New York is expanding anti-tobacco initiatives to discourage the use of vaping devices and e-cigarettes too. Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday signed an executive order directing state agencies overseeing anti-tobacco programs to address the newer methods of tobacco use. Cuomo also signed into law a mandate that state anti-tobacco campaigns include vaping as well as traditional tobacco. The changes come as public health officials around the nation investigate hundreds of lung illnesses believed to be related to vaping. Cuomo, a Democrat, signed legislation in July raising the statewide smoking age to 21. Earlier this week he announced plans to require health warning posters in shops selling vaping products.

A new smartphone app is giving people a modern way to send anonymous tips to the New York Police Department. The NYPD CrimeStoppers app unveiled Thursday lets people send tips in 10 different languages, along with photos and videos — all from their iPhones or Android devices. Police officials say the app also enables investigators to have anonymous, two-way text conversations with tipsters. Lt. Phil Roy says the new app ensures anonymity because its technology masks a user’s IP address. Tipsters are given a code number they can use to track their case and potentially collect a $2,500 reward if the information they provided leads to an arrest and indictment. The department says it developed the app over the last seven months and only spent about $3,000 on the effort. (AP)

A federal appeals court in New York has revived a lawsuit alleging Fox News exploited the killing of a Democratic National Committee employee. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan ruled Friday that the parents of the employee killed in 2016 had sufficient stated claims to let the case proceed toward trial. The court said the lawsuit properly stated claims for intentional infliction of emotional distress. Joel and Mary Rich, of Omaha, Nebraska, claimed Fox News exploited their son’s slaying as a “political football.” The parents said Fox News, a reporter and a guest commentator used “lies, misrepresentations and half-truths” in a 2017 article claiming their son Seth Rich leaked DNC emails to WikiLeaks.

Democratic debate night No. 3: Attacks and counter-attacks. Love for one former president, loathing for the current one. A 76-year-old front-runner essentially got called old, and he turned around and called another rival a “socialist.” But will it change the fundamentals of a nominating fight that remains remarkably stable at the top with five months until voting begins? Here’s a look at some takeaways and potential answers: STATUS QUO PREVAILED The third Democratic debate seemed to end in a 10-way tie. Former Vice President Joe Biden was sure-footed (until the end), at least for him and compared with the previous two debates. There were more attacks on President Donald Trump than on each other. No one dominated.

President Donald Trump sought to boost the spirits of Republican lawmakers, mocking Democrats and promising a new tax cut package, as he returned to the city he recently disparaged as a “rat and rodent infested mess.” Trump spoke on Thursday to House Republicans attending an annual retreat in a hotel on Baltimore’s waterfront. Protesters gathered nearby. But inside, the president found a friendly audience of legislators whose political futures are closely tied to how well he performs in next year’s election.

Lots of rabbis write weekly columns, blogs and inspirational newsletters, which are typed or even dictated with easy-to-use voice-to-text technology. Only one labors letter by letter, typing his words painstakingly with his eyes. Rabbi Yitzi Hurwitz, despite being in advance stages of a particularly nasty form of ALS that curtails his movements in totality (he needs a respirator to help him breath), publishes a popular column on Chabad.org that is followed by thousands of readers. Utilizing eye-tracking technology, he writes his column on the weekly Torah portion using the movement of his pupils.

Volunteers from United Hatzalah of Ukraine together with local first responders and Oxford Medical held a mass-casualty incident (MCI) training drill in Uman in a building located close to the gravesite of Rebbe Nachman. The drill, which took place on Thursday morning, was designed to allow first responders from the city and beyond to work together prior to the arrival of the tens-of-thousands of visitors expected in the city for Rosh Hashanah. The drill simulated a fire breaking out in an apartment building and rescue teams had to evacuate and treat hundreds of patients who suffered smoke inhalation and mild burns. The drill came just one day after volunteer EMTs from the organization treated ten tourists for smoke inhalation after a fire broke out in a hotel near the city of Uman.

The Rebbe, drawing on the inspiration of the words of Rav Sadia Gaon calls to us to remember ‘Ain umaseinu umah ela b’Torasah, Our nation is not a nation only through our Torah’. “Torah is our life, and therefore all should attend in this great celebration – the celebration of the collective joy of Torah shared by the entire Klal Yisroel. The Rebbe, along with other Gedolei Yisrael have been the driving forces behind the unprecedented expansion of Kvias itim laTorah seen over the last year in Chavrei HaSiyum, Masmidei HaSiyum and the Daf Yomi Chaburos. These programs will not end at The Siyum, but are just beginning.

Don’t miss this once-a-year opportunity to connect, recharge, and be inspired!  “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” “The Body and Soul Retreat is a cut above, promising ruach and entertainment that you’ve never seen before.” “Delivers perfection, as a brainchild of Project Inspire, who knows how to do things right.” “The Shabbat Retreat—a stellar lineup of inspiration that will last all year long.”   It began several years ago in South Africa, as the “Shabbos Project,” but quickly sprouted wings and spread across the globe. Ever since, it has united Jews from far-flung communities in their shared observance of “Just one Shabbos” the way it was meant to be celebrated.   With the help of Mr.

Ahead of Israel’s early parliamentary election next week, Russian President Vladimir Putin says the Kremlin has an interest in who wins power. Putin spoke Thursday at the opening of a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the southern Russian city of Sochi. Putin says “over 1½ million immigrants from the Soviet Union live in Israel. We always considered them our people, compatriots. And, of course, we are not indifferent to what kind of people will come into the Israeli parliament.” The Israeli leader said coordination with Russia’s military was important because of Russia’s presence in Syria. Netanyahu says “over the past month we have seen a sharp increase in Iran’s attempts to use the territory of Syria to attack us.” (AP)