3 Yrs Since Hamas Attack, Political Ads Push Limits & Halloween Costume Trends - Wednesday, October 07, 2026

Erica Mandy (0:00)

Today is Wednesday, October 7th. We'll tell you how faculty and students at Cornell have helped turn a rape case into a much bigger reckoning for the university's leadership, and why student protests are erupting across France. Also how people around the world are marking three years since the October 7th attack on Israel. Plus how political campaign ads seem to be pushing into some unusual territory. Why Wall Street is hitting new records this week, and which Halloween costumes are in high demand. Those stories and even more news coming up.

Welcome to The NewsWorthy, all the day's news in less than 15 minutes. I'm Erica Mandy. Thanks so much for being here. Let's do this.

Cornell University faculty members are now taking the extraordinary step of calling for a no confidence vote in the school's administration. The resolution was introduced this week over how Cornell handled allegations that a student was sexually assaulted by seven fraternity brothers in 2024

Now the faculty senate says it has no confidence in the administration's ability to effectively address the ongoing crisis of sexual assault at Cornell. The resolution is expected to come up for a vote at the faculty senate's meeting next month. The no confidence vote would not automatically remove anyone from office, but it would send a strong message about whether faculty members believe the university's leadership should continue running the school.

Remember, Cornell has defended its response to the 2024 rape allegations, saying it conducted a Title IX investigation and disciplined students. Now the university is bringing in a former top Justice Department official to review how it handled the case. Yesterday, Cornell announced that Sally Yates, who served as Deputy US. Attorney General under former President Obama, will lead an independent review. She'll look at the school's response to the allegations, as well as its broader policies for preventing and responding to sexual assault. Cornell's president has also said the school is taking a serious look at Greek life, but for now, he's not considering banning fraternities altogether. But Cornell actually is not the only university facing questions about Greek life. At the University of Arizona, all fraternity activities have now been suspended as the organizations face a wave of misconduct investigations. The school now says nearly half of its 21 fraternities are under investigation, some criminally, over allegations including hazing, assault and drug and alcohol violations. Six fraternities were immediately suspended. The others won't be able to take part in any activities for the time being. To be continued.

Violent student protests have escalated in France, and hundreds of schools have had to shut down. For weeks now, high school students have been blocking school entrances and boycotting classes, demanding more funding and better conditions. And yesterday, the protests swelled to their biggest day yet. More than 266,000 students, teachers, parents, and others took to the streets around France. Police fired tear gas and clashed with some protesters. Overall, since protests began, more than 6,500 people have been arrested, most of them minors. Hundreds of students have been hurt, including a 15-year-old who lost his hand in an incident involving a police stun grenade. France's interior minister, who oversees the country's police, says officers have acted proportionately in almost all cases since some protests have turned into riots. The prime minister, though, says the country needs to listen to students and find solutions. The government created an online portal for students to anonymously describe the problems that they're facing. But student groups say they're not done protesting and are calling for more demonstrations this week.

Today marks three years since the terror attack that set off the Middle East's deadliest war of the 21st century. On October 7th, 2023, Hamas militants killed about 1200 people and took hundreds of hostages from Israel. Israel responded with a military campaign in Gaza, which the Israeli government says is meant to wipe out Hamas for good. The Hamas controlled Gaza Health Ministry says Israel's counterattacks and continued war in Gaza have killed an estimated 74,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians. It's also left the Gaza Strip in ruins and caused a humanitarian crisis. Israel blames Hamas since militants operate in densely populated areas, basically using civilians as human shields. But human rights groups and the International Criminal Court accuse Israel of committing war crimes in Gaza.

Today, people around the world are holding demonstrations and commemorations. Some are honoring the Israelis killed and taken hostage on October 7th. Some showing solidarity with Palestinians. And others calling for peace and an end to the suffering.

President Trump is now being condemned for suggesting Iran could attack Los Angeles or San Diego. Trump made the comments Monday night at a rally in Nebraska when talking about Iran. He specifically said, quote, They can take out a city. Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego. Many supporters in the crowd cheered and some laughed. California leaders, though, quickly pushed back. For example, LA. Mayor Karen Bass said the comments could potentially compromise Californians' safety, and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said his city is not collateral damage. California Governor Gavin Newsom even ordered the state to actively monitor for possible threats. But the White House says Trump's comments are being misunderstood. A spokesperson says Trump was explaining that the war is preventing Iran from being able to threaten American cities the way they once could. Either way, Trump says the war with Iran could end very soon.