New details revealed for deadly pager attack operation on Hezbollah
Israeli intelligence agency Mossad used an elaborate covert operation involving explosive-laden pagers to carry out a massive strike on Hezbollah, killing dozens and injuring thousands of the group’s operatives, according to The Washington Post. The operation, which took place in September, targeted the militant group’s communication network across Lebanon and Syria, dealing a significant blow to its leadership and operations.
The attack was the result of years of planning, starting in 2015 when Mossad began inserting modified walkie-talkies in Lebanon. Initially, these devices were used solely for surveillance.
In 2023, however, Mossad shifted its approach by posing as the Taiwanese company Gold Apollo and offering Hezbollah a seemingly secure communication device: the Apollo AR-924 pager. These pagers were touted as hack-proof and built to withstand harsh battlefield conditions.
Hezbollah purchased 5,000 of the Apollo pagers and distributed them to its fighters across Lebanon and Syria, unaware that the devices contained hidden bombs.
Getty Images
Mossad engineers implanted the bombs so discreetly that they were virtually undetectable, even with X-ray scanners. The pagers also required a two-step decryption process to read encrypted messages, forcing users to handle the devices with both hands.
In September, Mossad remotely triggered the explosives, causing thousands of pagers to detonate simultaneously. The explosions injured as many as 3,000 Hezbollah operatives and significantly weakened the group’s command structure.
In the aftermath of the initial strike, Mossad followed up 24 hours later with a second attack, this time targeting Hezbollah operatives using the walkie-talkies from the 2015 operation.
Israeli forces then launched airstrikes that culminated in the death of Hezbollah’s leader, Hasan Nasrallah, further crippling the group’s leadership.
The United States was reportedly not informed of the operation in advance. With tensions between Hezbollah, Iran and Israel already high, the long-term consequences of this unprecedented strike remain unclear.
Speaker Johnson unveils stopgap funding bill to avoid government shutdown
With just days to spare until a government shutdown, congressional leaders have agreed on a short-term funding bill. And the manhunt continues for suspects in a weekend shooting in Birmingham, Alabama that left four killed and more than a dozen injured. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, Sept. 23, 2024.
Speaker Johnson unveils stopgap government spending bill to avoid shutdown
With just about a week to spare, Congress has reached a deal to avoid a government shutdown. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday, Sept. 22, the House will vote this week on a three-month stopgap funding bill that would keep the federal government open until Dec. 20.
In a letter to house members, Johnson said the bill is “bare bones” and only includes “the extensions that are absolutely necessary.” Unlike a previous version, this bill does not include legislation concerning proof of citizenship to register to vote, but it does include an additional $230 million for Secret Service funding.
The Rules Committee is set to review the spending bill Monday afternoon, Sept. 23. House GOP leaders say lawmakers will likely vote on it on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
If this bill does not pass, government funding is slated to run out next Monday, Sept. 30.
Race tightens with 43 days to go until Election Day
With 43 days to go until Election Day, a new poll is showing just how close the race is between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. A CBS News poll released Sunday, Sept. 22, found Harris leading Trump 52% to 48% among likely voters.
This comes as former President Trump says this run for the presidency will be his last. He revealed that information Sunday during an interview on “Full Measure with Sharyl Attkinson.”
Also over the weekend, the vice president said she has agreed to another debate with the former president. Harris said she would debate Trump on CNN on Oct. 23. In response, Trump told supporters at a North Carolina rally it’s too late for another debate as early voting has already begun in some states.
Looking ahead, Trump will be campaigning in Indiana Monday while Harris is expected to release more on her economic plan this week.
No suspects in custody after 4 killed, 17 hurt in Alabama shooting
They believe it was a paid “hit” on one specific person, with everyone else caught in the crossfire. Witnesses say multiple suspects pulled up in a car, got out and fired dozens of gunshots, then quickly took off.
Birmingham’s mayor said this is not the first time this year the city has seen gun violence like this. During a news conference Sunday, he called it a “solvable problem.”
“We don’t have any interest in this whole debate about second amendment rights,” said Mayor Randall Woodfin. “We don’t have any interest in people who want to protect their homes, militia or whatever else you want to say. There’s a certain element in this city, there’s a certain element in this community who are too comfortable running around with semi-automatic weapons, automatic weapons, conversion switches and everything else, whose only intent, hell bent intent, is to harm people, shoot people, kill people.”
Investigators say they do believe the person who was targeted is among the people who died.
Israel warns residents to leave areas in Lebanon near Hezbollah targets
The Lebanese health ministry said one person was killed and six injured in the latest attacks across the southern and eastern portions of the country. These latest strikes come after last week’s explosions targeting walkie-talkies and pagers, and Friday’s, Sept. 20, attack on Beirut which killed 45 people, including a senior Hezbollah commander.
When asked if the latest assaults indicate an imminent ground invasion, an IDF spokesperson said right now, Israel is focused on its aerial campaign.
Embattled Secret Service faces big test at U.N. General Assembly
The agency is already facing heavy criticism after two separate assassination attempts on former President Trump. Now it’s tasked with protecting more than 140 world leaders, including those from Israel, Palestine, and Ukraine.
The U.S. General Assembly is considered the biggest event that the Secret Service is charged with protecting each year — bigger than the Super Bowl, which is also considered a major national security event.
The agency is working with multiple others, from the NYPD to the Coast Guard, to keep everyone safe, and maintains it is confident they will do just that.
Chicago White Sox lose 120th game to tie modern-day MLB record
Since 1900, only the 1962 New York Mets have lost so many games in a season. The White Sox already surpassed the 2003 Detroit Tigers for the most losses by an American League team.
With six games to go in the regular season, it’s looking like Chicago is going to set another record. The White Sox’s next game is Tuesday, Sept. 24, against the Los Angeles Angels in Chicago.
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.
Iranian hackers sent stolen Trump campaign info to Biden campaign staffers: FBI
Both parties are responding after the FBI said Iranian hackers sent stolen information from the Trump campaign to members of President Biden’s campaign. And a second round of explosions in Lebanon — this time involving walkie-talkies — leaves at least 20 dead. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024.
FBI: Iranian hackers sent stolen Trump campaign info to Biden campaign staffers
Iranian hackers stole information from former President Donald Trump’s campaign over the summer and sent it to people affiliated with then-Democratic candidate President Joe Biden’s campaign. That’s according to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, FBI, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
The statement said there is no indication Biden’s campaign ever replied to the emails.
A spokesperson for Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign said a few individuals were targeted on their personal emails but were not aware of any material being sent directly to the campaign. Her campaign also said it condemns any effort by foreign actors to interfere in U.S. elections.
During a rally in Uniondale, New York Wednesday night, Sept. 18, former President Trump addressed the hack.
“Iran hacked into my campaign,” he told his supporters. “I don’t know what the hell they found. I’d like to find out, couldn’t have been too exciting, but they gave it to the Biden campaign. I can’t believe it. Oh yes, I can. But this is really foreign election interference. This is real election interference.”
U.S. officials said this was just one of several attempts by Iran to “undermine the confidence of our electoral process.” Earlier this year, it was reported that Iranian-backed hackers stole Trump campaign documents and shared them with news agencies including Politico, The New York Times, and the Washington Post.
The Iranian government has denied the allegations of meddling in the U.S. elections.
It’s not only Iran as Microsoft said this week that Russia has targeted Vice President Harris’ campaign by spreading conspiracy theories online.
Executives from tech companies including Meta, Microsoft, and Alphabet testified in a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Wednesday on foreign threats to U.S. elections.
Microsoft President Brad Smith said while the presidential race is between Trump and Harris, it has become an election of “Iran versus Trump and Russia versus Harris.”
Second wave of explosions hit Lebanon; Israel declares ‘new era’ of war
Like the pager explosions on Tuesday, Sept. 17, that left a dozen people dead and thousands hurt, the walkie-talkie explosions are believed to have been orchestrated by Israel, according to the United States and other countries briefed on the incident.
Israel has not commented but the country’s military leader did say a “new era” of war is beginning and said its “center of gravity is moving north,” potentially a reference to Israel’s border with Lebanon.
The attacks, which are believed to have been targeting Hezbollah, have left dozens of fighters and civilians dead.
Israel, a key ally to the U.S., did warn Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday it was going to carry out an operation in Lebanon, but multiple sources familiar with the matter said details were not given.
Teamsters union not endorsing a 2024 presidential candidate
The Teamsters have opted not to endorse former President Trump or Vice President Harris in the 2024 presidential election. It’s the first time in decades the union has chosen not to endorse any candidate.
The decision came just two days after union leaders met with Harris and months after meeting with Trump.
While opting not to endorse anyone, the Teamsters did release data from internal surveys showing most of its members support Trump (59%) over Harris (34%).
House GOP fails to pass Johnson’s stopgap funding bill
Three Democrats crossed the aisle to vote in favor of the stopgap bill, but 14 Republicans voted against it, ultimately causing it to fail. Johnson said afterward he’d draft a new bill to keep the government funded past Oct. 1.
Body found during search for Kentucky highway shooter
Authorities had been searching for 32-year-old Joseph Couch since Sept. 7, when police say Couch shot and injured five people on Interstate 75.
On Wednesday afternoon, the remains were found by two state troopers alongside two civilians who said they were trying to help find the suspect. The troopers were drawn to the site after noticing vultures circling above and a strong odor in the search area.
Authorities said a weapon was discovered alongside the body believed to be Couch. The remains have been sent to the coroner’s office for positive identification.
Lionsgate announces deal with AI company Runway to ‘augment’ films
Artificial intelligence is coming to a theater near you. Lionsgate — the studio behind film franchises like “John Wick” and “The Hunger Games” has announced a deal with AI research company Runway, whose backers include Google and chipmaker NVIDIA.
The deal involves Runway’s creation and training of a new AI model that Lionsgate’s filmmakers can use to “augment their work.” Lionsgate said it expects to save “millions and millions of dollars” using Runway’s technology.
Lionsgate Vice Chair Michael Burns said AI is seen as a great tool for “enhancing and supplementing” the studio’s current operations. Burns told The Wall Street Journal, “We do a lot of action movies, so we blow a lot of things up and that is one of the things Runway does.”
More blasts rock Lebanon, a day after mass pager attack wounds thousands
More deadly blasts in Lebanon on Wednesday, Sept. 18, came just a day after exploding pagers targeted members of Hezbollah, injuring nearly 3,000 people and killing at least a dozen more. One explosion on Wednesday was reported at a funeral in eastern Lebanon for three Hezbollah members and a child killed in the pager attack. One person was killed, and more than 100 others were injured, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.
Authorities said handheld radios and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah militants exploded this time. The sounds from the blasts could also be heard in the southern suburbs of Beirut and other areas.
The Lebanese military warned citizens to avoid gathering in places where explosions had occurred to make way for emergency crews.
Lebanon’s National News Agency reports at least three people were killed by “unspecified devices” and solar energy systems exploded in homes in several areas injuring at least one girl.
The latest incidents come the United Nations Human Rights chief is now calling for an investigation into Tuesday’s mass pager explosion in Lebanon and Syria. He said on Wednesday, “the fear and terror unleashed is profound” and that targeting thousands of people, whether civilians or militants, without knowledge violates international law.
The U.N. chief did not explicitly mention Israel in his comments. However, Lebanon and Hezbollah blame the country for the intricate remote attack.
Hezbollah blames Israel for deadly pager explosions
Hezbollah is blaming Israel after pagers used by the militant group exploded killing at least nine people and injuring thousands. And former President Donald Trump holds his first campaign event since the second apparent assassination attempt on his life. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024.
Hezbollah blames Israel for deadly pager explosions
Multiple explosions in Lebanon have killed at least nine people and left nearly 3,000 injured. Explosives inside pagers used by the militant group Hezbollah were set off Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 17.
The Iran-backed group blames Israel for the attack. Hezbollah said an 8-year-old was among those killed and Iran’s envoy to Beirut was among the injured.
Sources told Reuters Israel’s Mossad spy agency had planted the explosives inside 5,000 pagers. An American source and other officials confirmed to the New York Times that Israel was behind the operation.
The pagers appeared to be from Taiwan-based Gold Apollo. In a statement released Wednesday, Sept. 18, Gold Apollo said they were manufactured by another company based in Budapest that was authorized to use Gold Appollo’s brand.
Hezbollah fighters have been using pagers to bypass Israeli location-tracking following a warning by group leaders earlier this year saying cell phones were more dangerous than Israeli spies.
Hezbollah has vowed to retaliate against Israel.
Hezbollah and Israel began exchanging strikes shortly after Hamas’ deadly terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Tuesday’s blasts add to the growing concern over a larger war in the Middle East.
Secretary of State of Antony Blinken will be in Egypt Wednesday to work on securing a cease-fire agreement to put an end to the conflict between Israel and Hamas and see the release of the hostages who remain in Gaza.
Trump, Harris both use assassination attempt to highlight policy proposals
Former President Donald Trump was back on the campaign trail Tuesday, holding his first event since the second apparent attempt on his life over the weekend. During a town hall in Flint, Michigan Trump told Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders the assassination attempts are proof his policy proposals are powerful.
“It’s a dangerous business however, being president,” Trump said. “It’s a little bit dangerous. It’s, you know, they think racecar driving is dangerous. No. They think bull-riding, that’s pretty scary, right? No, this is a dangerous business and we have to keep it safe.”
He later added, “You know, only consequential presidents get shot at.”
Trump also said both President Joe Biden and, his opponent in the 2024 presidential race, Vice President Kamala Harris called him after the assassination attempt, saying it was “very nice” and he appreciated it.
“Not everybody has Secret Service,” Harris said, “and there are far too many people in our country right now who are not feeling safe. I mean, I look at Project 2025 and I look at the ‘don’t say gay laws’ coming out of Florida. Members of the LGBTQ community don’t feel safe right now. Immigrants or people with an immigrant background don’t feel safe right now. Women don’t feel safe right now.”
Both candidates are focusing on swing areas that could decide the election, which is expected to be a close one.
Trump is set to campaign in New York, Washington, D.C., and North Carolina this week. Harris will also stop in Washington as well as Michigan and Wisconsin in the coming days.
Speaker Johnson to bring spending bill up for vote
House Speaker Mike Johnson is expected to put his short-term spending plan up for a vote Wednesday, though there are signs it will not get the GOP support needed to pass.
Johnson previously pulled a stopgap bill that was coupled with the SAVE Act — which would require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections — after it became clear it was unlikely to get enough Republican approval to pass. House Democrats also opposed the plan, though it would keep the government funded through most of March.
Congress has until the end of September to pass at least a temporary measure keeping the government open, otherwise a shutdown looms Oct. 1.
Federal Reserve expected to cut interest rates for first time since 2020
The Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates for the first time since 2020. However, it’s not yet known by how much.
Straight Arrow News Business Correspondent Simone Del Rosario has a closer look here.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs denied bail in racketeering, sex trafficking case
Sean “Diddy” Combs has been denied bail and will remain in custody as he faces serious charges, including sex trafficking, racketeering, conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Authorities say Combs will be held by himself at a “special housing unit” in a detention center in Brooklyn.
In a federal courtroom in New York City on Tuesday, Combs pleaded not guilty to the charges he’s facing. Prosecutors allege that Combs used his business empire to force women into engaging in sexual acts with professional sex workers and himself.
Prosecutors allege that in late 2023, following public accusations of these crimes, Combs and his associates attempted to pressure victims into silence through bribery.
If convicted on all charges, Combs faces decades in prison.
Billie Jean King to make history as Congressional Gold Medal recipient
Tennis hall of famer Billie Jean King is being recognized with a prestigious Congressional Gold Medal for her efforts on and off the tennis court.
The measure had already passed the Senate and on Tuesday night, it passed the House, making Billie Jean King the first individual female athlete to ever receive the congressional honor.
🚨 History made! 🚨 The House just passed my bipartisan, bicameral bill to award my friend, @BillieJeanKing, legendary athlete, and ardent advocate, the Congressional Gold Medal, making her the first female athlete to ever receive this honor—yet another iconic trailblazing moment… pic.twitter.com/kbkkym0aVN
“Mister speaker, it is now time to enshrine Billie Jean King’s legacy as not only a champion of tennis, but a champion of equality whose impact will continue to inspire women and girls and people across America and across the world,” Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) said before the measure was passed.
After receiving the news that she would receive the Congressional Gold Medal, King took to X to say, “Thank you. I am deeply humbled and honored.”
Pipeline explosion in Houston suburb triggers evacuations
A pipeline explosion erupted in La Porte, Texas, the morning of Monday, Sept. 16, around 25 miles southwest of Houston. It triggered immediate evacuations from nearby neighborhoods and a towering plume of fire visible for miles.
The blast sparked secondary grass fires, burned power poles, and escalated the danger to surrounding homes and infrastructure.
Officials ordered evacuations of surrounding neighborhoods, affecting approximately 350 homes. Several schools close to the explosion also sent students home for the day. Traffic is also closed off in the area to facilitate emergency response efforts.
A conference was held the same day by officials, giving an update on the pipeline explosion. Reunification centers and housing shelters are being set up along with media staging areas.
The pipeline is believed to be owned by Energy Transfer and contains natural gas. Officials say they’ve shut down the pipeline and they’re allowing the material to burn off, which could take a few hours or last into Tuesday, Sept. 17. A statement by Energy Transfer has also since been released, which states its commitment to work with local authorities as the situation unfolds.
Concerns about long-term environmental and safety implications are growing as the situation unfolds.
Officials say one firefighter suffered minor injuries and the cause of the explosion remains under investigation.
