Wednesday morning news: September 3, 2025

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Israel latest » Thousands of Israel Defense Forces reservists have begun reporting for duty ahead of an Israeli’s offensive to seize control of Gaza City.

NETANYAHU: [Speaking in Hebrew]

In a video address, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told those called to duty that Israel has been forced to make very difficult decisions in its war against Hamas.

He adds that the country is now facing what he calls a decisive stage.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Israeli reservists gathered in Tel Aviv, saying they refuse to report for duty.

Israeli combat reservist Max Kresch:

KRESCH: We refuse to take part in Netanyahu's illegal war and we see it as a patriotic duty to refuse and to demand accountability from our leaders.

Kresch told reporters he believes the ongoing war endangers the lives of Israeli hostages still held by Hamas.

Netanyahu says the war cannot end until Hamas is removed from power permanently.

Afghanistan death toll » The death toll from the Sunday night earthquake in Afghanistan has now soared to over 1,400, with thousands more injured.

Indrika Ratwatte is the UN’s humanitarian coordinator for Afghanistan. He says the disaster is taking a devastating toll in numerous ways. In addition to the deaths and injuries, many are now homeless, and destroyed roads have cut off many Afghans from food sources and medical care.

RATWATTE:  Looking at the stats, looking at the remoteness and the topography, which is extremely challenging and remote, we think potentially, uh, the impacted individuals could go up to almost into the hundreds of thousands.

The 6.0 magnitude quake flattened villages and trapped many people under rubble.

Residents have been frantically digging through debris since Monday morning, hoping to find missing loved ones still alive.

Rough terrain is hampering rescue efforts, with commandos air-dropped to evacuate the injured.

Space Command to Alabama » President Trump says U.S. Space Command headquarters will be moving from Colorado:

TRUMP:  To the beautiful, uh, locale of a place called Huntsville, Alabama, forever to be known from this point forward as Rocket City.

That reverses a Biden-era decision to keep the headquarters at its temporary home.

Space Command’s functions include enabling satellite-based navigation and troop communication and providing warning of missile launches.

TRUMP:  In Huntsville space com will play a key role in building the Golden Dome. As you know, that's gonna be a big thing.

The Golden Dome is a large new homeland missile defense system now in the planning stages.

The president said the move could create thousands of jobs in Alabama.

Military to send hundreds to serve as immigration judges » Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reportedly approved sending up to 600 military lawyers to the Justice Department to serve as temporary immigration judges. WORLD’s Benjamin Eicher reports:

BENJAMIN EICHER: The Associated Press reports that the military will begin sending groups of 150 attorneys — both military and civilians — to the Justice Department—quote—“as soon as practicable.”

The AP says that is according to a new memo.

The temporary assignments last up to 179 days, but are renewable.

The effort is aimed at addressing a long backlog of immigration cases.

And the files are only stacking up as the Trump administration cracks down on illegal immigration and ramps up deportation efforts.

For WORLD, I’m Benjamin Eicher.

Lawmakers return from summer recess » Lawmakers are back on Capitol Hill after summer recess. And it’s likely to be a chaotic month with a long to-do list.

Republican Congresswoman Kat Cammack:

CAMMACK:  We not only have 12 appropriations to get through, we have the National Defense Authorization Act. We have some real cleaning up to do here in Washington to build on President Trump's work.

The to-do list will include passing a new bill to keep the government funded.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries says he spoke to House Speaker Mike Johnson about reaching common-ground:

JEFFRIES:  In that conversation, I also made clear we're not gonna support partisan funding legislation, period. Full stop.

The deadline is September 30th for Congress to pass a bill averting a shutdown.

Jeffries says he's also in touch with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Back in March, Schumer helped to break a filibuster in March to avoid a shutdown angering many Democrats who said he got nothing in return from Republicans.

Joni Ernst won’t seek reelection » Meantime, a prominent Republican senator has announced her retirement after her current term ends. Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst:

ERNST:   I never imagined this farm girl would have the opportunity to serve as a lieutenant colonel and then a United States Senator only in America, and by the grace of God.

She served 23 years in the Army Reserve and the Iowa Army National Guard.

Her second term in the Senate will expire in 2027.

She cited her age and growing family as the reason for retiring.

Iowans are not accustomed to senators bowing out after two terms. Her fellow Iowa U.S. Senator, Chuck Grassley, joined the Senate in 1981. And before she won her Senate seat, Democrat Tom Harkin held it for 30 years.

I'm Kent Covingon.

Straight ahead: Washington Wednesday with Hunter Baker. Plus, a visit to Ecuador as international volunteers and villagers work together for fresh water.

This is The World and Everything in It.

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