New York
New York City’s Rent Guidelines Board voted to freeze rents for approximately 1 million rent-stabilized apartments, delivering a major political victory for Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
The action fulfills a central campaign promise to hold the line on housing costs for tenants. The freeze affects about 2 million New Yorkers living in rent-stabilized housing and applies to one- and two-year lease renewals that begin between Oct. 1, 2026, and Sept. 30, 2027. Renewals beginning before Oct. 1 remain subject to existing guidelines. Hours before the vote, Rent Guidelines Board member Christina Smyth, who represented landlords, resigned and sharply criticized the process, writing in her resignation letter, “This rebuilt board was required to deliver a rent freeze. Everything since has been theater.” Her resignation came amid intense political pressure on the board to approve the rent freeze pushed by Mamdani.
The Mamdani administration has released proposed enforcement rules for New York City’s new tax on luxury second homes, with the first eligibility notices scheduled to be mailed by August 30. The tax targets non-primary residences, including one- to three-family homes valued at $5 million or more and co-ops and condos worth at least $1 million. The Department of Finance will have authority to audit records going back six years and impose penalties of up to 50 percent of the tax owed for false or misleading information provided to avoid the surcharge. The measure is expected to generate significant revenue from high-value properties while aiming to address housing affordability concerns in the city. Property owners will have opportunities to appeal assessments before final tax bills are issued. The rules are subject to public comment before final adoption.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Council Speaker Julie Menin reached a handshake agreement on the city’s roughly $125 billion budget ahead of the deadline, ending a standoff over housing and rental assistance funding. The deal followed tense negotiations over the CityFHEPS rental assistance program and related housing support. The final agreement includes expanded assistance for New Yorkers at risk of eviction, while also avoiding a previously discussed expansion of NYPD headcount.
Nassau County has launched a $1 million Drone First Responder program designed to speed emergency response times. The fleet, stationed at eight automated docking locations across the county, can be dispatched as soon as a 911 call is received, often arriving before police officers. Equipped with cameras and thermal imaging, the drones can travel up to 40 mph and provide real-time intelligence to responding officers. Officials said some locations can be reached in under a minute. The initiative is part of broader efforts to leverage technology for public safety and improve outcomes in critical situations. County Executive Bruce Blakeman has championed the program as a cost-effective way to enhance law enforcement capabilities. The drones will assist in a range of emergencies, including searches, traffic accidents, and active incidents.
A JetBlue Airways pilot reported hitting a drone as the flight was on approach for landing at JFK Airport on Monday morning. The plane, which was coming from Las Vegas, landed safely without incident. Both JetBlue and the Federal Aviation Administration said no damage or evidence of a collision was found during post-flight inspections. The agency noted in its statement that it will investigate the incident.
US
A Jewish woman has alleged that Boston Medical Center retaliated against her after she reported a colleague’s anti-Israel desk displays. The Israeli Jew, a permanent U.S. resident who was a clinical intern at the center from May to September 2025, complained about posters stating “they killed our babies” and “they stole our lands,” according to a complaint filed by the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday. The complaint accuses the medical center of anti-Israel bias and subsequent retaliation, violating Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act. The intern received overwhelmingly positive feedback on patient care but a negative final evaluation that blamed her for the ostracization she experienced.
California State Senator Scott Wiener, who is Jewish and running to succeed retiring Rep. Nancy Pelosi, was harassed at an event in San Francisco on Friday. Protesters told him he did not belong there and directed vulgar insults at him due to his policy on Gaza. Video of the incident circulated widely on social media. One person yelled, “You stopped being queer the moment you started supporting Israel.” Wiener had previously accused Israel of “genocide” in Gaza and stepped down as co-chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus. Despite that stance, he faced harassment from protesters.
Democrats in 25 states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over new Medicaid work requirements. They argue that strict rules released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will prevent eligible Americans from accessing needed care. They claim an interim final rule issued earlier this month oversteps the text of legislation passed last summer that authorized the changes. The work requirements aim to encourage employment among able-bodied adults while preserving the program for those truly in need. The Trump administration has defended the policy as a commonsense reform to promote self-sufficiency and reduce dependency on government assistance.
Israel’s government approved a national plan to expand Jewish education in Diaspora communities, with a focus on North America. The initiative, led jointly by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Minister Amichai Chikli, aims to increase access to formal Jewish education, strengthen Jewish identity, and deepen ties to Israel among younger generations. Investment in the initiative is expected to reach 200 million shekels. Roughly 1.8 million Jewish school-aged children live in the United States, but only a small percentage attend Jewish educational institutions. The plan seeks to address barriers including high tuition costs, limited geographic access, and insufficient resources for students with learning disabilities, while also promoting educational standards and digital learning tools.
Comedy legend Mel Brooks celebrated his 100th birthday as he prepares to release the long-awaited sequel to his 1987 movie Spaceballs, Spaceballs: The New One. Born Melvin James Kaminsky in Brooklyn on June 28, 1926, Brooks decided at age 9 that he was going into show business. He served as a combat engineer in the U.S. Army during World War II. Brooks’ career includes iconic films such as The Producers, Young Frankenstein, and Blazing Saddles. Actor Josh Gad, who produced the sequel with Brooks, said, “There is nothing he hasn’t won, nothing he hasn’t achieved, nothing he hasn’t proven, and yet at 100, he continues to surprise and thrill us.” StandWithUs noted that Brooks “built a career where his Jewish identity and humor were inseparable.”
The Texas State Board of Education voted to adopt revised K-12 English language arts standards that include required readings from the Bible. The draft text lists passages such as Eichah 3, David and Goliath, Yonah and the Whale, Tehillim 23, and Migdal Bavel, along with excerpts from Koheles and Iyov. The standards, adopted under a 2023 state law, also include works like “Beyond Courage: The Untold Story of Jewish Resistance During the Holocaust” by Doreen Rappaport, “The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank, “Night” by Elie Wiesel, and George Washington’s letter to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport. The standards will take effect in the 2030-31 school year.
U.S. Supreme Court Decisions
The U.S. Supreme Court has permanently blocked President Trump’s executive order seeking to restrict birthright citizenship, dealing a significant blow to his immigration agenda. In a landmark 6-3 ruling authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, the Court held that children born in the United States to parents unlawfully or temporarily present are “subject to the jurisdiction” of the United States and are citizens at birth under the Fourteenth Amendment’s Citizenship Clause. Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch dissented. Trump had signed the order on his first day back in office, arguing that children of illegal immigrants or temporary visa holders are not entitled to automatic citizenship. The administration has vowed to pursue alternative measures to address the issue.
The Supreme Court has ruled that the Trump administration can end Temporary Protected Status for thousands of Haitian and Syrian nationals. The decision allows the administration to move forward with terminating their temporary legal protections in the United States. TPS had provided work authorization and deportation relief to individuals from countries facing ongoing crises. Critics of TPS have long argued that the program was never intended to become a permanent pathway and that many recipients no longer meet the original criteria for protection. The administration has indicated it will begin the process of ending TPS designations for these groups.
The Supreme Court has cleared the way for the Trump administration to potentially revive a border policy that limited the number of migrants who could apply for asylum each day at the U.S.-Mexico border. The justices overturned a lower court ruling that had blocked the practice, which was used during the Obama administration and President Trump’s first term. While the policy is not currently in effect, the decision allows the administration to reinstate it if it chooses.
The Supreme Court has struck down a Hawaii law in a 6-3 ruling that barred people with concealed-carry permits from bringing firearms onto private property open to the public, such as stores, restaurants, hotels, malls, and gas stations, unless the property owner gave explicit permission. The Court ruled that Hawaii’s “default ban” violates the Second Amendment. The law had required gun owners to obtain verbal consent or see a posted sign allowing firearms before carrying on such properties. The decision affirms the constitutional right to bear arms in public spaces and limits states’ ability to impose broad restrictions on lawful carry.
Israel
Israeli, U.S., and Lebanese representatives have signed a framework agreement aimed at establishing long-term security arrangements along the Israel-Lebanon border. The deal, facilitated by American diplomacy, seeks to address Israeli security concerns regarding Hezbollah’s presence in southern Lebanon and to establish a process for dismantling Hezbollah’s military infrastructure. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that the framework protects Israel’s northern communities and maintains the ability to respond to threats. However, Hezbollah was not a party to the agreement and quickly rejected the framework, leaving its implementation uncertain. Details of the implementation timeline and verification mechanisms are expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.
The Jewish Agency for Israel announced a major initiative to build up to 1,000 new housing units in communities across the western Negev. The project aims to rebuild areas devastated by the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack and support long-term recovery and growth in the region. Officials launched the effort during a cornerstone-laying ceremony at Kibbutz Ein HaShlosha, one of the communities targeted during the assault.
A Jerusalem rabbinical court approved the formal return to Judaism of three minors after their Muslim father gave his consent during a video hearing from prison. The children’s Jewish mother had previously completed her own return to Judaism after ending her marriage. According to those involved in the case, the children wished to undergo the same process, but their father’s consent was required because they are minors. The family has received assistance from Yad L’Achim, which said the ruling marks a significant milestone for the children and their mother as they begin a new chapter.
Israel’s government is seeking a three-month freeze on arrests of charedi yeshiva students who evade military service, arguing that the policy has failed to boost enlistment rates and is instead worsening tensions with the charedi community. Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs warned that continued arrests could deepen divisions within Israeli society and said the pause would apply only to verified Torah students. Defense Minister Israel Katz is expected to support the proposal. The move comes amid ongoing debates over the long-standing exemption for charedi men from mandatory military service. Critics of the exemptions have argued that the charedi community must share the burden of national defense, particularly as Israel faces multiple security threats.
The 16-kilometer underground tunnel complex in which Lt. Hadar Goldin’s remains were held has been sealed by Israeli forces using more than 30,000 cubic meters of concrete. The tunnel, located near the Philadelphi Corridor, served as a Hamas terrorist command-and-control center and included approximately 80 living quarters. It ran beneath a residential neighborhood, mosques, kindergartens, clinics, a school, and a UNRWA clinic. Goldin was killed in battle and abducted by Hamas on August 1, 2014, during Operation Protective Edge. His remains were returned to Israel for burial in November 2025. The sealing operation marks the end of a major engineering effort to neutralize a significant Hamas infrastructure asset.
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has secured the largest contract in its history as Romania advances with a more than €2 billion air defense program. The initial agreement is for Rafael’s SPYDER air defense system, which will provide the NATO member bordering Ukraine with enhanced protection against drones, cruise missiles, and other low-flying threats. Romanian officials highlighted the system’s proven effectiveness in real-world conflicts. The partnership strengthens bilateral ties between Israel and Romania and bolsters NATO’s eastern flank defenses.
World
A strong aftershock shook northern Venezuela days after last week’s devastating twin earthquakes, adding to the fear and destruction in the region. the death toll has risen to 1,719, with 5,034 people injured and 15,866 displaced. Hundreds of aftershocks have been recorded since the initial quakes, and 855 buildings have been damaged — including 189 that collapsed. The government is continuing rescue and recovery efforts in the hardest-hit areas. The situation remains fluid as aftershocks continue to affect the region.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow is facing criticism after a video circulated online showing her saying “Free Palestine” during a city’s parade. The remark drew sharp backlash from several Jewish community advocates. Critics said the mayor’s words contribute to a hostile environment for the city’s Jewish community, particularly following the October 7 Hamas attack and subsequent global tensions. Chow has been a vocal supporter of pro-Palestinian causes during her tenure.
A ceremonial Chair of Eliyahu believed to have been stolen from a historic synagogue in Damascus’ Old City has been recovered. The chair was located after residents of Damascus’ historic Jewish Quarter helped facilitate its return to the synagogue. The recovery marks a positive development for the small remaining Jewish community in Syria, which has faced severe challenges and decline in recent decades.
Flávio Bolsonaro, a Brazilian presidential candidate and son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, said that if elected, he would restore Brazil’s ambassador to Israel and relocate the country’s embassy to Jerusalem. The statement signals a potential return to the pro-Israel policies of his father’s administration. Flávio emphasized the importance of strong bilateral ties with the Jewish state, citing shared values and strategic interests. During Jair Bolsonaro’s presidency, Brazil took steps to strengthen relations with Israel, including moving toward embassy relocation. The current left-wing government under President Lula da Silva has adopted a more critical stance toward Israel.
Taiwan’s first Jewish cemetery has opened with the burial of a 73-year-old Israeli man, marking the first time a Jewish funeral has been held at a dedicated Jewish cemetery in the island’s history. The man, who had lived in Taiwan, was laid to rest this week in a ceremony attended by relatives who traveled from Israel and other countries. Until now, Jews who died in Taiwan were typically transported to Jewish cemeteries in other countries for burial. The establishment of the cemetery reflects the small but growing Jewish community in Taiwan and provides a long-sought local option for religious observance.
sNiPPeEtS oF StRaNgE
A California man learned the hardest possible lesson about cost-benefit analysis when he reached into a vault toilet to rescue his sunglasses and fell straight in. Rescuers were summoned to the plumbing-free facility, which officials gently described as essentially a glorified porta potty. After roughly 15 minutes marinating in the tank, deputies and firefighters hauled him out and immediately ushered him into a decontamination process. Miraculously, he walked away unharmed, if forever changed. Authorities offered the timeless wisdom that if you drop something in there, you should consider it gone — sunglasses included.
Montana Highway Patrol made what may be its most photogenic traffic stop ever after pulling over a giant car shaped like a banana on Interstate 90. Officers cheerfully noted they’ve stopped speeders and oddballs before, but a rolling piece of fruit was a fresh experience. Their announcement leaned hard into the pun, reminding the public that traffic laws apply even to produce. The banana’s driver and creator, for his part, took it in stride. He admitted that during his first several years on the road, he was quite possibly the most pulled-over man in America.
A determined skateboarder rolled across the entire United States in just 39 days, conquering more than 3,000 miles from a California beach to a Florida one. Averaging a frankly absurd 72 miles a day, he was chasing — and crushing — his own previous coast-to-coast record. Beyond the trophy hunt, the trip doubled as a celebration of ten years of sobriety, with skateboarding being the thing that kept him grounded through the years. He credits the board for keeping him out of trouble his whole life, even after an injury once sidelined him. His cross-country grind also raised money for a charity encouraging kids to stay active and steer clear of drugs and alcohol.