NY Man Convicted of Anti-Semitic Hate Crimes; EU Funds Abortion Access

A New York court has found Skiboky Stora guilty of hate crimes targeting Jewish, white, and female victims in attacks spanning 2023-2024. Meanwhile, the European Union announces it will use social funds to help cover abortion costs for women, particularly in countries with restrictive laws.

A New York state court has convicted Skiboky Stora (pronounced skuh-BOH-kee) on charges of assault, stalking, and harassment in connection with a string of hate-motivated attacks targeting Jewish people, white individuals, and women during 2023 and 2024.

Court evidence included video footage showing Stora pursuing and threatening a Jewish couple while recording himself yelling hateful slurs at white pedestrians. During one incident, he chased the couple while screaming anti-Semitic slurs and shouting “Die, Jews, die!” according to prosecutors.

In business news, a financial technology company called Musaffa (pronounced moo-SAH-fah) has unveiled its Global Halal Investment Platform, targeting Muslim investors worldwide. Company leaders describe their service as a “fintech platform dedicated to Shariah-compliant investment research and Islamic finance education.” The platform aims to connect Muslim investors in 200 nations with U.S. stock markets while ensuring all investments meet Islamic law requirements. Industry analysts project global Islamic finance assets could reach $9.7 trillion by 2029.

The European Union has announced plans to use its social fund to subsidize abortion procedures for women, with particular focus on helping residents of countries with strict anti-abortion laws. The European Commission for Equality stated the 27-member union’s 147 billion euro social fund can cover abortion-related expenses. While most European nations permit abortion procedures, Poland, Malta, Liechtenstein, and Monaco maintain strong restrictions. Anti-abortion groups argue these restrictive countries shouldn’t have their contributions used to fund procedures that contradict their domestic policies.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has demanded policy changes from Scouting America to maintain Pentagon backing, including a mandate that membership be determined by “biological sex at birth and not gender identity.” Hegseth has publicly criticized the organization’s 2024 name change from Boy Scouts and recent policy shifts allowing girls, transgender youth, and openly gay adult leaders. In a social media video, Hegseth announced the Defense Department will evaluate the organization’s compliance in six months and withdraw military support if changes aren’t implemented.