NEW YORK NEWS
New York City has agreed to pay over $13 million to settle a civil rights lawsuit on behalf of approximately 1,300 people who were arrested or subjected to police violence during racial injustice demonstrations in the summer of 2020. The settlement, one of the most expensive ever awarded in a mass arrests lawsuit, addresses 18 protests that occurred following George Floyd’s killing. Each eligible individual may receive $9,950 in compensation.
The settlement allows the city to avoid a costly and politically sensitive trial. Attorneys accused the NYPD of violating protesters’ First Amendment rights through indiscriminate brutality and unlawful arrests. The city denied systemic violations but didn’t admit wrongdoing under the agreement. Certain charges disqualify protesters from the settlement, and other lawsuits are ongoing to demand police practice changes. The growing costs should prompt city leaders to address the NYPD’s longstanding issues with compliant protest policing.
New York State is set to collect around half a billion dollars in unclaimed funds this year, which are funds that have been left dormant and turned over to the comptroller’s office by companies holding these accounts. The state pays back a portion of these funds to rightful owners, but a significant amount is funneled into the general fund for state programs. Critics argue that the state could do more to return hundreds of millions of dollars to their rightful owners by adopting proactive methods used by other states, such as implementing programs to send out checks when unclaimed funds match their owners. New York’s current system, which includes limitations on the online database and lack of proactive measures, has drawn criticism from policy experts who believe the state should explore and apply successful models from other states.
The MTA has implemented AI technology at over seven subway stations to monitor instances of fare evasion discreetly. The system, designed by the Spanish company AWAAIT, records videos of fare dodgers and analyzes data to identify trends in evasion. The MTA plans to expand the technology to around two dozen more stations by the end of the year. The AI connects to the transit system’s extensive 10,000-camera surveillance network and can send images of fare evaders to station managers. The MTA assures that the technology does not identify individuals and is used solely for data collection. However, privacy advocates have raised concerns about the increased surveillance and potential privacy violations. The move comes amidst a rise in subway fares and criticism over fare evasion enforcement, which some argue criminalizes poverty.
New Jersey has filed a federal lawsuit against New York’s plan to implement tolls for driving into Manhattan’s most visited areas, arguing that New Jersey residents and towns will face the negative impacts without reaping the benefits. New Jersey’s governor claims that the tolls, part of an effort to reduce traffic, improve air quality, and raise funds for public transit in New York, will result in commuters seeking alternate routes, leading to more traffic and pollution. The lawsuit challenges the Federal Highway Administration’s approval of the plan, alleging it violates the National Environmental Policy Act. New York officials defend the plan, stating it will generate $1 billion annually for public transit upgrades.
New Yorkers may see their Con Edison gas and electricity bills more than double in the next two years due to a newly approved rate hike. Con Ed will implement a 9% increase in rates across the city next month as part of a three-year rate plan approved by the state’s Public Service Commission. An average resident using 600-kilowatt hours of electricity per month will experience a 9.1% increase in their bill in August, followed by further hikes in January 2025. Gas customers will also face significant increases, with bills expected to rise by 8.4% next month. The rate hikes aim to offset the utility’s inability to increase rates earlier this year, and Con Ed blames property taxes as a significant driver of the increases. Critics argue that the hikes will burden struggling New Yorkers and exacerbate financial strain.
Tony Bennett, the legendary singer known for classic American songs like “I Left My Heart In San Francisco,” died at the age of 96 in his hometown of New York. His publicist confirmed the news, and though the cause of death was not specified, Bennett had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016. Throughout his decades-long career, Bennett won 19 competitive Grammys and was admired by artists from Frank Sinatra to Lady Gaga. He was praised for his rich and durable voice and his ability to interpret songs, which made him a master of ballads and up-tempo numbers. Bennett remained relevant by collaborating with younger artists and introducing new audiences to the Great American Songbook. He was known for his easy, courtly manner and genuine performances that made people feel good.
US NEWS
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution with an overwhelming majority (412-9) affirming that Israel is “not a racist or apartheid state,” in response to remarks made by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.). The resolution, introduced by Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas), also emphasizes Congress’s rejection of antisemitism and the U.S.’s commitment to being a strong partner and supporter of Israel. Jayapal, the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, voted in favor of the resolution, but her previous remarks about Israel being a racist state drew controversy and protests. Nine Democrats, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar, voted against the measure. The resolution was supported by House leadership and aimed to counter negative comments made about Israel by some representatives.
Tafari Campbell, a former White House chef who worked for the Obama family, was found dead in a pond on Martha’s Vineyard. He had gone paddleboarding and was reported missing. Witnesses saw him struggle in the water and then submerge without resurfacing. His body was recovered by Massachusetts Environmental Police officers. Campbell was a beloved part of the Obama family, and they expressed their grief in a joint statement, remembering him as a talented and kind person. The investigation into his death is ongoing.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was involved in a car accident in Tennessee while traveling to an event in Chattanooga. His campaign spokesperson confirmed that he and his team were uninjured, and no further details about the accident were immediately available. DeSantis had fundraisers scheduled in different areas of Tennessee on the same day.
Former President Donald Trump’s trial for allegedly mishandling classified documents is set to begin on May 20, 2024, according to a U.S. court order. Trump’s lawyers had pushed for a trial after the November 2024 U.S. presidential election, but the court scheduled it for May. The trial is one of several legal challenges Trump is facing, including a separate trial in Manhattan on charges of falsifying business records and being the target of a grand jury investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election defeat. Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges related to the mishandling of national security documents.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced that it will end its decades-old policy of making unannounced home and business visits. Instead, revenue agents will mail letters to taxpayers to schedule meetings. The change is aimed at keeping IRS workers safe and combating scammers who pretend to be IRS agents. The decision comes after the agency experienced more threats, partly due to conspiracy theories, and a comprehensive review of safety at its facilities was conducted. The National Treasury Employees Union has commended the agency for the policy change, and IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel believes the move will address concerns raised by unannounced visits, including those from U.S. Congress. The increase in scam artists posing as IRS agents has also led to confusion about such visits.
Elon Musk, the owner of Twitter, announced on social media that the platform will be moving away from its bird logo and transitioning to the letter “X.” Musk posted a series of tweets, including a poll asking users to vote on changing the default color to black. He indicated that the change might happen soon, possibly as early as Monday, and shared an image of Twitter’s current logo on a faded black background to give an idea of the new look. Musk mentioned that the new logo would be “closest in style” to art deco and aims to create “X, the everything app,” expanding Twitter’s scope beyond its current form. Musk acquired Twitter in a $44 billion deal in October and has since made several changes influenced by user feedback and poll results.
Israel NEWS
Israel announced that it will allow all American citizens, including dual-nationality Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza Strip, to enter the country through its international airport as part of an agreement to qualify for a visa waiver program with the U.S. Israel has sought visa-free entry to the U.S. for its citizens for years, but the request was hindered by the U.S. government’s demand for equal treatment at Israel’s borders for all American citizens, including Palestinian Americans who faced entry restrictions. The new regulation will take effect on Thursday and aims to strengthen ties between the two countries. The Israeli statement did not specifically mention Palestinians but indicated that it would allow entry for all Americans, including those with dual nationality and residents of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underwent a pacemaker implantation at Sheba Medical Center in Tel Aviv after being rushed to the hospital ahead of a key debate on his judicial reforms. The procedure was deemed successful, but he remains under observation. Netanyahu’s heart monitor, which was implanted a week earlier, alerted doctors to the urgent need for the pacemaker. Crowds of protesters across Israel demonstrated against his plans to overhaul the judicial system. Despite the procedure, Netanyahu expressed his intention to continue with the legislation and seek a compromise with his opponents. The weekly Cabinet meeting and his overseas trips were postponed due to his hospitalization.
The Knesset, Israel’s Parliament, approved an amendment to the country’s Basic Law that curbs the “reasonableness standard,” which gave judges the power to veto government decisions they deemed unreasonable. The right-wing bloc voted in favor of the amendment, while the opposition boycotted the vote. The amendment aims to correct the left-leaning domination of the judiciary, but the Israeli Left views it as a threat to democracy and has launched protests. Supporters of the amendment argue that it restores power to elected officials and promotes democracy. The opposition, including former Prime Minister Yair Lapid, criticized the amendment, calling the government “thieves in the night” and warning of further protests.
Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi has expressed concern over “dangerous cracks” in the military’s competence and cohesion as thousands of reservists threaten to refuse service. A group of 10,000 reservists from 40 military units vowed not to report for duty if the “reasonableness bill” passes into law, and over 1,000 Israel Air Force pilots announced they will suspend their reserve service if the judicial reform effort advances. Halevi emphasized that a strong and cohesive army is essential for the country’s existence in the region and called on all reservists to fulfill their duty despite civil protests. He stressed the importance of internal and external cohesion to fulfill the IDF’s mission of protecting the country and ensuring its existence.
WORLD NEWS
An American soldier, Pvt. Travis King, sprinted across the heavily fortified border into North Korea while on a tour of the Demilitarized Zone, leaving his tour group in shock. King had been released from a South Korean prison on July 10 after serving time for assault and was scheduled to return to Fort Bliss, Texas. He faced discharge from the Army due to his conviction in a foreign country. The incident occurred amid heightened tensions between North Korea and the US, making it unlikely that King will return soon. North Korea has not commented on the detention. Observers believe North Korea may use King for propaganda and as a bargaining chip.
King Mohammed VI of Morocco has invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit Morocco, praising Israel’s willingness to recognize Moroccan sovereignty in Western Sahara. This would be the first time Netanyahu visits one of the Arab countries that established ties with Israel through the Abraham Accords. No date for the visit has been set yet, but National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi will discuss the matter with the Moroccan Foreign Minister. Israel and Morocco have been working to strengthen their ties under the Abraham Accords, even as some issues have caused concern among Israel’s other Arab partners in the agreement.
Thousands of senior doctors in England initiated a 48-hour walkout to demand better pay and conditions, causing severe disruptions in hospitals and leaving only emergency care available. The strike is part of a wave of industrial action by public sector workers amid the UK’s ongoing cost-of-living crisis. The walkout by senior doctors follows a recent five-day strike by junior doctors. The British Medical Association, the doctors’ union, rejected the government’s offer of a 6% pay increase, stating that doctors have experienced a significant decline in real-term take-home pay over the past 14 years. The strikes have further strained the National Health Service, already facing workforce shortages and funding gaps. Additionally, rail workers staged further strikes, and a new law allowing officials to impose minimum service levels during essential worker strikes was enacted, drawing opposition from unions and opposition parties.
