Israeli ground forces crossed into southern Lebanon on Sept. 30, in what may be the opening phase of an Israeli invasion.

“In accordance with the decision of the political echelon, a few hours ago, the IDF began limited, localized, and targeted ground raids based on precise intelligence against Hezbollah terrorist targets and infrastructure in southern Lebanon,” the Israel Defense Forces said in a press statement early on Oct. 1.

The IDF said planning and training for the “methodical operation” has been ongoing for months. Dubbed Operation “Northern Arrows,” the IDF said it’s targeting Hezbollah targets close to Israel’s northern border that “pose an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel.” The reported operations come as Israel has been signaling an escalating fight with Hezbollah; an Iran-backed Shia Muslim political and paramilitary faction within Lebanon designated as a terrorist group by the United States and Israel. Read the full story here›

Tens of thousands of dock and maritime workers hit the picket lines last night. The move could have a devastating impact on the U.S. supply chain ahead of the holiday season.

The strike is expected to cause full work stoppages at 14 ports across the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts and impact the economy. These ports manage between 35 and 49 percent of all U.S. imports and exports. Grace Zwemmer, an associate U.S. economist, projects that trade flow disruptions could trim GDP growth between 0.08 and 0.13 percent, or as much as $7.5 billion, each week the strike is in effect.

The union demanded annual pay raises totaling 77 percent in addition to other benefits and protection against automation. Read the full story here›

The Biden administration tightened border restrictions, allowing the Secretary of Homeland Security to cut off new asylum applications when the border is overwhelmed.

The new restrictions amend a White House directive issued in June, under which the federal government could restrict asylum requests after more than 2,500 illegal immigrants had been apprehended at the border per day on average for seven consecutive days.

The new restrictions prevent illegal immigrants from being able to request asylum whenever the Secretary of Homeland Security deems the southern border has become overwhelmed. The restriction will be lifted when the secretary “has made a factual determination that there have been 28 consecutive calendar days in which the 7-consecutive-calendar-day average of encounters is less than 1,500,” the new order states. The administration is also now counting all children in that equation before previously only counting children from Mexico. The changes take effect on Oct. 1. Read the full story here›

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