New York
Lawyers for Donald Trump filed an appeal seeking to dismiss or reduce the $454 million judgment from a New York civil fraud case. The judgment, delivered by Justice Arthur F. Engoron, found Trump guilty of inflating his net worth and property values to secure better loan terms. The suit was initiated by Attorney General Letitia James, who emphasized that no one is above the law.
Trump's appeal argues that some deals cited by James were beyond the statute of limitations, and that the judgment amount was excessive and miscalculated. The appeal also claims no harm resulted from Trump's actions, portraying them as standard business practices. James’s office maintains confidence in their victory. The appeal is part of Trump’s ongoing legal battles, including recent convictions and other pending cases.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell appointed Rabbi Meir Soloveichik of Congregation Shearith Israel in Manhattan to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. Rabbi Soloveichik, who holds a doctorate in religion from Princeton University and directs Yeshiva University's Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought, is expected to significantly benefit the commission with his extensive knowledge on religious freedom issues, according to Eric Ueland, the commission's vice chair.
Nikolay Levinson of Palisades Park, N.J., was sentenced to 26 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for sending over 40 threatening messages, including to synagogues. The 41-year-old's messages contained racist, antisemitic, and anti-Muslim threats, intended to instill fear in the community, according to Damian Williams, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York. Levinson, who included racial epithets and Nazi imagery in his letters, targeted businesses, schools, synagogues, and individuals. A former Maryland corrections officer, Levinson has a history of sending similar hateful letters in 2017 and 2014.
Allen Weisselberg, the former CFO of the Trump Organization, was released from New York City's Rikers Island jail after serving 100 days of a five-month sentence for perjury in former President Donald Trump's civil fraud case. Weisselberg had pleaded guilty to lying under oath during his 2023 trial about the valuation of Trump's Fifth Avenue triplex apartment. Prosecutors revealed he falsely stated the apartment was 30,000 square feet instead of its actual size of less than 11,000 square feet. This is Weisselberg's second stint at Rikers; he previously served 100 days in 2022 after pleading guilty to 15 state crimes related to a tax evasion scheme. His attorney, Seth Rosenberg, confirmed Weisselberg's release and reunion with his family.
Sotheby’s auctioned a highly complete stegosaurus fossil for a record $44.6 million, surpassing the previous record held by a T. rex fossil. Named Apex for its exceptional quality, the fossil sparked a 15-minute bidding war among seven international bidders. Kenneth Griffin, a hedge fund billionaire known for supporting dinosaur exhibits, was the winning bidder and intends to loan the specimen to a U.S. institution. The sale reflects a booming market for prehistoric specimens, worrying paleontologists who fear that skyrocketing prices may hinder scientific research. Discovered in 2022 near Dinosaur, Colorado, Apex is notable for its completeness, containing 254 of its 319 fossil bone elements. Despite the high price, some scientists, like Jim Kirkland and Jingmai O’Connor, express skepticism about its scientific value compared to the potential research advancements such funds could support.
USA
President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he will not seek reelection in November, responding to pressure from high-ranking Democrats and media figures who doubt his ability to defeat former President Donald Trump. In his public letter, Biden stated that while he intended to run, stepping down is in the best interest of his party and the country. This decision follows a disastrous debate performance in June, which raised concerns about his fitness for office. Biden's stance shifted after discussions with advisors and following a CNN report suggesting his openness to the idea. He cited a need for more rest and a lighter schedule as reasons for his withdrawal. The decision also comes amid internal White House turmoil, with Hunter Biden reportedly exerting greater control over the president's schedule. Concerns about Biden's health, including a potential Parkinson's disease diagnosis, have further fueled the decision. Biden's aides have aggressively defended his capabilities, though he has faced increasing pressure to step aside.
Vice President Kamala Harris has secured enough delegates to become the Democratic Party's presidential nominee, with the delegates set to cast their votes next month. Harris, who dropped out of the 2020 presidential race before voting began, now has the backing of over 1,976 delegates needed for the nomination. Harris also raised nearly a quarter of a billion dollars after announcing her presidential campaign following President Joe Biden's withdrawal. Her campaign garnered $81 million through ActBlue within 24 hours, supported by over 880,000 donors, including 43,000 who pledged recurring donations. Additionally, big money donors contributed $150 million to Future Forward, a super PAC endorsed by Biden, which already had over $120 million. This influx of funds is expected to bolster efforts to elect Harris, with major donors now more willing to contribute following Biden's exit. Harris launched her campaign immediately following Biden's announcement and has vowed to unite the Democratic Party. Biden, while continuing his duties as president, has pledged to campaign for Harris amid ongoing concerns about his mental fitness.
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned on Tuesday amidst backlash over the security breach that led to the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. This decision followed her testimony before the House Oversight Committee, where she acknowledged the Secret Service's failure in protecting Trump during the incident at his campaign rally in Pennsylvania. During the rally, a bullet grazed Trump's right ear, one person was killed, and two others were injured before a Secret Service sniper neutralized the shooter. Both Democrats and Republicans had called for Cheatle's resignation following the security lapse.
A massive global technical outage grounded flights from major airlines like Delta, American, and United, and disrupted various industries worldwide. The incident, linked to a faulty update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, caused widespread computer failures and was not due to a cyberattack but a software bug affecting Microsoft Windows systems. The outage had a significant impact on businesses ranging from airlines to banks and healthcare organizations, highlighting vulnerabilities in our dependence on IT and software systems. Microsoft and CrowdStrike are working to restore affected systems and address the issue.
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a Texas Congresswoman renowned for her advocacy on racial justice, criminal justice reform, and human rights, passed away after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Her family announced her death on Friday through her official X account, highlighting her 30 years of dedicated service and significant legislative achievements, including the establishment of Juneteenth as a federal holiday and the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. Tributes from colleagues, including Rep. Wesley Hunt, praised her bipartisan efforts and enduring legacy. Lee had revealed her diagnosis just over a month before her death.
Hunter Biden's legal team requested federal judges to dismiss tax and gun cases against him, citing a recent ruling by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon in Florida that dismissed former President Donald Trump's classified documents case. Cannon had ruled that the special counsel's appointment, which led to Trump's prosecution, was unconstitutional because it wasn't nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. Hunter Biden’s lawyers argue that the same logic should apply to his cases, which involve a tax prosecution in Los Angeles and a firearm case in Delaware. They claim both special counsels' appointments, including that of David Weiss for Biden’s cases, violate constitutional requirements. Despite previous unsuccessful attempts, Biden’s team believes the recent legal developments warrant reconsideration.
Lou Dobbs, a prominent cable news host known for his long tenure on CNN and Fox Business Channel, died on Wednesday at the age of 78. His official X account released a tribute, highlighting his dedication to G-d, family, and country. Former President Donald Trump and various colleagues, including Jeff Clark, Trish Regan, Bill O'Reilly, and Sean Davis, praised Dobbs for his insightful journalism and patriotism. Dobbs was celebrated for his impactful career, particularly his role as host of "Lou Dobbs Tonight," and his ability to challenge traditional economic theories. His passing prompted an outpouring of condolences and reflections on his legacy in the media industry.
Amazon reported record sales for Prime Day this week, with Prime members purchasing more items than ever. The event, which ended just before midnight Pacific Standard Time on Thursday, saw "millions" of new Prime memberships. While Amazon did not disclose earnings, Adobe Analytics reported a significant increase in consumer spending, reaching $14.2 billion during the two-day event—an 11% rise from last year. This increase was partly driven by back-to-school shopping, with notable spikes in purchases of backpacks, lunchboxes, and electronics. Despite overall consumer prices declining, spending has been fueled by new demand rather than inflation.
Israel
The Knesset voted overwhelmingly to reject the establishment of a Palestinian state, with 68 lawmakers in favor and 9 against. The resolution, co-sponsored by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition, right-wing opposition parties, and Benny Gantz's centrist National Unity party, opposes the creation of a Palestinian state even as part of a negotiated settlement. Only the Arab-majority Ra’am and Hadash-Ta’al parties opposed the measure, while members of the center-left Yesh Atid and Labor parties abstained to avoid supporting it. The timing of the resolution, shortly before Netanyahu’s visit to the US for talks with President Biden and a joint session of Congress, is expected to further strain relations with American Democrats who support a two-state solution. The Knesset's resolution cites concerns that a Palestinian state could become a base for radical Islamic terrorism and destabilize the region.
Israeli Air Force jets struck Houthi targets in Yemen, targeting military and dual-use infrastructure in the port city of Hodeidah. This retaliation followed a deadly drone attack by the Iran-backed Houthis on Tel Aviv the previous day, which killed an Israeli citizen and injured several others. The Houthis claimed responsibility, using an Iranian-made Samad-3 drone, while Israel's Defense Forces confirmed the attack involved advanced technology. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the strikes were a direct response to the Houthis’ aggression and part of Israel's broader struggle against Iran and its proxies. The attacks in Yemen were seen as a demonstration of Israel’s reach and resolve against threats, with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warning that any attack on Israeli citizens would be met with severe retaliation.
A 13-year-old boy, Yair Whiteson, discovered a nearly 1,800-year-old bronze ring while hiking with his father near an ancient quarry on Mount Carmel. The ring, which depicts Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and battle, was initially mistaken by Yair for a rusty bolt. Upon closer inspection at home, he realized it was a ring engraved with Minerva wielding a spear and shield. The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) confirmed its historical significance, suggesting it may have belonged to a Roman inhabitant or been used as a burial offering. The ring will be displayed at Jerusalem’s Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel. Yair was commended for his discovery and given a private tour of the museum.
World
Palestinian factions including Hamas and Fatah signed a reconciliation agreement facilitated by China, aiming to unify Palestinian governance and recognize the PLO as the sole legitimate representative of Palestinians. The deal, which comes amid ongoing conflict with Israel, involves forming a provisional national reconciliation government, but the role of Hamas, not part of the PLO, remains unclear. This agreement follows a history of failed reconciliation efforts and reflects China's growing role as a mediator in Middle Eastern affairs, coinciding with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the US.
Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal journalist, was found guilty of espionage by a Russian court and sentenced to 16 years in prison, a verdict denounced by the US government, his newspaper, and journalist advocates as unjust. Gershkovich, arrested in March 2023 in Yekaterinburg, was accused of spying for the CIA, a claim for which Russia has not provided public evidence. The swift trial has raised speculation that Russia might be using Gershkovich as leverage in potential prisoner swap negotiations with the US. The US has labeled him a wrongful detainee and continues to press for his release. Gershkovich's case, amid heightened geopolitical tensions, echoes the broader use of detained foreigners as bargaining chips in international diplomacy.
Russia and Ukraine completed a significant prisoner exchange involving 190 individuals, facilitated by negotiations mediated by the United Arab Emirates. This marked their third exchange in seven weeks. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed that all 95 Ukrainians released were military personnel. The Ukrainian Coordinating Committee reported that Kyiv has secured the return of 3,405 individuals from Russian captivity since the February 2022 invasion. The freed Ukrainian soldiers, many of whom had been held since 2022, included those captured during the defense of Mariupol. The returning soldiers are set to receive medical and psychological care for the hardships endured.
