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The Syrian Interior Ministry announced tonight that its security forces, working in coordination with the country’s General Intelligence Directorate, carried out a large-scale counterterrorism operation targeting ISIS-affiliated terror cells in several provinces.

According to the ministry’s statement, the operation was launched based on “precise intelligence information and close surveillance of these elements over the past several weeks.”

“This operation,” the ministry said, “comes as part of ongoing national efforts to combat terrorism and thwart plots aimed at undermining the security of the homeland and the safety of its citizens.”

Authorities reported that the campaign resulted in the dismantling of multiple ISIS cells, the arrest of numerous wanted suspects, and the seizure of materials and evidence linking them to terrorist activity. These findings, the statement said, are currently under examination, and investigations are being completed by the relevant authorities.

The ministry further noted that “this operation reflects the high level of coordination between the various security services and their effectiveness in proactively addressing threats, thereby reinforcing the firm commitment to safeguarding the nation’s security and stability.”

ISIS, which once controlled large swaths of Syria and Iraq in 2014, suffered a major defeat by 2017, with its military capabilities sharply diminished. However, remnants of the group remain active in parts of the Syrian desert and certain remote regions of Iraq.

{Matzav.com}

Peace talks in Istanbul between Pakistan and Afghanistan were at a deadlock on Friday, a day after both sides accused each other of mounting border clashes that risked breaching a ceasefire brokered by Qatar. The update on the talks by Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar came after an Afghan official said four Afghan civilians were […]

In his first interview since being removed from his position as chairman of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Likud MK Yuli Edelstein revealed behind-the-scenes conversations he had with chareidi politicians, offering a candid look at his failed efforts to broker a compromise on the controversial Giyus (draft) law.

Edelstein said that while he had hoped to reach a workable agreement with Degel HaTorah and Shas, senior Agudas Yisroel figure Moti Babchik cautioned him not to be naïve.

“I thought a compromise could be reached,” Edelstein said. “But a well-known figure in the Gerer chassidus, Moti Babchik, always warned me that they’re stringing you along — and when the moment of truth comes, even the things they claim they’ll get approval for from the rabbonim won’t happen, won’t pass, and they won’t agree to anything.”

Edelstein admitted that Babchik’s warning proved true. “I always told him, ‘You know me. We’ll reach understandings and find common ground.’ But I know how to admit when I’m wrong — and in the end, he was right.”

Turning his focus to the broader political picture, Edelstein declared, “There will never be a draft law as long as the chareidim are in the coalition.” He added, “I kept quiet because I wanted to see what would happen. Maybe I was mistaken, too.”

Edelstein further contended that “people thought that once I’m gone, everything will be solved. But the problem is objective — the askanim of the chareidi community don’t truly want to enlist. Reservists still thank me today for preventing the passage of a draft-dodging law.”

He didn’t spare criticism of his own party and leadership, either. “In the Likud today, anyone who dares to speak up is pushed aside. There was only one such case so far — mine. It’s a terrible change in the balance between the Knesset and the government. The Knesset exists to provide oversight,” he said.

Edelstein added that he was not surprised by his ouster. “I always knew there was a chance they’d say I’m the obstacle. The move didn’t shock me. In the current Likud faction, no one makes a move without Netanyahu’s approval. If the chareidim agree to a law, it will be a law of draft evasion.”

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of R’ Yaakov Dovid Brim z”l, a beloved photographer whose warmth, humility, and dedication to Torah touched countless lives.

He was niftar today at Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer at just 47 years old.

Tragedy struck when R’ Yaakov Dovid suffered a sudden stroke while traveling to photograph a chasunah in the Boyaner court. The shocking news spread quickly, leaving friends and colleagues reeling from the loss of someone known not only for his artistic eye but for his gentle spirit.

Renowned across many batei chassidus for his professionalism and respect toward every subject he captured, R’ Yaakov Dovid’s work was marked by sincerity and yiras Shamayim. Friends remember him as a man of quiet strength, whose lens reflected not only people’s faces but their souls.

“Despite the difficulties he faced, he was always calm and composed, always had a kind word,” one acquaintance recalled. “He helped others in any way he could.”

Those who knew him say that between weddings and tishen, he could often be found bent over a sefer, using every spare moment for limud haTorah. His presence at simchos added a sense of simchah shel mitzvah, a balance of artistry and heart that endeared him to rebbes and chassidim alike.

R’ Yaakov Dovid leaves behind his wife, Sari, and seven children, three of whom are married. The levayah will take place in Elad.

{Matzav.com}

Nancy Pelosi, 85, is preparing to bow out of Congress with a fortune that few lawmakers could ever dream of — at least $130 million in stock market gains amassed over nearly four decades in office. The stunning return, calculated at 16,930%, has reignited scrutiny over how the California power couple’s investments so consistently outperformed the market.

Pelosi announced this week that she will step away from public life when her term ends in January 2027, closing the chapter on a career that made her both a historic figure and a lightning rod for controversy. The San Francisco representative was celebrated as the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House, but also became infamous for stock trades that routinely eclipsed Wall Street’s best.

Back in 1987, when Pelosi first entered Congress, she and her husband Paul — a venture capitalist — declared between $610,000 and $785,000 in stock holdings on her “hand delivered” disclosure form. The couple, then in their 40s, owned a modest portfolio of a dozen companies, including CitiBank and several now-defunct firms.

According to the analytics firm Quiver Quantitative, that once-small portfolio has exploded to a staggering $133.7 million. Compared to the Dow Jones’ 2,300% growth over the same period, the Pelosi fortune’s 16,930% rise dwarfs the broader market’s performance. Even allowing for compounding, their annual return averaged 14.5% — far beyond the typical 7% to 9% earned by major indexes.

Last year alone, the couple reportedly reaped an estimated 54% return — more than double the S&P 500’s 25% gain and higher than every major hedge fund in Bloomberg’s end-of-year comparison. Pelosi’s 2024 financial disclosure form lists holdings in roughly two dozen companies, including massive stakes in Apple (valued between $25 and $50 million), NVIDIA, Netflix, Palo Alto Networks, and Salesforce.

Their total net worth today is estimated at $280 million — a staggering leap from the roughly $3 million the Pelosis were worth when she took office. Beyond stocks, their assets include a Napa Valley winery valued between $5 and $25 million, a San Francisco Italian restaurant, a consulting firm, and several commercial properties. They also own an $8.7 million Pacific Heights home and a Georgetown townhouse purchased in 1999 for $650,000.

But Pelosi’s wealth accumulation comes as a growing number of lawmakers — including those in her own party — are pushing to ban members of Congress and their spouses from trading individual stocks. Critics say such access to privileged information creates unfair advantages. The latest version of the proposed ban was introduced in September, with some earlier bills even nicknamed after Pelosi herself.

The fascination with her trades has even inspired exchange-traded funds designed to mimic her investment moves. “I think what I’ll miss most is how she trades,” said Dan Weiskopf, portfolio manager of the congressional-tracking ETF NANC. “It’s so high conviction and aggressive. . . . The only reason why you make such trades is if you’ve got a process that gives you confidence, and as far as I know, they’re not buying off technicals. So, they must be doing it because of information around the companies themselves.”

Weiskopf said the secret to Pelosi’s approach is her extensive use of options. “You only do that because you want leverage and you only really want leverage on that kind of trading if you have a lot of convictions,” he explained. “She’s buying deep in the money and putting up a lot of money in doing it. . . . and we’re not seeing her panic. We don’t see a lot of flip flopping on her trading activity.”

Among her most lucrative plays, Weiskopf noted, was a December call option from late 2023 that cost roughly $1.8 million in premiums. It allowed the Pelosis to purchase 50,000 shares of NVIDIA at just $12 each — less than one-tenth of its current market price. Their $2.4 million investment has since ballooned to more than $7.2 million on paper.

“When you’re supposed to be called an honorable member of Congress, maybe you should look yourself in the mirror and say, I want to do the right thing,” Weiskopf remarked pointedly.

Republicans were far less restrained in their criticism. “Nancy Pelosi’s true legacy is becoming the most successful insider trader in American history,” said Kiersten Pels, a spokesperson for the Republican National Committee. “If anyone else had turned $785,000 into $133.7 million with better returns than Warren Buffett, they’d be retiring behind bars.”

{Matzav.com}

Joe Biden, sporting a fresh bandage on the left side of his head, delivered an emotional and fiery speech at the Nebraska Democratic Party’s Ben Nelson Gala on Friday night, using the platform to lash out at President Trump and reflect on his late son, Beau.

“Folks, I know what cancer research means,” Biden told the audience, invoking Beau’s 2015 death from brain cancer. “Cancer hits every family. It’s hit my family hard.” He accused Trump of “cutting government funding for cancer research” after his own administration had made it a “priority.”

“When the love of my life, my oldest son, the attorney general of the state of Delaware – who should’ve been the president, not me – volunteered to go to Iraq for a year, didn’t have to, he came back with stage four glioblastoma because he lived in a burn pit just like those guys did on 9/11, and he died,” Biden said, his voice softening as he shared the deeply personal memory.

The 46th president, who was diagnosed earlier this year with stage four prostate cancer, also opened up about his ongoing treatment and recovery. “But when you get that research, research, they’re, they’re doing, when they diagnose it – in my case, I just had prostate cancer – so, and, I, uh, when you finish that round of treatment, you get to ring that bell at the end of each treatment,” he said. “Well, thank God for the doctors and nurses and incredible breakthroughs we’re making in cancer research.”

He then turned his focus back to Trump, accusing him and congressional Republicans of undermining medical care and raising costs. “Now, Trump and his Republican friends are cutting government funding for health care, making it more expensive,” Biden declared.

Observers at the event noticed Biden’s new bandage, though the White House has not provided an explanation. In August, he underwent Mohs surgery to treat skin cancer, and he appeared publicly afterward with a large bandage and then a visible scar in a different location.

As his speech intensified, Biden’s anger grew over what he described as misplaced Republican priorities. “Why in God’s name are they doing this?” he shouted, claiming Trump’s budget cuts were designed to “cut taxes for the wealthiest people in America.”

He also erupted over the length of the ongoing government shutdown, placing full responsibility on Trump. The president, he said, “better get the damn government open.” Biden accused the administration of worsening food insecurity by letting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program lapse. “We have a president who is deliberately making hunger worse for Americans,” he charged. “In the United States of America, 1 in 5 children, 1 in 5 children, go to bed hungry every night!”

When the crowd erupted in boos, Biden shot back, “No, no, it’s more than ‘boo’ … it’s a disgrace!”

Trump and Republican lawmakers, for their part, have blamed Senate Democrats for repeatedly rejecting measures to extend government funding at existing levels, saying their obstruction caused the shutdown to drag on.

Biden closed on a triumphant note, celebrating recent Democratic victories in statewide elections. “The Democratic Party is back – not hyperbole,” he told the crowd. “The fact is that we had a great night in Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California, New York City, Georgia, Mississippi, – even in Mississippi,” he said, insisting that voters had sent a clear message: “They’re sending a message to Trump and to his crowd.”

{Matzav.com}

The Mega Millions jackpot has surged to a staggering $900 million after Friday night’s drawing failed to produce a single grand prize winner — extending what has now become the game’s longest-ever streak without a jackpot hit.

The winning numbers for the $843 million draw were 16, 21, 23, 48, 70, with the Mega Ball 5. Not only did no one claim the top prize, but no ticket managed to match all five white balls either — the combination that would have delivered a massive secondary payout.

Had anyone clinched the jackpot, the winner could have opted for a $391.7 million lump sum cash option rather than the full annuity. Instead, the pot now swells to $900 million, making Tuesday night’s drawing one of the richest in Mega Millions history.

This marks the 39th consecutive drawing without a jackpot winner since the last major prize was claimed. The odds of hitting all six numbers under the game’s current setup remain daunting — a near-impossible 1 in 290,472,336 chance.

The current Mega Millions format, introduced in April, doubled the ticket price from $2 to $5 while boosting prize amounts for non-jackpot tiers. The changes have generated both larger payouts and longer jackpot rollovers — as the mounting total now demonstrates.

The most recent jackpot winner came from Burgess, Virginia, where one anonymous player scored $348 million on June 27. That lucky ticket holder chose the one-time cash payout of $155.6 million instead of receiving the full prize spread across three decades — and told officials they planned to celebrate in style with a new zero-radius riding lawn mower.

{Matzav.com}

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}