US Secretary of State Antony Blinken praised the release of an American mother and daughter held hostage by Hamas, but expressed skepticism over the militant group’s recent statement that they were ready to release two more hostages. He also expressed concern over the possibility of Iranian proxies escalating their attacks against US personnel, and said the US will continue to send clear messages to Hamas about the need to release all hostages.
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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.
The US is working to develop a framework to provide humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken having met with Israel's wartime cabinet for seven hours. The situation in Gaza has become increasingly dire, with an Israeli airstrike hitting al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, and the UN calling for an immediate ceasefire. The US is hoping to provide food, water, and medicine to those in need, as well as arrange for those who want to leave the region to do so safely.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has criticized former President Donald Trump for his remarks about Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Lebanese militia designated as a foreign terrorist organization. DeSantis condemned Trump's comments, noting that terrorists have murdered at least 1,200 Israelis and 22 Americans. His criticism has sparked a debate about the US relationship with Israel and the role of terrorism in the region, and it remains to be seen how Trump and other potential 2024 candidates will respond.
House Republicans are set to decide on their next speaker on Tuesday, with Majority Leader Steve Scalise and right-wing firebrand Jim Jordan vying for the role. Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy sent a message to his fellow House Republicans on Monday, indicating that he is still a major player in the race. McCarthy also spoke about the US response to the violence in Israel, where he said the US should provide resources to help defend itself.
Two powerful earthquakes struck western Afghanistan on Saturday, October 7, leaving at least 15 dead and 40 injured, according to the country's national disaster authority. The United Nations has given a preliminary figure of 320 dead, though the figure is still being verified. Local authorities estimated that 100 people were killed and 500 injured, and the Afghan government is now working to provide assistance to those affected, with the United Nations providing aid and support. Aftershocks of the 6.3 magnitude earthquakes also occurred, with epicenters close to the region's largest city.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on former US President Donald Trump to reveal his plan for ending the war between Ukraine and Russia within 24 hours. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has responded to the call, saying that the US is going after those involved in unlawfully detaining Americans with sanctions and travel restrictions. The war between Ukraine and Russia has been ongoing since 2014, resulting in the displacement of over 1.5 million people and the death of over 13,000.
Joe Biggs, a leader of the Proud Boys organization and former Army veteran, was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison on Thursday after being convicted of seditious conspiracy in connection to the January 6th attack on the US Capitol. The sentence is the second longest handed down in the Justice Department's investigation into the Capitol attack, and Biggs was also convicted of conspiring to obstruct Congress and civil disorder. The US Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia said in a statement that Biggs "served as an instigator and leader" during the attack and had "encouraged and directed other Proud Boys members to join him in the attack on the Capitol."