New York
Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, announced his intention to permanently divest the city’s pension funds from Israeli government bonds if elected.
He stated in a CBS News interview with Marcia Kramer, “We should not have a fund that invests in violations of international law,” endorsing the current comptroller Brad Lander’s 2023 decision to halt such investments. The city’s pension funds previously held $39 million in Israel Bonds as of January 2022.
Yeshiva University President Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman delivered the opening prayer in the U.S. Senate ahead of Rosh HaShanah. As a prominent Jewish leader, Berman’s invocation highlighted themes of unity and reflection in anticipation of the Jewish New Year. The event marked a significant moment for Yeshiva University, a leading institution in Jewish education, emphasizing its influence in public and religious spheres. The prayer was part of the Senate’s tradition of inviting spiritual leaders to offer blessings before sessions. Berman’s participation underscored the importance of interfaith representation in U.S. governance during a time of heightened cultural and political sensitivity.
President Donald Trump is considering federal control over the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in Lower Manhattan. The proposal responds to ongoing criticism from victims’ families regarding high ticket prices and operational concerns at the privately managed site. The museum, which commemorates the September 11, 2001, attacks, has faced scrutiny for accessibility and maintenance issues.
Jim Walden, an independent candidate for New York City mayor, withdrew his candidacy, citing a desire to focus on policy advocacy. A former federal prosecutor, Walden emphasized priorities like expanding the NYPD and increasing affordable housing during his campaign. His exit leaves Zohran Mamdani, Eric Adams, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa as key contenders in the November 2025 election. Walden’s decision followed a competitive primary season, with Mamdani emerging as the Democratic nominee. Walden stated his withdrawal was to better serve New Yorkers through policy work rather than electoral politics, reflecting the crowded and polarized mayoral race.
New York City is advancing a proposal to ban the storage and use of uncertified lithium-ion e-bike batteries. The initiative addresses a surge in deadly fires linked to these batteries, particularly in residential settings. Under the plan, the NYPD would issue penalties and confiscate non-compliant batteries, with the Sanitation Department handling their disposal. The proposal follows multiple fire incidents attributed to faulty or unregulated batteries in e-bikes. City officials aim to enhance public safety by enforcing stricter regulations on battery certification.
U.S.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Defense to adopt “Department of War” as a secondary title for official correspondence, public communications, and ceremonial contexts. The order authorizes Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to use the title “Secretary of War” and requires him to recommend legislative and executive actions within 60 days to permanently rename the department. Trump stated in the Oval Office, “I think it’s a much more appropriate name,” emphasizing the U.S. military’s strength. Hegseth described the change as “restoring the warrior ethos,” adding, “We’re going to raise up warriors, not just defenders.” The department’s website redirected to war.gov, and signage updates began at the Pentagon. The pre-1947 name, established by Congress in 1789, requires congressional approval for a permanent change.
The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision along ideological lines, granted the Trump administration’s emergency request to lift a temporary restraining order that had restricted immigration enforcement operations in Los Angeles and Southern California. The order, issued by U.S. District Judge Maame E. Frimpong in July, prohibited Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from conducting “roving patrols” and stopping individuals based solely on factors such as apparent race, ethnicity, speaking Spanish, limited English proficiency, or presence at locations like car washes, bus stops, and Home Depot parking lots where day laborers gather. The high court’s majority provided no explanation for the ruling, allowing agents to resume these broad stops under the administration’s mass deportation initiative, which began in June and has targeted areas with high undocumented populations. Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissented, stating, “We should not have to live in a country where the Government can seize anyone who looks Latino, speaks Spanish, and appears to work a low wage job.” The decision overturns findings of likely Fourth Amendment violations from unreasonable searches and seizures. Los Angeles officials estimate that half the region’s population could meet the criteria for such stops.
A suspect turned himself in to Philadelphia police on Monday night in connection with two vandalism incidents at the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History in Old City. The first act occurred on August 18, when surveillance video captured an individual spray-painting red paint on the museum’s exterior walls, grounds, and a banner reading “The Weitzman Stands with Israel” beneath an Israeli flag. A similar incident took place on August 25, targeting additional areas of the building’s facade and plaza around 4:45 a.m. Police have not released the suspect’s name or photograph pending formal charges, with an investigation ongoing. The museum, a Smithsonian affiliate dedicated to American Jewish history, described the acts as part of a broader rise in antisemitic incidents, citing over 9,000 cases reported by the Anti-Defamation League in the past year. Museum President and CEO Dan Tadmor stated, “Appallingly, vandalizing Jewish institutions has become a daily occurrence in America.”
Christian Friends of Israeli Communities and Christians for Israel USA filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Colorado against Francesca Albanese, the former UN Special Rapporteur on the Palestinian territories, alleging defamation, trade libel, and tortious interference. The suit claims Albanese’s June 2025 report, titled “From Economy of Occupation to Economy of Genocide,” falsely accused the groups of enabling Israel’s alleged genocide in Gaza by providing financial support to Israeli settlements. Albanese stated that the U.S.-based Christian Friends of Israeli Communities and its affiliates sent over $12.25 million in 2023 to projects supporting colonies, including those training extremist settlers. The plaintiffs assert that these statements, along with threatening letters sent to the organizations warning of criminal liability for aiding Israel’s unlawful occupation, were made maliciously outside her official duties to harm their reputations and financial wellbeing. The National Jewish Advocacy Center, representing the groups, argues Albanese ignored warnings from the organizations and U.S. Department of Justice officials that her claims were defamatory. The lawsuit seeks damages and contends that Albanese’s actions put staff and donors at risk while undermining the nonprofits’ charitable work in Israel.
A U.S. federal appeals court ruled in a 7-4 decision that the Trump administration’s tariffs on China, imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), were illegal, as the law does not authorize the president to impose such duties. The ruling, stemming from a lower court decision by the U.S. Court of International Trade, found the tariffs exceeded presidential authority reserved for Congress and lacked explicit mention of tariffs or procedural limits. The court invalidated both the “reciprocal” tariffs on global imports and separate levies on China, Canada, and Mexico tied to fentanyl trafficking and immigration concerns. President Trump responded by announcing plans to seek an expedited Supreme Court review, stating, “If you take away tariffs, we could end up being a third-world country.”
The Dearborn Heights Police Department unveiled a new optional uniform patch featuring the Michigan state seal encircled by the words “Dearborn Heights Police” in both English and Arabic script. The department described the patch as the first of its kind in the United States, created to reflect and honor the city’s diverse community, where approximately 39 percent of residents identify as Middle Eastern or North African. The announcement, shared on social media, prompted significant online backlash, leading the department to disable comments and later delete the post. Mayor Bill Bazzi clarified that the patch was a prototype not intended for public release without prior approval, halting its implementation pending internal review and broader input on uniform changes. Police Chief Ahmed Haidar confirmed the design remains in the planning stage, with discussions ongoing for other optional patches representing the community’s varied cultures.
The American Zionist Movement certified the results of the 2025 World Zionist Congress election, confirming a record 224,969 valid votes for 155 U.S. delegate seats. The certification followed resolutions by election tribunals and the Zionist Supreme Court addressing fraudulent ballots, with 18,948 votes disqualified. Right-wing and religious slates, including Am Yisrael Chai (21 seats), Eretz HaKodesh (19 seats), and Orthodox Israel Coalition-Mizrachi (18 seats), secured a majority, a historic shift from the 2020 election. The Reform movement’s Vote Reform slate led with 47,648 votes, earning 33 seats, while Mercaz USA (Conservative) gained 19 seats. The election, held from March 10 to May 4, saw 22 slates compete, reflecting diverse American Jewish ideologies. Delegates will convene in Jerusalem from October 28 to 30 to allocate over $1 billion in funding.
Israel
Israel conducted a precise airstrike in Doha, Qatar, targeting senior Hamas leadership at a residential compound housing members of the group’s political bureau. The operation focused on key figures, including chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, who had met with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani the previous day to discuss a U.S. ceasefire proposal for Gaza. Explosions rocked the capital, damaging buildings and prompting ambulances and security forces to respond, though no immediate casualties were confirmed. The IDF stated the strike aimed at leaders responsible for the October 7 attacks and ongoing operations against Israel, emphasizing precision munitions to minimize civilian harm. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry condemned the assault as a “cowardly” violation of international law and its sovereignty. The United States was notified in advance, with a White House official confirming prior awareness.
Two Palestinian terrorists opened fire at a bus stop and boarded a bus at Ramot Junction in northern Jerusalem, killing six people and injuring 21 others. The attackers arrived by vehicle and used an improvised submachine gun during the morning rush hour. An off-duty soldier and armed civilians returned fire, neutralizing both terrorists at the scene. Magen David Adom paramedics treated victims on-site, including six in serious condition, before evacuating them to Jerusalem hospitals. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the site, stating, “We are at war, a fierce war against terrorism on several fronts.” The Israeli military imposed a lockdown on the terrorists’ villages and conducted raids to thwart further threats.
The IDF issued a comprehensive evacuation order for Gaza City residents, directing them southward to the al-Mawasi humanitarian zone amid an intensified ground and air offensive. IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee stated that remaining in the city is extremely dangerous due to planned military operations against Hamas targets. As part of the escalation, the IDF destroyed a 12-story tower after issuing prior warnings to evacuate, stating the structure housed Hamas intelligence-gathering and command facilities. Over the following days, the IDF targeted and demolished at least three additional high-rises, citing similar Hamas infrastructure.
US President Donald Trump tasked his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, with developing a post-war plan for Gaza, as reported by Israel’s Channel 12. Kushner, a former senior adviser during Trump’s first term, met with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer in Miami to discuss a ceasefire proposal and the “day after” plan. The strategy focuses on Gaza’s governance without Hamas, disarmament, and reconstruction, with Kushner emerging as a central figure in shaping US policy.
A Houthi drone launched from Yemen evaded Israeli air defenses and struck the passenger terminal at Ramon International Airport near Eilat, causing damage including blown-out windows and smoke plumes. The attack, part of a salvo of four drones, occurred after an alert system failure that prevented sirens from sounding, despite detection by Air Force systems. The IDF intercepted the three other incoming drones near the Egyptian border, with no injuries or damage reported from those. Two people suffered light injuries from shrapnel and a fall during the incident. The airport suspended flights for about two hours before resuming operations. Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed responsibility, stating the group fired eight drones and vowed to escalate attacks on Israeli airports in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
WORLD
Russia conducted its largest-ever aerial assault on Ukraine, launching 818 drones and 13 missiles overnight, targeting Kyiv and multiple regions. The attack damaged the Cabinet of Ministers building in Kyiv, setting its roof ablaze, marking the first time a key government structure was hit since the invasion began in 2022. Residential areas were struck, with drone debris causing fires in apartment buildings, killing at least three people, including a mother and her infant. Ukraine’s Air Force reported intercepting 751 drones and four missiles, with impacts recorded in 37 locations. The barrage killed 8 civilians and injured 59 nationwide.
Vandals targeted a Jewish souvenir and kosher food store in Prague, spraying antisemitic graffiti including “Fascists” and “Holocaust 2025” on its windows, doors, and walls. The incident, captured on security footage showing the perpetrator wearing a sombrero and staring at the camera. This marks the third such attack on the store this summer, following prior graffiti and instances of spitting at the entrance, with no structural damage reported. Store owner David Fábry noted the repeated targeting, while Prague police are investigating as potential hate crimes, classifying them as property damage for now. The perpetrator faces up to five years in prison if charged with a hate-motivated offense. Prague Jewish Community Chairman Pavel Král condemned the act as “completely unacceptable,” attributing it to a lone individual rather than a broader trend.
The U.S. military conducted a precision strike on a suspected drug vessel in international waters in the southern Caribbean, killing 11 individuals identified as members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. President Donald Trump announced the operation on Truth Social, stating it targeted narcoterrorists transporting illegal narcotics toward the United States. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the lethal action against the boat operated by the gang, designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. in February. The strike followed a U.S. naval buildup in the region, including warships like the USS Sampson, aimed at combating Latin American drug cartels.
British police arrested more than 890 demonstrators outside Parliament in London after they gathered to protest the government’s proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organization. The rally, organized by Defend Our Juries in Parliament Square, drew an estimated 1,500 participants who sat down and displayed signs. The Metropolitan Police reported 857 arrests under the Terrorism Act for supporting a proscribed group, with 33 additional detentions for offenses including 17 assaults on officers after the demonstration turned violent. Officers faced physical abuse, including punches, kicks, and thrown objects, while protesters chanted “shame on you” and accused police of enabling genocide. The group was banned in July following activists’ vandalism of military aircraft at an RAF base to protest Britain’s support for Israel.
Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot announced that the country will recognize the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly session in New York. The formalization will occur once all hostages held in Gaza are released and Hamas no longer governs Palestine, as part of a France-Saudi Arabia initiative to advance a two-state solution. Prévot stated the move responds to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Israel’s violations of international law, including settlement expansions. Belgium will impose 12 sanctions on Israel, such as banning imports from Judea and Samaria, reviewing public procurement with Israeli companies, designating far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich as persona non grata, and restricting consular aid to Belgians in settlements.
Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned amid escalating Gen Z-led protests against government corruption and a short-lived social media ban, which had blocked platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, X, Instagram, and YouTube for failing to register with authorities. The unrest intensified after security forces killed at least 19 people and injured over 100 during clashes on Monday, prompting demonstrators to defy a curfew, torch the parliament complex, and set fire to Oli’s residence, along with homes of other leaders. Oli stated in his resignation letter that the move aimed to “facilitate a solution to the problem and to help resolve it politically.”
An estimated 70,000 people participated in Britain’s March Against Antisemitism, proceeding from the BBC headquarters to Parliament Square in central London. The event, organized by the Campaign Against Antisemitism in partnership with major Jewish communal organizations, was led by figures including Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, former Conservative cabinet minister Michael Gove, and Reform UK Deputy Leader Richard Tice. Speakers highlighted the surge in incidents since the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, with the Community Security Trust reporting 1,521 antisemitic cases in the first half of 2025, the second-highest on record. The demonstration called for stronger government action against extremism and Jew-hatred, including defunding the BBC for bias.
