Biden cancels trip: President Biden cancelled a planned trip to Colorado today in order to be at the White House where he can better monitor what’s happening in the Middle East and participate in any meetings. The White House will not confirm reports that a trip to Israel by the president is under consideration. On the CBS News program “60 Minutes” last might, Biden said he believes it would be a mistake for Israel to occupy Gaza again after it finishes its military operations in the area.
Cease-fire negotiations fail: Negotiations for a brief cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict so that holders of foreign passports can leave the area have failed. Such a cease-fire also would have allowed humanitarian aid to be brought into Gaza. Israel intensified its airstrikes on Gaza overnight and this morning, as Israel’s defense forces reported that Hamas is holding 199 hostages in Gaza, not the 150 that Hamas had previously said.
Judge issues partial gag order: Federal Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is presiding in the case brought against Donald Trump for staging a coup to try to remain in power after the 2020 Presidential Election, today issued a partial gag order against Trump. She ordered Trump to stop saying or writing things that can intimidate witnesses and others, including prosecutors. Trump has repeatedly attacked witnesses, prosecutors and even Judge Chutkan despite repeated warnings to tone down what he says and posts online.
Russian attacks: Ukrainian military leaders say they repelled 15 attacks between yesterday and today on the city of Avdiivka in the eastern part of Ukraine. The Ukrainians say the Russians are being defeated since previously they had been staging up to 60 attacks a day on the city. Russian President Vladimir Putin, in an interview with a Chinese media organization that was released today, claimed that the only thing Ukraine has been achieving with its latest offensive is massive losses.
Piper Laurie dies at 91 Actress Piper Laurie, who came to prominence as a 1950s starlet and evolved into a formidable dramatic presence, passed away on Oct. 14 at the age of 91. Laurie received Academy Award nominations for “The Hustler” (1961), “Carrie” (1976) and “Children of a Lesser God” (1986), and she won the Emmy Award for the television film “Promise” (1986) and the Golden Globe Award for the 1990 TV series “Twin Peaks.”
Suzanne Somers dies at 76: Actress Suzanne Somers has died at her home in Palm Springs, California. She was 76. Somers became noticed in the 1973 movie “American Graffiti” as the blonde who drove a Thunderbird and attracted the attention of a character played by Richard Dreyfuss. Somers starred on the hit TV programs “Three’s Company” and “Step by Step” and had a second career as a personal health and exercise author and saleswoman.
Cover photo courtesy of The Heart Truth / Wikimedia Commons
