NEW YORK NEWS
NYPD Officer Emilia Rennhack, 30, was among four people killed on Friday when an allegedly drunken driver, Steven Schwally, crashed his minivan into a Long Island nail salon.
Rennhack, who had stopped to get her nails done for a fellow officer’s wedding, was trapped inside the salon along with others. Schwally was reportedly driving aggressively and yelling before the accident. The crash, which also injured a 12-year-old girl and nine others, destroyed the salon’s facade. Rennhack, a six-year NYPD veteran recently married to Detective Carl Rennhack, had met her husband on the job. Carl is deeply grieving the loss of his wife, whom he described as his life.
The Landmarks Preservation Commission approved the creation of the Willoughby-Hart Historic District in Bedford-Stuyvesant, protecting two rows of brownstones from development. The decision, supported by local politicians and some residents, aims to preserve the area’s architectural and historical legacy amid rapid gentrification. However, many Orthodox Jewish residents oppose the designation, arguing it prevents them from expanding their homes to accommodate large families, effectively pushing them out. They view the move as antisemitic and claim it will lead to undue scrutiny, delays, and expenses, exacerbating the housing crisis. The district’s final approval awaits reviews by the City Planning Commission and the City Council.
Anas Saleh, a 24-year-old Staten Island resident, faced a judge on Monday after allegedly threatening passengers on a Manhattan subway by demanding “Zionists” raise their hands and causing at least one woman to leave the train in fear. During his arraignment on a coercion charge, Saleh hid behind supporters’ scarves and umbrellas. Prosecutors revealed new details of the June 10 incident at Union Square station, where Saleh’s actions and the group’s chants frightened passengers. Saleh’s attorney attempted to have the case dismissed, but Judge Michele Weber denied the request. Saleh was released on his own recognizance, ordered to stay away from the woman, and is due back in court on August 12. Saleh, who turned himself in after his photo circulated following the incident, previously worked at Weill Cornell Medicine, though his profile has since been removed from the institution’s website.
A 44-year-old man from Suffern, Rockland County, was arrested and charged with making a terroristic threat against the New Square community. The Ramapo police and the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force investigated social media posts that included a map highlighting certain neighborhoods with the caption “Zionists live here” and references to using guns. The suspect was released on an appearance ticket, but authorities did not disclose his name.
Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez has been sentenced to 45 years in prison and fined $8 million by a US judge for drug trafficking offenses. Despite denying the charges and claiming innocence at his sentencing, Hernandez was found guilty by a New York jury in March on three drug trafficking charges after a two-week trial. Extradited from Honduras in 2022 following charges filed by the US Department of Justice, Hernandez was accused of conspiring with drug cartels to move over 400 tons of cocaine through Honduras to the United States in exchange for millions in bribes, which he used to bolster his political career. Prosecutors revealed that Hernandez, during his presidency from 2014 to 2022, protected drug traffickers within his circle and manipulated extraditions to maintain power, with the Honduran National Police aiding in protecting cocaine shipments. US Attorney General Merrick Garland condemned Hernandez for exploiting his presidency to run Honduras as a narco-state, causing suffering in both Honduras and the US.
US NEWS
President Joe Biden’s family urged him to continue his 2024 re-election campaign during a weekend retreat at Camp David following a shaky debate performance against former President Donald Trump that caused concern among Democrats. Despite acknowledging his poor debate showing, Biden’s relatives, including his son Hunter, strongly opposed the idea of him dropping out, believing he is still fit to serve another term. Biden has been seeking advice from aides on how to proceed, with suggestions including holding a news conference or interviews to reassure the public. Concerns about Biden’s mental and cognitive health were highlighted in post-debate polling, where 72% of registered voters expressed doubts about his capability to serve as president. Amid pressure from donors and media to step aside, Biden’s campaign remains confident, as top adviser Ron Klain affirmed Biden’s intention to stay in the race.
In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court has overturned the 1984 Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council decision, significantly limiting the power of executive branch agencies to interpret ambiguous laws and impose additional regulations without clear congressional authorization. The 6-3 decision in the case of Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo concludes that courts should not defer to agency interpretations of ambiguous statutes. The plaintiffs, fishermen, contested a mandate from the National Marine Fisheries Service to pay federal inspectors’ salaries, arguing that no law supported this requirement. The Supreme Court’s ruling, which emphasizes the role of courts in resolving statutory ambiguities, returns legislative power to elected representatives and reduces the influence of unelected bureaucrats. This decision addresses long-standing concerns about the overreach of administrative agencies and reaffirms the judiciary’s role in interpreting the law.
The Supreme Court ruled that while Donald Trump’s presidential immunity protects him from prosecution for official acts, it does not shield him from charges related to unofficial conduct. In a 6-3 decision, the Court sent the case, which involves Trump allegedly trying to overturn the 2020 election results, back to a lower court for further review. The ruling emphasized that no president is above the law but is protected from prosecution for core constitutional duties. This decision, released at the end of the term, complicates the likelihood of a trial before the November election and may weaken the case due to a prior ruling on related charges. Chief Justice Roberts stated that evidence related to immune conduct could not be admitted at trial, while Justice Barrett partially disagreed with this restriction. The dissenting liberal justices, led by Justice Sotomayor, warned of the dangerous precedent this sets for presidential immunity. Trump hailed the decision as a victory for the Constitution, although the case now returns to Judge Tanya Chutkan to determine what constitutes official acts. The Supreme Court had previously denied a quick resolution request, leading to a postponed trial date initially set for March. This case is among several legal challenges Trump faces during his 2024 campaign.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed an amendment to the State Department appropriations bill, introduced by Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) and co-sponsored by four other representatives, which bars the department from using casualty figures from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry. The amendment passed with bipartisan support, despite opposition from some Democrats, including Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), who called it “genocide denial.” Moskowitz argued that Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, is not a credible source and uses propaganda. The amendment is now part of the State Department appropriations bill and must pass both the House and Senate and be signed by the president to become law.
House Republicans filed a federal lawsuit against Attorney General Merrick Garland, demanding the release of audio recordings from President Biden’s interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur, who investigated Biden’s handling of classified documents. The lawsuit, aimed at obtaining the recordings despite having access to transcripts, comes amid renewed scrutiny of Biden’s fitness for office following a poor debate performance against Donald Trump. Garland has resisted releasing the audio, arguing it could compromise future investigations and that the Republicans’ motives are politically driven. The House Judiciary Committee is seeking the recordings to further their impeachment inquiry, while Democrats accuse Republicans of attempting to use the recordings for campaign attacks. The Justice Department is reviewing the lawsuit, and a separate push to hold Garland in “inherent contempt” for non-compliance is also underway.
Travis County Attorney Delia Garza announced the dismissal of 79 criminal trespass cases from the April 29 anti-Israel protests at the University of Texas at Austin, citing the inability to meet the legal burden of proof required for conviction. Garza explained that a review of evidence revealed concerns over potential violations of free speech rights, leading to the decision. She emphasized that the dismissals only pertain to the trespass charges and not to other offenses, and noted that some related cases remain under review. The arrests occurred when university officials closed public areas due to fears of escalating protests.
Walgreens Boots Alliance will close up to 2,150 of its 8,600 U.S. stores over the next three years as part of a major restructuring effort to address declining profitability and changing consumer habits. CEO Tim Wentworth cited inflation and increased consumer price sensitivity as key factors impacting the business, while also acknowledging that the current pharmacy model is unsustainable. The closures will focus on the 25% of stores that are least profitable, though specific details are still being finalized. Despite these changes, the company does not anticipate large-scale layoffs, expecting most employees to be transferred to other locations. The announcement follows disappointing third-quarter earnings and a 22% drop in share value, reflecting broader challenges in the pharmacy industry, including low Medicaid reimbursement rates and competition from mass merchants.
Israel NEWS
Israel’s High Court of Justice ruled 9-0 that the government must draft ultra-Orthodox men into the military, declaring the current exemption scheme unconstitutional. The court found that there is no legal basis for exempting yeshivah students from military service, which has led to significant debates and tensions in Israeli politics. The ruling criticizes the government for undermining the rule of law by allowing the deferment of ultra-Orthodox enlistment. The decision coincides with ongoing legislative efforts to reform the conscription process, including a bill aimed at gradually increasing ultra-Orthodox military service and lowering the age of exemption. The ruling has sparked strong reactions from both ultra-Orthodox leaders, who view it as a threat to their way of life, and politicians, who see it as a step towards a fairer and more inclusive military service policy.
The U.S. military’s aid pier for Gaza has been removed due to weather conditions and may not be reinstalled unless aid distribution issues are resolved, U.S. officials said Friday. The pier, part of a $230 million initiative by President Joe Biden, has successfully delivered over 19 million pounds of food to Gaza but has faced setbacks from severe weather and security concerns. The U.N. paused aid distribution from the pier on June 9 after the Israeli military used the area for a rescue mission that resulted in significant casualties, leading to a U.N. security review. The Pentagon is currently assessing whether to reinstall the pier, depending on future conditions and the effectiveness of ongoing aid distribution efforts. Meanwhile, Palestinians face severe hunger due to ongoing conflict and restricted border crossings.
Liora Argamani, the mother of rescued Israeli hostage Noa Argamani, has died of brain cancer at the age of 61, just weeks after reuniting with her daughter. Liora, who had been battling stage 4 cancer for some time, was able to fulfill her dying wish to see and embrace Noa before she passed away. The Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center announced her death on Tuesday, noting that she spent her final days surrounded by Noa and close family.
A 70-year-old Israeli was attacked with rocks by Palestinians in the Kalandiya refugee camp in the West Bank after he entered the camp to refuel his car. The assault caused him to lose control of the vehicle and crash into a concrete barrier, resulting in minor injuries. The Israeli managed to escape the scene on foot and reached a nearby Israeli checkpoint for safety. The initial investigation found that he had entered the camp for fuel and was assaulted while attempting to leave.
WORLD NEWS
Turkish officials allegedly blocked an El Al flight from Warsaw to Tel Aviv from refueling or evacuating at Antalya International Airport after the plane made an emergency landing due to a medical emergency involving a passenger. Although the flight crew was initially granted permission to de-board and refuel, Turkish authorities later delayed the process and required additional permits, forcing the plane to divert to Greece’s Rhodes Airport to continue the journey. The status of the ill passenger remains unclear, and this incident occurs against the backdrop of canceled direct flights between Turkey and Israel since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
Canada imposed a second round of sanctions against what it called “perpetrators of extremist settler violence” in Judea and Samaria, targeting seven individuals and five entities accused of supporting violent acts by settlers against Palestinians. The move, which follows a previous round of sanctions in May, drew sharp criticism from Israeli officials who denounced it as a politically motivated attack on Israel and a form of antisemitism. Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly justified the sanctions by citing concerns over the impact of such violence on Palestinians and the peace process. The sanctions reflect broader international tensions over Israeli settlement activities, with the U.S. also sanctioning individuals and groups in the region. Israeli officials argue that the data shows a much higher number of Palestinian attacks against Israelis compared to settler violence.
Bolivian General Juan José Zúñiga was arrested for attempting a coup against President Luis Arce’s government after leading a military assault on the presidential palace in La Paz. Zúñiga, who was dismissed as army commander the day before, attempted to storm the palace with armored vehicles and soldiers but was ultimately subdued by Arce, who rallied public support to defend democracy. The attempted coup was driven by Zúñiga’s claims of economic mismanagement and a desire to restore democracy, though Arce’s government and international leaders condemned the act. The incident underscores Bolivia’s ongoing political instability amid economic turmoil and a contentious political climate marked by upcoming elections and former president Evo Morales’s potential bid for reelection.
Following a dramatic first round of parliamentary elections on June 30, which saw Marine Le Pen’s National Rally Alliance emerge as the frontrunner with 34% of the vote, massive protests erupted across France. President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist Ensemble Coalition finished third with 20%, a significant drop from 2022, while the far-left parties secured 28.1% of the vote. In response to the election results, thousands of left-wing protesters, including socialists, communists, and pro-Palestinians, gathered in Paris’ Place de la République and other cities like Strasbourg, Lyon, Nantes, and Lille. Demonstrators, who were seen waving a variety of flags but not the French flag, clashed with police, leading to riots and fireworks being directed at officers. The unrest highlights deep divisions in French politics as National Rally’s potential for a parliamentary majority looms and tensions rise ahead of the decisive second round of voting.
