Germany bars citizenship for immigrants who share antisemitic slogans
Germany is changing its naturalization laws in order to crack down on what the government says is growing antisemitism and racism within the immigrant community. The German foreign minister announced on Sunday, Sept. 29, that the country is tightening rules, barring immigrants from becoming citizens if they use terms like, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” and “Let’s go bomb Tel Aviv.”
The law asserts that anyone who utters, posts or shares such slogans will be ineligible for German citizenship. Immigrants undergoing the naturalization process will also be denied citizenship for denying the Holocaust, suggesting it was exaggerated, or using maps that replace the state of Israel with the Palestinian flag.
Citizenship questions will also be adjusted to include questions about Israel and Judaism to reportedly screen out any immigrants with “extremist views.”
“Germany’s crime against humanity in the Holocaust entails our special responsibility for the protection of Jews and for the protection of the state of Israel,” Faeser said. “This responsibility is part of our identity today.”
While the law is more restrictive for what qualifies as antisemitic or racist behavior, it also shortens the length of time immigrant workers can apply for German citizenship for eight years to five years overseas.
Israel strikes Lebanon as Hezbollah vows revenge for device explosions
Israel unleashes heavy strikes on Lebanon as Hezbollah vows revenge for the recent device explosions. And a sheriff has been charged with the murder of a judge in Kentucky. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Sept. 20, 2024.
More strikes in Lebanon as fears of an escalating war grow
Israel carried out its strongest strike yet against Hezbollah in Lebanon Thursday night, Sept. 19, intensifying the conflict between the two that started almost a year ago after Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel.
The strikes, which were part of a bigger exchange of fire between the Israeli military and the militant group, came after two days of attacks targeting wireless devices in Lebanon.
Those attacks, which caused thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies to explode, are widely believed to have been orchestrated by Israel against Hezbollah. However, hundreds of civilians were also hurt, some even killed. Israel has not commented on the explosions.
Hezbollah’s leader said Thursday Israel has “crossed all the red lines” and vowed revenge.
Attacks have been ramping up between the Iranian-backed militant group and Israel since the start of the war in Gaza with Hezbollah claiming it’s part of a “supportive front” for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, Israel is turning more of its military attention toward the border with Lebanon. Soldiers have taken up a new artillery position in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. Residents there have been warned by Israel’s military to stay inside or close to a bomb shelter for the time being.
The heightening tensions in the Middle East come as President Joe Biden looks to help secure a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas. The Wall Street Journal, however, has reported senior U.S. officials don’t expect a cease-fire to be reached by the end of Biden’s term.
Harris talks with Oprah, Trump speaks with Jewish supporters
Thursday was a busy day for both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump with both presidential candidates participating in campaign events.
The Vice President took part in an evening live-stream from Michigan hosted by Oprah Winfrey. During the event titled United for America — which also featured celebrities like Meryl Streep and Jennifer Lopez — Harris spoke about stepping up to be the Democratic presidential nominee once President Biden dropped out of the race.
“I felt a sense of responsibility, to be honest with you, and with that comes a sense of purpose,” Harris said. “But we’re all here, and you all are taking time of out of your busy lives because there really is so much at stake.”
Harris also touched on her stances on gun violence, abortion rights, and cutting costs for the middle class.
Meanwhile, Republican presidential nominee former President Trump spoke to a group of Jewish donors during an event in Washington called Fighting Antisemitism in America.
“With your vote, I will be your defender, your protector, and I will be the best friend Jewish Americans have ever had in the White House,” he said. “Sadly, and I have to say this, and it hurts me to say it; you’re going to still vote for Democrats, and it doesn’t make sense. I say all the time that any Jewish person that votes for her — especially now — her or the Democrat Party should have their head examined.”
During his address, Trump also criticized the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of the war in Gaza and the protests on college campuses.
Kentucky sheriff charged with killing judge inside courthouse
Kentucky State Police said Mullins died at the scene and Stines surrendered to authorities. Stines has been charged with one count of first-degree murder.
Law enforcement officials are still investigating what led up to the killing.
Mark Robinson vows to stay in NC governor race after CNN report
Controversy is surrounding the race for governor in North Carolina. Republican candidate Mark Robinson has vowed to remain in the race after CNN published a story Thursday alleging he made lewd and inflammatory statements on the message board of a pornographic website more than 10 years ago.
Robinson denies these allegations.
Among the accusations in the report, CNN said Robinson expressed support for reinstating slavery. The comments were made between 2008 and 2012, before Robinson entered politics. He was elected North Carolina’s lieutenant governor in 2020.
In an interview with CNN, Robinson called the report “tabloid trash” and said, “I’m not going to get into the minutia of how somebody manufactured this, these salacious tabloid lies.”
He had a similar message in a social media video posted before the CNN report was made public.
“Let me reassure you: the things that you will see in that story, those are not the words of Mark Robinson,” he said. “You know my words, you know my character, and you know that I have been completely transparent in this race and before.”
Robinson added, “We are staying in this race, we are in it to win it, and we know that, with your help, we will.”
Nike replaces CEO with former executive to shake up brand
Big changes are coming to Nike as the sneaker brand is looking to get back on the right foot with a switch in leadership. Nike announced Thursday it will replace CEO John Donahoe with a company veteran: former senior executive Elliot Hill.
The move comes as Nike is hoping to revive sales amid growing competition. Hill is set to take over as CEO on Oct. 14.
Shohei Ohtani becomes first MLB player to reach 50/50 milestone
History was made on the baseball diamond Thursday night by Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani.
During Thursday night’s game against the Miami Marlins, Ohtani became the first player in Major League Baseball history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season. But he didn’t stop there.
All in all, Ohtani was 6 for 6 in the game with three home runs and 10 RBIs in the Dodgers’ 20 to 4 rout of the Marlins, clinching a playoff spot for LA.
Northwestern University announces new steps to crack down on hate speech
Northwestern University announced on Tuesday, Aug. 20, that it will be taking steps to combat antisemitism and Islamophobia on campus in the wake of pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel counterprotests last spring. All students will now be required to take a course on antisemitism and other forms of hate when they return to classes in September.
Northwestern University President Michael Schill said that faculty and staff will also undergo mandatory training on antisemitism and other forms of hate.
“There is no room on campus for antisemitism, there is no room for Islamophobia,” Schill said in a statement. “There is no room for racism and other forms of identity-based hate.”
Northwestern also announced it will unveil its new protest policy in September. One professor arrested during campus demonstrations this year warned that the changes could put students’ free speech at risk and said she is seeking guarantees that those rights will be protected in the new rules.
The changes announced by Northwestern come as universities across the country try to avoid disorder caused by some campus protests this year.
Indiana University now requires 10 days advance notice for campus encampments. The school will also limit signage and amplified sound for protests. Meanwhile, the University of Denver has announced an all-out ban on protest tents.
Columbia University’s president resigns in wake of campus protests
Columbia University President Minouche Shafik has resigned effective immediately. The decision announced on Wednesday, Aug. 14, comes months after student protests over the Israel-Hamas war turned destructive, leading to multiple arrests and widespread criticism over how the university handled the demonstrations.
In April, more than 100 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested, and an on-campus tent encampment was removed by New York City police after Shafik gave them the go-ahead. Students pushed back, leading to weeks of protests and widespread tent encampments before students ultimately ended up occupying the university’s Hamilton Hall.
Shafik — who became the first woman and person of color to lead the university just last year — is the third Ivy League president to step down in recent months among concern over antisemitism on college campuses.
Biden, Harris making first trip together since Biden dropped out of 2024 race
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will make their first trip together since the president dropped out of the 2024 race. And Columbia University’s president becomes the latest Ivy League leader to step down following concerns of antisemitism on college campuses. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024.
Biden, Harris making first trip together since Biden dropped out of 2024 race
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will be in Maryland on Thursday, Aug. 15, for their first joint appearance since Biden dropped out of the 2024 race. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump will be in Bedminster, New Jersey to host another news conference following his rally in the battleground state of North Carolina on Wednesday, Aug. 14.
The Biden and Harris are expected to focus on efforts to lower prescription drug costs Thursday, Aug. 15. On Friday, Aug. 16, Harris will be in North Carolina to lay out her own economic agenda, which is said to include a plan to “tackle inflation” and “lower costs for middle class.”
The economy is taking center stage in the race this week, as Trump also laid out some of his plans for the economy when he was in North Carolina. He told rallygoers he plans to remove taxes on Social Security and claimed his administration would slash energy costs to ease inflation.
With the Democratic National Convention (DNC) starting on Aug. 19 in Chicago, Trump’s campaign said it plans to offer some sort of counter-programming. Harris’ presidential campaign is launching a $90 million advertising effort over the next three weeks. It’ll be her campaigns’ largest-yet investment in messaging to voters with just two and a half months left until Election Day.
Walz agrees to vice presidential debate on Oct. 1
On the vice presidential front, both Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn, and Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, have also been busy. Each hit the campaign trail in solo appearances in rallies and fundraising events across battleground states.
Vance held a rally in Michigan on Wednesday, Aug. 14, and will speak at a veterans event Thursday, Aug. 15 morning in Pennsylvania. Walz held events in Denver and Boston on Wednesday and will be campaigning in Newport on Thursday.
Vance has not formally accepted. He said in an interview he wants to know the debate rules and moderators first to avoid what he called a “fake news media garbage debate” but added he “strongly suspects” he will be there.
Columbia University’s president resigns in wake of recent protests
Columbia University President Minouche Shafik has resigned effective immediately. It comes months after student protests over the Israel-Hamas war turned destructive, leading to multiple arrests and widespread criticism over how the university handled the demonstrations.
In April, more than 100 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested, and an on-campus tent encampment was removed by New York City police after Shafik gave them the go-ahead. Students pushed back, leading to weeks of protests and widespread tent encampments before students ultimately ended up occupying the university’s Hamilton Hall.
Shafik — who became the first woman and person of color to lead the university in 2023 — is the third Ivy League president to step down in recent months among concern over antisemitism on college campuses.
Hurricane Ernesto heads toward Bermuda after pounding Puerto Rico
A hurricane watch is in effect in Bermuda as Ernesto heads that way after dropping torrential rain on Puerto Rico. That storm also knocked out power to two-thirds of homes and businesses across the U.S. territory.
Ernesto, which is currently a Category 1 hurricane, is strengthening and could become a Category 3 hurricane by Friday, Aug. 16. Its center was expected to pass near Bermuda on Saturday, Aug. 17.
Cisco cuts 7% of workforce amid focus shift
Cisco Systems, one of the world’s largest makers of computer networking equipment, has announced its second round of job cuts this year. The tech company plans to cut about 7% of its workforce, which is expected to affect nearly 6,000 employees.
This comes after the company already laid off around 4,000 workers in February. Cisco said the jobs cuts come as the company pivots its focus to artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
Mars to buy Kellanova for $36 billion
The merger that’s shaking up the snack food aisle is now official. Candy giant Mars has acquired the snack food maker Kellanova.
Mars, the company behind M&Ms and Snickers, is buying Kellanova, the maker of Cheez-Its and Pringles, for nearly $36 billion.
The purchase is not expected to close until next year, but analysts have been discussing what’s in it for mars. Bank of America’s Peter Galbo told CNBC the deal gives Mars three things: Additional space in stores beyond the chocolate section, expansion in international markets and innovative new product opportunities.
“Then third and probably the most fun for the consumer, you’re going to get the fun innovation with the salty and sweet what we’ve seen out of Hershey over the past year with things like chocolate covered popcorn.” Galbo said. “Now Mars will have that opportunity with some of the Kellanova brands.”
The Associated Press suggested the deal could lead to possible combinations like Skittles-flavored Pop-Tarts or Snickers-flavored Pringles.
Columbia University exec’s home vandalized; 3 deans resign over antisemitic texts
The New York home of Columbia University’s Chief Operating Officer Cas Holloway was found vandalized with red paint, Nazi and Hamas imagery, and insects on Thursday, Aug. 8. Inverted triangles, which have been used by Hamas to identify Israeli targets and Nazis to tag prisoners during the Holocaust, were painted on the entranceway to Holloway’s apartment building.
“Columbia unequivocally condemns vandalism, threats and personal attacks,” a university spokesperson said in a statement. “Anyone engaging in such activity will be reported to law enforcement and face appropriate discipline. Every member of our community deserves to feel safe, valued, and able to thrive.”
Columbia confirmed the resignations of the school’s dean of undergraduate student life, associate dean for student and family support, and vice dean and chief administrative officer after it came to light they exchanged antisemitic messages during an on-campus event about Jewish life at the school. The university described the texts as “ancient antisemitic tropes.”
The texts were released by the Republican-led House Committee on Education and the Workforce investigating allegations of antisemitism at Columbia.
Trump agrees to ABC News debate with Harris, proposes 2 more
The debate is on. Former President Donald Trump has agreed to the ABC News debate with Vice President Kamala Harris and proposed two more. And bodycam footage has been released showing the police response to the assassination attempt during the former president’s rally in July. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, Aug. 9, 2024.
Trump agrees to ABC News debate with Harris, proposes 2 more debates
Former President Donald Trump has recommitted to a debate with Vice President Kamala Harris after initially requesting a change of time and place given the change at the top of the Democratic ticket. Trump made the announcement during a news conference held at his Mar-a-Lago estate on Thursday, Aug. 8.
ABC News has confirmed Trump and Harris have agreed to debate on Sept. 10, setting up what is likely to be a high-stakes showdown in an already contentious election season.
His decision to debate on ABC marks a notable change of heart given it was just five days ago he announced the agreement with ABC was terminated. Trump originally suggested he would only debate if Harris appeared on Fox News on Sept. 4.
Trump is requesting Harris accept two additional debate proposals; one would be held on Fox and the other on NBC.
When asked by reporters if he will still do the ABC debate even if Harris turns down the idea of multiple debates, Trump said he didn’t know how that’s going to work and reiterated the need for multiple debates with a new Democratic presidential nominee.
As we saw in June, presidential debates have high stakes. President Joe Biden’s performance at his debate with Trump set in motion calls for his withdrawal and the eventual end to his re-election campaign.
The ABC debate was originally slated to be the second and final debate between Biden and Trump.
Harris released a statement saying she’s glad Trump committed to meeting her on stage.
Harris will be in Arizona for a campaign rally on Friday, Aug. 9. Trump will be in Montana for a rally of his own and fundraiser event.
Bodycam video released of police response to Trump assassination attempt
It’s been nearly a month since the assassination attempt on former President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. Within that month, questions have been swirling leading to multiple investigations and hearings on Capitol Hill and a change in leadership at the Secret Service.
Now, there is new information directly through the lens of Butler police bodycam. It shows officers responding to the reports of a threat on top of the unsecured building where the shooter propped himself up to take aim.
In newly released body camera video, there is footage of the moments leading up to the shooting, but it’s the audio in the immediate aftermath of the shooting that is providing further confirmation of a major security lapse.
The incident left one rally goer dead and Trump shot in the ear in a near-fatal hit.
The public search for accountability has led to agencies across local, state, and federal levels to finger-point and shift the blame. There are still several ongoing investigations into how it happened in the first place and how to prevent it from happening again.
U.S., Egypt, Qatar call for renewed Israel-Hamas ceasefire discussions
The U.S., Egypt and Qatar are calling for Israel and Hamas to resume cease-fire talks, calling them “urgent.” Fears are growing over a widening Middle East war following high-profile assassinations of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. The U.S., Egypt and Qatar have been mediating cease-fire discussions since they began.
They want the talks to take place in either Doha or Cairo next Thursday, Aug. 15.
Early Friday, Aug. 9, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated Israel will take part in those discussions. Hamas’ newly chosen leader has not indicated if the terror group is willing to join.
Columbia University COO’s home vandalized with antisemitic imagery; 3 top admins resign over antisemitic texts
Inverted triangles, which have been used by Hamas to identify Israeli targets and Nazis to tag prisoners during the Holocaust, were painted on the entranceway to Cas Holloway’s apartment building.
Columbia confirmed the resignations of the school’s dean of undergraduate student life, associate dean for student and family support, and vice dean and chief administrative officer after it came to light they exchanged antisemitic messages during an on-campus event about Jewish life at the school.
Paramount laying off 15% of U.S. workforce
Media conglomerate Paramount is laying off 15% of its U.S. workforce. The layoffs, which will impact around 2,000 staffers, are part of Paramount’s bid to cut $500 million in annual costs ahead of its merger with SkyDance Media.
Paramount says it also plans to write down $6 billion worth of its cable television networks.
Steph Curry leads Team USA to rally past Serbia; Noah Lyles wins bronze in 200-meter after testing positive for COVID
The U.S added to its Olympic medal count on Thursday, Aug. 9. Team USA now has a total of 103 medals so far as the Paris games wind down.
The men’s basketball team will be hoping to bring home gold against host France in the final. Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and LeBron James led the team to a come-from-behind victory over Serbia on Thursday after being down 17 points, winning 95 to 91.
On the track, it was not the result American sprinter Noah Lyles was hoping for in the men’s 200-meter final. Lyles, who won his first Olympic gold on Sunday, Aug. 4, in the 100-meter, finished third this time behind Letsile Tebogo of Botswana and USA teammate Kenny Bednarek.
Lyles was taken away in a wheelchair after crossing the finish line. It was later revealed he had been diagnosed with COVID-19 two days earlier.
The USA track and field organization said it followed all Olympic protocols to allow Lyles to compete.
The track star said he is proud of himself to have been able to still win a bronze medal. He posted on Instagram, “It is not the Olympics I dreamed of, but it has left me with so much joy in my heart.”
NY Gov. Kathy Hochul considers face mask ban to combat antisemitic crime
New York lawmakers are debating if protesters should be allowed to wear face masks. Gov. Kathy Hochul, D-N.Y., is considering a face mask ban on subways over concerns that people are concealing their identities to get away with antisemitic hate crimes.
“We will not tolerate individuals using masks to evade responsible for criminal or threatening behavior,” Hochul said. “My team is working on a solution but on a subway people should not be able to hide behind a mask to commit crimes.”
Hochul said any face mask ban would need to go through the New York Legislature. According to the governor, there would be exemptions to any potential ban, including those wearing masks for health reasons like COVID-19 or pollution concerns, as well as cultural and religious exemptions.
Hochul did not specify how officials would police the policy if it were to take effect.
The governor cited specific examples of recent antisemitic crimes. On Monday, June 10, a group of masked anti-Israeli protesters took over subway cars. Hochul said the protesters were chanting things about Hitler and wiping out Jews, calling for Zionists to leave the train.
Hochul also referred to another incident on Wednesday, June 12, where homes belonging to the Jewish director and board members of the Brooklyn Museum were vandalized. No suspects have claimed responsibility for the vandalism yet.
The New York Civil Liberties Union has come out against the idea of banning masks on subways. The organization referred to an old state law that banned face masks in public as a response to protests over rent. That state law was repealed in 2020 as the pandemic hit.
“Mask bans were originally developed to squash political protests and, like other laws that criminalize people, they will be selectively enforced — used to arrest, doxx, surveil, and silence people of color and protestors the police disagree with,” Donna Lieberman, executive director of the group, said in a statement.
New York Mayor Eric Adams has voiced support for reinstating a version of past mask bans, suggesting shopkeepers have people remove their masks to enter.
Lawmakers confront school leaders over antisemitism as students sue universities
For a sixth time in six months, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce held a hearing regarding the rise of antisemitism on college campuses. This latest hearing occurred just weeks after thousands of students and pro-Palestinian protesters clashed with police and counterprotesters at college campuses across the country, including Rutgers, Harvard, Columbia and the University of California, Los Angeles.
The disruptions led some universities to change venues for their graduation ceremonies or cancel them altogether.
During the hearing, representatives questioned the leaders of Northwestern, Rutgers and UCLA on Capitol Hill.
Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., addressed Northwestern University President Michael Schill, asking about the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) report card. She pointed out that Northwestern was the only university whose grade was downgraded and inquired about the “F” grade for failing to combat antisemitism. Schill expressed his respect for the ADL and acknowledged the downgrade.
In another exchange, Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R-Ore., asked UCLA Chancellor Dr. Gene Block about the consequences for racists calling for genocide. Block mentioned student disciplinary processes, but Chavez-DeRemer emphasized that anything less than a suspension would be insufficient.
Hundreds of investigations are pending at several colleges to determine whether students or staff will face disciplinary action for their roles in campus clashes involving Jewish or Muslim students.
On April 30, police arrested over 200 protesters on UCLA’s campus after violence erupted between protesters and counterprotesters. Law enforcement delayed its response for nearly three hours, but eventually, officers from the LAPD and campus police stepped in to stop the violence and removed pro-Palestinian barricades and encampments.
Critics raised concerns about how the university handled the chaotic situation. In response, UCLA established a new Office of Campus Safety to oversee the campus police department. The university also reassigned Campus Police Chief John Thomas temporarily for an investigation into campus security protocol.
Several colleges are facing lawsuits related to students’ civil rights. In the lawsuits, students claimed that administrators failed to keep them safe during anti-Israel protests.
Committee Chair Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., emphasized that this hearing is just the beginning of Congress probing college administrators over antisemitism on college campuses. She warned university presidents that they would be held accountable for their records and that Congress would not tolerate violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, failure to protect Jewish students or deals advancing divestment, terrorism, radicalism and antisemitic ideologies.
Meanwhile, hundreds of students walked out of Harvard’s commencement ceremony Thursday, May 23, chanting “Free, Free Palestine.” The university barred 13 students from receiving their diplomas due to their participation in pro-Palestinian encampments on campus.
French police shoot and kill suspect in synagogue fire
French police fatally shot a man Friday, May 17, who was suspected of setting a synagogue on fire in Rouen, about 80 miles northwest of Paris. According to authorities, the man, armed with a knife and an iron bar, charged at officers responding to the synagogue.
An officer fired at the assailant, resulting in his death.
“In Rouen, national police officers neutralized early this morning an armed individual clearly wanting to set fire to the city’s synagogue,” Darmanin said on X. “I congratulate them for their responsiveness and courage.”
“It is not only the Jewish community that is affected. It is the entire city of Rouen that is bruised and in shock,” Mayer-Rossignol wrote on X.
The fire was placed under control.
While the motive of the suspect remains unknown, the incident occurs amidst an increase in antisemitic incidents in France since the beginning of the conflict between Israel and Hamas.