NEW YORK NEWS
Edward Caban, an officer who grew up in the Bronx, has become the first Latino to lead the New York Police Department in its 177-year history. Mayor Eric Adams announced the appointment, praising Caban’s experience and reputation. Caban, who had previously served as first deputy commissioner, will oversee a force of 36,000 officers and 19,000 civilian employees. He takes over at a critical time for the NYPD, with concerns over officer retention and public safety amid ongoing debates about aggressive policing tactics. Caban’s appointment is seen as a historic moment for the Latino community and the city as a whole.
A New York appeals court has ordered the state’s congressional map to be redrawn, favoring Democrats and potentially giving them an opportunity to shift the balance of power in the state’s House battlegrounds. The court ruled that the temporary districts drawn for the 2022 midterms needed to be replaced, instructing the bipartisan redistricting commission to resume the process. If the decision stands, Democrats could draw maps that make re-election difficult for incumbent Republicans in key districts. The case is part of a larger national battle over redistricting, with implications for the balance of power in Congress.
Architect Rex Heuermann has been charged with six counts of murder, including the deaths of three of the “Gilgo Four” women, and is the prime suspect in the fourth woman’s death, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney. Heuermann, who appeared in court in Long Island, pleaded not guilty and was remanded without bail. The case involves a series of unsolved murders and human remains discovered on Long Island since 2010. Investigators connected Heuermann to the crimes through phone records, witness descriptions, and DNA evidence. The investigation is ongoing, and the next court date is scheduled for August 1.
New York City has agreed to pay nearly $2 billion to black and Hispanic individuals who failed the Liberal Arts and Sciences Test, a teacher certification exam taken between 1993 and 1995. The settlement resolves a lawsuit claiming that the test was racist due to disparate passage rates. Some individuals who never worked as teachers may receive over $1 million each, leading to potential inflated costs beyond $1.8 billion. Critics argue that the settlement compromises teaching standards, as qualifications are being changed to accommodate certain groups. Additionally, studies show similar racial disparities in teaching exams used in other states, suggesting that the issue extends beyond New York City. The move to lower teaching standards has been criticized, with concerns raised about the impact on students’ education. The importance of having minority teachers has been debated, as the statistical correlation between better test scores and having a teacher of the same race is deemed virtually meaningless.
US NEWS
Former President Donald Trump has been informed by special counsel Jack Smith that he is a target in the investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The letter, transmitted to Trump’s attorneys, suggests that another indictment against him could be imminent, although the specific charges are not known. Trump received a similar target letter before being indicted in Florida for alleged mishandling of classified documents and obstructing an investigation. The investigation, led by Smith, focuses on attempts to present false electors and Trump’s actions leading up to the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol. Trump has already been indicted on multiple counts related to classified materials and falsifying business records.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has called on Democrats to address the issue of anti-Semitic remarks made by members of their caucus, following Rep. Pramila Jayapal’s statement referring to Israel as a “racist state.” McCarthy cited previous instances of Democratic lawmakers making anti-Semitic comments, including Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, and urged House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to take action. Jayapal later clarified her statement, but the controversy comes amid preparations for Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s speech to Congress and plans by some progressive lawmakers to boycott the address.
The Secret Service has concluded its investigation into a small bag of cocaine found at the White House and was unable to identify a suspect. Despite combing through security systems and indexing individuals who entered the West Wing in the days leading up to the discovery, the Secret Service could not retrieve sufficient DNA or fingerprints. The investigation was hindered by the lack of surveillance footage in the area where the bag was found. The leading theory remains that the bag was left by one of the hundreds of visitors who entered the West Wing that weekend. The investigation is now closed due to a lack of physical evidence.
President Biden has authorized the deployment of up to 3,000 reservists to Europe to augment U.S. troops in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. The order allows the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security to send active duty units and individual members of the Selected Reserve or Individual Ready Reserve. The total number of deployed members at one time should not exceed 3,000, with a maximum of 450 from the Individual Ready Reserve. This decision follows Biden’s trip to Europe aimed at demonstrating a united international coalition against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While an explicit path to NATO membership for Ukraine remains elusive, agreements with NATO countries will support Ukraine’s long-term security.
President Biden has invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to a meeting in the United States, marking their first meeting since Netanyahu re-entered office in December. The invitation comes after months of tensions and reflects a shift in Biden’s decision in March to avoid meeting Netanyahu in the near term. While the meeting signifies a desire to restore normalcy to the U.S.-Israel alliance, White House officials emphasized that it does not indicate a change in Biden’s objections to some of Netanyahu’s hardline positions. The invitation was extended ahead of Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Washington, which has already become a point of controversy among Democrats, with some lawmakers planning to boycott Herzog’s speech.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ campaign has fired several staffers as part of a campaign retooling effort following lower poll numbers compared to former President Donald Trump and high campaign spending. The exact number of layoffs is unknown, but fewer than 10 staffers were confirmed to be affected, primarily in event planning roles. The campaign’s fundraising report for April to June showed $20.1 million raised and $7.87 million spent, with a significant portion allocated to staff payroll, digital fundraising consulting, media placements, travel, and direct mailers. The super PAC supporting DeSantis, “Never Back Down,” has received resumes from some of the laid-off staffers. DeSantis emphasized his fundraising success and suggested media bias in a Fox News interview when asked about the staff reductions.
Four progressive lawmakers, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jamaal Bowman, Cori Bush, and Ilhan Omar, have announced that they will boycott Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s speech to a joint session of Congress. The lawmakers expressed concerns about Israel’s treatment of Palestinians and its failure to protect their rights. They join a growing number of Democratic representatives who have become critical of Israel and are expected to skip the speech. However, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has expressed support for Herzog’s visit and highlighted the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship. Herzog’s speech is scheduled to mark Israel’s 75th anniversary.
Pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly has submitted an application for full approval of its Alzheimer’s treatment, donanemab, to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The company expects the FDA to make a decision by the end of the year. The application is based on positive results from a Phase 3 clinical trial, which showed that donanemab significantly slowed the progression of Alzheimer’s in patients at the early stages of the disease. If approved, donanemab would provide an additional treatment option for the millions of Americans with Alzheimer’s. However, the drug’s benefits will need to be weighed against the risks of potential side effects, such as brain swelling and bleeding.
Israel NEWS
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was discharged from the hospital on Sunday after an overnight stay for tests and the fitting of an implanted heart monitor. Netanyahu, 73, was admitted to the hospital on Saturday due to mild dizziness caused by dehydration. Heart tests conducted on Sunday came back clear, with no findings of heart abnormalities or arrhythmia. Netanyahu was fitted with a subcutaneous monitor for regular monitoring by his medical team. The prime minister reassured the public in a video statement that he was feeling well and advised people to take precautions during the ongoing heatwave in the country.
An Israeli man was shot and seriously injured, while his two daughters sustained minor injuries, in a terrorist shooting attack in the West Bank. The attack occurred when a Palestinian gunman opened fire from a passing vehicle at the victim’s car on a highway near the settlement of Tekoa. The injured man was taken to a hospital in Jerusalem in serious but stable condition, while his daughters were treated for shrapnel wounds. The IDF launched a manhunt and apprehended the suspected gunman, along with two additional suspects. Tensions between Israelis and Palestinians have been high in the West Bank, marked by a series of deadly attacks.
A study conducted by the Network Contagion Research Institute in partnership with the Ruderman Family Foundation reveals that Twitter users accuse Israel of violating human rights more frequently than any other country. The analysis examined nearly 100 million tweets from January 2020 to June 2022 and found that Israel is targeted 111 times more than North Korea, 55 times more than Russia, 38 times more than Iran, and 12 times more than China. The report highlights the application of double standards to Israel as an example of contemporary antisemitism, as defined by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. The researchers urge action to combat this phenomenon, emphasizing the similarities between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism. The Ruderman Family Foundation calls for change in the world arena and the denouncement of this issue by elected officials. Reports have indicated a rise in anti-Semitism on Twitter and other social networks since Elon Musk took over the platform.
The IDF has appointed its first military attaché to Morocco, reflecting the growing security ties between the two countries since the normalization agreement in 2020. Col. Sharon Itach, of Moroccan origin, was chosen by IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi for the role. The appointment is part of a series of senior appointments in the military, subject to approval by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Israel and Morocco established limited diplomatic relations in the 1990s, which were suspended in 2000. However, the relationship has strengthened in recent years, with defense ties formalized through a memorandum of understanding and high-level visits between the two nations. In June, the IDF sent a delegation to participate in a major military drill in Morocco, marking a significant milestone.
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen held a meeting with a senior official from an undisclosed African Muslim country that has no diplomatic ties with Israel. The meeting occurred during Cohen’s visit to Nairobi, Kenya, where he attended the African Union’s Mid-Year Coordination Meeting. The meeting with the official from the unnamed Muslim country aligns with Israel’s efforts to expand the Abraham Accords and counter Iranian influence in Africa. The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed that normalization contacts are being made with several African countries, including Niger, Mali, and Mauritania. Cohen expressed gratitude to the Kenyan president and foreign minister for their efforts in promoting Israel’s position on the continent and working towards establishing diplomatic relations with other African countries. The visit to Kenya is of regional and strategic significance in light of Iran’s attempts to expand its influence in Africa.
WORLD NEWS
Muslim activist Ahmad Alush, who had been granted permission to burn a Torah and a Bible outside the Israeli embassy in Sweden, announced that he would not proceed with the act. Alush clarified that his intention was solely to draw attention to the recent burning of the Quran in Sweden and not to burn Jewish or Christian holy books. The act had drawn condemnation from Israel, Jewish groups, and others. Alush emphasized that it goes against the Quran to burn any religious text and expressed the need for respect and mutual understanding among different communities. The Swedish decision to allow the burning of the Torah had sparked widespread outrage, with concerns raised about creating an environment of fear and impacting freedom of religion or belief.
Typhoon Talim caused the closure of schools and the stock market in Hong Kong as it passed by the city and headed towards the Chinese mainland and Hainan province. Safety alerts were issued for residents and tourists, warning them to stay in safe areas to avoid potential floods and landslides. Typhoon-swept winds and waves were observed hitting an offshore oil platform, and over 9,800 workers were evacuated from such facilities. The typhoon is expected to make landfall in Guangdong and Hainan provinces before moving to the Gulf of Tonkin and Guangxi region. Hong Kong experienced fallen trees and floods, and the observatory urged people to stay away from the shoreline. The region has been experiencing record-breaking heatwaves and intermittent heat and flooding, leading to casualties and disruptions.
A 35-member Belgian security delegation, including the Antwerp police chief, recently completed a week-long training session in Israel focused on combating anti-Semitism. The training program, organized by Israel’s Diaspora Affairs Ministry, aimed to equip participants with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively address anti-Semitism in Belgium. Against the backdrop of increased anti-Semitism worldwide, this marked the third such delegation organized by the ministry in 2023, following successful collaborations with security personnel from the Baltic States and Brazil. The Belgian delegation received insights into the unique challenges faced by the Jewish community and Israel’s counterterrorism efforts. The visit also included trips to the Old City of Jerusalem and Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust Memorial. The initiative demonstrates Belgium’s commitment to combating anti-Semitism and supporting the well-being of its Jewish community.
