HC Wake-Up Call: Missile Attack In Syria, Acting ICE Director Steps Down, Roy Moore Lawsuit

Good morning Her Campus! With a break-neck news cycle, there is no possible way for you to stay on top of every story that comes across your feeds—we’re all only human, after all.

But, life comes at you fast. So grab a cup of coffee and settle in for this quick and dirty guide to stories you might’ve been sleeping on (like, literally. It’s early.)

At Least 16 Are Dead After A Missile Attack in Syria 

The New York Times reported that at least 16 are dead after a missile attack in northern Syria on Sunday night. The death toll differs according to individual groups, but the Associated Press reported that according to a war monitoring group and an Iranian news agency, more than a dozen "pro-government fighters," are dead. On the other hand, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that 26 pro-government fighters were killed. Both reported that many of the dead were Iranians. 

"The increased military action and heated language has raised worries that the increasing tensions could set off a new war," the NYT reported, adding that the tensions are only amplified by President Trump's upcoming decision on Iran's nuclear program. Sunday's attack actually came hours after his phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu where they reportedly discussed the Middle East. 

The Acting ICE Director Retired 14 Months After Being Nominated By Trump

Thomas Homan stepped down from his position of director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Monday to spend more time with his family. "It has been the honor of my life to lead the men and women of ICE for more than a year," Homan's statement said. "The decision to leave federal service after more than 34 years is bittersweet, but my family has sacrificed a lot in order for me to serve and it’s time for me to focus on them."

According to the Washington Post, immigration arrests surged 40 percent under Homan after ICE agents "scrapped an Obama administration policy of targeting serious or violent criminal offenders in favor of casting a wider net." Homan has also made a number of controversial statements, including saying that politicians in sanctuary cities should be charged with crimes and that anyone living illegally in the United States "should be afraid."

Homan was one of Trump's first appointments back in 2017, though he was just nominated to permanently lead ICE in November due to "a difficult road to Senate confirmation,"USA Today reports. 

Roy Moore Filed A Lawsuit That Claims He Was The Target Of A Political Conspiracy

Former Senate candidate Roy Moore filed a joint suit with his wife against three of the women who accused him of sexual assault ahead of the Alabama special Senate election in December, CNN reported. Two other people were included in the lawsuit, which was filed Monday. 

"[The suit] was filed because the people of Alabama deserve to know the truth," said Melissa Isaak, Moore's attorney. "The accusations made against Judge Moore during the US Senate campaign arose from a political conspiracy to destroy his personal reputation and defeat him in the special Senate election for United States Senate."

Isaak also said that the women only made the accusations to destroy Moore's character, adding "If someone was sexually abused, I believe the last thing they'd do is speak with the Washington Post."

According to CNN, Moore is seeking compensatory damages from all of the defendants, in addition to punitive damages and "interest from the date of the injuries and the court costs."

What to look out for...

Today is May Day! The first of May can mean a variety of things, but most commonly associated with the day is International Workers Day. Learn more about the holiday's evolution here.