New York News

 Nassau County Republicans passed the “Mask Transparency Act,” making it a misdemeanor to wear face masks in public for the purpose of concealing one’s identity, with exceptions for health and religious reasons. The vote, strictly along party lines with all Republicans in favor and all Democrats abstaining, followed a heated public debate during which a masked protester was arrested. Proponents argue the bill will help prevent hate crimes, while opponents, including the New York Civil Liberties Union, caution it may lead to discrimination and compromise public health. The bill awaits approval from Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.

 

A massive fire erupted in Queens on Saturday afternoon, injuring 14 people, including 11 firefighters, and damaging seven buildings. The blaze began at a two-story residence on Francis Lewis Boulevard and quickly escalated to a five-alarm fire, requiring over 200 emergency responders to control it within two hours. The fire displaced dozens of residents, with the Red Cross assisting 32 individuals from seven households. The incident involved explosions from propane tanks, intensifying the flames. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.


 

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is contesting a lawsuit in an Albany court brought by Clear Choice PAC, a super PAC supporting President Biden, which claims he falsely declared residency in New York. The lawsuit seeks to invalidate Kennedy’s nominating petition for the state, arguing that while Kennedy listed a Katonah address, he has primarily lived in Los Angeles since marrying actress Cheryl Hines in 2014. Kennedy’s lawyers contend that he has a long-standing connection to New York, having lived there since childhood and maintaining a presence in Katonah, including renting a home and listing the address on his driver’s license. They also note his intention to return permanently once his wife retires from acting. The owner of the Katonah property Kennedy claimed as his residence disputes Kennedy’s assertion, stating that Kennedy was never a tenant. The lawsuit highlights the absence of a written lease and alleges Kennedy has spent minimal time in Katonah. The court proceedings will include Kennedy’s testimony and will be decided by a judge.


 

A small tornado unexpectedly struck Buffalo, causing significant damage including flipped cars, damaged buildings, and scattered debris downtown. The tornado, which moved from Lake Erie into the city, was caught on multiple videos around 2 p.m., showing roofing materials flying before the storm dissipated. Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz expressed surprise at the event, while Mayor Byron Brown confirmed damage to a school and several traffic lights, with some cars overturned. A nursing facility assessed possible patient relocations due to damage, though no injuries were reported. This incident marks the third tornado in Erie County within a month, following earlier occurrences in Eden and West Falls.


 

Governor Kathy Hochul announced a $350 million initiative to provide supplemental payments to moderate- and low-income families in New York. Eligible families, including those who qualified for the Empire State Child Tax Credit in 2023 and filed taxes on time, will automatically receive these payments by the end of August. The amount ranges from $330 per child, with some families receiving up to $1,000 depending on their income and number of children. The payments will require no application process.


 

US NEWS

 

Vice President Kamala Harris has selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate for the upcoming presidential election. The announcement, first reported by CNN and confirmed by the Associated Press, places the relatively lesser-known Walz into a key position with less than 100 days until Election Day. Walz, who has a background as a former congressman and Army National Guard veteran, has implemented a progressive agenda as governor, including legalizing recreational marijuana, expanding voting rights for former felons, and enacting stringent COVID-19 measures. His selection aims to bolster Harris’s appeal in Midwestern battleground states, leveraging his approachable “midwestern dad” persona and ability to connect with rural and skeptical voters. Walz’s experience during the George Floyd protests and his progressive policy initiatives are expected to play a significant role in the campaign. He will be formally introduced at a rally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.


 

The U.S. stock market experienced a significant downturn on Monday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping over 1,000 points and other major indices like the NASDAQ and S&P 500 also falling sharply by 4.1% and 3.3%, respectively. This decline followed similar losses in global markets, notably a 12% drop in Japan’s Nikkei 225. The market reaction was fueled by disappointing U.S. economic data, including a rise in unemployment to 4.3% and only 114,000 new jobs in July, far below expectations. The steep losses were particularly pronounced in tech and artificial intelligence stocks, with major companies like Alphabet, Amazon, and Apple collectively losing around $753 billion in market value. This downturn marks one of the worst August performances for the S&P 500 and NASDAQ since 2002. Analysts from JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs suggest a significant chance of a recession, with predictions ranging from a 25% to 50% likelihood in the next year. Former President Donald Trump criticized the Biden-Harris administration, attributing the market collapse to their policies and predicting a potential economic depression.


 

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin unexpectedly revoked a plea deal for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two co-conspirators, accused of planning the September 11 attacks, that would have spared them the death penalty in exchange for guilty pleas. Austin also removed the military commissions overseer, taking direct control of the case, which has been delayed for years due to legal and political complications, including issues related to evidence obtained under torture. The decision follows significant backlash from both political figures and 9/11 victims’ families, highlighting ongoing controversies over how to administer justice for the attacks.


 

Russia and the U.S. completed a major prisoner swap, releasing Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan, among others, as part of a complex East-West deal involving two dozen prisoners and six countries. Gershkovich, arrested in March 2023 on espionage charges, had been held in Moscow’s Lefortovo Prison, while Whelan, convicted in 2020 of espionage, had been imprisoned since 2018. The agreement also included the release of Russian hit man Vadim Krasikov from Germany. The swap reflects significant diplomatic negotiations and addresses concerns over wrongful detentions and the treatment of detainees.


 

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan rejected former President Donald Trump’s defense motion to dismiss the indictment in his election subversion case. Trump’s lawyers argued that the prosecution was politically motivated and vindictive, suggesting that he was unfairly targeted while others who challenged election results were not charged. Chutkan ruled that Trump was not prosecuted for merely challenging the election results but for making false statements to further criminal conspiracies and obstructing the certification process. The judge also found no evidence of vindictiveness in the prosecution. A status conference has been scheduled for August 16 to discuss the next steps in the case. This decision follows a Supreme Court ruling that confirmed former presidents have broad immunity but sent the case back to Chutkan to determine which charges could proceed.


 

U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google has unlawfully maintained its dominance in the search engine market, effectively squashing competition and hindering innovation. This decision, stemming from a significant antitrust case, found Google’s 89.2% market share for general search services and 94.9% on mobile devices to be indicative of monopolistic practices. Judge Mehta criticized Google for spending over $26 billion in 2021 to secure default search agreements, which he argued unfairly locked competitors out of the market. Google’s dominance and its alleged methods of maintaining it were seen as stifling rival search engines and inflating advertising costs. The ruling is a significant victory for the Justice Department, which has been pushing back against Big Tech’s market power. The case now moves to a phase where potential remedies, which could include major changes to Google’s business practices, will be discussed at a hearing scheduled for September 6. Google plans to appeal, which could delay the implementation of any changes. This decision follows the broader trend of increasing scrutiny on major tech companies, and could reshape the competitive landscape of internet search and digital advertising.


 

After Hurricane Debby made landfall as a Category 1 storm in the Florida Keys, more than $1 million worth of cocaine washed ashore. The hurricane, which struck the Gulf Coast’s Big Bend early Monday with winds over 80 mph, brought over two dozen 70-pound packages of cocaine to the beach. A beachgoer found the cocaine, wrapped in a trash bag among debris, and alerted authorities. The U.S. Border Patrol seized the drugs, which were marked with a red triangular symbol. Hurricane Debby has caused significant damage, including flooding, power outages, and at least four fatalities, including a 13-year-old boy crushed by a fallen tree. The storm, now downgraded to a tropical storm, is expected to continue bringing severe weather to other southeastern states.


 

Israel NEWS

 

Hezbollah launched attack drones into the Western Galilee, injuring 19 Israelis. One man, in his 30s, was listed in serious condition, while a 30-year-old woman sustained moderate injuries. At least two drones were reportedly fired, with one hitting the Arab town of Mazra’a between Acre and Nahariya. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that some casualties may have been caused by an Israeli interceptor missile that missed its target. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for several drone launches and attacks, including a previous strike that killed four people in Southern Lebanon. The violence follows a series of retaliatory strikes and ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which has intensified since the group’s involvement in the war against Hamas.


 

A terrorist attack in Holon, central Israel, left two people dead and two others wounded. The victims were identified as 66-year-old Rina Daniv, who died at the scene, and 80-year-old Shimon Daniv, who succumbed to his injuries at Wolfson Medical Center. The assailant, Amar Razak Kamel Odeh, a 35-year-old from Salfit, was shot and killed by police after launching stabbings at multiple locations in the city, including a gas station and a nearby street. The attack also injured Shimon Daniv, in serious condition, and 26-year-old Ya’akov Levertov, in moderate condition. The police are investigating whether additional terrorists were involved. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack and pledged to address any accomplices. The attack has drawn widespread condemnation from Israeli leaders and heightened security concerns.


 

On Saturday, Israeli athletes secured three medals at the Olympics, including one gold, setting a new record with a total of six medals in the competition. Tom Reuveny won gold in men’s windsurfing, Sharon Kantor earned silver in the women’s event, and gymnast Artem Dolgopyat took silver, adding to his previous gold medal. Due to ongoing security concerns amid the war in Gaza and threats from Iranian and Hezbollah groups, the medalists did not attend the traditional award ceremonies in Paris and were under high security. This brings Israel’s Olympic medal count to 19 across all games, with judo and sailing being its most decorated sports. The athletes, all from immigrant families, received praise from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog for lifting national spirits during a challenging time.


 

WORLD NEWS

 

Several U.S. personnel were injured in a suspected rocket attack on the Ain al-Asad air base in western Iraq, according to U.S. defense officials. At least two Katyusha rockets were fired at the base, with rockets falling inside the compound. The exact number of injuries has not been disclosed, and a post-attack damage assessment is underway. The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, which has led Iran to threaten retaliation against Israel. President Biden and Vice President Harris have been briefed on the situation, with a focus on defending U.S. forces and supporting Israel. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has also discussed the situation with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, emphasizing de-escalation and stability in the region.


 

The U.S. government announced that Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia won the recent presidential election, contrary to claims by socialist dictator Nicolás Maduro. This statement follows widespread unrest in Venezuela, including at least 17 protester deaths and numerous arrests. The U.S. State Department criticized the Maduro-controlled National Electoral Council (CNE) for its rapid and unsubstantiated declaration of Maduro’s victory, noting the CNE’s failure to release detailed vote data. Independent watchdogs have raised concerns about voting irregularities, undermining the CNE’s credibility. Secretary of State Antony Blinken supported González Urrutia’s victory, citing independent observers and exit polls, and urged Venezuelan parties to negotiate a peaceful transition in line with electoral laws and public will. The U.S. expressed readiness to support democratic reforms in Venezuela.


 

The United Nations announced the dismissal of additional staff members from its Palestinian refugee agency, UNRWA, following an internal investigation into their potential involvement in the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel. The U.N. had previously fired 12 staffers and placed seven on administrative leave, with the latest dismissals including individuals from both groups. Israel’s accusations of UNRWA staffers’ involvement initially led to a significant funding suspension, though most donors, except the U.S., have resumed contributions. Israel has called for further funding suspensions, citing concerns over terrorist connections. The U.N.’s internal watchdog, based on evidence provided by Israel, found sufficient grounds to dismiss nine employees, though it could not independently verify the evidence.


According to a report by the Federation of the Jewish Communities, antisemitic incidents in the Czech Republic surged in 2023, with a significant increase in the last quarter of the year following the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. The report noted a 90% rise in antisemitic incidents compared to 2022, with 41.6% of the total incidents occurring in the last three months of the year. The vast majority of these incidents were online, characterized by the spread of false information, stereotypes, and hatred directed at Israel. Despite the increase in reported incidents, the report concluded that the Czech Republic remains a relatively safe country for Jews, with no physical attacks reported for the second consecutive year.