Barnet, England, UK - Outrage As Swastikas Are Painted On Jewish Doctor's Home

Barnet, England, UK - Swastikas and the words "kill all Jews" have been daubed on the house of a Jewish doctor in Hampstead Garden Suburb.

Dr Justin Stebbing of Erskine Hill found the offensive graffiti painted on his scooter and car bonnet and the attackers had also scrawled other anti-Semitic slogans and the word "Allah" on the windows of his house.
"I felt violated," he said. "Just like I had been burgled. It's horrible. I don't even feel like going home any more. These people were not idiots - they knew exactly what they were doing.
"It's quite scary when this happens. I'm not fearful for myself of further harassment but imagine this happened to an old lady who was living alone."
The doctor, who works at Bart's Hospital, says he has no idea of who is responsible for the attack, but is in no doubt that it is related to the war in the Middle East.

Dr Stebbing notified the police as soon as he discovered the graffiti but is not hopeful they will catch the offenders. "The police were polite and helpful and very good at giving advice but it seemed solving the crime was less of a priority for them," said Dr Stebbing.
And Barnet police said the number of reported attacks against Jewish people had actually decreased since the start of the war.
Inspector Jeremy Harding of Barnet Police said: "We have no plans to increase local patrols at this stage, however we are flexible and should the circumstances change this would be reviewed. We continue to work closely with the Community Safety Trust and the Jewish community to make Barnet a safer place."

But the CST, which was set up to monitor attacks on Britain's Jewish population, has released statistics painting a different picture.
It logged 92 anti-Semitic incidents for July 2006 - more than double the number for July 2005.

Caro, Michigan +3 Men Arraigned on Terrorism-Related Charges+

Caro, Michigan +3 Men Arraigned on Terrorism-Related Charges+ 3 Texas men were arraigned Saturday on terrorism-related charges after police found about 1,000 cell phones in their minivan. Police say they were looking to use them as detonators.

Washington, DC - Thousands Protest Israeli War on Lebanon

Washington, DC - Thousands of people gathered across from the White House on Saturday, even though the president was out of town, in support of Lebanese and Palestinians, and to condemn U.S. and Israeli policies in the Middle East.
"The occupiers are being seen as the victims, and I'm really ashamed of what is going on in the Middle East," said Alicia Jrapko, a member of the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition, which organized the rally.
"End the occupation now!" one demonstrator's sign read, a call for Israel to leave historically Palestinian lands.

The crowd was filled with Muslims, but also contained many non-Muslims, including a handful of orthodox Jews. Yeshaye Rosenverg, 23, traveled form Monsey, N.Y., to "show the support for the Lebanese and Palestine people and to make clear that it's not a Jewish fight between Arabs and Jews."

Israel - Ups Widescale Ground Attacks in Lebanon Despite U.N. Vote

Israel - Israel has tripled its forces in Lebanon over Shabbas and will continue to fight for now, but will halt all hostilities at 7 a.m. (midnight EDT) Monday.

In New York late on Friday, the U.N. Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution, that calls for a halt to the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah has said the militant organization will abide by the U.N. cease-fire resolution.

Israel - Charedi Rabbis Seek Cease-Fire With Hamas

Israel - Rabbi Steinman and Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, have given their blessing to a meeting with Hamas aimed at reaching a cease-fire that could save Jewish lives.

The plan approved by Yosef and Steinman calls for three rabbis representing Sephardi, Ashkenazi and religious Zionist Orthodoxy to meet with Hamas representatives.

The proposed cease-fire would be between Hamas and the Jewish people - not with the state of Israel - to circumvent Hamas's refusal to recognize the Zionist entity.
Rabbi Yosef, and Rabbi Steinman and other major rabbinic leaders take a pragmatic approach to the talks, they see it as a means of stopping, even if only temporarily, the barrage of Kassam rockets in the South, suicide bombings and roadside shootings.

Contemporary Issues in Jerusalem, said that religious leaders, both Jewish and Muslim, had much in common and could accomplish much more than politicians. "The Islamic world has deep concerns about the penetration of liberal, secular values and lifestyles into the Middle East. A major factor in the conflict between radical Islam and the Western world is Islam's opposition to secular lifestyle and ideology. "The Charedi community understands their sensitivities and mentality and feels threatened by the same phenomena.
The Charedi community could play a key role in dialogue between the West and Islam because we live in two worlds, one deeply religious and the other liberal and pluralistic. We understand that the secular mind is different from the religious mind.

"Today in the West the assumption in dealing with Muslim extremism is that moderation and tolerance are the keys. But what the West does not understand is that there is something threatening in that approach, both to the Charedi mind and to a deeply Islamic mind. Both Charedim and Muslims see multicultural society as an anathema.

London - Airlines Terror Plot Disrupted

London - A plot to blow up planes in mid-flight from the UK to the US above US and UK cities and to commit "mass murder on an unimaginable scale" has been disrupted, Scotland Yard has said.

It is thought the plan was to detonate liquid explosive devices smuggled aboard as hand luggage on to as many as 10+ aircrafts.
Police were searching premises with 21 people in custody after arrests in the London area and West Midlands.
High security is causing delays at all UK airports. The threat level to the UK has been raised to critical.
Heathrow Airport has been closed to all incoming flights that are not already in the air, while several outbound services have been cancelled.
London Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Paul Stephenson said the alleged plotters had intended "mass murder on an unimaginable scale". Passengers will have to put any carry-on luggage in plastic bags. "We are confident that we have disrupted a plan by terrorists to cause untold death and destruction and to commit, quite frankly, mass murder," he said. "We believe that the terrorists' aim was to smuggle explosives on to aeroplanes in hand luggage and to detonate these in flight. We also believe that the intended targets were flights going from the United Kingdom to the United States of America, NY, CA and Washington, DC. "I can confirm that a significant number of people are currently in custody and the operation is ongoing."

The arrests took place in London, High Wycombe and Birmingham.

The U.S. has raised its threat warning to the highest level for commercial flights from Britain to the United States, the terrorists had targeted United, American and Continental airlines.

U/D: 07:51
A senior U.S. administration official says that intelligence on the foiled airline terror plot indicates "very strong links to al Qaeda."

And officials are telling people not to fly unless they absolutely have to.
But there is currently no known terror plot within the US.

Hawaii - Governor Helps Rededicate Torah

Hawaii - Governor Lingle was on the Big Island attending the rededication of Congregation Kona Bes Shalom's 350-year-old Torah.
Lingle and members of the congregation, under the guidance of Rabbi Moishe Druin, were asked to write in a letter as the final part of the ancient scroll's restoration.

The Torah once belonged to the congregation in Polna, Czechoslovakia. It was among the more than 15-hundred confiscated by the Nazis during World War Two.
The Nazis arrived in Polna in 1943. All 93 Jews in the town were rounded up, taken away and never seen again.

Their names and ages -- between four months and 90 years -- were read aloud as the Torah was passed from member to member.

Cedarhurst, NY +Pedestrian Struck+

Cedarhurst, NY +Pedestrian Struck+ A motor vehicle accident on Central Avenue with a pedestrian that was struck and is in serious condition, Hatzolah on the scene requesting Medics on a rush.

Woodridge, NY +Serious Eye Injury+

Woodridge, NY +Serious Eye Injury+ Hatzolah Medics on the scene in Camp Morris at County Road 53 and Brickman Road for an 8-year-old child that fell and has a serious eye injury requesting chopper to fly, WFD setting up L/Z for Medevac Stat Flight-2 in Krieger Park.

Mideltown, NY +MVA+

Mideltown, NY +MVA+ a motor vehicle accident on Route 17 between Exits 119 and 120, Hatzolah responding BLS and ALS units, Monticello and KJ Ambulances are enroute.

Rome, Italy +40 Terror Plot Suspects Arrested+

Rome, Italy +40 Terror Plot Suspects Arrested+ The arrests were made in Rome, Milan, Venice, Florence, Naples and other cities, "as part of an extraordinary operation that followed the British anti-terrorist operation," the ministry said in a statement.

The raids were made on "Islamic gathering places, including call centers, Internet points and money transfer" offices, the ministry said
In a statement, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said the arrests underscored "the very important role that has been played by Pakistan in breaking this international terrorist network." It said there were "indications of Afghanistan-based Al Qaeda connection" in the case, but did not elaborate.

Five Pakistanis have been arrested in Pakistan as suspected "facilitators" of the plot, a government official said, in addition to two Britons arrested there about a week ago.

London, UK - Royal Mail Probes Swastika Daubings

London, UK - The Royal Mail has promised to launch an investigation after discovering that donations sent from Jews in London to a charity in Israel were being daubed with swastikas en route to their destination.

We were alerted to the anti-semitic defacing of post by David Pearl, senior partner of Pearl and Co Solicitors in Hendon, who tried to mail a cheque for £50 to Ezra and Chessed in Jerusalem.
However the charity for learning disabled children returned his donation explaining they couldn’t accept it in its current state - both the covering letter and the cheque had had the Nazi symbol scrawled all over them.

Ezra and Chessed confirmed that the letter from Pearl and Co solicitors was just one of a number of donations from the UK they had received that had been defaced with swastikas. Izchak Abargil from the charity said that he was "deeply distressed" by the anti-semitic scrawls, which were all the more hurtful given that the money was destined to help children with Down’s syndrome and other special needs. "This is simply terrible", he said. "People must be told what is happening."

Izmir, Turkey +Fire Erupted in Old Synagogue+

Izmir, Turkey +Fire Erupted in Old Synagogue+ A fire broke out in an old and unused synagogue in the western Turkish province of Izmir, resulting in the destruction of the synagogue and damage to nearby buildings.

The blaze broke out at the Bes Ilel Synagogue in the district of Kemeralti on Friday morning. Firemen and police rushed to the scene where the fire had engulfed the entire synagogue and also spread to nearby buildings, whose residents were evacuated.
Firemen struggled for two hours to bring the blaze under control. The synagogue was completely destroyed while the roofs of the nearby businesses were also damaged by the fire.

The cause of the fire has not yet been ascertained. An investigation into the incident is underway.
There are an estimated 2,500 Jews in Izmir.

Rego Park, Queens, NY +Rash of Pickpocketing+

Rego Park, Queens, NY +Rash of Pickpocketing+ NYPD of the 112th Precinct is reporting, that there has been a rash of pickpocketing incidents in Rego Park.
The Community Policing Unit has made four arrests for pickpocketing offenses at the Sears Mall, 96-05 Queens Blvd., police said.
The 112th Precinct said shoppers should make sure to close purses and wallets tightly, wear purses instead of putting them into the back of a baby carriage or shopping cart, and to be aware of other people nearby.

The 112th Precinct will be continuing its pickpocketing sting operation.

Jacksonville, FL +Gunman Forced Evacuation of a Greyhound Bus+

Jacksonville, FL - A gunman aboard a Greyhound bus forced the evacuation of the driver and passengers and a partial shutdown of Interstate 95. Lt. Bill Leeper, a spokesman with the Florida Highway Patrol, said officials received a call from the driver.

A Greyhound spokeswoman said that the driver and 38 passengers had been on the bus, and all are safe now.
Southbound I-95 was shut down, backing up traffic. Traffic was moving slowly on the northbound side.

Mexico City +Earthquake Sways Skyscrapers+

Mexico City +Earthquake Sways Skyscrapers+ A moderate earthquake rocked Mexico City, causing skyscrapers to sway and frightening residents, but emergency officials said no major damage or injuries were reported.

The U.S. Geological Service estimated the earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 5.9 and struck in Michoacan, 125 miles southwest of the capital. It was centered four miles northwest of the town of Huetamo and 59 miles below ground.
Some buildings announced brief evacuations, and hundreds ran into the streets.

The quake was too small and based too far inland to cause a tsunami, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.

Israel +Prime Minister Dissatisfied With Emerging Cease-Fire+

Israel +Prime Minister Dissatisfied With Emerging Cease-Fire+ An Israeli official says the prime minister is dissatisfied with the emerging cease-fire deal and has given the go-ahead to the defense minister to get ready for a ground offensive.

U/D: 12:58
A spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says the expanded Israeli ground offensive in Lebanon has started.

U/D: 17:19
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has accepted emerging cease-fire deal, and has informed the U.S. Of the decision.

Woodbury, NY - Voters OK New Village for Protection Against Expansion of Kiryas Joel

Woodbury, NY - An overwhelming majority of town voters decided yesterday that the higher taxes and political uncertainty of a new layer of government was worth whatever protection it would give against an expansion of Kiryas Joel.

Residents voted 2,092 to 583 to create a 36.8-square-mile village that encompasses all of Woodbury except its share of Harriman. The new village will be governed by a mayor and trustees, independent of the Town Board that now runs Woodbury.

The tallying of votes was delayed because many of the remaining voters belonged to a group of Hasidic voters who registered last week after the deadline to be placed on the rolls. They had to approach poll workers, one by one, and present evidence to show they were eligible to vote.

Residents petitioned to form the village in 2004 at a time of intense anxiety about a potential expansion of neighboring Kiryas Joel and its high-density housing.
Proponents argued it would prevent Kiryas Joel or anyone else from creating its own village in Woodbury and changing the zoning.
Opponents challenged the motives of "the village people" and the accuracy of their information. They argued the new village would drive up taxes and do little to thwart Kiryas Joel's designs on southwestern Woodbury.
But "yes" voters said outside the polling station "As crass as it may sound, sometimes you have to pay to protect what you have," Teresa Bianco said.

Malverne, NY - Man Escapes Major Injury After LIRR Train Strikes His Vehicle

Malverne, NY - A man escaped serious injuries after his vehicle he was driving was trapped on a Long Island Railroad crossing and got struck by a westbound train on Hempstead Avenue and Broadway.

Edward Schwartz from Far Rockaway was taken to Winthrop University Hospital with only minor injuries, and is in good condition in the hospital.
Traffic was very heavy when the 92-year-old Schwartz drove his 1996 Toyato onto the tracks, and when the crossing gates were lowered, Schwartz was trapped and didn't have where to go, he tried witout success to back off the tracks, but at that time he got swiped by the the equipment train which pushed his car into a fence, FD, PD were all on the scene to rescue him.

Service on the LIRR West Hempstead Branch was temporarliy suspended as a result of the accident.

Orange County, NY - State Police Requesting New Barracks

Orange County, NY - NY State Police recently made a request for proposals to build a new barracks on Route 208 between Interstate 84 and Route 17K.
The 30 troopers, sergeants and investigators of the Newburgh barracks are now housed in a renovated Air Force building at Stewart International Airport. "I've been told that we're going to move," state police Capt. Steve Nevins said. If all goes well, construction of the nearly 5,800-square-foot barracks would begin next year. The cost of the project has not been determined.

As early as the early 1990s, state police brass talked of moving the station to Montgomery. In that time, the red-brick building has slid into disrepair. "People we've arrested have said this place is a dump," said Neil Moscato, senior investigator at state police in Newburgh. He was in the interrogation room, which yesterday doubled as a hospitality suite for a meeting with Rabbi Morton Friedman of Kiryas Joel. "People say, 'This place is a police station?'"
"That's what I said," Friedman added.

Ohio +Two Americans Charged With Funding Hizbullah+

Ohio - Authorities have arrested two 20-year-old men in an Ohio city on charges of funneling money for the Hizbullah terrorist organization. Police arrested them for a minor traffic violation and discovered they were carrying security information.

Arrested were Ali Houssaiky and Osama Abulhassan of Dearborn, Michigan, a Detroit suburb with a large Arab population. They were apprehended with a dozen cell phones, names of airline passengers and information on airport security. They also were carrying $11,000 in cash and maps marking the sites of Wal-Mart stores in the Mid-Atlantic and southeastern states.

New Delhi +Warning from U.S. Embassy+

New Delhi +Warning from U.S. Embassy+ The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi is warning that foreign militants, possibly al-Qaida members, are planning attacks in two major India's cities in coming days.

Beirut, Lebanon +Loud Explosions+

Beirut, Lebanon +Loud Explosions+ Six loud explosions shook central Beirut early Friday and Israeli jets were attacking the city's southern suburbs.

Queens, NY +Power Outage+

Queens, NY +Power Outage+ The NYPD of the 101 Pct are calling for a level one mobilization for a power outage in the area of Mott Avenue and Beach 20th Street, ingluding in the outage is the 101 Pct Stationhouse.

Fallsburgh, NY +Golf Cart MVA at Camp+

Fallsburgh, NY +Golf Cart MVA at Camp+ An accident with a golf cart at Camp Machnei Beis Rachual at 224 Pleasent Valley Road, with a 4-year-old child that fell out from the golf cart while riding in it, Hatzolah on the scene requesting Medics on a rush for the child that has serious head trauma, Stat Flight Air-1 inbound with a 30 minu. ETA.

U/D: 19:59
Air-1 just landed.

Monroe, NY - Committee Resumes Master-Plan Talks

Monroe, NY - The committee charged with updating the Town of Monroe’s master plan will meet tonight to discuss a draft that had largely faded from public view since its introduction last year.
The meeting is at 7:30 p.m. at the Monroe Senior Center.

The document, technically known as a comprehensive plan, holds an inventory of the town’s resources and lays out broad guidelines for the future development of Orange County’s most populous town.
The Town Board would have to approve the plan, once the committee finishes it. Any new land-use policies recommended in the document must later be translated into laws and enacted.

Ferndale, NY +Route 17 MVA+

Ferndale, NY +Route 17 MVA+ A accident with a bus that into water near Route 17 at Exit 101 at Ferndale Lewis Road with multiple aided, has Hatzolah on the scene requesting two ambulances and ALS to respond as well.

U/D: 18:03
KJEMS sending two buses, multiple agencies enroute.

U/D: 18:08
Hatzolah on the scene treating about 30 children all with minor injuries, still requesting all available man power to the staging area at the gas station.

U/D: 18:21
Liberty, NY - Bus Carrying Boys Plunges Into River

Liberty, NY - A bus carrying Hasidic boys struck a building and landed in the Middle Mongaup River today after it failed to negotiate a turn at the bottom of a hill on Ferndale-Loomis Road.

A witness said, the accident happened at about 5:30 p.m. When the bus was trying to make a right at the bottom of the hill, where Old Route 17 intersects Ferndale-Loomis Road, when it struck the corner of the Ferndale Antiques Marketplace before plunging into the river.
It is believed everyone got off the bus safely. Several of the children were taken away on stretchers.

This is the second time since 2004 that a bus failed to come to a stop at the bottom of the hill.
On May 23, 2004, excessive speed was the primary cause of a charter bus crash that injured 54 teenage girls returning from a religious retreat.
The state Public Transportation Safety Board ruled that wet pavement and inadequate road signs contributed to that crash, while the poor condition of the bus's brakes exacerbated the crash.

Officials were still investigating todays accident late Thursday.

Montreal, Canada +Suspicious Package on Plane+

Montreal, Canada +Suspicious Package on Plane+ An Air Canada flight from Montreal headed to Reagan National Airport is being diverted to BWI Airport, due to a suspicious package on board.

Monsey, NY - Roadwork Set to Begin by 2007

Monsey, NY - An extensive road-improvement project in a notoriously congested area of Monsey is expected to begin by early next year.

The nearly $2 million project includes widening Maple Avenue between Route 306 and Monsey Boulevard, as well as adding antique lamp posts, turn lanes, sidewalks and curbs on both sides of the avenue. "This is one of the largest projects the town has ever done," said the town's traffic consultant. "This is a total reconstruction of the road. This should have been done years ago."

The stretch of road serves a walking community - comprised mostly of Orthodox Jews, whose population has grown in the area over the years - and the lack of sidewalks creates a potential hazard for drivers and pedestrians.

Israel - European Tourist Stabbed in Jerusalem

Israel - A European tourist was stabbed to death near Jerusalem's Old City by an Arab assailant.

The tourist was walking with a small group of tourists on Sultan Suleiman Street in the heart of east Jerusalem when a young Arab attacker approached them from behind and stabbed one of them in the back. The attacker hurled the knife to the ground and fled the scene.

Police said the motive for the nighttime attack was not immediately clear.

Ferndale, NY +Pedestrian Struck+

Ferndale, NY +Pedestrian Struck+ A motor vehicle accident with a motorcyclist that was struck at Exit 101 of Route 17 at the Exxon Gas Stattion, Hatzolah responding and requesting ALS also to respond.

U/D: 15:07
Medivac has been placed on standby.
Hatzolah canceling all additional units heading to the scene.

U/D; 15:29
EMS on the scene has requested Medivac to fly, Lifeduard from Orange County is enroute, L/Z at the scene.

Budapest - Holocaust Memorial May Face Demolition

Budapest - A holocaust memorial called "Wall of the True" erected in Budapest's District XII without the necessary official permission may be demolished.  

The case offers a striking parallel with a statue of a bird (a turul; a favored symbol of Hungarian nationalists) also erected without permission in the same district, and which may be dismantled. The "Wall of the True" was completed in October 2005, one week before the turul statue.
A preliminary decision will be made in the case. The public body in charge of permitting such monuments will make its judgment based on aesthetic grounds, after it receives planning documents from the memorial's creators. If it declines again to issue a permit, the city will probably order the memorial to be demolished.

Ottawa, Canada - Jewish Leader Asks Officials To Ban Hezbollah Demonstrations

Ottawa, Canada - The vice-president of one of the Jewish organizations in  Canada says his organization wants police and the federal government to crack down on pro-Hezbollah demonstrations.

Frank Dimant says the streets of Canada should not be flooded by extremists supporting a known terrorist group. He said his group has asked police forces and government officials to target the rallies. "The streets of Canada will not be taken over by radical Islamic forces supporting terrorist activities," he said. Our organizations Canada will do its utmost to ensure that Canadians will not be intimidated by these terrorist sympathizers.

Mohamed Elmasry, president of the Canadian Islamic Congress, said Jewish groups need to tone down their rhetoric and focus their efforts on urging a ceasefire in Lebanon.

Brussels - European Jewish Student’s Website Hacked And Defaced

Brussels - The website of the European Union of Jewish Students’s, was defaced by anti-Israel Arab hackers.

The hackers replaced the site with an image depicting a burning Israeli flag and an accompanying text that read, '!!! Own3d by Team-Evil Arab Hackerz!!!, Israel Go to Hell."
Later on, a virus appeared on the site that collapsed the entire external server.

Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY - Townhouse Sales Go Thru Roof

Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY - The real estate market continued to surge as the average price of townhouses skyrocketed in all but one neighborhood in Brooklyn.

Williamsburg saw the biggest price hikes, but less trendy areas such as Brownsville and East New York also saw huge increases. "The supply in Brooklyn has been very tight for at least three years, and I think this goes a long way in demonstrating the huge demand here," said William Ross, Halstead Property's executive director. "A lot of people found a neighborhood they love and just don't want to leave."

In development-crazy Williamsburg, the average townhouse price jumped from $693,813 last year to a whopping $1.1 million - a 59% increase.

Only Seagate saw a 12% dip in townhouse prices since last year, when homes in the gated community went for $675,653.  
The reason could be because only 10 homes hit the market this year, meaning that a few lower-priced homes would reduce the average considerably, Ross said.

Seattle, WA +Shooter of Jewish Center in Front of Judge+

Seattle, WA +Shooter of Jewish Center in Front of Judge+ The man accused in the Seattle Jewish center shootings has indicated he wants to plead guilty, his attorney told a judge.

Queens NY +Major Phone Outage+

Queens NY +Major Phone Outage+ There is a major outage on cell and direct connect phone services centered in Queens NY and affecting also adjacent areas that are being serviced by the cell sites in Queens.
 
A total of 74 sites are down affecting coverage in the Flushing, Bayside, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Cambria Heights, Rosedale, Howard Beach, East Holbrook, Ronkonkoma, Queens, Whitestone, Jamaica, Mastic Beach, Brooklyn, Arverne, Sunnyside, Valley Stream, Elmont, Amityville, Long Island City, Hempstead, Lawrence, Elmhurst, Bayshore, Patchogue, Hampton, Far Rockway, Terryville, Riverhead, Selden, Woodside, St. Albans, Forest Hills, Amagansett, Corona and New York, NY.
 
Engineers are doing there invastigation.

Lakewood, NJ - Judge Grants Stay for Hispanics Landlords

Lakewood, NJ - A municipal court judge granted a stay in about 150 cases involving township landlords who received summonses in recent months in connection with various property code violations.

More than 40 landlords, filed a lawsuit in Superior Court last month against the township. The landlords say their properties - occupied mainly by Hispanics - are being unfairly targeted by township building inspectors. The landlords also say some of the township's property code ordinances are "unconstitutionally vague."
The township, however, said the landlords are simply looking to avoid paying the fines.

Judge Philip Miller granted the stay on the condition the plaintiffs apply to Superior Court Assignment Judge Eugene D. Serpentelli for an order to show cause within 10 days, said Larry Loigman, the plaintiffs' attorney.

Amman, Jordan +Airplane Security Alert+

Amman, Jordan +Airplane Security Alert+ A man tried to force his way into the cockpit of a Qatari Airways flight, but the plane returned safely to Amman.

Belgrade, Serbia - Urged to Extradite Nazi Suspects

Belgrade, Serbia - Serbian authorities were urged to seek the extradition of two Croatia-born men and try them for alleged World War II atrocities against Jews, A Los Angeles-based center chief Nazi hunter's, met in Belgrade with President Boris Tadic and Justice Ministry officials, advising them to join efforts to bring to justice Ivo Rojnica and Milivoj Asner.  
The men served in Croatia's World War II Nazi puppet regime and allegedly took part in the prosecution and death camp deportations of hundreds of Jews, Serbs and Gypsies, they said.

Although the men are not Serbian citizens and their alleged crimes were committed in the territory of present-day Croatia, the ethnicity of some of the victims "entitles Serbia to seek extradition" of Rojnica and Asner, living in Argentina and Austria.
Last year, Croatia indicted Asner for crimes against humanity and war crimes, but Austrian authorities failed to arrest the 92-year-old man. Croatia has since shown little resolve to press for the handover of Asner, or to seek extradition of Rojnica, 90, who is believed to be living in Buenos Aires.

Woodbury, NY +MVA with Entrapment+

Orange County, Woodbury, NY +MVA with Entrapment+ A motor vehicle accident on Route 17 at the Woodbury Toll Plaza before the New York State Thruway with a vehicle that overturned and reports of an aided that's pinned, also a fuel spill, FD and PD are on the scene, command on the scene requesting Hatzolah ALS fortwith.

Expect delays on to south bound of the NYS Thruway.

Israel +Rockets Hitting Chaifa Suburb+

Israel +Rockets Hitting Chaifa Suburb+ Rockets hit a Haifa suburb, with casualties reported.

Borough Park, Brooklyn, NY +FD calling PD for Double Parked Vehicles+

Borough Park, Brooklyn, NY +FD calling PD for Double Parked Vehicles+ Fire Department on the scene requesting NYPD to respond to 47th Street between 12th and 13th Avenue's in the Boro Park section of Brooklyn, NY for numerous double parked vehicles causing a traffic hazard and a grid lock condition in the area.

Minsk, Belarus - 14 Boys Celebrate Bris Mila

Minsk, Belarus - 14 boys at the Gan Israel Summer Camp near Minsk underwent the Bris Mila circumcision ceremony. The Camp staff headed by Rabbi Shneur Zalman Deutch had been explaining to the campers the great importance of fulfilling this commandment.

Dr. Ishaya Shafit, a mohel from Bris Yosef Yitzchak of Moscow, arrived in Minsk to carry out the ceremony. The young men are comfortable and say proudly that from now on G-d has 14 more faithful allies.

New York - Statue of Liberty's Crown To Stay Closed

New York - The Statue of Liberty's crown will remain closed, the National Park Service has told lawmakers, infuriating those who have fought to reopen it following the 2001 terrorist attacks.

The crown has been closed for years out of concerns the fire safety and terrorism hazards of the cramped spiral staircase simply could not be overcome.
"For the better part of three years now, they've been dancing around this issue," said Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., who has sought to force the National Park Service to reopen the crown.
"This is the first time they've said they're not moving forward, they're essentially done looking at it," Weiner said by phone from Israel. The Queens lawmaker branded the decision "the final victory of the terrorists on Sept. 11."

In a letter to Weiner, outgoing Park Service Director Fran Mainella wrote: "The current access patterns reflect a responsible management strategy in the best interests of all our visitors."

The congressman, who oversees the House subcommittee on national parks, said he may hold hearings to re-examine the issue and the agency's decision.
"While I respect the Park Service's justified concern for public safety, I am disappointed with their apparent decision to stop trying," said Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M. "Americans have a right to hear something better from their National Park Service than the implied message of this letter, which is 'never'."

Forest Hills, Queens, NY - Burglary Pattern Hitting the Area

Forest Hills, Queens, NY - Set your burglar alarms and lock your windows and doors, Forest Hills. The 112th Precinct is investigating a burglary pattern in a small area of the neighborhood, along Manse, Ingram and Juno streets, where there have been 16 burglaries in recently.

The burglaries have all occurred between the hours of 1 a.m. and 4 a.m., police said. The 112th Precinct is urging local residents to take common-sense precautions such as locking windows and doors at night, activating the burglar alarm before going to sleep or leaving the house for the day, and leaving front and rear lights burning at night.The 112th Precinct has released some information about a possible perpetrator. Police were looking for a male who has been spotted dressed in a gray hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and sneakers.
Police urged residents to call 911, not the precinct, immediately if they see anything suspicious.

Williamsburg Bridge +Closed Down+

Williamsburg Bridge +Closed Down+ A motor vehicle accident with a bicyclist that was struck and landed on the windshield of a brooklyn car service that struck him at South 4th Street and Roebling is in very serious condition and is being transported by EMS over the Williamsburg Bridge to Bellvue Hospital, 90th and 7th Pct are closing down the bridge, NYPD AIS units, IDTU and ESU Trk-8 are all responding.

Manhattan, NY +Water Rescue+

Manhattan, NY +Water Rescue+ NYPD of the 34th Pct, Harbor Units and Aviation are all responding to the Hudson River at Dyckman Street where a female EDP jupmed off the fishing pier into the Hudson River, all responding for the rescue.

U/D: 22:09
EDP removed from the water by cops from the 34th Pct, being now transported to the hospital by EMS.

New York, NY - HSBC Must Defend in Fraud Lawsuit

New York, NY - A federal appeals court ruled that Bank of America Corp. , HSBC Holdings Plc and Sterling Bancorp must defend against a lawsuit related to a lawyer's Ponzi scheme that defrauded Orthodox Jews and others out of millions of dollars.  
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals on reinstated state law claims brought by dozens of investors alleging that the banks were negligent, and aided and abetted a breach of fiduciary duty. 

The case involved David Schick, a Brooklyn, New York, real estate lawyer who in the early 1990s convinced investors that he had devised a "no-risk" scheme to generate high returns by bidding on and subsequently selling pools of mortgages. 
According to the appeals court, investors would advance funds to Schick, who would then claim to deposit them in escrow accounts at Fleet Bank, now part of Bank of America; Republic National Bank, now part of HSBC; and Sterling National Bank.
Instead, the court said Schick raided the accounts, stealing $82 million before his fraud was discovered.

Investors claimed that the banks were liable because they failed to report overdrafts on Schick's accounts to a state bar committee overseeing client funds, even though he repeatedly bounced checks. "The fact that Schick was overdrawing his fiduciary accounts constituted strong evidence that he was, at the very least, mishandling his clients' funds," Chief Judge John Walker wrote for the appeals panel.   
Bank of America spokeswoman Shirley Norton said the No. 2 U.S. bank intends to "vigorously defend itself" in the case. 

Schick, who was well known in New York's Orthodox Jewish community, in 1997 pleaded guilty to criminal charges in connection with his scheme. Now 46, Schick is scheduled to be released from a federal prison in Otisville, New York, in November 2011, a spokesman for the U.S. Bureau of Prisons said.

Perth, Australia - Tragedy When Yeshiva Bochur Is Swept Away By Wave Into Sea

Perth, Australia - A 19 year old yeshiva bochur from New York who came to Perth on an educational program to spread Torah in Western Australia, passed away earlier this afternoon after being swept to sea. He was touring a beach south of Perth and was standing on a rock before a wave hit the rock and swept him away into sea.

Attempts to recover his body are hindered due to stormy weather in the area.

The 19 year old bochur, Avinoam Grossman, leaves behind a grieving family and friends.

U/D: 07/09/06 18:01
HOPES are fading for an American tourist swept off rocks into heavy seas off the West Australian coast.
The 19-year-old man was with three or four other American tourists at Torpedo Rocks near Yallingup, south of Perth, when a wave swept him away.
An air search was conducted for the man who was last seen about 50 metres south of the rocks, waving in apparent distress, police said. An air and sea hunt resumed at first light today, WA police's Sergeant Brian Cowie said. Sgt Cowie said the search would continue until dusk but hopes of finding him alive were dwindling."If the man is not found today we will hold grave fears for his safety," Sgt Cowie said."The expectations of him being found alive are dwindling."

Heavy seas had so far prevented police divers from joining the search, he said.The search will continue tomorrow but may be scaled down.

Lawrence, NY +MVA+

Lawrence, NY +MVA+ A motor vehicle accident with injuries on Peninsula Blvd. and Rockaway Trnpk, multiple Hatzolah members on the scene, FD also on the scene, aided isn't pinned.

Manhattan, NY +Fire at Multiple Dwelling+

Manhattan, NY +Fire at Multiple Dwelling+ A fire seen out the windows of the 5th floor apt. of a six story 150x150 occupied multiple dwelling at 490 West 187th Street and Amstrerdam Avenue, also heavy smoke on the entire 5th floor, some reports of people trapped was unfounded, FD Batt. 13 on the scene with a call for all hands, Hatzolah also on the scene, all searches are negative.

Fire Marshal was requested due to a floor refinishing project that was the cause of the fire.

Staten Island, NY +Ecological Emergency+

Staten Island, NY +Ecological Emergency+ Fire Department Marine-8 at the Great Kills Harbor near Gateway National Recreation Area, and they are requesting D.E.C. to respond with a rush to the scene, where they have thousands of dead fish and several dead seagulls at the bay.

Lebanon - Fresh Israeli Push Into Lebanon

Lebanon - Major incursion of armoured Israeli columns begin moving into southern Lebanon hours after the Israeli cabinet agreed to widen its ground offensive.

U/D: 17:27
Israel says 15 Israeli soldiers were killed in fighting Wednesday in the highest one-day toll in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.

Israel - Rabbi Summoned to Disciplinary Court

Israel - A rabbi has been summoned to the rabbinical disciplinary court for conducting a wedding ceremony during the counting of the Omer. 
The summons came after several complaints were lodged against the rabbi who resides in the Sharon area. It was reported that he also wedding ceremonies in banqueting gardens not authorized by the rabbis. .

However, what tipped the scales against him was that he had conducted a ceremony during the counting of the Omer. "These are days when wedding hall proprietors would do anything to fill the halls because of a lack of demand," said a source, and the rabbi in question conducted the ceremony although he was fully aware of Halacha restrictions.

Washington, DC - Some of the 11 Missing Egyptian Students Arrested

Washington, DC - FBI and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested 21-year-old Egyptian National Eslam Ibrahim Mohamed El-Dessouki in Minneapolis.

El-Dessouki surrendered without incident.

He was one of the 11 Egyptian students who arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York from Cairo on July 29 with valid visas, according to U.S. authorities and university officials. However they violated their visas by failing to turn up for an exchange program at Montana State University, as was reported yesterday on VOS IZ NEIAS.

The FBI and ICE investigation is ongoing, as the agencies continue to search for, and question, the other 10 missing Egyptian students.


U/D: 16:23
Two other Egyptian students surrender to authorities.

U/D: 08/14/06
All missing Egyptian students in custody.

Israel +Heavy Casualties In Fighting In Southern Lebanon+

Israel +Heavy Casualties In Fighting In Southern Lebanon+ Heavy casualties were reported in fighting between Israeli soldiers and Hezbollah gunmen in southern Lebanon.
More than a dozen soldiers were reportedly taken to Israeli hospitals after the fighting in several Lebanese villages, while the army said it killed many Hezbollah gunmen.

An estimated 160 Hezbollah rockets fell in northern Israel. Nearly half of Wednesday's rockets fell in Kiryas Shmona, while others fell in Tzafes, Beit Shean and Chaifa. No serious injuries were reported.

Germany - Hitler's Attempt to Rewrite The Bible

Germany - Adolf Hitler's deranged racist hatred against the Jews had no boundaries. In his war against the Jews Hitler instructed a group of German theologians to rewrite the Bible and the Testament, in a bid to remove all mention of the Jews in it. 
 
A German newspaper, has revealed that in 1939 a group of theologians, loyal to the Nazi regime, established an institution for the "cleansing of Judaism." 
In one publication which they called the "German Book of Faith", they included the rewriting of the 10 commandments in the spirit of Nazi ethics, and also added two more commandments, with additions such as 'respect, thy Fuehrer'
 
The majority of these scriptures disappeared after World War II, or were transferred to various archives. The newspaper revealed the essence of the documents collected in recent years.

Kiryas Joel, Monroe, NY - Some Chasidic Communitys Are Purchasing Foods Just With A "Acceptable" Hechsher

Kiryas Joel, Monroe, NY - In this community of 18,000, the local Landau’s grocery carries a plethora of kosher products, but most carry the endorsement of Chasidic certifying rabbis or from the Central Rabbinical Congress: CRC- (Hisachdus Harabonim). For example, the store carries soft drinks by Mayim Chaim but not from Coca Cola. Other familiar brands in the store include Kedem, Gefen, Klein’s, Golden Flow and Mehadrin.

The natural growth of the Chasidic community is driving sales in these communities to new heights. One kosher manufacturer says that the Chasidic and several other Orthodox communities (including Monsey, NY and Lakewood, NJ) were responsible for most of his 18% sales growth last year. While many Chasidic women shop in major supermarkets, they generally purchase foods with the “acceptable” certifications (Hechsher). Some retailers say that this is true only for certain categories of foods, namely meat and dairy. But groceries in these communities carry “heimishe” (known community) items even in such categories as snacks, cereals, and salad dressings. Israeli items are also sold in these stores, but most with the certification of the Badatz of the Eida Hacharedit in Jerusalem.

Fallsburg, NY +Overturned+

Falsburg, NY +Overturned+ A motor vehicle accident on Route 42 between Fallsburg and Woodburne with an overturned vehicle and multiple aided trapped and injured, Hatzolah sending multiple ambulances and BLS and ALS units to respond on a rush.

U/D: 1437
PD and FD are all on the scene.
Vehicle went down a 30 feet cliff, but the female driver isnt pinned, she gout out the vehicle and has minor injuries. Hatzolah on the scene handling, canceling the additional ambulances.

Warsaw, Poland - Legal Action Over Holocaust Personal Belonging

Warsaw, Poland - A Holocaust survivor is taking the Holocaust Museum at Auschwitz to court over a suitcase that he claims belonged to his father who was murdered by the Nazis.
Michel Leleu Levi, who now lives in Paris, managed to hide from Hitler’s troops together with his mum and siblings, but says his father Pierre Levi was not so lucky and perished in the concentration camp where he had been deported in 1943.

During a visit of an exhibition in Paris at the Holocaust Memorial in February 2005, Leleu Levi spotted his father’s suitcase. He said he recognised the piece of luggage from the last time he saw his father shortly before he was deported to Auschwitz.
He now wants his dad’s suitcase that is currently exhibited in the Polish museum back as a last reminder of his father.
But the museum has refused to hand the suitcase over despite the name of Leleu Levi’s dad being printed on it, saying it is an important part of a historical collection. "We wanted to find an amicable arrangement with him but he didn’t take contact with us. I understand his emotions and I am sharing his sadness. But we have to preserve the memory of the Holocaust," Piotr Cywinski, secretary of the International Auschwitz Council, which is managing all questions related to the former Nazi death camp, said.

Leleu-Levi has now taken the matter to court in Paris, France.

New York - Pakistani-Born Pilot Sues JetBlue, Claims Bias

New York - A Pakistani-born pilot raised in Yonkers is suing JetBlue Airways Corp. for discrimination, claiming the airline rescinded a job offer and told him it was because of his background.

Faisal Baig, a U.S. citizen, claims in the suit that an airline manager told him in March that he was a "security risk."
According to the suit, filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, Baig asked, "Are you saying that you are not hiring me because of my name or my religion? ... Are you saying you are not hiring me because of where I'm from?"
The manager answered, "Yes, and JetBlue considers you a security risk," according to the suit.
Baig claims he was offered the job in February and had already received a ticket to attend the airline's training school in Orlando, Fla. The 40-year-old, a Muslim, had previously flown for Independence Air for nearly six years.
"I was devastated," he said. "I've been living in this country since I was 7, and now somebody's telling me I'm not a good American."

Baig, whose suit seeks an unspecified amount of money, is now living in Raleigh, N.C., where he is continuing to look for work as a pilot.

Spring Valley, NY - First Highway-Speed E-ZPass Coming to NY State Thruway

Spring Valley, NY - Two lanes of the northbound state Thruway will be closed overnight tonight to begin installation of New York's first highway-speed E-ZPass.

At least one lane will be open during the three-night schedule, while workers install concrete slabs near the Spring Valley toll barrier.
The goal is to install a system by December that scans the E-ZPass without requiring motorists to slow down.

Washington, DC - US Urges Israeli Restraint In New Offensive

Washington, DC - The United States urged Israel to use the "utmost care" in avoiding civilian casualties after Israel decided on to expand its ground offensive in Lebanon.

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Israel had a right to defend itself from Hizbollah guerrillas in southern Lebanon but that the United States was very concerned about the humanitarian situation. "Israel must take the utmost care in avoiding civilian casualties," he said.

Lebanon - Israeli Military Equipment Recovered in the Hands of Hizbullah

Lebanon - Major Meir Guttman, who is the deputy commander of the unit responsible for recovered arms, said that radio equipment, vests, and rifles that were used by the IDF in the past were found by troops operating in Lebanon.
According to Guttman, the weapons and equipment may have been stolen from the Israeli army or left behind following the by the IDF in Lebanon, following the 2000 withdrawal.

Guttman said, Equipment recovered by Israeli troops operating in Lebanon includes night-vision equipment, gas masks, cutting-edge radio equipment, dozens of rifles, various types of handguns, silencers, helmets, and protective vests, with Hebrew inscriptions on much of it.

Washington, DC - What's The Food Coloring In Your Food Made From

Washington, DC - Few people know that the food coloring listed as cochineal extract comes from female beetles. Food activists want to spread the word.

When you dig into a strawberry yogurt, take a moment to contemplate where the beautiful pink color comes from. Strawberries? Think again. It comes from crushed bugs.
Specifically, from the female cochineal beetles and their eggs. And it's not just yogurt. The bugs are also used to give red coloring to Hershey Good & Plenty candies, Tropicana grapefruit juice, and other common foods.

You won't find "crushed bugs" on the list of ingredients for any of these foods, however. Companies have a bit of latitude in describing exactly what they put in our food. Many larger companies, such as General Mills, the manufacturer of Yoplait and Pepsi, the maker of Tropicana, identify the dye in their products as either carmine, or cochineal extract. Still, many companies simply list "artificial color" on their ingredients list without giving any details.

Now food activists are trying to change disclosure requirements. The Food & Drug Administration has received numerous complaints over the issue and is now in the process of considering a proposal to require color additives like the cochineal extract to be disclosed on the labels of all foods that use them. "Hopefully we'll see something by the end of the year," says Michael Jacobson, executive director at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a food advocacy group in Washington, D. C.

New York, NY - Tiger Owner's Claim Amounts To Chutzpah-Judge

New York, NY - The claims of a tiger owner who sued New York city and police for searching his apartment without a warrant to confiscate his pet 450-pound Siberian tiger are tantamount to "chutzpah," a federal judge said in a ruling obtained that dismissed the case.

U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein dismissed a lawsuit brought by Antoine Yates, whom authorities discovered in 2003 was hiding a 10-foot-long tiger named "Ming" and a 6-foot alligator called "Al" inside his fifth floor apartment.
Yates, who was mauled and hospitalized by the tiger he had raised since it was a cub, claimed his constitutional rights had been violated by police searches.
Yates was sentenced to five months in prison for reckless endangerment in 2004, the same year he brought the charges against the city.

Judge Stein said that while "the word chutzpah" -- a Yiddish term meaning unbelievable gall or audacity -- was now "vastly overused" in the legal world, in the case brought by Yates "it is a most appropriate term to use".

Yonkers, NY - Dispute Settled Over Orthodox Jewish Cemetery Memorial

Yonkers, NY - Plans for a memorial on the site of a former Orthodox Jewish cemetery are moving forward after a delay of more than a year due to legal proceedings.

The memorial commemorating the cemetery is to be built on the site of the city's Austin Avenue retail project, built by Morris Industrial Builders. Its creation is the result of a court action brought by state Attorney General Eliot Spitzer.
Spitzer's office first filed a case against the developer in 2004 after it was discovered that the remains of only 12 or 13 identified children in the cemetery had been moved, while more than 100 graves for children were marked on the cemetery map. The issue was brought to court again last month when Spitzer's office claimed the developer's plans for the proposed memorial were too small and out of the way.

Both sides reached an agreement after a visit to the site - now a parking lot for The Home Depot and Costco - by state Supreme Court Justice Joan Lefkowitz late last month.
Philip Halpern, an attorney for the.
Rutherford, N.J.-based developer, said drawings for the proposed monument should be done by the end of the month. "The issue - it never was a problem - is solved," Halpern said. "Morris went out of his way in this case."

The two sides agreed to place the memorial where Spitzer's office suggested it go - along the western side of the Costco parking lot - but it will be smaller than originally proposed.

Morris agreed to build the memorial in January 2005 after the two sides had argued in court over the disputed graves of 135 children whose remains were not accounted for before the cemetery was demolished at the site.
In the settlement, Morris agreed to pay $100,000 to the Attorney General's Office for the memorial, which would commemorate the approximately 94 adults and 147 children who were buried there. Any funds left over would go to a charity group agreed on by the court.

Manhattan, NY +Suspicious Powder+

Manhattan, NY +Suspicious Powder+ Suspicious white powder was found in an envelope in the mail room of the headquarters of the NYPD at One Police Plaza, three officers have been exposed.

Haz-Mat, FD and EMS are all on the scene, PD in process of decontaminating the officers, and placed the envelope with the white powder in an incubator.

U/D: 07/10/06
A Brooklyn man was arrested at his home in Flatbush after he was accused of sending human feces in the mail and making harassing phone calls. In addition, the police said they suspect the man, Keith Albahae, 40, sent an envelope containing white powder to police headquarters at One Police Plaza. The powder, which was determined yesterday not to be dangerous, was accompanied by a threatening letter that named Mr. Albahae and warned the police to leave him alone or a much more dangerous substance would be sent, the police said. The letter’s handwriting is being analyzed, they said. The harassment case originally came to the Hate Crimes Squad’s attention in January.

New York, NY - War Protesters Attack Yeshiva's Web Site

New York, NY - Hackers protesting the Israel-Lebanon war broke into Yeshiva University's Web site and changed the content to read "Lebanon-israel ... STOP!" with images of injured civilians.

A Turkish person who identified himself as the lead hacker, going by the alias Eno7, said in an interview that he intends to target "government sites, Israel sites, military sites, university sites, and other important sites like NASA," for his "anti-war and anti-poverty" messages.

While the university, whose main campus is in Washington Heights, was able to regain control of its site, it still had yet to repost its content, and instead it posted an apology that read in part, "We are currently undergoing maintenance and apologize for the inconvenience."
The director of the university's information technology department, said that they had notified the New York Police Department and the FBI.
The hacker claimed to have downloaded sensitive information from the university, but said that he would not use it.
The attack came the same day the campaign Web site of Senator Lieberman was taken down by what his aides said was an apparent malicious attack.

Uzhgorod, Ukraine - First Bar Mitzvah in Decades

Uzhgorod, Ukraine - An outstanding event occurred in the city of Uzhgorod as the Jewish community celebrated the Bar Mitzva of a young member.

Since the community experienced a revival and welcomed a permanent rabbi, local Jews have shared the joy of Jewish weddings and Bris Mila's ceremonies, but this Jewish coming-of-age custom was held here for the first time in many decades.
More than 100 community members were exited to watch the boy called to the Torah for the first time, while elderly people shed tears as they recalled their own Bar Mitzvah celebrated long ago prior to World War Two.

After the ceremony, many parents approached to the rabbi asking him to carry out Bar and Bat Mitzva for their children.

Iraq +U.S. Helicopter Crashes+

Iraq +U.S. Helicopter Crashes+ A U.S. Army helicopter crashed in Iraq's western Anbar province, leaving two crew members missing and four injured, as Iraqi and U.S. reinforcements move into the capital in a bid to stem sectarian violence that threatens civil war.

Monticello, NY - Kosher Sushi Gains Local Fans

Monticello, NY - There's Izzy's for knishes. Fialkoff's for onion rolls and challah. Meal Mart for kreplach and kishke. Now there's Simply Sushi, Mazel Wok and the Country Cafe for kosher sushi.

Sushi for observant Jews has come to the Catskills after flooding parts of Brooklyn and spreading as far as Brazil, France and England over the past 10 years.
Some summer visitors say the traditional Japanese meal has become close to a staple in the Jewish diet, historically heavy on baking and frying. "Sushi is the new Chinese," said Brocha Metzger, the wife of a prominent Manhattan rabbi, after finishing a grilled salmon roll at Simply Sushi on East Broadway in Monticello. "A high-end Jewish function will include sushi. It's de rigeur."

Sushi is "vinegared rice," wrapped around raw or cooked fish or other ingredients and rolled with seaweed - in one of its forms.
Kosher sushi isn't much different. Mainly, there's a restriction against using shellfish. Kosher fish must have fins and scales.

Chaim Friedman, a tutor in Brooklyn hitching a ride to Monticello from Woodbourne on Tuesday, said he picks up a sushi platter every Saturday night after the Jewish shabbas. Those platters have always included whitefish, salmon and salad, he said. "Now sushi's on top."
Still, many Orthodox Jews have never heard of sushi or have no desire to try it. "It's just raw," said Moshe Davidson, visiting downtown Woodbourne on Tuesday to pick up props for a play. "Fruits and vegetables I like raw. (Fish) I like cooked. I guess I'm not 'with it.'"
But Sam Weisberger, a manager at Mountain Fruits, a kosher grocery store in Monticello, said Jews should be used to raw fish if they eat salted herring. That's not cooked either, he said.

Contrary to popular belief, rabbis do not bless the foods to make them kosher. Only fish with fins and scales may be eaten. And sushi ingredients, like rice, must not be mixed with non-kosher ingredients. Many of the ingredients can be certified as kosher.

Sylmar, CA - Teen Arrested In Jewish Chapel Vandalism

Sylmar, CA - A teenager was arrested in connection with the vandalism at a Jewish chapel in a Sylmar cemetery that initially appeared to be a hate crime, but is now thought to be gang-related, authorities said.

Carlos Rodolfo Nevarez, 19, of Pacoima, was arrested on suspicion of felony vandalism to a place of worship, Sheriff's Lt. Carrie Stuart said. Nevarez is being held at the Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Station on $50,000 bail.
Vandals did about $90,000 in damage to the Glen Haven Memorial Park and Mortuary, 13017 Lopez Canyon Road in Sylmar on Saturday.

A menorah in Sholom Memorial Park's chapel was smashed, pews were knocked over and several caskets were pulled from a storage area and vandalized overnight. A casket with a body in it was left alone.
The vandal also emptied several fire extinguishers into the chapel and left "gang-style" graffiti on the sidewalk and curb outside the Christian area of the cemetery. Empty beer bottles and the drained fire extinguishers were also left behind.

Manhattan, NY +MVA with Bridge Closure+

Manhattan, NY +MVA with Bridge Closure+ A motor vehicle accident involving three vehicles with a fuel spill on the inbound upper level of the Manhattan Bridge has the NYPD closing down all lanes, FD and NYPD Highway Units are on the scene, all injuries are minor.

Marhall, TX - MVA with Two Dozen Penguins on the Highway

Marhall, TX - A truck transporting zoo animals overturned, spilling about two dozen penguins, tropical fish and an octopus onto an east Texas highway. "We had a penguin wreck," Department of Public Safety trooper Richard Buchanan said.

The driver, Kelly Hodge, and a passenger sustained minor scratches and bruises. The Indianapolis Zoo employees were taking the animals to Moody Gardens in Galveston when Hodge lost control of the truck on U.S. Highway 59, Buchanan said.

The penguins were traveling in heavy tubs, which broke open when the truck crashed. Three penguins were killed by oncoming traffic; one died in the crash. Another penguin suffered a broken wing.

The octopus and fish were being transported in water-filled plastic bags. The octopus survived, but some of the fish died when the bags burst, Buchanan said.

Troopers and workers from the nearly Caldwell Zoo in Tyler helped corral the penguins and rescue the fish, Buchanan said.

The penguins were taken to the Caldwell Zoo for examination and then sent on to Galveston by mid-afternoon.

"They were doing remarkably well for what they had been through,'' he said.

Virginia - US Sailor Spied For Israel

Virginia - A US Navy sailor, Ariel J. Weinmann, is suspected of spying for Israel and has been held in prison for four months. Weinmann is being held at a military base on suspicion of espionage and desertion.

According to the navy, Weinmann was apprehended on March 26 "after it was learned that he had been listed as a deserter by his command." When he was returning from an undisclosed "foreign country." American sources close to the Defense Department said that Israel was the country in question.

The veracity of the claim that Weinmann is suspected of spying for Israel remains in question, and military and Pentagon spokesmen are remaining tightlipped. A public affairs officer at the Office of Naval Intelligence said that he was unaware of the allegations against Weinmann.
According to the navy, "Weinmann was assigned to the USS Albuquerque (SSN 706) and had deserted on or about July 3, 2005." The Albuquerque is a Los Angeles-class attack submarine.
Though the navy's initial press release contained no reference to Israel, they stated that more detailed information about the case would be released shortly.

Connecticut - Lieberman Loses U.S. Senate - - Dem Primary

Lamont Leads In Early Results

724 of 748 Precincts Reporting - 96.79%

Lamont, Ned Dem 141,623 51.85% **Winner**
Lieberman, Joe (i) Dem 131,491 48.15%

U/D: 23:16
Sen. Joe Lieberman has conceded the Democratic primary to challenger Ned Lamont, but vowed to petition his way onto the November ballot for the Connecticut Senate seat.

U/D: 07/09/06 09:15
Sen. Joe Lieberman's campaign has filed petitions for him to run as an independent in the general election.

Rockland County, NY - Relief At The Gas Pump For Some Nonprofits Agencies

Rockland County, NY - Some not-for-profit agencies feeling the pain of high gasoline prices might soon be paying less at the pump.

Eligible nonprofits would be able to buy gas for vehicles they own and operate from county government at wholesale prices — $2.58 for a gallon of regular grade gasoline as of Aug. 3 — plus a 51-cent administrative fee, together, they would bring the total price to $3.09 per gallon.
County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef must still sign the measure for it to become law. His office said he needs to review it.

Only nonprofit organizations that receive funding from the county and use their vehicles to perform services would be able to buy gas from the county at fueling stations in Ramapo and New City.
Nonprofits such as the Monsey Fire District, Spring Hill Ambulance Corps and Bikur Cholim, a Monsey health-service agency, and several Ramapo villages have benefited from the arrangement over the years.

Woodbury, NY +NYS Thruway Traffic Alert+

Woodbury, NY +NYS Thruway Traffic Alert+ Expect heavy traffic at the northbound of the New York State Thruway at M/M 44.0 for a fully involved van fire.

New York, NY - Authorities Looking For 11 Egyptian Students

New York, NY - Eleven Egyptian students who arrived in the United States last month are being sought by authorities after failing to turn up for an exchange program at Montana State University.
The Egyptian men were among a group of 17 students who arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York from Cairo on July 29 with valid visas.

The other six have arrived at the Bozeman, Mont., campus for a monthlong program on English language instruction and U.S. history and culture.
When the 11 didn't turn up by the end of the last week, the FBI issued a lookout to state and local law enforcement, said FBI Special Agent Richard Kolko. "At this point all they have done is not show up for a scheduled academic program," Kolko said. "There is no threat associated with these men."

They are between 18 and 22 years old, said a law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the search for the men is continuing. U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement declined to make their names public.

Wesley Hills, NY - Development Hearing Tonight

Wesley Hills, NY - A public hearing continues tonight on a controversial plan for a housing development on Route 306, just north of Village Hall.
The subdivision was the object of a three-year lawsuit between the village and the developers, evolving from plans that proposed an assisted-living facility, and then a condominium complex.

Last year, the parties ended the lawsuit by agreeing to a 21-house subdivision on the 12 acres of woods, instead of 100 condominiums.

Tonight's session before the village board is a continuation of a public hearing that has been ongoing for months, Mayor Robert Frankl said.
Residents opposed to the condo plan organized in 1999 as the Wesley Hills Civic Association. The group opposed any multifamily construction, while the developers, Kwilecki Enterprises Inc. and Maccabee Construction Inc. of Montebello, argued that multifamily units were an affordable-housing alternative.

Both the village and the developers agreed in a stipulation reached on Sept. 30 to change the property's zoning so more single-family houses could be built.
Trustee David Gantshar, who was elected in November, said the village board would not permit any change to the stipulation that would permit more housing.

Pittsburgh, PA - Packages Sent To Area Synagogues Were Harmless

Pittsburgh, PA - The FBI says reports of suspicious packages sent to several local synagogues earlier today are no cause for alarm.

Authorities say the letters were reported to be suspicious because they did not have any return address; but further investigation revealed that at least two of these "suspicious packages" were merely informational mass mailings.  Three of the four packages were sent to Tree of Life and Beth Shalom Synagogues in Squirrel Hill as well as the Rodef Shalom Synagogue in Oakland.

Police briefly closed off some nearby streets as a precaution.
After officials examined two of the packages, though, FBI Special Agent Jeff Killeen said that they were harmless. "Because of the volatile situation in the Middle East, everybody responded promptly," Killeen said. "Those who received the material thought the items were suspicious, so they reported it as they should."

Connecticut - Voters Deciding on Lieberman

Connecticut - Voters in Connecticut are heading to the polls today to decide the political future of Sen. Joseph Lieberman.

Seeking a fourth term, Lieberman, an observant Jew, is trailing in polls against anti-Iraq-war upstart Ned Lamont in the Democratic primary.

Bethel, NY - Seven Jailed In Series Of Summer Home Break-Ins

Bethel, NY - Seven people have been jailed on felony charges in connection with four break-ins and stolen property found at a home in the Town of Bethel.   
 
State police said the scheme unraveled after the arrest of four teenager perps on second-degree burglary charges in the break-ins: One perp broke into three summer homes and the three others broke into another one.  
The investigation led police to 90 Birch Ridge Road outside Jeffersonville. State police and Sullivan County sheriff’s deputies went to the house with a search warrant.  All seven suspects were arraigned and sent to Sullivan County Jail without bail, pending court dates.

Lawrence, L.I. NY - Residents OK Selling Unused Public School, Though Allocation Of Funds Remains A Concern

Lawrence, L.I. NY - Residents voted to authorize the sale of the No. 1 Elementary School, which closed two years ago because of dwindling enrollment. In a school district where the majority of its residents don't use public schools, the building served no use and a developer made a bid to buy it for $27.5 million.

The 1,832-to-726 vote set the stage for a key test for a school board controlled by mostly Orthodox Jewish members whose children attend religious private schools. Many in the community say they are hoping the money would go to bolster the district's coffers.
 
But some in the community were afraid that the money wouldn't go toward the six public schools in the district. School board member and public school parent Pamela Greenbaum said she worried that nothing will be done with the money and, by law, it would be returned to the taxpayers. "The school district has to decide what it's going to do with that money," she said. "That's the big 'if' in all of this."

Greenbaum said the best scenario would be to use the money for repairs and put leftover funds in a reserve for future school use. "And hopefully, the community can get along together and there would be some trust," she said.

Michael Hatten, a newly elected Orthodox Jewish member of the board, was optimistic voters would approve the building's sale. "It's an important vote," he said, calling it an opportunity to show the community that the school board, despite being controlled by those who use private schools, can serve the interests of the district.

Hatten said he hoped proceeds from the sale could be used to repair other buildings, and that any unused funds would be returned to taxpayers.

Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY +Pedestrian Struck+

Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY +Pedestrian Struck+ A motor vehicle accident on Broadway and Rodney Street with a pedestrian that was struck, Hatzolah on the scene.

U/D: 12:33
Hatzolah on the scene canceling all incoming units including the ambulance, FDNY is on the scene handling the job.

Israel - Class Action Over Tic-Tac's Kashrus

Israel - A class action of 47 million was filed against Leimen-Schlissel, the company which markets the candy Tic-Tac, for not having a valid kosher certificate. The one filing the suit is Ofir Fikholtz, a kosher-keeping man who has regularly consumed the product for years.
Following a publication that the kosher license of Tic-Tac candy expired at the end of 2005, and that at the start of 2006 the product would no longer have a kosher certificate, Fikholtz decided to file suit against the company.

In the suit, filed the prosecution claims that the company broke the law which forbids marking a product kosher if it hasn't been granted a kosher certificate. "The law of kashrus is a law meant to protect the kosher-keeping consumer from kashrus fraud," it was written in the suit claim.
According to the prosecution, "It turns out that in many stores in the Tel Aviv area dozens of packages of the product which were manufactured after 1.1.06 have been sold with a misleading kosher symbol on their packaging. This is despite the claims of the company that they executed a massive recall of all the products already on the shelves."
 
Leimen-Schlissel responded: "The company and its managers are confident their hands are clean, and in their orderly work before the authorities in accordance with the laws of the country and the religious laws on all of the brands held by them."

Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY - To The Finger Building 33 Percent More Is Being Added

Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY - The Finger Building on North 8th Street in Williamsburg, is taking on a whole new look now that it's getting an exterior skin.
While it may be the slowest construction project in Brooklyn, more floors are still being added.

Lebanon - Sleeping Hizbullah Cell Caught

Lebanon - In the Bint Jbeil area of southern Lebanon, Israeli paratroopers discovered a small group of sleeping Hizbullah terrorists, complete with heavy weaponry and other equipment. The Israelis woke them up
and brought them to Israel.
In a separate incident, a unit of reservists captured a Hizbullah unit with rockets ready for firing. Five Hizbullah terrorists were
captured in total, and 7 to 15 were killed.

Heavy fighting continues in the area, and twoIsraeli soldiers had been killed. One soldier was brought to an Israeli hospital with a serious head wound, and seven
others were lightly wounded.

About 110 Katyushas have been fired at various Israeli cities in the north since this morning, including Kiryas Shmonah, Tzfas, Maalot, Nahariya and more. Sirens continue to sound all over the region, sending people to their shelters and generally increasing the feelings of helplessness and uncertainty suffered by the residents for the past month.
One person in Maalot suffered "moderate" wounds and four were wounded when a building was hit, while a similar strike in the Arab village of Kasuta wounded two. Over a dozen people were treated for shock - in
addition to 17 people, including five children, treated for such in afternoon attack in Tzfas.

Spring Valley, NY - After Protest, Coast Guard Lets Members Wear Yarmulkes

Spring Valley, NY - In the face of protests on behalf of a chasidic Jew in Rockland County, the Coast Guard has changed its uniform policy to allow service members to wear yarmulkes while on duty.

A tire technician and pilot from Spring Valley, Jack Rosenberg, 35, tried to sign up with a Coast Guard Auxiliary unit in New Jersey last year but was stymied after he told superiors that his religion requires him to wear a yarmulke.
After receiving complaints from Senator Kerry, a Democrat of Massachusetts, and Assemblyman Dov Hikind, a Democrat of Brooklyn, the Coast Guard relented. The commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Thad Allen, sent a letter to Mr. Kerry last month outlining a more permissive policy. The admiral said the changes were the result of "a thorough review" his agency conducted.

Mr. Hikind said the would-be Coast Guard search-and-rescue pilot was delighted by the agency's change of heart. "He is extremely, extremely happy," Mr. Hikind said. "This is a guy who's very determined, very nationalistic, very strong in his feelings about America. He felt, ‘Hey, I want to serve my country but I'm also a religious Jew.'"

The new rules for Coast Guard service members are tighter. They prohibit headgear bearing any writing and permit only items capable of fitting under a uniform cap. The gear also must be black or the same color as the wearer's hair. Those restrictions make it unlikely that the new policy for Coast Guard personnel would accommodate headscarves worn by Muslim women and turbans donned by Sikhs.
"I'm not going to say point-blank everything now is kosher and you can do anything that has a religious connection to it," Mr. Hikind said.

Kiryas Shmona, Israel - A Tnuva Facility Forced To Close Due To War

Kiryas Shmona, Israel - Tnuva’s poultry processing facilities in Kiryas Shmona was forced to shut down completely. 
Competitor Off Tov has offered to assist as it and other business rivals like Soglobeck and Off HaGalil Poultry struggle to continue their operations. However, Tnuva officials are reported to be less than enthusiastic. 
Tnuva had initially charged Off Tov with exploiting their plight. Off Tov denies the allegations.

Woodbury, NY - Residence Getting Ready For Thursdays Vote To Create A Villiage, But Would It Help

Woodbury, NY - Town residents will vote Thursday to turn virtually the whole town into a village. Not instead of the town, mind you, but also. The village would encompass the town. The town government would still exist, but a village board would have the say over such things as fire protection and zoning.
Zoning is the crux of the matter. Residents opposed to Kiryas Joel expansion plans say creating a Village of Woodbury would prevent the Chasidic village from doing the same thing inside the new village, which is true. But it wouldn't prevent KJ from seeking other methods of expansion.

What it would definitely do is, it would complicate discussions with KJ, making it a three-way conversation. It's understandable that Woodbury residents want to have a say over their future. Talking seriously with KJ is crucial and the best way to do it is as a Village of Woodbury or a Town of Woodbury. Either, not both.

Spring Glen, NY - Despite Sale, Homowack to Continue Operating "For Now"

Spring Glen, NY - Homowack Hotel has been sold to a group affiliated with the Chasidic group of Skver, located in New Square NY.  

But the hotel does not face imminent closure, says Sam Ash of the Homowack. In fact, said Ash, the hotel is preparing a number of changes to cater to an even broader spectrum of kosher observing Jews. Significantly, the Homowack name will be relegated to history as the resort will be known as the "Spring Mountain Resort."
Irving Fruchter, the Homowack's most recent general manager, will return to manage the resort. The hotel is also upgrading its infrastructure, including its foodservice (which will continue to be under the kosher supervision of the Orthodox Union.

Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY +Good Samaritan/Burglar Arrested+

Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY +Good Samaritan/Burglar Arrested+ A good samaritan/burglar was arrested in the 90th Pct after helping a woman get into her locked Williamsburg apartment.

Senen Cancel a 19-year-old construction worker from Elmont, L.I., helped the woman - who locked herself out of her home in the Taylor-Whythe Houses - by climbing in a rear window of her ground-floor apartment.
After letting the 25-year-old woman in and leaving, Cancel waited outside for her to exit her home, and on that time he snuck back in from the same back window.
He stole a gold necklace, two gold rings, gold earrings and a camera.

He was arrested and charged by the NYPD of the 90th Pct.

Brooklyn, NY +Child Struck+

Brooklyn, NY +Child Struck+ A motor vehicle accident on 48th Street and 9th Avenue in the Borough Park section of Brooklyn, NY with a child that was struck by an auto, Hatzolah and Fire Department are on the scene.

U/D: 08:31
Child is in not likely condition, removed to local trauma center.

Israel - Katyushas Force Camp Closure on Shabbas

Israel - Campers at Ramah Noam, a summer camp for over 400 teens aged 12-16 from the Noam youth movement at Givat Haviva, had an unscheduled activity added to their Shabbas afternoon routine: a rapid evacuation of the camp after Katyusha rockets hit nearby Hadera the previous night.

Camp director Ze'ev Kainan decided to evacuate the camp when he heard that the rockets had hit neighboring Hadera, despite the fact that it was Shabbas. "Even though we are a camp with observant campers, we decided it was an issue of pikuach nefesh," explained Kainan.
Kainan consulted the camp rabbi and another rabbi, who both approved his decision to evacuate the camp. "There is no one who has not agreed with our decision," said Kainan.

Despite the support for his decision to evacuate the camp, disappointing many of the youngsters but easing concerns of many worried parents, Kainan describes the decision as "definitely difficult to make."
Once the decision was made, the campers were told to pack up their things immediately to return home. Specialty staff members were told to man the phones and call the campers' parents to inform them of their children's new plans. Kainan sent e-mails to parents to tell them to read the announcement at their synagogues. "It was the first time I have ever used a computer on Shabbas," noted Kainan, himself observant.
At 1 p.m. on Saturday the camp held its ceremony. The campers were then sent home on buses that had been called. "The bus company owner and some of the bus drivers are observant but they came because they knew it was pikuah nefesh," said Kainan.

Brooklyn, NY - Man Impersonates Marine To Avoid Lawsuit

Brooklyn, NY - A Brooklyn man has been arrested for falsely claiming to be a U.S. Marine in order to avoid going to court for a lawsuit filed against him.

The Kings County district attorney's office said that when Benjamin Cruz, 39, presented the court what he claimed was an official order from the Department of Defense calling him up to active duty, the victim became suspicious and contacted the Brooklyn District Attorney's Citizen Action Center.

In 2004 the victim hired Cruz to help her improve her credit rating. Shortly after hiring Cruz, the victim, an active-duty member of the U.S. Army, was deployed to Iraq. Unhappy with Cruz's work, the defendant sued him in Small Claims Court when she returned from her tour.
Claiming he would be unable to attend the trial, on May 18, Cruz showed the judge a letter from the Department of Defense, which identified him as a major and ordered him to report to the Marine Corps Intelligence Office in Washington, D.C. the previous week.
An investigation by the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office determined the order to be false and that Cruz was not a member of the Marines.

Cruz is charged with offering a false Instrument for filing in the first degree. If convicted, he faces up to four years in prison.

Brooklyn, NY +MVA+

Brooklyn, NY +MVA+ A motor vehicle accident on Avenue "J" and Ocean Parkway, Hatzolah responding.

U/D: 22:24
Hatzoloh transported 2 pts.

Woodridge, NY +Working Fire+

Sullivan County, Woodridge, NY +Working Fire+ A working fire in Camp Silver Lake at 69 Silver Lake Road, Woodridge Fire Departmend command on the scene with heavy smoke on arrival, Rock Hill, Moutaindale Woodburne and Monticello with engine and ladders, Hatzolah also on the scene.

U/D: 20:06
Command requesting a 2nd Alarm additional tankers and manpower.

U/D: 21:46
Hatzolah on the scene sending one additional unit to the camp.

West Greenwich, NJ - Swastikas Painted On Government Building

West Greenwich, NJ - State police are looking for the person or persons who vandalized a government building In West Greenwich. "There was extensive damage with spray paint over every side of the building, with obscenities and swastikas," said Lt. John LaFreniere of the Rhode Island state police.

A neighbor spotted the damage and called the water resources board, the state agency that uses the building as a field office


Police said the building is in a remote location, set back off the road with not much lighting.
Police also said this is an isolated incident, but one that they're taking very seriously. "This is a random act; there's been no pattern for any state buildings where this has been committed recently. This is something that's new," said LaFreniere.

Monsey, NY +Child Struck+

Monsey, NY +Child Struck+ A motor vehicle accident in Monsey, NY at Monsey Boulevard and Walter Drive, Hatzolah and PD are responding.

U/D: 15:21
Child sustained minor injuries.

Israel - The Proof is in the Product, Not the Label

A product that was labeled as having shrimp but was actually kosher is part of a growing problem in Israel of manufacturers trying to save costs on reprinting labels for exports.

Importers who distribute foods from Europe and the US routinely retain the original label and simply add a sticker with information in Hebrew. This can be problematic since the foods may not be kosher in the host country but made specifically kosher for export.
In the shrimp case, a couple who bought a red curry dish at the Blue Square branch of the Ayalon Mall in Ramat Gan in Israel noticed that the kosher product included shrimp paste on the ingredient list. The packaging of the dish, imported from Thailand by Oriental Food Imports Ltd., noted that the product was Kosher Pareve and certified for use by Badatz.

In fact, according to the importer, the product sold in Israel only includes vegetarian ingredients. Said Oriental: "As part of the research and development process, the company launched an experimental kosher curry dish in 2005. Our curry dishes were produced under the strictest production processes and rabbinate supervision.” The company spokesman added that all the ingredients are indeed vegetarian, and should the company continue marketing the product it promises to change the labels.

Labeling is an issue with many imports but that Israeli consumers “take it for granted that the Hebrew stickers override the foreign language product information.” They promised to further look into the problem.

Manhattan, NY +Gas Odor In Tunnel+

Manhattan, NY +Gas Odor In Tunnel+ A gas odor in the Holland Tunnel, has the Fire Department searching for cause and investigating the gas odor in one of the tubes, Con-Ed has also been requested to the scene.

U/D: 14:59
Con-Ed operating at 330 Spring Street for a gas leak condition, FD will check that location as well.

Las Angeles, CA - Mayor Apologizes to Muslim Leaders

Las Angeles, CA - Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has apologized to Muslim leaders who accused him of taking Israel's side in the violence in Lebanon by going to a pro-Israel rally and ignoring their invitations to interfaith peace vigils.

Villaraigosa met with 10 Muslim leaders and explained that a mix-up by his staff had prevented him from seeing their invitations. "The mayor did apologize that the staff didn't place the meeting on his schedule sooner," said a spokeswoman, describing the hour-long discussion as "open and friendly."

Villaraigosa called the meeting after the Muslim leaders held a news conference accusing him of not representing all groups touched by the conflict.

They noted that he attended a July 23 rally by the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, at which he condemned Hezbollah guerrilla rocket attacks on Israel, but failed to respond to repeated calls and e-mail invitations to interfaith vigils for people killed on both sides in Lebanon. "It was gracious of him to say 'I apologize for the lack of communications,'" said Shakeel Syed, executive director of the Shura Council of Southern California.

The mayor pledged to visit mosques and attend events in the city's Islamic communities, and assigned one of his senior advisors as liaison to Muslim groups.

London-to-Boston Flight Returns to Heathrow Because of Security Issue

London - A London-to-Boston flight was called back to Heathrow Airport because of a security issue, and four passengers were being questioned by border control officers.
American Airlines Flight 109, a Boeing 777, left London headed for Boston, said Tim Wagner, a spokesman for the Fort Worth, Texas-based airline. "The flight returned to Heathrow due to a security issue that needed to be resolved in London," he said. "It was not a security threat to the aircraft. The flight was in no danger."

Wagner provided no other details, referring further questions to security services. He declined to say whether a governmental agency had requested the turnaround.

Port and border control officials were questioning four passengers removed from the flight.

New York, NY - Manatee Spotted In The Hudson River

New York, NY - A manatee was spotted cruising up the Hudson River of Manhattan and continuing north.

The massive animal has been spotted in the Hudson River at least three times in the last week -- first off the Chelsea and Harlem sections of Manhattan, then in Sleepy Hollow in Westchester County. "It was gigantic," said Randy Shull, who said he spotted the unusual visitor Sunday afternoon while boating at Kingsland Point Park in Sleepy Hollow. "When we saw it surface, its back was just mammoth."


John Vargo, the publisher of Boating on the Hudson magazine, said his alert about the sightings was met with disbelief by some boaters. "Some were laughing about it, because it couldn't possibly be true," he said.

It is unusual for one of the creatures -- often associated with the warm waters of Florida -- to travel so far north, although they have been reported along the shores of Long Island and even Rhode Island. "I'm 70 years old, and I've been on the river my entire life," Vargo said. "I've seen dolphins and everything else, but never a manatee."

Rochester, NY - Jewish Books, Objects Buried With Reverence

Rochester, NY - Rabbi Shaya Kilimnick stood with his back to the grave, he asked those gathered around him to think about the significance of what lay before them.
Rather than a casket of a loved one, they looked upon cardboard boxes containing more than 4 tons of religious books and objects, from tattered Bibles and Torahs to frayed prayer shawls and worn-out tefillin.

The Rochester Board of Rabbis conducted the burial in the Jewish cemetery on Britton Road on the Greece-Rochester line in accordance with Jewish law on the disposal of such objects. "Keep in mind the many people who turned the pages of these books," Kilimnick told about 30 onlookers, including a handful of fellow rabbis. The materials "were dear to so many, to thousands of Jewish people in our community, to Jewish people who survived the Holocaust," to those who traveled from overseas, he said. "They nourished the souls of countless Jewish people."


The organizations came up with 270 boxes of religious writings and objects, filling a trench about 10 feet across and 15 feet long.
Synagogues collect prayer books and other written materials as they wear out or are replaced by newer editions and translations. In some cases, an elderly Jewish person's religious books are handed over when that person dies and there is no family to take them. Congregation members are invited to share the materials, but some go unclaimed.

"After awhile, it just accumulates," Kilimnick said

Manhattan, NY +Bridge Closure+

Manhattan, NY +Bridge Closure+ The lower level of the 59th Street Bridge Queens bound has been closed down now, due to a fully involved vehicle fire, Fire Department apparatus are blocking all lanes.

Brooklyn, NY - Midwood Biz Ripped By Buyers Over Bait And Switch

Brooklyn, NY - Would-be clients of WaWa Digital or JES Digital, a mail-order Midwood camera supplier notorious for pushy sales, were told they had to buy overpriced accessories after being lured in by high-end cameras advertised at rock-bottom prices.

Consumers who backed off the classic bait and switch risked suffering the consequences - from someone who already had their credit card number.
"He said, 'I will ruin your credit,'" said Rochelle Parry, 43, a Web and graphic designer from northern Washington who ordered a $300 camera from WaWa Digital.
"I actually ended up getting sick after that episode," she said. "I had never been treated that way and I've bought a lot of things. I wish these guys could be shut down."

Over the past few months, the Better Business Bureau has logged dozens of complaints against WaWa or as its known now JES Digital, with some customers alleging credit card fraud. The Better Business Bureau said the companies were all the same. "They have a pattern of complaints, mostly due to the bait and switch, gray market goods, high pressure sales tactics ... you name it," said Anthony Barbera, manager of information and investigations for the BBB NY office.
He noted that WaWa Digital received an "unsatisfactory" rating. "It's not illegal to sell gray market goods, but it's the buyer beware," he said.

New York, NY - Painting Looted By Nazis To Be Sold

New York, NY - Four of five oil paintings by Gustav Klimt that were the focus of a restitution battle between the Austrian government and the artworks' Jewish heirs will be heading to Christie's for sale this fall, according to the president of the auction house.
Christie's has not determined whether the works - three landscapes and a portrait worth an estimated $100 million - will be auctioned or sold privately.
The paintings are currently on display at the Neue Galerie, a New York museum of German and Austrian art.

The five Klimts were handed over by Austria in January to Maria Altmann of Los Angeles, Bloch-Bauer's niece, and other family members following a seven-year legal battle.
An arbitration court had ruled that they were improperly seized when the Nazis took over the country during World War II.

New York, NY - MTA Is Getting Ready To Put You On Camera

New York, NY - The MTA said it will equip 400 buses in Manhattan with onboard video-surveillance equipment, under a $5.2 million camera-test project.

The agency is hoping the cameras will make bus riders safer - and, if the plan works, it intends to install the watching eyes on all 4,500 buses in the city fleet. "Video surveillance has clearly been shown to deter criminal activity on buses," said NYC Transit President Lawrence Reuter. "We also believe that it will be extremely valuable in investigating accident injury claims."

Under the plan, each bus with be equipped with a digital video recorder, multiple interior cameras and a camera facing forward from the driver's point of view.

The first camera-equipped buses are expected to roll out over the next few weeks.

Israel - Deadliest Day, Many Are Killed in Katyusha Attack near Kiryas Shmonah

Israel - 15 Israelis are dead from a Katyusha that hit Kfar Giladi near Kiryas Shmonah, and another was killed nearby, in the latest rocket bombardment to hit the Galilee.

A massive wave of Hizbullah-fired rockets hit throughout northern Israel around noon. One of the rockets hit a group of people sitting outside the Kfar Giladi cemetery, killing nine and critically wounding four more. One person is listed in "moderate" condition, and six or seven more were lightly hurt. Several of the casualties were members of one family. Heavy damage was caused to the area, and two cars could be seen burning two hours after the rocket hit. It is possible that the deaths were caused not only by the rocket, but indirectly by the impact into the cars.
No warning siren was sounded before the rocket hit.

In Shechem (Nablus), the largest PA-controlled city in the Shomron, dozens of cars set off in a joyous convoy, honking and flaunting pictures of Hizbullah leader arch-terrorist Sheikh Nasrallah. Chants for rockets on Tel Aviv were heard.

Elsewhere in the area known as the Galilee Panhandle, another man was killed, and a man was seriously wounded in Beit Hillel. A state of emergency has been declared in Kiryas Shmonah - where a building suffered a direct hit - and environs.
A series of rockets that hit Tiberias, 50 kilometers to the south, sent several people to the hospital to be treated for shock.

Warning sirens were sounded in Carmiel, Acco, Tsfas, and elsewhere; damage was reported.

U/D: 14:02
Israeli military confirms twelve killed in todays hezbolla rocket attack were israeli soldiers.

Monroe NY +Working Fire in Commercial Structure+

Orange County, Monroe NY +Working Fire in Commercial Structure+ At 475 Route 17M there is a commercial structure fire at the National Wholesale Liquidators, command on scene with a fire in the building.

Israel - Reuters Admits Altering Beirut Photo

Israel - A Reuters photograph of smoke rising from buildings in Beirut has been withdrawn after coming under attack by American web logs. The blogs accused Reuters of distorting the photograph to include more smoke and damage.

The photograph showed two very heavy plumes of black smoke billowing from buildings in Beirut after an Air Force attack on the Lebanese capital.
Reuters has since withdrawn the photograph from its website, along a message admitting that the image was distorted, and an apology to editors.
In the message, Reuters said that "photo editing software was improperly used on this image. A corrected version will immediately follow this advisory. We are sorry for any inconvience."

Netanya, Israel +Drowning+

Netanya, Israel +Drowning+ A Bucher, named Katz from Kiryas Tzanz, drowned in Netanya today after he went swimming with no Lifegard on board.

Sylmar, CA - Jewish Cemetery Damage Seen As Hate Crime

Sylmar, CA - The Los Angeles Sheriff's detectives are investigating vandalism at a Jewish chapel in a Sylmar cemetery Saturday as a hate crime.

A groundskeeper contacted authorities after discovering the damage at the Glen Haven Memorial Park and Mortuary, 13017 Lopez Canyon Road, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Sgt. Don Bee said.
A menorah in Sholom Memorial Park's chapel was smashed, pews were knocked over and several caskets were pulled from a storage area and vandalized overnight, Bee said. A casket with a body in it was left alone.
The vandal also emptied several fire extinguishers into the chapel and left "gang-style" graffiti on the sidewalk and curb outside the Christian area of the cemetery. Empty beer bottles and the drained fire extinguishers were also left behind, Bee said.

The incident is being investigated as a hate crime because the vandals did not damage the Christian chapel, Bee said.