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“Stripped for Parts”: Secretive Hedge Fund Accused of Plundering U.S. Newspapers

The new documentary Stripped for Parts: American Journalism on the Brink looks at how hedge funds have gutted newsrooms across the country. The hedge fund strategy of “distressed asset investing” involves buying up industries that are struggling to turn a profit, and then selling off their assets and laying off workers. “You have people who are interested solely in making money off of the newspapers and not in serving the community and doing good journalism,” says director Rick Goldsmith.

“Scary Precedent”: GOP Blocks Rep.-Elect Adelita Grijalva from Taking Seat Amid Epstein Files Fight

Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva, who won a special election for a House seat in Arizona two weeks ago, has still not been sworn in to Congress. Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson is blaming the government shutdown for the delay, even though he previously expedited the swearing-in of multiple Republicans who won their special elections before election results were even in.

Rep. Ro Khanna: Republicans Could End Shutdown, Lower Healthcare Costs Today

As the government shutdown enters its second week, Democratic Congressmember Ro Khanna of California says “the Republicans could open government today.” The two parties are at a standoff over provisions in the Republican spending bill that would cut health insurance benefits for millions of Americans. President Donald Trump said Tuesday furloughed government workers may not be paid, breaking with precedent and a 2019 law.

Report from Gaza: Israeli Bombardment Enters Third Year Despite Ceasefire Talks in Egypt

Israelis, Palestinians and people around the world are marking two years since the October 7 Hamas attack that sparked the war in Gaza. The second anniversary of October 7 comes amid renewed hope for a ceasefire, as mediators from Hamas and Israel meet in Egypt to negotiate over U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan for the future of Gaza. The proposal, like previous ones, calls for a swap of captives, as well as a phased Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza.

“Trump’s Invasion”: Illinois Officials Denounce Troop Deployment to Chicago as ICE Escalates Raids

As Chicago braces for a possible deployment of National Guard troops by President Trump, we speak with Ed Yohnka from the ACLU of Illinois about how the administration’s ongoing immigration crackdown is putting communities at risk. For weeks, federal agents with ICE and other agencies have carried out violent immigration arrests across Chicago, including in a high-profile raid on a residential building in which many U.S. citizens were also detained.

Man-Made Famine & Malnutrition in Sudan, Exacerbated by U.S. Aid Cuts

Starvation is now being used as a weapon of war in numerous conflicts across the globe — including Sudan, which continues to endure a yearslong famine. Dr. Tanya Haj-Hassan, a pediatric doctor who just returned from Sudan, says that the famine is man-made. “Atrocities in Palestine, atrocities in Sudan that relate to malnutrition, that relate to famine, are a consequence of underlying structures that enable these things to happen,” says Haj-Hassan, who also volunteered in Gaza.

Gaza Flotilla Update: U.K. Journalist Describes “Torturous Conditions” in Israeli Custody

Global condemnation is mounting as hundreds of international activists remain in Israeli prison days after Israel’s military raided and captured dozens of boats in the Global Sumud Flotilla. Reuters reports at least 170 flotilla activists, of the more than 400 arrested, have been deported from Israel. Many have described torture and mistreatment in Israeli custody.

Why This Shutdown May Be Different

Editor’s Note: Washington Week With The Atlantic is a partnership between NewsHour Productions, WETA, and The Atlantic airing every Friday on PBS stations nationwide. Check your local listings, watch full episodes here, or listen to the weekly podcast here.
Democrats are continuing to use their leverage in the federal-funding process to confront Republicans. Meanwhile, the threat of layoffs looms for many government workers.

Israel Detains 440+ Global Flotilla Activists; Italian Unions Strike in Protest

The Global Sumud Flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces Thursday as its dozens of vessels approached the shores of Gaza. In response to the detention of the flotilla’s activists, Italian labor unions have launched a nationwide general strike demanding their release and an end to Israel’s relentless assault. Global Sumud Flotilla spokesperson Maria Elena Delia shares an update from Rome, where hundreds of thousands are participating in nonviolent protest.

“Move Fast”: From McCarthyism to Authoritarianism, Jane Fonda Relaunches Father’s Free Speech Group

The Oscar-winning actress and activist Jane Fonda is relaunching her father Henry Fonda’s free speech organization, the Committee for the First Amendment. First established in 1947 to combat the rise of McCarthyism, the organization brings together members of the film and television industry to push back against and refuse government censorship. Fonda’s announcement comes after the television network ABC brought back late-night host Jimmy Kimmel’s show following widespread protest.

“Attack on Free Speech”: Journalist Mario Guevara Deported After Covering Anti-Trump Protest

UPDATE: Mario Guevara was deported from the United States early on October 3, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
The Spanish-language journalist Mario Guevara may be deported to El Salvador as soon as today despite holding work authorization in the United States and never having been charged with a crime. Guevara, who founded the outlet MG News, where he received awards for his coverage on immigration, has lived in the United States for nearly 20 years.

Trump’s Mideast Envoy Steve Witkoff & Sons Blur Peace & Profit, from Real Estate to Crypto Deals

As officials with Hamas say they will respond “soon” to President Trump’s ceasefire proposal to end Israel’s nearly two-year war on Gaza, brokered with Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, we look at the many other deals Witkoff and his family are involved with. A New York Times investigation reveals that when Witkoff, a real estate developer and longtime friend of Trump, began his new position as a diplomat in the Middle East, his son Alex took over his company, the Witkoff Group.

Israel Detains 440+ Global Flotilla Activists; Italian Unions Strike in Protest

The Global Sumud Flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces Thursday as its dozens of vessels approached the shores of Gaza. In response to the detention of the flotilla’s activists, Italian labor unions have launched a nationwide general strike demanding their release and an end to Israel’s relentless assault. Global Sumud Flotilla spokesperson Maria Elena Delia shares an update from Rome, where hundreds of thousands are participating in nonviolent protest.

“Move Fast”: From McCarthyism to Authoritarianism, Jane Fonda Relaunches Father’s Free Speech Group

The Oscar-winning actress and activist Jane Fonda is relaunching her father Henry Fonda’s free speech organization, the Committee for the First Amendment. First established in 1947 to combat the rise of McCarthyism, the organization brings together members of the film and television industry to push back against and refuse government censorship. Fonda’s announcement comes after the television network ABC brought back late-night host Jimmy Kimmel’s show following widespread protest.

“Attack on Free Speech”: Journalist Mario Guevara Deported After Covering Anti-Trump Protest

UPDATE: Mario Guevara was deported from the United States early on October 3, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
The Spanish-language journalist Mario Guevara may be deported to El Salvador as soon as today despite holding work authorization in the United States and never having been charged with a crime. Guevara, who founded the outlet MG News, where he received awards for his coverage on immigration, has lived in the United States for nearly 20 years.