New York
New York City recorded its lowest-ever number of shootings for the first seven months of the year. Police data shows a significant decline in shooting incidents compared to prior years. No specific figures for the number of shootings were provided.
New York State’s cumulative three-year budget gap has reached $34.3 billion, a 25% increase from Governor Kathy Hochul’s January estimate, driven by reduced federal funding. State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli reported this deficit, as a share of spending, is the largest since the 2009 financial crisis. The shortfall stems from a slowing economy, rising Medicaid and school aid costs, and federal cuts from a recent reconciliation bill. State debt is projected to grow from $55.9 billion to $95.1 billion over five years, nearing the debt cap. DiNapoli emphasized the need for fiscal adjustments to sustain essential services amid declining federal support.
A visibly Jewish man’s car tires were slashed near Grand Army Plaza during a protest. The suspect, carrying anti-Israel signs and two knives, was arrested through coordinated efforts by Crown Heights Shomrim and the NYPD. The incident occurred as the man drove past the protest. No additional details on the suspect’s identity or specific charges were released. The arrest followed swift community and law enforcement response.
New York State Police arrested two individuals from Brooklyn for impersonating FBI agents and scamming a Kiryas Joel resident out of $15,000. The suspects threatened the victim with arrest unless he paid them in Monroe, where he handed over the cash. Both face grand larceny charges. Authorities suspect the scam is part of a larger ring targeting New York City’s Jewish community for months. The investigation continues to uncover potential additional victims.
The NYC Campaign Finance Board denied independent mayoral candidate Eric Adams $3 million in public matching funds for his reelection campaign, citing potential legal violations and lack of transparency. Zohran Mamdani received $1.7 million, Curtis Sliwa $1.9 million, and Jim Walden $237,000 in matching funds. Adams’s campaign insists it complies with regulations and is considering legal action to contest the decision. The denial marks the second time Adams has been refused these funds.
New York Attorney General Letitia James was subpoenaed in a federal grand jury investigation regarding her office’s $454 million civil fraud case against former President Donald Trump. The probe, prompted by an FBI inquiry, also examines her investigation into the National Rifle Association. The scope does not explicitly include recent mortgage fraud allegations against James. The case involves scrutiny of James’s legal actions against high-profile entities.
U.S.
A massive fire destroyed the Meadowlands Chabad in Rutherford, New Jersey, leaving the building in ruins. Rabbi Lerman and his family escaped the overnight blaze unharmed. The fire caused extensive structural damage, and local authorities are investigating its cause, with no confirmation yet on whether it was arson. The Chabad community is assessing the loss and planning recovery efforts. Firefighters contained the blaze, preventing it from spreading to nearby structures. No injuries were reported among responders or residents.
Kitchen Design by Idan, a Jewish- and Israeli-owned business in Baltimore County, was vandalized when a man threw red paint across its entrance, defacing Israeli and American flags. Surveillance footage captured the incident, which occurred late Wednesday night. Baltimore County Police are investigating it as a potential hate crime, following condemnation from community leaders who labeled it antisemitic. No arrests have been made, and the investigation remains active.
In Clayton, Missouri, three vehicles were set ablaze and antisemitic graffiti, including “Death to the IDF,” was spray-painted near the home of an American citizen who served in the Israel Defense Forces. The Clayton Police Department, assisted by the FBI, is investigating the incident as a hate crime. Leo Terrell, chair of the Department of Justice’s Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, condemned the act as a targeted attack on the former soldier and his family. No injuries were reported, and authorities believe the perpetrator acted alone. The investigation is ongoing, with no arrests announced.
The Israeli-American Council’s headquarters in Woodland Hills, California, was vandalized with swastikas, Nazi symbols, and hateful slogans over the weekend. The attack targeted the organization’s office, a center for Israeli-American community activities. Local police are investigating the incident as a hate crime, with no suspects identified. The investigation is ongoing, with police analyzing surveillance footage and other evidence to identify the perpetrator. The council is working to restore the facility and maintain its community programs.
Elias Rodriguez was indicted on federal hate crimes charges for fatally shooting two Israeli Embassy staff members outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C. The indictment, unsealed in federal court, includes nine counts, with a hate crime resulting in death among them. Special findings allow the Justice Department to consider the death penalty. Rodriguez remains in custody as the case proceeds.
President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to use military force against Latin American drug cartels designated as terrorist organizations. The directive targets cartels involved in drug trafficking, though specific operations or timelines remain undisclosed. The Pentagon has not provided details on the order’s implementation or scope. Military resources are expected to support existing law enforcement efforts, though no public details on troop deployment or targeted regions were released. The order reflects the administration’s prioritization of cartel activity as a national security concern.
IRS Commissioner Billy Long was fired after refusing to share confidential taxpayer information on suspected undocumented immigrants with the Department of Homeland Security. The dismissal occurred hours after his refusal, as reported by The Washington Post. Long’s tenure ended abruptly, with no replacement named. Long’s firing followed internal discussions about compliance with immigration enforcement directives.
President Donald Trump federalized law enforcement in Washington, D.C., through an executive order. The directive places local police operations under federal oversight, managed by the Department of Homeland Security. The order centralizes control to address crime concerns in the district. The federalization follows reports of rising crime rates in the city. The move grants federal authorities broader control over D.C.’s law enforcement activities.
A shooting at Fort Stewart, Georgia, killed five soldiers on the military base. The incident occurred in a restricted area. Military police and federal authorities are investigating the circumstances of the attack.
President Donald Trump announced Apple’s $100 billion commitment to U.S. manufacturing, aimed at expanding domestic production of iPhones and other products. The investment follows negotiations to avoid proposed tariffs on Apple’s flagship devices. The move supports the administration’s push for increased domestic manufacturing. Apple’s commitment includes plans to establish new production facilities in the U.S. The announcement reflects ongoing efforts to bolster U.S.-based technology manufacturing.
Israel
Israel’s war cabinet approved a plan for the Israel Defense Forces to take control of Gaza City. The decision followed a marathon meeting, with the IDF tasked to prepare for the operation while ensuring humanitarian aid delivery to civilians outside combat zones. The plan includes five principles: disarming Hamas, returning all hostages, demilitarizing Gaza, maintaining Israeli security control, and establishing a non-Hamas, non-Palestinian Authority civil administration. The operation targets Gaza City, a key area not yet under full Israeli control. No specific timeline for the takeover was disclosed.
A staggering 4,045 Jews visited the Temple Mount in Jerusalem to observe Tishah B’Av, according to the Beyadenu religious rights group. This figure represents a 37% increase from the previous year’s Tishah B’Av and is the highest recorded by the organization for the occasion. The Temple Mount is Judaism’s holiest site, and the visits marked a significant moment for religious observance on the Hebrew calendar’s saddest day. The event proceeded without reported incidents, reflecting growing participation in the annual commemoration. Beyadenu noted the record-breaking attendance as a milestone for religious access to the site.
Israel’s longest-running get refusal case concluded when a woman received her divorce after 20 years. Married in the U.S. in 1997, her husband repeatedly refused to grant a get, despite court orders and imprisonment. A deal, facilitated by his public defender, exchanged the get for a presidential pardon. Justice Minister Yariv Levin and President Isaac Herzog approved the agreement. The resolution ended the woman’s prolonged status as an agunah, unable to remarry under Jewish law. Levin described the outcome as a significant step in addressing a decades-long personal and legal ordeal.
The Israel Defense Forces’ new ultra-Orthodox Hasmonean Brigade completed its first combat training cycle. The cohort, after seven months of rigorous training, participated in a ceremonial march to the Kotel. Soldiers were awarded distinctive dark blue berets, marking their integration into the IDF. The brigade’s formation represents a historic inclusion of ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel’s military structure. The event at the Kotel was attended by military officials and community leaders, celebrating the soldiers’ achievement. The training focused on preparing the brigade for active combat roles.
The Israel Defense Forces eliminated Hassam Qassem Gharab, a Hezbollah operative responsible for directing rocket attacks from Syria targeting the Golan Heights. The elimination was part of ongoing efforts to counter Hezbollah’s operations along Israel’s northern border.
Israel’s Leviathan natural gas field secured a $35 billion export deal to supply natural gas to Egypt, marking the largest such agreement in the country’s history. The deal involves the Leviathan partners, including Chevron and NewMed Energy, and expands existing energy cooperation with Egypt. The agreement ensures a steady gas supply over an extended period, strengthening bilateral economic ties.
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Israel to strengthen the Arkansas-Israel partnership. The agreement, concluded on her final day in the country, focuses on enhancing spiritual, diplomatic, and economic ties. The signing ceremony involved Israeli and Arkansas officials, emphasizing mutual cooperation in trade, technology, and cultural exchange. Sanders described the bond as unbreakable. The memorandum formalizes existing collaborations and outlines future joint initiatives.
WORLD
A German investigation revealed that images of hungry Palestinian children holding empty pots, used to criticize Israel for Gaza’s food shortages, were likely staged as Hamas propaganda. Photographer Anas Zayed Fteiha, associated with Turkish state media and a pro-Palestinian group, allegedly captured selective scenes to highlight desperation while excluding images of food distribution. Experts state that Hamas controls all image production in southern Gaza to influence global opinion against Israel. The investigation prompted the German Press Agency and Agence France-Presse to sever ties with Fteiha. His photos had been published by major outlets, including CNN, BBC, and Reuters.
Greater Manchester Police are investigating a video showing two men spraying Orthodox Jewish children with water pistols from a passing car. The footage, shared online with traditional Jewish music, depicts the men targeting visibly Jewish individuals. Police confirmed the incident as a recorded crime and are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry. The video has drawn condemnation for its antisemitic nature. No arrests have been reported, and the investigation remains ongoing. Community leaders have called for increased protection for Jewish residents in the area.
El Al’s Paris offices were vandalized with graffiti reading “El Al genocide airline” on doors and walls. The incident, described by the airline as a severe anti-Israel act, occurred when the building was empty, with no harm to employees. El Al evacuated all personnel from Paris, and a foreign company now manages terminal operations. French authorities are investigating the vandalism, with no suspects identified.
The Nachlas Eliezer Synagogue in Odessa, Ukraine, built in 1898, was heavily damaged by a Russian suicide drone strike. The historic Jewish site, located in the Peresyp district, had been closed under Soviet rule in the 1920s. The attack was part of intensified Russian bombardments targeting the region this summer. No casualties were reported at the synagogue, but the structure sustained significant damage.
Australia’s Prime Minister announced that the country will recognize a Palestinian state, with the decision to be formalized at the UN General Assembly in September. The move follows discussions within the government to advance diplomatic recognition. The announcement aligns with Australia’s foreign policy shift toward supporting Palestinian statehood. The decision has drawn varied international responses.
Montreal police arrested a 24-year-old man in connection with the assault of a 32-year-old Jewish father at a splash pad in Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension. The incident occurred in the presence of the victim’s young children. Shomrim and Chaverim community groups were instrumental in identifying the suspect after a relative spotted him. The suspect was taken into custody and is being questioned. The case will be forwarded to the Crown prosecutor for potential charges.