Northwestern Employs Former Hamas Money Man

September 10, 2025

College — (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Northwestern University employs a Hamas-linked professor at its Qatar campus, raising questions about the school’s partnership with the Gulf state.

Ibrahim Abusharif, listed by Northwestern as a “former book publisher,” cofounded and served as treasurer of the Quranic Literacy Institute (QLI) in suburban Chicago. A federal court later ruled QLI operated as a “money-laundering clearinghouse” for Hamas. In 2004, the family of David Boim—a 17-year-old American killed in a Hamas attack—won $156 million in damages against QLI, a ruling reaffirmed in 2008.

As treasurer, Abusharif oversaw finances during a period when QLI used nearly $1 million from a Saudi financier to purchase property, with proceeds funneled to Hamas operative Mohammad Salah. A federal court order in 2004 stated: “It is certainly no great leap to infer that Mr. Abusharif, who served as Treasurer of QLI, has first-hand knowledge of how and why QLI was funded.”

Abusharif has taught at Northwestern’s Qatar branch for over 17 years, including the mandatory “Doha Seminar.” A Middle East Forum report said the course exists to “promote the Qatari government’s narrative.” Qatar remains home to Hamas leader Mousa Abu Marzook, who told the New Yorker after Oct. 7 that “he and other Hamas political leaders had authorized the attack’s over-all strategy, including its scale and ambition.”

Northwestern has faced broader scrutiny for its Qatar ties. After anti-Semitic protests erupted following Oct. 7, the Trump administration cut $790 million in federal funding to the university, citing its handling of campus unrest.

Abusharif defended QLI in 2002, telling the Chicago Tribune, “The whole forfeiture is unjust and QLI is challenging it. Just because someone makes an accusation, it shouldn’t be like a scarlet letter that you carry around for life.”

Town Backpedals After Targeting Trump-Supporting Vet

September 10, 2025

American Flags (David Everett Strickler/Unsplash)

The Village of Croton-on-Hudson in New York withdrew its zoning violation notice against a man flying a pro-Trump flag on his property.

The resident, veteran Leonard Amicola, previously said that he has had a Trump flag on his property since 2021, the current version of which reads, “Trump is my President.” The flag hung between two trees. Previously, Amicola displayed the flag on a pole, but it was later stolen

“Thank you Lenny. Great to be a WINNER, and that is you, a WINNER and a CHAMPION!!!” President Trump said of the man on Truth Social. “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! President DJT”

The Village said in a statement that staff have been “falsely accused of engaging in a politically motivated enforcement action” that became a “national spectacle.”

“Further, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) has sent correspondence to the Village regarding this matter,” the Village added, explaining that it is “not in a position to contend with continuous anonymous abuse of staff, threats to personnel and a federal intervention regarding a minor civil citation for a non-safety related provision of the Village Code.”

In an opinion piece for The Croton Chronicle, the Army veteran wrote, “My choices and my politics are my own. I don’t always agree with other people’s opinions in Croton but all of us have the right to free speech.”

“People ask me why I don’t surrender and take down my flag,” he wrote. “It is because of the values I learned growing up here in Croton.”

Amicola’s attorney said of the case, “We feel that his actions are protected under the First Amendment.” Had the matter not been resolved, it may have been brought to federal court.

Kidnapped Princeton Student Released After More Than 900 Days

September 10, 2025

Princeton University (1) — Princeton University (Joshua Jen/Unsplash)

President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Princeton graduate student kidnapped by Hezbollah in 2023, has been released.

“I am pleased to report that Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Princeton Student, whose sister is an American Citizen, was just released by Kata’ib Hezbollah (MILITANT Hezbollah), and is now safely in the American Embassy in Iraq after being tortured for many months. I will always fight for JUSTICE, and never give up. HAMAS, RELEASE THE HOSTAGES, NOW,” Trump wrote.

Tsurkov, an Israeli-Russian dual citizen, was held hostage for more than 900 days after she disappeared in Baghdad while on a research trip, the Associated Press reports.

The graduate student told the outlet that she was able to speak to her sister over the phone upon her release. “I heard her voice for the first time in 2 1/2 years and still couldn’t believe it, and I just melted on the floor,” she said. “I heard her voice and she heard mine, and it was the most joyous experience of my life, and we both started sobbing and screaming.”

In a statement on X about her sister’s release, Emma Tsurkov said the family is “so thankful to President Trump and his Special Envoy, Adam Boehler.”

“If Adam had not made my sister’s return his personal mission, I do not know where we would be,” she said. “We also want to thank Josh Harris and his team at the US Embassy in Baghdad for the support they provided to our sister and the team at the nonprofit Global Reach who advocated relentlessly for my sister’s safe return.”

A spokesperson for Iraq’s Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces confirmed Tsurkov’s release, stating, “After distinguished security and intelligence efforts, and with high coordination with several internal entities at a significant level of national and humanitarian responsibility, the competent authorities were able, on September 9th, to locate her place of detention, reach it, and subsequently hand her over to the United States Embassy, which will, in turn, facilitate her reunion with her sister, who holds American citizenship.”

Mark Hamill Says He’s ‘Ashamed’ America Elected Trump Twice

September 10, 2025

Actor Mark Hamill, famous for his role as Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, said he feels “really ashamed” that the United States elected President Trump twice. Speaking on the WTF with Marc Maron podcast, Hamill claimed Trump’s second victory reflected poorly on the nation. “When he got re-elected, that’s on us,” Hamill said. He added that he once believed there were “more decent, honest Americans than there are others,” but concluded, “I’m in the minority in my own country.”

Hamill has repeatedly criticized Trump since 2016. After the 2024 election, he wrote on social media that America had either disproven the idea that people get the leaders they deserve or revealed that “this is not the America we all thought we were living in.” The actor also said he briefly considered leaving the country after Trump’s re-election before his wife persuaded him to stay.

Hamill’s remarks continue a long pattern of Hollywood voices condemning Trump and his supporters. Entertainment figures have been some of the loudest critics of his policies, often using their platforms to denounce conservative voters. While such statements gain media attention, they frequently highlight the growing divide between cultural elites and ordinary Americans who supported Trump’s agenda of secure borders, economic revival, and national strength.

Democrat Wins Virginia Special Election as Trump Policies Take Center Stage

September 10, 2025

Virginia flag — (Photo by Manuel Augusto Moreno/Getty Images)

Democrat James Walkinshaw has won the special election in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District, securing the seat vacated by the late Rep. Gerry Connolly. Walkinshaw, a Fairfax County supervisor and longtime aide to Connolly, defeated Republican Stewart Whitson in the heavily Democratic district located in the Washington, D.C. suburbs.

According to official results, Walkinshaw captured nearly 75 percent of the vote compared to Whitson’s 25 percent. The lopsided outcome reflects the district’s strong Democratic lean but also highlighted how national issues—particularly President Trump’s federal workforce reductions—shaped the campaign. Many voters in the district are directly tied to government employment, and Walkinshaw focused his message on protecting jobs and opposing Trump’s restructuring initiatives.

Republican Stewart Whitson, a former federal attorney, attempted to rally conservative voters by framing Trump’s cuts as necessary to rein in government spending. However, his campaign struggled to gain traction in a region where Democrats have consistently dominated recent elections. Connolly, who passed away earlier this year, had won reelection with more than two-thirds of the vote in 2022.

The Democratic victory further narrows the already slim Republican majority in the House. With ongoing debates over federal spending and budget cuts, the outcome gives Democrats added leverage heading into the fall legislative session. It also underscores the challenges Republicans face in suburban districts where federal employment is a dominant issue.

Walkinshaw’s campaign emphasized stability and continuity with Connolly’s legacy, presenting himself as an experienced local leader who would prioritize the district’s interests in Washington. His win reinforces Democratic strength in Northern Virginia and signals the uphill battle Republicans face in attempting to broaden their appeal in suburban communities that have turned away from the party in recent years.

Nepal in Chaos: Gen Z Protests Leave 19 Dead, Parliament in Flames

September 10, 2025

Violent protests in Nepal have spiraled out of control after the government attempted to ban 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, X, YouTube, and Snapchat. The ban sparked a massive uprising led largely by young Nepalis, with demonstrations escalating into deadly clashes with police and the torching of government buildings. At least 19 people have been killed and more than 300 injured.

Protesters set fire to Nepal’s parliament building, the Supreme Court, and the president’s residence. Homes of top politicians were also targeted. In one incident, former Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal’s home was torched, and his wife, Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, died from her injuries. Security forces responded with tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, and live ammunition. The government has since imposed curfews and deployed the Nepali Army to secure the capital and other flashpoints.

The violence forced Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to resign as pressure mounted from across the political spectrum. Within days, the government reversed the controversial social media ban, but unrest continues as demonstrators demand broader reforms. Anger over corruption, nepotism, and lack of opportunity fueled the protests, with the ban serving as the breaking point for frustrated young people.

The demonstrations have become symbolic of generational defiance. Many protesters waved the “Jolly Roger” pirate flag popularized in youth culture as a symbol of rebellion. Analysts warn that the uprising reflects deep-seated dissatisfaction with entrenched political elites. Calls for new elections are growing as the crisis shakes the nation’s stability.

For observers worldwide, Nepal’s unrest serves as a warning about the dangers of censorship and unaccountable government. Attempts to silence public expression backfired, unleashing violence and destabilizing institutions.

Cuomo Rallies Business Leaders to Block Socialist Candidate in NYC Race

September 10, 2025

The New York City mayoral race is reaching a breaking point as former Governor Andrew Cuomo intensifies efforts to stop Democratic Socialist nominee Zohran Mamdani. On Tuesday, Cuomo met privately with more than 80 business and real estate leaders at the Seagram Building in Manhattan to rally support and present himself as the only viable alternative.

The meeting was organized by developer Jeff Blau, CEO of Related Companies, and featured some of the city’s most influential executives. Cuomo told the group that voters will soon face a clear head-to-head choice between himself and Mamdani, regardless of whether incumbent Mayor Eric Adams or Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa remain in the race. Current polls show Mamdani holding a strong lead, with Cuomo trailing but consolidating financial and institutional backing.

Cuomo’s campaign has recently picked up momentum with major endorsements. Billionaire investor Bill Ackman, who had previously supported Mayor Adams, announced last week that he is now backing Cuomo and urged Adams to step aside. Cuomo also secured the endorsement of IBEW Local 3, the city’s largest electrical workers union representing 29,000 members. Union leaders said Mamdani’s socialist platform is dangerous for New York and incompatible with the needs of working families.

Mamdani, a state assemblyman from Queens, is running on a far-left agenda calling for steep tax hikes on corporations and wealthy residents, as well as a reorientation of city spending toward socialized housing and expanded welfare programs. Critics warn his policies would drive businesses and jobs out of the city, accelerating financial decline.

Cuomo has framed his candidacy as a defense of stability and pragmatic leadership. By uniting business leaders, organized labor, and moderate Democrats, he hopes to present a broad coalition to defeat Mamdani in November. The race now represents a high-stakes battle over the future of America’s largest city: whether it will remain a hub for commerce and opportunity, or shift toward socialist governance.

Encino Residents Demand Action as Crime Surge Alarms Community

September 10, 2025

Los-Angeles-California-freeway-cars-LPETTETGetty-via-Canva-Pro-1 — LPETTET/Getty via Canva Pro

Residents of the affluent Encino neighborhood in Los Angeles are pressing Democratic Mayor Karen Bass to take meaningful action amid a spike in crime. The sudden increase—and sensational violence—has left many in the community feeling unsafe and anxious.

A harrowing double homicide shook the neighborhood in July when longtime American Idol producer Robin Kaye and her husband, Thomas Deluca, were found murdered inside their home. Police suspect the deaths occurred around July 10 after prior burglary calls were made by the couple. A 22-year-old local man, Raymond Boodarian, has been arrested on double homicide charges. Officials say the killings were likely random.

Rob Glushon, president of the Encino Property Owners Association, said the murders are only the latest in a troubling trend of break-ins, home invasions, and ephemeral threats. One neighbor recounted seeing the suspect flash knives at Ring cameras and attempt to contact residents using social media. “People are on edge,” Glushon said.

On July 31, Encino homeowners marched to Van Nuys City Hall with a clear demand: strengthened law enforcement presence and resources in their neighborhood. That same day, two additional break-ins were reported, one involving Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Teddi Mellencamp. Residents decried the lack of adequate police staffing and warned, “It’s scary… We are being targeted.”

Churches and Synagogues Strengthen Security as Attacks Surge

September 10, 2025

Churches and synagogues across the United States are tightening security after a sharp rise in faith-based violence. From school shootings to targeted threats, Christian and Jewish communities are investing in training, volunteer security teams, and protective infrastructure to safeguard worshippers.

The August 27 shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis served as a wake-up call. A transgender-identifying attacker targeted the school with weapons scrawled with phrases such as “Where is your God” and “Israel must fall.” Investigators are treating the assault as anti-religious domestic terrorism. The Family Research Council said churches nationwide are responding by forming trained volunteer teams to provide security during services.

Catholic and evangelical congregations are expanding long-standing safety programs. The Archdiocese of New York has conducted active-shooter seminars for years and stations armed, licensed volunteers as safety ushers at Mass. Victory Church in Ohio trains greeters and ushers in entry control, de-escalation, and medical response. At CrossPointe Community Church in Michigan, a church security member stopped a potential mass shooting when an attacker was disabled outside the building.

Jewish communities face even greater levels of threat. The FBI reported that nearly 70 percent of religion-based hate crimes in 2024 targeted Jews. In response, Jewish organizations now spend an estimated $765 million annually on security. After the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, threats against Jewish institutions in the U.S. spiked. Recent violence included the murder of two Israeli embassy staffers outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. and the killing of pro-Israel demonstrators.

Eric Fingerhut, president of the Jewish Federation of North America, has called on Congress and federal agencies to provide additional funding and intelligence sharing to help secure vulnerable congregations. He emphasized that faith communities cannot carry this burden alone.

For Christians and Jews alike, the push for greater security reflects a sobering reality: houses of worship have become targets. Volunteer security teams, coordination with law enforcement, and federal support are now seen as essential to ensuring that churches and synagogues remain safe places of prayer, education, and community life.

Male Athlete Sues Princeton for Exclusion From Women’s Track Meet

September 10, 2025

A male athlete identifying as female has filed a lawsuit against Princeton University after being removed from a women’s track and field event. The lawsuit, filed by Sadie Schreiner in New Jersey Superior Court, claims the university violated state anti-discrimination law by excluding the athlete from competition in the women’s 200-meter race at the Larry Ellis Invitational in May 2025.

According to the complaint, Schreiner was told just 15 minutes before the race that she could not compete. Event staff allegedly referenced her gender identity in the decision, reportedly saying, “I do not want to assume, but you are transgender.” The athlete’s legal documents, including a driver’s license listing her gender as female, were presented to officials, but she was still removed from the competition. Schreiner described the experience as “humiliating, dehumanizing, and dignity-stripping.”

The legal action cites the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD), which prohibits discrimination based on gender identity or expression. Schreiner’s attorney, Susie Cirilli, argues that the removal was unlawful and caused emotional and physical harm. The lawsuit names Princeton University along with specific officials involved in the decision.

In court filings dated August 22 and 25, Princeton denied that the athlete’s removal was based on gender identity. The university has not commented further on the pending litigation. The case raises questions about the intersection of state law and the growing national debate over male athletes competing in women’s sports.

Critics of the lawsuit argue that preserving fairness for biological female athletes is not discriminatory. Paul Dupont, a policy director at American Principles Project, said, “As a male, Schreiner should not be competing in the female category, period.” The Ethics and Public Policy Center also issued a statement saying that denying biological sex is itself dehumanizing to women.

The case emerges as state and federal authorities continue to address the inclusion of transgender-identifying males in women’s athletics. Several states have enacted laws prohibiting male participation in female categories, and President Trump signed an executive order earlier this year limiting women’s sports to biological females. The NCAA has updated its eligibility rules, but enforcement remains inconsistent.

This lawsuit could set a legal precedent on how universities balance state non-discrimination laws with biological realities in competitive sports.