New York Judge Pushes Back Luigi Mangione’s Murder Trial

A New York judge pushed back Luigi Mangione’s state murder and weapons trial on Monday over the 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. This comes after Mangione pleaded guilty last Friday to federal stalking charges. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to the state charges. Mangione’s lawyers are arguing that he should not ​be punished for the same crime twice. The judge gave prosecutors until October 9 to answer Mangione’s motion and scheduled his next court appearance for December 10. www.democracynow.org

SCOTUS Rejects Trump’s Bid to Undo Verdict Finding Him Liable for Sexually Abusing E. Jean Carroll

For the second time, the Supreme Court has turned down Donald Trump’s effort to undo the 2023 jury verdict holding him liable for sexually abusing the writer E. Jean Carroll and later defaming her. The justices issued a one-sentence order Monday denying his request for a rehearing, with no explanation and no noted dissents. The ruling leaves the $5 million civil judgment intact. www.democracynow.org

CBP Temporarily Pauses Border Wall Construction in Big Bend National Park

In southern Texas, the Trump administration said Monday it had temporarily paused construction of a section of border wall in the Big Bend National Park. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott said he would personally conduct an on-the-ground evaluation of the site, after construction crews were filmed bulldozing pristine desert wilderness, prompting fierce criticism from environmentalists. In a statement, campaigner Laiken Jordahl of the Center for Biological Diversity accused the Department of Homeland Security of lying about border wall construction in Big Bend, adding, “We won’t rest until the contracts are canceled, the waivers of law are rescinded, and the bulldozers are sent packing for good.” www.democracynow.org

Voters Head to the Polls for Primary Elections in Florida

In Florida, voters head to the polls for primary elections today, with progressive challengers looking to unseat powerful incumbent Democrats. In Broward County, union organizer Oliver Larkin is seeking to upset Congressmember Jared Moskowitz. Larkin is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America who supports Medicare for All and an end to U.S. weapons transfers to Israel. Moskowitz has heavy support from donors associated with AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, as well as the artificial intelligence super PAC Leading the Future. Elsewhere, Democratic Congressmember Debbie Wasserman Schultz faces a crowded field as she seeks a 12th term in Congress. Wasserman Schultz is running in the newly redrawn 20th District in southeast Florida, which is heavily African American. She faces four Black primary challengers, including progressive Elijah Manley, a democratic socialist campaigning on universal healthcare and a federal jobs guarantee. Wasserman Schultz led the Democratic National Committee during Hillary Clinton’s failed presidential bid in 2016. She resigned her post in July of that year after WikiLeaks revealed DNC staff favored Clinton over Bernie Sanders during the primary. Meanwhile, President Trump voted by mail in Florida’s Republican primary, despite repeatedly attacking mail-in ballots and signing an executive order earlier this year to curb voting by mail. www.democracynow.org

Israel’s Far-Right Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir Demands Kill Quota in Gaza

Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir used a podcast interview with freed hostage Rom Braslavski to demand a kill quota in Gaza. This is Ben-Gvir. Itamar Ben-Gvir: “It’s no secret I disagree with the prime minister. I think targeted assassinations should be carried out in Gaza, taking down 30 to 40 every night, not just those who pose an immediate threat. There are people there who are not worthy of life. They shouldn’t live. They’re not even people.” The comments drew condemnation even from staunch defenders of Israel, like Nevada’s Democratic Senator Jacky Rosen, who said, “Anyone advocating for acts of violence against innocent civilians should not be in an official government position. I believe Ben-Gvir must resign, and I urge Prime Minister Netanyahu to denounce these remarks and reaffirm to the world that this is not the government’s position.” www.democracynow.org

Kushner and Netanyahu Hold Talks on U.S.-Backed 15-Point Gaza Plan

President Trump’s son-in-law and envoy Jared Kushner held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday. The meeting did not lead to an agreement for Israel to implement a framework that Hamas previously agreed to. This is Kushner speaking to Fox News. Jared Kushner: “We have a plan to rebuild Gaza, but we will not allow Gaza to be rebuilt until the demilitarization occurs. Nobody wants to put more money into a place that’s gone on for so long, until — if it’s just going to be taken over by terrorists or blown up again.” Hamas had agreed to disarm as part of the U.S.'s 15-point plan, but Israel rejected that proposal. Israel has been conducting near-daily attacks on the Gaza Strip despite last year's so-called ceasefire, killing more than 1,200 people since October. www.democracynow.org

U.N. Warns of “Alarming” Surge of Violence as Israel Ramps Up Attacks on Lebanon

Israel’s military has carried out fresh airstrikes and mortar attacks on southern Lebanon after weekend airstrikes killed at least 11 people, including children. A U.N. spokesperson warned of an “alarming” surge in violence, as the UNIFIL peacekeeping force in Lebanon said it recorded an average of 137 projectiles fired daily into southern Lebanon by Israel over the last two weeks. Stéphane Dujarric: “We are witnessing, both from our humanitarian and peacekeeping colleagues, alarming and concerning intensification of violence in the southern part of the country over the weekend, this which also includes civilian casualties on the Lebanese side. Some of this violence has displaced families from areas where they had only recently returned, prompting them to seek safety elsewhere.” www.democracynow.org