NEW YORK NEWS
Jeremy Rosenberg, a supervising detective involved in the prosecution of Donald Trump by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, has been suspended for his contact with Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer. Rosenberg, who investigates financial crimes for Bragg, had his gun removed due to his interactions with Cohen. The suspension is being reviewed by Bragg’s office to assess compliance with internal protocols and to examine how Rosenberg shared communications about Cohen. Cohen’s attorney stated that their interactions were professional and focused on Cohen’s personal security. Critics have viewed the suspension as a politically motivated move by Bragg, who has been criticized as being soft on crime. Rosenberg also assisted in the prosecution of Steve Bannon and worked on investigations related to cryptocurrency and drug dealing on the dark web. Bragg had previously indicted Trump for an alleged hush payment.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has proposed a “private residence” plan to address the ongoing migrant crisis in the city. The plan would involve compensating local homeowners for sheltering asylum-seekers in their spare rooms. Adams revealed that religious leaders have agreed to house adult male migrants at 50 places of worship across the five boroughs. While specific details of the plan, including the compensation amount for hosting migrants, were not provided, Adams emphasized that it could be a way to alleviate economic challenges for residents and put money back in taxpayers’ pockets. The city currently pays a nightly rate of $125 to places of worship for each asylum seeker, which is cheaper than the cost of housing migrants in shelter hotels. Adams acknowledged that certain rules and regulations would need to be addressed and changed for the plan to be implemented successfully. The mayor’s proposal aims to provide assistance to migrants while utilizing existing resources and fostering community support.
Tens of thousands of participants joined the Celebrate Israel Parade in New York City to honor Israel’s 75th birthday. The parade featured school groups, synagogues, and nonprofits waving Israeli flags, but it also saw demonstrators urging the Netanyahu government to reject a judicial overhaul plan they consider anti-democratic. Israeli expat group UnXeptable, along with Ameinu, joined the march, with several members of Israel’s governing coalition also participating. While the parade showcased energy and enthusiasm, it also provided a platform for individuals to voice their opposition to the proposed judicial reforms. Ameinu, in particular, made a strong statement against Israel’s right-wing government and was joined by Rep. Jerry Nadler.
US NEWS
President Joe Biden signed legislation just in time to lift the nation’s debt ceiling and prevent a potential default on the federal government’s debt. The last-minute signing brought an end to a months-long drama that caused financial market fluctuations and concerns among retirees and social service organizations. Biden signed the legislation in private, reflecting the urgency and tight deadline faced by the country’s leaders. The Treasury Department had warned of an imminent cash shortage, which would have had severe economic consequences domestically and globally. The agreement, reached after negotiations between the White House and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, suspends the debt limit until 2025, sets spending restrictions, and establishes budget targets for the next two years. Biden emphasized the need for unity and collaboration among Americans to pursue progress and secure prosperity for all.
President Joe Biden tripped and fell while leaving the stage after delivering a speech and handing out diplomas to graduates of the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. The incident was captured on video and spread on social media, sparking concerns about the president’s physical condition due to his age. Biden, who is 80 years old, was quickly helped up and appeared to recover well. The White House communications director assured the public that Biden was fine and attributed the fall to a sandbag on stage. Republicans seized on the incident as evidence of the president’s unfitness for office, while those close to Biden emphasized his fitness and energy levels.
In May, the U.S. job market showed significant strength, as employers added 339,000 jobs, surpassing economists’ expectations. Despite concerns about high interest rates and persistent inflation, the labor market remained resilient. However, the unemployment rate rose from a five-decade low of 3.4% to 3.7%, the highest since October. The report also revised upward the payroll gains for March and April, indicating stronger hiring during that period than previously believed. The Federal Reserve’s plans for interest rate hikes may be influenced by the impressive jobs report, but upcoming inflation data could impact their decision-making.
Target shares experienced further declines before stabilizing, as the retailer faces multiple challenges. The stock, which was nearing a 10th straight session of losses, closed slightly higher but remains near a three-year low. JPMorgan downgraded Target’s stock from “overweight” to “neutral,” citing concerns about potential sales declines due to consumer spending pullback amid persistent inflation. Additionally, Target has faced backlash for its Pride marketing campaign, which featured merchandise with controversial messaging and designs. The retailer has responded by removing some items and adjusting its plans to ensure the safety and well-being of its team members.
After Twitter initially restricted the launch of The Daily Wire’s documentary What Is A Woman? on the platform, citing “hateful conduct” and “misgendering,” owner and CEO Elon Musk stepped in to remove all restrictions on the film. He then posted the acclaimed documentary to his 160 million followers, tweeting, “Every parent should watch this..” After that posting, the film hit over 170 million views on Twitter, making it the number one streaming documentary (according to Rotten Tomatoes). Ella Irwin, the head of Twitter’s trust and safety department, resigned shortly after, followed by Maie Aiyed, known for making derogatory posts about white people. The documentary, which had gained international attention and a high audience rating, has been credited with influencing the banning of transgender surgeries on minors in several states.
Apple unveiled its new high-tech goggles, called the Vision Pro, which offer augmented reality and spatial computing. However, the company notably avoided using the term “virtual reality,” indicating the challenges it may face in marketing the device to a mass audience. Analysts predict that the $3,500 price tag will limit the headset’s mainstream appeal initially, with early adopters and developers as the primary target audience. While the Vision Pro may not have broad appeal, it could serve as a trial run for Apple to eventually develop a more consumer-focused virtual reality product, such as lightweight glasses. The headset was presented as a revolutionary product during Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference, showcasing features like a three-dimensional interface, eye scanning for unlocking, and seamless integration with other Apple devices. In addition to the Vision Pro, Apple announced various updates and new products, while notably avoiding an in-depth discussion of artificial intelligence compared to other tech companies.
Election 2024
Mike Pence, former vice-president under Donald Trump, has announced his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination, setting up a potential showdown with his former boss. Pence, an evangelical conservative, enters a primary dominated by Trump, who holds a commanding lead in the polls. Although Pence has long been expected to run, he has not gained significant traction in polling, often competing for third place. Pence’s tenure as vice-president was marked by his unwavering loyalty to Trump, but their relationship strained after Trump’s refusal to accept the election results. Pence faced danger during the January 6 riot at the Capitol, and the House January 6 committee has portrayed him as a hero while making criminal referrals of Trump. Pence has distanced himself from Trump, acknowledging that Trump’s words endangered him and others. However, some observers question the depth of his independence and assertiveness during his vice-presidency.
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is entering the 2024 Republican presidential primary, setting up a clash with former President Donald Trump. Christie, a moderate Republican, aims to appeal to more traditionally conservative, establishment-friendly Republicans and position himself as a foil to Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. He believes he can take on Trump in the primary and appeal to independents in a potential general election against President Joe Biden. Christie’s bid is supported by a new super PAC formed by allies in anticipation of his campaign. Christie previously served as Trump’s transition team leader and adviser but turned against him after the 2020 election. He has been critical of Trump’s actions and was involved in the “Bridgegate” scandal during his governorship.
Israel NEWS
An Israeli woman who was critically injured in a 2001 suicide bombing at a Jerusalem restaurant has died, making her the sixteenth fatality from that attack. Hana Nachenberg, who was 31 years old at the time of the blast, remained in a coma for nearly 22 years until her death on Wednesday. The bombing, which took place during the second Palestinian intifada, was one of the most notorious attacks in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The family of an Israeli-American girl killed in the attack is currently campaigning for the extradition of Ahlam Tamimi, who was convicted of aiding the attacker and was released in a 2011 prisoner swap with Hamas. The United States has charged Tamimi with conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction against Americans, and she is on the FBI’s list of Most Wanted Terrorists.
The commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East, Gen. Mike Kurilla, visited Israel as the Israeli military began a two-week drill simulating a multi-front war. During his visit, Kurilla was briefed on recent and planned operations by the Israel Defense Forces’ Unit 504 human intelligence unit and participated in discussions on strengthening joint operational capabilities and coordination. He attended a situation assessment and held a working meeting with IDF Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi. The IDF and U.S. military aim to deepen their operational relationship to ensure regional security. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also met with Kurilla to discuss Middle East developments, express appreciation for U.S. military cooperation, and highlight the importance of joint exercises and deepening ties between the defense establishments of both countries. Gallant briefed Kurilla on the recent “Operation Shield and Arrow” against Islamic Jihad in Gaza, including the elimination of senior terrorist leaders.
Israel has confirmed that the Israeli citizen who died in a boat accident in Italy was a former Mossad agent. The man’s body was flown back to Israel, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office offered condolences to the family while emphasizing that due to the sensitive nature of the agent’s work, further details could not be disclosed. The former agent was identified as Erez Shimoni by European media outlets. The Mossad released a statement expressing sorrow for the loss of their dedicated and professional employee who had served the security of Israel for many years. The boat accident also claimed the lives of two Italian intelligence agents and a Russian woman, with additional reports suggesting that ten more Israeli intelligence officers were on board.
The largest ever official delegation from the British House of Lords is visiting Israel on a four-day fact-finding mission, highlighting the close relations between Jerusalem and London. The cross-party group of 20 peers, including former Conservative Party leader Michael Howard and longtime Labour lawmaker David Watts, raised concerns about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposed judiciary reforms in meetings with Israeli officials. The visit comes at a high point in Israel-UK relations, with increased cooperation in innovation and economic integration. The delegation has also met with Palestinian Authority officials and visited Yad Vashem, the memorial to the Holocaust victims, with the aim of deepening bilateral relations between Israel and the UK.
WORLD NEWS
India experienced its worst rail crash in over two decades, resulting in the death of at least 288 people and leaving 803 injured. The accident occurred when a passenger train derailed and collided with another train due to signal failure. The wreckage and mangled train cars presented a chaotic scene, and rescue operations are ongoing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the site, expressing deep sorrow and promising assistance to those affected. The incident highlights concerns over railway safety and the need for infrastructure upgrades in India.
North Korea’s attempt to launch its first spy satellite into space failed, dealing a setback to leader Kim Jong Un’s military ambitions. The quick admission of failure was followed by a vow to conduct a second launch once the cause of the failure is identified. The failed launch comes amidst rising tensions with the United States and South Korea. South Korea and Japan briefly urged residents to take shelter after the launch. North Korea’s satellite launch violates UN Security Council resolutions, and previous launches have helped improve its long-range missile technology. The failure suggests that Pyongyang may stage another provocation soon. The US strongly condemned the launch, and both South Korea and Japan increased military readiness in response.
