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London may have held onto its crown for the 11th year running, but New Yorkers are not taking second place quietly. The 2026 World’s Best Cities Report by Resonance Consultancy placed New York City just behind the British capital — and locals immediately took to social media to argue that the ranking got it wrong.

The study praised New York as “the perpetual heartbeat of America,” crediting the city’s “refusal to play by anyone’s script” as “its greatest asset.” Resonance highlighted the city’s creative energy, cultural resilience, and relentless reinvention as defining traits that continue to capture global fascination.

According to the report, New York’s success stems from “ongoing investment in its cultural economy, massive urban infrastructure projects and global infatuation despite current politics.” From Broadway and museums to billion-dollar transit projects, the city’s ability to adapt and expand remains its edge.

Tourism continues to be one of New York’s biggest economic engines. In 2024, nearly 65 million people visited the five boroughs, generating over $70 billion in revenue. The city anticipates 64.1 million visitors in 2025, with growing interest in outer-borough destinations like Brooklyn and the Bronx drawing domestic travelers beyond Manhattan’s traditional hotspots.

Next year’s global events are expected to bring even bigger crowds. With the FIFA World Cup final set for MetLife Stadium and the Sail4th 250 celebration marking America’s 250th birthday, officials predict a record-breaking influx of tourists.

New York’s connectivity also played a role in its high ranking. The city’s airport network now ranks second globally, bolstered by major upgrades at JFK, where the $19 billion New Terminal One project will partially open in mid-2026 with 14 new gates.

Back on the ground, the rollout of congestion pricing in early 2025 dramatically reduced vehicle traffic below 60th Street, improving bus speeds and helping fund the MTA’s $68.4 billion capital plan — a historic investment in public transit modernization.

The skyline continues to evolve at a dizzying pace. JP Morgan Chase’s new 1,388-foot headquarters now dominates Park Avenue, while Two Manhattan West completes Brookfield’s massive West Side campus. Meanwhile, developers are turning outdated office towers into homes — including the former Pfizer headquarters, which is being redeveloped into a mixed-use complex with 1,602 units, and 5 Times Square, which will soon house up to 1,250 mixed-income apartments.

Hudson Yards, once considered for a casino expansion, has shifted its next phase toward residential and park development, reflecting the city’s pivot toward livability over luxury.

Culturally, the report noted that New York “has rarely been hotter.” The city ranked second in the Theaters & Concerts category and placed among the Top 5 for Museums. The findings reaffirm New York’s position as a powerhouse of art, performance, and creativity.

Julie Coker, president and CEO of NYC Tourism + Conventions, welcomed the recognition. “We are pleased that New York City is included on Resonance’s 2025 World’s Best Cities list,” she said. “This recognition is a testament to NYC’s unmatched energy, cultural vibrancy and world-class experiences across the five boroughs that keep us firmly positioned as a must-visit global destination.”

Still, plenty of New Yorkers weren’t satisfied with being second-best. “Moved to London from NYC four months ago … can confirm NYC is still #1,” one person wrote on Secret NYC’s Instagram post. Another scoffed, “London in #1? Did I read that right? No offense, but there is no way!!!”

Others chimed in with the signature New York attitude. “London is not better than NYC, sorry,” one user declared, while another added with humor only a New Yorker could pull off: “Rats in NYC are cooler.”

{Matzav.com}

More than 2,000 Jewish college students gathered in Crown Heights this weekend for the Chabad on Campus International Pegisha Shabbaton, the largest annual Jewish student event in the world. Tonight, they joined together for Havdalah led by Joey Newcomb.

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa was spotted playing basketball with senior U.S. military officials, including CENTCOM chief Admiral Brad Cooper.

MAMDANI: “My NYPD will continue to not be of assistance to ICE whenever they are trying to terrorize New Yorkers across the 5 boroughs.

President Donald Trump on Friday made a major move in Ohio politics, throwing his full backing behind Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign for governor. Trump hailed his onetime presidential rival as “something SPECIAL” and declared that Ramaswamy “will never let you down.”

The endorsement immediately transformed the 2026 Ohio gubernatorial race into a national story, underscoring Trump’s continued power in shaping the Republican landscape in one of the country’s most pivotal battleground states.

In his Truth Social post, Trump wrote: “Vivek Ramaswamy is running for Governor of the Great State of Ohio, a place I love and WON BIG, THREE TIMES, in 2016, 2020, and 2024! I know Vivek well, competed against him, and he is something SPECIAL. He is Young, Strong, and Smart!”

Praising Ramaswamy’s character and patriotism, Trump added: “Vivek is also a very good person, who truly loves our Country. As your next Governor, Vivek will fight tirelessly to Grow the Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Champion American Energy DOMINANCE, Keep our now very Secure Border, SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Strengthen our Military/Veterans, Ensure LAW AND ORDER, Advance Election Integrity, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment.”

He concluded his message with an emphatic declaration of support: “Vivek Ramaswamy will be a GREAT Governor of Ohio, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement – HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”

Ramaswamy, 40, first rose to prominence as an entrepreneur and political outsider. Born and raised in Cincinnati, he earned a biology degree from Harvard University before obtaining a law degree from Yale. His early career included work at a hedge fund before founding Roivant Sciences in 2014, a biotechnology company where he served as CEO and later chairman.

He later co-founded Strive Asset Management, a financial firm branding itself as an “anti-woke” alternative to major Wall Street investment houses, gaining a following among conservatives frustrated with progressive corporate trends.

Ramaswamy’s national profile grew rapidly during his 2024 presidential campaign. He entered the race in early 2023 and built a reputation for fiery debate performances and populist messaging before suspending his campaign in January 2024 and endorsing Trump.

Following that endorsement, Trump appointed him as co-leader of the Department of Government Efficiency — a brief but visible role that kept Ramaswamy in the public eye as a trusted ally in the MAGA movement.

Though Ramaswamy has never held elected office, his extensive business background, policy focus, and outspoken nationalism have earned him a loyal following within the GOP base. The Ohio Republican Party has already thrown its support behind him, setting the stage for a potentially uncontested primary.

{Matzav.com}

Senator Ted Cruz on Friday issued one of the sharpest rebukes yet from within the GOP, demanding that Republicans stop staying silent about antisemitism and call out Tucker Carlson by name. “It’s easy right now to denounce Nick Fuentes. That’s kind of safe. Are you willing to say Tucker’s name?” Cruz asked, speaking at the Federalist Society’s Washington National Lawyers Convention, according to Jewish Insider.

Cruz warned that while many of his Republican colleagues privately disapprove of Carlson’s recent actions, they’re afraid to say so publicly. “Now I can tell you, my colleagues, almost to a person, think what is happening is horrifying. But a great many of them are frightened, because he has one hell of a big megaphone,” he said.

The controversy erupted after Carlson conducted what critics called a sympathetic interview with neo-Nazi agitator Nick Fuentes. The exchange triggered widespread outrage, including from Jewish organizations, and renewed concern about rising antisemitism among conservative media figures.

At the same time, Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts came to Carlson’s defense, posting a video denouncing the “globalist class” and applauding Carlson’s right to host Fuentes. The message provoked strong backlash and internal dissent within the think tank. Roberts later admitted that the video had been a “mistake” — though he did not remove it — and continued to describe Carlson as a “personal friend,” refusing to condemn his antisemitic rhetoric.

Cruz, speaking before a room full of conservative lawyers, emphasized that his disagreement with Carlson wasn’t about censorship but about responsibility. “My complaint about Tucker having Nick Fuentes on was not that he platformed him. That’s a choice you can make or not,” he said. “But the last I checked, Tucker actually knows how to cross-examine someone. If you want to cross-examine and challenge him, that’s fine. But he didn’t. He fawningly gazed at him.”

The Texas senator said both Fuentes and Carlson are free to express their views — but the rest of the conservative movement must reject them. “Fuentes and Carlson have a right to say what they are saying. But every one of us has an obligation to stand up and say it is wrong,” he said.

Carlson, in recent years, has repeatedly invoked antisemitic tropes — suggesting that “Zionists” and Israel wield excessive control over U.S. policy and the media. During a speech at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, he remarked: “So it’s about 2,000 years ago in Jerusalem … and Jesus shows up and he starts telling the truth about people … they just go bonkers.” He went on, mockingly adding, “Why don’t we just kill him? That’ll shut him up …” while laughing.

The Anti-Defamation League condemned those remarks, stating: “Carlson’s remarks dangerously reinforced the belief that Jews killed Jesus and that Jews have been a malevolent force throughout history. This antisemitic myth has led to expulsions and murders of Jews for centuries.”

In another episode of his podcast, Carlson speculated that Charlie Kirk’s opposition to an Israeli strike on Iran “created some angry ones,” implying that such views had made Kirk powerful enemies. Observers noted that Carlson has frequently used language insinuating that Israel or “Israeli lobbies” control American politics — echoing classic antisemitic conspiracy theories about Jewish influence over governments and media.

Carlson has gone even further, claiming without evidence that Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu privately boasts that he “controls President Donald Trump and tells him what to do.” He also alleged that Jeffrey Epstein was an Israeli spy connected to the Mossad, a claim unsupported by any investigation.

In his series The 9/11 Files, Carlson suggested that neoconservatives — often depicted as Jewish or pro-Israel in conspiratorial narratives — may have helped orchestrate or allowed the 9/11 attacks to advance a “greater Israel” agenda.

Cruz told his audience that conservatives must no longer look away from such rhetoric. He began by condemning antisemitism on the left, acknowledging that “there is a real and cognizable pro-Hamas wing of the Democrat Party.” But, he continued, the problem now extends across the spectrum. “When that happened on the left, those of us on the right were quite comfortable standing up and denouncing it. In some ways, that’s easy,” he said. “But now it’s happening on the right. In the last six months, I’ve seen more antisemitism on the right than I have at any time in my life. It is growing. It is metastasizing.”

Cruz concluded with an appeal reminiscent of Ronald Reagan’s 1964 speech A Time for Choosing. “I believe now, today, is a time for choosing as well,” he said. “I think it is a time for every elected official, I think it is a time for every editorialist, I think it is a time for every lawyer, for every student, to decide, where do you stand?”

{Matzav.com}

Air travel across the United States began to slow sharply Friday as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered a 10% reduction in flights, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy cautioned that the situation could deteriorate further if the government shutdown drags on.

Speaking at a Breitbart News event in Washington, Duffy said that the air travel system was already under immense strain. “If this continues, and I have more controllers who decide they can’t come to work, can’t control the airspace, but instead have to take a second job — with that, you might see 10% would have been a good number because we might go to 15% or 20%,” he said.

He later explained to The Hill that his remarks were meant as a warning, not a prediction. “Could it go there? That’s possible,” Duffy said. “There’s no plan for that. I assess the data and how many controllers I have, and I’m just saying we’re gonna make decisions based on what we see in the airspace to make sure we keep it safe.”

“I hope it goes the other direction,” he added, expressing optimism that air operations might stabilize if funding resumes soon.

The FAA’s reduction order, which took effect Friday, affects roughly 40 major airports nationwide and has already resulted in more than 815 flight cancellations. The agency explained that the move is intended to relieve pressure on exhausted air traffic controllers who have not been paid since the shutdown began over a month ago.

According to the FAA, the initial 4% cut in flights will grow gradually to 10% by November 14. The curtailment applies between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., a window that covers nearly all domestic operations. Many controllers have been logging six-day weeks with mandatory overtime, while some have begun calling out due to financial strain and burnout.

Critics of the administration suggested the flight cutbacks were politically motivated, accusing officials of trying to pressure Senate Democrats into passing a Republican-backed funding bill to end the shutdown. But Duffy rejected that notion. “I’ve had some complaints from Democrats, ‘We want to see the data … This is political,’” he said. “This has not been political. We have worked overtime to make sure that we minimize the impact on the American people.”

Since the shutdown began on October 1, Senate Democrats have voted down the GOP’s stopgap measure 14 times. Duffy, in response, urged senators to remain in Washington until a deal is reached. “There’s people going to funerals. There’s people who are trying to get home,” he said. “They can’t get home. Why are senators going home?”

“Keep them here … especially the senators who voted no to open the government up,” he insisted.

The exchange ended on a lighter note when Breitbart reporter Matt Boyle quipped that perhaps senators should be added to the no-fly list until the government reopens. Duffy laughed and replied, “That would be great. Well played.”

{Matzav.com}

New York City’s political landscape shifted dramatically with the election of Zohran Mamdani, who became the city’s first Muslim mayor and declared his victory with a fiery speech inside a Brooklyn mosque, as the crowd erupted with chants of “Allahu Akbar.”

At just 34, Mamdani — a self-proclaimed Democratic Socialist from Queens — used his post-election remarks to outline a sweeping vision that ties faith, socialism, and activism into one cause. He called for wealth redistribution, collective responsibility, and the dismantling of capitalist systems he claimed have oppressed working people for generations.

The remarks came during Friday Jumaah prayers on November 8, setting a tone that mirrored the radical messaging that propelled his campaign. He railed against capitalism, championed state intervention in the economy, and framed financial success as a form of exploitation.

As Mamdani spoke about “economic justice” and the moral imperative to “share resources,” the mosque’s atmosphere blurred the line between political rally and religious revival, unsettling many New Yorkers who viewed the scene as emblematic of a city that has veered sharply left.

To his supporters, the moment was history in the making — a symbol of representation and progress. But to critics across the country, the imagery captured how deeply New York has drifted from its pragmatic and business-oriented legacy.

Mamdani’s rise was fueled by his work within the Democratic Socialists of America, a movement known for advocating defunding the police, expanding government control over private enterprise, and raising taxes in the name of social equity. His political base includes progressive activists, left-wing community groups, and foreign policy advocates who have frequently condemned U.S. allies like Israel and advanced divisive identity politics.

What unfolded at the mosque, many critics argued, was exactly what they feared: a merging of faith-driven symbolism and hardline ideology designed to rally his base under the banner of moral righteousness.

Throughout his address, Mamdani cited figures like Malcolm X, urging listeners to see socialism as an ethical calling — a moral duty to redistribute wealth and correct systemic imbalance. Opponents say this framing allows him to mask authoritarian impulses beneath a language of compassion and equality.

Republican leaders seized on the moment as proof of what happens when a city is ruled by one political faction for too long — warning that New York’s traditions of safety, prosperity, and common sense governance are being traded for social upheaval and economic decline.

{Matzav.com}

A Tudor-style house tucked into the quiet streets of Jamaica Estates, Queens — the home where President Donald Trump spent his early years — has reemerged on the market for $2.3 million, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The five-bedroom residence, originally constructed in 1940 by Fred Trump, was the family’s first home in the neighborhood before they moved to a larger property nearby. Though its exterior still bears the signature brick-and-stucco look of mid-century Queens architecture, the house’s interior has undergone a dramatic rebirth after years of decline.

Developer Tommy Lin purchased the property in February for $835,000, a steep discount from its past sale prices, after it sat vacant and crumbling. “There was no water in the house, no power,” Lin told the Journal. “It was not livable.” What followed was an eight-month renovation that stripped the home to its bare framework and rebuilt it from within.

While the project might appear politically charged given its history, Lin insists that wasn’t his motivation. He sees the house’s value as rooted in its location and provenance, not in presidential nostalgia. “I’m not buying it for politics,” he said, noting that Jamaica Estates remains one of Queens’ priciest and most desirable areas, where luxury homes regularly exceed $3 million.

Real estate agent Jevon Gratineau of Brown Harris Stevens said recent neighborhood sales reflect the area’s strength. A six-bedroom home nearby sold for about $4 million earlier this year, while listings below the million-dollar mark are becoming increasingly scarce.

This particular home has seen its share of curious ownership twists. On the night of the 2016 election, Manhattan investor Michael Davis snapped it up for $1.39 million, betting that if Trump won, the home’s value would soar. His gamble paid off — by Inauguration Day 2017, he flipped it to a Chinese buyer for $2.14 million.

Davis later rented the home for $4,000 per month and briefly transformed it into an Airbnb, outfitted entirely in Trump memorabilia. “The only thing to read in the house was ‘The Art of the Deal,’” he recalled. A plaque once claimed the master bedroom was “likely the site of Trump’s conception.” The Airbnb, Davis said, was “booked almost indefinitely” — until a short-term lease to Oxfam during the U.N. General Assembly brought unwanted attention and effectively ended the arrangement.

“I thought I’d make 100 grand. I did not think that I would make millions of dollars on this. That was not on my bingo card,” Davis said, adding that he still keeps a miniature bobblehead of the house on his desk as a reminder.

After the rental experiment ended, the once-famous property slipped into neglect. A burst pipe led to severe water damage and mold infestations, and neighbors complained of blight — and stray cats. “A beautiful house was left abandoned and no one took care of it for all this time,” one frustrated neighbor told The Post. “No one occupied it, no one used it and it was left as an eyesore and we, the community, had to take care of it.”

By the time Lin took over, the house had been overrun by about two dozen cats, the basement was covered in mold, and the roof required total replacement. Lin invested an estimated $500,000 in repairs and upgrades, bringing his total investment to more than $1.3 million.

Today, the restored home spans roughly 2,500 square feet above ground, with nearly 1,000 additional square feet in the basement across four levels. It features a sunroom overlooking the backyard and retains one relic of the past — an old wood stove believed to be original. Lin added modern amenities including smart entry systems and automated toilets, giving new life to a house that once marked the beginnings of one of America’s most famous figures.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump proposed an unexpected solution to the ongoing government shutdown, suggesting that billions of federal dollars currently earmarked for insurance companies under the Affordable Care Act be sent directly to Americans instead.

“I am recommending to Senate Republicans that the Hundreds of Billions of Dollars currently being sent to money sucking Insurance Companies in order to save the bad Healthcare provided by ObamaCare, BE SENT DIRECTLY TO THE PEOPLE SO THAT THEY CAN PURCHASE THEIR OWN, MUCH BETTER, HEALTHCARE, and have money left over,” he wrote Saturday on Truth Social, offering no further details on how such a plan would be implemented.

The president’s proposal came as the shutdown entered its longest stretch in U.S. history, with Congress deadlocked over how to move forward. Just a day earlier, Senate Republicans rejected a compromise offered by Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer that would have reopened the government while extending Affordable Care Act subsidies for another year.

That Democratic plan would have kept federal ACA subsidies intact until at least the end of next year but dropped the party’s push for a longer-term renewal of Obamacare tax credits. Those subsidies—used by more than 20 million Americans—are set to expire at the end of December if no agreement is reached.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune dismissed the Democrats’ offer on Friday, calling it a “non-starter.” Neither Schumer nor Thune’s offices responded to requests for comment on Trump’s counterproposal. The White House also did not immediately provide clarification on how the president’s plan to redirect ACA funds would function.

The impasse in Congress has centered around health care funding, with Democrats insisting that a short-term funding bill include the expiring subsidies, while Republicans argue that the government must first reopen before additional policy issues are addressed. Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also did not immediately comment on the latest developments.

In a series of additional Truth Social posts, Trump renewed his push for Senate Republicans to eliminate the filibuster rule, which requires 60 votes to pass most legislation. With Republicans holding 53 seats and Democrats controlling 45, along with two independents who caucus with them, changing the rule would allow the GOP to pass bills with a simple majority.

“The Democrats are cracking like dogs on the Shutdown because they are deathly afraid that I am making progress with the Republicans on TERMINATING THE FILIBUSTER! Whether we make a Deal or not, THE REPUBLICANS MUST ‘BLOW UP’ THE FILIBUSTER,” Trump wrote, claiming momentum within his party to adopt what he has described as the “Nuclear Option.”

Senate Republicans have largely resisted such a move, reiterating earlier in the week that they would not support changing the chamber’s long-standing procedural rule. Still, Trump insisted that he is “making progress” with members of his party on the issue—signaling he views both the shutdown and the filibuster battle as linked opportunities to reshape Washington’s balance of power.

{Matzav.com}

On November 8, 2025, The Blaze unleashed what it called a bombshell revelation: that the elusive January 6 pipe bomber had finally been identified as Shauni Rae Kerkhoff, a onetime Capitol Police officer now employed by the CIA. The report raced through right-wing media outlets and online forums, igniting a storm of speculation about a supposed deep-state conspiracy. But before long, even The Blaze itself conceded that the claim does not withstand serious examination.

The central thrust of the article relied on a forensic technique known as gait analysis, which studies a person’s walking patterns. The outlet claimed that an algorithm produced a “94%-98% match” between Kerkhoff and the suspect seen in surveillance footage, supported, it said, by “intelligence sources.” Yet the crucial ingredient—official confirmation—was entirely absent. The FBI, Department of Justice, and Capitol Police declined to comment, and Department of Justice special attorney Ed Martin flatly stated that the agency “has not identified Kerkhoff as the suspect.” That statement, coming from the only office empowered to prosecute the case, directly undercuts the premise of The Blaze’s entire investigation.

Without government validation, the story’s credibility collapses. The Blaze framed its findings as if multiple federal sources had confirmed the match, but Martin’s denial contradicts that portrayal completely. If the DOJ, after years of investigation, says it has not identified the suspect, what does that say about the reliability of a news outlet’s “algorithmic match”?

Adding to the uncertainty is the scientific method at the heart of the claim. Gait analysis, while occasionally used as supporting evidence, is far from conclusive. The American Bar Association itself warns that it “can be compelling, corroborating evidence” only when paired with other proof. The Blaze’s story, however, relies entirely on this single form of analysis. The report even suggests that the FBI might have tampered with the footage—reducing frame rates—while simultaneously asserting that the compromised video still produced a near-perfect match. If the footage was manipulated, how can the result be trusted?

Then there’s the matter of anonymity. The Blaze never identified the gait analyst responsible for the alleged match. Readers were offered no credentials, no peer-reviewed study, and no details of how the conclusion was reached. Instead, the publication leaned on unnamed “intelligence sources” who supposedly agreed with the result. No names. No expertise. No accountability.

What happened next followed a familiar pattern. The moment the story appeared, right-wing commentators and influencers broadcast it as established fact. Within hours, social platforms were awash in claims that the “FBI/CIA coup” had finally been exposed. Other outlets in the same ideological sphere echoed the allegation without vetting it, skipping the caveats and skepticism that responsible reporting demands. Even after Ed Martin’s statement directly refuting the premise, the denial barely registered. The narrative had already taken on a life of its own.

There’s an important distinction to make: the pipe bomber case truly remains unsolved. The lack of progress after nearly five years and a $500,000 reward is troubling and deserves accountability. Lawmakers from both parties have criticized the FBI’s slow pace. But legitimate frustration doesn’t justify embracing sensational, unverified claims. The public deserves facts, not stories tailored to confirm political suspicion.

The Blaze’s theory fits too neatly into a pre-written script: that January 6 was a “false flag” engineered by federal agencies to entrap Trump supporters. To those already inclined to see the day that way, the Kerkhoff allegation was irresistible validation. Yet for anyone demanding verifiable evidence, the story raises far more questions than it answers.

Here’s what can be said definitively: the FBI has not identified the suspect. The DOJ has not confirmed any link between Kerkhoff and the bomber. Ed Martin explicitly denied that his office had made such an identification. And the so-called gait analysis that fueled the story has not undergone independent review or verification. Everything else—claims of a cover-up, of CIA involvement, of a grand internal conspiracy—rests on anonymous sourcing and uncorroborated forensics.

Accusing someone by name of a federal crime as serious as the January 6 bombing demands extraordinary proof. Anonymous insiders and speculative video analysis are not enough. Credible journalism requires corroboration, transparency, and confirmation from official channels. None of that exists here. Instead, we have a viral story crafted to fit a familiar political template—one that thrives on outrage more than accuracy.

The unanswered questions about the pipe bomber deserve real answers. The FBI should indeed be more forthcoming about its investigation. But progress won’t come from amplifying shaky evidence or fueling partisan suspicion. It will come from rigorous reporting and verified facts. Until genuine proof emerges, the Kerkhoff theory remains exactly what it appears to be: an unsubstantiated claim, discredited by the very officials who would be responsible for confirming it.

{Matzav.com}

Federal and local law enforcement are on the hunt for a gunman who opened fire at Border Patrol agents during an operation on Chicago’s Southwest Side today, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Authorities said the shooter, driving a black Jeep, fired multiple rounds near 26th Street and Kedzie Avenue while agents were conducting immigration enforcement in the area. “The shooter and vehicle remain at large, and this is a dynamic situation,” DHS posted on X.

During the same confrontation, agitators pelted agency vehicles with a paint can and bricks, further endangering the agents on scene. Chicago police officers later cleared the area, and no injuries were reported.

“This incident is not isolated and reflects a growing and dangerous trend of violence and obstruction,” the Department of Homeland Security warned. The agency added, “Over the past two months, we’ve seen an increase in assaults and obstruction targeting federal law enforcement during operations. These confrontations highlight the dangers our agents face daily and the escalating aggression toward law enforcement. The violence must end.”

The attack marks the latest in a string of violent encounters between federal agents and agitators in Chicago. In early October, Border Patrol agents shot a woman identified as Marimar Martinez after a group attempted to attack the officers. Martinez was accused by the FBI of recklessly driving toward an agent’s vehicle, running red lights, and swerving dangerously close to the officers. She pleaded not guilty, and the case remains ongoing.

Just ten days later, on October 14, two Venezuelan nationals, Yonder Enrique Tenefe-Perez and Luis Gerardo Pirela-Ramirez, allegedly rammed their car into a Border Patrol SUV during another enforcement operation. The collision triggered a chaotic scene as protesters hurled objects at federal agents. Both men were quickly taken into custody following the violent episode.

{Matzav.com}

Air travel across the United States faced major turbulence today as more than a thousand flights were canceled after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a reduction in air traffic because of widespread controller shortages brought on by the government shutdown, according to data from FlightAware.

Despite the sweeping cancellations, officials said the slowdown at roughly 40 of the nation’s busiest airports hadn’t yet spiraled into chaos. Still, the ongoing disruptions underscored the growing strain of what has become the longest federal shutdown in U.S. history.

Passengers found themselves stranded or rerouted as airports struggled to keep up. “We all travel. We all have somewhere to be,” said Emmy Holguin, 36, who was preparing to fly from Miami to the Dominican Republic to visit her family. “I’m hoping that the government can take care of this.”

Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina saw the most cancellations, with 120 arrivals and departures scrapped by midday — an unusual blow for what is normally a quiet travel day. Other major hubs including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, and Orlando also saw mounting delays and cancellations.

Airports in Charlotte and Newark reported particularly severe slowdowns due to limited staffing, as the FAA continued grappling with the fallout from a workforce stretched thin by the shutdown’s escalating impact.

{Matzav.com}

The Supreme Court has stepped to pause a lower court’s directive that required the Trump administration to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for November. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued the temporary stay, saying the order will remain in effect until the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals renders its decision. As the justice responsible for emergency applications from that circuit, Jackson acted alone and did not refer the issue to the full Court.

The administration’s emergency appeal to the Supreme Court came only hours after the 1st Circuit had denied its request for a temporary pause of a Rhode Island judge’s ruling mandating full SNAP funding. The Justice Department, facing an end-of-day deadline to allocate billions in benefits, asked the high court to intervene immediately.

In its appeal, Solicitor General John Sauer warned of the severe consequences if the lower court order stood. “Given the imminent, irreparable harms posed by these orders, which require the government to transfer an estimated $4 billion by tonight, the Solicitor General respectfully requests an immediate administrative stay of the orders pending the resolution of this application by no later than 9:30pm this evening,” he wrote.

The case revolves around whether a federal judge can compel the administration to use $4 billion from Section 32 of the 1935 Agricultural Adjustment Act Amendment to fund the month’s SNAP payments. Administration officials argued the money was already earmarked for child nutrition programs known as WIC, saying they could not redirect it without jeopardizing that program.

Attorney General Pam Bondi sharply criticized the appeals court’s refusal to issue a stay, calling it “Judicial activism at its worst.” She added, “A single district court in Rhode Island should not be able to seize center stage in the shutdown, seek to upend political negotiations that could produce swift political solutions for SNAP and other programs, and dictate its own preferences for how scarce federal funds should be spent.”

The Trump administration maintained that diverting funds from WIC to SNAP would have devastating consequences, arguing that such actions would create chaos across government budgets. “Indeed, if every beneficiary of a mandatory spending program could run to court and force the agency to transfer funds from elsewhere, the result would be an unworkable and conflicting plethora of injunctions that reduce the federal fisc to a giant shell game,” the government warned.

But the coalition of local governments and nonprofits that brought the lawsuit accused the administration of exaggerating its hardship. “Defendants’ bald assertion that they will face irreparable injury is entirely unsupported, and they callously disregard the grave harm that will befall Plaintiffs and millions of Americans if they succeed,” they wrote. They insisted that the government’s $23 billion in remaining funds was sufficient to pay for both WIC and SNAP, estimating monthly costs of $3 billion and $8.5 billion, respectively.

Even as the legal wrangling continued, multiple states pressed forward with distributing benefits. At least nine states—including California, Wisconsin, Kansas, Pennsylvania, and New York—reported Friday that they had already begun or completed issuing November SNAP payments. New York Governor Kathy Hochul said she instructed agencies to release full benefits, while New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy declared his state “acted immediately” to process them. Vermont’s treasurer, Mike Pieciak, said his state also completed full disbursements.

Kansas reported sending out over $31.6 million in benefits to more than 86,000 households, and Wisconsin confirmed $104.4 million had reached over 337,000 households. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees SNAP, informed states that it was “working toward paying full November SNAP benefits,” and later told them in writing that “later today, FNS will complete the processes necessary to make funds available to support your subsequent transmittal of full issuance files to your EBT processor.”

Behind the courtroom tension was a sharp exchange between U.S. District Judge John McConnell Jr. and administration lawyers. During Thursday’s hearing, McConnell accused the government of “withholding SNAP benefits for political reasons.” He had previously ordered the administration to use emergency funds to cover the November 1 payments, but officials chose to fund the program only in part, citing the need to conserve resources for WIC.

McConnell, in a strongly worded ruling Thursday, demanded the Trump administration provide full funding by Friday and chastised President Donald Trump for comments suggesting he would not comply until the government reopened. He wrote that the President’s statement reflected “his intent to defy” the order. The administration countered in a later filing that Trump was “just stating a fact,” explaining, “The district court also accused the President of bad faith for declaring that full SNAP benefits would not resume until the government reopens. But that was just stating a fact—the appropriation has lapsed, and it is up to Congress to solve this crisis.”

The government has urged the appeals court to allow partial funding to continue while preserving funds for other safety net programs. Judge McConnell rejected a government request to pause his ruling, writing, “The request for a stay of this decision, either a stay or an administration stay, is denied. People have gone without for too long. Not making payments to them for even another day is simply unacceptable.”

As the shutdown dragged on, McConnell’s rebuke captured the urgency of the moment: “People have gone without for too long, not making payments to them for even another day is simply unacceptable.”

{Matzav.com}

As Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman prepares to arrive at the White House in ten days, a high-ranking Saudi royal has revealed that normalization with Israel is not officially on the agenda — but Washington is expected to use the meeting to quietly pave the way for renewed engagement.

In an interview with Kan News, the Saudi insider explained that the U.S. intends to leverage the visit to restart diplomatic channels between Riyadh and Israel, similar to those that existed before the October 7 massacre. “The goal is to thaw the ice between the countries,” he said, noting that the American effort is designed to bridge the divide deepened by the Gaza war and encourage gradual rapprochement.

Despite that push, the Saudi source was clear that the kingdom’s stance has not shifted. Riyadh, he said, remains steadfast in its demand that any progress toward normalization must hinge on tangible movement toward a two-state solution. “In our view, that’s what will ensure that wars like this one don’t happen every five years,” the source told Kan News, stressing that Saudi Arabia considers the creation of an independent Palestinian state to be essential for lasting regional stability.

According to the report, bin Salman’s discussions with President Donald Trump and senior U.S. officials are expected to focus on regional security, economic cooperation, and the broader question of expanding Arab engagement with Israel — a process the Saudi leadership has approached with heightened caution since the Gaza conflict began.

{Matzav.com}

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Early this morning, Israeli authorities informed the family of Lior Rudaeff that his body had finally been brought back to Israel. The news came after forensic experts completed the identification process, confirming that the remains transferred by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad late Friday night were indeed those of the beloved Nir Yitzchak defender.

Rudaeff, 61, was killed on the morning of October 7, 2023, while heroically defending Kibbutz Nir Yitzchak from a brutal onslaught by Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists. His body was then seized and taken to Gaza by the attackers. A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Lior left behind his wife, Yaffa; their children, Noam, Nadav, Bar, and Ben; grandchildren; his father, Giora; and siblings, Idit and Doron.

In recognition of his bravery during the Hamas-led massacre, Rudaeff was posthumously elevated to the rank of warrant officer in the reserves, as were other members of Israel’s civil defense squads who gave their lives in defense of their communities that day.

“The Israeli government shares in the deep sorrow of the Rudaeff family and of all the families of the fallen hostages,” the Prime Minister’s Office said. The statement further declared that Israel is “determined, committed and working tirelessly” to bring home the remaining five bodies of slain hostages still being held in Gaza, and stressed that Hamas is “required to fulfill its commitments to the mediators and return them as part of the implementation of the agreement.”

On Friday night, Hamas and Islamic Jihad handed Rudaeff’s remains to the Red Cross, which then delivered them to Israeli soldiers operating in Gaza. Following an inspection and a brief ceremony led by a military rabbi, the casket, draped in an Israeli flag, was escorted to the Abu Kabir forensic institute in Tel Aviv for official identification. Neither terror organization disclosed whose remains had been returned at the time of transfer.

Rudaeff became the 23rd hostage to be returned deceased since the ceasefire took effect on October 10, which paused the fighting that began after Hamas’s unprecedented October 7 invasion that left 1,200 Israelis murdered and 251 taken hostage. When the truce began, Hamas was still holding 48 captives—20 alive and 28 dead—and was obligated to return all within 72 hours. Though the surviving hostages have since been released, Israel continues to accuse Hamas of deliberately delaying the repatriation of the remaining bodies.

In line with the exchange agreement, following the identification of Rudaeff’s body, Israel returned the bodies of 15 Palestinians to Gaza, according to Nasser Hospital officials in Khan Younis.

On that fateful morning two years ago, Rudaeff was preparing to go on a motorcycle ride to the Ramon Crater when he received an urgent call summoning him to join the kibbutz’s emergency squad. Without hesitation, he geared up and took his position with fellow civil defense members at the entrance of Nir Yitzchak. When terrorists breached the fence, Rudaeff opened fire, preventing further infiltration. Witnesses said he also thwarted an attempt by terrorists to seize the body of a fallen comrade.

In the chaos of battle, Rudaeff radioed that he had been wounded and sent a final message of love to his wife and children. After that, all contact was lost. His death was officially confirmed by the IDF in May 2024.

“After 763 days of nightmare, he came home,” wrote his daughter, Noam, on social media, sharing a photo of her father. “Now you are home, now you are here.” She added, “Thank you to all the good people who stood with us in our uncompromising and humane fight to return him and all the hostages home.”

The Hostage Families Forum issued a statement mourning alongside the Rudaeffs: “The families of the hostages and the returned are embracing the family of Lior Rudaeff at this time, as their beloved Lior of blessed memory was returned to Israel today for proper burial.” The forum added, “Alongside the grief and the understanding that their hearts will never be whole, Lior’s return provides some measure of comfort to a family that has lived with agonizing uncertainty and doubt for over two years. We will not rest until the last hostage is brought home.”

Kibbutz Nir Yitzchak expressed deep sorrow at the closing of this painful chapter, emphasizing how Rudaeff’s bravery saved countless lives that day. “Exactly two years and a month ago, he left his home for the last time to protect his family and the place that had been his home all his life. Thanks to his courage and resourcefulness, a greater disaster was averted – but he paid for it with his life,” the kibbutz wrote. “Lior was a man of the land, family and community. A volunteer, neighbor and true friend who was always there for everyone. The entire Nir Yitzchak community grieves Lior’s passing and lovingly embraces his beautiful wife, his children, his grandchildren and all the family members at this difficult and heartbreaking moment of closing a circle.”

Born in Argentina, Lior was the middle of three children. He immigrated to Israel with his family on his seventh birthday and grew up in Nir Yitzchak, just miles from the Gaza border. He attended local schools and Ma’ale Habesor High School before serving in the IDF’s anti-aircraft unit. After marrying Yaffa in 1985, the couple built their life together in the kibbutz, where they raised their family and later welcomed grandchildren.

Throughout his life, Rudaeff was known for his energy and work ethic. From age 12, he could be found repairing vehicles in the kibbutz workshop. Over time, he earned licenses to operate nearly every kind of vehicle and shared his knowledge by teaching young kibbutz members to drive tractors and forklifts. For nearly two decades, he worked as a traffic safety officer for a transport company. He also dedicated four decades to the kibbutz security team and volunteered as a Magen David Adom ambulance driver for about 25 years.

{Matzav.com}

Despite reports from Hamas claiming to have found the body of IDF officer Lt. Hadar Goldin in Rafah, there remains no clarity regarding whether, or when, the terror group plans to hand over his remains to Israel. The statement, aired through Al Jazeera, ignited both hope and confusion, as Israeli officials initially anticipated that the transfer might occur Saturday night—but the militant group has since gone silent.

In an apparent act of psychological manipulation, Hamas earlier released footage through Al Jazeera purporting to show its operatives at a tunnel entrance alongside Red Cross representatives. The video depicted them extracting a bag seemingly containing a body, to which they attached a label reading “Hadar Golden” in Hebrew, English, and Arabic before removing it from the site.

As speculation grew, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir personally visited the Goldin family at their home Saturday night to brief them on the situation and share the information available to the army.

“The Chief of Staff met this evening with the Goldin family and updated them on the details known to the IDF at this time. This meeting comes in the context of the close relationship the Chief of Staff has maintained with the family over many years. The Chief of Staff reaffirmed his personal commitment and the IDF’s commitment to bringing Hadar and all fallen hostages home, and emphasized the importance of restraint during these sensitive moments, until his return and the completion of all necessary checks and verifications are completed,” the IDF said in an official statement.

The Goldin family, in turn, expressed both hope and resolve in their public message. “An entire nation is waiting for Hadar to be returned to us. This is a mission that must and can be accomplished, for all of us. The IDF Chief of Staff came after the conclusion of Shabbat to update us on the tremendous efforts underway to secure the release of the hostages, and we salute everyone involved in this national mission. We are awaiting official confirmation that Hadar has returned to Israel. In this country, we never give up on anyone, ever. We ask everyone to remain calm. Until it is final, it is not over.”

For now, uncertainty lingers as Israel continues to verify Hamas’s claim. The long-awaited return of Lt. Goldin—whose body has been held in Gaza since Operation Protective Edge in 2014—remains an unfinished chapter in the painful story of Israel’s missing soldiers.

{Matzav.com}

Trump pardons New York baseball star Darryl Strawberry for tax evasion conviction • President Donald Trump pardoned Major League Baseball legend Darryl Strawberry, who had pleaded guilty to tax evasion three decades earlier, the White House said Friday. • Strawberry, now 63, is an eight-time MLB All-Star who helped take the New York Mets and […]