New York News
Mayor Eric Adams unveiled a $1.6 million initiative to install panic buttons in 500 New York City bodegas, linking directly to NYPD command centers to reduce response times for emergencies. The program, funded by federal grants, targets high-crime areas, with button locations kept confidential to prevent criminal targeting.
Each device costs $3,200, covering installation and maintenance. The United Bodegas of America, representing 22,000 stores, praised the move, citing frequent robberies and assaults. NYPD data shows 1,700 bodega robberies in 2024, down 15% from 2023. The first 50 buttons will be installed by June, with the rest completed by year-end, complementing existing security cameras in 14,000 bodegas.
Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian Columbia University student and green card holder, was released on bail from federal custody after his April 14 arrest by ICE during a citizenship interview in Vermont. U.S. District Judge Geoffrey Crawford ordered his release, citing no public safety or flight risk and comparing the detention to McCarthyism, as Mahdawi faced no criminal charges. The Trump administration sought to deport him, alleging his pro-Palestinian activism, including co-founding the Palestinian Student Union, undermined U.S. foreign policy. Mahdawi, who plans to graduate in May and pursue a master’s, can reside in Vermont and travel to New York for school. His immigration case continues, with his lawyers calling the detention retaliatory and unconstitutional.
Joseph Nocella Jr., a Nassau County District Court judge, was appointed interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York by President Donald Trump, sworn in by Chief Judge Margo K. Brodie. The move bypassed Senator Chuck Schumer’s opposition, which had blocked Nocella’s permanent nomination. Nocella, a former assistant U.S. attorney in the district from 1991 to 1995, will serve for 120 days or until a Senate-confirmed nominee takes over. He previously held roles as Hempstead and Oyster Bay town attorney and counsel to Nassau County’s executive. Nocella expressed honor in returning to the district, pledging to combat narcotics trafficking, gangs, and terrorism with Attorney General Pam Bondi’s support
A New York City Department of Education newsletter, “Teacher Career Pathways,” sent to hundreds of teachers, provoked outrage for labeling the Gaza war a “genocide” and praising student protests. The spring 2025 issue highlighted a March 28 Bronx student-led Day of Action, stating “the genocide in Gaza” underscored the value of student activism. Jewish educators, including Tova Plaut of the NYC Educators Caucus, condemned the language as inflammatory, inaccurate, and antisemitic, arguing it alienates Jewish students and staff. The DOE, with over 1.1 million students, distanced itself, noting the newsletter was produced by a teacher-led program, not official policy. Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos promised a review, while critics demanded disciplinary action and clearer guidelines to prevent biased content.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a progressive “Squad” member known for anti-Israel statements, is fundraising for the New Yorkers for Lower Costs super PAC supporting Zohran Mamdani’s NYC mayoral campaign, per the New York Post. Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist state assemblyman of Indian-Ugandan descent, backs the BDS movement and has accused Israel of genocide in Gaza, alleging massacres of babies. His campaign hit the city’s public financing cap, raising thousands in small donations with an 8-to-1 match, while the PAC raised $60,000—far less than the $4 million for Andrew Cuomo’s Fix The City super PAC. Tlaib’s text blast claimed Cuomo defends Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu against war crime charges. Jewish State Rep. Kalman Yeger condemned Tlaib’s support, citing her history of anti-Jewish rhetoric.
US NEWS
Newark Liberty International Airport faced severe disruptions for over a week, with significant delays and cancellations due to air traffic control issues. The FAA cited a shortage of 3,000 controllers nationwide, compounded by over 20% of Newark’s controllers taking trauma leave after equipment failures, including a radar and communication outage at Philadelphia TRACON. One runway’s closure for a $121 million rehabilitation project until mid-June further limited capacity. United Airlines, the airport’s largest carrier, canceled 35 daily round-trip flights starting this weekend, with delays averaging four hours and over 550 flights impacted Sunday. A ground stop occurred Monday due to equipment issues, diverting 35 flights. Travelers were advised to check flight statuses amid ongoing chaos.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to cease federal funding for NPR and PBS, alleging the outlets produce biased, partisan coverage. The order also bans indirect funding through local stations, claiming NPR and PBS fail to deliver fair reporting, with CPB’s $535 million annual budget at stake. NPR, receiving about 1% of its funding from CPB, and PBS, at 15%, vowed to challenge the “unlawful” order, citing First Amendment violations. CPB, a private nonprofit, stated it’s not subject to presidential authority, and Congress controls its funds, already allocated through 2027. Legal battles loom, though its immediate impact remains unclear.
Dave Portnoy, Barstool Sports founder, condemned an antisemitic incident at his Philadelphia bar, Barstool Sansom Street, where a sign reading “[Expletive] the Jews” was displayed with bottle service. The incident involved two customers, one a Temple University student named Mohammed “Mo” Khan, who was suspended by the university. Portnoy, who is Jewish, fired two waitresses for fulfilling the request and initially planned to send the students to Auschwitz for a “teachable moment,” but later revoked the offer for Khan after he denied responsibility. Temple President John Fry called the act “abhorrent,” with further disciplinary actions possible. Philadelphia police and the ADL are investigating, noting a rise in antisemitic incidents since October 2023.
The U.S. Department of Education, led by Secretary Linda McMahon, announced that Harvard University will not receive new federal grants until it meets the Trump administration’s demands. In a letter to President Alan Garber, McMahon cited Harvard’s alleged failures in addressing antisemitism, racial discrimination, and lack of viewpoint diversity, accusing it of “systemic” legal violations. This follows a freeze of $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts after Harvard rejected demands to overhaul hiring, report international students, and ensure conservative faculty representation. Harvard, which received $686 million in federal funds in 2024, called the move retaliatory and is suing, arguing it infringes on academic freedom. The standoff escalates tensions, with Harvard’s $53 billion endowment potentially cushioning the impact.
President Donald Trump appointed eight new members to the United States Holocaust Memorial Council, including Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz, publisher of Yated Ne’eman, alongside Betty Schwartz, Fred Marcus, Sid Rosenberg, Ariel Abergel, Barbara Feingold, Alex Witkoff, and Robert Garson. The announcement, made via Truth Social, highlighted the Council’s role in preserving the memory of the six million Jews killed in the Holocaust, emphasizing “NEVER FORGET.” The Council, established in 1980, oversees the Holocaust Memorial Museum and guides national efforts in remembrance and combating antisemitism. These appointees replace Biden-era members, including Doug Emhoff, and join 41 existing members.
Hashem Younis Hashem Hnaihen, a 44-year-old Jordanian national illegally residing in Orlando, was sentenced to six years in federal prison for attacking businesses he believed supported Israel. In June 2024, he vandalized a solar power facility in Wedgefield, causing over $450,000 in damage, and smashed windows at businesses like McDonald’s and Starbucks, leaving threatening letters. These letters, addressed to the U.S. government, demanded an end to Israel support and threatened to “destroy or explode everything.” Arrested on July 11, 2024, after targeting a propane gas depot, he pleaded guilty in December to four counts of threatening explosives and one count of destroying an energy facility. A restitution hearing for the damages is pending.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning all federal funding for gain-of-function research in countries like China and Iran, deemed to have insufficient oversight, and prohibiting U.S. support for foreign research that could trigger a pandemic. The order, enacted to enhance biological research safety, targets studies that enhance pathogens’ transmissibility or virulence, citing risks of lab leaks like those suspected in the COVID-19 outbreak at China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology. It empowers U.S. agencies to halt funding for any biological research threatening public health or national security. The White House claims this will reduce lab-related incidents without hindering U.S. innovation. The ban applies to current and future grants, focusing on nations with lax regulations.
Washington, D.C., will host the 2027 NFL Draft on the National Mall, the first time the city has held the event since 1941. Announced by President Donald Trump in the Oval Office with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Commanders owner Josh Harris, and Mayor Muriel Bowser, the three-day event expects over a million fans. The main stage will be on Fourth Street near the National Gallery of Art, with the Washington Monument as a backdrop, and the NFL Draft Experience on Pennsylvania Avenue. The National Park Service supports the plan, though formal permitting is pending. Green Bay drew 600,000 fans in 2025, and Detroit set a record with 775,000 in 2024.
Israel NEWS
Large wildfires near Beit Shemesh and east of Rehovot by Pedaya and Petahia remain uncontrolled, fueled by extreme heat and strong winds, scorching 10,000 dunams (2,471 acres). Over 110 firefighting teams, with eight planes and a helicopter, are deployed, but Eshtaol, Beit Meir, Mesilat Zion, and Pedaya residents are evacuated. Highway 6 and train services near Pedaya are closed, with nine injuries reported, mostly among firefighters. Earlier, massive fires near Jerusalem from April 30 to May 2 burned 25,000 dunams, including 70% of Canada Park, but were contained with international aid from Italy, Cyprus, and others. Investigations point to hiker negligence as a possible cause, though arson suspicions linger, with three arrests made.
A Houthi-fired hypersonic ballistic missile from Yemen struck near Ben Gurion Airport’s Terminal 3 on Sunday, hitting a grove by an access road and forming a 4-meter crater. The attack lightly to moderately injured eight people, halted flights for 30 minutes, and disrupted operations, with 30 incoming flights diverted. The IDF’s Arrow system and U.S. THAAD failed to intercept due to a technical glitch, now under review. Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed responsibility, threatening further strikes and an air blockade. The IDF confirmed no direct airport damage but heightened security. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised a strong response, with Israel launching retaliatory airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen’s Hodeidah port and Bajil on Monday.
Three Mossad operatives, identified only as R., D., and N., were honored at Israel’s 77th Independence Day ceremony on Mount Herzl for orchestrating the September 2024 pager attack that killed or injured thousands of Hezbollah members, including senior leaders, in Lebanon. The operation, dubbed “Operation Grim Beeper,” involved planting explosives in 5,000 pagers, significantly disrupting Hezbollah’s communications. American pundit Ben Shapiro was also selected to light a torch, recognized for his vocal support of Israel, though his inclusion sparked controversy due to his conservative views on abortion and LGBTQ rights, drawing protests from groups like the Israel Gay Youth Organization. The ceremony, themed “Bridges of Hope,” featured other torchbearers like freed hostage Emily Damari and bereaved father Oren Smadga.
WORLD NEWS
The IDF conducted airstrikes on Houthi-controlled targets in Yemen, destroying Sanaa International Airport, two power stations, and a cement factory in Bajil, in retaliation for Houthi missile and drone attacks on Israel, including a hypersonic missile strike near Ben Gurion Airport that injured eight people. The IDF stated that 20 fighter jets targeted the airport, a key hub for Houthi weapon transfers and terror operations, rendering it “completely disabled.” The cement factory strike aimed to cripple Houthi military and economic strength. The operation followed U.S. strikes on Sanaa and was coordinated to counter Iran-backed Houthi aggression.
Abdullah Sabah Albadri, 33, was charged with preparing terrorist acts and two counts of possessing a bladed article after attempting to enter the Israeli Embassy in London’s Kensington area with two knives. Arrested Monday around 6 p.m. by the Metropolitan Police’s Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command, he allegedly tried to scale the embassy’s fence, carrying a “martyrdom note” to protest Israel’s Gaza war. He appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, was remanded in custody until May 7, and the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command continues its investigation. No injuries or damage occurred, and police believe there’s no wider threat, with no other suspects sought. The Israeli Embassy thanked police for their swift response.
An Israeli family was expelled from La Cantinella restaurant in Naples, Italy, after the owner identified them as Israeli and shouted, “You are not welcome here!” prompting them to leave without being served. The incident, recorded and shared online, sparked outrage. Naples Mayor Gaetano Manfredi and city officials met the family, treated them to a café visit, and covered their excursions for two days. The Italy-Israel Friendship Association hosted them for dinner to express solidarity. The restaurant issued a public apology, claiming a misunderstanding, but Naples police are investigating for possible discrimination. The family, on vacation from Haifa, thanked the city for its warm response, highlighting Naples’ efforts to counter the incident’s impact.
The U.S. and Ukraine signed a deal granting Washington access to Ukraine’s critical minerals, including rare earth elements, titanium, lithium, and uranium. The agreement, finalized after tense negotiations, establishes a Reconstruction Investment Fund, jointly managed by both nations, with Ukraine contributing 50% of future profits from new government-owned resource projects. The U.S. will provide funds, equipment, and military aid, like air defense systems, with no profits drawn for 10 years. Kyiv retains full ownership of its resources and faces no debt obligations for past U.S. aid. The deal aims to attract global investment but faces challenges from outdated geological data, war-damaged infrastructure, and Russian control of some deposits
