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In the wake of last week’s massive Atzeres in support of the Torah world, Slabodka Rosh Yeshiva Rav Dov Landau is set to depart Sunday morning for a whirlwind mission to Switzerland, leading a distinguished delegation aimed at strengthening and expanding Keren Olam HaTorah. The foundation has already distributed hundreds of millions of shekels this past year to yeshivos and kollelim across Eretz Yisroel.

During the brief but intensive trip, the Rosh Yeshiva will visit Zurich and Geneva, meeting with prominent philanthropists and delivering addresses at major gatherings designed to rally support for the Torah institutions of Eretz Yisroel.

Accompanying Rav Landau are several renowned gedolei Torah, including Rav Avrohom Salim, Rav Shimon Galai, Rav Boruch Soloveitchik, Rav Yosef Chevroni, and the Rebbe of Rachmastrivka.

Upon arrival in Zurich, the delegation will hold private meetings at the homes of leading benefactors who have pledged significant contributions to Keren Olam HaTorah. That evening, a large public event will take place for the city’s chareidi community, aimed at raising both awareness and funds for the preservation and flourishing of Torah study.

On Monday, the delegation will continue to Geneva for additional gatherings with major donors. The highlight of the day will be a grand Atzeres drawing large Jewish crowds not only from Switzerland but also from neighboring France, particularly from the cities of Aix-les-Bains and Lyon, where thriving Torah communities have expressed their intent to join the event.

Rav Landau is scheduled to return to Eretz Yisroel late Monday night, resuming his regular schedule.

Slabodka Rosh Yeshiva Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, who was unable to join the trip due to prior commitments in the United States and France on behalf of Yeshivas Slabodka, sent an emotional letter to the benefactors attending the Swiss gatherings.

“I very much desired to join you at this gathering l’shem Shamayim, but it is beyond my ability to come,” Rav Hirsch wrote. “I wish to bless you from afar yet with a heart that is close. You have been granted a unique and historic merit — the salvation of the yeshivos and kollelim of Eretz Yisroel. Through your actions, you ensure the continuation of Torah learning in the Holy Land. For generations to come, you will be remembered as those in whose portion this great privilege was placed. Fortunate are you and your lot!”

Rav Hirsch went on to remind donors that their contributions to Keren Olam HaTorah should be in addition to their existing charitable giving: “I once again request, as I have in previous gatherings for Keren Olam HaTorah, that the donations for sustaining Torah in Eretz Yisroel not come at the expense of the other causes you regularly support. Those institutions depend upon you, and we must not harm them in any way.”

He added, “Our request is that you give beyond your usual commitments, as many righteous benefactors worldwide have done — recognizing that rescuing the yeshivos of Eretz Yisroel is the urgent need of this time, and one that calls for extra effort and generosity.”

The Rosh Yeshiva concluded his letter with a heartfelt bracha: “In the merit of your devotion beyond your accustomed measure, may Hashem grant you doubled goodness, abundant success, and blessing in all that you do — with health, joy, and fulfillment all your days.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has once again delayed progress on the contentious draft law, instructing Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman Boaz Bismuth to cancel the upcoming session that was scheduled to present the bill. The meeting, originally planned for Monday, has now been postponed to an unspecified date — fueling growing frustration within the chareidi parties.

Just last week, Bismuth had already pushed off the session from Thursday to Monday due to the atzeres tefillah at the entrance to Yerushalayim. But sources say that Netanyahu personally intervened this weekend, directing Bismuth to suspend all further discussion of the draft law for the time being.

Senior figures in the chareidi factions expressed disappointment over the move, stating, “We don’t understand what Netanyahu’s games are. We are continuing to insist on a draft law that will finally formalize the status of bnei hayeshivos.”

A source in United Torah Judaism added that the ongoing delay is creating unnecessary tension. “The chareidi community has been waiting for a clear, binding arrangement,” he said. “We cannot keep functioning under uncertainty while the issue is being tossed back and forth.”

Last week, following the leak of the latest draft, a senior Agudas Yisroel figure harshly criticized Shas’s handling of the proposal: “This draft will never pass the spiritual leadership. I want to see the chareidi MKs vote for a law that sets a 50% draft quota for chareidi recruits. Even if it somehow passes in the coalition, the committee’s legal advisor opposes it, and it will never survive a Supreme Court challenge.”

He added bluntly, “There’s no chance this bill becomes law. Even if it passes, the court will strike it down. It doesn’t truly protect yeshiva students — it’s a political maneuver to pave the way for Deri’s return to the government.”

The source concluded, “We cannot return to the government unless the law passes its second and third readings and has solid legal standing.”

{Matzav.com}

Federal agents and Boston law enforcement are investigating what appears to have been a deliberate explosion early Shabbos morning inside a Harvard Medical School facility, according to USA Today.

The blast occurred around 2:48 a.m. on the fourth floor of the university’s Goldenson Building, Harvard police confirmed in a statement. The Boston Fire Department’s Arson Unit said the incident “appeared to be intentional.”

“The FBI is on the scene and we’re assisting our partners at the Harvard University Police Department with what is a very active investigation,” stated Boston FBI spokesperson Kristen Setera. A full sweep of the area by Boston police determined that no additional explosive devices were present.

Authorities say there were no injuries reported from the explosion.

Police revealed that a Harvard University officer responding to a fire alarm had seen two unknown individuals running from the building. “The officer attempted to stop the individuals before proceeding to the floor where the alarm had been triggered,” the department said.

Investigators have now published surveillance images showing the two people spotted near the site at the time of the explosion. Both are being sought for questioning as part of the ongoing probe.

{Matzav.com}

More than 55,000 runners representing 150 countries will flood the streets of New York City this Sunday for the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon, weaving through all five boroughs from Staten Island to Central Park. With hundreds of thousands of spectators expected, city officials are bracing for a day of extensive street closures, heavy traffic restrictions, and heightened security.

The marathon will begin on Staten Island, where runners set off across the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge before cutting through Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan, ending with the iconic finish inside Central Park. Along the route will be elite runners, wheelchair athletes, and tens of thousands of amateurs determined to conquer the 26.2-mile challenge.

Start Times and Race Schedule

The race will unfold over several waves on Sunday, November 2. Wheelchair racers start first, followed by handcyclists, elite women, elite men, and then five general start waves:

• 8:00 a.m. – Men’s Professional Wheelchair Division

• 8:02 a.m. – Women’s Professional Wheelchair Division

• 8:22 a.m. – Handcycle Category and Select Athletes with Disabilities

• 8:35 a.m. – Professional Women’s Open Division

• 9:05 a.m. – Professional Men’s Open Division

• 9:10 a.m. – Wave 1

• 9:45 a.m. – Wave 2

• 10:20 a.m. – Wave 3

• 10:55 a.m. – Wave 4

• 11:30 a.m. – Wave 5

How to Watch the Race

National coverage will air on ESPN2 and the ESPN App from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time, with pre-race segments starting an hour earlier and extended post-race analysis continuing until 1 p.m. Locally, ABC7/WABC-TV will broadcast from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., and viewers can catch a live finish-line stream on ABC7NY.com starting at 8 p.m.

Heightened Security Measures

The NYPD is rolling out an expansive security operation that will span the city’s streets, bridges, waterways, and airspace. With Halloween festivities just behind them, police officials are taking no chances as massive crowds gather along the marathon course.

“Our Joint Operations Center will be fully activated with all of our city, our state and our federal partners and personnel there will be actively monitoring fixed and mobile cameras along the route and the surrounding area,” said Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. “Intelligence teams will also be monitoring social media for potential threats, and response units will be deployed citywide to investigate any reports in real time. Cops will be out there to keep you safe, but we ask everyone to stay alert.”

Specialized divisions — including the Bomb Squad, Aviation, Harbor, Emergency Service Unit, and K-9 teams — will be deployed. Some security tactics will be visible, while others will remain intentionally out of sight.

Following the Race

Spectators can use the official NYRR App to track their favorite runners, view live leaderboards, explore the full course map, and locate the best vantage points to cheer along the route.

Major Road Closures

Expect major travel disruptions across the city as the marathon winds its way through all five boroughs. Closures begin early Sunday and will remain in effect until late afternoon or early evening, depending on location.

Staten Island

• Staten Island Expressway

• Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge
  Additional streets near Richmond Terrace, Victory Boulevard, Bay Street, and Father Capodanno Boulevard will also be closed for the start area.

Brooklyn

The race continues north from Bay Ridge through Park Slope, Downtown Brooklyn, Williamsburg, and Greenpoint, closing:

• 4th Avenue, Flatbush Avenue, Lafayette Avenue, Bedford Avenue, Nassau Avenue, Manhattan Avenue, and McGuinness Boulevard.
  The Pulaski Bridge to Queens will also be closed to traffic.

Queens

Expect closures along:

• Vernon Boulevard, 44th Drive, Crescent Street, and Queens Plaza South.
  Runners will then cross the Queensboro Bridge into Manhattan.

Manhattan

Runners will enter Manhattan on East 59th Street and travel up 1st Avenue to the Willis Avenue Bridge. After re-entering Manhattan from the Bronx, they’ll continue down 5th Avenue, pass through Harlem, and finish inside Central Park near Columbus Circle.

Bronx

Road closures include:

• Willis Avenue Bridge, East 135th Street, Alexander Avenue, East 138th Street, and 3rd Avenue.

Central Park Area (Finish Line and Family Reunion Zone)

Expect significant restrictions from Columbus Circle to West 76th Street, including portions of Broadway, Columbus Avenue, and side streets near Central Park West.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump’s political network is channeling millions of dollars into voter mobilization drives for the November 4 gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia — races viewed as crucial barometers for his leadership and the Republican Party’s strength in historically Democratic territory.

Sources close to the operation told reporters that the White House-aligned campaign team is mounting “a $1 million-plus microtargeting effort” in each of the two states, focusing on identifying and energizing Trump-aligned voters and Republican-leaning independents who often skip off-year elections.

In New Jersey, Trump’s allies have thrown their weight behind GOP candidate Jack Ciattarelli, betting that a Republican victory in a state long dominated by Democrats would deliver a powerful message of shifting momentum. Polls suggest Democratic strategists are increasingly uneasy about losing the governor’s mansion despite their large registration advantage.

Across the Potomac, the open-seat race in Virginia has also drawn major investment from Trump’s apparatus, signaling a concerted Republican push to reclaim ground in a state that has leaned Democratic in recent national elections.

Republican operatives connected to the effort describe the contests as “a glimpse of the voters’ attitudes 10 months into Trump’s second term.” They say success in either race could provide a morale boost and a valuable springboard heading into the 2026 midterm elections.

Democrats, sensing the stakes, are escalating their own spending. Reuters reported that the Democratic National Committee recently injected another $500,000 into get-out-the-vote operations in New Jersey and Virginia — pushing its total commitment to over $6 million across those states and Pennsylvania, where key judicial contests are also underway.

In the Garden State, the Trump-Ciattarelli campaign is hammering away at the cost-of-living crisis, highlighting surging energy and utility costs as proof that Democratic leadership has failed working families, according to the Associated Press.

Meanwhile in Virginia, observers say the economy, education, and cultural debates are dominating the race. GOP hopeful Winsome Earle-Sears, who embraces many Trump-era policies, must find a way to connect with voters outside the conservative base if she hopes to prevail.

The outcomes carry national weight. Victories in either state would help Trump project strength and affirm the GOP’s vitality under his stewardship; setbacks would hand Democrats ammunition to question his political reach.

For Democrats, keeping control of both governorships is seen as vital to maintaining momentum — and avoiding any perception that the party is losing its grip as the next election cycle looms.

Ultimately, New Jersey and Virginia are being treated not merely as local contests but as early tests of the nation’s political mood under Trump’s administration — with both sides recognizing that the reverberations will stretch far beyond Election Day.

{Matzav.com}

In a powerful and deeply emotional gathering at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square on Friday, Bar Kupershtein, a survivor of Hamas captivity, turned the stage into a moment of kiddush Hashem and Jewish strength. Before a crowd of thousands, he wrapped himself in a tallis, placed tefillin on his arm, and recited Shema Yisroel in a loud, unwavering voice.

“There were very difficult moments during those two years,” Kupershtein shared. “But I knew I couldn’t lose myself. I saw my captors praying in Arabic — and against the backdrop of their murders, I realized that I had to pray even more. If they were praying for death, I would pray for life.”

He described how his bond with Hashem sustained him throughout the ordeal: “At first, I prayed silently — in my heart, in my stomach, from deep inside, where the soul resides. Later, when we were finally allowed to pray aloud, we made the tunnels tremble with our voices.”

His words reached a crescendo as he declared, “I am certain that faith is what brought me out of there. Thank You, Ribbono shel Olam.”

The crowd was overcome with emotion, responding with prolonged applause and tears.

The event, attended by Israel’s former Chief Rabbi, Rav David Lau, reflected the growing spiritual awakening and faith that have taken root since the war began — the resilience of tefillah, simple emunah, and the unbreakable connection to Hashem even under the harshest conditions.

In a particularly stirring moment, Bar’s father joined him on stage, donning a tallis and joining his son in reciting Shema Yisroel together.

Kupershtein concluded by announcing that the square would become a permanent site — “Bar-Tefillin” — a place where anyone who wishes can come to put on tefillin and pray.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of Rav Shimon Hershler zt”l, one of the foremost rabbonim of the Vizhnitz chassidus in London and among the greatest maggidei shiurim in Europe. He was niftar on Shabbos, at the age of 81, after a prolonged illness.

Rav Hershler was born in London on Hoshanah Rabbah in 5705 (1944) to his father, Rabbi Bunim Zevulun Hershler, son of Rav Shimon Hershler, senior dayan in the kehilla of Pressburg, known as the author of Hegyonei Maharsha, a descendant of Rav Akiva Eiger zt”l. His mother, Mrs. Feitsche (née Weiser), was a granddaughter of the Malbushei Shabbos v’Yom Tov and came from the illustrious Ziditshov dynasty.

From a young age, Rav Hershler displayed extraordinary diligence and brilliance in learning. He attended Talmud Torah Yesodei HaTorah in London and later continued his studies at Yeshivas Kochav MiYaakov-Tchebin in Yerushalayim and Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin in Bnei Brak, where he became close to the Shevet HaLevi, Rav Shmuel Wosner.

Throughout his lifetime, Rav Hershler maintained warm relationships with many gedolei Yisroel, recording their teachings meticulously and later publishing them for the benefit of lomdei Torah. He was especially close to the Yeshuos Moshe of Vizhnitz, as well as to the Skulener and Skverer Rebbes.

Upon reaching marriageable age, he married his late wife, the daughter of Rav Avrohom Shmuel Rand, Rosh Yeshivas Mesivta in London, and together they built a home of Torah and chesed.

In London, Rav Hershler served for decades as a senior rebbi in Talmud Torah Pardes, teaching the oldest class of 16-year-old boys. Simultaneously, he delivered the Daf Yomi shiur at the Vizhnitz Beis Medrash Ahavas Yisroel every morning at 6:00 a.m., a commitment he upheld faithfully for sixty years, even during times of illness. Each night, he would spend hours preparing the next day’s shiur with intense concentration and hasmadah.

Known for his fiery delivery and clarity, Rav Hershler became renowned across London as a master orator and a beloved maggid meisharim. His many published works, including Seh LaBayis, contain treasured insights and Torah discourses.

He also merited to publish numerous manuscripts of his illustrious ancestor, Rav Akiva Eiger, including the acclaimed Meoram Shel Yisroel on Rav Akiva Eiger and other related volumes such as Yehudah L’Kadsho. Through the Shem Olam Institute, he also edited and released many rare Torah works and biographical studies on gedolei Yisroel, among them the Sdei Chemed, Rav Tzadok HaKohen of Lublin, the Gaon of Ozdorf, and Drush V’Chiddush Rav Akiva Eiger.

Rav Hershler endured personal tragedy with the untimely passing of his son, Rav Yissachar Berish, who was niftar on Tisha B’Av seven years ago.

He leaves behind a distinguished family continuing his legacy of Torah and avodas hakodesh: His sons: Rav Yaakov Yosef of Yerushalayim; Rav Elazar of Monsey; Rav Avrohom Shmuel of London; and his youngest son, Rav Moshe Pesach, a prominent figure in the London community. His daughters, the wives of Rav Shalom Stern, Rav Shmuel Yitzchok Stein, and Rav Shaul Yechezkel Weiss of London.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

In a stunning statement just days before New York City’s mayoral election, anti-Israel candidate Zohran Mamdani vowed to shut down the Technion’s presence in the city if he wins office — igniting outrage from Jewish leaders, business figures, and city officials. He said his administration would “move to terminate the Technion’s activity in the city due to its ties with Israel’s defense establishment.”

Mamdani specifically called out Cornell Tech, the joint Roosevelt Island campus created through a partnership between Cornell University and the Technion. He declared that “an Israeli institution involved in developing weapons for the IDF should not receive city benefits or funding.” His campaign confirmed that, if elected, Mamdani plans to review the partnership’s compliance with what he termed the city’s “values and human rights principles.”

Because the mayor holds the power to appoint members to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation board — which manages the island’s projects — Mamdani would be able to install individuals sympathetic to boycotts of Israeli institutions, potentially jeopardizing the Cornell-Technion alliance.

Cornell Tech was launched in 2017 after a competition initiated by Mayor Michael Bloomberg aimed at positioning New York as a global leader in technology and entrepreneurship. The winning bid — a collaboration between Cornell and the Technion — received land, tax incentives, and major city subsidies to attract investors, scientists, and startups.

Mamdani has opposed the project since its inception, claiming that it stands in violation of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement’s principles. “If we examine this partnership through the lens of BDS, it’s clear Cornell-Technion should be part of that conversation,” he argued. He also labeled the Technion “an Israeli university that helped develop weapons used by the IDF,” using that accusation to justify his stance against the institution.

His remarks triggered immediate backlash across the political and civic spectrum. Kathryn Wylde, CEO of the Partnership for New York City and a founding supporter of the Cornell Tech initiative, called the comments “alarming.” She added, “It’s hard to believe a mayoral candidate would challenge public support for an institution that has contributed so much to the city’s tech sector simply because it collaborates with an Israeli university.”

A onetime aide to Mayor Bloomberg condemned Mamdani’s rhetoric as “blatant antisemitism” and warned it could harm New York’s global reputation as an inclusive city. Critics across the city accused Mamdani of politicizing academic cooperation and threatening decades of progress in the city’s innovation economy.

Attempting to calm the outrage, Mamdani insisted that his opposition was not directed at Jews or Jewish institutions. He promised that Jewish cultural life in the city would continue under his administration. “I look forward to joining and hosting many community events celebrating Jewish life in New York,” he said. “Although I will not personally attend the Israel Parade, that should not be mistaken for refusing to provide security or necessary permits.”

He reiterated to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that his position stems from a broader principle. “I’ve been clear — I believe in equal rights for all people, everywhere. That principle guides me consistently,” Mamdani told the outlet.

Despite the controversy, Mamdani remains in the lead ahead of Tuesday’s election. Early voting turnout has already shattered records, surpassing 400,000 ballots — five times the figure from 2021. “The wealthy interests aren’t disappearing. There’s no room for overconfidence,” he warned supporters at a campaign rally, urging them to stay mobilized.

Meanwhile, a looming political rivalry may be taking shape on a larger stage. Congresswoman Elise Stefanik — a staunch ally of President Donald Trump and one of Mamdani’s fiercest critics — is reportedly preparing to run for governor in 2026. Stefanik has repeatedly branded Mamdani “pro-jihadist” and vowed to oppose his policies at every turn.

If both prevail, New York could find itself sharply divided between an anti-Israel Democratic mayor in City Hall and a pro-Israel Republican governor in Albany — setting the stage for a fierce showdown over state funding, policy cooperation, and the city’s relationship with Jewish and Israeli institutions.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump will make his long-awaited return to 60 Minutes this Sunday — his first sit-down with the program since reaching a multimillion-dollar settlement with CBS News earlier this year over its controversial interview with Kamala Harris. The network confirmed that CBS anchor Norah O’Donnell interviewed Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Friday for the broadcast.

The president’s relationship with the storied newsmagazine has been volatile, marked by clashes and walkouts. However, with the recent leadership overhaul at CBS’s parent company, Paramount, Trump appears to be testing a new chapter of détente. The company is now led by David Ellison — son of billionaire Larry Ellison, a longtime Trump ally — who took control following a summer merger that reshaped the network’s corporate hierarchy.

CBS News declined to reveal much about how the interview came about or whether Trump or his team imposed any conditions. O’Donnell, a veteran journalist and former CBS Evening News anchor, was tapped specifically for this segment even though she is not part of the regular 60 Minutes roster.

Trump’s prior history with 60 Minutes is fraught. Just before the 2020 election, he famously ended an interview with correspondent Lesley Stahl, accusing her of unfairness. His campaign later published the unedited footage in protest. During the 2024 campaign, Trump refused to appear on the show altogether, blasting its treatment of Harris, claiming her interview was manipulated “to make her look good.”

CBS rejected Trump’s accusation, but the dispute escalated into a lawsuit. This summer, Paramount settled the case for $16 million — a deal reached weeks before federal regulators approved its merger with Ellison’s Skydance Media. Following the settlement, 60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens resigned, citing pressure and “a loss of independence” over editorial decisions.

Since assuming control, Ellison has moved to mend ties with Trump and his supporters. He brought on Kenneth Weinstein, previously the head of a conservative policy institute and a donor to Trump’s 2024 campaign, to review concerns of bias in CBS’s coverage. In a separate move, Paramount bought the Free Press platform in October and installed its founder, Bari Weiss, as editor-in-chief of CBS News. Weiss reportedly facilitated a recent 60 Minutes segment featuring Jared Kushner and adviser Steve Witkoff, discussing the new peace deal in Gaza.

During his return flight from the Middle East on October 12, Trump spoke warmly of the Ellison family’s involvement in the network’s leadership shift. “Larry Ellison is great, and his son David is great. They’re friends of mine. They’re big supporters of mine, and they’ll do the right thing,” he told reporters.

{Matzav.com}

A federal judge on Friday rejected an effort by New York Attorney General Letitia James to require prosecutors to document all their communications with reporters in her ongoing mortgage fraud case.

Judge Jamar Walker ruled against the motion submitted by defense attorney Abbe Lowell, who had filed the request last week following revelations that U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan exchanged encrypted Signal messages with a journalist about the case. “The defendant does not demonstrate that it is necessary for the Court to order the government to track communications with the media in any particular form,” Walker wrote in his decision. He added plainly, “The defendant’s request that the government be required to keep a communication log is DENIED.”

Walker acknowledged that Halligan’s Signal conversation with Lawfare senior editor Anna Bower earlier this month was “unusual,” though he stopped short of labeling it inappropriate, saying he would not comment “on whether they were improper in any sense, either legal or ethical.” Despite declining to impose a log, the judge emphasized that prosecutors must follow all court procedures.

In a related directive, Walker issued a “litigation hold preventing the deletion or destruction of any records or communications having to do with the investigation or prosecution of this case.” Halligan’s messages with the reporter were reportedly configured to vanish after eight hours, raising questions about transparency and evidence preservation.

The judge also declined to decide whether Halligan’s disputed message—which reportedly contradicted a New York Times story about testimony from James’ grandniece before a grand jury—should be treated as discoverable material. “[T]he Court is not persuaded that preservation of evidence related to the government’s communications requires such evidence be maintained in any particular form,” he wrote. “The defendant does not demonstrate that a communication log is necessary, so the Court will not order the government to maintain one.” He added a note of finality: “The Court trusts that counsel on both sides will comply with this Order without further handholding.”

Federal prosecutors, in turn, had urged Walker to issue a gag order against James, but he refused that request as well.

James entered a not guilty plea last week to charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution. Prosecutors allege she secured a mortgage under false pretenses when she purchased a three-bedroom home on Peronne Avenue in Norfolk, Virginia, on August 17, 2020, for $109,600. The mortgage documents, they say, listed her as the “sole borrower to occupy and use the property,” which earned her about $19,000 in more favorable loan terms.

Authorities contend, however, that the property “was not occupied or used” by James, but “was instead used as a rental investment property” for her grandniece, Nakia Thompson. If convicted on both counts, James could face up to 60 years in prison and fines totaling as much as $2 million.

{Matzav.com}

In a surprise move just days before voters head to the polls, Mayor Eric Adams announced a sweeping plan to expand the NYPD to 40,000 uniformed officers by 2029 — the largest police force New York has seen in two decades. The timing of the announcement, dubbed a “pre-emptive strike” by some insiders, was widely seen as a political maneuver to box in socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani.

The mayor’s proposal would require future administrations’ approval and the cooperation of a progressive City Council that’s unlikely to do him any favors. Even so, Adams framed the move as essential to his public safety legacy. “Now, New York City will be on a path to reach 40,000 police officers in the next three years — the highest number of police officers in 20 years,” he declared.

City Hall said the initiative would inject $17.8 million into the NYPD in the next fiscal year and climb to $315.8 million by 2029, funding 5,000 new hires phased in through 2028. Ken Frydman, a longtime political operative, described the mayor’s timing bluntly: “Eric Adams invested in his legacy as a law-and-order mayor and launched a pre-emptive strike against a Mayor Mamdani defunding the police.”

But Mamdani refused to be drawn into Adams’ frame. Speaking while doing tai chi with seniors on the Lower East Side, he dismissed the plan as financially unrealistic. “Eric Adams cannot actually hire enough officers that he actually has the money to do so,” Mamdani said. He added, “It’s not a question of headcount. It’s a question of safety.”

The two-term assemblyman from Queens, who gained notoriety for promoting “defund the police” messaging during his 2020 run, has since walked back the rhetoric. Still, his critics — including GOP candidate Curtis Sliwa and independent contender Andrew Cuomo — warn that his policies would “handcuff” the NYPD and undo hard-won crime reductions.

Adams’ own numbers have been unimpressive: despite a budget allowing for 35,000 officers, the department’s staffing has stayed below 34,000 throughout his tenure. Former Commissioner Bill Bratton scoffed at the notion that the Council would back the expansion. “You think the City Council will support more police?” he said, warning that the body would hardly want to gift Adams a final victory or alienate the likely next mayor.

Even as he insists he won’t slash the police budget, Mamdani continues to promote his vision for a $1.1 billion Department of Community Safety — an agency meant to handle mental health emergencies without police involvement. Law enforcement experts have called the idea unrealistic, but Mamdani has stuck to it.

He’s also pledged to keep current NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch in her role. Tisch has not confirmed whether she’d stay, but she praised Adams’ move to boost staffing. “Every new officer means safer streets, stronger communities, and a thriving city,” she said. “This commitment allows us to keep recruiting, training, and deploying the next generation of women and men to build on our success.”

When asked about her statement, Mamdani stumbled slightly before reaffirming his stance: “I continue to have made my decision to retain police commissioner Tisch.” He then reiterated his broader vision. “In retaining Commissioner Tisch, in creating a Department of Community Safety, and finally, ensuring that we live up to the words that Eric Adams has himself said four years ago: that New Yorkers need not choose between safety and justice.”

Experts argue that while more police don’t solve every problem, visibility matters. “More cops is going to help with the perception of public safety,” said John Jay College Professor Maria Haberfeld. “Not everything can be solved with more cops but it’s about perception. The public likes to see cops out on the street.” She added that expanding the force must come with high hiring standards: “It’s not just numbers, you need to get good ones.”

Cuomo, who recently received Adams’ endorsement, has proposed his own version of a hiring surge — adding 5,000 officers, increasing morale, and offering bonuses and higher pay to attract recruits.

Attrition remains the biggest obstacle. The NYPD has already lost 2,800 officers this year, nearly canceling out the 2,900 recruits added over the summer. Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry said Adams’ plan won’t work without addressing retention. “Saying numbers is one thing, keeping police officers on the job is another thing,” he warned. “It comes with salary, benefits, better quality of life for our police officers.”

{Matzav.com}

A massive avalanche roared down Mount Annapurna, engulfing a trekkers’ camp in a cloud of snow and wind as the terrifying moment was caught on video. No injuries were reported.

WATCH: D.C. police reportedly made multiple arrests after a chaotic scene unfolded on Halloween night in Washington’s Navy Yard. National Guard members were seen chasing several people after police responded to reports of “disorderly behavior.”

Aerial footage shows extensive damage along Jamaica’s coast caused by Hurricane Melissa.

Mamdani is now airing ads in Arabic. The fact that he is even airing ads in Arabic is a sign of a failed city.

The race for New York City mayor has tightened dramatically, with a new poll showing radical socialist Zohran Mamdani’s once-comfortable advantage over Andrew Cuomo dwindling to single digits just days before voters head to the polls.

According to the latest AtlasIntel survey, Mamdani sits at 40.6% support, while Cuomo — the former New York governor now running as an independent — has surged to 34%. Republican contender Curtis Sliwa has also gained traction, polling at 24.1%, his strongest showing since midsummer.

“The gap is closing fast — we can feel it on the ground everywhere from the Bronx to Staten Island. At this rate, we win the race. Keep going strong,” Cuomo declared as his campaign gained momentum heading into the final weekend.

Speaking to reporters while campaigning in Brownsville, Brooklyn, Cuomo brushed off the poll’s narrow margin, saying, “Six points in this election is nothing.”

Cuomo attributed his recent momentum to voters growing skeptical of Mamdani’s sweeping promises — such as free public transit and city-run grocery stores — ideas Cuomo says the Democratic candidate has no power to implement.

“What has happened is, in the primary, Zohran got away with his TikTok band, and a smile, whatever he said, he smiled, and he had his slogans, ‘freeze the rent,’ ‘free buses,’ ‘free food,’ and that was enough,” Cuomo said. “What has happened since is people have [found] out what he’s about, and there is no free food, and there are no free buses, and he can’t raise corporate taxes statewide and dedicate it to New York [City]. That can’t happen.”

Andrei Roman, the CEO of AtlasIntel, suggested that while Cuomo’s controversial gubernatorial record may have capped his appeal among some voters, Mamdani’s extremist rhetoric and anti-Israel positions have alienated many others.

“From not being inspirational to being really hated and terrifying people – that’s a major difference. That’s what’s happening with Mamdani,” Roman said.

He added, “I think Cuomo’s chance in this election is to mobilize an anti-Mamdani vote within mostly the moderate Democratic base that voted for him in the primary but also with independents and Republicans and also mobilize a strategic vote by some of Sliwa’s voters.”

The new poll comes just days after surveys from Fox News and Emerson College showed Mamdani comfortably ahead — by margins of 16 and 25 points respectively. The Real Clear Politics polling average still puts Mamdani in the lead with 45%, trailed by Cuomo at 31% and Sliwa at 17%.

But AtlasIntel’s findings show a shifting landscape. In a hypothetical two-way matchup between Mamdani and Cuomo, the poll projects Cuomo leading 50% to 42%, underscoring how Sliwa’s presence may be splitting the anti-Mamdani vote.

Cuomo, campaigning Friday in Brighton Beach, dismissed Sliwa’s prospects entirely, telling supporters there was “no way” Sliwa could win, warning that he “can only make Zohran Mamdani win.”

Mamdani, meanwhile, remained unruffled during a stop at Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network in Harlem. “I’m not worried at all,” he said confidently. “I continue to be confident, but I never let that confidence become complacency.”

The poll — which carries a 3-point margin of error — was released as early voting numbers continue to surge, with nearly half a million New Yorkers already having cast ballots, signaling high interest in a mayoral race that has become one of the most unpredictable in recent memory.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump took fresh aim at Rep. Ilhan Omar today, criticizing the Minnesota Democrat after she declared “Somalia is our home” during a public appearance.

“She should go back!” Trump wrote on Truth Social, sharing a clip of Omar addressing a crowd in Minnesota and referring to the Somali president as “our President.”

The remarks rekindled Trump’s long-standing feud with Omar, a member of the progressive group of lawmakers known as “The Squad.” Trump has repeatedly questioned her allegiance to the United States and has suggested on several occasions that she should be removed from the country.

In a September exchange with reporters at the White House, Trump recounted meeting the Somali leader and said, “You know I met the head of Somalia, did you know that? And I suggested that maybe he’d like to take her back. He said ‘I don’t want her.’”

Trump’s clashes with Omar date back to his first term, when he regularly called her out at rallies and accused her of “telling us how to run our country.”

Omar’s outspoken criticism of Israel has drawn controversy for years. In 2019, she sparked bipartisan backlash after implying that Republican support for Israel was driven by the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC. She later issued a limited apology before deleting the tweets that triggered the uproar.

She again faced condemnation after posting a video of her exchange with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in which she appeared to equate the actions of Israel and the United States with those of Hamas and the Taliban.

In October 2023, Omar ignited outrage after she retweeted an image of dead children, claiming they were killed by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza. It was later discovered that the photo depicted victims of a Syrian regime nerve gas attack.

Just days later, she falsely blamed Israel for a deadly hospital explosion in Gaza, which was later determined to have been caused by a misfired rocket launched by Islamic Jihad.

Tensions flared again last November when Omar lashed out at pro-Israel demonstrators on Capitol Hill who confronted her for refusing to denounce Hamas.

Footage from X captured the moment protesters carrying Israeli flags shouted, “Why do you stand with Hamas? Why don’t you condemn Hamas? Do you like Hamas and Hezbollah?” as Omar headed toward an elevator with her aides.

Ignoring the initial taunts, Omar reacted only when one of the protesters told her to “go to Gaza” and mockingly called her “sweetheart.” As the elevator doors closed, she snapped back, “[Profanity] you!”

{Matzav.com}

The New Jersey governor’s race has turned into a statistical toss-up, with Republican Jack Ciattarelli and Democrat Mikie Sherrill virtually tied as Election Day nears.

A new Atlas Intel poll released today shows Sherrill ahead by the slimmest of margins—50.2% to 49.3%—placing Ciattarelli well within the margin of error and signaling a dramatic final stretch in one of the nation’s most closely watched races.

The latest numbers mark a sharp tightening from earlier in the campaign. An Emerson College poll earlier this week showed Sherrill at 50% to Ciattarelli’s 48%, while an InsiderAdvantage/Trafalgar Group poll conducted last month also found Sherrill ahead by just one point.

“It’s just the latest survey to show a nail-biter in the most-watched statewide election this year,” one political analyst noted, as both candidates scramble to energize their bases before the polls close.

For Ciattarelli, the numbers represent a dramatic rebound from his narrow 2021 loss to New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, when he came up short 51% to 48%. This time, the Republican contender is seeing overwhelming enthusiasm among men and Trump loyalists, with the survey showing he has secured a remarkable 99 percent of voters who supported Donald Trump.

Despite that near-total consolidation of the GOP base, Ciattarelli still trails among women voters—a demographic that continues to lean toward Sherrill.

On the other side, Sherrill retains dominant support among Kamala Harris voters, leading that bloc 96% to 3%. Still, Ciattarelli’s small inroads there underscore the shifting dynamics of a race that now appears destined to come down to the wire.

{Matzav.com}

New York Attorney General Letitia James is challenging the legitimacy of the acting U.S. attorney in Albany as she pushes back against the Trump administration’s investigation of cases she brought against the president and the National Rifle Association, according to court documents unsealed Friday. James in August filed a motion to block subpoenas issued by […]

A tense exchange unfolded at George Mason University on Thursday night when John Brennan was confronted by a national security expert demanding to know why he once helped brand reports about Hunter Biden’s laptop as having “all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation.”

The confrontation came from Thomas Speciale, a counterintelligence specialist and former senior advisor to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. He challenged Brennan over his decision to co-sign a public letter, along with fifty other intelligence officials, that cast doubt on the authenticity of Hunter Biden’s emails first reported by the New York Post shortly before the 2020 election.

“Why sign that?” Speciale asked, according to a video that surfaced on X over the weekend. The footage shows Brennan approaching him, appearing to jab a finger toward his chest.

“We never said it was disinformation. We said it was Russian influence operations, which is what they do. There’s a big difference,” Brennan replied sharply.

Speciale said the letter — issued just before Americans headed to the polls — represented a coordinated attempt from the highest levels of the intelligence world to shape the election narrative in favor of Joe Biden and against Donald Trump. He accused the signatories of engaging in offensive counterintelligence under the guise of national security.

, Thomas Speciale pressed John Brennan for clarity on a controversial intelligence report, citing documents declassified by Tulsi Gabbard. Those records showed that James Clapper had urged then–National Security Adviser Mike Rogers—who had questioned the reliability of the Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA)—to abandon “normal modalities” and treat the report as a “team sport.”

Brennan refused to respond to Speciale’s challenge, according to video footage of the event. As tension rose, Michael Hayden cut in, chanting, “next, next, next.”

Speaking afterward to the Daily Caller News Foundation, Speciale explained his motivation for confronting the former intelligence chiefs. “I wanted answers to basic questions for my own personal interest. These are the people that as career intelligence people we looked up to. Why would you do these things?” he said.

Meanwhile, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan has referred Brennan to the Department of Justice for potential criminal prosecution. In an October 21 referral, Jordan accused Brennan of lying to Congress about the ICA, pointing to declassified evidence from Gabbard that revealed Brennan and then–FBI Director James Comey had personally decided to insert material from the infamous dossier—overruling senior CIA officials who had objected to its inclusion.

{Matzav.com}