RE’IM, Israel (AP) — Israelis held somber ceremonies Monday to mark a year since the deadliest attack in the country’s history, a Hamas-led raid that shattered its sense of security and has since spiraled into wars on two fronts with no end in sight.

Hamas marked the anniversary of its Oct. 7, 2023 attack by firing a barrage of rockets at Tel Aviv, underscoring its resilience after a year of war and devastation in Gaza. Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which has been firing rockets into Israel for the past year in support of its ally, Hamas, launched more than 170 across the border on Monday.

As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to press Israel’s campaigns on all sides, the military said fighter jets targeting Hezbollah positions bombarded southern Lebanon with more than 120 strikes in an hour. An earlier strike killed at least 10 Lebanese firefighters, the latest of dozens of first responders killed in recent weeks, according to the country’s Health Ministry.

The 2024 Nobel Prize in physics has been awarded to John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton for their “foundational discoveries” that enable machine learning with artificial neural networks.

“Although computers cannot think, machines can now mimic functions such as memory and learning. This year’s laureates in physics have helped make this possible,” the Nobel Committee said in a statement.

The committee announced the prestigious honor, seen as the pinnacle of scientific achievement, in Sweden on Monday. The prize carries a cash award of 11 million Swedish kronor ($1 million).

A year after the Hamas attack, Israel continues its military campaign in Gaza, while its operations in the occupied West Bank have expanded significantly.

For Palestinian civilians caught in the middle of the ongoing conflict between Israeli forces and the Hamas militant group, the consequences have been unremittingly difficult, and deadly.

The death toll from Israel’s offensive in Gaza is now approaching 42,000 Palestinians, with another 39 deaths recorded Monday at local hospitals, according to Gaza’s health authorities.

Challenge: How to create a contiguous Palestinian state where both the Palestinians, Israelis, and the Arab states win?

Proposed Solution:

1. LAND AREA: Have all the West Bank become Israeli territory. Create a new Palestinian state starting with Gaza in the north and extending south to just East of Mitzpe Ramon … with approximately the same amount of territory as the West Bank (select feature image in post view to enlarge).
2. SECURITY: Demilitarize the new Palestine with a Pan-Arab and UN peacekeeping force.
3. DEVELOPMENT: Have a UN created organization funded 50% by Arab states and 50% by the rest of the world. Provide massive financial and technical support towards building the new communities and urban areas enabling all the Palestinians who want to relocate with many more incentives to relocate vs. staying in the West Bank.
4. ECONOMICS: Focus on sustainability… innovate and model how to transform the desert into green communities.
5. EAST JERUSALEM: Create an International Trusteeship placing East Jerusalem under international control.

Possible US initial peace proposal:

“I propose… if by Jan. 20, 2024 … the hostages have not been returned and there is not a cease fire…  I will stop funding all weapons of war being used by Israel to bomb Gaza

I also propose a Middle East Peace Commission composed of representatives of the PLO, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon with observers from other countries … to address the Palestinian state issue and the rebuilding of Gaza.”

Why you should *ignore* polling averages
It’s the weekly Chris/Chuck chat!

In this episode we cover:

• Why Chuck doesn’t like polling averages
• The early states — and races! — to watch on election night
• The October 7 anniversary
• Are the Washington Commanders elite?

CHRIS CRUCIAL: Why I am *very* worried about political violence

1. A(nother) violent election?

I spoke to a group of Finnish folks today and, after my speech, one of them pulled me aside and almost sheepishly asked me this: Is there going to be violence in the streets after the November election? (Interestingly it’s a question I get virtually any time I give a talk — especially to European audiences.)

In truth, I didn’t — and don’t — have a good answer to it. I want to say “No, of course not — we pride ourselves on the peaceful transition of power.” But then I remember that January 6, 2021 happened — and that day proved, at least to me, that we are a lot closer to political chaos (and violence) than we like to admit.

It wasn’t just January 6 either. (And for those who insist the riot that day was peaceful, you need to watch this.). There’s plenty of polling data out there — post-January 6 — that suggests that some decent-sized chunk of Republicans believe violence might be justified to deal with an adverse election result.

The Morning: The most important # in the new NYT poll

But it’s not the horserace matchup I want to draw your attention to. It’s the question of which candidate represents change. In the poll 46% say Harris and 44% choose Trump.

Tampa Braces for First Time Since ‘21, Associated Press
Hurricane Milton, a Category 4 storm with 155 mph winds, threatens Florida’s Gulf Coast with an 8-12 foot surge, prompting evacuations as Tampa Bay faces its first direct hit since 1921.

Trump Blames Migrant Genes for Crime, Politico
Trump blamed migrant genes for crime in a radio interview, claiming immigrants commit murders due to genetics, prompting the White House to condemn it as “fascist rhetoric.”

Musk Repossesses @America, disruptionist
Elon Musk seized the @America handle from its original user on X to promote Trump’s campaign, sparking controversy over political bias and misuse of platform power.

Harris Makes Her Case on 60 Minutes, CBS News
In her “60 Minutes” interview, VP Harris made her case for the presidency, addressing the economy, immigration, and Middle East conflict while promoting bipartisan solutions.

Major NC Newspaper Raps Trump Falsity, The Hill
The Charlotte Observer criticized Trump for falsely claiming Democrats neglected Republican areas and misused FEMA funds after Helene, calling his statements divisive during recovery efforts.

Clinton Wants To Overturn Sec. 230, Reason
Hillary Clinton told Smerconish on CNN that repealing Section 230 should be a top priority, emphasizing the ongoing bipartisan push to weaken free speech protections for tech platforms.

Ground News

Jean-Pierre Takes Dual Role at WH, For the Left
Karine Jean-Pierre has been promoted to senior adviser to the president while continuing as White House press secretary, marking the first time in decades both roles are held simultaneously.

Four Arrested in Gang Assault of Ex-NY Gov. For the Right
A 40-year-old man, a 34-year-old woman, and two juveniles, aged 12 and 13, were arrested for gang assault on former New York Governor David Paterson and his stepson.