Nearly 50,000 dock workers are now on strike. The contract between the ports and members of the International Longshoremen’s Association expired at midnight on Monday. Analysts say the work stoppage could cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars each day, and lead to shortages of chocolate, alcohol, and popular fruits, including bananas and cherries. An extended strike could also result in shortages of certain cars. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said on Monday that people should not be concerned about losing access to essential goods, and urged residents not to stockpile food.
The death toll from Hurricane Helene has now reached at least 133 across six southeastern states. White House Homeland Security Adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall suggested that as many as 600 people were unaccounted for as of Monday afternoon, noting that many of them might be dead. President Joe Biden said he will travel to North Carolina on Wednesday to meet with officials and take an aerial tour of the area. Government officials and aid groups are working to deliver supplies by air, truck, and even mule to the hard-hit tourism hub of Asheville and its surrounding Blue Ridge Mountain towns. At least 40 people have died in Asheville and the surrounding Buncombe County.
Israel has launched a limited ground operation across its northern border into Lebanon, targeting the Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorist group. This comes just days after Israel killed Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah. Israel’s National Security Cabinet has described the incursion as the “next phase” of its war with the group. Israeli officials have characterized the action as limited in scope, stating that there will be no long-term occupation.
