New York News
Powerhouse Arena, a Brooklyn bookstore, came under fire after a manager canceled a Jewish author’s book launch event due to the moderator’s pro-Israel views. The event, meant to feature author Joshua Leifer and Rabbi Andy Bachman, was abruptly canceled by the manager, Hannah Hayes, who stated, “we don’t want a Zionist on our stage.”
Hayes, who had worked at Powerhouse for over three years, was caught on a recording explaining her decision. The cancellation caused significant backlash, leading the bookstore’s owner, Daniel Power, to terminate Hayes. The bookstore issued a public apology, emphasizing that Hayes acted alone and that her actions do not reflect the store’s values. Leifer, who was promoting his new book Tablets Shattered, expressed disappointment over the incident but appreciated the bookstore’s eventual responsibility. He and Bachman plan to hold a forum at a different Brooklyn venue.
New York City’s bus system is experiencing a severe fare evasion problem, with nearly half of all bus riders skipping payment, leading to significant financial losses for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). This issue has intensified since the pandemic, exacerbating the agency’s already strained finances, with bus fare evasion alone costing $315 million in 2022. While subway fare evasion has received more enforcement attention, bus fare evasion rates are much higher, driven by factors like affordability issues, the ease of evasion, and dissatisfaction with slow and unreliable bus service. Efforts to address this problem are complicated by concerns about passenger safety and the potential impact on low-income riders, leading to a contentious debate over enforcement strategies and the broader role of public transportation funding.
Babe Ruth is still setting new records, as his 1932 World Series Game 3 road jersey sold for $24.12 million at Heritage Auctions, becoming the most expensive sports collectible ever. This jersey, linked to the game where Ruth allegedly “called his shot” before hitting a home run, surpassed the previous record held by a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card, which sold for $12.6 million in 2022. Originally sold in 2005 for $940,000, the jersey’s historical significance and its connection to Ruth’s final postseason home run have made it a cultural and sports icon. Heritage Auctions described it as a “mythical moment” in American history, solidifying Ruth’s legacy nearly a century later.
US NEWS
In a fiery speech, independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that he was suspending his campaign and endorsing Donald Trump. Speaking in Phoenix, Arizona, Kennedy criticized the Democratic Party, claiming it has abandoned its original values of championing civil rights, government transparency, and the working class. He accused the party of becoming aligned with big money and corruption, and of rigging the primary process to protect President Biden despite his cognitive decline. Kennedy alleged that the Democratic National Committee (DNC) engaged in legal warfare to block both his and Trump’s campaigns, manipulated the nomination process in favor of Vice President Kamala Harris, and colluded with media companies to censor opposition. Citing shared views on free speech and opposition to the war in Ukraine, Kennedy declared his support for Trump and indicated plans to remove his name from ballots in key swing states to prevent aiding the Democratic nominee.
U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., who represented New Jersey’s 9th congressional district for nearly three decades, passed away at 87 after being hospitalized for respiratory issues in July. Known for his sharp wit and hands-on approach, Pascrell was a former Paterson mayor who was seeking a 15th term in Congress. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy praised him as a “giant” and a champion for vulnerable communities, highlighting his advocacy for reproductive health care, gun safety, and environmental protection. Pascrell’s family requested donations to local charities in lieu of flowers. His Republican opponent, Billy Prempeh, acknowledged Pascrell’s dedication to public service despite their political differences. With his passing, New Jersey Democrats face a tight deadline to replace him on the ballot by August 29.
Revised figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that the nation’s labor market created approximately 818,000 fewer jobs than previously reported between early 2022 and early 2023, marking the largest downward revision since 2009. Instead of the initially reported 2.9 million non-farm payroll positions (about 242,000 jobs per month), the actual job growth likely amounted to around 1.65 million (or about 174,000 jobs per month). This revision raises concerns about the Federal Reserve’s timing in cutting interest rates, as many analysts expect a more subdued job growth outlook. Key sectors affected include professional and business services, which saw a reduction of 358,000 jobs, while leisure and hospitality jobs were revised down by 150,000. Despite the negative adjustments, some sectors, such as private education and health services, experienced upward revisions. The report comes as Wall Street anticipates potential interest rate cuts, and Fed Chair Jerome Powell is expected to provide insights on rate strategies during an upcoming speech.
Wisconsin’s left-wing Supreme Court rejected a Democratic petition to remove Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein from the ballot for the upcoming election. The petition, filed by David Strange of the Democratic National Committee, argued that Stein’s candidacy could siphon votes from Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, potentially benefiting Republican nominee Donald Trump in this critical swing state. The court declined to take up the case, stating that the petitioner was not entitled to the relief sought. Stein celebrated the ruling as a victory for democracy and voter choice, criticizing the Democrats for attempting to suppress third-party candidates. The lawsuit alleged that the Green Party was ineligible for the ballot due to a lack of candidates for state office and absence of officeholders in Wisconsin. In the 2016 election, Stein received more votes in Wisconsin than the margin by which Trump won the state.
Three years later, newly released emails reveal that top Biden administration officials, including former Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, were fully aware of the chaotic situation at Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport during the Afghanistan withdrawal, despite Kirby later claiming that the withdrawal could not have been managed better. The emails, obtained by the Functional Government Initiative, detail the increasing breaches and insecurity at the airport, with U.S. forces overwhelmed by crowds and the Taliban’s growing presence. Just days after these warnings, an ISIS suicide bomber attacked the airport, killing 13 American soldiers and around 170 Afghan civilians. Despite this, Kirby defended the administration’s handling of the situation, stating he did not perceive chaos from his perspective.
Special Counsel Jack Smith has appealed to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reinstate the classified documents case against former President Donald Trump, which was dismissed by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon on constitutional grounds regarding Smith’s appointment. Smith’s team argues that Cannon’s ruling contradicts established practices within the Department of Justice and seeks to point out that such appointments have been upheld in previous cases. The case involves multiple felony charges against Trump for allegedly retaining classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate and obstructing government efforts to recover them, to which Trump has pleaded not guilty. Even if the appeal succeeds, a trial is unlikely before the November presidential election, and a potential Trump victory could lead to the appointment of an attorney general who might dismiss the case altogether.
Four Maryland schools were vandalized with anti-Israel and antisemitic graffiti on Monday, marking the second consecutive week of such incidents in Montgomery County. Two high schools and two elementary schools were defaced with swastikas and phrases like “Hitler” and “Israel bombs schools.” Guila Franklin Siegel, COO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, emphasized that these acts target the local Jewish community and exacerbate tensions in the wake of recent conflicts in the region. Montgomery County police are investigating but have no suspects, while County Executive Marc Elrich condemned the vandalism and urged against using hate speech for political expression.
Israel NEWS
Israeli forces have successfully rescued Qaid Farhan Alkadi, a 52-year-old hostage, from Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip, as confirmed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel Security Agency (ISA). Alkadi was retrieved from a tunnel in southern Gaza during a complex operation involving several elite military units. He had been held captive for 326 days since his abduction on October 7. Currently in stable condition, Alkadi is receiving medical attention at Soroka Hospital in Beersheva. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the operation and reaffirmed efforts to secure the release of all remaining hostages, of which 108 are still held by Hamas.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that nearly all of the hundreds of rockets and drones fired by Hezbollah at Israel early Sunday were launched from civilian areas in Lebanon, near schools, mosques, gas stations, and U.N. sites. Out of the 230 rockets and 20 drones, approximately 90% were launched from densely populated civilian locations, including sites just meters away from schools and mosques. The IDF stated that Hezbollah uses these civilian areas to shield its military infrastructure, effectively placing Lebanese civilians at risk. In response, the Israeli Air Force conducted preemptive strikes that destroyed numerous launchers and munitions, preventing a larger attack. Following this, Hezbollah launched a drone swarm towards northern Israel, which the IDF successfully intercepted without reported injuries. The tensions escalated after Israeli airstrikes targeted a Hezbollah military structure and a Hamas commander in southern Lebanon.
Negotiations for the release of hostages held by Hamas ended without results as the Israeli delegation, led by Mossad chief David Barnea, returned from Cairo on Sunday. These off-and-on talks, involving the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar as mediators, have continued for months. Hamas, weakened after ten months of conflict, has dropped its demand for an Israeli guarantee of a permanent ceasefire but still insists on the withdrawal of Israeli forces from two key Gaza corridors. In contrast, Israel demands a continued military presence in these areas to monitor and prevent attacks. Despite the lack of progress, U.S. officials described the discussions as “constructive,” although a senior Hamas official criticized American claims of nearing an agreement. Families of the hostages expressed frustration with Prime Minister Netanyahu, urging action to secure their loved ones’ release.
WORLD NEWS
Pavel Durov, founder of the Telegram app, was arrested by French authorities after his private jet landed at Le Bourget airport from Azerbaijan, surprising officials who had issued a search warrant allowing his detention upon arrival. He faces serious allegations related to the platform’s spread of illegal content, including terrorism, drug trafficking, fraud, money laundering, and child exploitation, with authorities claiming he has failed to adequately curb criminal activity. Durov, who left Russia in 2014 after resisting government demands for information on opposition groups, now leads a messaging service with over 900 million users, raising concerns among Russian military analysts who rely on Telegram for communication amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. His arrest has provoked backlash from free speech advocates, including Elon Musk, who criticized the situation as an attack on free expression and highlighted the importance of supporting free speech in censorship-heavy environments.
The New Communist Party of Italy has drawn significant controversy by publishing a list of over 150 Italian Jews, labeling them as “Zionist agents” to be “condemned and fought” for their support of Israel. The list categorizes individuals from various sectors, including prominent figures like Senator Ester Mieli, former Ambassador to Israel Luigi Mattiolo, and journalist Maurizio Molinari, alongside companies such as Elbit Systems and SodaStream. This action has been widely condemned across the political spectrum, with the right-wing Brothers of Italy Party and the center-left Democratic Party calling it an unacceptable attack on freedom of thought and demanding a parliamentary inquiry. The Jewish community in Rome also criticized the list, linking it to a rise in antisemitism marked by incidents of vandalism and aggressive rhetoric against Jews. The New Communist Party defended its actions as a response to what it claims is a smear campaign against Gabriele Rubini, a TV personality who has faced legal action for his antisemitic posts. The escalating antisemitism in Italy has raised alarms, as evidenced by recent violent confrontations and inflammatory statements by far-right groups.
A French police officer was injured in a bombing outside the Beth Yaakov synagogue in La Grande-Motte, near Montpellier, just before Shabbat services were set to begin. Two vehicles were found on fire at the scene, raising concerns about a targeted attack against Jews. The Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France (CRIF) condemned the incident as an attempt to kill Jews, noting that the use of a gas canister indicated a serious intent to harm. CCTV footage reportedly captured a suspect waving a PLO flag nearby. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed solidarity with the Jewish community, stating that efforts are underway to apprehend the perpetrator, while Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin described the incident as “manifestly criminal” and highlighted a troubling rise in antisemitism in France, with 887 incidents reported in the first half of 2024, nearly triple the number from the previous year.
Canada has announced a 100% tariff on imports of Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs), aligning with similar tariffs imposed by the United States due to concerns over unfair subsidies that China provides to its industry. This decision, made public on Monday, was influenced by discussions between U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a meeting over the weekend. In addition to the EV tariffs, Canada will implement a 25% tariff on Chinese steel and aluminum. Although Chinese brands currently do not have a significant presence in Canada, Chinese EV manufacturer BYD is planning to enter the market next year. The Canadian government is also set to consult on potential tariffs for other Chinese products, including batteries and semiconductors. In response, the Chinese Embassy criticized Canada’s actions as trade protectionism that violates World Trade Organization rules and could harm trade relations. Experts suggest that Canada may face retaliation from China in other sectors.
