2LT National News

Trump rolls out additional measures to address crime in D.C.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order directing “additional specific actions” to “further crack down on crime” in Washington, D.C., while signaling nationwide deployment of the National Guard.

The order directs the secretary of defense to create a “specialized D.C. National Guard unit” trained to ensure public safety and order in the nation’s capital, when its activation becomes necessary, and “ensure state National Guards are similarly trained and ready to assist in quelling civil disturbances nationwide.”

Further, the secretary of defense will ensure the availability of a National Guard quick reaction force for “rapid nationwide deployment” when circumstances warrant, according to the order.

Trump fires Fed Governor Cook

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday fired Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook over allegations that she committed mortgage fraud.

“Pursuant to my authority under Article II of the Constitution of the United States and the Federal Reserve Act of 1913, as amended, you are hereby removed from your position on the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve, effective immediately,” Trump wrote in a letter to Cook, posted on his Truth Social platform Monday.

“The Federal Reserve has tremendous responsibility for setting interest rates and regulating reserve and member banks,” Trump wrote in the letter. “The American people must be able to have full confidence in the honesty of the members entrusted with setting policy and overseeing the Federal Reserve. In light of your deceitful and potentially criminal conduct in a financial matter, they cannot and I do not have such confidence in your integrity.”

Australia expels Iranian ambassador over antisemitic attacks

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday accused Iran of directing antisemitic attacks in Australia and announced that Iranian Ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi has been told to leave the country.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Albanese said that the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) has gathered credible evidence that Iran directed at least two antisemitic attacks against the Australian Jewish community in Sydney and Melbourne since October 2023.

“Iran has sought to disguise its involvement, but the ASIO assesses it was behind the attacks,” he said.

Israeli army says twin strike on Gaza’s Nasser Hospital targeted Hamas camera

Israel’s army said Tuesday that the deadly double strike on Gaza’s Nasser Hospital targeted a camera allegedly installed by Hamas, according to findings from an initial inquiry.

The double strike on Monday killed at least 20 people, including five journalists and several health workers, according to Gaza health authorities. The Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis has been the last partially functional medical facility in southern Gaza, as Israel’s 22-month offensive has repeatedly struck hospitals across the enclave, leaving all of them either destroyed or partially damaged.

Israelis stage mass protests to demand Gaza ceasefire, hostage deal

sraelis took to the streets on Tuesday, blocking highways, burning tires and rallying outside ministers’ homes to demand a ceasefire in Gaza that would secure the release of hostages still held in the enclave.

The “National Day of Struggle” was organized by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents relatives of the captives. The group urged the public to step up pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his ministers to advance truce talks. However, far-right members of Netanyahu’s coalition have threatened to resign if Israel agrees to a ceasefire.

Tens of thousands displaced over Israeli military offensive on Gaza City

Tens of thousands of people have been displaced in Gaza since Aug. 14, when the Israeli military offensive on Gaza City was announced, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) recorded more than 36,200 displacements between Aug. 14 and 25, including over 11,600 from the north to the south of the strip. Of these, more than 2,000 were recorded between Sunday and Monday alone.

OCHA said the majority of displaced people came from neighborhoods in Gaza City, with more than two-thirds moving to Deir al-Balah and nearly a third heading to Khan Younis.