President Joe Biden is set to address the nation in a rare prime-time address on Thursday to pitch a $100 billion aid package to help both Israel and Ukraine defend themselves and provide humanitarian relief for the 2 million residents of Gaza. The package is in response to the Hamas terror attack that killed more than 1,300 Israelis and is a sign of the United States' commitment to its allies and its dedication to protecting human rights and providing humanitarian relief. Biden's trip to Tel Aviv and Ukraine in February was also a show of solidarity with the U.S. ally.
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Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.) announced Thursday that she will not seek election to a full term in the U.S. Senate in 2024, despite being seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party. In a statement, Butler said she had “spent the past 16 days pursuing my own clarity” and that “knowing you can win a campaign doesn't always mean you should run a campaign.” This decision opens up the race for the U.S. Senate seat in California, with a number of candidates expected to enter the race in the coming months.
Mary Lou Retton, a former Olympic gymnast, is in intensive care after suffering a "scary setback" in her battle with a rare form of pneumonia. Her daughter Shayla Schrepfer shared the news on social media and noted that Retton had been making progress earlier in the week, but experienced a setback on Tuesday. Retton's family has asked for privacy and expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of love and support from fans and well-wishers.
Joran van der Sloot has confessed to the murder of Natalee Holloway as part of a plea deal with federal prosecutors, providing details about the location of Holloway's remains and other information. Despite his confession, van der Sloot will not be spending any time in prison, but the Holloway family has finally received closure.
Key takeaways: The Supreme Court declined to revive the district court hearing to craft a new Louisiana congressional map. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson clarified that…
The U.S. Department of State has issued a worldwide caution alert due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, recommending that U.S. citizens in Lebanon make plans to depart as soon as possible. The State Department is warning of a heightened potential for violence and is urging U.S. citizens to exercise caution when traveling overseas. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 200 people, including at least 58 children.
On Tuesday night, a 33-year-old GameStop clerk in Pembroke Pines, Florida, Derrick Guerrero, fired one shot from a handgun he had pulled from his waistband, hitting a shoplifter in the side and resulting in his death. This incident has sparked a debate on the use of firearms in self-defense, with some arguing that Guerrero was justified and others arguing that lethal force was unnecessary. Guerrero is expected to appear in court in the coming weeks and GameStop has released a statement expressing their condolences.
Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, has announced his support for a plan to temporarily empower interim speaker Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., until January, after losing two rounds of votes in his bid to become the GOP's speaker. This plan would allow legislative business to continue despite two wars and a looming government shutdown, but there is far from universal support for either Jordan or McHenry within the Republican Party. Jordan has stated he will continue to run for speaker and try to shore up votes in the meantime.