Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) introduced legislation on Thursday that would ban the federal government from using the term “West Bank” and instead use Judea and Samaria, the terminology preferred by Israel.
Formally titled the “Retiring the Egregious Confusion Over the Genuine Name of Israel’s Zone of Influence by Necessitating Government-use of Judea and Samaria (RECOGNIZING Judea and Samaria) Act,” the bill would prohibit government funds from being used to describe “the land annexed by Israel from Jordan during the 1967 Six-Day War” as the “West Bank,” except in international treaties and agreements.

The Quebec government announced on Tuesday that it will investigate two junior colleges in Montreal following complaints of antisemitism.
“The climate on some campuses seems to have deteriorated in recent months,” said Higher Education Minister Pascale Déry, who requested the review of the Dawson College and Vanier College administrations.
“We know that the conflict in the Middle East generates its share of emotions,” she added. “But institutions have an obligation to take all necessary measures to ensure a healthy and safe environment for all students.”

A federal court judge Thursday rejected a plea agreement between the Justice Department and Boeing citing concerns that diversity is among the criteria that would be used to select the independent monitor charged with ensuring that Boeing complies with its agreement with the government.
“In a case of this magnitude, it is in the utmost interest of justice that the public is confident this monitor selection is done based solely on competency,” wrote District Court Judge Reed O’Connor of the Northern District of Texas. “The parties’ DEI efforts only serve to undermine this confidence in the Government and Boeing’s ethics and antifraud efforts. Accordingly, the diversity-and-inclusion provision renders the plea agreement against the public interest.”

A decision by an Israeli court or Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara to declare Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unfit for office could lead to a civil war, possibly involving armed conflict, Minister of Regional Cooperation Dudi Amsalem warned in an interview on Wednesday.
“This would be a coup par excellence. In my opinion, it would lead to civil war, not with weapons initially, but physical confrontations between citizens. It could escalate to worse,” the Likud Party member, who also serves as a minister in the Justice Ministry and as liaison between the Prime Minister’s Office and the Knesset, told the Galey Israel Radio station.

Billionaire Michael Bloomberg, with a net worth of approximately $102 billion according to Forbes, has pledged a generous donation of 100 million shekels (around $27.8 million) to aid in the reconstruction of the northern areas impacted by the recent conflict. Local government leaders estimate that this donation is merely an initial step toward recovery.

A tsunami warning is in effect in Northern California following a 7.0 magnitude earthquake.

Israel’s first wave energy power plant is being inaugurated on Thursday at Jaffa Port, in a push for renewable energy.
The city-sponsored pilot project will generate electricity from sea waves, reinforcing Tel Aviv’s status as a global innovation leader.
For the first time, electricity generated from sea waves will power Israel’s national grid—a historic milestone in the country’s march toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing sustainable energy, the city said.
The power plant has been recognized for its use of pioneering technology that connects “floaters” which rise and fall with the waves to existing marine structures such as breakwaters and piers, powering a motor and generator onshore.

The investigation into the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson appeared to gain steam Thursday as the New York Police Department released photos depicting a man they wanted to question in connection with the killing.
Police found a possible message on shell casings found at the scene after the execution of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson – possibly indicating criticism of the insurance industry and a potential motive for Wednesday’s brazen murder in midtown.
The wording found on the shells echoed a common internet criticism – “delay, deny, defend” – that generally takes aim at what is perceived as bad behavior in the insurance industry, a person with knowledge of the investigation said on Thursday.

On Thursday, Syrian rebels captured the key city of Hama from regime forces, bringing the insurgents another major victory in their lightning advance across northern Syria and dealing a new blow to President Bashar al-Assad and his Russian and Iranian allies.
The Syrian army announced it’s retreat from the city, saying it was: “to preserve civilians lives and prevent urban combat.” 
Rebel forces seized control of the central prison in Hama, freeing the prisoners inside.   Al Jazeera broadcasted footage of rebel fighters entering the city in military vehicles and on mopeds, with some stopping to talk with civilians.

Tania Fernandes Anderson, a Democrat whose 7th District includes Roxbury and parts of the South End and Dorchester, issued a reaction on social media on Wednesday after initial reporting of an FBI investigation, the nature of which is unclear.
“My job is to show up and to fight for you,” she wrote. “I will continue to do just that; the people’s work.”
Boston city councilors are elected to two-year terms, and there is no limit on the number of terms an individual can serve.