New York News
Hate crime reports in New York have surged by 69% since 2019, driven primarily by a significant rise in antisemitism, according to a report by state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.
Antisemitic incidents increased by 89% between 2018 and 2023, accounting for 44% of all hate crimes and 88% of religious-based hate crimes in the state, largely influenced by the Israel-Hamas conflict. The report also noted a 106% rise in anti-Muslim incidents, a 141% increase in anti-gay male incidents, and a sharp spike in anti-Asian hate crimes during the pandemic. The report highlights the urgent need for stronger educational initiatives to combat hate.
Imam Tom Facchine from Utica, New York, made provocative comments during an August 20 webinar hosted by Columbia University’s Students for Justice in Palestine, suggesting that students “take out” pro-Israel professor Shai Davidai to silence similar voices. Facchine, a convert to Islam with a complex religious history, argued that targeting Davidai would discourage others from speaking out. The video was removed from Instagram, and Columbia University launched an investigation, concluding that no enhanced security measures were necessary. Davidai, who has previously criticized Columbia for failing to protect Jewish students, expressed concern that these remarks were an attempt to silence and jeopardize his career.
On Labor Day, thousands of anti-Israel protesters marched through New York City, with reports indicating numbers as high as 7,000. The demonstration began at Union Square and moved toward Washington Square Park, during which protesters lit flares and set off smoke bombs. Many demonstrators waved flags associated with designated terrorist organizations, including Hamas and Hezbollah, while chanting slogans such as “Free Palestine!” and “Resistance is justified when people are occupied.” The White House condemned the display of Hamas flags, emphasizing that there is no place for antisemitism in America, particularly on the same day as the funeral for an American hostage murdered by Hamas. Counter-protesters were also present, displaying Israeli and American flags. This demonstration followed a series of similar events in recent months, highlighting ongoing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Former President Donald Trump has requested a federal court to take over his New York “hush money” criminal case, aiming to overturn his felony conviction and delay his sentencing, which is scheduled for September 18. Trump’s legal team argues that the state court trial violated his constitutional rights and conflicts with a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity. Despite a failed pretrial attempt to move the case to federal court, Trump’s lawyers assert that a federal court would provide an unbiased forum to challenge the verdict. The case revolves around 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 hush money payment. Trump’s lawyers contend that the trial was tainted by evidence related to his official presidential duties, which they argue should be protected by immunity. They also claim bias in the state court proceedings, including concerns about the judge’s impartiality. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has not commented on the recent filing.
Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has agreed to publicly testify on September 10 before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic regarding the significant number of deaths in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. This hearing comes as a response to growing concerns over Cuomo’s controversial directive that mandated nursing homes to accept Covid patients from hospitals, a policy linked to over 15,000 deaths by June 2021. Representative Brad Wenstrup, the subcommittee chairman, emphasized the need for Cuomo to answer to the families affected by these policies. This will mark the second time Cuomo faces questioning from House Republicans; he previously testified for seven hours in June following a subpoena, during which he was described as “shockingly callous” regarding the nursing home crisis. Cuomo has consistently shifted the blame for the pandemic’s impacts onto the Trump administration, arguing that his state’s health department was merely following federal guidance. Despite a state-commissioned report criticizing his pandemic response, it did not hold him accountable for the nursing home fatalities, stating that New York’s death rates were consistent with national trends. The subcommittee has also interviewed several high-ranking officials from Cuomo’s administration as part of their investigation.
Sarah Palin has won her bid for a new trial against The New York Times regarding a 2017 editorial she claims was defamatory. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Palin could retry her case, which centers on the editorial incorrectly linking her to a 2011 mass shooting that killed six people and seriously injured Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Palin’s lawyers argued that the original trial, overseen by U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff, was flawed due to the exclusion of evidence related to the Times’ actual malice and improper jury instructions. The case is seen as potentially challenging the 1964 New York Times v. Sullivan ruling, which established a high bar for public figures to prove defamation. During the original trial, Rakoff controversially dismissed the case during jury deliberations, citing insufficient evidence of malice. Despite this, the jury proceeded to find in favor of The New York Times, but Palin’s successful appeal has now reopened the case.
US NEWS
The California Legislature has passed Assembly Bill 1840, a controversial measure that would make California the first state to offer down payment assistance to undocumented immigrants through a taxpayer-funded home loan program. The bill, which passed the state Senate and Assembly along party lines, allows undocumented immigrants with a taxpayer ID or Social Security number to access up to $150,000 in assistance for first-time homebuyers. Critics, particularly Republicans, argue that this bill incentivizes illegal immigration and worsens the state’s housing and affordability crises, while supporters see it as a step towards inclusivity. Governor Gavin Newsom has until the end of September to decide whether to sign the bill into law.
A group of Jewish students at the University of Pittsburgh was reportedly attacked with a glass bottle near the Cathedral of Learning, a prominent building on campus, resulting in injuries to two students who were wearing yarmulkes. The alleged attacker, who had no known affiliation with the university and was wearing a kaffiyeh, was arrested by Pitt Police shortly after the incident. The university, along with local and federal authorities, is investigating the incident, which has been condemned by both the university and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as an unacceptable act of antisemitic violence.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the costs associated with traditional Labor Day barbecue foods have surged significantly since the Biden-Harris administration took office in January 2021. Key price increases include ground beef, which has risen by 26%; hot dogs, up 25%; chicken, up 23%; biscuits, up 28%; beer, up 16%; lettuce, up 21%; and condiments, up 24%. When former President Trump left office, the inflation rate stood at 1.4%, but it began a steep climb with the new administration, reaching 2.6% in March 2021 and peaking at 9.1% in June 2022. Although inflation has eased to 3.0% as of June 2023, consumer prices have increased nearly 20% since January 2021, marking the highest inflation rate for any administration since President Carter’s tenure. The United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry attributes this inflationary pressure to substantial federal spending increases driven by initiatives like the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. CNN’s Erin Burnett recently highlighted that grocery prices have increased over 30% since the pandemic’s onset, impacting consumers’ daily expenses, to which President Biden responded that people have the money to spend despite these rising costs.
Vice President Kamala Harris has appointed Brenda Abdelall as her Arab-American outreach director, a choice that has raised controversy due to Abdelall’s past comments regarding “Zionists” controlling American politics. In a 2002 interview, Abdelall suggested that Jewish influence was evident in political outcomes, which has drawn criticism. The Harris campaign defended her by highlighting her work at the Department of Homeland Security on initiatives against antisemitism and hate-fueled violence. Abdelall’s appointment is part of Harris’s broader strategy to reconnect with Arab and Muslim voters amid ongoing tensions related to the Gaza conflict. Other campaign members have also faced scrutiny for their views on Israel and U.S.-Iran relations, indicating a shift in focus for the Biden administration as it navigates these complex issues.
The U.S. government has seized a $13 million Dassault Falcon 900EX linked to Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, bringing it to Florida after it was found to have been purchased and exported in violation of U.S. sanctions. The plane, acquired through a Caribbean-based shell company and illegally flown to Venezuela in April 2023, had been used primarily to transport Maduro, including to a military base in Venezuela. The seizure, coordinated with Dominican authorities where the plane was undergoing maintenance, is part of the Biden administration’s broader efforts to pressure Maduro following his disputed victory in Venezuela’s July 28 presidential election, which the U.S. has refused to recognize.
Aurora police have provided an update following the release of alarming video footage showing heavily armed gang members, allegedly from the Venezuelan group Tren de Aragua, attempting to break into an apartment at The Edge at Lowry complex in Colorado. During a news conference, interim Chief Heather Morris stated that while gang members are present in the community, they have not taken over the apartment complex. The video, captured by a doorbell camera, shows several men with handguns and one armed with a scoped rifle forcefully trying to enter an apartment for unknown reasons. The police acknowledged that components of the gang are operating in Aurora and have been linked to various crimes in the area. They also confirmed that the gang’s leader, known as “Cookie Monster,” is in custody related to a separate shooting investigation. Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman announced that the city is initiating legal proceedings to declare the apartment buildings a “Criminal Nuisance,” aiming to regain control from the gang. The mayor emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the law enforcement task force will continue its operations to disrupt gang activities in the area.
Israel NEWS
Israeli forces recovered the bodies of six hostages from a Rafah tunnel in southern Gaza, revealing that they had been shot multiple times at close range just days prior to their discovery. According to the Israeli Health Ministry and examinations by the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute, the victims were murdered 48 to 72 hours before autopsies were conducted, suggesting they were executed by Hamas captors. The hostages, identified as Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov, Carmel Gat, and Master Sgt. Ori Danino, were found in a 65-foot-deep tunnel with gunshot wounds to their heads and other body parts. Autopsies indicated signs of neglect and one victim appeared to have been tied up. Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi and other officials assessed the situation at the recovery site, with concerns that Hamas executed the hostages due to fears of information leakage from a recently rescued hostage, Kaid Farhan Alkadi. Currently, 97 of the 251 hostages abducted on October 7 remain in Gaza, and the families of American hostages held virtual meetings with U.S. officials, who indicated that the coming days are crucial for efforts to secure their release.
Three Israeli police officers were killed in a drive-by shooting near the Tarqumiya checkpoint, located about 7.5 miles northwest of Hebron, on Sunday morning. The victims, identified as Chief Inspector Arik Ben Eliyahu, Command Sgt. Maj. Hadas Branch, and 1st Sgt. Roni Shakuri, were attacked while on duty, with Shakuri’s daughter having been killed in a previous Hamas assault. Following the shooting, the IDF launched a search for the assailants, who opened fire from a vehicle before fleeing on foot. The IDF later surrounded a house in Hebron linked to the attackers, neutralizing at least one suspect. Reports indicate that the shooter may have been affiliated with the Palestinian Authority’s Presidential Guard. Israeli officials, including Police Commissioner Daniel Levy and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, visited the scene, with Ben-Gvir asserting that Israel’s right to life outweighs the freedom of movement for Palestinians and calling for stricter security measures against terrorism. The incident follows a violent weekend that included clashes in Jenin, resulting in the death of an IDF soldier.
Israel has agreed to temporarily halt some military operations in the Gaza Strip to facilitate a polio vaccination campaign amid a rapidly spreading outbreak of the virus in the territory. This decision came after Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to allow vaccinations, which health officials warned were crucial for both the local population and Israeli soldiers at risk. The Prime Minister’s Office stated that Israel did not agree to humanitarian pauses but designated specific areas for vaccination efforts. Since the outbreak began, Israel has sent nearly 300,000 doses of the polio vaccine into Gaza, with plans for additional shipments, while about 86% of the Palestinian population in Gaza is vaccinated against the virus.
Tombs dating back nearly 2,000 years from the ancient Roman era have been opened to the public in Ashkelon, following a meticulous restoration by the Israel Antiquities Authority. Originally discovered in the 1930s, these tombs had been closed to the public for nearly a century to protect their well-preserved wall paintings depicting vines, Roman deities, and mythological figures. The newly accessible site, located close to the beach, likely served as a burial ground for aristocratic Roman citizens. The restoration includes remarkable murals of birds, children, and figures from Greek mythology, and the site will also feature additional archaeological discoveries from the Roman era.
WORLD NEWS
The British government suspended some arms sales to the IDF on Monday, citing a “clear risk” that the weapons could be used to violate international humanitarian law. Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced the cancellation of 30 out of 350 export licenses for aircraft, drones, helicopters, and ground targeting equipment, expressing regret over the decision. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant responded, stating he was “deeply disheartened” by the sanctions, emphasizing Israel’s ongoing battle against Hamas and the need to support its military efforts. The suspension follows a review by the British Department for Business and Trade, which previously froze all weapons export licenses to the IDF. The decision is seen as part of the Labour government’s shift in policy regarding Israel and the International Criminal Court’s investigations into alleged war crimes.
Two U.S. Marines assigned to the USS Wasp were assaulted by a mob of angry Turkish nationalists in Izmir, Turkey, on Monday, as they walked in civilian clothing. The group, reportedly affiliated with the Youth Union of Turkey, an anti-American student association, physically attacked the Marines, placing a bag over one Marine’s head while chanting “Yankee, go home!” Fortunately, five additional Marines intervened before Turkish authorities arrived and arrested 15 individuals involved in the attack. The U.S. military confirmed that the assaulted Marines were unharmed and expressed gratitude for the swift response from Turkish law enforcement. The Youth Union of Turkey justified the attack, stating that U.S. soldiers “who carry the blood of our soldiers and thousands of Palestinians on their hands cannot dirty our country.” The USS Wasp had recently been deployed to the Mediterranean as part of the Biden administration’s strategy to deter escalating conflicts in the region, particularly in light of ongoing tensions involving Israel and Hamas.
Brazil’s Federal Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered the suspension of social media platform X (formerly Twitter) in the country due to its failure to appoint a new legal representative, a requirement under Brazilian law. In response, X Global Government Affairs issued a statement condemning the order, claiming it was a result of the platform’s refusal to comply with de Moraes’ alleged illegal demands to censor political opponents. The statement accused the judge of threatening imprisonment and freezing the bank accounts of their legal representative after she resigned. X emphasized its commitment to free speech and transparency, stating that it would not comply with what it described as illegal orders. Additionally, the order warned that anyone attempting to access X via methods like VPNs would face daily fines of nearly $9,000. Tensions have escalated between X and de Moraes since the company declined to restrict accounts accused of spreading misinformation, leading to a public exchange where X’s CTO, Elon Musk, labeled the judge’s actions as “draconian.” De Moraes has since announced an investigation into Musk for alleged obstruction of justice and incitement of crime.
