New York
A 13-year-old Jewish girl from Queens, Rachel Aliza Nisanov, died and her 16-year-old sister, Aviva Bracha Nisanov, was critically injured when their personal watercraft crashed into a concrete dock in Fort Lauderdale’s Intracoastal Waterway.
The sisters, visiting from New York to celebrate Rachel’s eighth-grade graduation, were on a guided tour when their watercraft jumped the wake of a passing vessel, lost control, and collided with the dock. Their father, Rabbi Shlomo Nisanov, jumped into the water to save them despite not knowing how to swim. Rachel succumbed to blunt force injuries, while Aviva remains hospitalized. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating the incident.
New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against Early Warning Services, the operator of Zelle, alleging the company failed to protect users from over $1 billion in fraud between 2017 and 2023. The suit claims Zelle’s design lacked critical safety features, including a weak registration process that allowed scammers to use misleading email addresses to pose as trusted entities. EWS, owned by major U.S. banks like JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America, allegedly knew about these vulnerabilities but did not implement safeguards or enforce anti-fraud rules. The lawsuit cites cases where victims lost money to fraudulent accounts, like one user who sent $1,476.89 to a fake “Coned Billing” account. James seeks restitution, damages, and court-ordered anti-fraud measures for Zelle.
Times Square was evacuated after a suspicious package was found outside an NYPD substation near West 43rd Street and 7th Avenue. The NYPD received a 911 call reporting the cylindrical device, prompting the Emergency Service Unit and bomb squad to respond. The 42nd Street-Times Square subway station was temporarily closed, and surrounding streets were cordoned off, halting pedestrian and vehicle traffic. The bomb squad determined the package, consisting of rolled-up papers and magazine scraps, was non-hazardous. A 26-year-old Bronx man was arrested later that day and charged with placing a false bomb and making terroristic threats. The area was reopened to the public by noon.
A van ran a red light at the intersection of 16th Avenue and 51st Street in Brooklyn on Sunday afternoon, colliding with a family’s minivan. The impact sent the van crashing through the front of Mittelman’s Grocery, shattering glass and toppling shelves inside the store. Two children and an adult from the minivan sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported by Hatzolah paramedics to a nearby hospital for treatment. The store suffered significant structural damage, including a destroyed storefront and disrupted inventory. Emergency responders secured the scene, and police are investigating the incident, with no arrests reported at this time.
New York City officials and community leaders gathered at 498 Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg to mark the groundbreaking of the United Jewish Organizations (UJO) of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn’s first owned social services headquarters. The event celebrated UJO’s transition from rented spaces to a permanent facility, enhancing its capacity to serve over 75,000 community members. Since its founding in 1966, UJO has provided social, housing, public health, and workforce development services in Yiddish and English. The $9.3 million project will expand service delivery, including food assistance, healthcare access, and housing support. Attendees toured UJO’s current offices at 500 Bedford Avenue, preserving the historic residence of the Satmar Rebbe.
New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso hit his 253rd career home run, surpassing Darryl Strawberry’s franchise record of 252. Alonso, a five-time All-Star, later hit his 254th homer in the sixth inning off Austin Cox, further extending the record. The crowd of 39,748 celebrated with a standing ovation, and teammates joined Alonso for hugs on the field. He reached the milestone in 965 games, compared to Strawberry’s 1,109. Alonso, drafted by the Mets in 2016, also holds the MLB rookie record with 53 home runs in 2019.
U.S.
U.S. President Donald Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, to discuss ending the Russia-Ukraine war. The leaders, accompanied by translators and two aides each, held nearly three hours of talks, followed by a joint press conference where no questions were taken. Trump described the meeting as “extremely productive,” claiming progress was made, while Putin called it “very useful” but emphasized addressing the “root causes” of the conflict. No ceasefire or concrete agreement was announced. The summit, marked by a red carpet welcome and military flyover, drew protests supporting Ukraine outside the base. Trump later indicated a potential trilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, at the White House to discuss ending the Russia-Ukraine war. The bilateral meeting with Zelenskyy in the Oval Office was followed by a multilateral session in the East Room. Trump announced plans for a meeting between Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, followed by a trilateral meeting including himself. Discussions focused on security guarantees for Ukraine, with European leaders emphasizing a “coalition of the willing” to support Kyiv. No ceasefire was agreed upon, but Zelenskyy reported progress on formalizing security measures within 10 days.
South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden joined U.S. Senator John Thune, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson, Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken, and community leaders for the groundbreaking of the Chabad Jewish Community Center in Sioux Falls. The 15,000-square-foot facility, the first of its kind in the state, will include a synagogue, kosher kitchen, educational spaces, and South Dakota’s first mikvah, a ritual bath. Rabbi Mendel Alperowitz, the state’s only permanent rabbi in decades, led the ceremony, which drew about 200 attendees. Construction is expected to take 12 to 18 months.
The U.S. State Department, under Secretary Marco Rubio, revoked over 6,000 student visas in 2025 for reasons including visa overstays and illegal activities such as assault, DUIs, burglary, and support for terrorism. Approximately 4,000 of these revocations involved law violations, with about 800 students facing charges for assault and 200 to 300 for terrorism-related activities, including fundraising for Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization. The Trump administration’s actions, which also targeted pro-Palestinian protest participants, contributed to a total of 40,000 visa revocations in 2025, compared to 16,000 during the same period under the Biden administration. Rubio emphasized that visas were revoked for actions against U.S. foreign policy or national security interests. Democrats criticized the revocations as lacking due process.
A semi-truck driven by a 28-year-old Indian national who entered the U.S. illegally in 2018, made an illegal U-turn on Florida’s Turnpike in St. Lucie County, causing a fatal crash. The truck jackknifed, blocking all lanes, and a minivan collided with it, killing three. The truck driver, who obtained a commercial driver’s license in California, and his 25-year-old passenger were uninjured. He was arrested and charged with three counts of vehicular homicide and faces deportation after his state charges are resolved. He had been released on a $5,000 bond in 2019 after claiming fear of persecution in India.
Israel
An estimated 150,000 people gathered in and around Hostages Square in Tel Aviv to demand the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. The rally, organized by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, was part of a nationwide day of protests and a general strike, with additional thousands joining from across Israel. Demonstrators waved Israeli flags and held photos of the 50 remaining hostages, at least 20 of whom are believed to be alive. Speakers, including family members of captives, criticized the government’s decision to expand military operations in Gaza City, urging a ceasefire and a comprehensive hostage deal. Protests also occurred in Jerusalem and other cities.
Israel’s Elbit Systems secured a $1.635 billion, five-year contract to supply Serbia with advanced defense systems. The deal includes long-range precision artillery-rocket systems, such as PULS rocket launchers, and a range of unmanned aerial systems, including tactical reconnaissance drones, loitering munitions, and the Hermes 900 UAV. It also encompasses advanced intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities, featuring signals intelligence (SIGINT), communications intelligence (COMINT), and electronic warfare systems. Additional deliveries include electro-optical and night-vision systems, combat vehicle upgrades, and protective systems. The contract includes industrial cooperation to enhance Serbia’s defense manufacturing capabilities.
El Al Airlines formally opposed Wizz Air’s plan to establish a permanent base at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, citing concerns over harm to Israeli carriers. In a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Transport Minister Miri Regev, El Al’s leadership argued that the move could weaken national resilience by prioritizing foreign low-cost carriers, which do not adhere to Shabbos flight restrictions, thus creating competitive inequality. The airline highlighted that Israeli carriers maintain an “air bridge” during crises, unlike foreign airlines that suspended operations during recent conflicts. El Al also noted Ben Gurion’s limited slots, claiming a Wizz Air base could restrict access for local airlines. The Transport Ministry is reviewing the proposal, with a decision expected soon.
A 24-year-old Palestinian woman from Beit Ummar, near Hebron, was arrested in a joint operation by the Israel Defense Forces and police from the Etzion station, suspected of collaborating with an Iranian intelligence operative. She allegedly maintained contact with the operative and carried out various assignments on their behalf. During her interrogation, conducted with the Shin Bet security service, she confessed to the charges against her. A military court extended her detention by eight days to allow further investigation, including technological examinations and intelligence work. The case, described as highly sensitive, is subject to a gag order, limiting public disclosure of additional details.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced the revocation of residency visas for Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority, affecting diplomats based in Ramallah. The decision, conveyed to Australia’s ambassador in Israel, responds to Australia’s plan to recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly and its refusal to grant visas to Israeli figures, including former Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked and Knesset member Simcha Rothman. Sa’ar also instructed Israel’s embassy in Canberra to scrutinize all official Australian visa applications for entry to Israel. He accused the Australian government of fueling antisemitism, citing rising violence against Jewish communities and institutions in Australia.
Forty-seven Israeli tourists were stranded in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, after their passports were accidentally discarded in a trash bin at the Hills Hotel’s reception desk. Security footage showed a large envelope containing the passports slipping into the bin while a staff member sorted papers nearby, unaware of the incident. The documents were later taken to a landfill, and efforts to recover them have been unsuccessful. The group, scheduled to return to Israel, has been forced to stay at the hotel, which is covering their extended accommodation. The Israeli embassy in Belgrade and Bosnian authorities are expediting replacement passports. Some tourists suspect intentional discarding due to the Israeli emblems, though officials maintain it was an accident.
WORLD
Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke canceled the visa of Israeli Knesset member Simcha Rothman, a Religious Zionism party lawmaker, hours before his planned visit to speak at Jewish community events in Sydney and Melbourne. The decision, which bans Rothman from entering Australia for three years, was based on his past statements, including calls to eliminate Hamas and opposition to a Palestinian state, which Burke deemed divisive. The Australian Jewish Association, which organized the visit, condemned the move as antisemitic, noting Rothman was to meet victims of antisemitic attacks and visit Jewish schools and synagogues. Israel retaliated by revoking visas for Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed Australia’s decision.
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) initially canceled the screening of “The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue,” a documentary by Canadian filmmaker Barry Avrich about the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. The film chronicles retired IDF General Noam Tibon’s efforts to save his family during the massacre at Kibbutz Nahal Oz, where over a quarter of the 400 residents were killed or taken hostage. TIFF cited the filmmakers’ failure to secure legal clearance for Hamas-recorded footage as a reason for the cancellation, alongside concerns about potential anti-Israel protests. Following public outcry, including criticism from Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, TIFF reversed its decision and reinstated the film for screening with enhanced security measures.
A Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport air traffic controller was suspended after broadcasting “Free Palestine” to the crew of an El Al flight during a radio exchange shortly after takeoff on Monday. The French Ministry of Transport confirmed the incident through analysis of radio recordings. The controller was immediately barred from all duties pending further notice, and a disciplinary procedure was initiated. The incident violated international air traffic control protocols, which restrict communications to safety and operational matters. El Al reported the event to Israeli authorities, who are coordinating with French counterparts.
Approximately 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), went on strike, disrupting travel for about 130,000 passengers daily. The strike, the first by Air Canada cabin crew in 40 years, led to the cancellation of over 2,000 flights after negotiations stalled over wages and unpaid ground work, such as boarding and safety checks. The Canada Industrial Relations Board declared the strike illegal and issued a back-to-work order, which CUPE defied, risking fines and jail time for union leaders. A tentative agreement was reached after mediated talks, with Air Canada resuming flights by Tuesday evening. The deal, which addresses ground pay and wage increases, awaits ratification by union members.
A Charedi Jewish family from Belgium, vacationing in Koksijde, was ordered to leave their rental apartment after neighbors reported a “suspicious gathering” during their Friday night Shabbat meal. The father had invited eight friends for prayers and dinner, which prompted complaints to the landlord. Despite the father’s explanation that the gathering was a brief religious observance lasting about 30 minutes, the landlord demanded the family vacate the property. The incident occurred in a quiet vacation area, roughly two and a half hours from Antwerp. The family complied with the eviction request, cutting their stay short.
Three U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, USS Gravely, USS Jason Dunham, and USS Sampson, arrived off the coast of Venezuela to combat Latin American drug cartels, specifically targeting groups like the Sinaloa Cartel, Tren de Aragua, and Cartel of the Suns. The operation, authorized by President Donald Trump, involves approximately 4,000 sailors and Marines, multiple P-8 Poseidon surveillance aircraft, and at least one nuclear-powered attack submarine. The mission focuses on conducting reconnaissance in international waters and airspace to disrupt cartel activities, with the capability to execute targeted strikes if directed by the Pentagon. The deployment follows the Trump administration’s designation of these cartels as global terrorist organizations in February. Venezuelan officials, including President Nicolás Maduro, denounced the operation and mobilized civilian militias in response.
