New York News
Vincent Sumpter, 22, has been charged with multiple hate crimes and ordered held on $100,000 bail after allegedly stabbing a Jewish man, Yechiel Dabrowskin, near the Chabad Headquarters in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.
Sumpter, who reportedly shouted “Free Palestine!” and antisemitic slurs before the attack, faces charges including second- and third-degree assault and menacing, with four of the charges designated as hate crimes. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from officials and community leaders, emphasizing the rise in antisemitic hate crimes in New York City.
Patrick Dai, a former Cornell University student, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for posting online threats to stab, rape, and behead Jewish people shortly after the Gaza war began. Dai, who pleaded guilty to using interstate communications to threaten violence, will also serve three years of supervised release. His threats, posted under the name “hamas,” terrorized the Cornell community and led to a brief campus shutdown. Despite his lawyer’s argument that his actions were influenced by autism and mental health issues, the judge determined that his conduct constituted a hate crime that significantly disrupted campus life.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has appointed Robert S. Tucker as the new Fire Department commissioner, replacing Laura Kavanagh, who recently resigned after less than two years in the role. Tucker, who has deep ties to the FDNY and law enforcement but no firefighting experience, will oversee 17,000 employees. His appointment comes after Kavanagh faced resistance from top chiefs, including lawsuits alleging unfair demotions and age discrimination. Despite Tucker’s non-firefighter background, his selection was welcomed by the firefighters’ union and former commissioners, who praised his long-standing involvement with the department and understanding of its operations.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s independent presidential campaign encountered a significant setback when a New York judge ruled that his petition to appear on the state’s ballot was invalid, citing the use of a “sham” address to maintain his residency. The ruling, if upheld, could prevent Kennedy from appearing on the New York ballot and jeopardize his eligibility in other states, as his campaign used the same address on petitions elsewhere. Kennedy, who has three days to appeal, criticized the decision as an undemocratic move by the Democrats, while his campaign plans to file a lawsuit in federal court. The ruling highlights potential vulnerabilities in Kennedy’s campaign strategy, particularly his reliance on disputed residency claims to secure ballot access.
Kevindale Nurse, a 36-year-old Brooklyn resident, has been arrested and charged with arson after allegedly throwing a lit firework into a Verizon utility truck during a road rage incident, injuring two workers and causing significant damage. The incident, captured on surveillance video, occurred on January 31 while Nurse was driving a “dollar van” with his 4-year-old son. The workers sustained injuries including hearing loss, and Nurse, who has prior felony convictions, faces a mandatory minimum of 7 years in prison if convicted. He pleaded not guilty and is currently detained.
New York City police officer Omar Habib, 40, faces criminal charges for allegedly using a prohibited chokehold during an arrest in July 2023, which caused a man to pass out. The charges, including strangulation and criminal obstruction of breathing, are based on a 2020 law enacted in response to George Floyd’s death, banning such restraints. Habib, who has been suspended without pay, has a history of misconduct, including a previous incident involving a chokehold in 2017. His attorney maintains that he will be vindicated, while this marks the first prosecution under the Bronx’s chokehold law.
US NEWS
Elon Musk’s conversation with former President Donald Trump on Monday evening garnered nearly 1 billion views on X (formerly Twitter). The two-hour discussion covered topics including an assassination attempt on Trump, immigration, government waste, and critiques of President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. The live stream attracted over a million listeners at any given time, and the conversation, along with subsequent discussions, generated significant online engagement. Musk praised Trump’s bravery during the assassination attempt, which he cited as a reason for publicly endorsing Trump. Trump also criticized Harris and questioned the current administration’s capability to handle similar interviews.
A campaign office for former President Donald Trump in Ashburn, Virginia, was broken into on Sunday, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO). The office serves as the headquarters for the Virginia 10th District Republican Committee and is leased by the Trump campaign. Surveillance footage shows the suspect, a white adult male wearing a dark hat and backpack, entering the building. The LCSO is investigating the burglary to determine what was taken and the motive behind the break-in. The investigation is ongoing, with no clear information yet on what, if anything, was stolen.
A 5.2-magnitude earthquake near Bakersfield earlier this week has triggered more than 400 aftershocks, mostly minor, within a 10-mile radius. The quake, felt across Southern California, is considered a “mainshock,” with the subsequent tremors identified as aftershocks due to the typically low seismic activity in the region. Seismologist John Vidale noted that aftershocks usually decrease over time, though this sequence has been particularly active. The quake’s proximity to a historic 7.2-magnitude quake from 1952 has been noted, but the two events are not believed to be related to the same fault line.
Lieutenant Colonel John Kolb has publicly criticized Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, accusing him of “stolen valor” and misrepresenting his military service. Kolb, the former battalion commander for the unit Walz was accused of abandoning before deployment to Iraq, condemned Walz for not completing his enlistment contract, failing to finish the Sergeants Major Academy, and not fulfilling his duties as a Sergeant Major. Kolb praised Command Sergeant Major Thomas Behrends for his leadership and sacrifice, contrasting it with Walz’s early retirement and departure from active duty, which Kolb sees as a betrayal of military values and an affront to the Noncommissioned Officer Corps.
Brent Wood, 35, from Toledo, Ohio, has been charged with a federal hate crime for allegedly attacking Jews outside the Kesher Israel Orthodox synagogue in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. Wood faces three counts of obstructing the free exercise of religious beliefs with a dangerous weapon, including yelling “Gas the Jews” and spraying a noxious aerosol at congregants on December 17. He could face up to 60 years in prison for these charges and is currently a fugitive in a separate assault case. The indictment underscores the U.S. government’s stance against rising antisemitism and threats to religious communities.
Amin Betuni from Palos Hills, Illinois, pleaded guilty to illegally exporting firearm parts to Israel in 2022, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois. Betuni admitted to shipping rifle barrels, gas blocks, and bolt carrier groups on at least three occasions while falsifying shipping labels and disguising the parts in packages labeled as auto parts or George Foreman grills. These parts were subject to federal export controls, requiring a license from the Department of Commerce, which Betuni did not obtain. During a December 2022 search of his home, authorities found over 1,200 rounds of ammunition, several firearms, and firearm conversion devices. Betuni faces up to 10 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for November 6.
The release of Disney’s live-action “Snow White” trailer has sparked an antisemitic backlash against Israeli actress Gal Gadot, who stars as the Evil Queen. Pro-Palestinian critics have lambasted Gadot due to her Israeli heritage and military service, with many calling for a boycott of the film. Comments on social media include, “Remember, this movie stars the proud Zionist and former IDF soldier Gal Gadot. Don’t watch or support it,” and, “The Zionist soldier baby-killer Gal Gadot is the perfect casting for the Evil Queen.” Others have disparaged Gadot with remarks like, “Gal Gadot in the new ‘Snow White’ coming in 2025? No thanks. The movie is ruined before I’ve even seen it.” Despite significant praise from Israeli and Jewish fans, the backlash reflects broader tensions, with critics accusing Gadot of embodying the same traits they claim her counterparts in Israel apply to Palestinians.
Israel NEWS
Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz announced that Israel is canceling the diplomatic status of Norway’s representatives to the Palestinian Authority. This decision follows Norway’s recognition of a Palestinian state and its involvement in a lawsuit against Israel at the International Criminal Court, alongside South Africa. Katz criticized Norway for supporting Palestinian statehood and joining the lawsuit, stating that such actions would have consequences. The eight Norwegian diplomats in question will have their entry permits revoked within seven days and must decide whether to stay in Tel Aviv or return to Norway.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that it is investigating claims by Hamas that a hostage was executed and two others seriously wounded in Gaza. Hamas spokesperson Abu Obeida alleged that two Hamas guards shot an Israeli male captive, killing him, and critically injured two female hostages in separate incidents. The statement blamed these actions on Israeli attacks against Palestinians. The IDF has not yet verified these claims but is actively examining them. Hamas kidnapped 251 people during its October 7 attack on southern Israel, with 111 hostages still believed to be in Gaza. The IDF confirmed that 39 of these hostages are deceased. IDF Spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari emphasized that efforts to secure the return of the hostages remain a top priority.
Hamas launched two M-90 rockets from Gaza towards Tel Aviv, marking the first rocket attack on the city since May. One rocket fell into the Mediterranean Sea off the central coast of Israel, while the other landed within the Gaza Strip. The rockets did not trigger any air raid sirens as they were not on trajectory to hit populated areas. The Iron Dome system intercepted several rockets from Hamas in May, causing explosions across Tel Aviv and nearby cities, and forcing residents into shelters. Prior to this, rockets from Hamas last targeted Tel Aviv on January 1, leading to widespread sheltering across the city.
Despite Prime Minister’s office denial, Public Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s recent statement supporting Jewish worship on Temple Mount led to nearly 3,000 worshipers ascending the site on Tisha B’Av. For the first time, many openly prostrated during prayers. Ben-Gvir, present during the event, highlighted the shift in governance and sovereignty, claiming progress in allowing Jewish prayer at the site. This stance was condemned by the Prime Minister’s office, which affirmed that the status quo remains unchanged. Additionally, the forum of families of hostages criticized Ben-Gvir for his actions, accusing him of undermining efforts to secure the hostages’ return.
The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced on Tuesday the discovery of ancient Jewish kitchen artifacts dating back to the Biblical Second Temple period in Jerusalem’s drainage channel. Excavations outside the Old City walls unearthed items such as expensive oils, grape seeds, and 2,000-year-old eggshells from the channel, which ran beneath Jerusalem’s main street during the Second Temple era. Ayala Zilberstein, excavation director for the IAA, explained that the channel preserved debris from the bustling life of Jerusalem, offering a snapshot of the city’s prosperity before its destruction in 70 C.E. Finds include complete pottery lamps with soot, indicating the fire that once burned within them, and a diverse array of tableware from various households. IAA director Eli Escusido highlighted the significance of these discoveries, noting that they provide a profound connection to Jerusalem’s past and emphasize the scale of its loss.
WORLD NEWS
Turkey requested to join South Africa’s lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza. Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced the submission of the intervention request, which was delivered to the ICJ in The Hague by Turkey’s ambassador and legislators. This move follows a trend of several other nations and Palestinian officials seeking to join the case. The court is yet to decide on these requests. Turkey’s involvement reflects its strong criticism of Israel’s actions and aligns with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s condemnation of Israel. The ICJ has confirmed Turkey’s request and has invited South Africa and Israel to provide written observations. Hamas welcomed Turkey’s intervention, viewing it as a support for the Palestinian cause.
British Met Police Commissioner Mark Rowley has suggested that figures like Elon Musk, who have criticized extreme violence and riots involving Muslim gangs in the UK on social media, could face legal action for incitement and stirring racial hatred. His comments come amid unrest following a mass stabbing that killed three young girls, with right-wing protesters blaming high Muslim immigration and suspected terrorists. The controversy is compounded by accusations of biased policing, with critics alleging that Muslim groups receive lenient treatment compared to right-wing demonstrators, a perception reinforced by incidents such as police encouraging Muslims to discard weapons and Rowley’s aggressive response to questions about policing bias.
New details have emerged about a thwarted terror plot targeting a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna, leading to the cancellation of all three sold-out shows. The main suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian citizen, was reportedly radicalized by the Islamic State group and planned the attack with explosive materials and knives. The second suspect, a 17-year-old Austrian working at the concert venue, was detained nearby. The attack was intended to occur outside the stadium, with the goal of causing mass casualties. Austrian authorities revealed that a 15-year-old associated with the suspects was also questioned. The plot’s revelation has caused widespread disappointment among fans, with many taking to the streets in response. Swift’s upcoming London concerts will proceed as planned, with increased security measures in place.
