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Wednesday, November 1, 2023

11/1 WAKE-UP CALL: Israeli Fighter Jets Nail Hamas Commander

Israel said its fighter jets killed a Hamas commander in a strike on a densely populated refugee camp in Gaza, an attack that also killed at least 50 Palestinians as fighting intensified in the enclave where food, fuel and supplies are running scarce. The Israeli military said 11 soldiers were also killed in fighting in Gaza on Tuesday, the biggest one-day loss for the armed forces since Hamas gunmen attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 300 soldiers and some 1,100 civilians. Israel's Army Radio said most of the dead were infantrymen whose vehicle was struck by an anti-armor missile. Shelling and air strikes continued over Gaza overnight, witnesses said. Israel sent its forces into Gaza following weeks of air bombardments in retaliation for the attack by Iran-backed Hamas, and an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) statement said the airstrikes on Jabalia, Gaza's largest refugee camp, had killed Ibrahim Biari, a Hamas commander it said was "pivotal" in the planning and execution of the assault.

➤DOZENS DEAD: Dozens of people in a refugee camp were killed in Israeli airstrikes north of Gaza City. The Israeli military said it killed about 50 Hamas militants, including a commander who helped lead the Oct. 7 attacks that left 1,400-plus Israelis dead and more than 200 held hostage. Hamas didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. The U.S.-designated terrorist organization continued its indiscriminate rocket fire into Israeli communities and cities near Gaza and in central Israel. Since the war began, Hamas has fired more than 8,500 rockets at areas where millions of people live, according to Israeli officials. Meanwhile, hunger is spreading in Gaza because of Israel’s siege of the enclave. Israel has allowed small humanitarian-aid deliveries since Oct. 21 but opposes allowing fuel in because of concerns that Hamas will use it for military purposes. A U.N. food assistance program estimates Gaza’s supplies of essential foods will last another seven days. Israel says it will allow more aid into southern Gaza; so far, deliveries have been limited.

➤MAN ARRESTED FOR THREATENING U-S SENATOR: A Nevada man has been jailed on charges he threatened Sen. Jacky Rosen with repeated antisemitic phone messages after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. John Anthony Miller, 43, was arrested Oct. 26 and charged with threatening a federal official, with the records unsealed Monday. U.S. Magistrate Judge Elayna Youchah ordered him detained with a court appearance scheduled Nov. 13. Miller allegedly called Rosen’s office numerous times from Oct. 11 to 19 and left threatening messages filled with profanity and derogatory names, according to court records. Miller left his name and phone number in at least two of the messages, according to court records.

➤CORNELL STUDENT FACING CHARGES: A 21-year-old Cornell University student was arrested on Tuesday for posting threats online against Jewish students at the university over the weekend, the Department of Justice said. Patrick Dai, a junior at Cornell University who is originally from Pittsford, New York, was arrested on a "federal criminal complaint charging him with posting threats to kill or injure another using interstate communications," according to the Justice Department. If convicted, Dai faces up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. Dai is expected to make his first appearance in federal court in Syracuse, New York, on Wednesday, the Justice Department said.

➤PROTESTERS INTERRUPT SENATE HEARING: Amid repeated interruptions from pro-Palestinian protesters, Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered testimony on Tuesday to a Senate committee on the administration's emergency funding request for Israel and Ukraine. As Blinken sought to give opening remarks, more than a dozen demonstrators called for a "cease-fire now" and accused the U.S. of supporting a "massacre" in Gaza, which has been under bombardment from Israel since Hamas launched a surprise attack in early October in which approximately 1,400 Israelis were killed and more than 200 people were kidnapped. Israel responded with airstrikes that the Health Ministry in Gaza says have claimed the lives of more than 8,000 Palestinians. 

➤SENATE CONFIRMS JACK LEW AS U.S. AMBASSADOR TO ISRAEL VOCAL GOP OPPOSITION OVER IRAN DEAL: The Senate on Tuesday confirmed former Treasury Secretary Jack Lew as the new US ambassador to Israel, despite stiff opposition from Senate Republicans over his involvement in the Iran nuclear deal during the Obama administration. He was confirmed by a vote of 53-43.



➤TRUMP TOPS HALEY BY 31 POINTS IN NEW SURVEY OF SOUTH CAROLINA REPUBLICANS: Former President Donald Trump leads fellow GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley by a comfortable 31-point margin in the early-voting state of South Carolina, where Haley was once governor, according to a poll released Tuesday. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis came in third with 11 percent, while home-state Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.) was next with 6 percent. Every other candidate received no more than 2 percent.
 
➤PROSECUTORS SAY COURT DECISION FORCES THE END OF CRIMINAL CASES IN FLINT WATER SCANDAL: The Michigan attorney general's office said Tuesday that the state prosecution of former Gov. Rick Snyder and other officials for their roles in the Flint water scandal has ended. A decision Tuesday by the state Supreme Court to decline to hear appeals of a lower court's dismissal of misdemeanor charges against Snyder "effectively closes the door on the criminal prosecutions of the government officials," prosecutors said in a release."At this time the court has left us with no option but to consider the Flint water prosecutions closed," the prosecution team said.

✞SOAP STAR DIES: Tyler Christopher, the actor best known for his Emmy-nominated role on “General Hospital” has died. He was 50.BHis “GH” co-star Maurice Benard confirmed his death Tuesday on Instagram.B“It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Tyler Christopher,” Benard wrote. “Tyler passed away this morning following a cardiac event in his San Diego apartment.”

“Tyler was a truly talented individual that lit up the screen in every scene he performed and relished bringing joy to his loyal fans through his acting. Tyler was a sweet soul and wonderful friend to all of those who knew him.” He added, “Tyler was an advocate for better mental health and substance use treatment who openly spoke about his struggles with bipolar depression and alcohol. We are beyond devastated by the loss of our dear friend and pray for his children and his father.”

NY Post 11/1/23
➤DE NIRO ADMITS THAT HE ‘BERATED’ HIS EX-ASSISTANT: Robert De Niro took the stand at a New York City federal courthouse on Tuesday (October 31st) in a civil trial involving his former assistant, Graham Chase Robinson. The Killers of the Flower Moon actor raised his voice on multiple occasions while providing his testimony, according to People. “Yeah, fine, I berated her,” De Niro admitted. He also revealed that he might have called Robinson “petulant,” “snippy” and a “f------g spoiled brat.” However, the Goodfellas actor made a distinction when it came to accusations that he yelled at Robinson. “I’ve raised my voice,” he said. “I don’t yell. You wanna dispute that? That’s one thing I don’t do.” Robinson also accused the Meet the Fockers actor of asking her to scratch his back and urinating while he was on the phone with her.

In 2019, De Niro’s company filed a $6 million lawsuit against Robinson after she left the company, accusing her of binge-watching Netflix shows while working and charging personal items to the company credit card, such as groceries. Robinson filed a $12-million countersuit claiming that the company violated the New York City Human Rights Law and gave her "stereotypically female job duties that were inconsistent with her job title."

👼BABY MORTALITY RATE JUMPS: The rate of babies dying in the U.S. increased significantly for the first time in two decades, raising new alarms about maternal-infant health in America. The nation’s infant-mortality rate rose 3% from 2021 to 2022, reversing a decadeslong overall decline, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday. The rate increased from 5.44 infant deaths for every 1,000 births to 5.6 in 2022, a statistically significant uptick. The U.S. rate is double that of many developed countries. Globally baby death rates have fallen for decades, though five countries that have reported their rates this year recorded increases for last year.


⚾MLB RANGERS 11 D-BACKS 7: The Texas Rangers are one win away from their first World Series title, and they will ask Nathan Eovaldi to finish off the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 5 on Wednesday. Texas grabbed a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series with an 11-7 win in Game 4 on Tuesday, as leadoff hitter Marcus Semien contributed a three-run homer and a two-run triple. The Rangers took the 48,388 fans out of the game early with five-run innings in the second and third. 

The Diamondbacks scored six runs in the last two innings but still fell far short. Texas, which is a record 10-0 on the road in the postseason, will look to complete a perfect away run behind Eovaldi. The veteran right-hander is 4-0 with a 3.52 ERA over five postseason starts, with 36 strikeouts and five walks in 30 2/3 innings. Eovaldi allowed five runs on six hits in 4 2/3 innings in Game 1, which Texas won 6-5 in 11 innings. He fanned eight and walked one.

🏈COLLEGE PLAYOFF RANKING RELEASED: The first College Football Playoff rankings are out, with Ohio State being installed as the No. 1 team in the initial reveal of the rankings that will decide which teams will be selected for the semifinals at the end of the season. It's the second season and fourth time overall the Buckeyes have been at the top of the rankings. They were there for three weeks in 2019. Ohio State is 8-0 with wins against two significant ranked opponents - Notre Dame and Penn State.

🏈VIKINGS TRADE FOR JOSHUA DOBBS WITH KIRK COUSINS OUT FOR SEASON: The Minnesota Vikings acquired quarterback Joshua Dobbs from the Arizona Cardinals hours before the NFL's trade deadline Tuesday afternoon, giving them a measure of depth as they navigate the remainder of the season without starter Kirk Cousins. Pending Dobbs passing a physical, the Vikings will acquire him and a conditional seven-round pick in the 2024 draft for a 2024 sixth-round pick. The conditional pick can become a sixth-round selection based on Dobbs' playing time.

🏀CLIPPERS LAND JAMES HARDEN IN BLOCKBUSTER TRADE: The LA Clippers acquired 10-time All-Star guard James Harden in a blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night. The 76ers sent Harden, P.J. Tucker and Filip Petrusev to the Clippers for Marcus Morris, Robert Covington, Nic Batum, KJ Martin, a 2028 unprotected first-round pick, two second-round picks, a 2029 pick swap and an additional first-round pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder.



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