitbart News has chronicled previously, Soros-backed organizations have had close ties both with the White House under previous President Joe Biden and groups working at odds with other government agencies – before and since.

Quote:WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is reportedly drafting plans to strike drug traffickers inside Venezuela, potentially in weeks, marking a major escalation from targeting the cartel in boats in the southern Caribbean.

President Trump has yet to approve any of the attack plans, but the move comes in response to concerns that Venezuela strongman President Nicolas Maduro, has failed to stem the flow of drugs from his country into the US and elsewhere, NBC News reported.

Initial plans include the use of drones to strike leadership and members of drug trafficking cartels as well as labs, according to the report, which cited four sources familiar with the plans.

“We’ll see what happens,” Trump said earlier this month when asked about whether he would support strikes inside the South American Country. “Venezuela is sending us their gang members, their drug dealers and drugs. It’s not acceptable.”

The Post reached out to both the White House and Pentagon for comment.

Trump has announced at least three strikes against alleged Venezuelan drug boats since Sept. 2, killing at least 17 people.

While the administration hasn’t presented clear evidence to the public that those vessels were carrying drugs, an official in the nearby Dominican Republic claimed at a press conference that there were drugs detected in the water near one of the boats after a strike.

During the 2024 campaign, Trump had pledged to crack down on the flow of illicit drugs into the US.

Last month, the US government rolled out a $50 million bounty for information leading to the arrest of Maduro.

Privately, Maduro has told intermediaries that he would be willing to make some concessions to the US government to stop the attacks, according to the report.

Maduro has repeatedly denied playing a role in drug trafficking operations in his country.

Since the attacks earlier this month, the US has moved at least eight ships to the region and dispatched multiple F-35 fighter jets, the Pentagon said.

Still, the US continues to coordinate with Venezuela on deportation issues.

Venezuela, once an oil-rich country that is now mired in poverty, is subject to heavy sanctions from the US government.

Several weeks ago, Maduro inked a letter to Trump encouraging him to pursue dialogue. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt blasted the missive.

Quote:On Sunday, Russia initiated one of its most intense aerial assaults on Ukraine since the onset of the war, deploying nearly 600 drones and 48 missiles over a 12-hour period. The capital, Kyiv, bore the brunt of the attack, resulting in at least four fatalities and numerous injuries.

In response, NATO swiftly scrambled fighter jets and placed air defense units on high alert, particularly in neighboring Poland, to secure the alliance's eastern flank.

Newsweek contacted representatives for Russia, Ukraine, and Poland via email and NATO via online form on Sunday.

Why It Matters

This unprecedented attack highlights the escalating nature of the conflict and the increasing threats to NATO member states, while the scale of the attack and the proximity to NATO borders have heightened concerns about the potential for wider regional instability. The incident also raises questions about the effectiveness of current air defense systems and the need for enhanced regional security measures.

The strike ranks among the largest of the war, leaving widespread destruction in its wake. It comes amid heightened tensions following recent NATO air defense operations triggered by drone incursions, as well as unexplained drone activity over Scandinavia that disrupted air traffic in Norway and Denmark this week. As reported by Newsweek, those incidents followed complaints from Poland, Romania, and Estonia about Russian airspace violations, further straining relations between NATO allies and Moscow.

The deployment of fighter jets and temporary airspace restrictions are occurring more often as several NATO nations report drone sightings and other airspace violations.

What To Know

The Russian air assault, lasting more than 12 hours, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, left at least four people dead and more than 70 injured in Ukraine, the BBC reported. The attack, which unleashed close to 600 drones and dozens of missiles across seven regions, ranks among the most intense strikes in recent months.

Poland scrambled fighter jets and temporarily restricted parts of its airspace on Sunday following the Russian attack. Polish radar systems were placed on the highest alert level, and NATO F-35 jets patrolled the skies until the assault concluded, according to the military. No violations of Polish airspace were reported. Airspace near the southeastern cities of Lublin and Rzeszów was briefly closed as a precaution, Politico reported.

Zelensky confirmed that all of the fatalities occurred in Kyiv, where much of the bombardment was concentrated, among them a 12-year-old girl, BBC reported. Zelensky vowed that Ukraine would respond, condemning the “vile” assault as proof that Moscow “wants to continue fighting and killing.” Russia, meanwhile, claimed it had targeted military sites and industrial facilities linked to Ukraine’s defence efforts.

According to Ukrainian news outlet, Ukrainska Pravda, Russia attacked with 643 aerial assets. Hits and falling debris were recorded in 41 locations overnight. Residential buildings and civilian infrastructure were damaged in the Solomianskyi, Sviatoshynskyi, Holosiivskyi, Darnytskyi, and Dniprovskyi districts.

Kyiv's air force stated that it neutralized 611 targets in total, including 566 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), two Banderol UAVs, 35 Kh-101 missiles, and eight Kalibr missiles. According to the military, five missiles and 31 attack drones struck 16 sites, while falling debris was recorded in 25 different areas, Ukrainska Pravda reported.

The strikes occurred only hours after Zelensky cautioned Europe that the surge in drone activity and airspace violations signaled Russian President Vladimir Putin’s intentions extend beyond Ukraine, and that Russia is testing European air defenses through recent violations of airspace in multiple NATO member countries.

Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Saturday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov insisted that Moscow has no plans to attack EU or NATO member states, as per Politico. However, he warned that Russia would deliver a “decisive response” to any act of aggression against it.

I know that I had already reported about the sightings of some drones over Denmark's and Germany's skies but it was not the only place where they had showed up.

Quote:Drones were spotted over Denmark and Lithuania Saturday, stoking increased security concerns and fears of growing Russian aggression.

The sightings were the latest in a series of similar incidents in recent weeks, with previous violations to NATO airspace in Estonia, Poland, and Romania.

In Denmark, drones were spotted near several military facilities overnight, and units of the Danish Armed Forces deployed in response.

The incident came after several drone sightings in the Nordic country earlier this week, including over four airports overnight Wednesday, and in the skies above Copenhagen Monday, grounding flights in the Danish capital for hours.

In Lithuania, three drones were spotted flying near the capital Vilnius’ airport Friday, Lithuanian broadcaster LRT reported.

“Russia is testing Europe’s ability to defend itself and trying to influence societies so that people start thinking: ‘Why are we giving everything to the Ukrainians when we can’t even protect ourselves?'” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X Saturday.

“Putin is testing what the Europeans have.”

Zelensky also revealed 92 drones were heading for Poland during the incursion of its airspace earlier this month. Ukraine shot down most, he said, except for the 19 that made it into the NATO country.

The sightings come as the Kremlin continues pounding on war-torn Ukraine.

Two civilians were killed and at least 36 people were hurt across the country, after a new round of Russian attacks late Friday and early Saturday, authorities said.

Quote:Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked President Trump in a closed-door meeting this week to sell Kyiv Tomahawk missiles to raise the pressure on Russia to end its bloody war — and the commander in chief is “open” to the move, according to reports and The Post’s sources.

The missiles have far more range than any others sent so far by Western allies — and could be key in strongarming President Vladimir Putin into coming to the negotiating table.

“Sending even a single Tomahawk to Ukraine would scare the s–t out of the Russians more than almost anything else we could do,” a senior congressional aide told The Post.

Tomahawk missiles can fly between 700 and 1,500 miles, which would put the Kremlin within Ukraine’s reach.

That would dwarf the range of ATACMS — the longest-range US weapons Ukraine has received so far, which fly as far as 190 miles.

Zelensky made the request in a closed-door meeting with Trump amid the annual United Nations General Assembly in Manhattan, he revealed to Axios, though he did not specify the type of weapon he asked for.

A source told the outlet that it was for the long-range missiles and that the US president was amenable to the request.

While Trump was open to the move, he did not commit to lift restrictions on Ukraine’s use of the US-made artillery, a senior US official and Ukrainian official told the Wall Street Journal Friday.

During the sideline discussion at the United Nations, Zelensky asked Trump for more long-range missiles and approval to use such weapons to strike targets on sovereign Russian territory. Trump replied that he didn’t oppose the idea, though both officials said the president didn’t make any commitments to reverse a U.S. ban on such attacks.

A source familiar with the Trump-Zelensky meeting also told The Post that the request was for a weapon that no one else in Europe has, which would fit the Tomahawk.

Zelensky noted that Ukraine might not even need to deploy the weapons if the request is fulfilled, but rather they could be used to send a message to the flailing Russian army.

“By the way, we need it, but it doesn’t mean that we will use it. Because if we will have it, I think it’s additional pressure on Putin to sit and speak,” he told Axios.

Zelensky had made pleas to President Joe Biden, but the previous administration denied the requests over repeated fears of escalation.

Quote:WASHINGTON — Vice President JD Vance on Sunday mocked Russia over its war in Ukraine, noting how little Moscow has “to show for it” after three years and more than a million casualties.

The vice president said he “wasn’t surprised at all” by President Trump’s stunning declaration last week that Kyiv can win back its territories and perhaps go “further.”

“If you go back to the last days of the Biden administration, if you go back to even a couple of months ago, the Russians were conquering large amounts of territory,” Vance told “Fox News Sunday.”

“What’s happening right now, as the president articulated, is [that] Russia is really stalled,” Vance said. “They’re killing a lot of people. They themselves are losing a lot of people. And they don’t have much territorial gain to show for it.”

Trump’s assertion about Ukraine came just after his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the United Nations. Trump suggested that Russia is nothing more than a “paper tiger.”

Sources later told The Post that Trump’s apparent shift in his public outlook on the war was a “strategic shift” based in part on new intelligence about Russia’s economy and position on the battlefield.

“The president is looking at the situation. He’s saying, ‘Look, the Russian economy is in shambles. The Russians are not gaining much on the battlefield. It’s clearly time for them to listen to his passionate plea for them to come to the table and actually talk seriously about peace,’ ” Vance said.

“I think what’s changed is the reality on the ground,” the veep said. “Unfortunately, what we have seen over the last couple of weeks, [is that] the Russians have refused to sit down with any bilateral meetings with the Ukrainians.”

Vance famously clashed with Zelensky during their Feb. 28 encounter in the Oval Office, in which he demanded a “Thank You” and commitment to pursuing peace.

Since then, the two have seemingly mended fences.

During a recent interview with Axios, Zelensky denied that the VP was his enemy.

Quote:More than a dozen Ukrainian children and teenagers were recently rescued from Russian-occupied territories in the country, officials announced this week.

Some of the 35,000 Ukrainian kids believed to have been abducted by Russian troops since the start of the war.

So far, 1,625 of the children have been returned to Ukraine so far, President Volodymir Zelensky said.
One 17-year-old boy who was among those recently rescued was taken in the middle of the night by Russian soldiers and interrogated for hours at gunpoint.

“He was threatened and intimidated because of his pro-Ukrainian stance,” Zelensky’s right-hand man Andriy Yermak wrote on X Thursday.

A 16-year-old girl who rejected a Russian school was allegedly threatened with being separated from her mother, Yermak wrote, while two other children — a 15-year-old boy and his 13-year-old sister — survived a munition strike that set their house on fire.

But the siblings were then forced to choose, Yermak said.

“Either the children attend a Russian school, or the entire family must abandon their home,” Yermak wrote on X.

Some of the children rescued had lived in constant fear of being forced to join the Russian army, he said.

Shocking images from Russian state television have shown young Ukrainian boys and girls assembling and firing assault rifles, all while the Russian flag and a portrait of the Russian leader Vladimir Putin loomed in the background.

The abducted kids were also believed to have been forced to build drones for Russian, according to a report by Yale University’s Humanitarian Research Lab earlier this month.

“This is not just indoctrination. This is another proof the use of children in a war machine,” said Mykola Kuleba, founder of Save Ukraine, one of the organizations working to rescue the kids.

Ukraine’s Third Army Corps released chilling drone footage this week alongside intercepted radio communications of Russian soldiers breaking into a home in Donetsk.

Quote:WASHINGTON — President Trump predicted Tuesday that Europe would face “total destruction” if it continues its policies of open immigration and aggressive use of green energy.

During his fiery address to the United Nations General Assembly, Trump urged European allies to follow his lead on border security and fossil fuel exploration, while also demanding they stop purchasing Russian oil and funding Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine.

“I don’t say that in a braggadocious way, but it’s true, I’ve been right about everything, and I’m telling you that if you don’t get away from the green energy scam, your country is going to fail,” the president urged his audience.

“I am the president of the United States, but I worry about Europe. I love Europe. I love the people of Europe, and I hate to see it being devastated by energy and immigration,” he further lamented. “This double-tailed monster destroyed everything in its wake, and they cannot let that happen any longer.”

Trump weaved gripes about European policy throughout his 57-minute speech, which at times resembled a campaign address.

“Europe is in serious trouble. They’ve been invaded by a force of illegal aliens like nobody’s ever seen before,” he said at one point. “Illegal aliens are pouring into Europe. … Nobody’s doing anything to change it; to get them out.”

“It’s not sustainable, and because they choose to be politically correct, they’re doing just absolutely nothing about it,” he added. “This will be the death of Western Europe if something is not done immediately.”

Fresh off his state visit to the United Kingdom last week, Trump called out London Mayor Sadiq Khan as “terrible” and accused the Labour Party politician of wanting the British capital “to go to Sharia law.”

The president also bragged that under his leadership, the US has “reasserted that America belongs to the American people” and urged other countries to similarly reclaim their sovereignty.

“What makes the world so beautiful is that each country is unique,” he said.

Turning back to energy, Trump revisited his threat to slap secondary tariffs against Russia, targeting countries that purchase energy from Moscow.

Quote:WASHINGTON — The Trump administration just scored its fifth release so far this year of an American citizen held hostage in Afghanistan.

Amir Amiry, who had been held in Afghanistan since December, was set free by the Taliban over the weekend with help from Qatari diplomats who facilitated negotiations, officials said.

Amiry was en route back to the US as of Sunday afternoon, an official familiar with the release told The Post.
“We express our sincere gratitude to Qatar, whose strong partnership and tireless diplomatic efforts were vital to securing his release,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement.

“While this marks an important step forward, additional Americans remain unjustly detained in Afghanistan. President Trump will not rest until all our captive citizens are back home.”
It is not clear what Amiry was doing in Afghanistan or why he was abducted.

His freedom follows the releases of businessman Ryan Corbett and William McKenty in January, as well as George Glezmann, who was there on a “cultural” trip, and Faye Hall, who was picked up for operating a drone without authorization, in March.

Qatar, which has helped mediate other disputes in the Middle East, worked to broker a meeting between Amiry and the US special envoy to Afghanistan in March, the source said. It isn’t known what if any concessions were made to the Taliban to secure Amiry’s release.

Negotiations carried on for months until a breakthrough was achieved over the weekend.

Doha is also busy working to broker an end to the war in Gaza and secure the release of the Israelis held hostage by Hamas.
The oil-rich country is trying to mediate other conflicts as well, such as the Russian-Ukrainian war, tensions within Venezuela and fighting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, Qatar has maintained diplomatic relations with the regime and pressed for humanitarian corridors to stay open.

Quote:Iranian state media on Thursday released a dramatic short video claiming to reveal confidential information and documents allegedly obtained from Israel’s intelligence apparatus concerning the country's nuclear program.

The two-minute clip builds on a broader televized segment aired the previous day by Iran’s Intelligence Ministry, which first presented material purportedly from inside Israeli nuclear and other sensitive facilities, including the Dimona site, and highlighted personnel connected to the country’s nuclear efforts.

Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib outlined the scope of Iran’s claims, displaying names, ID cards, and other personal information of alleged Israeli nuclear scientists and officials.

Newsweek has reached out to the foreign ministries or Iran and Israel for comment.

Why It Matters

The broadcasts highlight the ongoing intelligence confrontation between Iran and Israel, which is widely believed to maintain an undeclared nuclear arsenal, while Iran has long accused Israel of espionage and sabotage targeting its nuclear program. The public airing of allegedly sensitive material marks a significant escalation, raising regional tensions and drawing global scrutiny.

The situation is further complicated by the 12-day Israeli military campaign in June, which killed numerous Iranian personnel and exposed Tehran’s intelligence vulnerabilities. At the same time, the potential reimposition of U.N. snapback sanctions over Iran’s nuclear violations adds pressure, heightening stakes for both Tehran and the international community.

What To Know

The two-minute video called Iran exposes Israel's covert nuclear operations was posted on X via Iran's Press TV account. Set against stirring music and visually edited to emphasize tension, the clip is available in English, signaling a clear intent to reach an international audience.

It summarizes the claims made in Wednesday’s longer broadcast, highlighting Israel’s nuclear program and its alleged personnel in a visually striking, fast-paced presentation.

Khatib, a cleric with extensive military and intelligence experience, said the material demonstrated that Israeli intelligence “spies on everyone,” including international figures. He accused Israeli personnel of collaborating with Iran for financial gain, asserting that the infiltration remains ongoing.

Khatib stated: “We identified 189 Israeli nuclear and proliferation scientists and top officials, along with their networks.”

The intelligence minister displayed images of personnel purportedly working across multiple Israeli nuclear sites under corporate covers, including a company named ROTEM. Another individual was presented as a nuclear scientist allegedly involved in proliferation projects with the United States.

Israel has yet to respond to Iran's allegations.

Quote:The Israeli Air Force struck about 120 targets in the Gaza Strip Saturday — including buildings, tunnels and a surveillance post it said were being used by terror groups, as the Jewish state pushed forward with its military operation in the region.

Several gunmen were killed and weapons, including rockets and grenades, were found, according to the Times of Israel.

The Israeli Defense Force released footage of a drone strike against two men seen digging in the ground, who it said were Hamas operatives trying to plant bombs in Gaza City.

The latest strikes killed at least 44 people in the early morning hours Saturday, claimed Gaza health officials, who do not distinguish between civilians and military combatants.

The latest strikes come as international pressure grows to reach a ceasefire and an end to the two-year war.

Meanwhile, Israeli authorities are investigating reports from hundreds of Israelis who said they received disturbing phone calls in Hebrew offering them money to act as agents for Iranian intelligence.

The bizarre calls, which featured a recorded message, were seen as an attempt at intimidation and recruitment, Israeli officials said.

“Iranian intelligence is looking for official agents — competitive salary, comprehensive security,” said one of the messages that went out Saturday morning, according to Ynet, which shared a recording of the call.

Quote:WASHINGTON — All 21 facets of President Trump’s Gaza peace plan were revealed Saturday, including a staunch demand to release all the Israeli hostages in Hamas’ captivity within 48 hours of inking any deal, a push to deradicalize the Palestinian enclave, and a commitment to end all fighting.

The peace plan also paves the pathway to possible Palestinian statehood, lays out steps to revitalize the Gaza Strip, and stipulates that Hamas cannot be part of any governing structure, according to the Times of Israel, which saw a copy of the full plan.

Trump presented the plan to allies Tuesday at the United Nations, but its full scope has not been fully presented to Hamas yet. The plan lays out a series of strong demands to the terrorist organization and makes key overtures to Gazans.

Under the proposal, all sides will work to redevelop Gaza, pour aid into the war-torn enclave at levels not lower than the January 2025 hostage deal.
Israeli Defense Forces would gradually withdraw from Gaza and Israel would agree to release key Palestinian prisoners. Hamas members who agree to peaceful coexistence will get amnesty. Those who want to leave will get safe passage to other countries.

Critically, anyone who wants to return to Gaza after leaving will be allowed to do so.

That marks a shift from February, when Trump talked about having the Palestinians temporarily relocated from Gaza to transform the enclave into a “Riviera of the Middle East.”

“I think it addresses Israeli concerns as well as the concerns of all the neighbors in the region,” US special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff said at the Concordia summit on the sidelines of UNGA on Wednesday.

“We’re hopeful — and I might say even confident– that in the coming days we’ll be able to announce some sort of breakthrough.”

Gaza would also get a temporary government overseen by an international group involving the US, Arab countries, and European nations. They would develop a new economic plan to revitalize Gaza, including reduced tariff rates for an economic zone in the enclave.

Regional partners will give a security guarantee to force Hamas and its allies in Gaza to fulfill their obligations. The US and Arab allies will also craft a stabilization force to build up security in Gaza.

Additionally, Israel will agree not to annex or occupy Gaza and commit that it won’t strike Qatar again — an attack earlier this month that roiled US allies in the Middle East.

Quote:Israel will have to make “painful and significant” concessions under the US plan to end the war in Gaza.

The givebacks will run contrary to several recent  policy positions by the Jewish State — especially a role for the Palestinian Authority in the postwar plan, Israeli television’s Channel 12 reported Saturday.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected any role for the Palestinian Authority, insisting that Israel should retain control over the Strip after the war.

President Trump’s latest plan calls for the gradual expansion of the Palestinian Authority’s governing power, after a transition period where an international body will look over the enclave.

The Palestinian Authority, created in 1994 under the Oslo Accords and currently led by Mahmoud Abbas, is a Western and internationally recognized governing body that currently only has limited authority in parts of the West Bank.

It initially administered both the West Bank and Gaza but lost control of the strip to Hamas in the 2006 Palestinian elections.

All 21 facets of President Trump’s Gaza peace plan were revealed Saturday by the Times of Israel. The plan paves the pathway to possible Palestinian statehood but stipulates Hamas cannot be part of any governing structure.

The suggested transitional government would provide day-to-day services under the supervision of a new international body, until the Palestinian Authority has completed a reform program.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s name has been floated as interim administrator of the transitional government.

Quote:Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told a rare meeting of the most senior military leadership in the U.S. that they must "prepare for war."

"From this moment forward, the only mission of the newly restored Department of War is this: Warfighting," Hegseth said in his speech at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, referring to the name now used by the Trump administration for the Department of Defense.

"Preparing for war and preparing to win. Unrelenting and uncompromising in that pursuit. Not because we want war. No one here wants war. But it's because we love peace," he added.

Newsweek has contacted the Department of Defense for comment via email.

Why It Matters

Hundreds of generals and admirals with one-star rank or higher, along with aides and senior staff, were called from all around the globe to attend the meeting in Quantico, Virginia, Tuesday, for an address by Hegseth and President Donald Trump.

The move comes just weeks after Trump signed an executive order, renaming the Department of Defense as the Department of War—a title last used in 1947. Trump said the rebrand would send a message to America's enemies and allies alike.

What To Know

Trump and Hegseth used the speech to declare an end to “woke” culture in the military and targeted other policies of past administrations. Hegseth told senior military leaders that he no longer wants to see “fat generals and admirals” or overweight troops in combat units.

“It’s completely unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon leading commands around the country, in the world, it’s a bad look,” Hegseth said.

Since taking office under Trump, Hegseth has made physical readiness central to his effort to restore what he calls the military’s “warrior ethos.” He has repeatedly highlighted the importance of new fitness requirements as part of that broader push.

The Defense Secretary pointed to his own regimen as an example. “It all starts with physical fitness and appearance,” he said. “If the Secretary of War can do regular, hard PT [physical training], so can every member of our joint force.”

“Today at my direction, every member of the joint force, at every rank, is required … [to] meet height and weight requirements twice a year every year,” Hegseth went on.

He added that the U.S. military would mandate troops in combat roles to meet “this highest male standard only,” requiring every service member in such positions to score above 70 percent on the “male standard” of their branch’s physical fitness test.

Experts have said that Hegseth’s emphasis on physical standards is part of a wider cultural trend. Author and masculinities scholar Jackson Katz observed that “a key goal of right-wing cultural populism is the reassertion of male power after several decades of feminist progress,” which has “posed a significant challenge to male centrality” and fueled “the current right-wing backlash.”

Katz linked this to Hegseth’s push for fitness, pointing out that while “women have been challenging men with unprecedented success in areas like education, the professions, business, and politics,” men “continue to have an advantage … in physical size and strength.” He explained that some men see physical strength as an area in which they still hold an edge: “Women might be competing with me… but they can’t do as many pushups as I can! In a one on one confrontation… I have an advantage… due to my greater upper body strength.”

According to Katz, “it’s in the self-interest of men who are threatened by women’s gains and strengths to emphasize an area — physical size and strength — in which men continue to hold an advantage.”

Hegseth also railed against what he described as "woke" in his department.

"No more identity months, DEI offices, dudes in dresses, no more climate change worship, no more division, distraction or gender delusion, no more debris. I've said before and will say again, we are done with that s***," the Secretary of Defense said.

Hegseth said he would be overhauling the Pentagon’s Equal Opportunity program and Inspector General office, which recently reviewed his use of Signal for sensitive military discussions.

“We are overhauling an inspector general process — the IG that has been weaponized, putting complainers, ideologues, and poor performers in the driver seat,” he told senior leaders at Quantico.

Quote:Two packed Delta jets “absolutely smashed” into each other on the runway at LaGuardia Airport Wednesday night, according to authorities and terrified passengers — destroying a plane’s nose and ripping off a large part of a wing.

The saga unfolded when the wing of an aircraft carrying 32 people that was departing for Roanoke, Virginia, suddenly collided with the fuselage of an aircraft arriving from Charlotte, North Carolina, with 61 people aboard just before 10 p.m., Delta said in a statement.

“Their right wing clipped our nose and the cockpit. We have damage to our windscreen and… some of our screens in here,” one pilot could be heard saying in air traffic control audio.

Photos from the scene showed one of the plane’s windshields completely shattered and its nose banged up in the wake of the collision.

A huge part of a jet’s wing was also torn off.

“We got absolutely smashed by another Delta flight. I don’t know if we hit them or they hit us, but it was super jarring,” CBS News producer Joey Annunziato, a passenger on the flight from Charlotte, said in a video recorded from his seat just moments after impact.

“Everyone shot forward in their seats and it was kind of a little chaotic as soon as it happened. We were shocked at what happened.”

Annunziato added that his plane was moving at a “decent clip” when the collision unfolded.

Another passenger, William Lusk, told ABC that his plane suddenly “stopped, jerked, and jumped to the right” just after it landed.

”Everyone went dead silent. And as everyone went dead silent, the pilot calmly came on and said, ‘Hey, we’ve been in a crash, everyone remain calm’,” he told the outlet.

Despite the damage to the jets, miraculously, no passengers were injured during the collision, the airline said.

A flight attendant on board one of the aircraft suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the hospital in the wake of the saga, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Quote:WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has informed Congress that the US engaged in “non-international armed conflict” with drug cartels following recent strikes on alleged trafficking boats in the Caribbean.

The Department of War told House and Senate lawmakers that a series of airstrikes in September had targeted trafficking gangs now designated as combatants waging an “armed attack” on America via a deadly surge of drug overdoses, sources with direct knowledge of the discussions told The Post.

The so-called “1230 report” to members of Congress, named after a section in the annual defense authorization bill, “is legally mandated … following any incident in which the United States Armed Forces are involved in an attack or hostilities,” a White House official said.

“This report was issued to Congress following the September 15 strike against a Designated Terrorist Organization,” the official added. “It does not convey any new information.”

The Pentagon notice was first reported by the New York Times Thursday.

President Trump had boasted about recent airstrikes eliminating four alleged Venezuelan drug smuggling boats in the Caribbean during a speech Monday at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia.

“If you try to poison our people, we will blow you out of existence,” Trump said, referencing the sinking of ships allegedly smuggling cocaine and fentanyl into the US. “That’s the only language they really understand. That’s why you don’t see any more boats on the ocean.”

At least 17 people were killed in the initial three strikes, the first of which targeted members of a Venezuelan prison gang trafficking drugs Sept. 2.

“[A]t the President’s direction, and in compliance with the law of armed conflict, on September 15, 2025, U.S. forces struck an unflagged vessel at a location beyond the territorial seas of any nation,” Wednesday’s notice said of the most recent strike.

“The vessel was assessed by the U.S. intelligence community to be affiliated with a designated terrorist organization and, at the time, engaged in trafficking illicit drugs, which could ultimately be used to kill Americans. This strike resulted in the destruction of the vessel, the illicit narcotics, and the death of approximately 3 unlawful combatants.”

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), who chairs the Intelligence Committee, said the president “has every right under Article II of the Constitution to take action against narcoterrorists who are waging war on the United States.”

“Murderous drug cartels are responsible for hundreds of thousands of American deaths and have poisoned American communities for far too long,” Cotton added. “I commend President Trump’s decisive actions against these terrorist cartels, and urge him to continue protecting our country from the drugs and violence that they bring.”

Quote:President Trump said Thursday that he’s still weighing the idea of giving Americans up to $2,000 in rebates derived from the revenues his tariff agenda has generated.

Trump’s proposal to share some of the hundreds of billions of dollars the federal government has collected since he slapped foreign nations with steep levies in April, comes as the Supreme Court is slated to hear arguments in a case next month that will decide whether the president has the power to impose sweeping global tariffs.

“They’re just starting to kick in,” Trump said of the tariffs in an interview with One America News Network, “but ultimately, your tariffs are going to be over a trillion dollars a year.”

What does he plan to do with the money?

“Number one, we’re paying down debt,” Trump said, “because people have allowed the debt to go crazy.”

The president then argued that the $37 trillion national debt is actually “very little, relatively speaking” because the government is now taking in unprecedented sums of money from tariffs.

“With that being said, we’ll pay back debt, but we also might make a distribution to the people,” Trump continued.

Trump described his plan, which he’s floated before, as “a dividend to the people of America.”

“We’re thinking maybe $1,000 to $2,000 – it would be great,” the president said of the size of the checks Americans might get.

Any disbursement from the federal government would require congressional approval.

The federal government has raked in about $214.9 billion in revenues from tariffs this year, according to Fox Business, citing data from the Treasury Department.

The $31.3 billion in tariff revenue collected in September, however, was $73 million less than the August record.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has repeatedly said that he expects the US to generate at least $300 billion in tariff revenue by the end of the year.

In August, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled that most of the president’s tariffs were not covered by an emergency powers law – a decision that followed two lower courts finding that most of the levies imposed on US trading partners were illegal.

The appeals court allowed Trump’s tariffs to remain in place pending his administration’s appeal to the Supreme Court.

The justices on the high court will hear oral arguments in the case in the first week of November.

Quote:President Donald Trump is open to talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un “without any preconditions,” a White House official said, as South Korea’s unification minister warned Pyongyang’s missiles could reach the US mainland.

“President Trump in his first term held three historic summits with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un that stabilized the Korean Peninsula. US policy on North Korea has not changed,” a White House official told Fox News Digital. “President Trump remains open to talking with Kim Jong Un, without any preconditions.”

South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young used blunt language in Berlin this week, telling reporters, “North Korea has become one of the three countries capable of attacking the US mainland,” according to the Yonhap News Agency. “What needs to be acknowledged should be acknowledged rationally.”

The White House did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on Chung’s claim.

Yonhap also reported that Chung said Pyongyang’s “strategic position is different” than in 2018, when Trump and Kim held their first summit in Singapore.

“Acknowledging this reality should be the starting point” in dealing with the regime, Chung told reporters.

But experts say North Korea has long held the capability to reach the US mainland with intercontinental ballistic missiles.

“They’ve tested ICBMs for a long time,” said Bob Peters, senior research fellow for strategic deterrence at the Heritage Foundation.

“The question, then, for a long time, is, do they have a warhead that can go underneath a nose cone on an ICBM that goes by definition, exo atmospheric, comes down and then hits a target with some semblance of accuracy and then detonate and produce a nuclear yield,” Peters added. “That’s been the real question — do they have that capability? That’s not what it sounded like the South Korean minister said.”

Meanwhile, Kim has said dialogue with the US is possible, but on his terms.

“If the United States drops the absurd obsession with denuclearizing us and accepts reality, and wants genuine peaceful coexistence, there is no reason for us not to sit down with the United States,” state media quoted Kim as saying.

A meeting with Kim would be Trump’s fourth sit-down with the dictator, at a time when his nation has once again grown increasingly hostile to US interests.

In July, the White House said Trump “remains open to engaging with Leader Kim to achieve a fully denuclearized North Korea.” But North Korea asserted it would not meet the US president if he was going to demand denuclearization.

On Monday, North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Son Gyong told the United Nations General Assembly that his country will never give up its nuclear program, Reuters reported.

Trump is scheduled to travel to Asia later this month for an economic leaders’ summit with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. A senior US official said no Demilitarized Zone meeting with Kim is currently on the agenda.

Quote:WASHINGTON — Longtime Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) acknowledged that her party forced the government into a shutdown on Wednesday in order to secure “health care for everybody” — including illegal immigrants.

Waters, 87, was questioned outside the US Capitol Tuesday about Democrats’ opposition to a stopgap funding bill in both chambers of Congress that would have kept the government’s lights on until Nov. 21.

“Are Democrats demanding health care for illegal aliens?” asked LindellTV reporter Alison Steinburg.

“Democrats are demanding health care for everybody,” Waters responded, hours before her Senate colleagues blocked the spending measure.

“We want to save lives,” she added. “We want to make sure that health care is available to those who would die not having the help of their government.”
“So you’re good with a government shutdown, even if it means giving health care to people who aren’t American citizens?” Steinburg followed up.

“That’s what you’re pushing on,” Waters shot back. “You’re standing here and you’re trying to make me say that somehow we’re going to put non-citizens over Americans.

“Quit it! Stop it!” she fumed. “This is the kind of journalism we don’t need. You’re divisive.”

Only three Democrats — Sens. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada as well as Rep. Jared Golden of Maine — and independent Sen. Angus King, also of Maine, voted for the so-called “clean” continuing resolution.

A Republican majority was able to pass the legislation in the House, but it failed to clear the Senate’s 60-vote filibuster.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) both whipped their caucuses against the spending bill, claiming it didn’t do enough to preserve Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire at the end of 2025.

Quote:Hillary Clinton has been rapped as tone-deaf after she recently suggested that white men of a “certain religion” were partly to blame for causing “such damage” to the United States.

The former secretary of state was accused of spreading “evil” after she made the remarks on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” last week.

“The idea that you could turn the clock back and try to recreate a world that never was dominated by, you know, let’s say it: white men of a certain persuasion, a certain religion, a certain point of view, a certain ideology, it’s just doing such damage to what we should be aiming for,” Clinton said.
“We were on the path to that … We were on the right trajectory.”

The backlash against her was swift, with some on social media blasting her for spreading more hate—— especially in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination in Utah on Sept. 10.

“Two weeks after Charlie Kirk is assassinated, Hillary Clinton reminds everyone that white Christian men are dangerous and doing damage to America. These people have no intention of turning down the temperature. They know they’re encouraging what happened,” one person tweeted.

“Hillary Clinton makes yet another case for violence against white Christian men — the constant drumbeat against huge segments of the population is dehumanizing and dangerous. Her focus on Christianity is chilling — especially given the fact that she can’t bring herself to even name the religion,” another raged on X.

“The spread of evil continues,” one X user said.

Another ripped Clinton for not sounding “very egalitarian.”

“Would she like us to assume that, while the contributions of all Americans are welcome, some are more welcome than others?” the person added.

Quote:Unearthed note cards from the Biden era show the administration detailed the names and photos of high-profile Democrats, such as former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, as well as lesser-known individuals for then-President Joe Biden to ostensibly reference during live events, documents obtained by Fox News Digital show.

Five different “palm cards,” which are hand-sized note cards frequently used by politicians for quick reminders or talking points during public events, especially while on the campaign trail, were uncovered amid an investigation of National Archive documents related to the Biden administration’s use of an autopen, and obtained by Fox News Digital. 

Four of the five cards obtained by Fox Digital are stamped with a disclaimer reading, “PRESIDENT HAS SEEN,” while a fifth card detailing an ABC News reporter’s question to Biden during a press conference did not include that stamp.

It is unclear if Biden relied on each of the cards during the various public events.

Clinton was among a handful of Americans who received a Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the U.S., in the waning days of the Biden administration. One of the palm cards obtained by Fox Digital reads “Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients” and was followed by photos and short biographies of the recipients, including a photo of Clinton and a short note detailing she “was the Secretary of State in the Obama-Biden administration.”

The note card also included a photo of Hollywood actor Denzel Washington, who also received the prestigious award in January, and a note describing him as an actor, director and producer whom the New York Times called “one of the greatest actors of the 21st century.” The note also had photos and short bios for lesser known individuals who received the award, including renowned chef José Andrés and businessman and philanthropist David Rubenstein.

Another palm card simply reading, “Judicial Confirmations Milestone Speech,” showed a photo of Schumer and a separate photo of Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin accompanied by the roles in the Senate, their party and the states they represent. The card included a stamp reading, “PRESIDENT HAS SEEN.”

Biden celebrated his administration confirming 235 judicial nominees in January in a speech from the State Dining Room and was joined by Schumer and Durbin during the event. Durbin and Schumer also held other public events celebrating the Biden administration’s judicial confirmation strides earlier in Biden’s Oval Office tenure.

Quote:Moldova's pro-European Union (EU) Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) won a parliamentary majority in legislative elections watched closely by the Kremlin, securing more than double the vote of the pro-Russian Patriotic Electoral Bloc (BEP).

Why It Matters

Sunday's general election, seen as a stark choice between a path to EU membership or closer ties with Russia, was marred by allegations of Russian interference. The Eastern European state borders Ukraine, where a war following Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion is still being fought. A breakaway eastern Moldovan region called Transnistria hosts Russian troops.

Moldova has been shifting to the West, developing closer ties with NATO, though it remains constitutionally neutral, and it is seeking membership of the EU.

What To Know

With nearly all polling station reports counted, electoral data showed the governing PAS had 50.16 percent of the vote, while the pro-Russian Patriotic Electoral Bloc has 24.19 percent, the Central Election Commission said on its website.

The Russia-friendly Alternativa bloc came third with 7.97 percent of the vote, followed by the populist Our Party, with 6.20 percent. The right-wing Democracy at Home party won 5.62 percent of the vote, which is enough to enter parliament.

Cristian Cantir, a Moldovan associate professor of international relations at Oakland University, told the Associated Press that PAS's victory is “a clear win for pro-European forces in Moldova, which will be able to ensure continuity in the next few years in the pursuit of their ultimate goal of EU integration.”

Election day was marked by a string of incidents from bomb threats at several polling stations to cyberattacks on electoral and government infrastructure.

Opinion polls before the election had put PAS, the party of President Maia Sandu, and the Patriotic Electoral Bloc neck and neck, with neither expected to get close to a majority. So the result will be a relief for the government and its European partners, and it will enable the government to press on with its aim of EU membership by 2030.

Before the vote, Sandu had warned of Russian meddling to influence the outcome of the election. She said Russia was spending "hundreds of millions of euros" on its influence campaign.

Russia consistently denied it was interfering in Moldova's election.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moldova applied to join the EU. It was given candidate status later that year and, in 2024, the EU agreed to open accession negotiations, further increasing tensions with Russia.

The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) said last week NATO military units were massing in Romania close to the Moldovan border as part of a bid by the European Union to "occupy" Moldova, according to TASS, Moscow's state news agency.

The EU was "determined to keep Moldova within the framework of their Russophobic policies," the Russian intelligence service said in a report. NATO says it fully respects Moldova’s constitutional neutrality.

Quote:WASHINGTON — Ukrainian defense and national security officials are on their way to Washington to hammer out details of a proposed drone deal with the Trump administration, The Post has learned.

Representatives of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense and its National Security and Defense Council will be working with their American counterparts Tuesday through Friday as Washington and Kyiv aim to solidify a defense agreement that would bind the countries closer together.

“Following the results of the negotiations between the presidents of Ukraine and the United States, a Ukraine delegation will arrive to Washington from Sept. 29 to Oct. 2 for technical consultations on the drone deal,” said new Ukrainian Ambassador to the US Olga Stefanishyna.

“Ukrainian officials will be meeting with American officials on a variety of topics,” a senior administration official said Monday evening.

The meetings come as Ukraine aims to build upon a successful meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of last week’s United Nations General Assembly.

“I think now after today’s meeting, we need to not lose the time,” Zelensky’s top adviser Andriy Yermak told The Post following the Sept. 23 sitdown.

While details of the potential drone deal are scarce, Zelensky told reporters in New York last week that the US and Ukraine had technical groups working on an agreement that “concerns drones that the United States will purchase directly from Ukraine.”

Ukraine has become a leader in drone technology and advancement, creating an unmanned aircraft industry from scratch as it grappled with a full-scale Russian invasion beginning in February 2022.

Currently, hundreds of producers are making millions of drones and counter-drone systems, which are then put to work fighting off Russian attacks and updated daily for effectiveness.

Quote:Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered 135,000 men to be conscripted into the army, the largest autumn draft held by the Kremlin in nine years.

“From Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2025, conscript 135,000 Russian citizens aged 18 to 30 who are not in the reserve and are subject to enlistment into military service,” the decree states, according to the TASS state-owned news agency.

Vladimir Tsimlyansky, head of the Russian General Staff’s mobilization department, has also insisted that the conscripted soldiers will not be deployed to the forces currently invading Ukraine, a promise Moscow has been previously accused of breaking.

The latest order also calls on federal agencies to organize the conscription of federal employees, as well as workers from subordinate organizations.

Russia holds conscription drives twice a year in the spring and fall, with last autumn’s drive bringing in about 133,000 soldiers.

Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022, the Russian military has averaged about 127,000 new conscripts every fall. Earlier this year, Russia recruited 160,000 soldiers during the spring draft cycle.

Despite the Kremlin’s promises that conscripts won’t be deployed to fight in Ukraine, where hundreds of Russian soldiers die every week, Ukrainian officials have repeatedly claimed that conscripts have been captured along the frontlines.

The conscriptions comes as part of Putin’s demands that the Russian military expand to a force of 1.5 million active personnel by 2026, up from around 1 million.

To meet Putin’s decree, Moscow passed a bill last week set to eliminate the bi-annual conscription orders and replace them with a year-round draft to bolster Russia’s military.

Quote:Europe is under threat of a hybrid war by Russia and must rearm itself and be prepared for the possibility of an all-out conflict, Denmark’s prime minister warned on Wednesday.

Speaking before the European Union summit in Copenhagen, Mette Frederiksen said the continent was facing unprecedented danger following the spate of Russian drones that invaded NATO’s airspace last month, which experts have warned was a tactic to test the bloc’s defenses.

“I hope that everybody recognizes now that there is a hybrid war and one day it’s Poland, the other day it’s Denmark, and next week it will probably be somewhere else that we see sabotage or we see drones flying,” Frederiksen told reporters.

“I want us to rearm. I want us to buy more capabilities. I want us to innovate more, for example, on drones,” she added.

“When I look at Europe today, I think we are in the most difficult and dangerous situation since the end of the Second World War.”

Frederiksen’s warning comes as the EU mulls how to fend off Russian aggression by 2030, with intelligence services warning that Russia could be ready to mount an assault elsewhere in Europe in three to five years.

As a prep for such an invasion, EU intelligence officials and military analysts have accused Moscow of testing NATO’s defenses with the recent wave of drone and jet incursions over Poland, Denmark, Estonia and Romania last month.

While Frederiksen has stopped short of directly blaming Russia for the drones spotted over her nation in September, she said Russia remains the sole entity currently threatening the EU, requiring the continent to present “a very strong answer back.”

The incidents have pushed several EU nations to open discussions on creating a “drone wall” to protect the continent from Russia’s UAV assaults.

The drone wall would consist of a network of sensors and weapons around the European border to detect, track and neutralize unmanned UAVs entering the continent’s airspace.

Quote:Ukraine will have the power to decimate Russian oil refineries, crippling the main source of funding for its war machine, and launch an Operation Spider Web-style attack on more military bases if the US commits to sharing intelligence and long-range missiles, experts told The Post.

With President Trump reportedly green-lighting an intelligence-sharing agreement for strikes deep inside Russia, Ukraine will be capable of more precise and more destructive attacks against Moscow, said George Barros, of the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War.

And should the US fulfill Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s request for Tomahawk cruise missiles — capable of reaching targets 1,500 miles away — the combination could bring Russia to its knees.

“Russia has always been protected by the tyranny of distance,” Barros said, “but with tomahawks and precise intelligence from the West, you have the payload plus the distance to take out big targets that Ukrainian systems just haven’t been able to hit.”

The newest intelligence-sharing agreement allows the Pentagon and US intel agencies to help Kyiv target oil refineries, pipelines and other infrastructure that provide the Kremlin with revenues and resources needed to sustain its bloody war on Ukraine, the Wall Street Journal reported.

John Hardie, of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank, noted that Ukraine has already been able to hit 16 of 38 key oil refineries in recent months, with the number likely to go up with help from the US and NATO.

“These types of strikes create fuel shortages in Russia, force Moscow to limit exports, and ultimately hurt the Russian economy and ability to wage war,” Hardie said.

“And just as important, it brings the war home to Russians, who have been largely apathetic until the economic blows start coming in,” he added.

The attacks so far, however, haven’t completely destroyed a refinery.

A lucrative refinery near Volgograd, for instance, was targeted in August, but the damage only halted operations for a month, the BBC reported.

The Tomahawk missiles — considered one of the most powerful and effective long-range precision cruise missiles — could change that.

“A 100-kilogram (220-pound) warhead can cause some damage like what we’ve seen so far, but a 1,000-kilogram warhead would put Russian equipment out of commission for good,” Barros said.

Quote:Russia appears to have altered its missiles to better evade Ukrainian defense systems — with interception rates plummeting since August in what experts fear may be a “game changer for Russia,” according to reports.

Ukrainian defense systems stopped just 6% of Russian ballistic missiles in September, an alarming decline from the 37% interception rate logged just a month earlier.

That decline comes as Russia’s ballistic missiles have been behaving differently at the end of their flight paths, with Ukrainian officials reporting the projectiles have begun making last-minute maneuvers apparently intended to “confuse and avoid” interception systems, the Financial Times reported.

Those changes appear to be present only in ballistic missiles — which are launched under rocket power and then follow unpowered trajectories to their targets — instead of the cruise missiles which are flown under jet power throughout their trajectory.

And while Russia’s missile changes appear to have become dangerous effective only in recent weeks, a report from the US Defense Intelligence Agency suggests they have been in development since at least April.

“[Ukraine] struggled to consistently use Patriot air defense systems to protect against Moscow’s ballistic missiles because of recent Russian tactical improvements, including enhancements that enable their missiles to change trajectory and perform maneuvers rather than flying in a traditional ballistic trajectory,” the report read.

It’s likely the missile changes Russia made were software-based modifications to guidance systems rather than alterations of the projectile’s physical engineering, according to experts.

“A steeper terminal trajectory, that’s something you can program into the missile,” University of Oslo missile researcher Fabian Hoffman told the Financial Times.

He added that this was a part of a long-standing pattern of Russia and Ukraine “playing an adaptability game” to outfox the other’s weapons systems since the war began four years ago.

Ukraine has been relying heavily on American-made and -provided Patriot interceptor rockets and launchers for defense against Russian missiles. The systems are made by Raytheon and Lockheed-Martin, which routinely receive battlefield data to upgrade their effectiveness.

But Ukrainian officials have cautioned Russia has been frequently able to remain a step ahead of updates.

Quote:Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday denounced the assassination of conservative icon Charlie Kirk as a “disgusting atrocity,” claiming the public killing has exposed a “deep rift” in America.

Putin hailed the Turning Point USA founder as a hero for giving his life defending beliefs that Russia also shares and offered condolences to his family three weeks after the 31-year-old right-wing activist was gunned down before thousands during a speaking event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10.

“This is a disgusting atrocity, especially since it was broadcast live,” the Russian leader said while speaking at the Valdai Discussion Group in Sochi.

“We all saw it. It was truly horrific. First and foremost, I extend my condolences to Mr. Kirk’s family and all his loved ones. We sympathize and empathize.”
Putin went on to call the savage execution proof of a gaping societal divide in America.

“What happened is a sign of a deep rift in society,” he said.

“In the United States, I don’t think there’s any need to escalate the situation externally because the country’s political leadership is trying to restore order domestically.”

Since the father of two was fatally shot in the neck, conservatives have condemned political violence and slammed rising left-wing rhetoric, which they say has fueled a wave of recent targeted attacks.

Tyler Robinson — a 22-year-old with “leftist ideologies” and a transgender boyfriend — was charged with aggravated murder and other offenses for the brazen killing.

During the conference, the Kremlin also fired back at President Trump for calling Russia a “paper tiger,” a remark he made last month, warning that the country was in economic trouble over its invasion of Ukraine.

Quote:Kyiv has pitched Washington on ways it could help the US replace Russia in oil sales to Europe — as President Trump pushes the continent to divest from Moscow’s energy sector to end its brutal war on Ukraine, The Post can exclusively reveal.

Pipelines deep beneath Ukraine’s surface could help funnel fuel either drilled in the country through the US-Ukraine mineral deal or shipped in from the US, Ukrainian Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk told The Post.

The potential partnership means American oil companies could replace Moscow in Europe’s energy sector.

“Ukraine’s gas and oil infrastructure has always been a key part of European energy security because Ukrainian territory was like a transit from Russia to Europe — and we have very, very good gas and oil infrastructure,” Grynchuk said.

“The US and other international partners could use this infrastructure for ensuring European energy security by supplying it and also the storage potential of gas and oil in Ukraine.”

Ukraine has the most liquid natural gas storage in all of Europe.

Peace and profit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s top advisor, Andriy Yermak, said he briefly proposed the idea to US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly last week, telling The Post that Kyiv could help the US supplant Russia in providing oil to holdout European nations.

Should President Trump sign on, he could help end Russia’s war on Ukraine and boost the US economy in one swing by replacing Russian oil with American energy sales to Europe, Yermak said.

“I asked him to introduce me to your Secretary of Energy,” he said of his conversation with Waltz.

“I asked him that please, as soon as possible, please arrange the meetings [between US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Grynchuk,] and we can come.”

America’s potential interest in such an arrangement is unclear. Ukraine’s proposal is in the very early stages. Waltz’ and Wright’s offices did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Thursday.

Quote:A drone swarm that flew over Germany's Schleswig-Holstein state deliberately surveyed the NATO ally's critical infrastructure, including a power plant and a naval facility, according to a report by Der Spiegel, which cited an internal government memo.

Why It Matters

Tensions have been rising on NATO's eastern flank following the suspected violation by Russian drones and jets of the airspace of several NATO members. Russia has denied accusations it intentionally launched drones and aircraft into NATO airspace.

The airspace violations highlight the increasing threats to NATO member states and the potential for wider regional instability. The incidents also raise questions about the effectiveness of NATO members' air defense systems and the need for enhanced regional security measures.

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he believes NATO countries should shoot down Russian aircraft when they violate NATO airspace.

What To Know

Schleswig-Holstein's interior minster, Sabine Sütterlin-Waack, confirmed that drones were seen flying above the coastal state just south of Denmark overnight into Friday, September 26, and that the incident is under investigation for potential sabotage or espionage.

“Among other things, due to the recent incidents in Denmark and other European countries, Schleswig-Holstein is in intensive and ongoing coordination with the federal government and the Bundeswehr,” Sütterlin-Waack said, Der Tagesspiegel reported.

The confirmation of drones over Germany comes as NATO's Denmark investigates a wave of drone disruption to its airports that officials have characterized as a hybrid attack, and coincides with Estonian, Polish, and Romanian accusations against Russia of serious airspace incursions.

Russia has called the accusations unfounded.

The sighting over Schleswig-Holstein was not the only security related incident involving drones last week. Also on Thursday, suspicious drones were spotted over the Bundeswehr site in Sanitz, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and a day later there was a similar incident over the Navy Command in Rostock, as per Der Tagesspiegel.

Security experts warn that critical infrastructure in Germany is not sufficiently protected, it said.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that drones had flow over critical infrastructure in both Germany and Denmark.

“We also still don’t know exactly where they are really coming from," Merz said, per Der Tagesspiegel. "The suspicion is that they come from Russia.”

On September 10, when several Russian drones breached Poland’s airspace, NATO aircraft were scrambled to intercept and shoot down some of the devices. It was the first direct encounter between NATO and Russia since it launched its war on Ukraine in February 2022.

Since then Russia is suspected of testing NATO’s resolve by violating the airspace of Norway, Romania, Denmark, Lithuania, Estonia, and now Germany too.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that Russia was using its  “shadow fleet” of sanctions-busting oil tankers to launch and control drones over European countries, and he called for the Baltic to be closed to the Russian tankers.

Quote:PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday that an oil tanker off the French coast had committed “very serious wrongdoings” and linked it to Russia’s shadow fleet, which is avoiding Western sanctions over Moscow’s war in Ukraine.

The tanker was sailing last week off the coast of Denmark and was cited by European naval experts as possibly being involved in drone flights over the country.

Brest prosecutor’s office said a judicial investigation has been open into the crew’s “refusal to cooperate” and “failure to justify the nationality of the vessel.”

The ship’s current status wasn’t clear. It left the Russian oil terminal in Primorsk near Saint Petersburg on Sept. 20, sailed off Denmark and has stayed off the coast of the French western port of Saint-Nazaire since Sunday, according to Marine Traffic monitoring website.

Macron suggested it was stopped by French authorities’ “intervention,” saying: “I think it’s a good thing that this work has been done and that we’ve been able to stop it.”

“There were some very serious wrongdoings made by this crew, which is why there are legal proceedings in the case,” Macron said on the sidelines of a summit of European Union leaders in Copenhagen, Denmark. He didn’t elaborate and France’s maritime authorities did not immediately respond to a request for details.

Macron said the incident highlights “the existence and the reality of a phenomenon that we have been describing and denouncing for a long time” that is “these notorious shadow fleet” that represents tens of billions of euros for Russia’s budget and finances an estimated 40% of Russia’s war effort.

Macron said between 600 and 1,000 ships are transporting Russian oil and gas despite Western sanctions.

The tanker known as “Pushpa” or “Boracay,” whose name has changed several times, was sailing under the flag of Benin and appears on a list of ships targeted by EU sanctions against Russia.

Quote:Russian President Vladimir Putin has mocked NATO nations' claims of Russian drone incursions in their air space.

“I won’t do it anymore — to France, Denmark, Copenhagen, Lisbon — wherever they could reach,” Putin joked, as he addressed a forum of foreign policy experts in Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi. Putin described the most recent accusations of Russian drone flights over Denmark as part of NATO efforts to “inflame tensions to boost the defense spending.” At least ten European countries, including Poland, Germany and France, have accused Russia of flying drones into their territories in recent months, while the European Union has launched a drone wall initiative to bolster its eastern flank.

Meanwhile, European leaders are sounding the alarm over escalating Russian provocations across the Baltic region. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk declared "this is war" on Thursday as he urged NATO to abandon “illusions” and confront what he called a “new type of war.” The remarks came during a high-level summit in Copenhagen focused on bolstering continental defense amid a wave of suspected sabotage and drone activity.

What to Know:

• Tusk said Poland shot down Russian drones violating its airspace in early September.
  
• He warned that incidents near Polish infrastructure—including ports and pipelines—are happening “almost every day.”
  
• Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called the situation a “hybrid war” targeting NATO allies.
  
• German forces raided the Russian vessel Scanlark, uncovering evidence of drone launches and sabotage.
  
• French commandos arrested crew members of the suspected “shadow fleet” tanker Borocay in Saint-Nazaire.
  
• Polish authorities detained a GRU suspect accused of burying explosive-packed cans in Łódź cemeteries.
  
• Drone disruptions in Denmark, Norway, and Germany remain under investigation, with Russia as the prime suspect.
  
• Russia denies all allegations and claims it does not seek conflict with Europe.
  
• Tusk emphasized Ukraine’s role in the broader conflict: “If Ukraine loses, it will mean our defeat.”
  

Quote:Russia is set to import gasoline from Asia to offset a growing fuel shortage since Ukrainian attacks have disrupted nearly 40 percent of the country’s oil refining capacity, it has been reported.

Business daily Kommersant said Russia will look to China and other allies in Asia for gasoline following Ukrainian drone and missile strikes on Russian refineries, some of which have been forced to halt production indefinitely.

Berlin-based energy expert Thomas O’Donnell told Newsweek that Ukraine is now producing and successfully launching drones at oil facilities faster than Russia's ability to repair them.

Newsweek has reached out to Russia’s Independent Fuel Union, which deals with motorists’ concerns over gas.

Why It Matters

While Russian state media does not criticize the Kremlin, there is some leeway in its coverage of economic problems and outlets have been reporting the long queues for service stations across the country that have caused motorists’ anger.

In an energy superpower, shortages at the pump pose a political problem for Vladimir Putin who has tried to portray his aggression in Ukraine as not impacting the daily lives of Russians. 

What To Know

Ukrainian drone strikes have hit Russia’s oil refining industry hard, forcing refinery shutdowns and restrictions on how much gas motorists can purchase.

Data from the analytics firm Ciala said that at the end of September, nearly 38 percent of Russia’s oil refining capacity—around 338,000 tons of crude per day—was offline.

Around 70 percent of the outages were due to drone strikes which knocked out a quarter of Russia’s total refining capacity—about 236,000 tons per day.

Since August, Ukraine has targeted at least 16 of Russia's 38 oil refineries, according to the Financial Times, with Russian diesel exports at their lowest level since 2020, citing research group Energy Aspects.

In September, four refineries halted operations after drone attacks, including the Kirishi "Kinef" plant in Leningrad region—the second-largest in Russia—and Rosneft’s Ryazan refinery, which is among the country’s top five.

O’Donnell told Newsweek that Ukraine’s first drone strikes on refineries two years ago proved they could cause damage but it was not clear if Kyiv had sufficient drone production capacity to outpace Russia’s ability to repair the sites.

Now with more sophisticated tactics and hitting refineries at ever longer distances, Ukraine was showing it was overwhelming Russia's capacity to defend the refineries and to repair them, he said. 

As well as the price rises and annoyance for Russian motorists, Ukraine’s strikes will also hurt transportation inside Russia, whose trucks and railways are heavily dependent on diesel, said O’Donnell.

"Not only is the supply down, but the supply is being affected in the regions contiguous with Ukraine, where it would mostly come from, so now it has to come from farther distances," he added.

In the most recent incident, a fire broke out early Wednesday at the Novo-Yaroslavsky oil refinery in Yaroslavl region, northeast of Moscow, local authorities reported. 

Gas stations in some parts of Russia and occupied Crimea have limited sales to no more than 30 liters per customer and more than 20 regions across the country now face shortages. 

On Tuesday, a Russian government decree extended until the end of the year a temporary ban on the export of gasoline outside the country and the Kommersant report suggested that Moscow’s trading allies in Asia may be asked to step in, including China, South Korea and Singapore. 

Gasoline imports from Belarus and lifting import duties on fuel entering through the Far East and federal budget subsidies are also measures that are aimed to ease the crisis, Kommersant reported.

Quote:The U.S. will provide intelligence to Ukraine for long-range missile strikes inside Russia targeting its energy infrastructure, it has been reported.

Citing unnamed officials, The Wall Street Journal said that President Donald Trump had allowed the Pentagon and intelligence agencies to help Kyiv attack the sites that generate revenue for Vladimir Putin’s war machine.

Newsweek has contacted the White House and the Kremlin for comment.

Why It Matters

The United States has been sharing intelligence with Kyiv for a long time but the Wall Street Journal report, carried by other outlets, suggests that Washington wants to make it easier for Kyiv to hit energy sites that are integral to Russia’s economy. 

The U.S. has said it was weighing up providing Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, which could be part of a new commitment by the Trump administration to help Kyiv. Ukraine's strikes deep inside Russia on oil facilities have caused gasoline shortages across the country that pose a political problem for Putin.

What To Know

U.S. officials cited by the WSJ said Washington may provide Ukraine with intelligence to target refineries, pipelines, power stations and other infrastructure far from its borders and ask NATO allies to provide similar support. Reuters confirmed the report, citing two unnamed U.S. officials.

This approval for additional intelligence to Ukraine preceded Trump’s post on Truth Social last week saying that Ukraine could retake all its land occupied by Russia, according to the paper.

Vice President JD Vance said Washington was considering a Ukrainian request to obtain Tomahawks, which have a range of 1,550 miles, therefore putting most of European Russia easily within range—a prospect that has rattled Kremlin propagandists on Russian state TV.

It comes amid reports that Ukrainian missile and drone attacks on Russian infrastructure had disrupted nearly 40 percent of the country’s oil refining capacity, as motorists across the country face gasoline shortages. 

Since August, Ukraine has targeted at least 16 of Russia's 38 oil refineries, the Financial Times reported, and Russian diesel exports are at their lowest level since 2020.

Lines at gas stations are annoying motorists, but the fuel shortages also pose a problem for Russia’s military and agricultural sectors, Berlin-based energy analyst Thomas O’Donnell told Newsweek.

This is because as well as affecting Russia’s ability to produce war materials, military vehicles are heavily reliant on diesel and the regions near the front line are among the areas most affected by the shortages.

Also, Ukraine's first major drone campaign two years ago caused a diesel shortage in Russia which hurt farmers harvesting their crops, a problem that becomes more marked in the coming weeks, with a knock-on effect on grain exports, O’Donnell added.

Quote:Britain’s National Health Service (NHS) has come under scrutiny for seemingly defending cousin marriage, as debate swirls on the practice and its prevalence in certain minority communities.

Despite scientific findings linking cousin marriage to a range of genetic birth defects, negative effects on I.Q. and increased risk of Alzheimer’s, mood disorders, and schizophrenia, NHS England’s Genomics Education Programme published guidance last week downplaying its dangers while touting alleged societal benefits.

The guidance admitted the genetic risks, yet noted that other factors can cause defects in children, such as alcohol consumption and the age of parents, “none of which are banned in the UK.” Meanwhile, the article claimed that cousin marriage is tied to “stronger extended family support systems and economic advantages”.

“Genetic counselling, awareness-raising initiatives and public health campaigns are all important tools to help families make informed decisions without stigmatising certain communities and cultural traditions,” the guidance continued.

Contrary to the claims of supposed familial benefits of cousin marriage made by the NHS, critics have warned that such practices are likely to be used as control mechanisms for women.

Aneeta Prem MBE, founder of the Freedom Charity, told the Mail on Sunday: “First cousin marriage is not just a cultural tradition – it is a safeguarding risk. At Freedom Charity, we have seen how it is tied to dishonour abuse, where young people are pressured from childhood and given little or no real choice.”

Quote:The knife-wielding terrorist accused of killing two people outside a UK synagogue on Thursday has been identified as a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent, officials announced.

Jihad Al-Shamie allegedly carried out the rampage at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester, which was celebrating Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.

“We are now able to confirm that, although formal identification is yet to take place, we believe the person responsible for today’s attacks is 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie,” police said in an updated statement, according to The Sun.

Al-Shamie was not previously known to anti-terrorism or police officials, that update revealed.

The madman plowed his vehicle into pedestrians and stabbed a security guard outside the temple just after 9:30 a.m. before being shot dead by British cops as he was stabbing a window in an attempt to get inside, police said.

“The second he got out of the car, he started stabbing anyone near him. He went for the security guard and tried to break into the synagogue,” one eyewitness told The Sun.

Other witnesses said Al-Shamie appeared to be wearing a bomb-loaded belt, but no explosions occurred during the spree.

A delivery driver who watched as cops confronted the terrorist recounted the tense scene which ended with gunfire.

“The guy had a knife, and he was just stabbing the window trying to get in the [synagogue],” the man identified as Gareth Tonge told BBC.

“Within seconds, the police arrived, they gave him a couple of warnings, he didn’t listen so they opened fire,” he said, adding, “[Al-Shamie] started getting back up and they shot him again.”

Quote:Prince William is giving raw insight into how Kate Middleton’s 2024 cancer diagnosis affected him.

The Prince of Wales, 43, spoke about his wife’s health battle with Eugene Levy for the actor’s Apple TV+ series, “The Reluctant Traveler.”

A clip from the upcoming episode, titled “Living the Royal Life in the UK,” shows the future king and the “Schitt’s Creek” star, 78, discussing how life can change in the blink of an eye.

“We’ve been very lucky; we hadn’t had many illnesses in the family for a very long time. My grandparents lived until they were in the high 90s,” William said, referencing the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.

“They were the vision of fitness, and stoicism, and resilience, if you like. So we’ve been very lucky as a family,” he added. “But I think, when you suddenly realize that the rug, if you were, the metaphorical rug, can be pulled from under your feet quite quick at any point.

“You maybe think to yourself, ‘It won’t happen to us, we’ll be OK.’ Because I think everyone has a positive outlook, you’ve got to be positive,” William said. “But when it does happen to you, then it takes you into some pretty not great places.”

Elsewhere in the episode, during William and Levy’s walk around the grounds of Windsor Castle, the royal teased, “We provide this service for everyone. We do personalized tours everywhere.”

After the actor inquired what William does in his free time, he replied, “Sleep.”

William added, “When you have three small children, sleep is an important part of my life.”

While sitting down for a pint at a local pub, Levy and William also touched on the last few years.

Quote:A Scottish university student took his own life just three months after his school mistakenly reported that he didn’t have enough credits to graduate on time – and now his family is looking to ensure other struggling students don’t slip through the cracks.

Ethan Brown, a 23-year-old geography major at the University of Glasgow in Scotland, killed himself on Dec. 13, 2024 — the day he was supposed to graduate with honors.

Months earlier, in September 2024, the school “wrongly informed him that he did not have the necessary credits to graduate,” the University of Glasgow wrote in a statement obtained by People.

Brown’s mother, Tracy Scott, found her son dead in his bedroom, and said she still wakes up every day in disbelief he’s gone.

“You wake up and you think it’s a bad dream, but it’s not,” Scott tearfully told STV News.
Scott pushed the school to probe Brown’s supposed failing marks.

“Upon investigation, the University identified the error and commissioned an internal report by a recently retired senior professor into the circumstances; this was shared with Ethan’s family on its completion,” the school wrote.

Officials with the school met with “representatives of the family” less than two months after Brown’s death and offered “a sincere apology” and their “deepest sympathies,” according to the statement.

The school added that the “tragic” miscalculation “should have been picked up during the exam board process.” It also assured that the error was an isolated incident, according to the statement.

The oversight wasn’t just contained to inside the classroom, though.

Brown reportedly flagged his own “wellbeing concerns” to someone at the school, who didn’t report it to the campus’ mental health and support services.

Quote:German police closed the Oktoberfest fairgrounds on Wednesday morning following a bomb threat from the suspected perpetrator of an explosion in northern Munich, city officials said.

At least one person’s death was believed to be connected to the explosion at a residential building early Wednesday, which Munich police said was deliberately set on fire and part of a domestic dispute.

It was not immediately clear whether the deceased was the suspected perpetrator or someone else.

Another person, who was not considered to be a danger to the public, remained missing.

Specialized teams were called to the scene to defuse booby traps in the building, police said.

Photos from the area also showed a burned-out van.

Officials discovered the bomb threat to Oktoberfest in a letter from the alleged perpetrator.

Police searched the fairgrounds for other explosive devices and asked workers to leave the area.

Authorities said the festival will be closed at least until 5 p.m. local time (1500 GMT) Wednesday.

This year’s Oktoberfest began on Sept. 20 and ends Oct. 5.

The world’s largest beer festival usually attracts up to 6 million visitors.

In 1980, Oktoberfest was the target of a deadly neo-Nazi attack.

Quote:Online fast-fashion retailer Shein plans to open its first bricks-and-mortar shops in France in November under an agreement with department store owner Société des Grands Magasins, a move that sparked criticism from French retailers.

The stores in the BHV department store in central Paris and Galeries Lafayette department stores in five other French cities mark a new step for Shein, which has up to now only hosted temporary marketing-driven pop-ups around the world.

SGM president Frédéric Merlin said the launch would attract a younger clientele, adding that a customer might buy a Shein item and a designer handbag on the same day.

Galeries Lafayette, which sold the stores operated by SGM under its name through a franchise agreement, said it opposed the move, which would violate the franchise agreement, and plans to stop it from happening.

“Galeries Lafayette profoundly disagrees with this decision with regards to the positioning and practices of this ultra fast fashion brand that is in contradiction with its offer and values,” the group said in a statement.

RETAILERS CRITICIZE DEPARTMENT STORE DEAL WITH SHEIN

The move was, however, criticized by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who said it went against the broader goals of Paris to promote what Hidalgo described as ‘sustainable local commerce’, such as by backing local businesses and locally-made goods.

“We are extremely concerned by BHV’s decision to host, in November, the first permanent store of the Shein company in France,” wrote Hidalgo on LinkedIn.

Shein, which sells 12-euro dresses and 20-euro jeans, faces pressure from other retailers, politicians and regulators in France, where lawmakers have backed a draft law regulating fast fashion that would, if implemented, ban Shein from advertising.

“In front of the Paris City Hall, they are creating the new Shein megastore, which – after destroying dozens of French brands – aims to flood our market even more massively with disposable products,” Yann Rivoallan, head of fashion retail association Fédération Francaise du Pret-a-Porter, said in a statement.

Quote:They’re too good to be true.

Italian police have seized 21 pieces of art suspected of being counterfeit at a Salvador Dalí exhibit.

On Tuesday, a squad seized upon the exhibition in Parma — titled “Dalí, Between Art and Myth” — taking possession of the allegedly false works, which included drawings, tapestries, and engravings.

Doubts about the authenticity of the artworks began in January when officers from the Rome unit of the Carabinieri art squad performed a routine inspection of the exhibit while it was on view at the Museo Storico della Fanteria. They noted that “something seemed to be amiss.”

“We noticed that only lithographs, posters and drawings by Dalí were on display, along with a few statues and other objects, but no paintings or anything of importance,” Diego Poglio, the senior officer leading the investigation, told the Guardian. “It was difficult to understand why someone would want to organize an exhibition of such low-value works.”

Art authentication expert Mark Winter told The Post that hundreds of thousands of fake Dalí lithographs have been circulating since the mid-1970s.

“Once could say that in the art market nothing is more common than a fake Dalí lithograph,” he stated. “The error here in Parma was to organize an exhibition and it triggered the attention of the Carabinieri art department. They knew that being a Dalí exhibit there was a high probability there would be forgeries.”

Quote:Egypt suffered a devastating loss in September when a pharaoh’s priceless bracelet was stolen from a museum in Cairo – and melted down.

Now forever lost, the bracelet belonged to Pharaoh Usermaatre Amenemope, a Third Intermediate Period king who likely ruled between 993 and 984 B.C., officials announced. It was housed in the Egyptian Museum’s restoration laboratory before the theft.

A restoration specialist apparently took the bracelet and transported it to a silver jeweler, who sold the bracelet to a gold jeweler for $3,735.

The bracelet was then sold to a gold foundry worker for $4,000, who melted it down with other metals before authorities could save it. Egyptian officials said all suspects have been arrested, and authorities are investigating the incident.

It’s unusual for artifacts to be stolen from museums this way – but it’s not without precedent. See a few similar cases below.

‘America’ gold toilet

Though not an ancient treasure, the “America” gold toilet sculpture by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan was nonetheless valuable.

In the early morning hours of Sept. 14, 2019, a team of burglars swiped the fully functioning toilet from England’s Blenheim Palace, the mansion where Winston Churchill was born.

The satirical work weighed a whopping 215 pounds and was valued at $3.5 million in 2019. It was insured for 4.8 million pounds, or $6 million, per The Associated Press.

In June 2025, two suspects were jailed in relation to the incident.

The toilet has never been recovered. Authorities believe it was cut up and sold, AP reported.

Golden Horns of Gallehus

The Golden Horns of Gallehus were two of the most famous artifacts from ancient Denmark, according to the National Museum of Denmark.

The artifacts were unearthed in 1639 in Gallehus and dated back to around 400 A.D. They were carved with Nordic and Roman motifs, testifying to cross-cultural exchange in ancient Europe.

Quote:When firefighters brought out the body of his 4-year-old son in a bag from a budget hotel demolished by a 6.9-magnitude earthquake in the central Philippines, Isagani Gelig stooped down and gently stroked the black cadaver bag for several minutes, trying to feel his child’s remains inside for the last time.

A bag containing the body of Gelig’s wife, the Condor Pension House’s receptionist, was carried out next. She had worked there at night while taking care of their son, John. A rescuer handed him a cellphone found with her body and he nodded a confirmation that it was hers.

Gelig and his family had frantically called after the powerful earthquake shook the city of Bogo in Cebu province Tuesday night, but she never picked up.
“I went around the rubble and kept calling out their names,” Gelig told The Associated Press beside the hotel ruins, where he and rescuers discovered their remains pinned together in the first-floor rubble.

The death toll from the earthquake rose to at least 72 people Thursday with nearly 300 injured. Disaster officials said there have not been reports of additional missing people.

More than 170,000 people were affected, including many who have refused to return home because they were traumatized and fearful of aftershocks.

The earthquake damaged or destroyed 87 buildings and nearly 600 houses in Bogo, a relatively new and progressive coastal city of about 90,000, and outlying towns. Bridges and concrete roads were damaged and a seaport in Bogo collapsed.

The quake was triggered around 10 p.m. by a shallow undersea fault line that Filipino seismologists said has not moved for at least 400 years.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. flew to Bogo on Thursday to assess the damage and offer aid and support to survivors while mourning with the families of the victims. Just days ago, the president was in the central region after a fierce storm left at least 37 people dead and lashed more than half a million people, including in Cebu province.

Quote:He’s the boob for the job.

North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has ordered an emergency crackdown on breast augmentation surgeries claiming they are “anti-socialist,” according to a report.

Pyongyang City’s Ministry of Public Safety issued the emergency orders against the “rotten capitalist” implants with perpetrators facing harsh sentences in the dictatorship’s labor camps, UK outlet Metro reported.

“Strike teams” were deployed to central areas, including Pyongyang, over the summer where federal agents in civilian clothing scanned for black market doctors and unnaturally buxom women, Daily NK reported, citing sources in the hermit kingdom.

Women suspected of having had surgeries could be subjected to physical examinations by Kim’s public health goons, according to that report.

“Women or private doctors caught could face criminal punishment, including being sent to labor camps, on charges of anti-socialism,” the anonymous source dished to the outlet.

The recent demand for boob jobs, eyelid surgeries, and eyebrow tattoos is a result of women in their 20s and 30s soaking in “bourgeois ideology,” the North Korean government contends.

In mid-September, one private doctor was put on public trial alongside two 20-something augmentees who all stood with their heads bowed for hours as they were excoriated by a prosecutor, Metro reported.

“Women living in a socialist system have been corrupted by bourgeois customs and have committed rotten capitalist acts,” an unidentified prosecutor said, Metro reported.

Prosecutor’s revealed at trial that those two augmented women were in fact subject to physical examination by government officials.

Illegal contraband displayed at the trial included smuggled silicone, medical tools, and bundles of cash which were seized by the North Hwanghae Province Security Bureau.

Yeah, breasts are not  red enough for Communist Kim.

Quote:The Israeli Navy intercepted the latest flotilla attempting to break the maritime blockade around the Gaza Strip on Wednesday and took Greta Thunberg and other activists into custody.

Footage from the scene on the Mediterranean shows the navy vessels intercepting the 47 boats that make up the Global Sumud Flotilla, which organizers say is carrying more than 500 activists, including climate advocate Thunberg.

The Swedish activist was seen sitting on the ground as Israeli sailors presented her belongings to her so that she could be taken into custody.

“Already several vessels of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla have been safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port,” Israel’s Foreign Ministry posted on X. “Greta and her friends are safe and healthy.”

Those aboard the ships could be seen chanting “Free Palestine!” as their journey game to an end about 100 miles from their intended destination, similar to the failed venture in June.

The floatilla members claimed Israeli warships were jamming their communications and live cameras just before the flotilla was intercepted.

“They are currently hailing our vessels, telling us to turn off our engines and await further instructions or our boats will be seized and we will face the consequences,” said Greg Stoker, an American veteran aboard one of the boats in the flotilla.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the activists would be taken to Ashdod, where Israel houses a naval base, and would then be expelled from the country.

Tajani said he had received assurances from his Israeli counterpart that no violence would be used against the flotilla. 

The activists had previously rejected Israel’s calls for the boats to turn around and arrive at the Jewish state, where the military offered to take charge of the humanitarian aid on board and deliver it to Gaza. 

The group maintains that the blockade around Gaza is illegal given the humanitarian crisis inside the Palestinian enclave, where hundreds of thousands of civilians are suffering from malnutrition.

Quote:The Israeli military has issued a final warning for Palestinians to evacuate Gaza City as its army nears its complete encirclement to fight Hamas, officials said.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the IDF is taking control of the Netzarim Corridor just south of the city, effectively “bisecting” the Gaza Strip as he ordered all civilians to evacuate, the Times of Israel reported.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that the looming assault is the best way to apply pressure to Hamas, which is currently going over President Trump’s cease-fire proposal.

“This is the last opportunity for Gaza residents who wish to do so to move south and leave Hamas terrorists isolated in Gaza City, in the face of IDF activity that continues with full force,” Katz said.

The defense minister warned that anyone who chooses to remain in the city will be considered a “terrorist and supporters of terror.”

Katz added that the full-scale invasion of Gaza City will proceed regardless of the current ongoing talks to secure a peace deal, saying that the IDF is “preparing for all possibilities” to bring the hostages home and eliminate Hamas.

With the encirclement of Gaza City nearly complete, those who have not left the city yet will have to do so through the IDF checkpoints in the south, officials said.

The looming siege around Gaza City has raised alarms over the humanitarian situation, with human rights groups slamming the evacuation as forced displacement and targeting of anyone who fails to leave as a violation of international law.

Quote:Hamas’ top military leader in Gaza wants the terror group to reject President Trump’s cease-fire proposal, urging negotiators to walk away from the deal, according to a new report.

Ezz al-Din al-Hadad, who helped plan the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack, slammed Trump’s 20-point peace deal as a way to eliminate Hamas without achieving any of its goals, the BBC reported.

The terror chief, who holds the fate of the 48 hostages in his hands, called on negotiators in Qatar to reject the deal, reportedly telling the team that he plans to continue the war with Israel.

Al-Hadad’s position is the strongest rebuke from the terror group so far after Trump presented his framework for a peace deal and demanded Hamas accept it by the end of the week.

As Hamas’ delegation reviews the terms, it has emerged that some of its political leaders were open to accepting the deal — so long as adjustments were made to fulfill the terror group’s goal of an independent Palestine.

The political leaders, however, have limited influence in the negotiations as al-Hadad and his army hold the biggest bargaining chips, the 48 hostages in Gaza, 20 of whom are still believed to be alive. 

Al-Hadad, who is known as the “Ghost of al-Qassam,” was named Hamas’ top chief in Gaza after Israel eliminated his two predecessors, Oct. 7 mastermind Yahya Sinwar and then his brother Mohammed Sinwar.

Along with al-Hadad, Palestinian Islamic Jihad — a fellow terror group that helped conduct the Oct. 7 attack and kidnappings — has also rejected the plan, with members of the terror groups claiming the deal only “serves Israeli interests.”

Quote:Multiple Israeli government officials are blaming the current United Kingdom leadership, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, for the deadly terrorist attack against a Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur after issuing repeated warnings about rising antisemitism.

A rogue terrorist killed two worshippers and injured multiple others outside the packed Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester on Thursday.

The assailant — later identified as 35-year-old British citizen Jihad Al-Shamie — was shot and killed by police while he was trying to break into the synagogue after plowing a car through pedestrians and stabbing a security guard. Frantic officers tried to usher onlookers away as they warned the suspect “has a bomb.”

The feared explosives latched to his belt were deemed “not viable,” authorities later clarified.

Politicians near and far were quick to condemn the vile attack, but Israeli officials took it a step further and pinned blame on the British government for failing to stamp out antisemitic extremism within its borders.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called out Starmer’s leadership directly and asserted that the Jewish community expects “a change of course” away from “anti-Israeli incitement.”

“The truth must be told: blatant and rampant antisemitic and anti-Israeli incitement, as well as calls of support for terror, have recently become a widespread phenomenon in the streets of London, in cities across Britain, and on its campuses. The authorities in Britain have failed to take the necessary action to curb this toxic wave of antisemitism and have effectively allowed it to persist,” he wrote on X.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alluded to the UK’s “weakness” against terrorism, which he said invited the massacre.

“As I warned at the UN: weakness in the face of terrorism only brings more terrorism. Only strength and unity can defeat it,” he wrote on X.

Starmer denounced hatred against Jews and acknowledged the need to stamp out growing antisemitism within the UK.

Quote:Last week, Vice President J.D. Vance tweeted: “Democrats are about to shut down the government because they demand we fund healthcare for illegal aliens.”

Democrats and the media bristled. That wasn’t true, Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash) protested: “Undocumented immigrants are not eligible to enroll in federally funded health coverage under existing law or Democrats’ funding proposal.”

Liberal fact-checkers argued that Medicaid subsidies for emergency care were trivial, and did not count as health coverage.

But their “fact checks” are just semantics.

In fact, last year, nationwide Medicaid spending on “emergency care for undocumented aliens” almost tripled — because the state of California used it as a method of laundering federal money to fund a comprehensive health benefit for its unauthorized residents.

Medicaid is an enormously lucrative program for states.

It gives them between $1 and $9 for every $1 they spend on health care benefits for eligible low-income Americans, without any upper limit.

Illegal immigrants are supposed to be prohibited from receiving Medicaid, as they are from obtaining Medicare and Obamacare subsidies — but an exception to this is that states may claim federal Medicaid funding for hospitals to provide “emergency care” for unauthorized immigrants.

CNN’s fact-checker plays down this provision, noting: “Less than 1% of total Medicaid spending went toward emergency Medicaid for undocumented immigrants in fiscal year 2023.”

Yet this exception has quickly become a significant loophole.

From 2023 to 2024, Medicaid spending on “Emergency Services for Undocumented Aliens” suddenly soared from $3.8 billion to $9.1 billion.

This wasn’t due to the economy or changes in healthcare costs. In 49 states, in fact, emergency Medicaid spending declined.

The surge in this expenditure was entirely due to the state of California, where spending suddenly leaped from $1.6 billion to $6.4 billion.

The federal government is supposed to cover 50% of California’s Medicaid costs — but Washington paid for 70% of the state’s Medicaid ESUA expenditures in 2024.

What happened?

In 2024, California became the first state to offer comprehensive health insurance to all undocumented immigrants.

Quote:Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and Fox’s John Roberts sparred Wednesday on “Special Report with Bret Baier” over whether Democrats’ reasoning for shutting down the federal government is to provide illegal immigrants with healthcare benefits.

On Tuesday evening, Republicans in the Senate failed to gain enough support from Democrats for a spending agreement, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer leading his party to shut down the government at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. Roberts asked Johnson how he would respond to Democrats’ claims that their bill does not fund healthcare for illegal immigrants. (RELATED: Even CNN Is Skeptical When Democratic Senator Denies That Party Pressure To Fight Trump Real Reason For Shutdown)

“I say they obviously have not read their bill. This counterproposal that he filed, everybody can Google it, go pull it up. It’s on the Senate’s website and in the legislative text,” Johnson said. “Go to page 57 of Chuck Schumer’s bill and look at section 2141. It says right there in plain language [that] they want to repeal the health provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill.”

“I do part ways with you here on this idea of plain language. I read that whole section. It might as well be written in Mandarin,” Roberts pushed back.

During a Wednesday interview on “FOX & Friends,” Vice President JD Vance said Democrats are attempting to reinstate a Biden-era federal funding program that provides healthcare for illegal immigrants. The program ended under the Trump administration.

In response to Republican backlash, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer went on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” Wednesday, calling the accusations a “total, absolute, effing lie.” Schumer claimed Republicans have not only “decimated healthcare” for Americans but also accused the party of being “afraid of the truth.”

Johnson went on to say that Democrats “probably” don’t understand their own filing, explaining how Section 2141 is the party’s way of “trying to take out in its entirety the reforms” that Republicans included in the “Big, Beautiful Bill” regarding health.

“That’s probably why the Democrats don’t understand what they filed,” Johnson said. “But if you interpret that and you get through all the subsections, what you realize is they’re trying to take out in its entirety the reforms that we put into the Big Beautiful Bill pertaining to health. And why is that so important? Because what we did was we strengthened the Medicaid program by making sure that ineligible recipients are not on the rolls.”

“The CBO, the Congressional Budget Office, on August 25 published a letter, and they said this is going to do exactly what Republicans said. They estimate that 2.3 million illegal recipients for Medicaid will be pushed off the rolls because of our reforms,” Johnson added. “It’s going to save $185 billion of taxpayer funds. So they want to return all those ineligible people back to the rolls, and many of them are illegal aliens. That is a fact. Anybody who looks at it objectively has to say it’s true.”

Quote:The Supreme Court agreed Friday to review Hawaii's strict limits on where guns can be carried, a case that could reshape how states regulate firearms.

Why It Matters

The news comes after President Donald Trump's administration urged justices to take on the case, citing the Court's 2022 ruling that broadly expanded Second Amendment protections.

At issue is Hawaii's law barring guns on private property like stores and hotels unless owners explicitly permit them. Lower courts have split on the measure, setting the stage for another major ruling on the balance between gun rights and public safety.
What To Know

Three residents from the County of Maui and the Hawaii Firearms Coalition challenged the state's firearms law in a lawsuit filed against Hawaii Attorney General Anne E. Lopez. A lower court judge blocked the state from enforcing the law, but the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals largely reversed the decision, allowing enforcement.

The petitioners filed a petition for a writ of certiorari to the Supreme Court in April.

"In holding the Second Amendment does not apply to private property open to the public, the Ninth Circuit’s decision renders illusory the right to carry in public," Kevin O'Grady and Alan Alexander Beck, attorneys for the petitioners, wrote in the petition.

The United States filed a brief in support of the petitioners one month later, stating the Court should hear the case and reverse the ruling by the appeals court.

"The structure and operation of Hawaii's law reveal that the law serves no legitimate purpose and instead seeks only to inhibit the exercise of the right to bear arms," Solicitor General D. John Sauer, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon, Deputy Solicitor General Sarah M. Harris and Assistant to the Solicitor General Vivek Suri wrote in a brief.

State attorneys argue that concealed-carry permit regulations were already loosened to align with the Supreme Court's 2022 ruling. They argue that the law strikes a balance between gun rights and public safety.

"Neither petitioners nor the government has offered any persuasive reason to disturb the court of appeals’ conclusion that Hawai‘i’s default-property rule withstands constitutional scrutiny at the preliminary injunction stage," attorneys for the respondent wrote in a brief in opposition.

Quote:The Trump administration has reversed course on a major decision that would have cut around $187 million in funds to New York law enforcement, potentially upsetting intelligence and counterterrorism operations.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul posted on X to thank President Donald Trump for reversing the cuts and helping ensure the safety of state residents.

Newsweek reached out to the White House and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) via email for comment.

Why It Matters

New York continues to serve as a major battleground for the Trump administration, with Trump targeting the state and specifically New York City for cuts, most recently $18 billion cut from major infrastructure projects over concerns about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

Trump has also spoken at length about his concerns about the New York City mayoral race, criticizing the potential election of progressive candidate Zohran Mamdani, who drew national attention for beating former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary.

Reports also indicated that Trump and Cuomo have spoken about the campaign, with Trump considering whether he would intervene in the race—something that Mamdani called a “betrayal” of New Yorkers. Cuomo has denied the report, saying he has “never” spoken to Trump about the race.

What To Know

Hochul posted on X on Friday that she had been fighting to convince the president to reverse the cuts and had finally succeeded.

“I’m glad that [Trump] heard our call to reverse these cuts,” Hochul said. “That means $187 million for the NYPD, FDNY & first responders across the state that keep New Yorkers safe.”

She posted an image of a headline from The New York Times, which first broke the news that the administration had reversed course.

Trump confirmed the news shortly thereafter, writing on Truth Social that he was “pleased to advise that I reversed the cuts made to Homeland Security and Counterterrorism for New York City and State,” adding that it was his “pleasure” to do so.

Hochul had sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after denouncing the “utterly shocking” cuts as “the height of hypocrisy” for defunding law enforcement. In her letter, she accused Noem of making “all of America more vulnerable to terrorist attacks” if the cuts remained, according to The New York Times.

“Do not play games with this critical security funding,” Hochul said.

Quote:Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell is facing intense backlash after saying during a televised debate that he would prefer to learn the “life story” of an eight-time criminal offender rather than pursue jail time—a statement that quickly set off alarm bells among public safety advocates and political opponents.

Asked how many offenses should trigger jail time, Harrell dismissed punitive responses and framed the issue as a call for compassion.

“When this person is committing six or seven crimes, I don’t know his or her story,” Harrell said on stage. “Maybe they were abused as a child. Maybe they’re hungry. But my remedy is to find their life story to see how we can help. First, I have no desire to put them in jail, but I need to protect you, and that’s the calibration that we have,” he continued.

Newsweek reached out to Seattle's mayor's office for comment on Friday.

Why It Matters

In early 2025, Harrell, a Democrat, appeared to be on track for reelection. But that trajectory shifted sharply after Katie Wilson, a housing activist and general secretary of the Tenant Riders Union, surged ahead in the primary, winning 48 percent to Harrell’s 43.5 percent. The result exposed growing dissatisfaction with incumbents in the Trump era and signaled a resurgent progressive base.

Harrell's comments, made during Thursday’s mayoral debate, are the latest flashpoint in a city struggling to balance criminal justice reform with increasing concerns about repeat offenders and public safety. While consistent with Harrell's health-based approach to crime, they have reignited fears that Seattle’s policies are prioritizing rehabilitation at the expense of victims and law-abiding residents.

What To Know

During the debate, the mayor described his position as part of a “health-based strategy,” saying, “To me, it’s not the issue whether they commit seven or eight crimes. The issue is, why are they committing these crimes?”

However, critics were quick to seize on the remarks.

“This was his governing philosophy, spoken aloud on a stage where voters were watching,” Seattle Red host Jason Rantz wrote in a column for the outlet. “He essentially said victims don’t matter, public safety doesn’t matter, and that repeat offenders should be shielded from jail because of their supposed backstory.”

Harrell, a former civil rights attorney, has promoted initiatives that emphasize diversion and mental health treatment over incarceration. He also highlighted Seattle’s fire department as the first in the nation to administer buprenorphine, a drug used to treat opioid addiction, as part of this broader public health approach.

But critics argue that this approach isn’t working—and it may be endangering the public.

“We have women who can’t take their kids to a park without fearing a homeless addict with a rap sheet longer than a CVS receipt,” Rantz wrote. “And here’s the mayor saying criminals get his empathy and protection, while victims are left to fend for themselves.”

Wilson has not issued a direct response to the comments, but her campaign has been critical of what it describes as a lack of urgency in addressing repeat criminal behavior in the city.

Quote:The White House said Friday that President Donald Trump has ordered a review of federal aid to Portland, Oregon, as he grows increasingly angered by the city’s anti-government and anti-fascist protests.

“We will not fund states that allow anarchy,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters, without specifying which funds President Donald Trump might seek to withhold.

Why It Matters

Trump has highlighted the importance of security and the need for law and order during his second administration, initiating the largest mass deportation operation in the United States' history, and deploying National Guard troops to the Democrat-run cities of Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Memphis and Portland, to assist in various law enforcement and immigration efforts.

Raids by ICE officers have triggered protests in several cities, including Portland.

Leavitt: I just spoke with the president and he has directed his team at the White House to begin reviewing aid that can potentially be cut in Portland. We will not fund states that allow anarchy pic.twitter.com/xQBITnUSs3

— Acyn (@Acyn) October 3, 2025

What to Know

Trump has repeatedly threatened to withhold federal funding — which is mandated by Congress — as punishment for those he considers political opponents, including Democrats in state and local government and elite universities he has described as overrun by Marxists.

In Portland, Oregon’s largest city, streets have sporadically filled in recent years with left-wing protests, most recently targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents carrying out Trump’s expanded deportation plan.

Leavitt said Friday, "President Trump will end the radical left reign of terror in Portland once and for all. The president has directed Secretary Hegseth to provide all necessary troops to protect war-ravaged Portland."

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Friday that the agency will deploy additional federal agents to Portland.

Leavitt said she was troubled that a conservative independent journalist was among three people arrested outside ICE’s offices.

Police said the journalist, Nicholas Sortor, was arrested with two others for fighting at the protest and charged with disorderly conduct. Video showed Sortor arguing with protesters, and he said Friday he acted in self-defense. Leavitt said she spoke with Sortor and that the Justice Department’s civil rights division was reviewing whether he was a victim of “viewpoint discrimination” by Portland police.

Quote:The Supreme Court on Friday allowed President Donald Trump’s administration to strip temporary legal protections from more than 300,000 Venezuelan migrants. The justices issued an emergency order that pauses a lower-court ruling finding the administration wrongly ended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for the group.

Newsweek reached out to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) via email Friday for additional information.

Why It Matters

The Court's latest decision allows the Trump administration to strip temporary legal protections from over 300,000 Venezuelan migrants whose protected status expired earlier this year.

The emergency order, which suspends a lower court ruling that favored the migrants, could have far-reaching effects on immigrant communities, employment, and deportation protocols. This ruling comes amid broader debates in the United States over the future of TPS, a humanitarian immigration program, and illustrates the judiciary’s influential role in shaping national immigration policy. The Court’s injunction affects not only Venezuelans but also sets precedent for similar cases involving migrants from other countries.

What To Know

Trump has sought to roll back protections granted under President Joe Biden to hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans and Haitians, arguing the law was misapplied. Migrant advocates say the court’s actions have already cost some Venezuelans jobs, homes and even led to deportations.

U.S. District Judge Edward Chen's, who had earlier ruled that the administration improperly ended TPS, order, now stayed, had found that the DHS acted “with unprecedented haste and in an unprecedented manner … for the preordained purpose of expediting termination of Venezuela’s TPS.” An earlier unanimous appellate panel noted DHS “made its decisions first and searched for a valid basis for those decisions second.”

Quote:A petition seeking to strip members of Congress of their salaries during the government shutdown has garnered over 97,000 signatures.

The petition, launched by a Missouri resident named Joyce, argues that lawmakers should not be paid their salary or benefits during the shutdown and that their salaries should be reduced by 2 percent for each day the government remains closed.

This daily reduction, the petition says, should remain when the government reopens.

Why It Matters

After Congress could not agree on a funding measure, the government shut down as midnight passed on 1 October. This means that non-essential government services have ground to a halt.

During a shutdown, lawmakers continue to receive their salaries while a number of essential workers that are required to continue working will not get a paycheck.

These workers, along with furloughed government staff will, instead, receive backpay when the government reopens, according to a law Congress passed in 2019.

Most lawmakers receive an annual salary of $174,000 while those in top leadership roles, like the Speaker of the House, receive more.

What To Know

The petition, which at the time of writing has accrued 97,713 signatures, calls on Congress to pass immediate legislation to implement salary freezes and reductions.

It reads: "We, the undersigned, demand immediate action to hold members of Congress accountable for government shutdowns. When the government shuts down, essential services halt, federal workers go unpaid, and millions of Americans suffer. Yet, members of Congress continue to receive their salaries and benefits, insulated from the consequences of their inaction."

It adds: "Government shutdowns are not just political games—they disrupt lives, harm communities, and erode public trust. Congress must feel the same urgency as the American people to resolve these crises swiftly. If federal workers and citizens bear the burden of a shutdown, so should our elected officials."

The petition comes after various members of Congress from both parties have called for lawmakers to have their pay suspended during the government shutdown.

South Carolina Representative Ralph Norman, for instance, reintroduced a constitutional amendment that would bar members of Congress from receiving a salary while the federal government is in a shutdown. Democratic Senator Andy Kim and Florida Republican Kat Cammack have also said they will refuse their pay during this period.

However, efforts to alter lawmakers' pay will unlikely succeed. A constitutional amendment requires the support of two-thirds of both the House and Senate. Meanwhile, under the 27th amendment, passed in 1992, Congress is prevented from giving itself an immediate pay rise or cut. Any changes can only take effect after the next election, meaning any move that would change salaries during this shutdown would not take effect.

Quote:The U.S. Treasury has confirmed draft designs for a $1 commemorative coin that could feature President Donald Trump.

The coin, proposed for the nation’s 250th anniversary, would show Trump’s profile on the front and an image of him raising his fist the words “FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT” beside an American flag on the back.

U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach shared a post about the coin on X and said, "No fake news here. These first drafts honoring America’s 250th Birthday and @POTUS are real. Looking forward to sharing more soon, once the obstructionist shutdown of the United States government is over."

Why It Matters

In 2020, Congress passed the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020, a bipartisan measure signed into law during Donald Trump’s first term, which authorizes the Treasury Secretary to issue $1 coins during the one-year period beginning Jan. 1, 2026, provided their designs are “emblematic of the United States semiquincentennial.”

An 1866 law bars a living person from being featured on U.S. currency. However, there is precedent for a living president on coinage. Through Congressional authorization, President Calvin Coolidge was featured on the 1926 Sesquicentennial of American Independence Half Dollar alongside George Washington. The coin was issued to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and help fund the Philadelphia Sesquicentennial Exposition.

Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. Mint and the Treasury Department via email on Friday afternoon for comment.

What To Know

Under the 2020 act, the U.S. Mint is permitted to redesign circulating coinage for 2026 in honor of the country’s 250th anniversary and is required to consult with the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee and the Commission of Fine Arts when selecting designs.

The law also continues other redesign programs through 2030—such as those featuring prominent American women and youth sports—while specifically granting flexibility around inscriptions and the placement of elements for the semiquincentennial issue.

Meanwhile, two Republican lawmakers told Fox News Digital they plan to introduce legislation to honor late conservative activist Charlie Kirk by printing his image and name on nearly half a million new silver dollar coins.

Kirk, 31, was fatally shot during a question-and-answer session at Utah Valley University on September 10 during his "American Comeback Tour." A suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, is in custody, charged with aggravated murder and other offenses.

The bill calls on the U.S. Treasury to print 400,000 silver dollar coins with Kirk's face on them, Republican Representatives August Pfluger of Texas and Abraham Hamadeh of Arizona told Fox News. In addition to Kirk's image, the coins would include the message, "Well done, good and faithful servant." They would be minted with the year 2026 and his full name on them, according to Fox News Digital.

Quote:Belgian defense officials said about 15 unidentified drones were seen flying over a military base in Elsenborn before crossing into neighboring Germany, Belgium's VRT NWS reported. They were seen at around 1:45 a.m. local time, in the early hours of Friday morning.

Earlier, Munich Airport in Germany had shut down for hours after drones of unknown origin were seen in the sky nearby. That incident started at around 10 p.m. on Thursday and lasted until 5 a.m. on Friday when the airport reopened for flights.

Why It Matters

The incidents are the latest in a series of mysterious drone sightings over airports and other infrastructure in several European Union member states, exacerbating rising tensions on NATO’s eastern flank as Russian forces battle in neighboring Ukraine.

Russia denies any suggestion that it is responsible for the drones and says it does not want conflict with western Europe.

Speaking at a conference in the Black Sea resort of Sochi on October 2, President Vladimir Putin scoffed at Western suspicion of Russian involvement in a recent drone flight over Denmark, saying the claims were part NATO efforts to “inflame tensions to boost the defense spending.”

What To Know

Authorities in Belgium and Germany—both NATO allies—are investigating the latest appearance of drones in their skies.

It remains unclear where the two drone swarms came from, or if they are connected.

About 15 drones were spotted flying over eastern Belgium's Elsenborn military training area, a NATO base in the Liège province near the German frontier, the Brussels Signal media outlet reported.

Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken confirmed the intrusion, with the military launching an investigation into the drones’ origins and operators.

Munich's airport said in statement there had been “several drone sightings,” without elaborating. A police spokesman said it was not immediately clear how many drones might have been involved in the Munich incident. He said police, airline employees and “regular people around the airport” were among witnesses who reported the drone sightings.

After the closure of the runways, police deployed helicopters and other means to try to track down the drones, but no signs of them could be found, the police spokesman said.

Suspected Russian intrusions into NATO members' airspace surged last month when a swarm of Russian drones flew into Poland, Estonia complained about an intrusion by Russian fighter jets and unidentified drones were also sighted over Denmark, Romania and Germany, in what some European officials described as a Russian campaign to test NATO's response.

Quote:Authorities shut down Munich Airport late Friday after suspected drone sightings, the second closure in less than 24 hours, officials said. The airport said flight operations were suspended “as a precautionary measure due to unconfirmed sightings,” marking the latest in a string of mysterious drone incursions over airports and other critical sites across Europe.

The disruption came just a day after flights were halted Thursday night following earlier drone reports, stranding thousands of passengers and diverting flights across the region. While service resumed briefly Friday morning, the renewed sightings forced Germany’s second-busiest airport to ground flights again, highlighting the growing security challenge drones pose to European aviation and infrastructure.

Why It Matters

The repeated shutdowns at Munich Airport underline a mounting concern for European governments: drones are increasingly disrupting air traffic, raising alarms about safety, security and possible geopolitical threats. Nearly 3,000 passengers were stranded Thursday after 17 flights were grounded and 15 others diverted to airports in Germany and Austria. Hundreds more were forced to sleep on cots in terminals overnight, as authorities scrambled to respond to unconfirmed but credible reports of drones in restricted airspace.

The incidents are part of a broader pattern across the continent. In recent weeks, drones have been spotted over military bases in Belgium, airports in Norway and Denmark, and even within NATO-member Poland, where incursions linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine triggered fighter jet responses. European leaders are now treating the issue as a cross-border security problem. Germany’s interior minister, Alexander Dobrindt, said he and other ministers will discuss a “drone detection and defense plan” this weekend.

What to Know

Munich Airport is one of Europe’s busiest hubs. Federal police said witnesses — including airline staff and members of the public — reported several drone sightings beginning late Thursday night. Flights resumed briefly Friday morning, but new sightings that evening led to another closure. Federal and state police are leading the investigation, deploying helicopters and other detection equipment, though no drones have yet been recovered.

In Belgium, Defense Minister Theo Francken said as many as 15 drones were spotted overnight above the Elsenborn military base near the German border. The flights were described as “suspicious and unknown,” and the country’s defense ministry has launched an investigation. In Oslo, Norway’s capital, drones also disrupted airport traffic last month.

European officials have raised the possibility that Russia or its allies could be behind some of the incursions, viewing them as attempts to test air defenses or create disruption at minimal cost.

In France, authorities recently detained a Russia-linked oil tanker suspected of involvement in drone flights over Denmark. Navy commandos searched the vessel but found no drones or launch equipment before allowing it back to sea. Still, the case added to suspicions about the role of Russian operatives in using drones to probe EU defenses.

Moscow has denied involvement, and security analysts caution that attribution is complicated.

The uncertainty has left passengers in Munich frustrated. Hundreds spent the night on cots or were sent to nearby hotels as flights were canceled or diverted. Airport staff distributed blankets, drinks and snacks, according to German media.

Quote:Russian President Vladimir Putin railed against NATO and pushed back on President Donald Trump's rhetoric in a rare lengthy public appearance on Thursday. Newsweek has compiled five main takeaways from the speech.

Why It Matters

The Russian president struck an unusually combative tone, issuing stark warnings of potential retaliation over Western support for Ukraine and NATO expansion.

His comments come as the war in Ukraine continues to rage in its third year, while Trump continues to attempt to negotiate a ceasefire between the two countries, so far without success.

What To Know

Putin spoke for nearly four hours at the Valdai Discussion Group in Sochi, an annual discussion forum held by a think tank. The five takeaways were:

1. Putin Warned U.S. on Tomahawks

The Russian president warned that if the U.S. sends Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, which the besieged country has long been asking for, it would mark a sharp escalation in the conflict.

"It is impossible to use Tomahawks without the direct participation of American military personnel," Putin said. "This will mean a completely new, qualitatively new stage of escalation, including in relations between Russia and the United States."
Tomahawks have a range of approximately 1,000 miles, which would allow Ukraine to hit military targets deep in Russia. Vice President JD Vance said last week that the Trump administration was reviewing a request from Ukraine for the missiles, but that Trump had not made a final decision.

2. Dismissed Trump’s ‘Paper Tiger’ Jibe

Putin pushed back on Trump’s characterization of Russia as a "paper tiger" because of its failure to defeat its smaller neighbor after years of war.

He said: "A paper tiger. What follows then? Go and deal with this paper tiger. Well, if we are fighting with the entire NATO bloc, we are moving, advancing, and we feel confident, and we are a ‘paper tiger’, then what is NATO itself?"

Despite the rebuttal to Trump’s comment, the Russian president also praised the U.S. president’s efforts to secure peace, and said he agreed with his claims that the war could have been avoided if Trump was in office.

He said that the current U.S. administration appeared to be "guided primarily by its own interests," and added: "I believe this is a rational approach. But then, if you will excuse me, Russia also reserves the right to be guided by its national interests."

3. Brushed Off NATO Drone Concerns

Putin mocked Western alarm over drone incursions into NATO airspace, and accused European nations of using them to inflame tensions.

"I won’t do it anymore—to France, Denmark, Copenhagen, Lisbon—wherever they could reach," the Russian president joked.

In recent months at least ten European countries have accused Russia of flying drones into their territories.

4. Threatened Retaliation Over NATO Militarization

Putin accused European nations of fueling instability by increasing military spending and deepening integration under NATO.

"We are closely monitoring the escalating militarization of Europe," he said. "I think no one doubts that such measures will force Russia to act, and Russia’s countermeasures will not be long in coming. It seems that the response to these threats will be, to put it mildly, very convincing."

5. Called Sweden and Finland’s decision to join NATO ‘stupid’

Putin hit out at Sweden and Finland’s decision to join NATO, and said this meant the countries had lost their neutrality.

"Finland and Sweden joining NATO was stupid. We never had any problems with Sweden, much less Finland. No problems at all … both Finland and Sweden have lost the advantage of their neutral status," he said.

Both Nordic countries joined NATO after Russia began its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Putin has long viewed the expansion of NATO as a threat, and has warned against the alliance inching closer to its doorstep.

Quote:TBILISI, Georgia (AP) — Almost every day for nearly a year, Gota Chanturia has joined rallies at Georgia’s parliament against the government and its increasingly repressive policies. He’s done this despite mass arrests and police violence against demonstrators.

And the civics teacher keeps marching even though he’s racked up an astonishing $102,000 in fines from the protests. That’s about 10 times what the average Georgian earns in a year.

“We’ve said that we will be here until the end, and we’re still here,” Chanturia told The Associated Press as he participated in yet another demonstration this week in the capital of Tbilisi.

The protests began when the government halted talks about joining the European Union. That move came after the longtime ruling party Georgian Dream won an election that the opposition alleged was rigged.

The rallies, big and small, continue despite a multipronged crackdown by the government through laws that target demonstrators, rights groups, nongovernmental organizations and independent media.

More protests are planned for this weekend to coincide with local elections.

The repression in the South Caucasus nation of 3.7 million has drawn comparisons to Georgia’s powerful neighbor and former imperial ruler Russia, where President Vladimir Putin has stifled dissent. Georgian Dream has been accused of steering the country into Moscow’s orbit of influence.

Human Rights Watch says Georgia is suffering a “rights crisis.” The clampdown is unprecedented in the country’s independent history and is escalating steadily, said Giorgi Gogia, the group’s Europe and Central Asia associate director.

But Georgia’s vibrant civil society is pushing back, and it has become a question of “who would blink first,” Gogia said. If it’s the public and civil society, they could wake up in an authoritarian country, “which would be a huge transformation from what Georgia used to be up until now,” he added.

Fines, beatings and prison

Ketuna Kerashvili joined a rally in rainy Tbilisi on Wednesday despite the fact that her 30-year-old brother Irakli was arrested in December, convicted of disrupting public order, and sentenced to two years in prison. He had rejected the charges as unfounded.

Kerashvili told AP her brother’s trial was “tough to watch.”

“All of those boys and girls who are in prison now were trying to protect our country from pro-Russian forces and a pro-Russian government,” she said.

Quote:WASHINGTON — The US military killed four alleged “narco-terrorists” in the latest strike on a boat deemed to be trafficking drugs off the coast of Venezuela, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced Friday.

The operation targeted a “vessel affiliated with designated terrorist organizations,” killing four men who were “transporting substantial amounts of narcotics headed to America to poison our people,” Hegseth wrote on X.

“Our intelligence, without a doubt, confirmed that this vessel was trafficking narcotics, the people onboard were narco-terrorists, and they were operating on a known narco-trafficking transit route,” the secretary insisted.

“These strikes will continue until the attacks on the American people are over!!!!”

The boat was “loaded with enough drugs to kill 25,000 to 50,000” people, the White House said in a separate post to X.
“BE WARNED!” the message omniously added.

Friday’s strike is at least the fifth hit since Sept. 2 targeting drug cartels designated by the Trump administration as enemy combatants, bringing the total number of purported traffickers killed in the strikes to 24.

Quote:GREENBELT — A California resident who attempted to assassinate U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh at his Maryland home was sentenced Friday to over eight years in prison by a federal judge, who imposed a punishment that is significantly more lenient than the Justice Department’s recommendation.

Sophie Roske, a transgender woman charged under her legal name, Nicholas Roske, had faced a maximum sentence of life in prison. U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman sentenced her to eight years and one month behind bars followed by a lifetime of court supervision. Prosecutors had asked for a prison sentence of no less than 30 years, which was the low end of the range recommended by sentencing guidelines.

Roske, then 26, had a pistol, a knife, zip ties and burglary tools in her possession when a taxi dropped her off outside Kavanaugh’s home in Chevy Chase, Maryland, just after 1 a.m. on June 8, 2022. Noticing two U.S. Marshals Service deputies guarding the residence, Roske kept walking down the street and took a phone call from her sister. Then she dialed 911, reported having suicidal and homicidal thoughts and said she needed psychiatric help.

The judge said law enforcement didn’t know anything about Roske’s plot until she called 911 and reported her crime unprompted. Boardman described Roske’s conduct as “reprehensible” but credited her with abandoning the plot before police detected her presence in Kavanaugh’s neighborhood.

“This is an atypical defendant in an atypical case,” she said.

Roske apologized to Kavanaugh and the justice’s family “for the considerable stress I put them through.”

“I have been portrayed as a monster, and this tragic mistake that I made will follow me for the rest of my life,” Roske said before learning her sentence.

Boardman acknowledged that Roske’s plot caused “real harm” to Kavanaugh and his family.

“He’s a justice of the Supreme Court, but he’s a human being,” the judge said.

After her arrest, Roske told investigators she was angry about a leaked draft opinion suggesting the Supreme Court intended to overrule Roe v. Wade, the landmark abortion case, according to an FBI affidavit. Roske also was upset about the school massacre in Uvalde, Texas, and believed Kavanaugh would vote to loosen gun control laws, the affidavit said.

Roske’s case underscores the pervasive threat of political violence in a polarized nation: The number of threats and “inappropriate communications” directed at federal judges and other court employees more than quadrupled over a seven-year span, from 926 incidents in 2015 to 4,511 in 2021, according to the Marshals Service.

Roske targeted three of the high court’s justices, prosecutors said. Killing one judge could change the decisions of the nine-member court “for decades to come,” Roske wrote over an encrypted messaging platform to another user in May 2022. Roske added, “I am shooting for 3.”

Roske, 29, of Simi Valley, California, searched the internet for justices’ home addresses and other information, including techniques for breaking into homes and quietly killing somebody. Roske also wrote about killing judges in encrypted messages.

“The thought of Roe v Wade and gay marriage both being repealed has me furious,” Roske wrote.

Roske pleaded guilty in April to an attempted assassination charge without reaching a plea agreement.

Prosecutors recommended a prison term of no less than 30 years, followed by a lifetime of supervised release.

“The defendant’s objective — to target and kill judges to seek to alter a court’s ruling — is an abhorrent form of terrorism and strikes at the core of the United States Constitution and our prescribed system of government,” they wrote.

Roske’s attorneys asked for a prison sentence of eight years. They said she is ashamed and remorseful for frightening Kavanaugh and his family.

“I am very glad I did not continue,” Roske wrote in a letter submitted to the court. “I am also sorry for contributing to a trend of political violence in American politics. I can see now how destructive and misguided such acts are, and am ashamed to have not recognized these things sooner.”

Roske’s lawyers said she was struggling with mental illness and her gender identity. She came out to herself as a transgender woman in 2020 but kept it a secret from her parents. She recently resumed receiving gender-affirming care while imprisoned, according to her attorneys.

Roske was severely depressed and suicidal in May 2022 when Politico published a leaked draft of the Supreme Court’s abortion rights opinion. Roske decided she could “give her life some meaning” by stopping the Supreme Court from overturning Roe v. Wade, her lawyers said.

“Crucially, she stopped short of causing harm to another person,” they wrote. “Her actions resulted in large part from isolation and inadequately treated mental illness. But in her deepest moment of crisis she showed her humanity.”

Prosecutors said Roske’s mental illness isn’t an excuse.

Quote:A visiting professor at Harvard Law School has been placed on administrative leave after allegedly firing a pellet rifle outside a Brookline synagogue on the eve of Yom Kippur.

Carlos Portugal Gouvea, 43, was arrested Wednesday night after police said he fired two shots near Temple Beth Zion on Beacon Street in what he later claimed was “hunting rats,” Brookline.News reported.

Investigators do not believe that Gouvea was targeting the synagogue, but he was charged in Brookline District Court with illegally discharging a pellet gun, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace and malicious damage of personal property, according to court records.

Harvard Law School spokesperson Jeff Neal told The Post that Gouvea “has been placed on administrative leave as the school seeks to learn more about this matter.”

The Harvard Crimson first reported his suspension.

The school has not announced any further disciplinary action. The Post has sought comment from Harvard Law School, Temple Beth Zion and Gouvea.

Police said the incident triggered a large response involving more than a dozen officers as congregants gathered for services marking the start of the holiest day on the Jewish calendar.

Two private security guards working at the synagogue reportedly confronted him after hearing “two loud shots” and spotting him holding a pellet rifle.

When the guards approached, Gouvea allegedly set down the gun before a “brief physical struggle” broke out as they tried to detain him, the outlet reported, citing a police account.

Police said Gouvea then ran into his nearby residence before emerging moments later, where he was handcuffed and arrested. Officers later discovered a shattered car window and a pellet lodged inside the vehicle, according to the police report cited by Brookline.News.

Gouvea was arraigned Thursday and pleaded not guilty to all charges, the court docket shows. He was released on personal recognizance and is due back in court in early November.

Quote:A 69-year-old who was allegedly assaulted by Mark Sanchez in Indianapolis and then stabbed the former Jets quarterback has been pictured bloody and battered in his hospital bed.

Grisly photos show the alleged victim, who reportedly got into an altercation with Sanchez shortly after midnight on Saturday morning, wearing a neck brace and covered in blood, with savage wounds to his cheek and jaw.

“His family says he was cut in the fight and it went through his cheek and hit his tongue,” Fox59 anchor Angela Ganote said, sharing the pictures on social media.

The grease truck driver, identified solely by his initials PT, had reportedly parked his truck in an alley while he was collecting cooking oil from a nearby hotel when Sanchez approached him, according to an affidavit seen by Fox59.

“PT did not have his hearing aids in because his truck is very loud when he is exchanging the frying oil for the hotel, so he had to lean in close to Mr Sanchez to hear him,” the affidavit reads.

“When PT leaned in, he stated that Mr Sanchez smelled of alcohol and his speech was slurred,” the affidavit continues.

Shortly afterward, the 6-foot-2, 230-pound Sanchez, 38, allegedly hurled the driver against a wall before throwing him to the ground, at which point the driver said he stabbed the Fox Sports analyst in self-defense.

Sanchez remains in the hospital in a stable condition, and has been charged with battery resulting in bodily injury, unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle, and public intoxication endangering the life of another, according to the affidavit.

Quote:A former Israeli-American hostage who was freed earlier this year said he was thankful to President Trump for securing the deal that saved his life — as he hopes the latest US proposal will do the same for the friends he was forced to leave behind.

Keith Siegel, 66, said Sunday that he was optimistic that the Trump administration will be able to secure the cease-fire deal to free the remaining 48 hostages being held by Hamas, including the four people he met while being tortured inside the terror group’s tunnel network.

“I am eternally grateful to President Trump for saving my life and returning me to my family,” Siegel told ABC’s “This Week.”

“I am optimistic. I am always optimistic,” he said of the current deal being hashed out between Israel and Hamas. “But until all of my four friends I met in captivity… until they are all released and back home with their families, I still continue my mission to advocate for their release.”

Siegel spent 484 days in captivity until he was freed in February during the short-lived cease-fire deal the Trump administration helped secure.

During the majority of his days as a hostage, Siegel said he would spend his days alone, stuffed inside Hamas’ terror tunnels with “very little food, very little water.”

“I spent time in the tunnels, suffocating 33 feet underground, gasping for breath,” Siegel recalled.

Eventually, Siegel would come to meet twins Gali and Ziv Berman, noting that the brothers had been injured and separated by Hamas.

Siegel also met Matan Angrest, one of the men who tried to protect the American’s home during the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack, as well as Omri Miran, who was featured in a Hamas propaganda video in April.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen them,” Siegel said. “I would have never imagined that I would be free, and all the hostages that I knew are still there in captivity.”

Quote:The Trump administration has federalized hundreds of Illinois National Guard troops and deployed them to Chicago along with additional law enforcement agents as tensions in the city boil over amid an expanded immigration crackdown and violence against federal agents.

Newsweek reached out to the Pentagon for further information and comment by email outside of normal business hours on Saturday evening.

Why It Matters

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker warned on Saturday that the Trump administration would move to federalize hundreds of the state's National Guard troops after the Prairie State previously refused to deploy troops to Chicago.

The move escalates tensions that have simmered between Pritzker, a Democrat, and President Donald Trump over the past month as the president continued to deliberate publicly whether he would deploy troops to Chicago as part of his expansion of mass deportations across the country, with attacks on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on the rise.

The Pentagon set the stage for wider operations in the "Windy City" in early September when it authorized the use of Naval station Great Lakes, a base just outside of Chicago, as a staging ground for operations targeting undocumented immigrants.

And tensions exploded on Saturday after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Saturday morning announced that law enforcement officers had "fired defensive shots" after multiple vehicles had "boxed in" federal agents patrolling Chicago, with the agents opening fire at an "armed US citizen," a woman who drove herself to the hospital to get care for her wounds.

What To Know

In an emailed statement to Newsweek, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson confirmed: “Amidst ongoing violent riots and lawlessness, that local leaders like Pritzker have refused to step in to quell, President Trump has authorized 300 national guardsmen to protect federal officers and assets. President Trump will not turn a blind eye to the lawlessness plaguing American cities.”

Pritzker made clear his opposition to the deployment, which he said Saturday morning was going to happen "in the coming hours."

"The Trump Administration intends to federalize 300 members of the Illinois National Guard," the governor wrote. "They will pull hardworking Americans out of their regular jobs and away from their families all to participate in a manufactured performance -- not a serious effort the protect public safety."

"For Donald Trump, this has never been about safety. This is about control," Pritzker wrote, adding that the demand followed "unprecedented escalations of aggression against Illinois citizens and residents."

Quote:The police chief of the Chicago suburb of Broadview is threatening to tear down the defensive fencing holding back the unruly protesters outside an ICE facility.

Broadview officials and Police Chief Thomas Mills have gone on the attack against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and claimed it is they, rather than the violent protesters surrounding the ICE facility, who are “endangering nearby village residents.”

On Wednesday, Mayor Katrina Thompson, Chief Mills, and Acting Fire Chief Matt Martin held a press conference to blast legal federal law enforcement actions around the Broadview facility.

“The relentless deployment of tear gas, pepper spray and mace at the ICE facility is endangering nearby village residents, harming police officers, harming firefighters and American citizens exercising their First Amendment rights,” Mayor Thompson claimed.

For his part, Chief Mills complained that ICE agents have been short-tempered with Broadview police officers. He also accused ICE of breaking the law by putting up protective fencing around the federal facility, and even threatened to use “heavy machinery” to tear the fence down.

“We are experiencing an immediate public safety crisis,” the anti-ICE chief said. “The deployment of tear gas, pepper spray, mace, and rubber bullets by ICE near the processing center in the village of Broadview is creating a dangerous situation for the community.”

“This is not Putin’s Russia,” Mayor Thompson added. “This is America.”

The city also claimed they are opening “criminal” investigations into ICE. Instead of criticizing the increasingly violent protesters constantly surrounding the facility, Mills claims that ICE officers shot pepper balls at a news reporter, hit protesters with federal vehicles, and caused “criminal damage” to property, and that they are at fault.

Meanwhile, Illinois radical left-wing Democrat Governor JB Pritzker also encouraged the protesters — who are becoming increasingly violent — to continue engaging in obstruction of federal agents.

Meanwhile, ICE and federal law enforcement officials have announced that they have taken more than 800 dangerous criminals off Chicago’s streets since Operation Midway Blitz was launched.

Quote:U.S. Border Patrol agents shot an armed woman in Chicago Saturday after an angry mob tried to attack the law enforcement officers.

The group of agents were conducting their routine patrol near 39th Place and South Kedzie Avenue in the city’s South Side “when they were attacked and rammed by vehicles and boxed in by 10 cars,” the Department of Homeland Security said.

“The officers exited their trapped vehicle, when a suspect tried to run them over, forcing the officers to fire defensively,” according to DHS, which called the incident “an evolving situation” and noted FBI agents were currently on the scene.

The suspect, who is a U.S. citizen, was armed with a semi-automatic weapon, department spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said.

The gun-toting woman was already known to the federal agency for allegedly publicly identifying agents and encouraging people to attack them, according to McLaughlin.

“The armed woman was named in a CBP intelligence bulletin last week for doxing agents and posting online ‘Hey to all my gang let’s f–k those mother f–kers up, don’t let them take anyone,’” McLaughlin wrote on X.

More federal agents were set to be deployed because of the incident, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote on X.

“Today in Chicago, members of our brave law enforcement were attacked—rammed and boxed in by ten vehicles, including an attacker with a semi-automatic weapon.I am deploying more special operations to control the scene. Reinforcements are on their way,” she wrote.

“If you see a law enforcement officer today, thank them,” Noem added.

The armed woman, who was not immediately identified, drove herself to the hospital after the shooting “to get care for her wounds,” McLaughlin added.

A spokesperson for the Chicago Fire Department told the Chicago Sun-Times the woman was later found and taken to a local hospital in stable condition.

The fire department could not immediately be reached for comment.

The time and location of the shooting weren’t immediately clear.

“Thankfully, no law enforcement officers were seriously injured in the attack,” wrote McLaughlin, who then ripped the lefty Illinois governor for failing to help with the fallout of the gunfire.

Quote:An unhinged man who charged a cop with a shovel outside an Anaheim, California, elementary school was gunned down after he continued to swing at the officer despite warning shots, harrowing new bodycam video shows.

An officer responded to a 911 call reporting a suspicious man, possibly on drugs, who was wielding a brick and a shovel about 12:45 p.m. on Sept. 15.

When 36-year-old Rudy Anthony Martinez II saw the cop car across an intersection, he sprinted toward the officer, brandishing his shovel.

In the dashcam footage, the officer — who was not named — shouts “oh s–t” after spotting Martinez.

The officer is barely out of his cruiser before the madman starts swinging the implement.

The officer tries to tell Martinez to stand down, shouting “sit down” and “you’re gonna get shot”, while Martinez continues to slash through the air, walking toward him.

The officer fires two warning shots, but Martinez continues to charge.

That’s when the Anaheim cop opens fire.

“When the officer arrived and encountered the subject, an officer-involved shooting occurred,” said the Anaheim Police Department in a press release.

The shooting happened near the parking lot of John Marshall Elementary School. The school went into lockdown, but police said that no students witnessed the shooting.

Quote:Two people were killed and 12 others wounded in Montgomery Saturday night as two rival groups started indiscriminately spraying bullets at each other in the middle of a crowd in the state capital’s downtown.

Montgomery Police Department Chief James Graboys said at a Sunday afternoon press conference that the shootout “started as a result of an individual who we believe was targeted,” prompting “multiple people in the crowd” to draw their own weapons and start firing.

Seven of the victims are teenagers, and five of those shot are facing life-threatening injuries, authorities said. At least two victims in the shooting were armed. Graboys said “multiple” calibers of ammo were used, and that “multiple weapons” were recovered at the scene.

The victims killed in the shooting were identified as Jeremiah Morris, 17, and 43-year-old Shalanda Williams.

The massacre happened in the city’s busy tourist district downtown just after the football game between Tuskegee University and Morehouse College, two historically black universities in the state. Reed told reporters Sunday that the shooting had no connection to the football game.

The fracas escalated into a running gun battle that saw the perps — whose weapons had “very high-capacity magazines” — firing wildly into a crowd, hitting bystanders.

Graboys said the department had been questioning “multiple” victims, and the “very complex” investigation is underway including a mass assortment of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and ATF.

“This was very much avoidable. The individuals responsible for this carried the weapons into the crowd. They could have walked away from what was happening but they did not,” Graboys said.

“We will pursue every avenue available to us.”

Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed, speaking forcefully at the press conference, said he and the council president contributed cash to bring the reward for tracking down those respoinsible to $50,000,

“Dangerous criminals and people who are this reckless with life don’t deserve to be free and don’t deserve to walk our streets,” he said, even hinting the city would examine revising its bail statutes.

Quote:California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Sunday that his administration will take legal action against President Donald Trump's deployment of 300 California National Guard personnel to Portland, Oregon.

The deployment comes one day after U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut blocked Trump's attempt to federalize Oregon's National Guard, ruling that it violated the U.S. Constitution and federal law prohibiting military enforcement of domestic laws.

Trump has said the troops were needed in Portland to respond to demonstrations taking place at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building.

White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told Newsweek on Sunday: "President Trump exercised his lawful authority to protect federal assets and personnel in Portland following violent riots and attacks on law enforcement. For once, Gavin Newscum should stand on the side of law-abiding citizens instead of violent criminals destroying Portland and cities across the country.”

Why It Matters

The California troops, originally federalized months ago in response to unrest in Los Angeles, are now being redirected to Oregon despite the federal court's Saturday ruling that there was no legal basis for National Guard deployment to Portland.

This latest deployment represents an escalation in the constitutional conflict between the Trump administration and Democratic-led states over the use of military forces for domestic law enforcement.

Immergut, appointed by Trump, emphasized in Saturday's ruling that the case involves "the relationship between the federal government and the states, between the military and domestic law enforcement, and the balance of powers between the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government."

This marks the second time in recent months that federal courts have blocked Trump's National Guard deployments, following a ruling that his deployment of 4,700 Guard soldiers and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles was illegal.

What To Know

Newsom characterized the deployment as "a breathtaking abuse of the law and power" in his Sunday press release, accusing the Trump administration of "unapologetically attacking the rule of law itself." The governor emphasized that the administration is "ignoring court orders and treating judges, even those appointed by the President himself, as political opponents."

"This isn't about public safety, it's about power," Newsom stated, directly challenging the administration's justification for the deployment. "The commander-in-chief is using the U.S. military as a political weapon against American citizens."

The governor's office noted that the 300 California National Guard personnel had been federalized months ago in response to civil unrest in Los Angeles—conditions that, according to Newsom, "never necessitated their deployment in the first place, and have long since subsided anyway." The redeployment of these troops to Oregon, rather than returning them to state control, represents what Newsom calls a circumvention of the federal court's ruling.

The controversy centers on the ICE building in Portland, which has been the site of nightly protests following expanded deportation raids under Trump's immigration policies. However, Immergut found that demonstrations were "small and uneventful" in the days leading up to Trump's deployment order, typically drawing only a couple dozen people in a one-block area of the 145-square-mile city.

The federal court determined that Trump's statements regarding the deployment were not "conceived in good faith" and were "simply untethered to the facts." The judge wrote that accepting the administration's arguments would risk "blurring the line between civil and military federal power — to the detriment of this nation."

Quote:A federal judge in Oregon has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's administration from deploying the National Guard in Portland.

U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut issued the order Saturday in response to a lawsuit brought by the state of Oregon and the city of Portland, ruling that the deployment would violate both the U.S. Constitution and federal law prohibiting military enforcement of domestic laws.

The Defense Department had announced plans to place 200 members of Oregon's National Guard under federal control for 60 days to protect federal property at locations where protests are occurring or are likely to occur.

Trump previously called the city "war-ravaged" and directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to provide troops "to end the radical left reign of terror in Portland once and for all," according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Friday.

White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told Newsweek on Saturday, “President Trump exercised his lawful authority to protect federal assets and personnel in Portland following violent riots and attacks on law enforcement — we expect to be vindicated by a higher court.”

Why It Matters

Judge Immergut emphasized that the case involves "the relationship between the federal government and the states, between the military and domestic law enforcement, and the balance of powers between the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government."

The decision marks the second time in recent months a federal court has blocked Trump's National Guard deployments. Last month, a judge ruled that Trump's deployment of 4,700 National Guard soldiers and Marines in Los Angeles was illegal. The pattern suggests potential legal limits to the president's approach to deploying troops in Democratic-led cities, which also includes Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Memphis.

Trump has also ordered a review of federal aid to Portland, with the White House stating, "we will not fund states that allow anarchy," though no specific funds were identified. The president has repeatedly threatened to withhold federal funding as punishment for political opponents, despite such funding being mandated by Congress.

What To Know

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building in Portland has been the site of nightly protests following expanded deportation raids under Trump's immigration policies.

However, Judge Immergut found that demonstrations were "small and uneventful" in the days and weeks leading up to Trump's order. The protests and occasional clashes with law enforcement have been limited to a one-block area in a city covering approximately 145 square miles with 636,000 residents. Recent protests typically drew a couple dozen people before the deployment announcement.

While presidents generally receive significant deference to federalize National Guard troops when regular law enforcement cannot execute federal laws, Judge Immergut determined this standard was not met in Portland. She wrote that plaintiffs successfully demonstrated the protests were not significantly violent or disruptive, concluding that "the President's determination was simply untethered to the facts."

Oregon filed the lawsuit on September 28 after Governor Tina Kotek failed to convince Trump to cancel the deployment during a 10-minute phone call. The state argues that sending 200 National Guard troops to guard a single building is "not about public safety, it's about the President flexing political muscle under the guise of law and order," according to Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield.

The controversy intensified after conservative journalist Nicholas Sortor was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct during a protest. The White House called the arrest part of a "troubling trend" and said the Justice Department's civil rights division was reviewing whether it constituted "viewpoint discrimination."

The Portland Police Bureau responded that "arrests are based on observed behavior and probable cause — not political affiliation or public profile."

Quote:President Trump on Sunday deployed 300 California National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon defying a federal order blocking the move – as Golden State Gov. Gavin Newsom vowed to sue in response.

“After a federal court blocked his attempt to federalize the Oregon National Guard, Donald Trump is deploying 300 California National Guard personnel into Oregon,” Newson said in a post on X, later calling the order “un-American.”

“They are on their way there now. We are taking this fight back to court. The public cannot stay silent in the face of such reckless and authoritarian conduct by the President of the United States.”

Newsom’s fiery threat comes hours after a federal judge temporarily halted the Trump administration from sending 200 Oregon National Guard troops to the “war ravaged” city that has been under siege by anti-ICE agitators for more than 100 straight days.
Last week, the commander in chief ordered Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to unleash “all necessary troops” to Portland and use “full force” to protect immigration authorities from “domestic terrorists.”

Oregon immediately sued to block the president from deploying the troops.

US District Judge Karin Immergut, a Trump nominee, ruled Saturday that deploying active-duty troops to Portland would not only violate the US Constitution but defy federal law barring military involvement in domestic law enforcement.
She also said that Trump’s order did not reflect the reality of the protests taking place at the immigration processing facility in south Portland.

“Overall, the protests were small and uneventful,” she wrote in her ruling.

“The President’s determination was simply untethered to the facts.”

The temporary restraining order stopping Trump from mobilizing troops expires Oct. 18.

Newsom – who has spent months trolling the president on social media – blasted the rogue move as a blatant power grab.

“His deployment of the California National Guard to Oregon isn’t about crime,” he said in another post on Sunday.

“It’s about power. He is using our military as political pawns to build up his own ego. It’s appalling. It’s un-American. And it must stop.”

The White House did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.

Since June, unruly protests have ravaged Portland, with Antifa mobs in bizarre costumes swarming and vandalizing an ICE detention center and violently clashing with federal agents.

Federal immigration officials said the facility has endured nightly attacks, with agitators hurling bottle rockets and rocks at the building – while local police reportedly providing minimal support or enforcement.

Protesters have also followed ICE staff to their home and doxxed employees, Portland ICE office Director Cammila Wamsley told Fox News this week.

Quote:During a Sunday interview appearance on Fox & Friends Weekend, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem said some federal agents have been targeted amid increasing immigration enforcement throughout the country by having bounties placed on them by "gangs, cartel members and known terrorist organizations."

Newsweek has reached out to the DHS for further comment on Sunday morning.

Why It Matters

These developments arrive amid a major escalation in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Chicago and other cities, raising concerns about overall safety, civil rights, and the broader impact of federal intervention in local jurisdictions.

President Donald Trump has pledged to launch the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history, and thousands of immigrants residing in the country illegally and legally, with valid documentation, including green cards and visas, have been detained.

The allegations of bounties being placed on federal agents' heads mark a new level of threat that Noem said is "unprecedented" and come as state and local officials voice strong opposition regarding federal tactics.

What To Know

Amid ongoing immigration enforcement, Noem described a violent incident in Chicago on Saturday that ended with agents shooting a civilian, saying that a caravan of 10 vehicles followed and cornered federal agents on duty.

"They had followed them [the agents] and gotten them cornered, pinned them down, and then our agents, when getting out of their cars, they tried to run them over, and had semi-automatic handguns on them to where our agents had to protect themselves, and shots were fired, and an individual ended up in the hospital that was attacking these officers," Noem said, adding it was a "very dangerous situation."

"This individual had threatened them previously and had told them that they all needed to go down and shouted expletives at them," Noem said.

The woman who was shot by federal agents was taken in fair condition to Mount Sinai Hospital, Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Merritt told the Chicago Sun-Times Saturday. There have been no updates on the patient's status as of early Sunday morning.

Noem said the incident wasn't isolated but part of a larger, organized targeting of federal agents.

According to Noem, intelligence reports have indicated the attackers were organized and had previously threatened agents.

"We have specific officers and agents that have bounties that have been put out on their heads. It's been $2,000 to kidnap them, $10,000 to kill them," the DHS secretary said. "They've released their pictures. They've sent them between their networks, and it's an extremely dangerous situation and unprecedented."

When asked who was behind the bounties, Noem said that "it was gangs, cartel members and known terrorist organizations, so foreign terrorist organizations as deemed by the president but also ones that we have known for many, many years."

She added: "They are making sure that they know which officers are out there and being extremely effective, and they want to take them down, because they want to try to stop the operations that are going, that are keeping them from making money off their criminal networks."

Over 900 arrests have been made in Illinois as part of "Operation Midway Blitz." Witnesses reported aggressive detentions and expressed fears about indiscriminate arrests, noting that some affected residents are asylum-seekers or legal residents, local news station WLS reported.

Quote:WASHINGTON — Democrats are shamelessly standing by the party’s scandal-scarred Attorney General nominee for Virginia, Jay Jones, after vile texts surfaced of him fantasizing about then-Republican state House Speaker Todd Gilbert being assassinated.

Virginia Beach Dems insist Jones will serve with “integrity and accountability,” and gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger has refused to disavow him — despite sickening text messages where Jones fantasized about Gilbert getting “two bullets to the head” and called his young children “little fascists.”

“Recent press may have spotlighted past mistakes,” Virginia Beach Democrats declared in a statement. “We say, let those without sin cast the first stone.”

“Jay Jones has taken responsibility, apologized, and shown he is committed to serving with integrity and accountability that his public record already shows. Virginians deserve a leader who learns, grows, and stands for everyday people—and Jay is that leader.”

Jones has been in a nail-biter race against conservative incumbent AG Jason Miyares, according to most polling.

On Friday, the National Review published a bombshell story about a multitude of disturbing messages Jones sent back in 2022

“Three people, two bullets,” one of the vile texts sent at 8 a.m. on Aug. 8, 2022, subsequently obtained by The Post, read. “Gilbert, hitler, and pol pot.”

“Gilbert gets two bullets to the head,” Jones continued, “Spoiler: put Gilbert in the crew with the two worst people you know and he receives both bullets every time.”

The texts, first reported by National Review on Friday, were sent by Jones at around 8 a.m., on Aug. 8, 2022, to Republican House Delegate Carrie Coyner, who was clearly troubled by the messages.

Republican House Delegate Carrie Coyner, who was on the receiving end of those messages, wrote back, “Jay. Please stop.”

Jones was previously a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, having served from 2018 through January 2022.

“It really bothers me when you talk about hurting people or wishing death on them,” she continued.

Jones had begun the text exchange, whining about the “glowing tributes” from Republicans that centrist Democrat Joe Johnson Jr. — a former state legislator who died days earlier — was receiving.

Quote:A woman was fatally shot and a man was shot and wounded in two separate shootings at South Carolina State University on Saturday.

Live 5 News reported the shootings occurred “during the university’s annual Homecoming celebration several hours after the football game.”

The gunfire reportedly came from Hugine Suites, a residence hall which is located on the South Carolina State University campus.

The campus was locked down for an unknown amount of time following the shootings. FOX News noted that all of Sunday’s homecoming events have been cancelled in light of the violence.

Sen. Tim Scott ® used an X post to comment on the incident, saying, “My office is closely monitoring the situation at South Carolina State University.”

He added, “Praying for everyone’s safety on campus.”

Quote:A New Jersey man was arrested after allegedly toting a Molotov cocktail outside a Washington, DC Catholic church that was hosting a special mass to celebrate the start of the Supreme Court term, according to authorities.

Louis Geri, of Vineland, New Jersey, was cuffed on the steps of the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle shortly before 6 a.m. Sunday after setting up a tent full of “suspicious” items and refusing to leave, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.

Geri, 41, had already been banned from the Cathedral premises, officers learned, though the reason for his barring was not specified.

After cops noticed “multiple suspicious items,” including vials of liquid and possible fireworks, inside his tent, the MPD’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal team and the Arson Task Force arrived to search his belongings, police said.

Geri was arrested and charged with Unlawful Entry, Threats to Kidnap or Injure a Person, and Possession of a Molotov Cocktail, according to authorities.

St. Matthew’s was celebrating its Red Mass, an annual celebration on the Sunday before the first Monday in October to mark the opening of the Supreme Court’s term.
...
The area was secured, and the front entrance of the cathedral remained closed as the scene was processed, police said.

Geri’s motive remains unclear.

The incident will be investigated by members of the Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Washington Field Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Honestly, I'd claim that such a probe on Trump might have flipped more votes in Trump's favor than anything the Biden's DOJ could have ever suspected to find in Mar-a-Lago.

Quote:Pigs to the slaughter.

An estimated 13,000 swine were horrifically burned to death on a farm in Ukraine, after a Russian drone strike overnight ignited a massive fire that tore through the pen, the country’s emergency service reported.

Graphic photos released show the pig carcasses charred and mutilated at the farm in Novovodolazka, a community in the Kharkiv region, near the eastern border with neighboring Russia.

“The destruction is catastrophic,” Oleksandr Kolisnyk, the farm’s director, told Ukraine’s public broadcaster, adding as many as two dozen Russian drones pounded the farm.

“They purposefully beat right at the pigsty,” he said. “For four hours with an interval of 20-40 minutes, they banged on the sheds.”

Eight pig sheds were destroyed in the widespread blaze, which also injured one worker, authorities said.

“It’s very scary, it can’t be expressed in words,” added Dmytro Yaroshenko, one of the farm’s workers. “A lot has been destroyed.”

Only 2,000 of the farm’s 15,000 pigs survived, with farmers unable to enter the burning sheds and trying to save the swine wherever they could.

“There is no justification for this,” Ukraine’s foreign ministry blasted on X. “Russia continues to target civilian infrastructure, including peaceful farms.”

Some 32 firefighters were called to battle the blaze, with Kharkiv Gov. Oleh Synehubov calling the removal of the pig carcasses “a complex process” on Saturday.

Since the start of Russia’s invasion on Ukraine, more than 6 million animals are estimated to have been killed in the war, according to animal rights organization UAnimals.

Quote:At least 30 civilians were injured and one person killed in a “savage” Russian drone strike on a Ukrainian railway station Saturday — as Moscow escalates attacks on the country’s rail and power grids ahead of the winter.

The body of a 71-year-old man was found in one of the carriages, according to regional prosecutors, after he died in the double-tap strike.

Moscow struck two passenger trains in quick succession in Shostka, a city northeast of Kyiv in the Sumy region, about 40 miles from the Russian border.

“The Russians could not have been unaware that they were striking civilians. And this is terror the world must not ignore,” blasted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on X.

“Every day Russia takes people’s lives. And only strength can make them stop.”

Footage of the aftermath showed charred passenger locomotives that were still in flames, with plumes of black smoke rising into the air.

Three children were among the dozens injured.

Russian strongman Vladimir Putin recently stepped up strikes on Ukraine’s railway network — which the war-torn country uses for military transport — hitting its infrastructure almost daily over the past two months.

And the tyrant has also ramped up attacks on its power grid, in what Kyiv has called an attempt to weaponize the approaching winter, in an attempt to leave its citizens in the dark and cold.

Overnight Friday, Russia pounded Ukraine’s power grid, for the second day in a row.

Drones ignited fires that sparked blackouts for 50,000 households close to the Russian border, according to utility supplier Chernihivoblenergo.

In response, the G7 held an emergency meeting Saturday, Ukraine’s Energy Ministry reported.

Representatives from more than 100 nations and international organizations were present, including the US and the EU.

“It’s an obvious attempt to deprive Ukrainians of light and heat in the autumn-winter period. The Russians did not give up the intentions of plunging Ukraine into darkness on the eve of the new heating season,” said Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Energy Roman Andarak.

Quote:At least five people were killed as Russia launched air strikes in western Ukraine early Sunday, raining missiles and drones on the Lviv region near the Polish border — forcing the NATO country to scramble jets to lock down its skies.

Lviv — only 43 miles from Poland — was pounded for hours overnight by missiles and Russian drones as air defenses fired furiously in all directions to fend off the attack, Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said five people died and at least 10 others were injured in the attack. He estimated that Russia launched more than 50 missiles and 500 drones.

“Today, the Russians once again targeted our infrastructure – everything that ensures normal life for our people,” Zelensky said. “We need more protection and faster implementation of all defense agreements, especially on air defense, to deprive this aerial terror of any meaning.

“A unilateral ceasefire in the skies is possible – and it is precisely that which could open the way to real diplomacy. America and Europe must act to make Putin stop,” Zelensky said.

A witness told The Post the latest strike is “definitely the worst hit in Lviv since the beginning of the war.”

“We’ve been under a massive attack for about 4 hours now, and it still continues,” the Lviv source said.

“Drones, and two types of cruise missiles have been uses. Countless explosions were heard throughout these 4 hours and it continues even now. Black smoke and a putrid odor covers the city, as air defense is still active and the buzz of drones are heard even this moment.”

Polish officials said they ramped up air patrols after suspected Russian drones were recently spotted over several NATO countries.

“Polish and allied aircraft are operation in our airspace, while ground-based air defence and radar reconnaissance systems have been brought to the highest state of readiness,” Poland’s operational command said in a post on X early Sunday.

“These actions are preventive in nature and are aimed at securing the airspace and protecting citizens, especially in areas adjacent to the threatened region.”

Quote:Syria’s government has asked factions within the military to prepare for operations against the Syrian Democratic Forces, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on 29 September.

According to SOHR, Turkish-aligned factions in the Syrian army were asked to “prepare for operations” against the SDF in Deir Hafer and the Tishreen Dam area.

SOHR added that officials in Damascus have requested that a campaign against the SDF not take more than a week.

The operation would aim to pressure the Kurdish group into accepting the agreement signed with Damascus in March this year.

Recent days have seen a significant buildup of both Syrian army forces and SDF troops in eastern Aleppo.

On Monday, SOHR reported escalating clashes in eastern Aleppo. More than 10 artillery shells struck areas around the Tishreen Dam following exchanges between the SDF and Turkish-backed Syrian factions.

Earlier in the day, SOHR sources confirmed that orders were issued to deploy “show-of-force” units with heavy vehicles, tanks, and artillery to the Deir Hafer frontline in anticipation of possible SDF operations.

There are also reports that the SDF has stationed kamikaze drones, rocket launchers, and long-range artillery near the local sugar factory.

Military reinforcements from Turkiye also arrived at Kuweires Airport, while the Aleppo–Raqqa Road in Deir Hafer remained closed for a third consecutive day. Additional forces from both the SDF and Turkish-backed Syrian units have gathered around the Tishreen Dam, heightening concerns over an escalation.

SOHR added that an SDF drone strike destroyed two positions of Turkish-backed Syrian factions in Qashla village on Sunday.

There has been tension between the SDF and the government over a deal signed in March calling for the Kurdish group’s integration into Damascus’s forces.

The two sides disagree about the deal’s implementation, particularly the SDF’s wish to remain under Kurdish command and enter the army as a bloc rather than dissolve and conscript.

Skirmishes between the SDF and the Syrian army have broken out several times since last month.

Ankara’s proxy, the Syrian National Army (SNA) coalition, was incorporated into Syria’s military after the fall of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad’s government last year. These Turkish-backed forces have been at odds with the SDF for years and are responsible for war crimes against Kurdish civilians in northern Syria.

The SDF is made up predominantly of People’s Protection Units (YPG) forces. The YPG is the Syrian branch of Turkiye’s enemy, the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

The Turkish army, which occupies Syria and has operated against the SDF in the past, may be gearing up for a new campaign, self-appointed Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa said earlier this month.

Turkiye “may act militarily if full integration is not achieved by December,” Sharaa warned.

In late May, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned the SDF to “quit stalling” and integrate with the Syrian army.

Turkiye is currently training Syria’s new extremist-dominated military.

The National reported on 17 August that Damascus is assembling a force of 50,000 to capture Deir Ezzor and Raqqa from the SDF.

Quote:Exiled Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad was hospitalized recently after being poisoned while hiding out in Russia, according to a human rights watchdog.

al-Assad, a longtime ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was rushed to an emergency room on Sept. 20 in critical condition, but was released nine days later after receiving medical care, The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights first reported Thursday.

He was poisoned while at home in a villa near Moscow that the report claims is heavily guarded by Russian authorities.

His movements are restricted, but al-Assad has had many visitors to the villa.

“Whether the poisoning was a result of confusion or more, no one knows,” reads the report. “When Bashar al-Assad was admitted to the hospital, he was admitted in an emergency room and in critical condition in intensive care in a private hospital in or near the Moscow suburbs.

“Only the party that carried out the operation knows whether it was to kill Bashar al-Assad or to embarrass the Russian government,” the report adds.

Sources claim the Russia government had nothing to do with the poisoning, according to the report, which suggested “it may have been intended to implicate the Russian government,” and to show “that President Putin is incapable of protecting him.”

Russian officials remain mum on the matter.

al-Assad was ousted from power last December, after an Islamist rebel group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, toppled his regime.

Amid the rebel assault, al-Assad assured his military that help was inbound from the Kremlin.

Not even 24 hours later, he fled Damascus with his wife and three children on a plane to Moscow.

Quote:The jihadist “interim” government of Syria sent a delegation to Moscow on Thursday for talks to facilitate better communication with the defense ministries of both countries, reports claimed – a challenge following Russia’s decades-long support of former dictator Bashar Assad, who the current government deposed.

President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a jihadist formerly known as “Abu Mohammed al-Jolani” who ran the al-Qaeda offshoot Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has attempted to rebrand since the demise of the Assad regime as a pragmatist primarily concerned with attracting foreign investment for post-war reconstruction in Syria. These efforts have included multiple friendly meetings with American President Donald Trump and a bizarre public appearance last month alongside retired Gen. David Petraeus, who awkwardly noted that Sharaa was once his prisoner as the head of U.S. forces in Iraq.

Sharaa has nonetheless maintained a distance from Russia and endeavored to bring Syria closer to the government of Ukraine, which has been attempted to fight off a full-scale Russian invasion for three years. Complicating matters is Russia’s ongoing military presence in the country, including at least two bases, which Moscow has expressed interest in maintaining despite the fall of ally Assad.

The Turkish newspaper Hurriyet reported on Thursday that the Syrian delegation on Moscow “was led by Chief of the General Staff of the Syrian transitional government’s armed forces, Major General Ali Al-Naasan” and focused on facilitating communication. The military leaders’ visit precedes a planned visit to Moscow by Sharaa himself later in October.

“This visit is part of efforts to enhance coordination mechanisms between the defense ministries of both countries,” the Russian government stated.

Some reports indicated that the Sharaa government has attempted to explain the meeting as a routine visit to elevate Syria’s diplomat status abroad, but has faced pushback at home given Russia’s poor reputation in Syria. The local affairs outlet Syrian Observer reported that Damascus has continued to engage Russia given the country’s presence at two major military sites, “the Hmeimim airbase and the Tartous naval facility” and the two sides are believed to be engaged in discussions on what to do with those sites. The government itself has not offered specifics on the nature of the talks this week, however.

Quote:Christians in the Syrian provinces of Hama and Homs called a general strike, blocked roads, set fire to a security checkpoint, and marched to demand justice after two of their number were murdered and a third was injured by masked gunmen wearing the uniforms of the General Security Service, the national police force of the central government controlled by President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

The attack occurred on Wednesday evening in the village of Anaz, located in a region of Homs known as Wadi al-Nasara, or the “Valley of Christians.” According to eyewitnesses, four masked men wearing government security uniforms rode up to the village mayor’s home and opened fire on a group of young men gathered outside, downing three victims with a hail of at least 30 bullets.

The gunshot victims were identified as three Christians named George Mansour, Shafiq Rafiq Mansour, and Pierre Hreikos. Cousins George and Shafiq Mansour were killed instantly, while Hreikos was taken to the hospital with critical injuries. Early reports said he had died of his wounds, while an update on Thursday evening said he was still alive. Several other injuries were reported from the shooting.

News of the attack spread like wildfire among Christians who have been fearful of persecution ever since Sharaa, a former leader in the al-Qaeda terrorist organization, and his alliance of jihadi groups overthrew Syrian dictator Bashar Assad in December.

Sharaa has promised to deliver an inclusive, but still Islamist, government that will respect the rights of Syria’s many ethnic and religious groups. He has won support from international leaders hoping to rebuild Syria and end the massive humanitarian crisis caused by its bloody 14-year-long civil war, including President Donald Trump.

There have been incidents of mass violence against minorities in Syria since Sharaa took power, including attacks on the Alawite Muslims, an offbeat sect of Shia Islam that counted the Assad dynasty as members, plus the Druze living near the border with Israel, and Syrian Christians.

In every case, the attackers included jihadis allied with Sharaa’s organization, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Eyewitnesses frequently reported the attackers were wearing uniforms or insignia of the new Syrian central government’s security services, as was the case in Anaz. Troops from the central government openly assisted Bedouin Muslims with killing the Druze in July, prompting Israel to intervene with strikes on Syrian military convoys and headquarters buildings.

Sharaa and his officials have responded to these allegations by either claiming the killers were rogue members of the HTS alliance, or blaming the victims for initiating violent encounters. Sharaa promised to investigate the worst reports of violence against the Druze, for example, but also claimed Druze “outlaws” were working with Israel to destabilize his government.

The Syrian government’s head of security for Homs province, Brig. Gen. Murhaf al-Nusan, denounced the Anaz shooting and described the masked gunmen as criminals seeking to exacerbate tensions in the region. He urged residents of the province to “remain calm and avoid being drawn into rumors or provocations.”

“We condemn this heinous crime in the strongest terms and categorically reject all forms of violence that threaten the safety and stability of society. The aim of this criminal act is to destabilise security, spread fear in the region, and attempt to influence the parliamentary election process,” he said.

Syria is scheduled to hold parliamentary elections on October 5, although they will not quite be a triumph of democracy and representative government.

Quote:President Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu he had no choice but to accept his cease-fire proposal, Israeli television’s Channel 12 reported Saturday.

“Netanyahu had reservations but I told him that this is his opportunity for victory,” Trump told reporter Barak Ravid in a phone call Saturday. “He accepted it. There is no other choice, with me you have to be okay.”

“Bibi went too far in Gaza and Israel lost a lot of support in the world,” Trump added. “Now I will bring back all that support.”

Trump spoke with Netanyahu by phone Friday, according to Channel 12.

The Saturday report comes a day after Hamas accepted certain key parts of Trump’s plan, including the release of Israeli hostages and ending the war in Gaza.

Quote:President Trump expressed wariness Sunday about whether Hamas truly wanted lasting peace and warned the terror group they would face “complete obliteration” if they refused to cede control of Gaza — as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted all hostages will be freed in the “coming days.”

As Israeli and Hamas negotiators hash out Trump’s 20-point cease-fire deal, the president said the terrorists must adhere to all the demands listed, including calls to disarm and abandon power over the Gaza Strip, which the group has ruled for nearly 20 years.

If Hamas fails to comply, it would result in their “complete obliteration,” Trump texted CNN’s Jake Tapper.

On Friday, Hamas agreed to release all Israeli hostages — both dead and alive — but it would not commit to disarmament or relinquishing power in Gaza to an international force.

When pressed by Tapper on whether Hamas was truly behind the cease-fire deal, the president said, “We will find out. Only time will tell!”

However, Trump noted that Netanyahu was fully on board with his vision for peace, with the prime minister allegedly agreeing to end Israel’s bombing campaign in Gaza to support Trump.

Trump’s plan calls for an immediate cease-fire, an exchange of all the 48 hostages, a staged withdrawal of the Israeli army from Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas, and the creation of a transitional government spearheaded by an international body.

“After negotiations, Israel has agreed to the initial withdrawal line, which we have shown to, and shared with, Hamas,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“When Hamas confirms, the Ceasefire will be IMMEDIATELY effective, the Hostages and Prisoner Exchange will begin, and we will create the conditions for the next phase of withdrawal, which will bring us close to the end of this 3,000 YEAR CATASTROPHE,” he added.

Trump also told reporters on Sunday that the outcome of the ongoing negotiations will be revealed in the next “couple of days,” adding that there might be some changes.

“We don’t need flexibility, because everyone has pretty much agreed to it, but there’ll always be some changes,” he said.

Meanwhile, in a televised address to the nation, Netanyahu vowed that the hostages would be freed during Jewish holiday of Sukkot, which lasts from Monday to Oct. 13.

During his first public response to Trump’s deal on Saturday, Netanyahu also hailed it as a complete victory for Israel while claiming it would not have been accomplished without the nearly two years of war in Gaza.

Quote:LONDON, Oct 4 (Reuters) – London police arrested dozens of protesters for supporting a banned pro-Palestinian group at a demonstration on Saturday which went ahead despite requests to call it off after a deadly attack at a synagogue in Manchester.

Two people were killed in the attack in the northwestern English city on Thursday and police shot dead the assailant, a British man of Syrian descent who counter-terrorism police said may have been inspired by extremist Islamist ideology.

Organizers refused requests by the police and government to call off Saturday’s demonstration, which had been announced before the attack, to protest against the banning of pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action under anti-terrorism laws.
STARMER CALLS FOR CALM

Calling for calm on X on Saturday morning, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “I urge anyone thinking about protesting this weekend to recognize and respect the grief of British Jews.”

“This is a moment of mourning. It is not a time to stoke tension and cause further pain. It is a time to stand together,” he said.

Police arrested protesters in Trafalgar Square in central London as they wrote slogans on placards declaring support for Palestine Action, which was proscribed in July after members broke into an airbase and damaged military planes.

Hundreds gathered for the protest, applauding and cheering those arrested as they were carried through the crowd by police without resisting. Onlookers chanted “shame on you” at officers.

“I’m disgusted by the police actually, they shouldn’t be arresting non-violent protesters here,” said protester Angie Zelter. “We have a right to protest and Palestine Action is not a violent organization, should never have been proscribed in the first place.”

Six people were arrested separately after unfurling a Palestine Action banner on Westminster Bridge outside parliament.

SERIES OF PROTESTS

The demonstration is the latest in a series of protests, during which hundreds have been arrested for defying the ban which makes it an offense to show support for Palestine Action.

Quote:Members of a pro-Palestine protest in Rome reportedly defaced a statue honouring the late Pope John Paul II with graffiti that described him as a “fascist”.

The statue of Pope John Paul II in the Piazza Cinquecento outside of Rome’s Termini railway station was spray-painted with the communist hammer and sickle symbol and the words “fascist shit”. Meanwhile, a keffiyeh headdress was wrapped around the statue’s neck.

The act of vandalism was discovered on September 26th by the Carabinieri national gendarmerie following a pro-Palestine demonstration in the Italian capital, La Repubblica reported on Saturday.

Responding to the incident, Deputy Italian PM Matteo Salvini remarked, “Desperately seeking a brain for these poor imbeciles.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the anti-Israel vandals, saying: “They say they’re taking to the streets for peace, but then they insult the memory of a man who was a true defender and builder of peace.”

“An unworthy act committed by people blinded by ideology, demonstrating total ignorance of history and its protagonists.”

Indeed, rather than being a “fascist”, Pope John Paul II was a Polish survivor of the Nazi occupation of his country as a younger man and had personally saved a Jewish woman during the Holocaust.

He further survived the Soviet occupation of Poland and became a leading voice against communist authoritarianism in Central and Eastern Europe through his spiritual leadership.

The disclosure of the vandalism came as hundreds of thousands protested again across Italy over the weekend.

At the pro-Palestine demonstration in Rome, 11 people were arrested, and a further 262 have been identified as being involved with clashes with police, Il Sole 24 Ore reported.

The paper reported that hundreds of hooded protesters set fires and clashed with police in the evening, resulting in 35 officers being injured and prompting the force to deploy water cannons against the mob.

Prime Minister Meloni said of the violent scenes: “A heartfelt thank you to the Law Enforcement Agencies for the extraordinary work carried out in these complex days, despite having had to face attacks, objects thrown at them, and organised attempts at confrontation.

“I stand with all the agents who were injured: their professionalism and courage represent an indispensable safeguard for the security of our Nation.”

Quote:VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) – Up to 25 small hot-air balloons, some of them confirmed to be carrying smuggled cigarettes, entered Lithuanian airspace late Saturday and forced the shutdown of Vilnius Airport, delaying flights for hours, authorities said.

The balloons interfered with 30 flights, impacting some 6,000 passengers, according to Lithuania’s National Crisis Management Center. Flights resumed at 4:50 a.m. (0150 GMT) Sunday.

While the balloons turned out to be ferrying cigarettes, Europe is on high alert after intrusions into NATO’s airspace reached an unprecedented scale last month. Some European officials described the incidents as Moscow testing NATO´s response, which raised questions about how prepared the alliance is against Russia.

Lithuania and the rest of the Baltics are especially concerned. On July 10, a drone identified as a Russian-made Gerbera flew into Lithuania from Belarus and crashed in Vilnius County.

Another crashed at a military training ground on July 28 and was found a week later. The military later said it was carrying an explosive device. After those incidents, the parliament voted to allow the armed forces to shoot down any unmanned drone violating its airspace.

Two of the balloons flew above Vilnius Airport, according to spokesperson Darius Buta. More than two dozen reached the wider Vilnius County. The balloons were recorded flying between roughly 8:45 p.m. Saturday and 4:30 a.m. Sunday.

Border police recovered 11 balloons and some 18,000 packs of smuggled cigarettes in various locations, Buta told The Associated Press.

Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital, is located some 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of the border with Russian ally Belarus. Belarusian smugglers are increasingly using the balloons, which are much cheaper than drones, for smuggling cigarettes into the European Union, Buta said.

Similar incidents, but with fewer balloons, were reported in August. Last year, 966 hot-air balloons entering from Belarus were intercepted by Lithuanian authorities. There have been 544 recorded this year.

“Both smuggling balloons and drones are criminal activities, but not as provocations or acts of sabotage,” Buta said.

Quote:Joan B. Kennedy, the former wife of the late Senator Ted Kennedy, has died at age 89.

The Context

Joan Kennedy was married to the Massachusetts Democratic senator from 1958 through 1982 and was known as the last surviving Camelot Kennedy. Her public discussion of her mental health struggles drew attention to issues of mental health and addiction.

What to Know

Joan Kennedy was born in September 1936 to a family living in the New York City suburb of Bronxville. She  went on to study at Manhattanville College and Lesley University and was known as a pianist who would often open her husband’s campaign rallies with her music, reported the Associated Press.

The couple met in 1957 at a dedication ceremony for Kathleen Kennedy, who had died in a plane crash, and they got married just about a year later in November 1958.

Two years later, in 1960, her brother-in-law, John F. Kennedy, would be elected president, and Ted would be elected to the Senate in 1962.
Their lives would be upended in 1963, when President Kennedy was assassinated in Texas.

Senator Kennedy faced a scandal during his time in office in 1969, when a car he was driving crashed off a bridge on Chappaquiddick Island in Massachusetts. A female passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne, was killed, and Kennedy was charged with leaving the scene of an accident. Joan Kennedy suffered a miscarriage shortly after the incident, the AP reported.

She stood by her husband despite the scandal, but had been separated by 1980, when Senator Kennedy sought to challenge incumbent President Jimmy Carter for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination.

The couple ultimately divorced in 1983. She faced difficult times in the decades that followed, including arrests for drinking and driving and stays in alcohol treatment programs, according to the AP. She would speak candidly about her challenges, bringing attention to issues of alcoholism. She was hospitalized in 2005 after being found passed out on a Boston sidewalk, and her son Ted Jr. obtained legal guardianship over her care.

The New York Times noted in its obituary that she was seen as a “survivor” and that those close to her rejected terms like “fragile” to describe her.

Quote:WASHINGTON — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed Wednesday that the Antifa movement is “just as sophisticated” as Hamas, ISIS and MS-13 — as the Trump administration threatened to launch a crackdown on the far-left street fighters.

“This network of Antifa is just as sophisticated as MS-13, as TDA [Tren de Aragua], as ISIS, as Hezbollah, as Hamas, as all of them,” Noem said at an Antifa-focused White House roundtable chaired by President Trump.

“They are just as dangerous. They have an agenda to destroy us, just like the other terrorists we’ve dealt with.”

Noem made the claim after visiting Portland, Ore., earlier this week, where she observed from a rooftop a group of anti-ICE protesters, including a demonstrator in a large chicken costume.

Trump declared Antifa, a portmanteau of “anti-fascist,” a “domestic terrorist organization” on Sept. 22 and hosted administration officials and conservative journalists at the White House to discuss how to combat the movement, whose adherents often clash with law enforcement and right-wing counterprotesters.

Attorney General Pam Bondi pledged to “destroy” Antifa — describing it as a criminal organization rather than a decentralized network.

“Fighting crime is more than just getting the bad guy off the streets. It’s breaking down the organization brick by brick, just like we did with cartels,” she said.

“We’re going to take the same approach, President Trump, with Antifa — destroy the entire organization from top to bottom,” Bondi added.

“We’re going to take them apart. Thanks to your bold leadership and the designation of Antifa as a terrorist organization, which is exactly what they are. Americans will no longer tolerate their unhinged violence,” the AG told the president.

Bondi did not identify purported organizational leaders whom she intends to target. Although there are some organized Antifa chapters, other panelists described autonomous groups operating in cities around the country.

Quote:International and domestic visitors in Washington, D.C., have shared with Newsweek their disappointment with the city feeling like a "ghost town" after they traveled to the nation's capital, hoping to explore.

"I just got here last night for a conference, so I'm just arriving and realizing I'm not going to be able to see anything," Sheila Soule, a visitor from Vermont, told Newsweek. "It's disappointing."

Why It Matters

As members of Congress have failed to reach an agreement to keep the federal government open, several notable D.C. attractions have been shuttered due to funding and staffing issues.

The shutdown has now extended for longer than a week, disrupting the lives of millions of federal workers. Health care subsidies have been the primary sticking point as the Trump administration and Democratic leaders in Congress have not been able to come up with a solution.

What To Know

Several popular museums, such as the National Gallery of Art, National Archives Museum, and The National Museum of the United States Army have closed due to a lack of funding.

Other attractions, like the Washington Monument, the United States Capitol Visitors Center and the U.S. National Arboretum, are also currently closed.

A North Carolina mother, who said she was meeting family traveling from the West Coast, explained to Newsweek that her relatives saved money to make the trip to the nation's capital and now they're left with a tough pill to swallow.

"Sorry you're not going to get to see the Declaration of Independence," she said.

Jen Wagner, a tourist from Pennsylvania, said, "I'm really frustrated, I don't see there's any reason for it. I mean the demolition of the core values of our society, it's devastating, it's sad."

Others traveled from outside the country, visiting from thousands of miles away and also expressed disappointment and frustration.

"It's a bit unfortunate," a traveler from Bangalore, India, told Newsweek, "I'll try to explore whatever is possible for me."

A South Korean tourist shared with Newsweek that she's upset by the closures, "I've been excited to visit a lot of museums in Washington, D.C."

For now, the Smithsonian museums remain open, but if the shutdown continues through Saturday, they will also close their doors. The National Zoo would also close during an extended shutdown.

The question remains whether travelers will start writing the capital off as a destination given the uncertainty of dealing with shuttered museums and popular attractions.

Destination DC, the official destination marketing organization for the nation's capital, has a full list of places that are still open for those who might remain interested in visiting a "ghost town."

What Happens Next
Only time will tell what sort of impact the shutdown will have on the tourism industry for the nation's capital.

Washington, D.C., set a record in 2024 by welcoming a whopping 27.2 million visitors, according to data provided by Destination DC.

Quote:Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has a simple message to air traffic controllers as the government shutdown wreaks havoc on travel across the United States.

“I’m encouraging air traffic controllers to show up for work,” Duffy said on Wednesday during an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper.

Several major airports are experiencing staffing shortages as the shutdown leaves air traffic controllers putting in unpaid hours – leading to an uptick in workers calling out sick.

However, Duffy stressed the importance of air traffic controllers manning their posts.

“They need to go to their jobs,” he told Tapper.  “They need to control the airspace.”

Duffy acknowledged that air traffic controllers could express some “rebellious” behavior over the current situation, but said they would be paid once the shutdown ends.

He also acknowledged the heightened stress they face.

“They are stressed out. They are wondering, how do they put food on the table? How do they pay their mortgages if their paycheck doesn’t come through?” Duffy said.

He also revealed the grave statistics of the spike in staffing-related flight delays in an interview with Fox News’ Will Cain.

“Historically, there’s about 5% of delays attributed to staffing issues in our towers,” Duffy said Wednesday.

“The last couple days, it’s been 53%.”

The Transportation Secretary doubled down on his call-out to airport staffers playing hooky to get back to work, while acknowledging their frustrations.

“They’re working six days a week. They’re keeping America operational, and they’re not guaranteed a paycheck. They’re frustrated by it, and so not coming into work,” he told Cain.

Federal employees considered essential are required to work through the government shutdown, but most will not be paid, including airport workers like TSA staff and air traffic controllers.

Quote:WASHINGTON — House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) rejected voting on a standalone bill to fund US military members’ salaries Wednesday, as the federal government shutdown entered its second week.

Johnson pointed out during a press conference that the seven-week stopgap funding measure passed by the House on Sept. 19 would have fully funded troops’ pay.

“We already had that vote,” the House speaker said. “Every Republican and at least one Democrat had the common sense to say, ‘Of course, we want the government to stay in operation. Of course, we want to pay our troops and our air traffic controllers and our Border Patrol agents, TSA, and everybody else.’”

Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) was the only member of his party to break ranks and vote for full funding of the government until Nov. 21.

“House Democrats … are clamoring to get back here and have another vote because some of them want to get on record and say they’re for paying the troops,” Johnson also suggested Wednesday.

Last month, Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) proposed legislation guarenteeing service members would not be left short of money if the government shut down any time before the beginning of 2027.

“The President has made it clear: we must pay our troops,” Kiggans, whose district includes a sizable military population centered around Naval Station Norfolk, said in a statement on X.

“I’m urging the Speaker and our House leadership to immediately pass my bill to ensure our servicemembers, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck while supporting their families, receive the pay they’ve earned.”

The next check for military members is scheduled to be sent Oct. 15, but the money will be delayed if the government isn’t reopened by then.

“They made that decision. The House is done. The ball is now in the Senate’s court. … It does us no good to be here dithering on show votes,” Johnson said.

Quote:WASHINGTON — They’ve gone from government shutdown to shout down.

Hudson Valley Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) got into an epic war of words with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) over his role in causing the partial government shutdown after catching him at the end of a Wednesday press conference.

Lawler had walked up to and called out Jeffries for not engaging in bipartisan negotiations with him to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits.

“Did your boss, Donald Trump, give you permission?” a smirking Jeffries snapped back as Lawler began confronting him in front of a group of reporters.

The Hudson Valley rep, who held up a copy of legislation to extend the ACA credits, denied that President Trump is his boss and recounted how Jeffries has repeatedly voted for spending patches in the past to avert government shutdowns.

“You’re making a show of this to make yourself relevant,” the Brooklyn Democrat sniped. “You’re embarrassing yourself right now.”

“It’s sad, you could sign onto this right now,” Lawler countered. “You have four Democrats on here. Why won’t you sign on?”

Democrats have repeatedly blocked a GOP-backed continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government funded through Nov. 21.

They’ve demanded that the GOP reverse Medicaid reform and extend the enhanced Obamacare subsidies that are set to expire by the end of the year, in exchange for breaking the Senate filibuster and allowing the CR to reopen the government.

Quote:WASHINGTON — Thousands of IRS employees will be furloughed as the partial government shutdown drags on, the tax-collecting agency notified employees on Wednesday.

The updated IRS Lapsed Appropriations Contingency Plan calls for 39,870 IRS employees, or 53.6% of staff, to be retained as the shutdown enters its second week.

Those who work through the shutdown will be paid with “non-expiring funds.”

Of the nearly 40,000 staffers being kept on, 24,470, work in the IRS’s Taxpayer Services division. 

The agency’s initial contingency plan called for all employees to remain on the job for at least the first five business days of the shutdown, but did not specify what would happen should the funding lapse last beyond Oct. 7.

The furloughs are being implemented a week before the Oct. 15 deadline to file 2024 federal tax returns for Americans who were granted an extension.

The National Treasury Employees Union, a labor group that represents tens of thousands of IRS employees, said the public should expect processing delays because of the furloughs. 

“Due to the government shutdown the American people lost access to many vital services provided by the IRS when the agency furloughed thousands of employees,” National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) said in a statement. “Expect increased wait times, backlogs and delays implementing tax law changes as the shutdown continues.”

“Taxpayers around the country will now have a much harder time getting the assistance they need, just as they get ready to file their extension returns due next week.”

The group criticized the “complete lack of planning” from the IRS that left tens of thousands of employees “in the dark about their work status until their supervisor informed them today.”

Quote:The State Department said Wednesday that it has fired a US diplomat over a romantic relationship he admitted having with a Chinese woman alleged to have ties to the Chinese Communist Party.

The dismissal is believed to be the first of its kind for violating a ban on such relationships that was introduced late last year under the Biden administration.

The Associated Press reported earlier this year that in the waning days of Democrat Joe Biden’s presidency, the State Department imposed a ban on all American government personnel in China, as well as family members and contractors with security clearances, from any romantic or sexual relationships with Chinese citizens.

Tommy Pigott, a State Department spokesman, said in a statement that the diplomat in question was dismissed from the foreign service after President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio reviewed the case and determined that he had “admitted concealing a romantic relationship with a Chinese national with known ties to the Chinese Communist Party.”

“Under Secretary Rubio’s leadership, we will maintain a zero-tolerance policy for any employee who is caught undermining our country’s national security,” Pigott said.

The statement did not identify the diplomat, but he and his girlfriend had been featured in a surreptitiously filmed video posted online by conservative firebrand James O’Keefe.

Quote:WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court appeared poised Wednesday to greenlight a slew of challenges to election laws by political candidates — which could lead to massive impacts on the next presidential vote in 2028.

A majority of the high court seemed to side with Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.), who petitioned the court to allow his lawsuit challenging an Illinois law allowing mail-in ballots postmarked before Election Day to be counted up to two weeks after polls close to move forward.

Bost’s case had been rejected by the lower courts, including the Chicago-based US Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, which determined the lawmaker — who represents a deep-red district in Southern Illinois — lacked standing on the grounds that his lawsuit was speculative and showed no evidence of harm.

“What you’re sketching out for us is a potential disaster,” Chief Justice John Roberts told an attorney for Illinois who questioned whether candidates likely to win could challenge election laws they found unjust..

“In other words, you’re saying, ‘If the candidate is going to win by 65%, no standing,’ but the candidate you know hopes to win by a dozen votes … then he has standing. But we’re not going to know that until we get very close to the election.”

Illinois Solicitor General Jane Notz warned that loosening the standing requirements for candidates could upend election processes.

“It would create chaos for election officials. It is very easy to be a candidate. Any self-declared candidate could challenge any election rule they happen to have a policy disagreement with, even if that rule were entirely harmless,” she contended.

“Election officials who are tasked with actually running elections would have to divert their time and energy and litigate,” she went on. “Federal courts, in turn, would be put in the position of resolving these disputes via advisory opinions, which is exactly what this Court’s standing cases have dictated should not happen.”

Bost, who will be seeking a seventh House term next year, has never won an election by fewer than six percentage points and was re-elected in 2024 with 74.2% of the vote.

Quote:An illegal immigrant who killed a University of South Carolina student in a horrific hit-and-run crash was quietly handed a slap-on-the-wrist sentence this summer — despite the tragedy sparking national outrage.

Rosali Fernandez-Cruz, 24, has been serving out his one-year stint at Kirkland Correctional Institution in Columbia since August, when three of his charges were discreetly dropped and he pleaded guilty to the remaining most serious count for killing 21-year-old Nathaniel Baker, according to jail records and reports.

“The judge decided the sentence, which was one year,” a spokesperson for Republican South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson told Fox News, adding that Baker’s forgiving family was consulted before the lenient sentence was given and wanted to keep the agreement hush-hush.

“They did not want this to be politicized or highly publicized. They were in agreement with the guilty plea and sentence.”

Fernandez-Cruz, a native of El Salvador who has been on the run from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement since 2018, was also credited with 131 days served — despite fatal hit-and-runs carrying up to a 25-year maximum sentence in the Palmetto State, The State reported.

He is expected to walk free on March 2, 2026, according to the South Carolina Department of Corrections.

Wilson’s office did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.

Fernandez-Cruz was nabbed shortly after failing to yield and striking Baker, a USC junior and Phi Gamma Delta fraternity member, who was riding his motorcycle near the college’s Columbia campus.

The careless motorist, who was allegedly driving without a license, fled the scene and later abandoned his pickup truck before being captured by a nearby cop — who then notified ICE of the arrest after his name was found in the National Crime Information Center database, police said at the time.

Fernandez-Cruz illegally crossed the US-Mexico border on an unknown date and was later arrested by Border Patrol in Texas in 2016, a Department of Homeland Security source told The Post in April.

Two years later, a North Carolina immigration judge ordered that he be sent back to his home country.

Quote:The Uber driver accused of “maliciously” sparking the deadly Palisades Fire repeatedly watched a French rap video that features the artist setting multiple fires as he talks about “despair and bitterness,” according to feds.

French-born Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, went to YouTube to listen to the French rap song “Un Zder, Un The,” by the artist Josman, just before midnight on Dec. 31 — minutes before he allegedly sparked a blaze in a popular grassy hangout near the Pacific Palisades, prosecutors alleged.

That fire was knocked down by firefighters, but continued to smolder — unnoticed — until it was ignited again and whipped into a deadly inferno by high winds on Jan. 7, federal authorities believe.

“The music video for the song shows the main character (Josman) lighting things on fire,” the court documents said.

An English translation of the song’s lyrics reveals the theme is “despair and bitterness,” according to the complaint.

Lyrics from the song include, “Daily life is killing me,” “I feel like I’m nowhere,” and “too much bitterness in my head, I think about the mistakes we made.”

“Google records indicate that Rinderknecht had listened to the same song nine times in the previous four days,” it states. He watched the corresponding fiery music video four times.

In the video from December 2018, Josman is seen smoking a blunt in his kitchen, which then sparks a blaze throughout the apartment.

At another point in the video, Josman is seen lighting a burning barrel outside a housing project, which becomes a huge inferno.

Quote:The alleged pyromaniac accused of igniting the deadly Palisades Fire – Los Angeles’ most destructive wildfire – chipped in a tiny donation to Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign, records show.

Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, shelled out $2 to hybrid PAC ActBlue on two separate occasions just days apart in 2020 – $1 on Sept. 4 and another buck on Sept. 11, according to the Federal Election Commission.

Records also show the alleged arsonist  — born in France — was registered to vote in Florida, though he never declared a political party.

The deranged Uber driver was charged with “maliciously” sparking a brush fire near a popular hiking trail near the Pacific Palisades on Jan. 1 – a blaze that firefighters initially put out but smoldered unnoticed, underground for days.

Fanned by high winds, the fire reignited six days later into the raging Palisades inferno that killed 12 people, obliterated nearly 7,000 homes and buildings to ash, and caused about $150 billion in damages in the wealthy coastal enclave.

Rinderknecht, who previously lived in the Los Angeles area, had hiked the trail on New Year’s Day moments after dropping off Uber passengers – who later said their driver appeared “agitated and angry,” the feds said.

He then filmed himself on the mountain and listened to a rap track with themes of “despair and bitterness” by French artist Josman – whose accompanying music video shows the main character lighting things on fire, according to court documents.

Quote:A deranged crook with a mile-long rap sheet allegedly confessed to savagely beating a stranger to death outside a Brooklyn subway station – coldly telling cops he didn’t like the way the victim “looked at him,” sources revealed Wednesday.

David Mazariegos, 25, was charged with murder in the senseless Tuesday afternoon assault near the Jay Street-MetroTech Station, law-enforcement sources said.

The creep flashed a sinister, partially toothless grin Wednesday as he was carted outside a Manhattan courthouse, where he was first arraigned on charges from a past case and his dramatic arrest with a samurai sword in Times Square hours after the brutal slaying.

“Why’d you take my planet?” Mazariegos raved outside the courtroom when asked why he killed the man.

Sources said the sicko allegedly copped to attacking 64-year-old Nicola Tanzi in Downtown Brooklyn because the hapless man held a subway gate door open for him – an act of kindness that the hotheaded hoodlum told cops he disliked.

A shockingly brutal attack followed, with the assailant repeatedly pummeling the victim’s face and stomping on his head up to 15 times, sources said.

The beating lasted 10 minutes before the sadistic attacker took Tanzi’s wallet and ID – which delayed his identification by police – and left him battered and unconscious near Lawrence and Willoughby streets, according to sources.

The brutalized man died roughly an hour later in New York-Presbyterian Hospital Brooklyn Methodist.

Tanzi, who had lived in Brooklyn for over 20 years, worked in security and planned to retire next year, his pals the The Post.

“We lost a good friend. He was a really good guy,” said Carmina Racaro, owner of a flower shop near Tanzi’s Bensonhurst apartment. “He would come here for espresso, ask how are you. He was happy.”

Racaro said Tanzi originally hailed from Bari, Italy and was a regular church usher during the Italian-language church services at the Catholic St. Dominic parish. He also belonged to an Italian club in Carroll Gardens, friends stated.

Tanzi’s alleged attacker, of The Bronx, has at least 33 past arrests, including both sealed and unsealed cases, and is listed on the city’s transit recidivist database, sources said.

Quote:The chilling discovery of two roosters and a white dove — all decapitated and drained of blood — has authorities in upstate New York investigating a possible link to dark ritualistic sacrifices.

The gruesome find near Lake Carmel in Putnam County on Friday is just the latest in a series of recent troubling discoveries in the upstate community — with locals wondering if there’s a cult in their midst.

“The area where this bag was found was only a short distance from where other bags of mutilated animals have been found in recent months, possibly the result of ritualistic killings,” the Putnam County SPCA said in a Facebook post this week.

The bodies of the two roosters were found stuffed in a plastic bag, not far from where the white dove was found along a wooded area on Holland Drive near the lake in the town of Kent, officials said.

So far this year, 10 similar discoveries have been made in the area, including an incident in April when two butchered birds were stuffed in a garbage bag and dumped nearby, News12 reported.

The station said that the birds, which were found shortly after 4:30 p.m. Friday, had been drained of blood.

“Extremely shocking,” one area resident told the outlet.

Animal offerings are often part of bizarre rituals for practitioners of voodoo, Santeria and similar dark crafts.

Quote:Hamas has said the "lists of prisoners to be exchanged were presented" at indirect negotiations with Israel as the two sides work through the details of U.S. President Donald Trump's peace plan to end the war in Gaza.

"The Hamas delegation has shown a positive and responsible attitude toward achieving the required progress and completing the agreement," said a statement released by Taher al-Nounou, media adviser to the head of Hamas’ Political Bureau, originally in Arabic.

Why It Matters

The conflict between Israel and Hamas has caused widespread devastation in Gaza, displacing millions and creating severe shortages of food, water, and medical care. Israel has also suffered from rocket attacks and ongoing security threats, highlighting the broader human and strategic toll on both sides.

Beyond the immediate humanitarian crisis, the fighting has far-reaching implications for regional stability, international diplomacy, and global security. Progress toward ending the violence and establishing a ceasefire could help prevent further civilian suffering and lay the groundwork for rebuilding and long-term stability in the region.

What To Know

Hamas' statement continued: "The mediators are exerting great efforts to remove any obstacles ahead of steps to implement a ceasefire, and there is a spirit of optimism among all parties. The negotiations have focused on the mechanisms for ending the war, the withdrawal of occupation forces from the Gaza Strip, and the exchange of prisoners.

"Today, the lists of prisoners to be exchanged were presented, detailing those whose release is being demanded, according to the agreed-upon criteria and numbers. The indirect negotiations continue today, with the participation of all parties and mediators."

Negotiators are now focusing on establishing practical steps for a halt to the fighting and the logistics of a prisoner exchange. A Palestinian source close to the talks told Reuters that the timing of the first phase of President Trump’s 20-point initiative has not yet been finalized.

Competing Objectives

Hamas is pushing for a permanent ceasefire, full withdrawal of Israeli forces, and immediate reconstruction overseen by a Palestinian “national technocratic body.” Israel insists on the disarmament of Hamas, a step the group says cannot happen until a free Palestinian state is established. U.S. officials are concentrating first on ending hostilities and coordinating the release of hostages and detainees.

Quote:Hamas is demanding the release of vicious murderers — including one dubbed “the symbol of terrorism” by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — in negotiations this week to release all remaining Israeli hostages and end the war in Gaza.

At the top of Hamas’ prisoner swap list is Marwan Barghouti, the imprisoned former West Bank leader who earned the fearsome nickname after orchestrating deadly terror attacks during the Second Intifada.

The 66-year-old was jailed in 2002 for the attacks, which killed five civilians.

Israeli officials say freeing Barghouti would hand Hamas a propaganda victory and embolden extremists across the region.

“Hamas isn’t negotiating peace,” one Israeli source told the Times of Israel. “They’re negotiating the future of terrorism.”

The hard-line demand comes as Israel and Hamas continue tense cease-fire talks at Egypt’s Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh — the latest attempt to halt two years of brutal conflict since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, massacre in southern Israel.

The negotiations — which include US, Qatari and Turkish mediators — aim to finalize a broad cease-fire deal, bring 48 Israeli hostages home and pave the way for a full Israel Defense Forces withdrawal from Gaza.

Representing the US are special presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, who arrived in Egypt early Wednesday and privately pledged not to leave without a deal in hand. The discussions are expected to last for several more days.

As the negotiations continue, each side is accusing the other of dragging their feet.

Israeli negotiators insist no lifetime convicts or unrepentant killers will walk free, while Hamas leader Fawzi Barhoum said in a statement Tuesday that the terror group would not allow Israel to end the war as victors.

“Despite the brutal military force, unlimited support, and full American partnership in the war of extermination in Gaza, they have not and will not succeed in achieving a false image of victory,” the terrorist leader claimed.

Quote:President Trump said Wednesday that he expects Hamas to release all remaining Israeli hostages on Monday, following a breakthrough peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinian terror group.

“The big thing is hostages are going to be released probably, our time, would be, probably Monday,” Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity, in an interview hours after he announced both Hamas and Israel had agreed to the first phase of his 20-point plan for peace in the Middle East.

“They’re in a terrible situation there,” Trump said of the 48 hostages believed to be in Gaza, more than half of which are thought to be dead.

“They’re deep in the earth, and they’re being gotten and a lot of things are happening right now as we speak,” the president continued.

“So much is happening to get the hostages freed, and we think they’ll all be coming back on Monday.”

A senior White House official explained that the deal, which is expected to pause fighting in Gaza as well, will head to the Israeli cabinet on Thursday for approval – and then Israeli troops must begin to pullback from some parts of the strip.

“The deal goes to the Israeli cabinet tomorrow. Once they vote yes, Israel has to withdraw to the line which should take under 24 hours,” the senior White House official said.

“Then the 72 hour clock begins, and Hamas will try to go earlier if possible. Our assessment is that hostages will begin getting released on Monday,” the official added.

Shortly after announcing the peace deal, Trump shared a video on his Truth Social of families of hostages celebrating the development.

“And today, President Trump has done it. He announced just now that our loved ones, the hostages, are coming home,” a family member said in the video.

“We will not stop fighting until we see the last of the 48 return to their family, those who were murdered in captivity, buried in the Land of Israel, those who are still alive, walking through the border and reuniting with their families.”

Quote:Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reacted after Israel and Hamas agreed to the “first phase” of President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan.

Why It Matters

The conflict between Israel and Hamas has caused widespread death and devastation in Gaza, displacing millions and creating severe shortages of food, water and medical care. Israel has also suffered from rocket attacks and security threats, highlighting the broader human and strategic toll on both sides.

Beyond the immediate humanitarian crisis, the fighting has far-reaching implications for regional stability, international diplomacy and global security. Progress toward ending the violence and establishing a ceasefire could help prevent further civilian suffering and lay the groundwork for rebuilding and long-term stability in the region.

What To Know

Trump, announcing the outlines of the biggest breakthrough in months in the two-year war, said Israel and Hamas have agreed to the “first phase” of his peace plan to pause fighting and release at least some hostages and prisoners.

Hamas plans to release all 20 remaining living hostages this weekend, people familiar with the matter told the Associated Press. The Israeli military is expected to begin withdrawing from most of Gaza.

Netanyahu posted on X: "A great day for Israel. Tomorrow I will convene the government to approve the agreement and bring all our dear hostages home. I thank the heroic soldiers of the IDF and all the security forces, thanks to whose courage and sacrifice we have reached this day. I thank from the depths of my heart President Trump and his team for their mobilization for this sacred mission of releasing our hostages. With the help of the Almighty, together we will continue to achieve all our goals and expand peace with our neighbors."

“With God’s help we will bring them all home," he said regarding the hostages.

It was not immediately clear whether the parties had made any progress on thornier questions about the future of the conflict, including whether Hamas will demilitarize, as Trump has demanded, and eventual governance of the war-torn territory. But the agreement nonetheless marked the most momentous development since a deal in January and February that involved the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

Israel's offensive in Gaza has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, and has left much of the coastal strip uninhabitable.

What People Are Saying

Trump, on Truth Social: "I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan. This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace. All Parties will be treated fairly!"

Quote:Greta Thunberg has been blasted as an embarrassment after she tried to highlight the “suffering” of Palestinian prisoners in a social media post — but used a harrowing photo of an emaciated Israeli hostage who was forced to dig his own grave.

The showboating climate activist had included a skeletal image of the hostage, Evyatar David, in an Instagram post on Monday about the alleged mistreatment of Palestinians in Israeli prisons.

“The suffering of Palestinian prisoners is not a matter of opinion — it is a fact of cruelty and dehumanization. Humanity cannot be selective. Justice cannot have borders,” read the post, which was made in collaboration with a slew of other activists.

The photo, however, had actually come from a sick propaganda video Hamas put out in August that shockingly showed a 24-year-old David digging his own grave in captivity.

The hostage’s sister, Yeela David, immediately went scorched earth on Thunberg and her fellow anti-Israel activists over the major blunder.

“You should make a research before you post things you don’t understand about. In the 6th slide you put a photo of an Israeli Hostage who Hamas starved on purpose. This is Evyatar David,” she commented.

“Every minute you are not deleting the post, you are becoming a bigger joke.”

The sickening images of David sparked global condemnation when they emerged in the Hamas propaganda video — with the Israeli Foreign Ministry and the Consulate General of Israel in New York even blasting the images on a Times Square billboard to raise awareness of his plight.

Quote:The Ukrainian military hit a major Russian ammunition plant, oil terminal and weapons depot on Monday using long-range drones, officials said.

Kyiv scored another blow against Moscow’s war machine overnight as its UAVs struck the Sverdlov ammunition plant in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod region, the Ukrainian General Staff said.

The strike caused multiple explosions and a fire to break out at the plant, which allegedly supplies Russian forces with aviation and artillery ordnance, aviation bombs, and anti-aircraft and anti-tank munitions, Kyiv added.

Along with the strike on Sverdlov, Ukrainian drones also hit a key oil terminal in Crimea, causing a blaze in yet another assault against Moscow’s refineries.

The oil plants have been a key target in the latest year of the war, with Ukraine hitting more than 18 major refineries in recent months.

The assaults have resulted in fuel shortages across Russia since August, leading to headaches at the pump for consumers.

The Ukrainian drones were also deployed overnight against a weapons cache in Crimea used by  Russia’s 18th Combined Arms Army, the General Staff said.

Russian officials confirmed that Ukraine launched a wide-scale drone assault overnight, with the UAVs spotted over 14 regions.

While Moscow offered few details on the extent of the damage, the Kremlin said at least 251 drones were intercepted, marking one of the largest assaults against Russia of the war.

Gleb Nikitin, the governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region, said at least 20 Ukrainian drones were intercepted during the attack on the Sverdolv ammo plant, claiming no facilities were damaged in the assault.   

The overnight assault demonstrated Ukraine’s capability to swiftly develop its defense manufacturing capacity, with the country discussing a technology and production deal with the US.

Quote:At least 4,200 Cuban nationals are fighting for Moscow in its brutal war on Kyiv, Ukrainian intelligence services told The Post on Monday — and US officials are concerned it signals a growing threat to security in the Western Hemisphere as Havana deepens its relationship with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.

While Moscow has previously reached out to other US adversaries for manpower help — most notably North Korea, which sent at least 15,000 troops to fight alongside the Russians — the addition of mass quantities of troops from Cuba is particularly concerning as the US seeks to focus more security efforts on the Western hemisphere.

“Yet another example of authoritarian regimes in Latin America actively siding with America’s enemies,” a source close to the White House told The Post.
Cuba claims the fighters are volunteers recruited by Moscow, but the country has one of the world’s most tightly controlled exit systems — meaning it’s unlikely they left the island with Havana’s approval, said multiple US and Ukrainian sources.

“One of Vladimir Putin’s biggest vulnerabilities is the massive number of casualties Russia has suffered in Ukraine and the need to avoid a mass mobilization in his political base in St. Petersburg and Moscow,” Atlantic Council fellow Alex Plitsas said. “4,200 Cuban mercenaries is not a small number by any means and it is unlikely that the Cuban government wouldn’t know about it.”

Plitsas added: “This is a step backwards for Cuba and a big mistake. Cuba has to decide if it wants to rejoin the free world or continue to support war criminals and terrorists.”

The development has triggered concern in the Trump administration, which has been heightening the US focus on security in the Western Hemisphere since January and deploying warships to central and South America in recent months.

“We’re aware of reports that Cuban nationals are fighting alongside Russian troops in the Russia-Ukraine war,” a State Department spokesperson said in a statement Monday. “The Cuban regime has failed to protect its citizens from being used as pawns in the Russia-Ukraine war.”

Quote:Moscow made a desperate threat Wednesday that it would shoot down all Tomahawk cruise missiles and destroy their launch sites if the US commits to supplying the powerful, long-range weapons to Ukraine that could obliterate Russian oil refineries and military bases.

Andrei Kartapolov, head of the Russian parliament’s defense committee, feverishly advised President Trump to keep the missiles — that have far more range than any others sent so far by Western allies — out of Ukraine.

“Our response will be tough, ambiguous, measured, and asymmetrical,” Kartapolov told the state RIA news agency. “We will find ways to hurt those who cause us trouble.”

Kartapolov also claimed that the Tomahawks, which experts say have the power and range to decimate military and oil facilities deep inside Russia, will do little to change the tide of the war.

“We know these missiles very well, how they fly, how to shoot them down; we worked with them in Syria, so there is nothing new,” the lawmaker said.

“The only problems will be for those who supply them and those who use them; that’s where the problems will be,” Kartapolov added, offering a direct threat to the US.

Moscow’s frantic threat comes as Trump signaled on Monday that he was actively considering Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s request for the long-range cruise missiles.

A senior congressional aide previously told The Post that “sending even a single Tomahawk to Ukraine would scare the s–t out of the Russians more than almost anything else we could do.”

Trump, however, said he needed to know what Ukraine would do with the missiles before greenlighting the shipment, with the president concerned that it could lead to an escalation in the war.

Quote:Russia has issued a warning that it will retaliate if any country—particularly the United States—resumes nuclear testing, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov.

Speaking to reporters and the State Duma, Ryabkov accused Washington of maintaining nuclear test infrastructure in a state of readiness and signaled that Moscow is closely monitoring U.S. actions. The comments follow Russian President Vladimir Putin’s remarks at the Valdai International Discussion Club, where he suggested preparations for nuclear tests were underway elsewhere.

"If a country with the capability makes the erroneous decision to conduct nuclear tests, and Washington is clearly in our focus, then we will retaliate immediately," he said.

Newsweek reached out to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs via email for comment.

Why It Matters

The statements mark a significant escalation in nuclear rhetoric between two of the world's most critical nuclear powers. Russia’s threat of retaliation and its withdrawal from key arms control agreements signal a deteriorating strategic relationship with the United States. These developments could undermine decades of nuclear non-proliferation efforts and heighten global security risks, particularly as existing treaties approach expiration.

The breakdown of cooperation on plutonium disposal and the uncertain future of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) raise concerns about the erosion of arms control frameworks that have helped maintain strategic stability since the end of the Cold War. The absence of dialogue and mutual verification mechanisms could lead to miscalculations and heightened tensions.

What To Know

Ryabkov said that Moscow would respond immediately if any country conducts nuclear tests. He emphasized that Washington has maintained its nuclear test infrastructure in a state of combat readiness, a posture Russia has monitored since its decision regarding New START.

The New START, signed in 2010 by U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, remains the cornerstone of bilateral nuclear arms control. The agreement caps each nation at 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and 700 deployed delivery systems, including missiles and bombers.

A key feature of the treaty—on-site inspections to verify compliance—was suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and has yet to resume. Originally set to expire in 2021, the pact was extended for five years, pushing its expiration to February 2026.

Putin echoed Ryabkov’s concerns, saying at the Valdai International Discussion Club that Russia believes “someone is preparing” for nuclear tests. He warned that any such action would prompt a retaliatory response from Moscow.

Ryabkov clarified that Russia’s proposal to extend the quantitative limits of New START for one year beyond its February 2026 expiration depends on the U.S. avoiding destabilizing actions. These include offensive strategic weapons developments and missile defense initiatives that Russia views as threats to its nuclear deterrence.

During a State Duma session, Ryabkov announced Russia’s intent to formally terminate its obligations under the 2000 plutonium management and disposition agreement with the U.S. He cited unacceptable changes proposed by Washington and a lack of consent from Moscow regarding disposal methods.

The agreement, ratified in 2011, required both nations to dispose of 34 tons of weapons-grade plutonium. Russia suspended its participation in 2016 following U.S. sanctions, NATO expansion, and increased American military presence in Eastern Europe. Ryabkov reiterated that these shifts, along with the U.S.' unilateral changes to disposal procedures, justified Russia’s withdrawal.

Ryabkov assured lawmakers that the formal termination of the agreement would not require new federal budget expenditures. He added that all necessary approvals had been secured and that the legislative process was underway.

Quote:Russia warned Tuesday that it would consider any new foreign military presence in Afghanistan or nearby countries “categorically unacceptable,” delivering the message during a high-level meeting in Moscow that included Afghanistan’s Taliban government.

Why It Matters

The statement came weeks after President Donald Trump said the United States was exploring options to retake Bagram Air Base, the massive military complex abandoned during the chaotic 2021 withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces.

What To Know

At the opening of the international conference, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov praised the Taliban for its efforts to fight Islamic State militants and curb narcotics trafficking but made clear Moscow’s red line against renewed U.S. military involvement in the region.

“The deployment of military infrastructure of any third countries on the territory of Afghanistan, as well as on the territories of neighboring states, is categorically unacceptable under any pretext,” Lavrov said. He warned that any “extra-regional military presence” would only bring new instability, adding that Afghanistan’s history “should have taught everyone the right lessons long ago.”
...
Russia’s position reflects deep sensitivities shaped by its own history in Afghanistan. The former Soviet Union fought a decade-long war there before withdrawing its troops in 1989, a conflict that left tens of thousands dead and contributed to the USSR’s eventual collapse. Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, Moscow has sought to strengthen ties with Kabul while asserting itself as a key power broker in Central Asia.

In July, Russia became the first country to formally recognize the Taliban government, removing it from its list of banned organizations. At Tuesday’s talks, Lavrov said Moscow wanted to expand business and energy cooperation with Afghanistan and deepen joint efforts against terrorism and drug trafficking. He also condemned Western sanctions and the ongoing freeze of Afghanistan’s foreign assets, calling those measures “hostile and counterproductive.”

Representatives from China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan also attended the Moscow gathering, which focused on regional security and economic development. The talks come as the Taliban, still largely isolated on the world stage, continues to seek legitimacy despite widespread condemnation of its treatment of women and girls.

Since seizing power, the Taliban has reimposed many of the restrictions that defined its earlier rule from 1996 to 2001. Women are barred from most jobs and public spaces, including schools, gyms and parks, while girls are prohibited from education beyond the sixth grade. Those policies remain a major obstacle to broader recognition — even as Afghanistan again becomes a stage for global competition over influence and access.

Quote:The knife-wielding Islamist terrorist who attacked a UK synagogue on Yom Kippur had called police mid-carnage to brag, “I have killed two Jews in the name of the Islamic State,” according to a report Wednesday.

Syrian-born monster Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, rammed his car into worshippers and started stabbing others as he tried to storm his way into the synagogue in Manchester on Thursday.

Before being shot dead by cops, the terrorist called 999 — the UK equivalent of 911 — and told the operator, “I have killed two Jews in the name of the Islamic State,” according to the Sun.

The dad of three made the call immediately after driving into worshippers outside the Heaton Park Synagogue and then stabbing at least two people, the paper reported.

“This is what you’re going to get for killing our children,” he also yelled, witnesses told the Sun, seemingly referring to the ongoing conflict in Gaza sparked by Hamas’ slaughter of Israelis on Oct. 7, 2023.

British counter-terror police declared it a terrorist attack.

However, they have yet to find a direct link between Al-Shamie and any terror organizations, according to the Sun.

Instead, Al-Shamie is believed to be a “lone wolf” inspired by Islamic terrorism and the Israel-Hamas war.

Neighbors said he became radicalized during Covid, and started wearing robes and preaching the Quran to local children.

Quote:The recently elected mayor of a town in western Germany was in critical condition on Tuesday after she was found in her home with multiple stab wounds to her neck and abdomen.

Iris Stalzer, 57, a center-left Social Democrat who secured her mayor-elect standing late last month, dragged herself into her home after several men allegedly attacked her, according to her 15-year-old son, reported Reuters, citing German news outlet Bild.

But according to investigators, “Close family involvement cannot be ruled out at the present time,” and Stalzer’s son and 17-year-old daughter were also brought in for questioning.

It is unclear who called the police and how quickly emergency responders arrived at the scene, though police officers blocked off the street outside her home and launched an immediate investigation.

The mayor-elect of Herdecke – a town of some 20,000 in Germany’s largest state of North Rhine-Westphalia on the border with Belgium and the Netherlands – was life-flighted by helicopter to a nearby hospital.

The attack on Stalzer comes after an unusually contentious election, according to reports, in which she ousted a conservative mayor.

Though authorities have signaled no motive behind the attack, Stalzer is the latest politician to experience violence amid a concerning trend in Germany.

Quote:Spanish emergency services have recovered the bodies of four people from beneath the rubble of a six-story building that collapsed in central Madrid while being refurbished into a hotel, local authorities said on Wednesday.

“It is with deep sadness that we confirm that Madrid firefighters have recovered the bodies of the people who went missing after the collapse,” Mayor Jose Luis Almeida wrote on X.

The victims have been identified as three men aged between 30 and 50 from Ecuador, Mali and Guinea-Conakry and employed at the site as construction workers, as well as a 30-year-old woman, the renovation project’s architect.

Their remains were found early on Wednesday, nearly 15 hours after the collapse of the building’s interior structure that left its facade intact, in a search-and-rescue operation in which police and firefighters deployed drones and sniffer dogs. Three other construction workers were injured.

One construction worker named Mikhail was pumping concrete into the building’s lower floors and was outside when the collapse occurred. He said he saw a large cloud of dust and immediately sprinted away.

“I was the first to run, I didn’t care about anything else. I’ll save my life first and, if I can, save others later,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

According to Madrid’s online registry of buildings under construction, the property was built in 1965.

It underwent two technical inspections in 2012 and 2022 and was classified as “unfavorable” due to “the general condition of the facade, exterior, partition walls, roof, roof terraces and plumbing and sewage system.”

The former office building, located in an area of downtown Madrid popular with tourists near the opera house and royal palace, was being converted into a four-star hotel by developer Rehbilita, according to information on its website. Rehbilita did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Quote:Ukrainian officials were left “bewildered and disappointed” by Vice President Joe Biden’s December 2015 trip to Kyiv, during which he gave a speech decrying corruption as a “cancer” — with the Ukrainians accusing the US of a “double standard” given Biden’s family ties to corrupt energy firm Burisma, a trove of newly declassified Obama-era intelligence reveals.

In an extreme departure from normal practice, the report on Ukrainian displeasure was suppressed at the request of Biden’s then-national security adviser, Dr. Colin Kahl, and did not appear in the Presidential Daily Brief (PDB), according to a senior CIA official who briefed journalists this week.

Kahl “would strongly prefer the report not/not be disseminated,” wrote a correspondent identified only as “PDF Briefer” in an email to the CIA on February 10, 2016.

“Thanks for understanding.”

“PDF Briefer” was likely Deputy Director of National Intelligence Michael Dempsey, who provided an intelligence briefing to President Barack Obama every morning at that time. Dempsey reported to then-Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, who has been implicated in the Russiagate scandal to sabotage Donald Trump’s first presidential term. Clapper is reportedly under investigation by a federal grand jury examining the role of former Obama administration officials in concocting the Trump-Russia collusion narrative.

The PDB, the classified product of all 18 US intelligence agencies, is meant to serve as an early warning to the commander-in-chief of nascent crises and looming problems across the globe.

“This was information of intelligence value that came into the possession of CIA in late 2015,” said the senior CIA official.

“Normally … this intelligence report would be disseminated to individuals with an appropriate clearance and ‘need to know’ within the US government.

“However, in February 2016, the vice president’s national security adviser told his intelligence briefer that he would strongly prefer the report not be disseminated. So the report never saw the light of day. “

The report and email were recently discovered during an “internal review of historical agency records and databases” ordered by CIA Director John Ratcliffe.

“As of mid-December 2015,” the eight-page report says, “officials within the administration of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko expressed bewilderment and disappointment at the 7-8 December 2015 visit of the Vice President of the United States to Kiev, Ukraine …

“These officials assessed that the U.S. Vice President had come to Kiev almost exclusively to give a generic public speech and had not had any intention of discussing substantive matters with Poroshenko or other officials within the Ukrainian government.”

After Biden left, the report goes on, the Ukrainian officials “privately mused at the U.S. media scrutiny of the alleged ties of the U.S. Vice President’s family to corrupt business practices in Ukraine [which they viewed] as evidence of a double-standard within the United States Government towards matters of corruption and political power.”

At the same time Biden, now 82, delivered his anti-corruption screed in the Ukrainian parliament, his son Hunter was receiving $1 million a year to sit on the board of Burisma.

Quote:A 1,200-person caravan of largely Cuban migrants is heading north from Mexico’s southern city of Tapachula in a weeks-long pursuit of better economic opportunities. But the destination is not the U.S. border, it’s Mexico City.

The destination of the caravan signals a stark shift in regional trends as President Donald Trump’s strict immigration policies take hold. 

The caravan, which departed earlier this month, is expected to take weeks to reach its destination, where migrants hope to find higher-paying jobs in Mexico’s capital city, rather than its impoverished south.

Tapachula, located in Mexico's poorest state of Chiapas, has been struggling for years to cope with the migrant crisis as it sits near the border with Guatemala, which has long seen significant outflows of migrants fleeing gang violence and poverty stemming from the Northern Triangle.

According to the Washington Office on Latin America, the group of migrants is using social media to petition the Mexican government to assist with asylum cases and proper documentation for people looking to officially reside in Mexico City.

El Pais reported last week that corruption and extortion remain a top concern for migrants looking for relocation assistance. The report said the issue remains one of the chief obstacles plaguing the Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance.

Despite concerns over financial abuse in attempting to relocate in Mexico, the Spain-based outlet reported that many migrants still consider staying there preferable to heading to the U.S. under Trump.

Quote:Passengers on board a Rex Airlines flight from Adelaide have caught the moment flames and smoke started billowing out of the engine just after takeoff was aborted.

The Saab 340 twin-turboprop was due to depart for Broken Hill shortly after 7 a.m. on Wednesday when a fault indicator signalled a problem with the left engine.

The engine was shut down, but unburnt fuel is understood to have caught fire inside the engine.

Footage taken from inside the aircraft showed flames and smoke coming from the engine.

Passengers were forced to disembark the aircraft on the taxiway and were bused back to the terminal, while the plane was taken back to its bay.

A spokesperson for Adelaide Airport told NewsWire the runway was closed for about 20 minutes.

“Normal operations resumed at 8am,” the spokesperson said.

“Rex is currently working with impacted passengers to rebook their flights.”

No injuries were reported.

Passenger Mark Goodger was on the flight and told his wife Julia the incident was “a bit scary”.

“They had to evacuate on the tarmac,” Julia Goodger told 7News.

“He’s got a refund and so did others. Not flying today.”

Quote:Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has publicly dedicated her Nobel Peace Prize to the people of Venezuela and to President Donald Trump, citing their unwavering support in the fight for democracy. In a statement shared on X, Machado called the recognition “a boost to conclude our task: to conquer Freedom.”

"We are on the threshold of victory and today," she wrote, "more than ever, we count on President Trump, the people of the United States, the peoples of Latin America, and the democratic nations of the world as our principal allies to achieve Freedom and democracy. I dedicate this prize to the suffering people of Venezuela and to President Trump for his decisive support of our cause!"

Why It Matters

Machado, an opposition leader in Venezuela, has campaigned tirelessly for democracy and remains a central figure in the struggle against Nicolás Maduro’s government. She defeated several prominent contenders for the award, including Trump, who had openly campaigned for it this year by highlighting his role in helping to end multiple global conflicts.

Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel committee lauded Machado for being a "key, unifying figure in a political opposition that was once deeply divided—an opposition that found common ground in the demand for free elections and representative government."

What To Know

The 58-year-old former legislator and presidential candidate has been the face of the Venezuelan opposition, particularly after being disqualified from the 2024 election by Maduro’s government. Edmundo González, who replaced her on the ballot, celebrated the win from exile in Spain, calling it “a well-deserved recognition of the long struggle of a woman and an entire people for our freedom and democracy”.

Machado has remained in hiding since January, after publishing electoral records that opposition groups say demonstrated her victory in the July 2024 election. The Venezuelan government, dominated by Maduro loyalists, rejected those results and declared Maduro the winner in a vote widely condemned by international observers. No credible evidence was presented to support Maduro’s declared victory.

In the aftermath, protests erupted across the country and were met with deadly force. More than 20 people were killed in demonstrations, and hundreds were arrested. Dozens of Machado’s campaign allies sought refuge at diplomatic compounds, with many later fleeing the country. Human rights organization Foro Penal reports that more than 800 political prisoners remain behind bars, including Machado’s son-in-law Rafael Tudares.

I can't stop wondering how you can get a prize for achieving pretty much nothing. 

Quote:President Donald Trump responded Friday to being passed over for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize with measured remarks, acknowledging Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado’s win and noting that she had credited him in her acceptance remarks.

Trump said that Machado called him personally and publicly dedicated her Nobel Peace Prize to the people of Venezuela and to himself, as she cited an unwavering support in the fight for democracy.

The president said Friday, in part, "The person who actually got the Nobel Prize called today, called me, and said 'I'm accepting this in honor of you, because you really deserved it.' A really nice thing to do.

He then quipped, "I didn't say, 'Then give it to me, though.' I think she might have."

Machado's stance against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro aligns with the Trump administration’s own policy on Venezuela. Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously praised Machado as “the personification of resilience, tenacity and patriotism.”

Why It Matters

Three sitting U.S. presidents have received the Nobel Peace Prize: Theodore Roosevelt in 1906, Woodrow Wilson in 1919 and Barack Obama in 2009. Former President Jimmy Carter won the award in 2002, two decades after leaving office, and former Vice President Al Gore received it in 2007.

Obama, a Democrat and frequent target of Trump’s criticism long before the Republican’s election, earned the prize early in his presidency.

Quote:WASHINGTON — President Trump said Friday that he will increase tariffs on Chinese goods by 100% and threatened to cancel his planned Oct. 29 meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping over Beijing’s new export controls.

US markets took a dive as the trade war flared over the new Chinese Commerce Ministry rule requiring companies to seek permission to export items containing or made with rare-earth minerals, including batteries, semiconductors and technologies with magnets.

Trump said the rule threatens to throttle the world economy, potentially denying components to a broad swath of products that are essential to international supply chains, and that Beijing has until Nov. 1 to change course.

“This affects ALL Countries, without exception, and was obviously a plan devised by them years ago. It is absolutely unheard of in International Trade, and a moral disgrace in dealing with other Nations,” Trump said in a Friday evening statement.

“Based on the fact that China has taken this unprecedented position, and speaking only for the U.S.A., and not other Nations who were similarly threatened, starting November 1st, 2025 (or sooner, depending on any further actions or changes taken by China), the United States of America will impose a Tariff of 100% on China, over and above any Tariff that they are currently paying. Also on November 1st, we will impose Export Controls on any and all critical software.”

Beijing’s Commerce Ministry released the rule Thursday forcing other nations to obtain licenses to export products that contain more than 0.1% of rare earths, escalating the trade war with the US involving semiconductor chips that power cell phones, computers and data centers for AI models.

China currently produces roughly 90% of the world’s rare-earth minerals that help produce those products, according to The Wall Street Journal.

“It’s an economic equivalent of nuclear war — an intent to destroy the American AI industry,” Dmitri Alperovitch, co-founder of the Silverado Policy Accelerator think tank, told the outlet, claiming it was a “blackmail tactic” before Trump’s planned summit with Xi in South Korea.

The US has either secured domestic or foreign investments of hundreds of billions of dollars in data centers used to help power AI during Trump’s second term.

The president specified to journalists Friday evening in the Oval Office that he was considering retaliatory export restrictions on airplanes and airplane parts.

The current average US tariff on Chinese products is 57.6%, up from 19.8% one year ago, according to the Peterson Institute for International Economics.

Quote:WASHINGTON — Eighteen Republicans on Thursday demanded the release of FBI records compiled during the Biden administration’s Arctic Frost investigation — after nine were recently informed by bureau officials that agents had surreptitiously obtained their call logs from 2021, The Post can reveal.

The GOP lawmakers asked for all the Arctic Frost communications involving the FBI, Department of Justice, members of President Joe Biden’s White House and ex-special counsel Jack Smith’s office, according to a letter led by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.).

Smith received the materials — including the so-called “toll analysis,” or phone metadata from the members of Congress that could show whom they called or texted — for what would later become his 2020 election meddling prosecution of President Trump.

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino told eight Republican senators and one GOP House member that the Washington Field Office got their call logs from between Jan. 4 and 7, 2021, and that the information was “subject to federal grand jury secrecy requirements,” per the letter.

Grassley, Johnson and the 16 other Republicans are now asking what legal processes were abided by, whether there were further “wiretaps, seizure warrants, or surveillance” that none were aware of, and any subpoenas that were given to cellphone carriers.

They also want to know which other contacts may have been caught up in the FBI dragnet.

Thursday’s missive, co-signed by those nine Republicans and every GOP member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, declared: “The Biden administration’s blatant weaponization of the federal government should shock every American.

“Further, the unprecedented nature of the DOJ’s and FBI’s actions in collecting MOC’s [members of Congress’] communication records falls squarely within Congress’ constitutional duty to thoroughly investigate potential abuses of power and creates a uniquely exceptional circumstance that demands the release of otherwise protected records,” they added.

“We expect both DOJ and FBI to take the necessary steps to provide complete transparency to Congress so that the Biden administration’s targeting of sitting elected officials is thoroughly investigated and all wrongdoers are held fully accountable.”

Grassley, who released the September 2023 espionage files from the FBI on Monday, called the disclosures “arguably worse than Watergate.”

“What I’ve uncovered today is disturbing and outrageous political conduct by the Biden FBI,” the Iowa Republican said in a statement. “The FBI’s actions were an unconstitutional breach, and Attorney General [Pam] Bondi and [FBI] Director [Kash] Patel need to hold accountable those involved in this serious wrongdoing.”

Grassley also put out documents showing 92 GOP-connected groups or people — including late conservative Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk — were targeted in the FBI probe as well.

Quote:Indicted New York Attorney General Letitia James repeatedly listed her Virginia home as an “investment” property in financial disclosure forms – despite allegedly making false claims to a bank to obtain a favorable loan that barred her from using the house as a rental.

The three bedroom Norfolk, Va., home James purchased in August of 2020 – named in Thursday’s federal grand jury indictment – is listed in the “real estate” section of James’ 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 disclosures to the New York State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government as an “investment,” valued at between “$100,000 to under $150,000.”

However, in her 2024 ethics filing, James designated the Norfolk home as “real property,” rather than an “investment.”

The AG also upped the estimated value of the single-family home to “$150,000 to under $250,000.”

The 2024 disclosure was filed in May of this year – a month after Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director William Pulte sent a criminal referral to the Justice Department alleging that James had “falsified records” to obtain home loans for a different Norfolk, Va., property.

It’s unclear why James changed the word “investment” to “real property” on her 2024 disclosure.

James did not disclose generating any income from the Norfolk home at the center of the indictment in her ethics filings between 2021-2024.

In her 2020 disclosures, James noted that an “investment real property” in Norfolk brought in between $1,000 and $5,000 in income. However, it is unclear whether this property is the same one mentioned in the indictment. 
The New York attorney general’s office and James’ lawyer did not respond to The Post’s requests for comment.

Federal prosecutors allege that James misrepresented how she would use the property when she obtained a $109,600 mortgage loan – originated by OVM Financial and backed by Fannie Mae – to purchase the $137,000 home in 2020.

James agreed to a “Second Home Rider” when she took out the loan, according to the indictment, which required the attorney general to “occupy and use the property as her secondary residence, and prohibited its use as a timesharing or other shared ownership arrangement or agreement that requires her either to rent the property or give any other person any control over the occupancy or use of the property.”

“Despite these representations,” prosecutors wrote, the Norfolk property “was not occupied or used by James as a secondary residence and was instead used as a rental investment property.”

Quote:Two Democrats who entered 2025 as favorites in high-stakes statewide races are now watching their campaigns unravel—thanks not to their opponents, but to their own conduct.

In California, Katie Porter’s bid for governor is reeling after two videos surfaced this week showing her berating a staffer and cutting short a tense interview with a local reporter. In Virginia, attorney general hopeful Jay Jones has seen his momentum in the race evaporate over violent, profanity-laced text messages he once sent about a Republican rival and his family.

Both were leading in early polls. Both are now in damage control.

Katie Porter's Blowups Shift the Race in California

Porter is a former U.S. representative who built a national profile by turning congressional hearings into viral moments. Armed with her signature whiteboard and a sharp command of policy, she became a social media darling during her two terms in the House and a rising star in the Democratic Party’s progressive wing. But her struggles under unscripted pressure have raised questions about whether she’s ready to lead the world’s fourth-largest economy.

The first blow came when raw footage from a CBS Sacramento interview leaked on X, showing Porter threatening to walk out after being pressed on whether she could appeal to Republican voters. “I don’t want to keep doing this. I’m going to call it,” she said, clapping her hands. When the station's investigative reporter Julie Watts — a well-known and highly regarding local journalist — followed up, Porter replied, “I want to have a pleasant, positive conversation,” objecting to any further questions.

Politico then published a leaked 2021 video showing Porter yelling at a staffer to “get out of my f---ing shot” during a virtual meeting with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm. In the same clip, she complained about not being invited to the White House despite raising “a shit ton of money” for then-President Joe Biden.

The clip, released just a day after her interview clash aired, came as a devastating blow to a campaign already under scrutiny. “This was one of the worst-kept secrets in California politics,” Political strategist Mike Madrid, co-founder of the Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump political action committee, told Newsweek.

“Now we’re seeing video evidence of the many stories about how she’s treated people—staff members, journalists, even her ex-husband. There’s a problem here.”
...
Jay Jones’ Campaign Implodes Over Leaked Texts

While Porter’s campaign is reeling from damaging optics and workplace allegations, across the country in Virginia, Jay Jones faces a scandal of a different order—one rooted in violent rhetoric that has shocked even longtime political allies.

Jones, also a Democrat, was leading the race for attorney general when the National Review published screenshots of private messages he sent in 2022. In one, Jones described a hypothetical scenario where then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert would get “two bullets to the head.” In another, he referred to Gilbert’s wife and children as “breeding little fascists.”

The messages were confirmed by the recipient, Republican Delegate Carrie Coyner, and Jones admitted to sending them. “I am embarrassed, ashamed, and sorry,” he said in a public statement.

President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson all publicly condemned Jones, while Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares’ campaign quickly turned the scandal into attack ads. Polling data show Jones' support collapsing. A Washington Post–Schar School survey conducted before the leak showed Jones leading Miyares by six points. By the end of that week, an internal poll showed that lead shrinking to just one point, within the margin of error. Republican-backed polling showed Jones falling below 44 percent.

Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington in Virginia, told Newsweek that the fallout will likely have long-term consequences. “I expect that some Democrats will leave the AG line blank, which reduces the chances that Jones will win,” he said. “Even if he does win this time, Virginia Democrats are unlikely to forget his reckless behavior.”

J. Miles Coleman, associate editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia, was more direct. “If Democrats renominate Jones for anything higher than dogcatcher, they’ll deserve to lose,” he told Newsweek. “Aside from the horrid nature of his texts, it was dumb of him to keep yapping to a Republican. You really can't fix stupid.”

The Virginia Democratic Party has not called for Jones to drop out, though several prominent figures, including Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee, and Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, have issued statements denouncing the messages. But Spanberger, who is leading in the governor's race, refusing to disavow him when given the opportunity in a debate Thursday.

Early voting continues, with more than 350,000 ballots already cast.

Quote:As many as 19 people are missing and feared dead after a “devastating blast” leveled a Tennessee bomb factory Friday, according to officials.

The massive explosion was reported around 7:45 a.m. local time at the Accurate Energetic Systems plant at the Hickman-Humphreys County line, west of Nashville.

Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis confirmed there were “some” fatalities and that there are people still missing, without providing numbers — though he referred to the 19 people working in the building at the time of the tragedy as “souls.”

“There’s nothing to describe. It’s gone,” Davis said. “It’s the most devastating scene that I’ve seen in my career.”

The blast impacted “one whole building” of the McEwen property, he said. The factory, which makes and tests explosives for the government, is located miles away from any residences and businesses.

Footage of the campus showed that the building had been obliterated in the blast, with only smoldering wreckage and the burnt-out shells of vehicles left in its wake.

The tragedy occurred in the Melt Pour building, where explosive materials are liquified and poured into canisters, an employee told The Tennessean.

The canisters are then packed into boxes, which are stacked on pallets and loaded into trucks. AES works on both government and non-government contracts.

Typically, fewer than 30 people are inside the Melt Pour building at a time, they said.

Nineteen employees were inside the building at the time, and every one remains unaccounted for, according to Humphreys County EMA Director Odell Poyner.

At least 13 people remain unaccounted for, said Bates

The cause of the explosion is still unknown, with investigators saying it could take several days to determine what went wrong.

Quote:A judge chillingly foresaw David Mazariegos’ escalating violence as he begrudgingly lowered his bail in an assault case — just months before the maniac allegedly beat a beloved security guard to death outside a Brooklyn subway station.

The premonition by Manhattan Judge Robert Rosenthal was revealed in a transcript from a July hearing, after prosecutors couldn’t secure a felony assault charge against Mazariegos, 25, in a case with eerie echoes to his later alleged fatal beating of Nicola Tanzi, 64, this week.

“The severity of these is increasing over time,” Rosenthal said during the hearing, referring to Mazariegos’ mile-long rap sheet, which mostly consisted of petty offenses until the assault in late June.

Mazariegos’ charge in that case had been reduced to a misdemeanor, but prosecutors still pushed for the same $2,500 bail set when he’d been first arraigned on the felony, the transcript shows.

His court-appointed attorney, Gretchen Reeser, argued Mazariegos wasn’t a flight risk and should be released without bail based on his lack of violent history at the time — a request that gave Rosenthal considerable pause, according to the transcript.

“I mean that is the point but what mitigates against that is that this is the first violent crime,” the judge said, adding that the fact that the charges against Mazariegos increasingly becoming more serious “is suggesting to me something other than returning to court.”

But Rosenthal, his hands effectively tied due to the misdemeanor charge, dropped Mazariegos’ bail to $1,000 — setting the stage for his release, during which he allegedly ramped up his violence Tuesday by beating Tanzi to death outside Jay Street-MetroTech station.

The failure to keep Mazariegos behind bars was seized by Diana Florence, who is running as an independent to replace Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

Florence contended Bragg’s policies and the state’s bail reforms led to Mazariegos’ release.

“Tuesday’s tragedy was preventable,” she said in a statement. “Nicola Tanzi didn’t have to die.”

Richard Fife, a spokesman for Bragg’s re-election campaign, shot back that Florence was “shamelessly distorting the truth and exploiting a tragedy to score cheap political points.”

The court record shows that prosecutors mounted an aggressive case against Mazariegos after he allegedly sucker punched a security guard outside a Chelsea theater on June 24.

Quote:A ground stop was issued Friday afternoon at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport due to a fire alarm incident involving “strong gas fumes,” the FAA confirmed.

Planes were grounded around 5 p.m. ET.

The FAA said the ground stop went into effect after an alarm was triggered by a “strong” odor of gas fumes.

The airport’s air traffic control tower was evacuated, and first responders were at the airport, FOX 5 Atlanta reported.

The FAA said a secondary air traffic control tower is being set up, and, once that happens, the ground stop will be lifted.

The airport is one of the world’s busiest travel hubs.

The ground stop has delayed hundreds of flights at the airport, according to Flight Aware.

The incident comes as airports across the country are experiencing delays due to the government shutdown.

Quote:Even though the U.S. has a stark shortage of air traffic controllers, ones who call in sick instead of working without a paycheck during the federal government shutdown risk being fired, the U.S. transportation secretary warned.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said this week that he understands the controllers’ frustrations and worries.

But during an appearance Thursday on Fox Business, he said that by calling in sick they are causing major disruptions to air traffic, and it won’t be tolerated.

“If we have some of our staff that aren’t dedicated like we need, we’ll let them go,” Duffy said, noting that more than 90% of controllers have been showing up to work during the shutdown.

“… It’s a small fraction of people who don’t come to work. They can create this massive disruption. And that’s what you’re seeing rippling through our skies today.”

Airports across the country have experienced delays this week because of a shortage of controllers, more than half of which Duffy attributed to work no-shows.

The worst problems have come at smaller airports in Burbank, California, and Nashville, Tennessee, but there have also been delays at major hubs in Newark, New Jersey, Chicago, Denver and Dallas-Fort Worth.

Even a small number of controllers not showing up for work is causing problems because the Federal Aviation Administration has a critical shortage of them.

Duffy has made it a priority to increase hiring to try to eliminate the shortage in the next few years, but he said controllers who are “problem children” could still be fired.

A Transportation Department spokesperson reinforced that message in a statement Friday, saying, “if there are rare bad actors that don’t show up purposefully and cause disruptions to our operations, consequences are inevitable.”

Quote:Texas police have found at least 16 bodies in the bayous around Houston so far this year, according to authorities and local reports, sparking concerns of a serial killer which city leaders are working to dispel.

Houston’s mayor has said police have no evidence of a serial killer, but experts are calling for an extensive investigation into the deaths.

“Something is afoot,” said Joseph Giacalone, a retired NYPD sergeant and criminal justice professor, at Penn State-Lehigh Valley. “A coincidence? Unlikely. A careful inspection of each case is warranted, including the 48 hours prior to the discovery of their disappearance.”

The spate of apparent drownings is reminiscent of another concerning number of deaths in the waters of Lady Bird Lake in Austin, Texas.

Five of the bodies were discovered in a five-day span last month, according to Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz.

“There is no evidence, and I repeat no evidence, to suggest that any of these incidents are connected,” Diaz told reporters.

Capt. Salam Zia, commander of the Houston Police Department’s homicide division, said the youngest victim was 20.

Authorities later revealed the bodies belonged to both males and females, and ranged in age from their 20s to their 60s.

“Rumors stir fear and anxiety in our communities,” the chief said. “It’s important to rely on verified information and investigations.”

However, authorities have discovered at least two more bodies since authorities made those remarks, according to Chron, Houston’s local news site.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire slammed misinformation and “wild speculation” online and from political candidates surrounding the cases at a news briefing on Sept. 23.

“We do not have any evidence that there is a serial killer loose in Houston, Texas,” he said. “Let me say that again, there is no evidence that there is a serial killer loose in the streets of Houston.”

He called the number of deaths “alarming” and asked for patience as city police investigate.

“I grew up in Houston,” he told reporters. “Unfortunately, drowning in our bayous is not a new phenomenon.”

Quote:Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Friday that the United States has greenlit the establishment of a Qatari Emiri Air Force facility in Idaho, a move that has drawn backlash from some of the administration’s closest Make America Great Again (MAGA) allies, with Laura Loomer writing on X, "I have never felt more betrayed by the GOP," over the matter.

Steve Bannon, former White House chief strategist during President Donald Trump's first term and architect of the MAGA movement, told Newsweek in a text message, "There should never be a military base of a foreign power on the sacred soil of America.”

Newsweek has reached out to Qatar's government communication office for comment via email on Friday.

Why It Matters

The administration's announcement shocked the MAGA core base, who have applauded the president on his "America First" agenda. The agreement states an Idaho air base will "host a contingent of Qatari F-15s and pilots."

The move comes months after Trump accepted a luxury Boeing 747 from the Qatari government, which drew criticism from Democrats and Republicans, including from Loomer. It also comes as the U.S. is working with mediators in the region to put an end to the Israel-Hamas war that began two years ago.

Qatar has been a longtime ally of the U.S. and hosts key CENTCOM military operations at Al-Udeid Air Base near Doha. In late September, Trump issued an executive order "assuring the security of the state of Qatar" after Israel carried out a strike in Doha.

What To Know

During a joint press conference addressing the finalization of a peace deal between Israel and Hamas, Hegseth thanked Qatari officials for their involvement in the process and announced that the U.S. is "signing a letter of acceptance to build" a Qatari Emiri Air Force facility. The facility will be hosted at the Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, Hegseth said.

Loomer took issue with the administration's move in a series of X posts, writing "no foreign country should have a military base on US soil. Especially Islamic countries."

She added in another post that Hegseth, who she calls her friend, "should know how bad of an idea it is to allow Terror financing Qataris who fund HAMAS and the Muslim Brotherhood to have an AIR FORCE BASE ON US SOIL."

Loomer added, "I don’t think I’ll be voting in 2026," over the issue.

DVV Editor note: Hegseth stated "To be clear, Qatar will not have their own base in the United States—nor anything like a base. We control the existing base, like we do with all partners." And Singapore's F-15SG Multi-Role fighters have been and still are at the same said Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho since 2009 under the Obama administration.

Days ago, the Kremlin had announced that ’We Will Retaliate Immediately’ if any other nuclear power tested its nuclear bombs, but now Putin made a hypocritical statement:

Quote:Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow expects to announce soon a new weapon that it has been developing and testing for its vast nuclear arsenal, the world's largest, and warned that an arms race is underway.

It comes as the New START treaty between the U.S. and Russia, restricting nuclear weapons, is set to expire in February 2026, and tensions with the NATO alliance escalating sharply over the ongoing war in Ukraine.

There is a growing risk of a direct clash between Russia and NATO. Western allies accuse Russia of serious airspace violations, sabotage plots, cyberattacks, and more—which Moscow denies. Both sides characterize the conflict as a form of war.

“The sophistication of our nuclear deterrence systems is higher than that of any other nuclear state," state news agency Tass reported Putin as saying, originally in Russian. "And we are developing all of this very actively."

The Russian president, who was speaking at a press conference in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, at the end of a summit of former Soviet states, added: "What I spoke about in earlier years is all progressing—we are bringing it to perfection."

The Kremlin has said it would uphold New START's obligations for a year from its expiration. President Donald Trump has responded positively, calling it a "good idea," but there is no new formal agreement in place ready to extend or replace the treaty.

According to the Federation of American Scientists, Russia has a total inventory of 5,459 nuclear warheads, of which 1,718 are deployed. The U.S. has 5,177 warheads, of which 1,770 are deployed.

Putin: Countries Preparing for Testing in Nuclear Arms Race

In his remarks, Putin also said that "a certain kind of arms race is indeed underway" in the world, and warned that "some countries are preparing for testing" of nuclear weapons. He did not specify which.

“But this is also well known to experts. There’s always the temptation to check the effectiveness of the combat fuel that has been stored in missiles for many, many years," Putin said, per Tass.

"Everything is simulated on computers, and specialists believe that’s sufficient—but some of them think it’s necessary to carry out real, full-scale tests. And in some countries, as far as we know, they are considering this and even making preparations."

Putin continued: “That’s why I said that if they conduct tests, we’ll do the same. Is that good or bad? From the standpoint of ensuring security—it’s good. From the overall perspective related to deterrence and actions aimed, if not at reducing, then at restraining the arms race—it’s probably not bad.

"In this same context, we’ve proposed extending the New START Treaty for at least a year. Let everyone think about it."

Emphasis in the first paragraph is mine.

Quote:China has restricted the export of mid-tier precision machine tools to Russia, industry insiders say, in an apparent success for U.S. secondary sanctions aimed at weakening Moscow’s war effort in Ukraine.

Why It Matters

Chinese trade with Russia—particularly oil and gas—has helped buoy Russia's sanctioned-strapped economy since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Yet, many Chinese firms have shown they are not immune to Western pressure designed to erode Russia’s war-fighting capacity. Russian importers have reported growing difficulty making transactions with Chinese banks since last year, and exports of dual civilian-military goods to China's neighbor have also increasingly encountered hangups.

Newsweek reached out to the Russian and Chinese foreign ministries via emailed requests for comment.

What To Know

According to MashTekh, a Russian industrial technology outlet that tracks domestic manufacturing, China has curbed the export of machine tools capable of 3- to 4-micron precision—critical for production of missile and engine components and precision-guided systems.

“The PRC has restricted the supply of high-tech equipment, although this is rarely discussed publicly,” Ildar Nuriev, owner of the Russian machine-tool company Tatpromstan, told MashTekh. “If before it was possible to obtain machines with an accuracy of 3 to 4 microns, now it’s no longer possible. You have to obtain a special export license.”

The curbs come amid an overall cooling in China-Russia trade after years of record bilateral flows. Chinese exports to Russia fell 16.4 percent year-on-year in August—double the drop recorded in July—according to Chinese customs data.

Total bilateral trade was down nearly 9 percent in the first eight months of 2025, at 1.03 trillion yuan ($142 billion). Both exports from both respective partners shrank by more than 8 percent.

China has also scaled back purchases of Russian raw materials, including an 11-percent decline in oil imports and a 13-percent drop in liquefied natural gas between January and May, The Moscow Times reported, citing data from the Gaidar Institute think tank.

Quote:Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country's air defenses shot down an Azerbaijani passenger jet in December 2024, killing 38 people, because his forces had tracked Ukrainian drones across the border. The Kremlin leader said there were "several causes" of the "tragedy", and the first was a Ukrainian drone in the sky.

Putin's comments at a meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Thursday were reported by the Russian state news agency TASS. The two were in Tajikistan’s capital, Dushanbe, for a summit of the former Soviet nations.

The incident—not the first passenger plane to be hit since Russia first invaded Ukraine in 2014, the most famous example being Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, which was shot down by Russian-backed forces as it flew over Donetsk in July 2014, killing 298 people—highlights the severe danger posed to flights that travel close to active war zones.

The Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 crashed on December 25, 2024, while on a flight from Baku to Grozny, the regional capital of the Russian republic of Chechnya. Azerbaijani authorities said the jet was accidentally hit by fire from Russian air defenses, then crashed as it tried to land due to the damage in western Kazakhstan, killing 38 of 67 people aboard.

According to Putin, the two Russian air defense missiles did not strike the plane directly, but exploded in the sky nearby, causing the damage that led to the crash, Vedomosti reported. Putin said he will compensate Azerbaijan over the incident, per Vedomosti.

"At this point, we can generally talk about the causes of this tragedy. It is connected with several circumstances, and the first is that a Ukrainian drone was in the sky," Putin said as he sat down with Aliyev, TASS reported. "We were tracking three such drones that crossed the border of the Russian Federation during the night on the day of the tragedy."

Days after the crash, Putin apologized to Aliyev for what he called a “tragic incident,” but stopped short of acknowledging responsibility. Aliyev, meanwhile, criticized Moscow for trying to “hush up” the incident.

The controversy over the crash has roiled the previously warm ties between Moscow and Baku.

Their relations were further destabilized by deaths of ethnic Azerbaijanis rounded up by police in a Russian city in June and a series of arrests of Russians in Azerbaijan.

Quote:NATO allies are discussing easing rules for pilots to permit them to shoot down Russian aircraft, according to a report by the Financial Times. The news comes as alliance members consider a tougher approach against Moscow following a spate of alleged airspace violations, drone swarms, and sabotage plots in Europe.

A NATO official told Newsweek: "When it comes to the range of hybrid or grey-zone activities we’ve seen, including cyber-attacks, drone incursions, or attempts to sabotage critical infrastructure, NATO is working closely with Allies to ensure that we’re taking appropriate steps to ensure we can deter and defend. This isn’t new, and we continue to adapt as the situation evolves."

Why It Matters

NATO-Russia tensions are worsening as the war in Ukraine rages on and there is an increasing risk of a direct conflict between Russia and NATO.

Both sides have characterized the current situation as a form of war with each other, though there has been no such formal declaration by either Russia or NATO.
What To Know
The FT, citing four unidentified NATO officials, said NATO allies are discussing a more forceful response to increasingly provocative Russian actions, including easing restrictions on pilots to allow them to open fire on Russian aircraft and deploying armed drones along the border with Russia. The asymmetric cost of scrambling fighter jets to intercept drones is a running concern for the alliance, which is seeking a financially sustainable solution.

NATO members on the front line with Russia, backed by France and Britain, initiated the discussions, which have since broadened to a larger group in the 32-strong alliance, the newspaper reported.

"One example of our work in this area is Baltic Sentry, which was launched in response to incidents affecting critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea," the NATO official told Newsweek in a statement.

"We started this in January, bringing both sea- and air-based assets to deter potential hostile activity in the Baltic. This has been very effective. In response to airspace violations last month, we launched Eastern Sentry, which adds strength and flexibility to our posture along the Eastern Flank and beyond, and also incorporates new and novel technologies."

President Donald Trump said last month that NATO forces should open fire on Russian aircraft that breach allied territory. A Kremlin spokesman said "such rhetoric only serves to heighten hostility."

Poland's military shot down intruding Russian drones on September 10 after it scrambled aircraft in response to what it called an "unprecedented" violation of its airspace as Russian forces attacked nearby western Ukraine. That was the first direct confrontation between NATO aircraft and Russian drones.

Russian aircraft later intruded into Estonian airspace while numerous unexplained drone flights over European NATO members Romania, Denmark and most recently Belgium and Germany, have exacerbated tensions and led to calls within NATO for the rapid development of better detection, tracking and interception of UAVs violating Europe’s airspace.

Russia, which has mocked and denied the accusations against it, has warned that NATO shooting down its aircraft would be a serious escalation that could lead to open war. But some in the alliance believe that Russia responds only to hard deterrence, and so airspace violations must be met with a powerful response.

The EU is preparing its own steps in response to Russian provocations.

“This is a deliberate and targeted gray zone campaign against Europe. And Europe must respond,” President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen told the European Parliament on Wednesday.

Quote:Russian bombers from the country's Baltic Fleet struck targets on a training ground in Kaliningrad, the Baltic enclave surrounded by NATO allies, according to state media.

Crews of 10 Su-30SM2 multipurpose fighters and Su-24M tactical front-line bombers from the fleet took part in the exercise, which involved bombing targets while traveling at more than 620 miles per hour, the official Tass news agency said, and practicing the evasion of aircraft and air defenses. They also trained in shooting enemy armored columns.

Nearby, Baltic allies Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have been preparing themselves for a potential Russian attack amid heightened tensions with NATO, practicing their contingency plans, including mass evacuation procedures, Reuters reported. They say Russia is already waging a hybrid war against them through sabotage, cyberattacks, airspace violations, and more.

"It's a very reassuring message to our society that we are ready and we are planning," Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys told Reuters. "We have done our homework."

NATO allies fear that Russia under President Vladimir Putin has ambitions well beyond Ukraine, including in the former Soviet Baltic states, and could move if Moscow calculates that the alliance would not uphold its Article 5 commitment to mutual defense. The Kremlin denies harboring any such desire and accuses NATO of seeking conflict with Russia.

Quote:The United States plans to upgrade its radars to improve their ability to identify hostile ballistic missiles targeting the homeland, according to a government announcement, as nuclear adversaries Russia, China and North Korea advance their missile capabilities.

Newsweek has emailed the Russian and Chinese foreign ministries for comment. North Korea's embassy in Beijing did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Why It Matters

Advocated by President Donald Trump, the U.S. is developing the "Golden Dome for America" missile defense initiative to defend against all kinds of aerial attacks—the most catastrophic threat the country faces, the White House said—including hypersonic missiles that fly more than five times the speed of sound and are difficult to intercept.

Russia, China and North Korea possess missiles capable of launching nuclear strikes on the U.S., according to a Defense Intelligence Agency assessment. The U.S. homeland is protected by the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense system; however, it is intended to defeat limited, but not large and sophisticated, intercontinental ballistic missile attacks.

What To Know

A request for information (RFI) by the U.S. Missile Defense Agency was published on the System for Award Management—an official U.S. government website—on October 3, seeking a software upgrade for Upgraded Early Warning Radars (UEWR).

The upgrade, known as Advanced Object Classification (AOC) 1.1, aims to improve the radar's classification of objects in the midcourse phase of ballistic missile flight by incorporating additional algorithm updates and enhancements beyond AOC 1.0.

The midcourse is one of the three phases of ballistic missile flight, along with the boost phase and the terminal phase. During the midcourse, which can last up to 20 minutes, the missile is vulnerable, as the phase provides several opportunities to destroy it.

The UEWR consists of five radars in Alaska, California, Massachusetts, Greenland and the United Kingdom, according to the U.S. Missile Defense Agency. They are designed to detect and track ballistic missiles launched from the ground and from submarines.

Quote:The United States is behind Russia and China in its development of hypersonic weapons, a new study has warned.

A “battlefield asymmetry” is developing because of America’s slowness in working on hypersonic weapons compared to Russia and China’s determination, according to the Atlantic Council study revealed by Axios.

Newsweek has contacted the U.S. Department of War via email for comment.

Why It Matters

Hypersonic weapons represent a major shift in modern warfare, threatening to undermine traditional Western military superiority and putting the U.S. at a strategic disadvantage, according to a new report by the Atlantic Council Hypersonic Capabilities Task Force.

The warning coincides with the Trump administration's push to establish a $175 billion hemispheric missile shield known as the “Golden Dome for America,” designed to defend against advanced missile threats—including hypersonic systems—from adversaries such as China, Russia and North Korea.

What To Know

The Atlantic Council's newly released report highlights a "significant and growing" capability gap in U.S. hypersonic weapons when compared to Chinese and Russian advancements.

Hypersonic weapons travel at speeds greater than Mach 5, can maneuver in flight, and are challenging to detect and stop with current missile defense systems.

The study, informed by senior former leaders from the Pentagon, US Army, Air Force, and nuclear security agencies, states that mere incremental improvements will be insufficient to counter the growing asymmetry in the battlespace.

The task force's key findings and recommendations include:

• Hypersonic weapons represent "a paradigm shift in modern warfare" and must be addressed urgently.
  
• Current missile defense systems, such as Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and Patriot, may be overwhelmed by coordinated hypersonic attacks and are costly to maintain.
  
• The U.S. should develop lower-cost, higher-capacity missile systems and reusable hypersonic aircraft for intelligence gathering and other operations.
  
• Collaboration with allies (through programs like AUKUS Pillar 2) on technology co-development and production should be increased.
  
• America should explore hypersonic delivery systems for nuclear weapons, as conventional aircraft like the F-35A may not survive emerging threats in the 2030s.
  
• Currently, Russian hypersonic systems under evaluation include the Kinzhal, Tsirkon and Avangard missiles. China fields the DF-17 and DF-26, among other systems.
  

The U.S. is developing its own suite, such as the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), Conventional Prompt Strike, Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) and Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM). Many of these U.S. systems remain in testing or limited deployment phases, according to an August Congressional Research Service report on hypersonic weapons.

Quote:The Trump administration wants to ban Chinese airlines from using Russian airspace on flights to and from the U.S., potentially escalating the trade war between the countries. 

U.S. and European airlines have been barred from Russian skies since 2022 after Moscow retaliated to western sanctions for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. 

As an ally of Moscow, China’s carriers continue to use Russian airspace, saving time, fuel and costs by avoiding the detours American aircraft must take.

But Washington has said this hands Chinese carriers have an unfair competitive advantage and the U.S. Transportation Department has issued a proposed order barring passenger aircraft entering the U.S. from overflying Russia, Reuters reported.

Airlines for America, which represents major U.S. air carriers, told Newsweek that the Trump administration's move was "an important step that will help ensure U.S. airlines can compete with Chinese carriers on a level playing field."

Newsweek has contacted the Chinese embassy in the U.S. capital.

Why It Matters

The ban could reshape U.S.–China aviation by forcing Chinese carriers onto longer, costlier routes, straining Washington’s ties with Beijing further ahead of an expected meeting between President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

What To Know

Russia closed its airspace to American carriers on 17 May 2022 but Chinese carriers do not face such restrictions, prompting unhappiness from U.S. airlines because it gives them the advantage of decreased flying time and lower costs.

On Thursday, the U.S. Transportation Department has proposed to bar Chinese passenger airlines from overflying Russia on U.S. routes, although cargo flights would be exempt. 

The order could affect flights from Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, and Xiamen Airlines, whose stocks fell slightly after the news, Reuters reported.

The order did not name Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific, which overflies Russia on its New York to Hong Kong route, the news agency said.

Airlines for America, told Newsweek in a statement Friday that it appreciated the Trump administration's understanding of the fair treatment of U.S. airlines and equality of access in the marketplace.

Quote:First lady Melania Trump announced Friday she helped reunify in the past 24 hours eight Ukrainian children with their famly members who had been cruelly abducted during Russia’s war with Kyiv — and expects to bring back more thourgh an “open channel” with Moscow and President Vladimir Putin.

“A child’s soul knows no borders,” the first lady said in poignant remarks during her closely held announcement in the White House grand foyer, sharing heart-wrenching stories of kidnappings that had divided Ukrainian families for the better part of the more than three-year war.

The eight children were among thousands who were separated from their families during what the Kremlin called “evacuation” procedures in Ukraine — but were actually forced deportations.

Many were ripped away from their families or orphanages during the chaos of the first year of the war, when Russian forces occupied areas in eastern Ukraine.

Whole boarding schools were also emptied out and the kids loaded onto buses before disappearing without a trace.

Some were even later put on a twisted adoption database where they can be sorted by age, eye and color, and number of siblings, in what non-governmental humanitarian groups have characterized as “digital child trafficking masked as bureaucracy.”

The forced separations earned Putin an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court in March 2023.

Ukraine has struggled to locate and repatriate the children kidnapped by Russian forces since the beginning of its full-scale invasion in 2022, with officials saying at least 19,500 children remain unaccounted for, but the actual number could be far higher.

Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska told The Post in an August interview: “The children who come back are subdued mentally — they’re broken. … Only after they return do they start coming back out of their shells.”

Russia has now agreed to rejoin the Ukrainian children who turned 18 years old over the course of the war, with their families, the first lady said Friday, hinting that “plans are already underway to reunify more children in the immediate future.”

The Kremlin has scattered the kidnapped children to more than 200 facilities across Russia to undergo pro-Russian “re-education” and military training, according to a recent report by the Yale School of Public Health Humanitarian Research Lab.

Quote:WASHINGTON — President Trump said Friday that he plans to speak to Israel’s Knesset and then visit Cairo as he travels to the Middle East and Hamas releases its final 20 Israeli hostages.

“I’ll be going to Israel. I’ll be speaking at the Knesset, I think early on, and then I’m also going to Egypt. They were terrific,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

Trump will be on the ground in the region when Hamas releases the remaining captives seized in the Oct. 7, 2023, surprise attack that started the war.

The president is expected to participate in a formal peace-deal signing while in the Egyptian capital, formalizing the first phase of implementation of his 20-point peace plan.

“Gaza is going to be rebuilt,” Trump said, citing anticipated financing from wealthy Arab neighbors.

The president also noted that he will supervise reconstruction of the 2 million-person region as chairman of the “Board of Peace” in charge of monitoring the to-be-announced transitional Palestinian government.

“We’re also setting up, as you know, a Board of Peace,” Trump told the press.

“It’s called the Board of Peace. I don’t know if that’s the final name, but the word ‘peace’ is definitely in there. They have asked me if I chair it. We’ll make sure things go well.”

The first phase of Trump’s peace plan, accepted by both Israel and Hamas, features a cease-fire and the first of three proposed Israeli military pullbacks, in addition to the hostage release.

The US military is involved in providing logistical support to a burgeoning international peacekeeping force for Gaza, which American officials say will include troops from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and possibly the UAE.

“They’re all tired of the fighting,” Trump said ahead of his trip.

“Don’t forget, you had October 7, which was a horrible day, 1,200 people killed, but Hamas has lost 58,000 people. That’s big retribution.”

Quote:The nation’s largest teachers union reportedly sent its roughly 3 million members a sickening email containing a map that erased Israel “completely” and labeled it as Palestine.

The National Education Association sent the email Friday providing its members with resources for “teaching about indigenous peoples” that included the disturbing map, the North American Values Institute told the Jewish News Syndicate.

The email also linked to shocking material that defended Hamas’ depraved Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and led to another 250 being kidnapped to Palestine, according to NAVI.
“It’s deeply troubling that the nation’s largest teachers’ union would promote materials trafficking in antisemitic tropes and attempts to rationalize the atrocities of Oct. 7, let alone elevate groups that glorify terrorism,” Steven Rosenberg, the institute’s regional director in Philadelphia, told the outlet.

“At best, this reflects an organization that failed to meet its own standards of critical review and responsibility. That’s an inexcusable lapse for any institution entrusted with shaping young minds.”

The email encouraged teachers to share the “related sources” in their classes.

While the union — made up of educators, students, parents, activists, and community members — has since scrubbed the shocking material from its website, a “Native Land Digital” map on the site still labels Israel as “Palestine” and describes it as “indigenous” to the land.

A spokesperson for the NEA blamed a third-party for the offensive content on the union’s website.

“It has come to our attention that an external resource that was linked to on NEA’s website, which has been widely used by man news outlets and organizations for many years, falls well short of our standards,” the spokesperson told The Post, noting that the union has always “opposed antisemitisim.”

“After we became aware of content on this website — particularly related to Israel and Palestine we conducted our own deeper review including links to additional third-party hosted content. Upon review, we immediately removed it from the website.

“We condemn in the strongest of terms the deeply offensive content linked on the website, and our team is working to identify a resource that meets our specific needs and standards. We have contact the host organization to flag our serious concerns and have urged them to conduct a thorough review.”

Rosenberg said that “quietly” deleting content is not transparent or a form of accountability — and called on the teachers’ union to issue a full explanation and “sincere apology,” according to JNS.

Quote:Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes on southern Gaza early Friday morning, hours after a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel was meant to come into effect to end hostilities in the two-year war, it has been reported.

CNN and the BBC were among outlets that reported strikes on the center of Khan Younis around 5.45 a.m. local time, with people near the Netzarim corridor also describing hearing artillery shelling and gunfire.

Eyewitnesses also described airstrikes and artillery shelling in Gaza City on Friday morning, especially in the neighborhoods of Al-Sabra and Tal Al-Hawa, CNN reported.

A video published by Reuters showed a flash over the sky in Gaza at 5:55 a.m., followed by the sound of an explosion and a black plume of smoke. Newsweek could not independently verify the reports or video.

The Israeli government approved a ceasefire plan to end the war against Hamas, but it is not clear whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has given the order to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to halt fighting.

When contacted for comment, the IDF told Newsweek that since 12 p.m., when the ceasefire agreement came into effect, IDF troops began positioning themselves along the updated deployment lines in preparation for the ceasefire agreement and the return of hostages.

"IDF troops in the Southern Command are deployed in the area and will continue to remove any immediate threat," it added.

Why It Matters

Reports of renewed Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, if confirmed, will raise concerns about the viability of the ceasefire agreed by Israel’s government after two years of war, hours after street celebrations praised President Donald Trump for his role in the deal.

What To Know

Israeli strikes continued in the lead up to the government's vote but there are reports of attacks on the center of Khan Younis around 5:45 a.m. local time, several hours after Israel’s Cabinet approved Trump’s plan for a ceasefire and the release of all the remaining hostages held by Hamas.

Suha Shaath, a pharmacist currently living in a tent in al-Mawasi near Khan Younis told the BBC Radio 4's Today programme that air strikes have continued "in many places" since the ceasefire was announced. 

There were also reports of Israeli artillery shelling and drones flying over the city, according to CNN, citing eyewitnesses.

Correspondents for the Palestinian news agency Wafa, cited by the BBC, have reported further bombings in Khan Younis in the early hours of Friday, while strikes were also reported in Gaza City and shelling in the areas of al-Sabra and Tal al-Hawa. 

Reuters footage captured a flash of light followed by an explosion just before 6 a.m. local time.

The Times Of Israel reported that under the cover of artillery shelling and airstrikes in some areas, the IDF had started to withdraw troops in the Gaza Strip to agreed-upon deployment lines as part of the deal with Hamas. It is not clear whether this explains the reports of shelling and air strikes on Friday morning.

The Civil Defense mechanism in Gaza has warned residents not to go near areas where Israeli forces are stationed and not approach the borders of the enclave until an official announcement is made about an IDF withdrawal.

Keep in mind that no member of Hamas has ever tried to remove any booby traps or landmines from the zone. Thus, it's imperative to remove any suspicious weapon or landmine or rocket launcher whenever it's found by IDF troops or their airforce.

Quote:A Chinese naval flotilla, led by a pair of destroyers, was tracked sailing around nearly all of Japan's territory, including its outlying southwestern islands, in less than a month, according to data released by Japan's Defense Ministry.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Why It Matters

According to a Pentagon assessment, China operates the world's largest navy by hull count, with more than 370 ships and submarines, helping Beijing further expand its military presence across the Pacific and challenging U.S. naval dominance.

Japan is a key U.S. ally in the island chain strategy. It forms part of two north-south defensive lines across the Western Pacific, aiming to project military power to deter and defend against potential Chinese aggression by leveraging U.S. and allied territories.

The recent naval maneuver marked the second time the Chinese military had deployed vessels on a circumnavigation of a U.S. ally this year. Three Chinese ships transited Australia from February to March, traveling from the eastern seaboard to the western seaboard.

What To Know

Japan's Defense Ministry said three Chinese naval vessels passed through the Miyako Strait between the Japanese islands of Miyako and Okinawa on Friday, moving into the East China Sea from the Philippine Sea, both marginal seas of the Western Pacific.

Hull numbers identified the vessels as the Type 052D destroyers CNS Huainan and CNS Kaifeng and the Type 903A replenishment ship CNS Dongpinghu. Each Type 052D destroyer is equipped with a vertical launch system capable of firing 64 missiles.

The Chinese ships began their voyage around Japan on September 16-17, when they transited the Tsushima Strait, located between Japan and South Korea, moving into the Sea of Japan—also known as the East Sea in South Korea—from the East China Sea.

The Chinese flotilla later departed the Sea of Japan for the North Pacific as it transited the Soya Strait—also known as the La Pérouse Strait in Russia—on September 22-23. The strait lies between Russia's Sakhalin Island and Japan's main island of Hokkaido.

It remains unclear how far the Chinese vessels traveled while operating in the North Pacific. They were tracked again by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, which deployed an aircraft and a ship in response when they approached the Miyako Strait.

A map provided by Japan's Defense Ministry indicated that the only Japanese territories not sailed around by the Chinese navy during this deployment were the islands west of the Miyako Strait and east of Taiwan, a self-ruled island claimed by China as its own.

Quote:Call it the Arc de Trump.

President Trump posted an architect’s rendering of a huge triumphal arch to mark the nation’s 250th birthday – and his biggest change yet to the capital’s skyline.

The stone arch would be constructed just across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial — soaring above that memorial’s 99-foot height — and add a major new element to DC’s public architecture.

The online sketch depicts a massive monument that bears a strong resemblance to the Washington Square Park arch in Manhattan and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

The stone monument features carved wreaths, two huge eagles facing East, and a golden winged angel brandishing a scepter.

The sketch is by architect Nicolas Leo Charbonneau, a partner at Harrison Design whose Sacred Architecture Studio features church designs.

“He’s an extremely talented classical architect,” a source familiar with the project told The Post. “His business is mainly in sacred architecture, but he’s truly a classical architect not just some guy who’s copying and pasting columns.”

The first inkling of Trump’s latest building plans to transform Washington came to light with a small-scale model in the Oval Office. AFP posted images of the design model that was atop the president’s desk Thursday.

Only now is the extent of the preparation for the project coming to the fore, as Trump looks to fill 2026 with celebratory events including a Mixed Martial Arts fight to be hosted at the White House.

The idea for the arch marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence came in an article by Catesby Leigh published weeks before Trump took office, according to the source.

The architecture critic called for a temporary arch, and pointed to the structure that marked Washington’s first inauguration, as well as the grandiose tradition dating back to the Romans.

Information wasn’t available on the cost, the timeline for construction, or who would pay for it. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Quote:Outgoing NJ Gov. Phil Murphy was not in New Jersey when a state of emergency was declared Saturday night, leaving Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way — now serving as acting governor — to make the declaration in his stead.

“In preparation for this storm, I am issuing a State of Emergency for all 21 counties out of an abundance of caution, authorizing our state’s emergency services personnel to activate as necessary,” Acting Governor Way announced in a statement Saturday.

The term-limited Democrat, who is known for taking frequent vacations, often to his luxe Italian villa, made no public announcement he would be out of the state as the powerful nor’easter is expected to barrel through, with the potential to cause significant storm damage.

Way serves as NJ’s secretary of state and was sworn in as Lt. Gov. in Sept. 2023 after the death of her predecessor, Sheila Oliver, who was serving as acting governor at the time of her death while Murphy was again out of the country on vacation.

Murphy’s jet-setting ways have left him open to criticism in the past.

In Dec. 2021, Murphy was slammed for taking an eight-day Christmas vacation with his family to Costa Rica as the state was setting new records for COVID-19 infections. The Murphy family had traveled to the country in 2019, then again in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Way’s social media post announcing the state of emergency declaration were met by puzzled responses, with some wondering where Murphy was.

“Where is the governor?” one commenter inquired.

“Who are you?” asked another.

A rep for Murphy’s office did not immediately respond to a message by The Post seeking clarification on his whereabouts.

Quote:The Federal Aviation Administration has issued ground delays at several airports due to the nor’easter, with average delays inching toward two hours in some locations.

As of 12:35 p.m. Sunday, passengers at Boston Logan International Airport are being told to expect an average delay of 86 minutes due to low ceilings, and 80 minutes for those traveling through Newark Liberty International Airport.

LaGuardia Airport travelers are looking at delays of around 106 minutes, with JFK Airport not faring much better at average delays of 102 minutes.

Philadelphia International Airport and Ronald Reagan National Airport in DC were experiencing the shortest delays so far, with 32 minutes and 26 minutes, respectively.

The massive nor’easter, which started to pick up steam on Sunday morning, is expected to bring significant coastal flooding and powerful winds with gusts up to 60 miles per hour from Charleston to New England.

Quote:WASHINGTON — President Trump suggested that California Sen. Adam Schiff could be the next political enemy to face criminal charges after ex-FBI Director James Comey and New York state Attorney General Leticia James were both indicted.

He publicly implored the “necessary authorities” to revisit his first impeachment, which was led by then-Rep. Schiff (D-Calif.). Trump claimed the case, which was over allegations he pressured Ukraine to dig up dirt on the Biden family, was a “hoax.”

“The Ukraine Impeachment (of me!) Scam was a far bigger Illegal Hoax than Watergate,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Sunday. “I sincerely hope the necessary authorities, including CONGRESS, are looking into this! Adam ‘Schiffty’ Schiff was sooo dishonest and corrupt.

“So many laws, and protocols, were violated, and just plain broken!!!”

Trump had been impeached in early 2020 on accusations of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress before being acquitted by the Senate a few weeks later.

Schiff had been a chief manager in the 2020 impeachment effort. Trump was later impeached a second time just before his term expired over the Jan. 6, 2021, US Capitol riot.

The first impeachment had centered around accusations that Trump’s team held up $391 million in security aid to Ukraine as part of an effort to get Kyiv to assist with Rudy Giuliani’s investigation into the Biden family.

Last month, Trump publicly pressed Bondi about the lack of progress on the DOJ’s investigations of Comey, James and Schiff. All three have strenuously denied wrongdoing.

“Nothing is being done. What about Comey, Adam ‘Shifty’ Schiff, Leticia??? [sic],” Trump complained in the Truth Social post.

That public missive was intended to be a private message to Bondi, the Wall Street Journal later reported.

Schiff is now the only one of the trio who hasn’t yet been indicted. Comey was indicted on charges of lying to Congress and obstruction of justice on Sept. 25.

Meanwhile, prosecutors are expected to slap charges against former National Security Advisor John Bolton as soon as next week, NBC reported.

Quote:Two of the jurors who voted to convict Harvey Weinstein claim they were bullied into doing so by others on the jury and regret their decision, according to the disgraced movie mogul’s lawyers.

The pair of jurors, in sworn affidavits included in a Tuesday court filing from Weinstein’s attorneys, allege they were screamed at and threatened by their peers during the chaotic deliberations that resulted in Weinstein convicted on one of three charges in June.

“I regret the verdict,” the unidentified juror said in the affidavit. “Without the intimidation from other jurors, I believe that the jury would have hung on the Miriam Haley charge.”

Weinstein, 73, was convicted of criminal sex act for assaulting TV and film production assistant and producer Miriam Haley in 2006.

He was acquitted on a second criminal charge involving Polish psychotherapist and former model Kaja Sokola. A mistrial was declared on the most severe rape charge of former actress Jessica Mann.

“If I could have voted by secret ballot, I would have returned a not guilty verdict on all three charges,” one juror’s affidavit reads, Bloomberg reported.

The juror claimed fellow panel members screamed: “We have to get rid of you.”

When the foreperson asked for civility, another juror got in his face, pointed a finger at him and threatened, “You don’t know me. I’ll catch you outside,” according to the affidavit.

“When I arrived home, I called two family members and told them to come look for me if they didn’t hear from me, since something was not right about this jury deliberation process,” one of the juror affidavits states.

“I was so afraid of the repercussions and feared for my physical safety that I ultimately voted with the majority.”

One of the juror affidavits alleged that one panel member accused a fellow juror of accepting bribes from Weinstein.

That allegation “shifted deliberations from an even 6-6 split to a sudden unanimous verdict,” the affidavit states.

Quote:At least four people were killed and 20 injured, four of them critically, after a mass shooting at high school reunion at a South Carolina bar early Sunday, according to authorities.

All four victims were found dead at the scene after at least one shooter opened fire on the crowd of hundreds during the shocking attack at Willie’s Bar and Grill on St. Helena Island just before 1 a.m., the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office said.

“Upon arriving at the scene deputies made contact with a large crowd of people, several of which were suffering from gunshot wounds,” the statement read.

“It was learned that hundreds of people were at the location when the shooting occurred. Multiple victims and witnesses ran to the nearby businesses and properties seeking shelter from the gunshots,” the statement continued.

The bar was hosting a tailgate event for an “alumni event” of nearby Battery Creek High School when the shooting broke out, owner Willie Turral told The Post and Courier.

No arrests have been made, but authorities say they are “investigating persons of interest.”

The victims were rushed to the hospital by Beaufort County EMS on Sunday morning.

Their names have not yet been released, and the exact circumstances behind the shooting are not known at this time, the sheriff’s office said.

“This is a tragic and difficult incident for everyone. We ask for your patience as we continue to investigate this incident. Our thoughts are with all of the victims and their loved ones,” the statement concluded.

Willie’s cook Henry Wright, who was at the bar during the shooting, described the scene as “crazy” and told The Island Packet that he heard “a lot of shots.”

Wright said the patrons fled through the establishment’s back door in a panic after the shots rang out.

Quote:Diane Keaton faced multiple health battles before her tragic death at age 79.

Keaton, whose cause of death has yet to be confirmed, previously opened up about struggling with cancer and an eating disorder.

At age 21, the “Father of the Bride” actress was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer.

“It’s a family history,” she told the Los Angeles Times in 2015. “I remember my Auntie Martha had skin cancer so bad they removed her nose. My father had basal skin cancer and my brother had it. It’s tricky with this skin cancer. That’s why you’ve got to put the sunblock on.”

Keaton also admitted that she didn’t take care of her skin when she was younger.

“Back in my 20s I didn’t pay attention much,” she shared. “I didn’t research and didn’t really care and that was stupid because it’s dogged me my entire adult life, even recently. I didn’t start sun care until my 40s.”

After battling basal cell carcinoma, Keaton was diagnosed with squamous cell cancer decades later. She underwent two surgeries for her second skin cancer diagnosis, per the LA Times.

The Oscar winner also battled bulimia, revealing on Dr. Oz in 2014 that she developed the eating disorder after being asked to lose 10 pounds for a Broadway role when she was younger.

“All I did was feed my hunger, so I am an addict,” Keaton shared. “It’s true. I’m an addict in recovery, I’ll always be an addict. I have an addictive nature to me.”

“Typical dinner was a bucket of chicken, several orders of fries with blue cheese and ketchup, a couple TV dinners, a quart of soda, pounds of candy, a whole cake and three banana cream pies,” Keaton explained of her diet at the time she had bulimia.

The mother of two added: “Somebody mentioned that I seemed to have some mental issues, so I went to an analyst. I would go five days a week.”

Quote:A Chinese businessman whose company has strong ties to the Chinese Communist Party has poured at least $65,000 into Rep. Mikie Sherrill’s bid for New Jersey governor, records show.

Pin Ni, the founder of Wanxiang America Corporation, cut at least two checks for a combined $60,000 this year for the One Giant Leap super PAC, which is backing Sherrill’s bid against Republican Jack Ciattarelli.

Pin also gave another $5,800 – the maximum allowable limit – directly to Sherrill’s campaign in June, records indicate.

Only American citizens or permanent legal residents are allowed to make donations to political campaigns. Pin’s status is not fully clear, though records indicate he has a Social Security number.

In addition to backing her gubernatorial bid, Pin also opened up his coffers to Sherrill’s 2024 congressional campaign to the tune of $14,500 during the past two election cycles.

Pin’s company is part of the Wanxiang Group, a Chinese industrial behemoth that is the country’s biggest auto parts manufacturer.

The conglomerate’s late founder, Lu Guanqiu, was recognized as an outstanding communist party member in China, according to a 2021 press release.

“The donor, Pin Ni, has an extensive history of assisting the CCP’s political warfare and influence operations upon the U.S., and of generally aligning with and carrying our party commands,” Michael Lucci, Founder and CEO of State Armor, a nonprofit group that promotes policies to combat the CCP, told The Post.

Lucci called it “disqualifying” to accept money from Pin and let him “buy into the political influence game.”

Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville has accused Wanxiang Group of close ties to the CCP, noting in a 2023 letter that Guanqiu had been elected as a representative of the Communist Party of China and as a delegate for the Chinese National People’s Congress.

The GOP senator’s letter addressed concerns about business dealings between Wanxiang Group and US firms.

Guanqiu passed on the company to his son, Lu Weiding, and his son-in-law, Pin, according to Forbes.

Pin launched the Chicago-based arm of Wanxiang 1994. He complained to Bloomberg last year how it was getting harder to do business in the US.

“Business partners don’t feel comfortable to deal with a company that has a Chinese background because they feel sooner or later they’re going to have a government issue,” he told the outlet in May 2024. “Major business opportunities were killed by those concerns.”

Quote:Amid ongoing speculation that President Donald Trump may invoke the Insurrection Act, Vice President JD Vance told NBC News' Kristen Welker on Meet the Press on Sunday that the president is weighing “all of his options," with regards to enforcement measures and the law that lets presidents deploy military forces to restore order or enforce federal law.

Why It Matters

The president has authorized the deployment of hundreds of National Guard troops to Chicago, which has been in the spotlight since the administration ramped up immigration enforcement efforts there as part of Operation Midway Blitz. On Saturday, a federal appeals court ruled that the Trump administration cannot deploy the National Guard in Illinois.

Trump has said he would consider invoking the Insurrection Act if courts block his efforts to deploy troops in U.S. cities. The Act would grant the president the power to use the military to put down a rebellion at the federal or state level.

Critics say using the 1807 law would consolidate federal power and give Trump more leeway to use the military for domestic law enforcement or immigration enforcement.

What To Know

After speaking about the Israel-Hamas peace plan and the ongoing government shutdown, Vance and Welker turned to the Trump administration's domestic deployment of National Guard troops.

Welker asked the vice president if the administration is “seriously considering invoking the Insurrection Act?”

Vance replied: “The president's looking at all of his options. Right now, he hasn't felt he needed to,” adding, “But we have to remember why we are talking about this, Kristen. Because crime has gotten out of control in our cities. Because our ICE agents, the people who are enforcing our immigration laws have faced a 1,000 percent increase in violent attacks against them.”

In a September 22 press release, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that “ICE officers are facing a more than 1000% increase in assaults against them, including vehicles being used as weapons towards them, and doxing campaigns targeting federal officers and their families.”

Vance continued: "The problem here is not the Insurrection Act or whether we actually invoke it or not. The problem is the fact that the entire media in this country, cheered on by a few far-left lunatics, have made it OK to tee off on American law enforcement. We cannot accept that in the United States of America."

Welker's question comes days after Trump told reporters, "I’d do it if it was necessary," regarding invoking the Insurrection Act. "So far, it hasn't been necessary. But we have an Insurrection Act for a reason. If I had to enact it, I'd do that," he said.

"If people were being killed and courts were holding us up, or governors or mayors were holding us up, sure, I'd do that," he added.

Quote:Three workers have died since Hyundai Motor started construction of its $7.6 billion auto plant in Georgia in 2022, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, citing a review of federal records.

Dozens of the company’s current and former workers, many of them safety coordinators who helped oversee construction, told the newspaper in interviews that the work environment involved many inexperienced immigrant laborers, often lax safety standards and frequent accidents.

The plant, which is operated through a joint venture between Hyundai and South Korea’s LG Energy Solution, has been in the limelight since an immigration raid last month that detained hundreds of South Korean workers in the largest single-site enforcement operation in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s history.

Apart from the deaths, more than a dozen workers have suffered serious injuries, including from falling without wearing harnesses and getting crushed by forklifts, according to the Journal.

The workers interviewed by the WSJ said Hyundai did not ensure that people were properly trained, and safety regulators did little to prevent worksite violations, the report added.

Reuters could not immediately confirm the report. Hyundai did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Hyundai said in a statement to the Journal that it is committed to following immigration laws and that it doesn’t compromise safety for the sake of speed, adding that the company took steps to address safety issues in response to incidents during construction.

“We acted immediately and comprehensively to prevent anything like this from happening again,” Hyundai CEO Jose Munoz told the newspaper. “I traveled to Georgia to tell our team directly: Their safety comes before production schedules, before costs, before profits, before everything.”

Construction on the electric vehicle and battery plant, located in Bryan County about 30 miles west of Savannah, is ongoing.

Quote:Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons slammed New York officials for issuing commercial driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, including an Indian national caught with an ID that didn’t identify him.

Lyons was left outraged after the now-detained truck driver Anmol Anmol was driving across the US with a license that read “No Name Given” before being arrested in Oklahoma last month.

“It’s really scary,” Lyons told Fox News’ “The Big Weekend Show” Saturday. “To see that on a driver’s license issued by the state, ‘No Name Given.” And the worst part, there’s a REAL ID star right up there in the corner.

“I don’t know about you all, but it was like going through a security clearance for me to get my REAL ID.”

Lyons was referring to the CDL license Anmol was found with after the illegal migrant was stopped for a routine inspection at an I-40 truck scale in Oklahoma.
The New York State issued ID only identified Anmol by his last name, with the first and middle name spaces filled in with the moniker “No Name Given.”

Anmol was arrested by federal agents after it was discovered he had crossed into the country illegally under the Biden administration in 2023, the Department of Homeland Security announced Friday.

Anmol was placed into removal proceedings after his arrest.

“I can’t believe we are giving illegal aliens, who have no right to be here, these driver’s licenses,” Lyons said.

REAL IDs allow holders to board domestic flights and enter federal facilities without a passport.

New Yorkers must provide several documents at the DMV to prove their identity, Social Security number, and residency in the state.

Officials have not revealed how Anmol obtained the ID, but the New York Department of Motor Vehicles confirmed to The Post that the license, issued on April 14 and set to expire May 26, 2028, was real.

“We have these sanctuary states that want to go ahead and try to just make it welcoming to these people who we don’t even know who they are,” Lyons said. “Again, these are CDL licenses. These people are transporting hazardous goods, materials at times. And in some cases, we don’t know exactly what they are doing.”

Quote:Rapper D4vd, whose abandoned car was found containing a dismembered 15-year-old girl, has transferred the deed to two Texas homes to his mother, according to a report.

The 20-year-old Queens-born and LA-based musician transferred the pair of Houston-area residences, which he owns under a trust, on Sept. 18 and Sept. 22, TMZ reported citing legal documents.

The move came the same day that one of the homes was the victim of a swatting incident, according to the outlet.
D4vd’s parents answered the door during that swatting incident at the Houston area home with his frazzled mother assuring police that only she, her husband, other son, and daughter were inside.

D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, has become the subject of much speculation and possible criminal investigations after missing 15-year-old girl Celeste Rivas Hernandez was found dismembered in his abandoned Tesla on Sept. 9.

Authorities revealed Rivas’ body was found in a severe state of decomposition while in the vehicle at the Hollywood impound lot. Officials believe she had been dead for weeks.

The poor girl’s mother revealed to TMZ that her daughter had been dating someone named David — with internet sleuths also uncovering footage from a past livestream that showed the rapper speaking of grooming a girl who is identified as Celeste.

After the gruesome discovery, an eerie unreleased song from the 20-year-old entitled “Celeste” spread across the internet.

“Oh, Celeste, the girl with my name tattooed on her chest, smell her on my clothes like cigarettes,” he sings in the song which circulated online.

The rapper — who literally flopped during a failed backflip during a Coachella performance — canceled his planned tour for the also delayed upcoming album “Withered.”

Quote:The Washington Post editorial board ripped Democratic socialist New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani for his pie-in-the-sky proposal to eliminate bus fares, warning the only beneficiaries would be the city’s homeless and drug users.

“Vagrants and drug addicts would camp out all day on New York’s buses, especially in the winter,” the scathing op-ed published Sunday read.

“Parents would grow afraid to let their children ride alone,” the board predicted.

The outlet also mocked Mamdani for brushing off the nearly $800 million his plan would cost the city each year, which he compared to “$50 million less than what New York spent on the new Buffalo Bills stadium.”

“Oh, is that all?” the board wrote sarcastically, noting that the candidate has proposed a number of pricey improvements to the Big Apple’s bus system he wants to implement if elected, including service upgrades and new loading zones and dedicated bus lanes city-wide.

“So add those costs onto the tab as well — assuming they aren’t stalled by political fretting over clogged roads, as happened under Mayor Eric Adams (D), who similarly sought to expand bus routes,” the board wrote.

The editorial points at widely criticized free-ride programs in other US cities that led to an uptick in “crime and vandalism,” such as in Portland, Oregon, which eliminated fare-free transit in 2012.

A similar plan in ultra-woke Olympia, Washington, raised local sales taxes when it axed bus fares in 2020, meaning riders and non-riders alike shouldered the cost.

“Quality inevitably declines when a service is offered for ‘free,'” the board said.

Saturday’s op-ed wasn’t the first time the left-leaning newspaper bashed Mamdani, which underwent a shake-up earlier this year after owner Jeff Bezos announced sweeping editorial changes, leading to several high-profile departures and the hiring of a handful of conservative columnists.

Quote:ALBANY – The Big Apple’s longest-serving top cop is warning of an “exodus” of New York Police Department cops if mayoral front-runner Zohran Mamdani takes city hall.

Speaking on “The Cats Roundtable” radio program on WABC 770 AM Sunday, Raymond Kelly, who served as police commissioner under Mayors Michael Bloomberg and David Dinkins, says that Mamdani seems to be tacking towards the center publicly.

But, he said, cops aren’t going to buy the act from the far-left Queens Assemblyman.

“He is a problem. He is antisemitic. He is someone who has a lot of crazy ideas,” Kelly told Cats, describing the NYPD as a “target” for Mamdani.

“They started leaving in big numbers at the beginning of Mayor Adams term as mayor and its continued. And of course, with a socialist mayor, I think there is a real challenge to keep the numbers of the police department where they should be,” Kelly said.

Mamdani has issued a half-baked word salad response despite calls for him to apologize for calling New York cops “racist” and a “threat to public safety” in the wake of the murder of George Floyd in 2020.

Kelly, an early advocate for Mayor Adams appointed Jessica Tisch as police commissioner, said Mamdani would be wise to keep her on.

“She’s doing a great job and I’d certainly like to see her stay in the department as a commissioner. But we don’t know what her relationship will be with a socialist mayor, a Muslim mayor. We just don’t know,” Kelly said.

Gov. Kathy Hochul revealed last week that she’s also pushing Mamdani to keep Tisch.

“I have highly recommended that he retain Jessica Tisch,” Hochul said.

Quote:Russian businessmen may want to reconsider standing too close to windows.

At least 38 have died under mysterious circumstances since Russia invaded Ukraine, a Post analysis found — and in at least 10 cases officials claimed the deceased committed suicide by plunging from windows and balconies.

Three business leaders died just last month, and another this week, sparking renewed debate and speculation the Kremlin — known to silence its critics and political foes — had a hand in the defenestration epidemic.

The body count includes:

• Vyacheslav Leontyev, 87, was found dead Oct. 5 below the window of his sixth-floor Moscow apartment building, after apparently having a “nervous breakdown.” Leontyev headed up Pravda, the official newspaper of the Communist Party, and continued to run it after the USSR’s collapse in 1991. Andrey Malgin, an exiled opposition journalist who knew Leontyev, hinted his death may not have been an accident, writing on Telegram that Leontyev “knew a lot about the party’s money.”
  

• Construction company boss and a local pol friendly with Putin, Vitaly Kapustin, 43, was found Sept. 24 hanging from a tree by a cable anchored to his SUV, his hands tied behind his back, in a forest near Crimea.
  

• Alexander Tyunin, 50, was found Sept. 19 near his car on the outskirts of Moscow, with a hunting rifle and a note that read: “I did this myself.” He was CEO of the Umatex Group, Russia’s only carbon fiber manufacturer – a key raw material for the production of Shahed drones the Kremlin has been using in Ukraine.
  

Alexey Sinitsyn, 43, was found Sept. 8 decapitated under a bridge near Kaliningrad, with a rope attached to his body. He was CEO of a Russian potash producer — an industry bringing $10 billion in exports and key to financing Putin’s war chest.

“The absurdity of these deaths is the point,” Peter Doran, a Russia expert at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told The Post. “They’re not supposed to look like suicides or natural deaths. The message is ‘when you get caught, bad things happen to you.’ “

Quote:Russian strongman Vladimir Putin tried to cozy up to President Trump — slamming the committee who has awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to people who “did nothing for peace.”

Asked by reporters whether he thought Trump was unjustly passed over for the prestigious award that was handed out on Friday, Putin replied that he wasn’t the one who made that choice.

“There have been cases where the committee has awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to people who have done nothing for peace,” the Russian dictator said in a stinging rebuke Friday in Tajikistan, where he was attending a summit of former Soviet nations.

“A person comes, good or bad, and in a month, in two months, boom. For what? He didn’t do anything at all. In my view, these decisions have done enormous damage to the prestige of this prize.”

The Russian dictator appeared to try to score points with his US counterpart by also taking a jab at former President Obama, who famously received the Nobel Prize just nine months into his presidency.

Trump has often lambasted his presidential rival saying he “didn’t even know what he got it for” and that Obama “got the prize for doing nothing.”
Putin went on to commend Trump for brokering the Gaza cease-fire.

“He’s really doing a lot to resolve such complex crises that have lasted for years and even decades,” he said.

Putin added that if the Gaza deal is carried out, it would be a “historic” achievement.

Trump, who has grown increasingly frustrated with Putin amid stalled efforts to end the war in Ukraine, took to his Truth Social network on Friday, posting a video of Putin’s comments and writing “Thank you to President Putin!”

Quote:President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed bringing an end to Russia’s invasion during a phone call Saturday — with the US arming Kyiv with Tomahawk missiles seeming increasingly likely.

The two leaders discussed Tomahawks and air defense systems during the phone call, Axios reported.

“I had a call with US President Donald Trump — a very positive and productive one,” Zelensky wrote on X Saturday.

“We discussed opportunities to bolster our air defense, as well as concrete agreements that we are working on to ensure this. There are good options and solid ideas on how to truly strengthen us.”

“I received the necessary signals that the US is considering ways to strengthen our cooperation. We are grateful for this,” he added in another post.

Discussions between the US and Ukraine about the high-powered missiles are showing “positive signals,” with technical coordination between the two countries already underway, according to Ukraine Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi.

“Right now, there is no ‘no’ response,” Tykhyi said during a Friday briefing, adding the talks were “very detailed and active.”

Tomahawks are seen as a gamechanger in the war on Ukraine because they can reach targets as far as 1,500 miles away with precision, putting even Moscow easily within reach — and would “scare the s–t out of the Russians more than almost anything else we could do,” according to a senior congressional aide.

Kyiv has long sought to get its hands on the highly-coveted munitions, but its requests were repeatedly rebuffed during the Biden administration.

Tykhyi said the two countries were now working out the specifics of the request.

Quote:WASHINGTON — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated his pleas for President Trump to send him long-range firepower such as Tomahawk missiles and vowed that he would only deploy them against military targets in Russia.

Zelensky, who spoke with Trump earlier in the day on Sunday, said the recent breakthrough peace agreement between Israel and Hamas has given his country “hope” that ending Russia’s war on Ukraine is possible.

“He said really that [the] Ukraine [war] is more difficult [to end], that it’s a bigger war,” Zelensky recounted on “The Sunday Briefing.” on Fox News.

“[Russian tyrant Vladimir] Putin really doesn’t want [to end the war] and he doesn’t feel full pressure on him,” he said.

“We need two things, I think, to make real pressure on Putin,” he went on. “I said to him that we need real air defense. And the second point is to have long weapons, long-distance capabilities.”

Zelensky has been asking Trump for weeks to green-light the sale of Tomahawk missiles, which can precisely hit targets over 1,500 miles away.

That type of firepower will enable Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory, but selling those weapons to Kyiv risks escalating tensions with Moscow.

“It’s only military goals,” the Ukrainian leader later stressed. “Even with all this pain of losses, losses of our families and our soldiers and our civilians and children … we never attack their civilians. This is the big difference between Ukraine and Russia.”

Kremlin officials have voiced “extreme concern” about the prospect of the US selling Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, and Russian lawmakers have warned about retaliation against America in response.

Enabling Ukraine to strike deep into Russia will help Kyiv take out key military assets the Kremlin has been using in its war machine.

It will also likely force Russia to pull some of its air defense systems out of Ukraine and into its territory, which could make Ukrainian strikes far more effective.

Trump has kept an open mind about the Tomahawk missiles, but has expressed some reservations.

“I think I want to find out what they’re doing with them,” he told reporters last week. “Where are they sending them? I guess I’d have to ask that question.”

Quote:Estonia's government has said reports of spiked tensions on its border with Russia are "exaggerated," after authorities in the country closed access to a road that briefly passes through Russian territory.

Why It Matters

Estonia, like other NATO nations making up the alliance's eastern flank, has been far more concerned by the threat the Kremlin could pose than countries geographically further from Russia. Tallinn last month said three Russian fighter jets, able to carry advanced, nuclear-capable missiles, had violated Estonian airspace for 12 minutes. Moscow denied the MiG-31 aircraft breached NATO airspace while en route to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.

The incident came shortly after an estimated 20 Russian drones crossed into NATO member Poland. Both Warsaw and Tallinn triggered NATO's Article 4, in which member nations come together to discuss "whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the parties is threatened."

What To Know

"Reports suggesting that the situation on the Estonian-Russian border is becoming tense are exaggerated," Tallinn's Foreign Minister, Margus Tsahkna, said in a statement posted to social media on Sunday. He said Russia was "acting somewhat more assertively and visible than before, but the situation remains under control."

Tsahkna said Estonian officials had on Friday spotted "seven armed Russian servicemen" on the Russian side of a road in southeast Estonia that flits into Russian territory. Estonian authorities temporarily stopped traffic on the road to swerve any "potential incidents," the minister said.

The small, wedge-shaped chunk of Russian soil that pokes into Estonia is known as the Saatse Boot and roughly 800 meters of road cuts into Russia. Travelers can drive through the Saatse Boot without stopping, but are not allowed to deviate from the road, walk or stop in Russian territory.

Estonia's police and border guard said it had shut access to the Saatse Boot on Friday after guards noticed a "larger-than-usual unit" of Russian personnel. Images and brief clips of what appeared to be a group of armed Russian soldiers, most of whom had donned facial coverings, widely circulated online.

Estonian Interior Minister Igor Taro told the Postimees daily newspaper on Saturday that the Russian troops appeared to have left the area. Newsweek has reached out to the Russian Defense Ministry for comment via email.

The route is a "historical anomaly," Tsahkna said. The road will close in the future and a new route is being built, he said.

Quote:Afghanistan said Sunday it killed 58 Pakistani soldiers in overnight border operations, in response to what it called repeated violations of its territory and airspace. Pakistan’s army gave far lower casualty figures, saying 23 troops were killed.

Earlier in the week, Afghan authorities accused Pakistan of bombing the capital, Kabul, and a market in the country’s east. Pakistan did not claim responsibility for the assault.

The Taliban government’s chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said Afghan forces have captured 25 Pakistani army posts, leaving 30 Pakistani soldiers wounded.

“The situation on all official borders and de facto lines of Afghanistan is under complete control, and illegal activities have been largely prevented,” Mujahid told a news conference in Kabul.

Pakistan has previously struck locations inside Afghanistan, targeting what it alleges are militant hideouts, but these have been in remote and mountainous areas. The two sides have also skirmished along the border in the past. Saturday night’s heavy clashes underscore the deepening tensions.

The Taliban government’s Defense Ministry said early Sunday morning its forces had conducted “retaliatory and successful operations” along the border.

“If the opposing side again violates Afghanistan’s territorial integrity, our armed forces are fully prepared to defend the nation’s borders and will deliver a strong response,” the ministry added.

The Torkham crossing, one of two main trade routes between the two countries, did not open on Sunday at its usual time of 8 a.m.

The crossing at Chaman, southwest Pakistan, was also closed. People, including Afghan refugees leaving Pakistan, were turned away due to the worsening security situation.

Quote:China and the Philippines have blamed each other for an incident that Manila said damaged a Philippine vessel close to hotly contested islands in the South China Sea.

Why It Matters

China stakes a claim over the vast majority of the South China Sea, contested by several countries, including the Philippines. A 2016 ruling in The Hague dismissed China's historic claim to the areas in its so-called nine-dash line, which Beijing refused to accept. Tensions routinely flare between Beijing and Manila at sea in the major trade route.

What To Know

The Philippine coast guard said a Chinese ship "deliberately rammed" and fired a water cannon on the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, a Philippine vessel tasked with protecting Filipino fishermen, in separate incidents that happened in quick succession from 9:15 a.m. local time on Sunday.

The incident, which happened close to Thitu Island around an hour after the Chinese vessels approached, caused "minor structural damage" to the Philippine ship, but no one was injured, the coast guard said.

Thitu Island, also referred to by many Filipinos as Pag-asa, is part of the disputed Spratly Islands archipelago that China calls Nansha Qundao. China has seven outposts on the Spratly Islands archipelago and another 20 on the Paracel Islands, north of the Spratlys, and has carried out major building work in recent years, according to analysts.

A Chinese coast guard spokesperson said the authorities had "lawfully expelled" two Philippine vessels that "illegally intruded" waters close to the Spratly Islands after what they claimed were multiple warnings. "The full responsibility lies with the Philippine side," said Liu Dejun.

Jay Tarriela, a spokesperson for the Philippine coastguard, said three of the country's vessels were "safely anchored" near Thitu Island to back up Filipino fishermen. The ships "faced dangerous and provocative maneuvers" by the Chinese Coast Guard and Maritime Militia, Tarriela said. The militia is made up largely of fishing vessels that Western assessments say help Beijing stake a claim to contested waters.

Tarriela shared footage purporting to show the encounter, a Chinese-marked vessel visible approaching very close to where the video was filmed aboard another ship. In another short clip, the ship with "China Coast Guard" emblazoned on its side fires a water cannon at the vessel sporting multiple Philippine flags as crew members look on.

Quote:China has said it will pursue closer ties with North Korea, following a reignition of trade tensions with the U.S.

On Saturday, the Chinese government announced that it is willing to work with North Korea to “explore the potential for practical cooperation and add more impetus to the development and construction of the two countries,” per a report from state news agency Xinhua.

Why It Matters

The agreement to strengthen the already robust political and economic bonds between the two nations comes amid new threats of tariffs from President Donald Trump that have weakened the prospect of a deal that could see an end to the simmering trade war between the U.S. and China.

During previous periods of friction, Beijing has stressed its intention to resist Washington’s “bullying,” while underscoring the need to deepen trade links with its existing international partners. China has already vowed to respond to the additional 100 percent tariff threatened by Trump—in response to its own recent curb on rare earth exports—with “resolute” countermeasures to “safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.”

What To Know

According to Saturday’s announcement, China and North Korea reached a series of agreements on “deepening relations between the two parties and two countries.” The statement followed a meeting in Pyongyang between Chinese Premier Li Qiang, head of the State Council and second-in-command to Xi Jinping, and North Korean Premier Pak Thae Song.

“As the international situation is undergoing profound changes, both sides should unite and cooperate more closely to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of China and the DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea—the official name of North Korea], and maintain international fairness and justice,” Li said, according to Xinhua.

Last month, Chinese President Xi had met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a military parade celebrating China’s victory over Japan in World War II, at which Russian President Vladimir Putin was also present.

On Saturday, Li said that this meeting had “provided strategic guidance and injected strong impetus into the development of relations between the DPRK and China.”

According to North Korean media, Xi recently sent a letter to Kim in which he similarly voiced support for deepening ties between the two countries.

Quote:North Korea unveiled what it called its “most powerful” intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at a military parade in Pyongyang on Friday, according to state media.

The event, overseen by leader Kim Jong Un, showcased some of the country’s most advanced weaponry, including long-range strategic cruise missiles and drone launch vehicles. But the spotlight was firmly on the Hwasong-20 ICBM, which the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) described as the military’s “most powerful nuclear strategic weapon system.”

Why It Matters

The unveiling underscores Pyongyang’s continued focus on expanding its nuclear arsenal amid growing tensions with the United States and South Korea. The parade also marked a show of strength for Kim, who has repeatedly vowed to bolster the country’s nuclear deterrent in response to what he calls hostile actions from the West.

What To Know

The parade, which began late on Friday, marked the 80th anniversary of the foundation of its ruling Workers' Party.

The parade, which began late in Pyongyang, followed nationwide celebrations the previous day and underscored the country’s growing alignment with China and Russia, according to reports from Reuters, The New York Times, and KCNA.

State media said the Hwasong-20’s engine, built with carbon fiber, is capable of producing 1,971 kilonewtons of thrust, which is greater than earlier North Korean rocket engines. The Hwasong series of ICBMs gives North Korea the ability to target anywhere on the U.S. mainland, though analysts say questions remain over its guidance system and the ability of its warheads to survive re-entry. Experts believe the new model could carry several nuclear warheads, a capability that Kim Jong Un has urged his military to develop to penetrate enemy defenses.

The Hwasong-20 has not yet been test-launched but is the latest in a line of long-range missiles developed under Kim’s leadership, according to The New York Times. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said in September that North Korea was getting close to building ICBMs capable of targeting the mainland United States with nuclear warheads. Washington continues to push for the “complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantling” of North Korea’s nuclear program, but Pyongyang insists on recognition as a nuclear power. In September, Kim said his country would restart dialogue with the U.S. only if it stopped trying to force North Korea to give up its nuclear arsenal.

Following the parade, Kim delivered a speech describing North Korea as a “faithful member of socialist forces” and “a bulwark for independence” against Western “hegemony,” according to KCNA.

Joining Kim on the reviewing platform were China’s Premier Li Qiang, Russia’s Dmitry Medvedev, and Vietnam’s Communist Party chief To Lam, according to The New York Times.

In a meeting with Kim, Medvedev expressed gratitude for North Korea’s support of Russia’s war in Ukraine, saying, “The nature of relations between people and between countries is revealed during times of trial. This fully applies to the alliance between our countries,” Al Jazeera reported. He added, “We are grateful to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea for its steadfast support of the special military operation. Our soldiers stood shoulder to shoulder to liberate the Kursk region. This feat will forever remain in our hearts.”

KCNA reported that Kim told Medvedev he hoped to strengthen cooperation with Russia and expand exchanges “to achieve common goals.” The parade also featured North Korean soldiers who fought alongside Russian troops in Ukraine, carrying both nations’ flags. According to South Korean officials cited by The New York Times, Pyongyang has sent about 15,000 troops and large quantities of artillery shells, rockets, and missiles to support Moscow’s campaign.

Quote:President Donald Trump’s top Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, visited an Israel Defense Forces base in the northern Gaza Strip on Saturday, the second day of the ceasefire, Fox News reported, citing an image obtained exclusively by the network.

He was reportedly accompanied by Admiral Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, who said in a social media post his visit was part of efforts to set up a task force to support Gaza’s stabilization. Cooper emphasized that U.S. troops would not be deployed inside the Gaza Strip.

Newsweek could not independently verify Fox News' report and has contacted CENTCOM for confirmation via email..

Why It Matters

The Israel and Hamas agreement to the first phase of Trump's peace deal marks a pivotal moment in the two-year war that has devastated Gaza, displacing millions and creating severe shortages of food, water and medical care.

Witkoff's reported presence in Gaza highlights U.S. engagement in the region, as the deal was a major coup for President Donald Trump who has said he wants his legacy to be that of a "peacemaker and a unifier."

What To Know

Roughly 200 U.S. troops have arrived in Israel to assist in retrieving hostages and monitoring the ceasefire. They will also help establish a coordination center to facilitate aid and logistics. Witkoff told Israeli officials that Washington will establish a center in Israel to coordinate Gaza-related issues until a new governing structure is formed, according to a meeting readout obtained by The Associated Press.

Thousands of Palestinians began returning to their homes across Gaza on Saturday, The AP reported, as the U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas appeared to be holding, .

The conflict began with Hamas’ 2023 assault on Israel that killed around 1,200 people and saw 251 hostages taken. In Israel’s subsequent offensive, more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 170,000 wounded, according to The Associated Press, which cited Gaza’s Health Ministry. The U.N. estimates that over three-quarters of Gaza’s buildings have been destroyed, while a joint EU and World Bank assessment in February put total damages at $49 billion.

Israeli forces pulled back from major urban areas under the first phase of the agreement, which also requires Hamas to release its remaining hostages within 72 hours. According to Reuters, 20 of the 48 remaining hostages are believed to be alive. In return, Israel will free 250 Palestinians serving long sentences and around 1,700 detained during the war.

Despite the truce, questions remain about whether the deal will lead to a lasting peace — and what will become of Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Friday that if the group does not disarm, Israel will act again: “If it’s achieved the easy way, so be it. If not, it will be achieved the hard way.”

Trump said Friday he was confident the ceasefire would hold, telling reporters, “They’re all tired of the fighting,” though he acknowledged that some details still have to be worked out. Under his plan, Israel would maintain an open-ended military presence along Gaza’s border, while an international force—largely made up of troops from Arab and Muslim countries—would take responsibility for security inside the enclave.

Quote:Hamas has confirmed that it has 20 living hostages and is ready to release them as early as Sunday, a day earlier than expected, according to insiders.

The terror group told Israel that it has the hostages ready to exchange ahead of President Trump — the architect of the peace deal — arriving in the region, sources familiar with the deal told the Wall Street Journal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Jewish state is ready for whenever the release happens, even if before the expected time early Monday.

“Israel is prepared and ready to immediately receive all of our hostages.” Netanyahu said Sunday after an update from those leading the process.

Still, his spokesperson said the assumption is still for the handover to happen early Monday, CNN reported — which would be 737 days after they were snatched during the terror attack on Oct. 7, 2023.

All 20 will be “released together at one time to the Red Cross and transported among six to eight vehicles without any sick displays by Hamas, the terror organization,” the prime minister’s spokeswoman, Shosh Bedrosian, said.

Hamas is obligated to release the hostages it has under the peace agreement Trump helped broker between the terror group and Israel. Hamas is thought to have 20 living hostages and at least 28 bodies of dead hostages.

Under the deal, which was finalized last week, Hamas has a 72-hour deadline to release the hostages to Israel, which has acknowledged that it will likely take additional time to retrieve the bodies of the captives who died.

That’s largely because Hamas claimed it doesn’t know the location of some of the bodies.

“The IDF has completed its preparations for the release of the hostages and assesses that all of them will be released before Trump’s arrival,” a source told the Kan public broadcaster.

Trump is slated to touch down in Israel early Monday, where he is expected to address the Knesset and will then head to Egypt as part of a trip to mark the historic peace agreement.

As part of the agreement, a large cache of humanitarian aid is being readied to enter the beleaguered Gaza Strip. The deal had stipulated that humanitarian aid must flow into the Gaza Strip at a minimum rate of the level agreed to in January.

Humanitarian aid set to flow into Gaza includes 400 trucks with 9,000 tons of resources such as medical supplies, flour, fuel, blankets, mobile bathrooms, and more, the Egyptian Red Crescent said.