NEW YORK NEWS
The Brooklyn Democratic Party is set to endorse six candidates for Supreme Court judge positions through its official judicial convention, although the outcome was effectively determined in an informal backroom meeting of the party’s executive committee.
The candidates receiving the endorsement are Joanne Quinones, Sharon Clarke, Caroline Piela Cohen, Heela Capell, Saul Stein, and Rachel Freier. The judicial convention is expected to formalize the endorsements, and other candidates are likely to withdraw ahead of the convention. The FJCC (Flatbush Jewish Community Coalition) extended warm congratulations to Judges Stein and Freier, emphasizing the historic significance of having two frum judges chosen simultaneously. FJCC Chairman Josh Mehlman underscored the importance of having culturally-sensitive judges who truly comprehend and appreciate the needs of the community presiding on the bench.
Social media influencer Kai Cenat is facing charges for inciting a riot and promoting an unlawful gathering in New York City. Cenat, with millions of followers on platforms like Twitch and YouTube, organized an event in Union Square promising giveaways of electronics, resulting in chaos, arrests, and injuries. Cenat was released from custody with a court appearance scheduled for August 18. The incident highlights the power of social media influencers over their followers. Mayor Eric Adams emphasized the need for responsible parenting amid growing concerns. The event, intended as a fan appreciation gesture, spiraled out of control, and Cenat’s representatives apologized, cooperating with authorities. The situation involved a large crowd engaging in unruly and dangerous behavior, prompting law enforcement intervention.
New York Mayor Eric Adams unveiled a plan to accommodate up to 2,000 migrants on Randalls Island in the East River, utilizing a previously established migrant center that was dismantled shortly after its creation. The state will cover the expenses of operating a tent city for adult migrants on the island. Adams cited the increasing strain on the city’s resources due to the rising number of asylum seekers and expressed gratitude to Governor Hochul and New York state for their collaboration. The city has previously housed migrants in hotels, a cruise ship terminal, and other locations, currently caring for over 57,200 asylum seekers. This initiative comes in response to the ongoing influx of migrants and follows previous attempts to address their housing needs, including plans for a psychiatric hospital parking lot and recreation centers.
New York City has approved the use of the ExpressVote XL touchscreen voting machine for elections, sparking concerns about potential errors and hacking, which could lead to legal challenges. The machine features a 32-inch interactive screen for selecting candidates and provides a printout of choices before recording votes. The manufacturer, Election Systems & Software, asserts its reliability and security, but groups like Common Cause New York raised objections, citing the lack of a secure paper trail and the risk of miscounts. Despite certification, critics urge reconsideration of the machine and emphasize the importance of secure paper ballots. The decision comes amid ongoing debates about election security and a bill to prevent the use of such machines in the future.
An investigation has been initiated into allegations of discrimination, abusive conduct, improper use of state resources, and bigoted statements against Maritza Ming, a former chief of staff to Brooklyn’s District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. The accusations, reported by the New York Post, include claims of Ming making offensive remarks about Jewish co-workers, engaging in bullying, and attempting to provoke a physical altercation at a retirement party. Many employees reportedly resigned due to her conduct. The District Attorney has acknowledged the need for change and plans to bring in an external consultant, while addressing concerns about handling discrimination claims. The investigation follows internal turmoil and mixed results from Equal Employment Opportunity cases involving Ming.
Authorities have identified a woman, previously known as “Jane Doe No. 7,” whose remains were found in connection with the Gilgo Beach killings on Long Island, after 27 years. The woman has been identified as Karen Vergata, who was 34 years old when she disappeared in 1996. The identification was part of a reinvestigation into the unsolved series of killings. The Gilgo Beach case involves the discovery of 10 sets of remains along a coastal parkway. Although the recent arrest of Rex Heuermann has been made in connection with some of the deaths, it remains uncertain if Vergata’s death is linked to him. The investigation into the Gilgo Beach killings continues.
US NEWS
Robert Bowers, the gunman responsible for the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting that killed 11 worshippers and wounded six others, has been unanimously sentenced to death by a federal jury, marking the first federal death penalty imposed under the Biden administration’s moratorium on executions. Bowers burst into the Tree of Life synagogue during a Shabbat service and carried out the attack using an AR-15-style rifle. The sentencing followed his conviction on 63 counts, including hate crime charges. The trial’s final phase focused on aggravating and mitigating factors, with the jury unanimously finding that Bowers was eligible for the death penalty. His formal sentencing is set to take place later, and some victims’ families are expected to speak.
Two U.S. Navy sailors, Jinchao Wei and Kan Chen, both based in California, have been separately charged with providing sensitive military information to China, including details on wartime exercises, naval operations, and critical technical material. The charges exemplify China’s attempts to gather insight into U.S. military operations, with Wei accused of providing photographs, videos, and technical data about Navy ships and aircraft to a Chinese intelligence officer, even after becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen. Both sailors pleaded not guilty and were ordered to be held until detention hearings. The cases highlight concerns about Chinese espionage and efforts to obtain critical information for their advantage.
Trucking company Yellow Corp., formerly YRC Worldwide Inc., has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after years of financial difficulties and mounting debt. Despite receiving $700 million in pandemic-era loans three years ago, Yellow will liquidate, causing concern for the U.S. transportation industry and shippers. The bankruptcy comes after poor management decisions spanning decades, leading to the company’s downfall, and its closure will result in job losses for its 30,000 employees. Former customers and shippers may face higher prices as they turn to competitors like FedEx and ABF Freight. The bankruptcy reflects a significant shift in the industry and follows recent reports of customers leaving Yellow and halted freight pickups. Yellow’s financial troubles were compounded by unsuccessful contract negotiations with the Teamsters, and a congressional probe highlighted missteps in the Treasury Department’s decision to grant the company a pandemic-era loan.
US 30-year mortgage rates have surged to their highest level since November 2000, reaching 7.39% before slightly dropping to 7.38%, driven by a notable increase in US Treasury yields triggered by concerns about government-debt issuance, the job market, and a sovereign credit rating downgrade. This rise in rates has contributed to a faltering US housing market, with mortgage purchase applications decreasing by 3.2% on a seasonally adjusted basis, marking a third consecutive weekly drop and a total fall of 9.5% over the past five weeks. The limited housing supply, coupled with high mortgage rates, has led potential sellers to hold onto their homes, reducing inventory and driving up home prices. The combination of these factors is challenging for prospective homebuyers, affecting their purchasing power and potentially leading to a significant drop in existing home sales.
AB InBev, the parent company of Anheuser-Busch, reported a 10.5% drop in U.S. revenue in the second quarter, attributing the decline to a decrease in Bud Light sales amid a consumer boycott triggered by the brand’s partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. This drop follows a conservative backlash that led to Mexican lager Modelo Especial surpassing Bud Light as the top-selling beer in the U.S. AB InBev expressed confidence that its U.S. market share has stabilized despite the revenue decline, and CEO Michel Doukeris announced plans to provide financial support to U.S. wholesalers through December to address the low Bud Light sales. Overall, the company’s global brands, such as Stella Artois and Corona, compensated for the decline in Bud Light sales, resulting in a 7.2% increase in total worldwide revenue. Last week, Anheuser-Busch announced a layoff of less than 2% of its U.S. workforce, primarily affecting corporate roles to ensure long-term success while preserving brewery and warehouse employees’ positions.
Jamie Foxx has apologized to the Jewish community and clarified a since-deleted social media post that was criticized as anti-Semitic. In the original post, Foxx referenced Jesus’ death and used the term “they,” which some interpreted as referring to Jewish people. Foxx clarified that he was referring to a fake friend and not making an anti-Semitic statement, expressing his love and support for the Jewish community and apologizing for any offense caused. The actor recently faced a medical complication that led to his hospitalization earlier this year.
Israel NEWS
A Palestinian Islamic Jihad gunman killed a Tel Aviv municipal patrol officer, 42-year-old Chen Amir, in a terror shooting in a busy area of Tel Aviv. The attacker, identified as Kamel Abu Bakr, was a member of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group from the Jenin refugee camp and had been hiding in Jenin for six months. The assailant shot Amir in the head, critically injuring him, and was then shot dead by Amir’s colleague. Amir was hailed as a hero for preventing a larger attack and saving lives. The attacker had a “martyrdom” letter on him, and Israeli security forces were investigating how he entered Israel.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) entered the Askar refugee camp near Nablus and demolished the home of Hamas terrorist Abdel Fattah Hussein Kharousha, who killed two Israeli brothers in an attack earlier this year. The demolition led to clashes in the refugee camp, with Palestinian gunmen opening fire and throwing explosives at the troops, and other rioters hurling stones and setting tires on fire. Kharousha had shot and killed Hallel Yaniv, 21, and Yagel Yaniv, 19, in the West Bank town of Huwara on February 26, and was later killed in an Israeli raid in Jenin on March 7. The IDF regularly demolishes the homes of Palestinians accused of carrying out terror attacks as a policy.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed a delegation of 24 Democrats from the U.S. House of Representatives to his office in Jerusalem. Led by House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries and previous House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, the delegation is visiting Israel to discuss topics including the Iranian threat, judicial reform, prospects for a two-state solution, combating terrorism, and the development of the Abraham Accords. Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s position on creating a credible military threat to Iran and discussed the potential addition of Saudi Arabia to the Abraham Accords. He thanked the Democrats for their fight against anti-Semitism, support for Israel’s security, and efforts to expand the circle of peace. The visit aims to strengthen the special relationship between the U.S. and Israel based on shared values and geopolitical interests.
Two Israeli settlers have been arrested and five detained over their suspected involvement in the killing of a Palestinian man, 19-year-old Qusai Jamal Matan, in the West Bank town of Burqa. The prime suspect, who allegedly opened fire, was injured in clashes and hospitalized. The incident followed clashes between settlers and Palestinian residents after settlers herded sheep near the village. The IDF stated that during the confrontation, Israeli civilians shot at Palestinians, resulting in Matan’s death, injuries to four others, and the burning of a Palestinian vehicle.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that he will not pursue the full judicial overhaul originally planned by his government, focusing instead on changing the makeup of the judge selection committee while abandoning other proposed changes. Netanyahu aims to strike a balance between having an activist judicial court and a legislature with excessive power over court decisions. This decision is seen as a concession to anti-government protesters who have demonstrated against the planned changes. The move to give the government more control over the selection of judges has been met with opposition, with concerns about protecting democracy and preventing populist policies. The ongoing standoff has led to mass protests and economic uncertainty in Israel.
WORLD NEWS
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau have announced their separation in a statement on Trudeau’s Instagram account, following “meaningful and difficult conversations.” The couple, who have signed a legal separation agreement, emphasized their continued close family ties and requested privacy for the sake of their children.
Berlin police are investigating a potential anti-Semitic attack after a 19-year-old Israeli tourist was reportedly assaulted by three men while walking in the Kreuzberg district. The attackers, who had pulled up in a car and addressed the tourist in German, began punching and kicking him, causing minor injuries. A report from June highlighted an increase in violent antisemitism in Germany, with a rise in “extremely violent” incidents recorded, despite an overall decrease in incidents from the previous year. This incident follows previous instances of anti-Semitic attacks, including a brutal assault on a Jewish man in the Berlin subway.
Taiwan has detained a lieutenant colonel named Hsieh and collaborators on suspicion of leaking military secrets to China, including developing a spy organization of current and retired military personnel to gather intelligence. These detentions come amidst escalating military tensions between China and Taiwan, with China seeking to recruit retired Taiwanese military personnel for state secrets. The defense ministry has condemned those involved in betraying the country and collecting information for a foreign power, while further investigations and detentions continue, as seen in a previous case where five individuals, including a Chinese yo-yo instructor, were detained on suspicion of spying for China.
The Bank of England raised its main interest rate to 5.25%, its 14th consecutive hike, aiming to curb persistently high inflation by addressing risks such as higher wages. The central bank’s new forecasts predict inflation to drop to 4.9% by year-end, and while an aggressive half-point increase was not repeated due to inflation easing to 7.9%, further hikes are anticipated, possibly in September. The effects of higher rates on the housing market will become evident in the coming months, as many households face higher mortgage costs upon refinancing. The bank’s focus is to ensure borrowing costs remain restrictive for a prolonged period to return inflation to the target, while other central banks like the U.S. Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank also raised rates but face lower inflation levels.
