New York
Flames erupted on the Brooklyn Bridge as fireworks were being shot from it during Macy’s July 4 display over the East River.
Video shows a plume of smoke emerging from a flaming section of the bridge as fireworks soared and burst around it. Two other sections also appeared to burn as the pyrotechnics were being shot from the span. All the fires burned out after a minute. It was not clear how much damage was done, if any. The incident occurred during one of New York City’s largest annual celebrations, drawing millions of spectators. Authorities have not yet released an official statement on the cause of the fires or any safety concerns regarding the fireworks setup on the historic bridge.
A western New York woman has been charged with attempting to provide material support to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group. Catherine Beth Washburn, 37, of Irondequoit, was arrested on a federal criminal complaint accusing her of sending more than $30,000 in cryptocurrency to an individual claiming to be one of the group’s fighters in Gaza. Federal prosecutors said Washburn allegedly attempted to provide material support and resources to the terrorist organization, also known as the Al-Quds Brigades. If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Palestinian Islamic Jihad is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and has been responsible for numerous attacks against Israel.
Drivers who fail to move their vehicles for alternate-side parking in New York City could soon find a bright fluorescent sticker on their window after the City Council approved legislation restoring the practice. The measure, passed Tuesday in a 41-10 vote, allows sanitation workers to place adhesive warning stickers on vehicles that block street cleaning. The stickers state that the vehicle violated city parking regulations and prevented the street from being properly cleaned. The practice was banned in 2011 following complaints that the stickers were difficult to remove and sometimes damaged vehicle windows. The new legislation aims to improve street cleanliness by encouraging compliance with parking rules. The bill now heads to Mayor Zohran Mamdani for signature.
The annual NYPD vs. Hatzalah baseball game was held, with the NYPD emerging victorious, 14-4. The friendly competition between New York City’s police officers and the volunteer emergency medical service organization highlighted the strong partnership between the two groups. Hatzalah often works closely with the NYPD in times of crisis. The game serves as a morale-boosting event that strengthens relationships and fosters goodwill between law enforcement and the volunteer first responders. Both teams demonstrated sportsmanship throughout the matchup.
New York City reportedly plans to eliminate nearly 30,000 curbside parking spaces by 2032 to make room for approximately 66,000 “Empire Bins” as part of its ongoing effort to containerize trash, reduce sidewalk garbage, and curb rat infestations. According to a new Department of Sanitation environmental impact study, the change will affect about 1.5 percent of the city’s parking supply overall, with Manhattan seeing the largest impact. The Upper West Side and Upper East Side are expected to lose roughly 10 percent of their curbside parking, while Queens and Staten Island will see the smallest reductions. The initiative aims to improve sanitation and public health by moving garbage off sidewalks and into containers. Critics have raised concerns about the loss of parking in an already congested city.
A seaplane made a hard landing in the East River in New York City. According to initial reports, all occupants were safely rescued, and emergency crews responded quickly to the scene. The incident occurred in the waters near Manhattan, prompting a major response from the New York City Fire Department, Police Department, and Coast Guard. Rescue boats and divers were deployed to secure the aircraft and assist passengers. Officials said no serious injuries were reported among those on board. The cause of the incident remains under investigation by federal aviation authorities.
US
President Donald Trump announced that Republicans will hold their first-ever national convention ahead of November’s midterm elections. The unusual event is aimed at boosting turnout in races that will determine whether the party maintains control of Congress. The convention will be held in Dallas on Sept. 9 and 10. Trump described the gathering as an opportunity to rally supporters and highlight the administration’s accomplishments on border security, economic growth, and America First policies. Party leaders hope the convention will energize the base and counter Democratic narratives in key battleground states.
Authorities reported no injuries after part of the roof collapsed at a BJ’s Wholesale Club in Oakhurst, New Jersey. All occupants appeared to have evacuated safely before the collapse. The incident occurred amid torrential rain and severe flooding in Monmouth County. The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office urged motorists to avoid Route 35, calling travel “extremely dangerous,” and released a photo showing a vehicle partially submerged in floodwaters nearby. The cause of the collapse remains under investigation. Heavy rainfall has caused widespread flooding and disruptions across the region. Emergency crews responded quickly to the scene to secure the area and assist with any remaining needs. The store was closed following the incident as structural engineers assessed the damage.
Jewish Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser won the Democratic primary for governor, defeating U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet and becoming the favorite to succeed term-limited Gov. Jared Polis in November. The son of a Holocaust survivor born shortly before the liberation of the Buchenwald concentration camp, Weiser has been a prominent voice against antisemitism and a strong supporter of Israel throughout his time as the state’s attorney general. With most votes counted, Weiser led Bennet by roughly 55 percent to 45 percent in a closely watched primary between two candidates with family ties to Holocaust survivors. The victory positions Weiser as the likely next governor of Colorado.
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case of an Orthodox Jewish man who alleges that an Ohio city violated his constitutional rights by requiring him to obtain a permit before hosting a minyan in his home. Daniel Grand, from University Heights, sued the city after officials ordered him in 2021 to cancel plans to host a minyan unless he first obtained a special-use permit typically required for houses of worship. The case could become a significant milestone for Orthodox Jewish communities across the United States, where minyanim are commonly held in private homes. The lawsuit raises important questions about religious freedom and zoning regulations. The Supreme Court’s decision to take the case signals its interest in clarifying the balance between local government authority and First Amendment protections for religious exercise.
A new working paper from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas found that the surge in illegal immigration between 2021 and 2024 increased housing demand, contributing to higher home prices and rents in many U.S. metro areas. Researchers estimated that a 1 percent increase in unauthorized workers was associated with a 2.2 percent rise in home prices and a 1.4 percent increase in rents. The study also found that the influx boosted overall employment without a measurable impact on average wages. Unauthorized immigration accounted for about 30 percent of employment growth, 30 percent of home-price growth, and 20 percent of rent growth in the average metro area during the period. The findings highlight the significant economic pressures caused by large-scale illegal immigration on housing markets and local economies. The report provides data-driven insights into the costs of current border policies.
The United States has been eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the Round of 16. The American team, co-hosting the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico, showed promise in the group stage but fell short against a strong Belgian side. The loss ends U.S. hopes of advancing further in front of a home crowd. The defeat marks a disappointing end to a campaign that generated significant national excitement. American players expressed pride in their efforts despite the result.
Israel
Israel’s Airports Authority has issued a major tender to expand Ben Gurion Airport’s Terminal 3 as part of a project led by Transportation Minister Miri Regev. The expansion will add a new 63,000-square-meter wing, including an approximately 41,000-square-meter terminal building with 86 additional check-in counters, expanded retail and duty-free areas, restaurants, offices, and advanced screening systems. The project is designed to increase the airport’s capacity to about 40 million passengers annually. The initiative reflects Israel’s commitment to modernizing critical infrastructure and accommodating growing international travel demand. Officials emphasized the importance of efficient passenger processing and enhanced security measures.
Israeli authorities have arrested Behrouz Sobrigon, a Tajik national with Russian citizenship, on suspicion of spying for Iran during the war. Investigators allege he had been in contact with an Iranian intelligence handler since January, providing locations of missile impact sites, sharing the location of the Azrieli Towers, photographing the Port of Haifa, and attempting to photograph a sensitive security facility in northern Israel. Authorities also claim he helped recruit others to carry out missions for Iranian intelligence. Prosecutors have filed a declaration ahead of an indictment, with serious security-related charges expected in the coming days.
The Knesset was lit up in the colors of the U.S. flag to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence. Israeli officials described the lighting as a tribute to America’s foundational principles of liberty and self-government. The event comes as both countries face common challenges, including threats from Iran and its proxies. The display underscores the enduring partnership that has benefited both nations through military cooperation, intelligence sharing, and economic ties.
Israel has approved a NIS 27 million plan to fund hotel development across Judea and Samaria, aiming to transform the region from a day-trip destination into a stronger overnight tourism hub. The initiative will support hotel planning and construction grants to help meet growing demand, as millions visit the area’s biblical and historic sites each year despite a longstanding shortage of accommodations. The plan reflects the government’s commitment to developing tourism infrastructure in historic Jewish communities and strengthening the regional economy. The funding is expected to encourage private investment and job creation in the area.
World
Multiple Orthodox Jewish men were targeted in Montreal’s Outremont neighborhood on Friday night when suspects in a vehicle assaulted visibly Jewish pedestrians and stole three shtreimlach. Four men were reportedly attacked during the spree, with one victim spat on and another struck by a thrown beverage can. Police have launched an investigation and are treating the incidents as suspected hate crimes. The attacks have heightened concerns about rising antisemitism in Canadian cities. Jewish community leaders called for increased security and stronger action against those targeting Jews. Montreal has seen a series of antisemitic events in recent years.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia launched a massive overnight attack involving more than 70 missiles — nearly half ballistic — and nearly 500 strike drones, including jet-powered drones, primarily targeting Kyiv. Ukrainian officials said at least 13 people were killed and more than 90 wounded, with damage reported at over 20 sites across the capital. Zelenskyy said many of the incoming weapons were intercepted but urged allies to provide more Patriot air defense systems and expand joint anti-ballistic missile production. The assault represents one of the largest aerial attacks in recent months, highlighting Russia’s continued strategy of using sustained missile and drone barrages against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. Ukrainian forces claimed to have downed a significant portion of the incoming threats.
Deaths surged by nearly a third in France during the hottest week of a record heat wave last month. The agency reported at least 2,000 more deaths than in the previous week, when temperatures were already climbing and filling emergency wards with heat victims. The extreme heat contributed to increased mortality, particularly among vulnerable populations. French authorities have been monitoring the impacts of the prolonged heat wave, which has strained the healthcare system and prompted public health warnings. Officials urged residents to take precautions during periods of extreme heat, including staying hydrated and avoiding outdoor activities during peak temperatures. The data highlights the growing public health challenges posed by rising temperatures in Europe. The heat wave has also affected agriculture and energy demand across the region.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi reportedly said there will be no “popular normalization” with Israel until a Palestinian state is established and the occupation ends. Speaking at the inauguration of Egypt’s new State Strategic Command headquarters, Sisi reaffirmed that Egypt will maintain its 1979 peace treaty with Israel but said lasting regional stability requires a comprehensive Israeli-Palestinian settlement. Egypt has played a key role in mediating between Israel and Hamas while maintaining security cooperation along the Gaza border.
sNiPPeEtS oF StRaNgE
Researchers in Barcelona have concluded that giraffes might be quietly doing arithmetic up there, which raises the uncomfortable possibility that they’ve been silently judging our own math this whole time. Scientists presented four zoo giraffes with containers holding different amounts of carrot — the universal currency of animal cooperation — then added or removed pieces while the giraffes watched with the intensity of auditors. After carrots were added, the giraffes picked the fuller container 68% of the time, comfortably beating random guessing. Even after controlling for shortcuts, two giraffes kept nailing it, hinting at what researchers cautiously called “more complex mental computations,” or as we’d say, showing off. Subtraction, however, stumped them entirely, proving that giraffes are relatable: addition is fun, but nobody enjoys taking things away, especially carrots.
An Oregon game store has been forced to bench its card game tournaments for a full week, not because of cheating or rules disputes, but because some attendees apparently forgot that showering is also part of adult life. The shop broke the news online, citing mistreated restrooms and a growing pile of bad reviews from customers who came for card games and left with lingering olfactory memories. Players were gently reminded to consult the official conduct guidelines and to report anyone treating the venue like a battlefield in more ways than one. The card game’s parent company actually addressed this in its 2025 rulebook, noting that skipping basic self-care creates an “unpleasant atmosphere” — a diplomatic way of saying that competitive dueling and personal freshness are, in fact, allowed to coexist.
Seventy years after a certain mustachioed visionary opened his theme park, California’s Happiest Place on Earth finally ticked over to its one-billionth guest, a milestone that took only slightly longer than the average line for a ride. The lucky winner: an Arizona kid visiting to celebrate his eighth birthday, who arrived expecting churros and left as a statistical legend. He and his parents were crowned honorary billionth guests, a title that comes with roughly zero cash but infinite bragging rights. The park celebrated by unveiling a sign updating its official “population” to a cool 1,000,000,000, with several famous cartoon rodents and waterfowl in attendance. The family also scored a VIP tour, including a peek at the founder’s private apartment and a fresh new attraction — a birthday haul most eight-year-olds can only dream of.
A Connecticut bear made the classic rookie error of wandering into a driveway that was under the jurisdiction of one very committed husky. Video captured the moment the bear strolled onto the property while a young boy played, apparently assuming this was a peaceful place. The family dog disagreed vehemently, launching herself into action and delivering a disciplinary nip directly to the bear’s rear end — the ultimate insult in the animal kingdom. Both boy and dog escaped unharmed. The bear escaped with its dignity in tatters. The dog, meanwhile, earned herself a promotion to Employee of the Month. Her human noted that she’s always positioned herself between the kids and any perceived threat, but you never really know how that’ll go until a bear shows up uninvited. Turns out the answer is “extremely well,” and her reward is a steak she has absolutely earned.