The World Trade Center opens for business. (Getty Images/Pool)
The Week
1. Netanyahu tries to calm tensions in East Jerusalem
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought to diffuse unrest in East Jerusalem by vowing to maintain the 47-year-old rules that dictate worship at one of the holiest sites in the Middle East. The shrine, known as the Temple Mount to Jews and the Noble Sanctuary to Muslims, was captured by Israel during the 1967 Mideast War. Jewish worship was banned at the site not long after the conflict ended, but that dictate has increasingly been criticized by Jews who want access to the area. Violence has rocked the area in recent months, prompting Israeli lawmakers to strengthen laws designed to punish those who throw rocks and other weapons. [Bloomberg]
………………………………………………………………………………
2. New York’s World Trade Center re-opens
More than a decade after New York City’s twin towers were demolished in a terrorist attack, the World Trade Center is again open for business. The new building — a 104-story skyscraper — will see publishing giant Conde Nast move in today. Standing at 1776 feet tall, the building cost almost $4 billion to build and is about 60 percent leased. In addition to Conde Nast, the Government Services Administration and Kids Creative, and advertising firm, are also renting space. [USA Today]
………………………………………………………………………………
3. European Union blasts Ukrainian separatists’ election
The European Union is taking a hard line against the election held in Eastern Ukraine on Sunday. Federica Mogherini, the EU’s new foreign policy chief, called the vote both illegal and illegitimate. “I consider today’s ‘presidential and parliamentary elections’ in Donetsk and Luhansk ‘People’s Republics’ a new obstacle on the path toward peace in Ukraine,” she said. “The European Union will not recognize it.” Pro-Russian forces used the vote to elect Alexander Zakharchenko with roughly 80 percent of the ballots cast, angering the Ukranian government in Kiev. [Reuters]
………………………………………………………………………………
4. Kenyan athletes sweep New York City Marathon
It took two hours, 10 minutes, and 59 seconds, but Wilson Kipsang of Kenya won the New York City Marathon on Sunday. The high winds, which at points gusted up to 30 miles-per-hour, contributed to making that the slowest winning time since 1995. Mary Keitany, also from Kenya, won an exciting women’s race, edging out fellow countrywoman Jemima Sumgong by just three seconds. More than 50,000 runners — a record number — competed in the race this year despite the frigid weather. [ABC News]
………………………………………………………………………………
5. Shadow groups pump millions into midterms as election day nears
With just days to go until the midterm elections, outside groups not affiliated with any political candidates began injecting millions of dollars into hotly contested races across the country. Who gave the money, which is paying for everything from television advertising to robocalls, won’t have to be disclosed until after voters go to the polls on Tuesday. Many of these groups didn’t exist before September, while several of them were formed earlier in the year and remained dormant until recently. In total, about 90 political nonprofits, super PACs, and outside groups waited until October to start doling out funds. [The New York Times]
………………………………………………………………………………
6. Virgin Galactic exec says new spacecraft could be ready by next year
Despite a high-profile crash that killed one pilot and badly injured a second, Virgin Galactic sought to assuage safety concerns by announcing a second spacecraft could be ready to fly by next year. George Whitesides, the company’s chief executive, said the vehicle is about 65 percent complete and is “getting close to readiness.” The accident, which is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board, was a setback for Virgin Galactic, which had expected to make its maiden space voyage in March of 2015. [Reuters]
………………………………………………………………………………
7. Tightrope walker makes history in Chicago
Despite high winds and frigid temperatures, daredevil Nik Wallenda completed two skywalks in Chicago and in the process broke two world records. The first walk, which took 6:51 minutes and was on a wire with a 19-degree slant, set the record for steepest incline for tightrope walking between two buildings. For the second stunt, Wallenda was blindfolded as he traversed a wire more than 500 feet in the air. That set the record for the highest blindfolded walk ever recorded. [Chicago Tribune]
………………………………………………………………………………
8. Santa Ana police make arrests in Halloween hit-and-run
Police announced that they have made “several” arrests in a hit-and-run accident that left three teenage girls dead on Halloween. A Honda SUV struck the three trick-or-treaters while they were crossing the street. The driver and passenger were speeding at the time of the accident and abandoned their car in a nearby parking lot, according to investigators. A spokesman for the Santa Ana police department said they would release more details at a press conference on Monday. [Los Angeles Times]
………………………………………………………………………………
9. Brittany Maynard, advocate for assisted suicide, passes away
Brittany Maynard, the woman who became a fierce advocate for the right-to-die movement after being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, passed away. Maynard moved to Oregon, one of the few states in the country that allows for physician-assisted suicide, so she could make the decision to end her life before her cancer became too debilitating. Maynard was 29. [Time]
………………………………………………………………………………
10. Sistine Chapel gets new lights and air conditioners
The Sistine Chapel is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, attracting thousands of visitors a day. That traffic is wreaking havoc on the 500-year-old ceiling, but Vatican officials are hoping a new lighting and HVAC system will help keep Michaelangelo’s famous fresco from deteriorating. Sensors and cameras mounted in the chapel will keep humidity levels in check while the 7,000 LED lights will illuminate the artwork without emitting too much heat. [CNN]
