Maine State Police have confirmed an active shooter situation and are investigating two locations in Lewiston. Law enforcement is urging residents to stay indoors, lock their doors, and shelter in place. The Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office has released an image of a person of interest and is asking for the public's help in identifying them. Authorities have set up a staging area at City Hall and are asking people to stay off the streets to allow law enforcement to handle the situation. Lewiston Public Schools has sent out a text message asking anyone near or at the school for conferences to find a safe place and go into lockdown.

Multiple shootings have been reported in Lewiston, including at Sparetime Recreation, Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant, and the Walmart Distribution Center. While the number of victims and the extent of injuries is unconfirmed, there are reports of multiple people being shot, with potential fatalities. Maine's Total Coverage and WMTW are working to gather more information on the ongoing situation. Residents are advised to call 911 if they observe any suspicious activity or individuals.

Fraser Michael Bohm, the 22-year-old driver who crashed his car and killed four Pepperdine University students in Malibu, has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and gross vehicular manslaughter. The charges were announced by District Attorney George Gascon, who stated that the investigation revealed Bohm's actions were "dangerous to human life" and that he acted with a "conscious disregard for human life." The crash occurred on the evening of October 17 on Pacific Coast Highway, where Bohm allegedly reached speeds of 104 mph in a 45-mph zone. After losing control of his car, Bohm crashed into three parked cars before colliding with the four young women, who were standing along the side of the road. The victims, Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir, and Deslyn Williams, were all seniors at Pepperdine's Seaver College of Liberal Arts.

Bohm's attorney claims that his client was a victim of a road rage incident and that another driver forced him off the road, leading to the crash. However, investigators have found no evidence to support these claims. The crash has prompted calls for improved safety measures on Pacific Coast Highway, including reduced speed limits, increased speed enforcement, and the addition of speed cameras.

Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, is calling on Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to resign after his comments about Hamas during a Security Council meeting. Guterres said that the recent attack by Hamas on Israel did not happen in a vacuum, but also condemned the "appalling" attacks. Erdan has demanded an apology and resignation from Guterres, claiming that he is not fit to lead the UN. Guterres clarified his remarks, stating that he was not justifying acts of terror but acknowledging the grievances of the Palestinian people. Erdan, however, doubled down on his calls for Guterres' resignation, stating that the secretary-general distorts reality and has not fully retracted his words.

Israeli officials have reacted strongly to Guterres' comments, with the country's foreign minister canceling a meeting with Guterres and criticizing his understanding of the situation. The conflict in Gaza continues to escalate, with the UN secretary-general stating that Israel has committed "clear violations" of international law. These remarks have triggered a furious response from Israeli officials. The situation remains tense, and Israel is calling for a reassessment of its relations with the United Nations.

Is the UN secretary-general apologizing for comments on Hamas, or is there more to the story?

A new report released by the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance claims that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas was given a luxury motorhome worth more than a quarter of a million dollars by wealthy businessman Anthony Welters. The report states that Welters loaned $267,230 to Thomas for a Prevost Marathon motor coach in 1999 at a 7.5% interest rate. Although Thomas paid interest on the loan for a short period of time, he never repaid a substantial portion of the loan. The report includes a handwritten note from Thomas to Welters, dated December 6, 1999, which references the loan agreement.

The report raises questions about potential tax issues, as Thomas allegedly failed to report the forgiven debt on his 2008 Financial Disclosure Report. The committee is now calling on Thomas to provide more information about the amount of debt that was forgiven and whether he properly reported the loan forgiveness on his tax returns.

Supreme Court justices, like other high-ranking officials, are required to file annual disclosures listing their liabilities in order to prevent potential conflicts of interest. Thomas has not yet responded to the report's findings.

In a surprising twist, Michael Cohen, Donald Trump's former lawyer and fixer, appeared to backtrack on his previous testimony during the New York civil fraud trial. Cohen had previously implicated Trump for directing him to inflate financial statements, but during cross-examination by Trump's attorneys, he contradicted his earlier statements. Cohen initially told one attorney that he had lied in his 2019 congressional testimony about Trump directing him to inflate numbers on his personal statement. However, when pressed by another attorney, Cohen stated that his earlier testimony was not false and that Trump never asked him to inflate the numbers.

This apparent backtrack by Cohen has thrown the trial into more chaos, and it raises questions about the credibility of his testimony. Cohen described Trump as speaking like a mob boss, stating that Trump tells you what he wants without explicitly stating it. Trump's lawyers have asked the judge for a directed verdict to throw out the case.

Meanwhile, during the trial, Trump himself took the witness stand to defend himself against claims that he violated a gag order. Trump denied referring to a judge's principal law clerk when he made a comment about a "very partisan judge." The former president testified that he believes the judge's clerk is biased against him and explained that he had taken down a post on his social media platform that sparked the gag order.

Palestinian authorities claim that Israeli strikes have killed over 5,791 people in Gaza and injured more than 16,200, while Israeli authorities report over 1,400 people killed in Israel and more than 5,400 injured since the Hamas attack on October 7th. U.S. intelligence officials have determined with "high confidence" that Israel was not responsible for the explosion at al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City last week that killed numerous people. However, they could not definitively identify who launched the rocket.

Amidst the ongoing conflict, the Biden administration is reportedly preparing for the potential evacuation of hundreds of thousands of Americans residing in the Middle East, primarily in Israel and Lebanon, if the situation escalates further. This plan is considered a worst-case scenario, according to officials familiar with the U.S. government's contingency planning.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) reported that more than 613,000 displaced people are seeking shelter in UN facilities across the Gaza Strip, with most shelters overcrowded. UNRWA also stated that 38 of its staff members have been killed, and 41 facilities have been damaged since the start of the conflict.

In a recent press conference, President Biden reiterated his support for Israel's right to defend itself while emphasizing the need for humanitarian aid in Gaza. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan referred to Hamas as a "liberation group" and called for an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and the release of hostages.

Mexico's southern coast is facing the threat of catastrophic damage as Hurricane Otis makes landfall near Acapulco. The Category 5 storm arrived with sustained winds of 165 mph (270 km/h) and heavy rain. The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) warns of the potential for flash floods, mudslides, a storm surge, and life-threatening surf and rip currents. The storm could bring up to 20 inches (51 cm) of rain to parts of Guerrero and Oaxaca. Mexico's national water agency, CONAGUA, has warned of high surf off the coast. The defense ministry has enacted a disaster plan, and authorities are preparing storm shelters and coordinating evacuations. Schools across Guerrero have canceled classes for Wednesday.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has urged coastal residents to seek shelter and avoid rivers, streams, and ravines. As the storm moves inland and over southern Mexico's higher terrain, it is expected to weaken and dissipate Wednesday night. However, the hurricane center has described the situation in the Acapulco metropolitan area as extremely serious, with no hurricanes on record near this level of intensity for the region. The storm's primary threats are damaging winds, heavy rainfall, dangerous storm surge, and coastal flooding.

25 October 2023

The United States drafted a resolution at the United Nations Security Council condemning Hamas and expressing support for Israel's right to self-defense. However, the resolution was vetoed by Russia and China, along with the United Arab Emirates. The resolution also called for the immediate release of all hostages.

Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, argued that Russia and China might have responded differently if they had experienced a similar massacre. Erdan stated that Israel is fighting for its survival and that other nations would act with greater force in a similar situation.

Russia and China's veto comes as a deadlock deepens within the Security Council over a unified response to the crisis in Gaza and Israel. A second resolution, led by Russia, also failed to secure enough votes in favor.

The US-backed resolution received support from ten Council members, while three voted against it and two abstained. The key differences between the US-backed and Russian-led resolutions included a specific mention of the right to self-defense in the US resolution and a call for the cancellation of the evacuation order for civilians in the Russian resolution.

It remains to be seen how this veto will impact efforts to address the ongoing crisis in Gaza and Israel.

Governor Gavin Newsom's recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing aimed to discuss climate action, economic development, cultural exchange, human rights concerns, and democracy. The Governor, joined by U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns, signed a new climate-focused Memorandum of Understanding with Chinese officials, highlighting California's commitment to being a reliable partner in addressing the climate crisis. Newsom emphasized the importance of China's contribution in reducing pollution and the need for continued cooperation.

However, the discussions also touched on sensitive issues, such as human rights violations in Hong Kong, Tibet, Xinjiang, and Taiwan. Governor Newsom raised concerns about human rights violations and anti-democratic efforts, including the imprisonment of a California pastor in China. He also discussed the Middle East and how China could contribute to defusing tensions in the region.

The meeting between Governor Newsom and President Xi Jinping was seen as a positive and consequential day for the United States, according to Ambassador Burns. Newsom's trip to China as the first governor in more than four years signaled the importance of the relationship between California and China.

The discussions aimed to find common ground on climate action and address human rights concerns. The outcome of the meetings will determine whether progress was made in advancing these critical issues.

North Carolina Republicans have passed new congressional maps that are expected to give the party an advantage in the upcoming elections. The new maps, which were drawn by the GOP majority in the state's legislature, divide the 14 congressional districts into 10 districts favoring Republicans, three favoring Democrats, and one considered competitive. Currently, the state's congressional delegation is evenly split between Democrats and Republicans. However, the new maps could potentially flip three or four seats in favor of the GOP. This shift could be crucial for Republicans, who currently hold a slim majority in the U.S. House.

Critics argue that the new maps weaken democracy by limiting the influence of Black and Brown voters and creating Republican strongholds that diminish the impact of Democratic voters. However, proponents contend that drawing maps that favor political parties is legal, citing recent court precedents. They also argue that the GOP has the right to redraw maps because they won more seats in the previous elections.

The Republican redistricting in North Carolina is part of a broader effort by the party to redefine congressional voting districts across the country. The state's Supreme Court, which switched from Democratic to Republican control in the 2022 elections, ruled earlier this year that redistricting for partisan gain is constitutional under state law. The newly enacted maps could solidify Republican power in both Congress and the state legislature.

President Joe Biden has weighed in on the election of Rep. Mike Johnson as the new GOP House Speaker, brushing aside concerns that Johnson would try to overturn the 2024 election as he did in 2020. Biden stated that any attempt to overturn the next presidential election would be as unsuccessful as Donald Trump's effort in 2020. Johnson played a role in trying to overturn the 2020 election, encouraging House Republicans to sign onto a legal brief supporting an unsuccessful attempt to challenge the election results in battleground states.

Biden expressed confidence that Johnson would not try to repeat these actions in the future, stating that he was not worried about the possibility. In a statement released after the news conference, Biden congratulated Johnson on his election and expressed his commitment to work with him in good faith on behalf of the American people.

The election of Johnson as the new Speaker of the House came after weeks of infighting among House Republicans. While the Biden administration had concerns about the chaos that could ensue after the removal of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, it largely stayed out of the process, believing it didn't have a role to play.

The Biden campaign, however, wasted no time in criticizing Johnson's election, arguing that it would cement the "extreme MAGA takeover" of the House Republican Conference. They highlighted Johnson's support for overturning the 2020 election results and his alignment with former President Trump's agenda. The campaign emphasized the importance of the upcoming government funding deadline and urged MAGA Republicans to be held accountable at the ballot box in November.

The Biden-Harris administration has announced the next steps in protecting the stability and sustainability of the Colorado River System and strengthening water security in the Western United States. The Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation has released a revised draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to update the operating guidelines for Glen Canyon and Hoover Dams. The goal is to address the ongoing drought and the impacts of the climate crisis. The revised draft SEIS includes updates from the Lower Basin states' proposal and improved hydrology data. This proposal aims to save 3 million acre-feet of water through 2026 with the help of funding from President Biden's Investing in America agenda and voluntary water conservation commitments. The release of the revised draft SEIS also initiates a 45-day public comment period. This announcement comes as the reservoirs in the Colorado River Basin, including Lake Powell and Lake Mead, are at historically low levels. The Biden-Harris administration and the partnering states are working together to develop long-term, sustainable plans to combat the challenges posed by the ongoing climate crisis.

Al Jazeera's Gaza bureau chief, Wael al-Dahdouh, suffered a devastating loss when his wife, son, daughter, and infant grandson were killed in an Israeli airstrike at the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. The family had sought shelter at the Nuseirat camp after Israel urged civilians to move south. Al Jazeera's parent company, the Al Jazeera Media Network, condemned the killings as an "indiscriminate assault" and held the Israeli authorities responsible for the safety of their colleagues in Gaza. The details of the attack have not been independently confirmed, and the Israeli military has not responded to a request for comment. Al-Dahdouh, who had been reporting from Gaza City, learned of his family's deaths live on air. Distressing footage and photos showed him grieving over the bodies of his son and daughter. Other family members are currently being treated in the hospital. The tragic incident highlights the dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones and the toll that the Israel-Gaza war has taken on innocent lives.

House Republicans have finally reached a consensus and chosen Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson as their nominee for Speaker. With a 220-209 vote, Johnson now faces the challenging task of leading and governing the divided GOP members. The question remains: will the Republican malcontents allow him to govern in the way they refused his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy?

The answer to this question may soon become apparent as government funding is set to expire on November 17. Additionally, countries like Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan are in need of military assistance. These pressing issues will test Johnson's ability to bring the party together and make crucial decisions.

Former President Donald Trump has shown his support for Johnson, posting on Truth Social and urging Republicans to "get it done, fast." Trump praised Johnson's qualities, describing him as respected and spectacular.

Despite the support from Trump and his nomination, the scrutiny on Johnson is high. The attention he has garnered is not due to his popularity or influence but simply because the name "Mike Johnson" is common among Americans. With the pressure of leading the GOP in a critical time, Johnson's ability to govern effectively remains to be seen.

The United States' attempt to address the Israel-Hamas conflict through a resolution at the United Nations Security Council was blocked by vetoes from Russia and China. The resolution, which called for ceasefires, humanitarian aid access, protection of civilians, and an end to arming Hamas, failed to gain enough votes in its favor. The UAE also voted against the draft while 10 countries, including the US and UK, voted in favor, and Brazil and Mozambique abstained.

This was the fourth time in over a week that the Security Council failed to adopt a resolution on the ongoing conflict, which began when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7. Two rival draft resolutions were put forward, with the initial US text emphasizing Israel's right to self-defense but not including calls for humanitarian pauses. The final text was toned down, but the US still vetoed it, citing the need for more time for diplomacy.

The failure to pass a resolution has drawn criticism, with accusations of hypocrisy and comparisons to Russia's use of veto power in the Ukraine war. Israel and the Palestinian Authority both expressed disappointment with the Council's inaction. Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis and the risk of regional escalation continue to escalate as the conflict persists.

According to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), over 613,000 people are currently seeking shelter in UN facilities across the Gaza Strip. These facilities are overwhelmed and filled well beyond their capacity, with most shelters unable to accommodate the large number of displaced individuals. In addition to the overcrowded shelters, the agency also reported that 41 UNRWA facilities have been damaged since the conflict began.

Hospitals in Gaza are now limited to treating emergency cases only, as there are concerns that fuel supplies will run out in the coming hours. The UN has also expressed alarm over the high number of casualties, with over 700 people reportedly killed by Israeli airstrikes for two consecutive days. Israel has stated that its military operations are targeting Hamas fighters and infrastructure and that it is responding to an unprecedented cross-border assault that resulted in casualties and the taking of hostages.

President Biden has expressed his support for Israel's right to defend itself but also emphasized the need for humanitarian aid to Gaza. He stated that Hamas does not represent the majority of Palestinians and called for an immediate ceasefire, the allowance of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and the start of talks for the release of hostages. Turkish President Erdogan, on the other hand, referred to Hamas as a "liberation group" and criticized Israel's actions, calling for an end to the violence and the establishment of an international peace conference.

The Israeli air force has released a note allegedly carried by a Hamas fighter, which contained orders to kill Jews and encouraged the gruesome acts of beheading victims and extracting their hearts and livers. This comes as Prime Minister Netanyahu declared that Israel is in a fight for its existence and preparations are underway for a ground incursion into Gaza. He stated that "all Hamas members are dead men walking" and emphasized the goals of eliminating Hamas and bringing captured individuals home. Israel has reportedly drafted hundreds of thousands of soldiers for a potential ground operation.

An unlicensed 18-year-old woman was arrested for driving 109 mph on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. The arrest occurred just days after four women were killed in a crash on the same highway. The driver was heading westbound when she passed a deputy, who recorded her speed using a Lidar gun. She was traveling more than double the speed limit. It took the deputy six miles to catch up to the woman, who was then pulled over. Despite not having a driver's license, she admitted to the excessive speed and was arrested for reckless driving. Her car was impounded for 30 days. At a City Council meeting on Monday, discussions focused on PCH safety and possible measures to improve it. This includes exploring lower speed limits, increased patrols, and the introduction of speed cameras in Malibu. The recent fatal crash on October 17, in which four women were killed, prompted these discussions. The driver involved in that crash, Fraser Bohm, has now been charged with four counts of murder.

A judge has denied a request from one of Donald Trump's attorneys to postpone the former president's New York fraud trial due to COVID-19 concerns. The attorney, Chris Kise, argued that the trial should be delayed because members of the attorney general's legal team had tested positive for COVID-19. Kise complained about his opponents' lack of notification and expressed concerns about being in the courtroom. Another Trump lawyer, Alina Habba, stated that she did not want to use the same microphone as the attorney general's office. However, Judge Engoron denied the request and stated that the trial would proceed as planned, saying, "Masks are available. We are going to proceed." The judge further noted that defendants could wear masks if they had concerns but chose not to. The attorney general's office stated that they had followed CDC guidelines and that defendants had the option to wear masks. The trial continues amidst tensions between the legal teams.

Two more of former President Donald Trump's allies, including his former chief of staff Mark Meadows, have struck deals with prosecutors in criminal cases against Trump. Meadows was granted immunity in a federal case involving the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol and Trump's alleged attempt to overturn the 2020 election results. Meadows has reportedly informed federal investigators that he repeatedly told Trump that the allegations of significant voting fraud were baseless. This revelation raises the possibility that Meadows could testify against Trump in the federal case.

In addition to Meadows, attorney Jenna Ellis has pleaded guilty in the Fulton County case and becomes the fourth defendant to reach a plea deal with prosecutors. Ellis, who was a constant presence during Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 elections, expressed deep remorse for representing Trump in the post-election challenges.

Both Meadows and Ellis' cooperation with prosecutors highlight the growing legal problems for Trump. The cases against him are becoming increasingly challenging as more allies flip and potentially share damaging information about his alleged involvement in election interference. However, politically, Trump continues to gain support within the Republican Party, potentially using his ongoing legal battles as a basis for a future campaign.

President Joe Biden will not be filing to be on the New Hampshire primary ballot, according to his campaign. The New Hampshire primary is set to take place on January 23, 2024, and will be considered a "rogue" primary by the Democratic National Committee, which means the results will not be recognized as legitimate and could result in the loss of convention delegates and other sanctions. However, Biden's two main challengers, Marianne Williamson and Rep. Dean Phillips, are planning to participate in the rogue primary. Phillips, who has been calling for a serious primary challenge to Biden, is expected to make his candidacy official on October 27 in New Hampshire. The New Hampshire Democratic Establishment is organizing a write-in campaign for Biden to prevent an embarrassing upset in the state, where he currently polls at 70 percent among Granite State Democrats. The DNC's new schedule has South Carolina as the first contest on February 3, 2024, a decision that has been met with controversy as New Hampshire fights to keep its longtime spot on the nominating calendar.

Florida state Rep. Randy Fine, a longtime ally of Gov. Ron DeSantis, has broken ranks and endorsed former President Donald Trump. Fine, who is the sole Jewish GOP lawmaker in Florida's legislature, accused DeSantis of not doing enough to combat antisemitism in the state. In an op-ed for the Washington Times, Fine cited DeSantis's lack of response to a letter regarding anti-Israel protests on college campuses since the Israel-Hamas war as the final straw. Fine argued that Trump could better serve the Jewish community in Florida. He also claimed that Trump has done more for Israel than any previous president. DeSantis has faced criticism for his hardline stance on Palestinians, including suggesting that Gazan civilians be denied water and utilities until Hamas releases hostages. Additionally, the university system in Florida, working with DeSantis, ordered colleges to shut down a pro-Palestinian student organization, making it the first state to outlaw the group after its national leadership backed Hamas's attack on Israel. It remains to be seen how Fine's endorsement of Trump will impact the political landscape in Florida and DeSantis's presidential campaign.

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Title: Did Gov. DeSantis Fail to Combat Antisemitism in Florida?

Florida state Rep. Randy Fine, a Jewish GOP lawmaker and former ally of Gov. Ron DeSantis, has switched his support to former President Donald Trump. In an op-ed for the Washington Times, Fine accused DeSantis of not doing enough to combat antisemitism in Florida. He cited DeSantis's lack of response to a letter regarding anti-Israel protests on college campuses after the Israel-Hamas war as the final straw. Fine argued that Trump, who he claimed has done more for Israel than any previous president, could better serve the Jewish community in Florida. DeSantis has faced criticism for his views on Palestinians, including suggesting that Gazan civilians be denied water and utilities until Hamas releases hostages. Furthermore, the university system in Florida, under DeSantis's direction, ordered colleges to shut down a pro-Palestinian student organization, becoming the first state to outlaw the group. Fine's endorsement of Trump raises questions about DeSantis's leadership and may impact his presidential campaign.

Hurricane Otis, rapidly intensifying from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane, is expected to make landfall near Acapulco, Mexico, early Wednesday morning. With wind speeds reaching 165 mph, Otis poses a significant threat of catastrophic damage to Mexico's southern coast. The hurricane center warns that this could be a "nightmare scenario" for the area, with destructive winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surge.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has urged residents of Guerrero, including the popular tourist destination of Acapulco, to seek shelter and stay away from rivers, streams, and ravines in preparation for the storm's impact. A hurricane warning is in effect for Punta Maldonado westward to Zihuatanejo, with a hurricane watch and tropical storm warning for other areas.

Otis is expected to weaken rapidly as it moves inland and over the higher terrain of southern Mexico, eventually dissipating Wednesday night. However, the hurricane's primary threats include damaging winds, heavy rainfall, dangerous storm surge, and potentially life-threatening coastal flooding. Additionally, the storm could create life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

The Acapulco metropolitan area, home to around 800,000 people, is at risk of being severely impacted by Otis. The hurricane center has highlighted the unprecedented intensity of this storm, noting that there are no records of hurricanes of this magnitude in this region. Mexicans are bracing for the impact of this powerful hurricane and hoping that the damage can be minimized.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is facing calls for his resignation after his recent remarks about the militant group Hamas were seen as justifying their actions. Guterres clarified that his remarks were misrepresented and that he condemned the "horrifying and unprecedented" acts of terror by Hamas. He stated, "Nothing can justify the deliberate killing, injuring and kidnapping of civilians, or the launching of rockets against civilian targets." However, he also mentioned that the attacks by Hamas did not occur in a vacuum, invoking the Palestinian people's history of suffering and the Israeli occupation.

Israel's ambassador to the UN called for Guterres' resignation, claiming that he showed understanding for the "mass murder" committed by Hamas. Guterres has been urging all parties involved to abide by humanitarian law and has emphasized the dire situation in Gaza, which is running out of essential supplies such as food and water. The conditions in Gaza have raised concerns from officials, lawmakers, and humanitarian aid groups, especially after Israel prevented the entry of necessary supplies at the start of the conflict.

The controversy arises from a broader issue of the United Nations' bias against Israel and its complicity in the weaponization of the Palestinian people. Many view Guterres and the UN bureaucracy as part of the problem rather than the solution. The question remains whether Guterres' remarks were truly justifying Hamas' actions or acknowledging the larger context and suffering in the region.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has referred to Hamas, the militant group controlling Gaza, as a "liberation group" trying to protect the Palestinian people. In a speech to his party's legislators, Erdogan criticized Israel's actions in Gaza and described the siege as one of the "bloodiest, most disgusting and most savage attacks in history." He called for an immediate cease-fire, the allowance of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and the release of hostages. Erdogan also suggested the establishment of an international peace conference for Israel and the Palestinians. By calling Hamas a "liberation group," Erdogan has drawn criticism for seemingly justifying their acts of terrorism. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Erdogan of "misusing goodwill" and canceled plans for a visit by Erdogan to Israel as part of the country's policy of normalizing relations with the Jewish state. Meanwhile, tensions continue to rise as satellite images reveal the destruction caused by Israel's bombings in Gaza, and the United Nations reports that over 613,000 people are now sheltering in UN facilities across the Gaza Strip. Hospitals in Gaza are overwhelmed, and fuel supplies are running low, adding to the humanitarian crisis in the region.

Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden has called on Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to disclose whether he declared over a quarter-million dollars of loan forgiveness on his tax filings. Wyden released a report that details a loan Thomas received in 1999 from a friend, Anthony Welters, to buy a luxury motor coach. The report claims that the loan was declared settled in 2008 without Thomas repaying the principal, and that he did not report the forgiven debt on his ethics forms. Federal ethics law requires public officials, including Supreme Court justices, to disclose their liabilities in order to assess potential conflicts of interest.

The report raises tax questions for Thomas, as failing to repay the entire principal of the loan could have generated taxable income. Thomas has not provided information on loan payments made or stated whether he properly reported the forgiven debt on his tax returns. Wyden has directed the committee to share its findings with the Judiciary Committee to evaluate the ethics implications. Thomas and the Supreme Court have not yet commented on the matter.