New York News
Former U.S. Rep. George Santos was sentenced to 87 months in prison for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft after pleading guilty in August 2024.
The New York Republican, expelled from Congress in 2023, admitted to defrauding donors and stealing identities, including family members’, to fund his 2022 campaign. U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert imposed the maximum sentence, citing his lack of remorse, and ordered $373,750 in restitution and $205,003 in forfeiture. Santos, who fabricated much of his biography, must surrender by July 25. Prosecutors called his actions a “brazen web of deceit,” while his attorneys, who sought a two-year sentence, plan to request a pardon from President Trump.
Six people were arrested after pro-terror protesters clashed with Jewish community members outside Chabad headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights, during a speech by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. The protest, organized by Nerdeen Kiswani’s radical group Within Our Lifetime, began around 9:30 p.m. and escalated into violent confrontations, with one protester charged with assault, criminal mischief, and harassment. Five others received summonses and were released. Rabbi Yaacov Behrman called the protest antisemitic, while protesters claimed they were attacked. Mayor Eric Adams condemned the violence, noting injuries to a female protester.
New York, joined by 11 other states, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging its tariff policy as illegal under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The suit, led by Attorney General Letitia James and Governor Kathy Hochul, argues that President Trump lacks authority to impose these tariffs, which cover imports from nearly all countries, without congressional approval. It claims the policy, enacted via executive orders, will cost the average family thousands annually—potentially over $6,000—by raising prices on goods like electronics and construction materials. The coalition, including Arizona, Colorado, and Oregon, seeks a court order to halt the tariffs, warning of inflation, unemployment, and economic chaos, with New York City alone risking 35,000 job losses in a mild recession.
Columbia University students planned to establish tent encampments on Thursday to protest the Gaza war, demanding divestment from Israel, but the protests did not occur. Over 100 students met in Brooklyn’s Bushwick to organize encampments at the Morningside Heights and Manhattanville campuses, per NBC News. Columbia, facing a $400 million federal funding cut over antisemitism concerns, warned it would arrest protesters and dismantle any setups, citing last year’s demonstrations that saw over 200 arrests. Despite preparations, including legal risk briefings via Signal, the encampments failed to materialize, likely due to heightened security and a shift in student sentiment since the spring 2024 Hamilton Hall occupation. This highlights the massive political sea change from 2024 to 2025.
Abbe Lowell, a lawyer for New York Attorney General Letitia James, urged U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to reject a criminal referral from FHFA Director William Pulte accusing James of mortgage fraud. Lowell called the allegations “improper political retribution” for James’s legal actions against Trump, arguing they are baseless. The referral claims James misrepresented a Virginia property as her primary residence in 2023 and understated a Brooklyn building’s units to secure better loan terms. Lowell provided records and correspondence proving James never claimed the Virginia home as her primary residence, citing her New York residency requirement. He warned that pursuing the case risks undermining DOJ credibility. The DOJ has not commented, and no charges have been filed as the review continues.
Robert Josman, president of the NYPD 24th Precinct Community Council on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, resigned after a New York Post report revealed he repeatedly tore down posters of Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas. Filmed removing the signs near synagogues, Josman claimed it was illegal to post on city property but ignored other flyers, prompting accusations of antisemitism. Critics, including StopAntisemitism, argued he undermined his role fostering police-community ties in an area with a large Jewish population and high hate crime rates. Upper West Side residents demanded his removal, citing “overt hatred” toward Jews. Josman, who did not respond to requests for comment, stepped down amid public outrage. The NYPD clarified it does not oversee community councils.
The NYC Council passed the Helicopter Oversight Act with a 45-2 vote, banning nonessential helicopter flights from city-owned heliports, like the Downtown Manhattan and West 30th Street heliports, unless they meet federal noise standards of 109 decibels or below. The law, sparked by a fatal Hudson River crash that killed a Spanish family of five, aims to reduce noise and enhance safety. It exempts emergency, military, and essential government flights but targets tourist and commuter helicopters. Operators like Blade and Uber Copter face restrictions, with fines up to $5,000 per violation. The bill, championed by Councilmember Gale Brewer, awaits Mayor Eric Adams’ signature, with implementation expected within 180 days if signed.
New York City officials destroyed 3,575 illegal firearms, including 3,375 handguns and 200 rifles, at Reworld in Westbury, overseen by Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch, not Edward Caban, who resigned in September 2024. The weapons, part of over 21,400 seized since Adams’ administration began, were shredded by a gun chipper and will be recycled into a memorial by Coop Tech students. The event, held a day after a fatal shooting in Queens, aimed to curb gun violence, with over 1,400 ghost guns among the seizures. Homicides dropped 22.7% and shootings fell 42.2% since 2022, reflecting the city’s efforts
US NEWS
Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested by the FBI on charges of obstructing justice and concealing an individual to prevent arrest. Authorities allege she helped Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an undocumented immigrant, evade ICE agents by escorting him through a non-public jury door after sending agents to the chief judge’s office. Flores-Ruiz, previously deported in 2013, was arrested outside the courthouse after a brief chase. Dugan, elected in 2016, faces up to six years in prison if convicted. She was released on bond, with a plea hearing set for May 15. Democrats claim that the arrest is an act of authoritarianism, while Attorney General Pam Bondi defended the action claiming that “no one is above the law.”
U.S. customs duties surged over 60% in April to a record $15 billion, driven by President Trump’s new tariffs, including a 10% universal tariff effective April 5 and a 25% duty on steel and aluminum. Treasury data reported $15.9 billion collected, up from $9.6 billion in March, with a single-day high of $11.7 billion on April 22. The increase reflects tariffs on 60 trading partners, with China facing a 104% rate. However, imports from China dropped 20%, signaling reduced trade volumes. Economists warn that higher consumer prices, up 2.9% short-term, and potential job losses—740,000 by year-end—may offset gains. Retaliatory tariffs from China (125%) and others could further limit revenue growth.
A federal judge in Washington, D.C., blocked parts of President Trump’s executive order that would require proof of citizenship for voter registration, ruling it exceeds presidential authority. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly issued a 120-page opinion, halting the mandate to amend the federal voter registration form and assess citizenship for public assistance recipients, citing the Constitution’s allocation of election regulation to Congress and states. The order, signed in March, prompted lawsuits from the Democratic National Committee, League of United Latin American Citizens, and others, arguing it could disenfranchise millions. Kollar-Kotelly allowed provisions for data-sharing to identify non-citizens and mail ballot deadline enforcement to proceed. The ruling is a setback for Trump’s election integrity push, with the administration vowing to appeal.
New Jersey State Senator Bob Singer (R-30) demanded an immediate halt to taxpayer funding for Princeton University until it addresses anti-Jewish bias on campus. Citing a record high in anti-Semitic incidents nationwide, including protests at Princeton, Singer criticized the university’s response as inadequate. Princeton received $2.6 million in state funds in fiscal year 2024 and $3.3 million in 2025. Singer urged Governor Phil Murphy to suspend funding, calling it a “moral imperative.” The Trump administration also froze $210 million in federal grants to Princeton, citing antisemitism concerns. Princeton President Christopher Eisgruber stated the university is committed to combating antisemitism while defending academic freedom, noting 88% of Jewish students feel safe on campus.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary announced plans to phase out eight petroleum-based synthetic food dyes from the U.S. food supply by 2026. The dyes—Citrus Red No. 2, Orange B, FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue No. 1, and FD&C Blue No. 2—are linked to health concerns like ADHD and obesity, though evidence is debated. The FDA will revoke authorization for two dyes soon and work with industry to eliminate the rest voluntarily, promoting natural alternatives like beet and carrot juice. The International Dairy Foods Association pledged to remove these dyes from school milk, cheese, and yogurt by July 2026.
Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, the Senate’s No. 2 Democrat and Majority Whip, announced he will not seek a sixth term in 2026, ending a 44-year congressional career. The 80-year-old, who chairs the Judiciary Committee, cited his long service—14 years in the House and 28 in the Senate—as a factor, stating it’s time for new leadership. Elected to the Senate in 1996 after serving Illinois’s 20th District, Durbin has been a key figure in judicial confirmations and immigration reform. He plans to focus on his remaining term, including advancing the DREAM Act. Illinois’s open seat is expected to draw a crowded Democratic primary in the solidly blue state, with no clear successor named yet.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order mandating higher education institutions to fully and timely disclose foreign gifts and contracts worth $250,000 or more, as required by Section 117 of the Higher Education Act. The order directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to enforce compliance through audits and investigations, working with Attorney General Pam Bondi to penalize non-compliant institutions with fines or loss of federal funding. It reverses Biden-era policies that weakened oversight, aiming to reveal hidden foreign influence, particularly from countries like China and Qatar. From 2010 to 2016, universities failed to report over half of such gifts, with $6.5 billion in undisclosed funds uncovered during Trump’s first term. A public portal will display these disclosures within 180 days.
Joseph Kling, a 19-year-old from Waretown, New Jersey, was charged with aggravated arson and arson for starting the Jones Road Wildfire on April 22. Prosecutors allege Kling set wooden pallets ablaze in the Forked River Mountains Wilderness Area and left without fully extinguishing the fire, sparking a blaze that scorched over 15,000 acres across Ocean and Lacey Townships. The fire, detected by the Cedar Bridge Fire Tower, destroyed a commercial building and prompted 5,000 evacuations, though no homes were lost. Kling was arrested at Ocean Township Police Headquarters and is held in Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing. The investigation, using GPS and witness statements, confirmed the fire’s incendiary origin.
The Trump Organization’s online store began selling “Trump 2028” hats for $50, featuring red high-crown designs with white embroidered text and a side flag detail, made in America with a snap closure. Eric Trump promoted the hats on social media, posting a photo wearing one. The store also offers “Trump 2028 (Rewrite the Rules)” T-shirts for $36. The 22nd Amendment bars a third term for President Trump, who has suggested “methods” like amending the Constitution or a vice-presidential run with JD Vance resigning. Legal scholars deem these unlikely, requiring two-thirds of Congress and three-fourths of state legislatures for an amendment. Posts on X show mixed reactions, with some calling it trolling and others expressing concern over constitutional implications
Israel NEWS
Large wildfires are burning uncontrollably near Beit Shemesh and east of Rehovot by Pedaya and Petahia, fueled by intense heat and strong winds. Over 110 firefighting teams, supported by eight planes and a helicopter, are battling blazes that have scorched 10,000 dunams (2,471 acres). Eshtaol, Beit Meir, Mesilat Zion, and Pedaya residents were evacuated, with some allowed to return as the Pedaya fire was controlled, though Beit Shemesh efforts continue. Highway 6 is closed between Nesharim and Sorek interchanges, and train services are halted at Ramla, Beit Shemesh, and other stations. Nine injuries, mostly firefighters, were reported, with no civilian casualties. Prime Minister Netanyahu visited the command center, and the IDF and Home Front Command are aiding evacuations and firefighting.
Over 4,000 IDF reservists, including five brigadier generals, 16 colonels, 90 lieutenant colonels, 250 other officers, and over 3,000 regular reserve soldiers, sent a letter to Defense Minister Israel Katz demanding a full-scale invasion of Gaza to defeat Hamas. The group, led by figures like Brig. Gen. Erez Viner, argued that only a sweeping, intense operation with significant firepower could eliminate the terrorist group, criticizing the current strategy as too slow. They claimed the government had promised a more aggressive approach under new IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, but fewer than 500 Hamas fighters have been killed since hostilities resumed on March 18, compared to 20,000 before the January ceasefire. Katz and Prime Minister Netanyahu, however, appear to favor ongoing hostage negotiations and are cautious about the risks of a larger invasion.
Noa Argamani, a former Hamas hostage, was named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025 for her advocacy after surviving 246 days in captivity. Kidnapped from the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, her abduction video became a symbol of the attack’s brutality. Rescued on June 8, 2024, in Operation Arnon, she has since campaigned for the release of remaining hostages, including her partner, Avinatan Or, meeting leaders and addressing the UN Security Council. Doug Emhoff, who wrote her TIME entry, praised her courage, noting her resilience embodies Jewish strength. Argamani attended the TIME100 Gala, reiterating her call to free the 59 hostages still held.
WORLD NEWS
India and Pakistan have exchanged small arms fire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir for five consecutive nights, with no reported casualties. This follows a deadly April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, killing 26 tourists, mostly Indian, which India attributes to Pakistan-based militants, identifying two suspects as Pakistani. Pakistan denies involvement, with Defense Minister Khawaja Asif retracting claims of an imminent Indian incursion but maintaining high tensions. India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, closed the Attari border, and canceled Pakistani visas, while Pakistan shut its airspace to Indian airlines and suspended bilateral trade. Over 537 Pakistani nationals left India via Attari-Wagah. China and the U.S. urged restraint, with Pakistan open to a neutral probe.
A massive explosion at Shahid Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas, Iran, killed at least 70 people and injured over 1,200, with fires contained after 48 hours. Iranian authorities attributed the blast to a failure to observe safety protocols involving chemical containers, possibly sodium perchlorate used in missile propellant, though the exact cause remains under investigation. The port, handling 85% of Iran’s container traffic, saw significant damage, with 10,000 containers destroyed. President Masoud Pezeshkian visited the injured, declaring a national mourning day, while Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei called for a thorough probe into negligence or deliberate acts. Speculation of sabotage persists, though Iran denies military materials were present, and Russia sent emergency aid.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas appointed Hussein al-Sheikh, a veteran aide and confidant, as vice president of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) on Saturday. The move positions al-Sheikh, a key Fatah party figure and minister of civil affairs, as a leading candidate to succeed the 89-year-old Abbas, though it does not ensure he will become the next Palestinian president. Al-Sheikh, 64, has been a close ally, managing negotiations with Israel and overseeing coordination in the West Bank. The appointment, announced via the official WAFA news agency, marks a significant step in Abbas’s succession planning amid his declining health. Other contenders like Mohammad Dahlan and Marwan Barghouti remain in the race, but al-Sheikh’s new role strengthens his prominence within Fatah’s leadership.
Pope Francis’s funeral took place in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City, starting at 10 a.m. local time, presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. Over 250,000 mourners, including 50 heads of state like President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, attended the Mass, which featured simplified rites per Francis’s wishes, using a single zinc-lined wooden coffin. His body, dressed in red vestments, lay in state at St. Peter’s Basilica for three days prior, drawing similar crowds. After the service, his coffin was transported to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore for burial in a simple tomb inscribed “Franciscus,” the first papal burial outside the Vatican since 1903. The nine-day mourning period, Novemdiales, began, with a conclave to choose his successor expected in early May.
Nike faced widespread backlash for its London Marathon ad campaign featuring the slogan “Never Again. Until Next Year” on red billboards. The phrase, deeply tied to Holocaust remembrance, was meant to humorously reflect runners’ vows to avoid future marathons, but Jewish communities and others condemned it as insensitive, especially days after Yom HaShoah. Critics, including Bill Ackman and Arsen Ostrovsky, called it a trivialization of genocide, with some alleging deliberate malice. Nike apologized on Monday, stating no harm was intended and withdrawing the phrase, but faced boycott calls and demands for Holocaust education support. The ad, part of the “Winning Isn’t Comfortable” campaign, echoed a similar 2024 marathon slogan, amplifying accusations of poor judgment.
