U.S. and world news for Oct. 10

Ceasefire goes into effect in Gaza

The Israeli military said today that a ceasefire was now in effect in Gaza, as its forces pull back in accordance with the deal approved by the Israeli government overnight. The Israel Defense Forces spokesperson added, however, that “troops will continue to be present in various areas of the Gaza Strip.” This comes after Israeli warplanes launched intense airstrikes in the center of Khan Younis, southern Gaza, earlier today. Witnesses also described to CNN airstrikes and artillery shelling in Gaza City. At the same time, anticipation is building for the return of the hostages, which was supposed to happen within 72 hours of Israeli forces relocating closer to the Gaza border.

Trump threatens to target what he calls Democratic programs during shutdown

The government shutdown is expected to extend into next week after the Senate again failed to advance rival Democratic and Republican stopgap spending bills. No further votes are expected until Tuesday, prolonging job uncertainty for thousands of federal workers. Donald Trump vowed to target “Democrat programs” for cuts if the shutdown continues. “We’ll be making cuts that will be permanent, and we’re only going to cut Democrat programs,” he said during a Cabinet meeting. “They wanted to do this, so we’ll give them a little taste of their own medicine,” he added. Trump did not specify which programs he planned to target for cuts.

Nobel Peace Prize awarded

Donald Trump did not win this year’s Nobel Peace Prize as he had hoped he would. The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded today to María Corina Machado for “promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela.” Machado is a leader of the democracy movement in Venezuela, which has campaigned for free elections and representative government. Announcing the award, the Nobel Committee said Machado’s role as a “unifying figure” in Venezuela’s opposition movement “is precisely what lies at the heart of democracy: our shared willingness to defend the principles of popular rule, even though we disagree.” Machado went into hiding after the Venezuelan government moved to crush dissent following last year’s election. It is unclear whether she will be able to attend the prize ceremony in Norway in December.

Judge blocks Trump’s ICE from certain actions against protesters

A federal judge in Illinois has temporarily blocked federal agents from using certain types of force and crowd-control measures against protesters, after video of a pastor who had been praying being repeatedly shot by pepper balls during a demonstration outside at an ICE facility near Chicago drew widespread outcry. Other videos showed Trump’s federal agents attacking journalists and throwing women to the ground. The judge granted a temporary restraining order in the lawsuit filed by the Chicago Headline Club, a nonprofit that represents journalists, alongside unions and individual protesters over federal law enforcement tactics. The 14-day order applies to all federal Homeland Security agents in the district which encompasses Chicago and the Broadview ICE processing facility. Another judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deploying National Guard members in Illinois, one of several legal battles playing out over Donald Trump’s push to send troops to Democrat-led cities.

Nor’easter moving in on East Coast

A powerful nor’easter is about to bring bad weather to millions along the East Coast, with fierce winds, drenching rain and dangerous seas expected this weekend into early next week. The storm will drive major coastal flooding and beach erosion alongside the heavy rain and potentially damaging wind. This disruptive weather will likely lead to travel headaches in the East and could be a nightmare for major airport hubs like Washington, D.C., New York City and Boston. After developing tomorrow somewhere off the coast between Florida and South Carolina, the storm is due to strengthen on Sunday while hugging coastal North Carolina.

More powerful earthquake strikes Philippines

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake rattled the southeastern coast of the Philippines earlier today, sending panicked residents running into the streets. Dramatic video showed residents on Mindanao island rushing out of buildings or trying to maintain their balance as the ground beneath them shook violently. The country is still recovering from a 6.9 magnitude quake that struck off the central island of Cebu less than two weeks ago. It was the Philippines’ deadliest in over a decade, killing at least 72 people, injuring hundreds and causing extensive damage.