October 27 top stories
It is October 27. Here are today’s top stories.
Manhunt continues for Maine shooter
The suspected gunman in the mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine has not yet been found. His name is Robert Card (40). He allegedly killed 18 people and injured 13 on Wednesday night.
Four of the victims were deaf men. Please check our “Deaf News” video for more information on the deaf victims.
At the time of signing this news, police said they are focusing on searching waterways near where Card’s car was found. Police recovered a .308-caliber AR-15 rifle and it is similar to the gun used in Wednesday’s rampage.
CNN reported that investigators recovered a cell phone belonging to him and found a note that indicated Card did not expect to be alive when it was found. There may be divers searching the waters.
“The Daily Beast” reported that according to the family of Card, he had mental health struggles that included hearing voices. He had hearing loss and recently began wearing powerful hearing aids. Card believed that, for the last few months, he could hear people talking negatively about him at different locations, including the bowling alley and the bar and grill. The family said Card would get angry if they told him that the voices were just in his head.
News reports said Card once threatened to shoot up a military base and was committed to a mental health facility for two weeks this past summer.
CBS News said there is a “yellow flag” state law that allows police to temporarily remove guns from people who may be a threat, but it requires a two-step sign-off from both a judge and a medical provider. Maine Sen. Susan Collins said the law should have been used in Card’s case.
Israel expanding ground operations into Gaza
Israel’s military spokesperson said its ground forces are expanding their operations tonight. He also said the air force is attacking underground targets.
BBC News said the bombardment from Israeli forces appears heavier than usual. There are also rockets being fired by Hamas towards Israel.
Israeli tanks have started entering the Gaza Strip in recent days.
People in Gaza said most of their internet access has been cut off. Organizations that have been contacting people in Gaza said they lost touch.
The Israeli military said Hamas is holding 229 hostages who were kidnapped in Hamas’ attacks that killed 1,400 people.
A BBC reporter in southern Israel said they don’t know what will happen in the hours to come, but if Israel is sending more ground troops, that means the rhythm of war is changing.
The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said over 7,000 people have been killed by Israeli airstrikes over the past three weeks.
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U.S. conducts airstrikes in Syria
The U.S. military announced last night that it conducted airstrikes on two facilities in eastern Syria that were used by groups linked to Iran’s armed forces. U.S. F16 jets bombed a weapons storage and an ammunition storage facility.
The U.S. military said the strikes were in response to “a series of ongoing and mostly unsuccessful attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria that began on October 17. One U.S. citizen contractor died from a cardiac incident while sheltering in place and 21 U.S. personnel sustained minor injuries but all have returned to duty.
The U.S. said the airstrikes has nothing to do with Israel or the conflict in Gaza. However, Iran issued a warning on Thursday that the U.S. may get consequences if Israel’s war against Hamas continues.
The U.S. said it doesn’t seek conflict but will not hesitate to take measures to protect their people.
This situation between the U.S. and Iran is something to keep an eye on. There are concerns that the war between Israel and Hamas could escalate to a wider conflict in the region.
George W. Bush to throw ceremonial pitch at World Series
Former President George W. Bush will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the opener of the World Series tonight between the Texas Rangers and the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Bush used to own the Rangers. Bush was the U.S. president from 2001 to 2009. He has thrown a ceremonial first pitch three times in the past, most notably in 2001 after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
That is all the top stories for this week. Have a nice weekend and stay with the light.
https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/lewiston-maine-mass-shootings-10-27-23/index.html
https://www.thedailybeast.com/maine-shooting-gunman-kills-members-of-lewistons-deaf-community
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-middle-east-67223217
https://www.axios.com/2023/10/27/us-strikes-syria-iran-linked-groups