Missile: Hezbollah said today it launched a missile at the Israeli city Tel Aviv, targeting the headquarters of the Israeli intelligence agency. Israel says it intercepted and destroyed the missile. At the U.N. in New York, the foreign ministers of Jordan, Egypt and Iraq issued a joint statement saying that Israel is moving toward an all-out war in the Middle East because of its military action in Gaza and recent airstrikes in Lebanon. Â
Helene: The storm named Helene became a hurricane this morning and is expected to strengthen into a Category 3 hurricane by the time it slams into Florida’s Gulf Coast late tomorrow. Forecasters say it could reach Category 4 status. An estimated 20 million people are under a flood watch. Forecasters say a storm surge of up to 15 feet can be expected to affect parts of Florida. Tropical storm warnings were extended this morning to cover parts of Georgia. Â
Secret Service: Congress yesterday passed and sent to the White House for President Biden’s signature legislation to extend presidential level Secret Service protection to Vice President Harris and Donald Trump as they campaign around the country. A report on the Butler, Pennsylvania, assassination attempt against Trump says that failures by Secret Service personnel to properly protect Trump were foreseeable and preventable.
Zelenskyy: Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with President Biden at the White House tomorrow, following up on his speech to the U.N. General Assembly today. Tomorrow, Zelenskyy is expected to reveal a new plan for what’s described as Ukraine’s victory in the war that was started when Russian President Putin ordered an invasion of Ukraine. It’s believed Zelenskyy’s victory plan includes Ukraine firing long-range missiles against targets inside Russia.
Ruling: Federal Judge Tayna Chutkin has ruled against Donald Trump’s attorneys and will allow Special Prosecutor Jack Smith to file a special brief arguing why Trump is not immune from prosecution for attempting to overturn the 2020 Presidential Election. The brief is due tomorrow. Smith is expected to argue that the Supreme Court’s ruling that presidents are immune from prosecution criminal acts committed as part of their official duties does not apply to Trump’s efforts to remain in power after being defeated in the election.
Bus hijacking: A bus passenger was shot and killed by a man who hijacked a city bus in Los Angeles during the overnight period. The hijacker forced the bus driver to lead police on a chase that lasted about an hour. The bus was stopped when it ran over spike strips that had been put down by police, causing its tires to blow out. A police SWAT team boarded the bus and rescued the driver and an uninjured passenger. The driver had activated a panic button to light up a message on the outside of the bus telling people to call 911.
