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Real estate contracts have always been complicated. But now, home buyers are required to sign agreements with their agents that specify the fee and services before the search begins – the result of a landmark $418 million settlement with the National Association of Realtors that upended the traditional commission structure.

These documents can be confusing – and some are rife with language that could end up seriously costing buyers. Consumer advocates have already raised concerns that the contracts, or “Buyer Representation Agreements,” can be long, dense and even deceptive.

The new rules – which kicked in Aug. 17 but were already affecting deals once the settlement was announced in March – have had the initial effect of modestly lowering fees. The average commission per agent was 2.55 percent in July, down from 2.62 percent in January, according to a Redfin report.

One of the biggest changes is that sellers are no longer on the hook for paying the commissions for both sides. This also means the onus is on buyers to negotiate ahead of their search what they want from their agent, how much they’ll pay and whether the eventual seller will pay part of the buyer-agent commission.

While buyer-agent agreements have long been common in some states and were already required by many real estate companies, these changes mean they now entail broader negotiations – which makes scrutinizing the fine print all the more important.

The Washington Post reviewed eight contracts and spoke with consumer groups, realtors, lawyers and other experts so buyers know what to look out for.

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Commissions

Commissions are the fees agents get when a sale closes. Under the old system, the commission for both sides – paid entirely by the seller – typically totaled between 5 and 6 percent of the sales price. Now, sellers must decide whether to offer compensation to buyer agents in addition to their own. And buyers must decide what type of payment (such as a flat fee or percent commission) to offer their agent and what specific services they want.

What home buyers should look out for: Some consumer advocates suggest buyers should push for a flat fee based on their housing budget and make sure they fill out the commissions field on any contract they agree to. Realtor groups also emphasize that both payment and expectations should be clearly spelled out upfront.

“The consumer can decide what services they want from their real estate professional and what they’re willing to pay for,” said Kevin Sears, president of the National Association of Realtors. “It’s just a matter of how much help you want, and how do you utilize that expertise.”

Why it matters: Housing prices have soared in recent years, which means commissions – which are pegged to the sales prices – have grown in dollar value as well. Paying a flat fee for specific services could save money if prospective buyers are willing to handle much of the search themselves.

– – –

Additional fees

Contracts can include extra fees on top of a commission, such as administrative, transaction or retainer fees. While they aren’t new, buyers need to be aware of agreeing to these fees in the upfront agreements.

What home buyers should look out for: Administrative or transaction fees, some totaling as much as $600, can slip past buyers. These fees are usually not justified because such services should be covered in commissions, according to the Consumer Federation of America. However, retainer fees might be increasingly necessary in case buyer agents have to assist clients for a long time before being compensated at the close of a sale, according to the CFA.

Why it matters: Commissions are the primary way brokers are paid, and those costs can already set back cash-constrained buyers. Additional fees could add to that strain.

– – –

Cash payments

It’s long been common for real estate deals to include payments directly from the seller to the buyer at closing to help cover costs like appraisal fees, taxes, title search, renovations or even agent fees. In other cases, payments go directly from the seller to the buyer’s agent as a sort of finders’ fee.

What home buyers should look out for: A range of terms – including “concessions,” “additional compensation,” “bonuses,” “incentives,” “rebates” or “valuable consideration” – appear in draft contracts to describe such payments. Some contracts, like one circulated in North Carolina in July, allow for these payments as long as they’re disclosed and both sides consent.

Why it matters: When concessions go to the buyer, they offset the cost of buying a home – effectively lowering its price. Seller payments given to agents without the buyer’s knowledge, however, have been criticized by some consumer advocates as a form of bribery that could compromise an agent’s ability to objectively represent the buyer.

Under the new rules, “it will be harder for brokers to try to collect this type of incentive since their buyer agreement states they can’t make more than what they told their buyer they charge,” noted Wendy Gilch, deputy director of Consumer Advocates in American Real Estate.

– – –

Conflict of interest

Both the NAR and consumer advocates alike say buyers should be aware of “dual agency” agreements, such as those allowing the buyer’s agent to represent other buyers bidding on the same property, or letting an agent represent the buyer and the seller.

What home buyers should look out for: Blanket agreements allowing dual agency could harm both buyers and sellers due to the inherent conflict of interest, according to the CFA. If an agent’s role as the buyer’s representative shifts to a “facilitator” who works for both the buyer and the seller, the two sides need to discuss and approve.

Why it matters: A dual agent may not be seeking the best interests of either. Such a conflict should be disclosed so buyers can decide whether to find their own independent agent.

– – –

Termination

There are cases when buyers might want to back out of their contract with their agent while they’re still searching – for example, they could find a different agent offering better terms.

What home buyers should look out for: The fine print can sometimes make it hard to back out. A template contract distributed in July by a North Carolina realtors’ group, for example, specifies that a buyer who withdraws from a contract without mutual consent from both sides would be considered in breach and may still be liable for the agent’s fee on a subsequent sale during the specified time period.

Why it matters: Fines or legal claims can be brought against the buyer for violating the termination clause of a contract. Even if the buyer has legal grounds for quitting an agent, attorney fees can be substantial.

– – –

Default fees

Terminating an agreement with an agent during the search is one thing. But the stakes become much higher once an offer is accepted and both sides sign the sales contract. At that point, the buyer typically has to put down a deposit, or “earnest money,” that acts as an incentive to stick to the deal unless certain “contingencies” aren’t met – like the mortgage approval or a home inspection falling through. If the buyer walks away from the deal unilaterally, without a contingency, they have to forfeit this deposit.

What home buyers should look out for: Sometimes a buyer might decide to quit the deal for reasons other than those spelled out in the contingency clauses – say, a sudden financial emergency. In those instances, they would have to hand over not just the earnest money, but possibly also the money to cover agents’ fees. Several draft contracts reviewed by The Washington Post hold the buyer responsible for paying commissions when they “default” on a sales contract.

Why it matters: While default situations are rare, they can be costly. Buyers should make sure that the sales contract includes detailed contingency language to cover a range of potential risks to the sale, and be aware of any default penalties, just in case.

– – –

Arbitration

Some buyer-agent contracts might include binding arbitration agreements, which would limit buyers’ ability take a matter to court.

What home buyers should look out for: Any binding arbitration clause that limits the buyer’s right to litigate a dispute or caps damages could be risky. In Oregon, for example, a draft contract distributed to agents warns that both parties are “giving up the right to have the matter tried by a judge and jury” and notes that the right to appeal is also limited.

Why it matters: Such agreements would force consumers to resolve complaints through mediation or arbitration. Consumer advocates recommend trying to resolve small disputes out of court while keeping open the option to sue over larger matters.

(c) Washington Post

The federal government was mostly responsible for a nighttime collision involving a snowmobiler who nearly died after hitting a Black Hawk helicopter that was parked on a Massachusetts trail, a judge ruled in awarding him $3.3 million in damages. U.S. District Judge Mark Mastroianni blamed both parties for the March 2019 crash in his ruling Monday, but said the government was 60% responsible for parking the helicopter on a snowmobile trail. He criticized Jeff Smith for not operating the snowmobile safely, for speeding and for wearing tinted goggles. Smith, a Massachusetts lawyer, had asked for $9.5 million in damages to cover his medical expenses and lost wages and to hold the military responsible for the crash. “We are grateful for Judge Mastroianni’s thoughtful consideration of the complicated facts of this case,” Smith’s lawyer Doug Desjardins said. “We believe justice was served, and the decision encourages public safety.” The government has 60 days to pay Smith or appeal, Desjardins said. The government did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. Smith’s lawyers argued that the crew of the Black Hawk helicopter that flew from New York’s Fort Drum to Worthington, Massachusetts, for night training was negligent for parking a camouflaged 64-foot (19.5-meter) aircraft on a rarely used airfield also used by snowmobilers. “The court finds the government breached its duty of care in failing to take any steps to protect against the obvious risk of a camouflaged helicopter parked on an active snowmobile trail, in a somewhat wooded area, as darkness set,” Mastroianni wrote. “The helicopter and area where it was parked were not illuminated or marked in any way.” Smith also sued the owner of Albert Farms airfield in Worthington, accusing them of both giving permission to snowmobilers to use the trail and the Black Hawk crew to land in the same area. He settled with the farm owner for an undisclosed sum. Smith, who was airlifted to a trauma center with a dozen broken ribs, a punctured lung and severe internal bleeding, has been surviving on disability assistance. The 48-year-old struggles with simple tasks, including putting on socks or pulling up his pants. He no longer golfs or snowmobiles. “It was a mess,” he said. His lawsuit argued that the helicopter crew didn’t do enough to protect him, including failing to warn snowmobilers of the Black Hawk’s presence on the trail, leaving the 14,500-pound (6,577-kilogram) aircraft briefly unattended and failing to illuminate it. The helicopter landed on an air strip approved by the Federal Aviation Administration and the crew members testified that trainings are often conducted in similar locations. But Smith, who said he had snowmobiled on the trail more than 100 times, said the last time an aircraft used it was decades ago when he was a child — and never a military aircraft. The government attempted to dismiss the case several times, arguing that it could not be sued under the Federal Tort Claims Act because a policy decision was involved. But the judge disagreed and said the act allows for exceptions. The government also argued that the court lacked jurisdiction and that the crew members weren’t told that they were landing on a snowmobile trail. The government also pushed back on claims that it could have prevented the accident and said the crew was […]

As operation ‘Northern Arrows’ continues, and Israel is bombarded with rocket and drone attacks from Hezbollah terrorists, Magen David Adom has for the first time rolled out it’s new intensive care bus.

The bus, the first of it’s kind in Israel, was used for the first time on Monday. In this special mission, the brand new bus was used to transport 9 premature babies from the Carmel Medical Center, to the fortified underground Rambam Hospital in Chaifa.

The new bus can transport seven patients lying down, and ten patients seated. The bus is equipped with all of the latest technology, and will now be used as part of MDA’s emergency fleet.

Designed specifically following the October 7th attacks, the bus was developed with lessons learned that day in mind. This new bus enables multiple patients to be treated simultaneously with advanced treatments, and enables all patients to receive oxygen simultaneously.

Patients are loaded onto the bus using a hydraulic lift system at it’s side. Inside, the bus is staffed with specially trained medical teams, who can utilize the advanced intensive care equipment on board, including monitors, ventilation equipment, resuscitation gear, and more.

Separately, an additional 50 patients were transported overnight from the Carmel Medical Center to more fortified medical centers. Using dozens of ambulances, 40 patients were transported to Rambam Hospital in Chaifa, while others were sent to hospitals in Petach Tikvah and Kfar Saba.

Dr. Eran Sagev, Deputy Director of the Carmel Medical Center, said patients in mild condition were discharged as part of a ‘reducing plan,’ in case of war, while other patients were transported to protected hospitals.

{Matzav.com}

Former congresswoman Liz Cheney voiced concerns about the future of the Republican Party, suggesting it may be unsalvageable after nearly a decade under the influence of former President Donald Trump. Speaking at the 2024 Cap Times Idea Fest, hosted by The Capital Times in Madison, Wisconsin, Cheney told New York Times journalist Peter Baker that the GOP has become deeply corrupted by Trumpism. “It’s hard for me to see how the Republican Party survives because it’s been so corrupted,” Cheney said during an hour-long conversation that covered national politics, her support for Vice President Kamala Harris, and her views on the current state of the party once led by her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney. Cheney argued that America needs “two strong parties” to offer voters meaningful choices but expressed doubt about the GOP’s ability to return to its roots of traditional conservatism. She criticized the fealty of many conservatives to Trump, which she believes has significantly damaged the party. When Baker asked if the party could rid itself of Trump, Cheney responded, “We need our political system to reflect the goodness of the American people… It’s hard for me to see how the Republican Party, given what it has done, can make the argument convincingly or credibly that people ought to be voting for Republican candidates until it recognizes what it’s done.” Cheney added that the path forward might require people to focus on supporting “serious, responsible” individuals rather than the party as a whole. She acknowledged the potential for a major political shift but said, “I don’t think it will just simply be, ‘Well, the Republican Party is gonna put up a new slate of candidates and off to the races.’ I think far too much has happened. It’s too damaging.” Baker pressed Cheney on whether the U.S. might need a new political party, similar to how the Republican Party emerged from the collapse of the Whig Party in the 19th century. Cheney did not rule out the possibility. “It may well be because, again, so much of the Republican Party today has allowed itself to become a tool for this really unstable man,” she said, referring to Trump. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Residents of Cleves and Whitewater Township in Ohio have been warned by the authorities to evacuate immediately due to a ‘dangerous’ chemical leak.

The chemical leak is coming from a freight train car with an open valve, and not a train derailment, according to the Hamilton County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency.

Officials told Fox News that the open valve is letting out a liquid called Styrene, which the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences describes as a flammable, highly volatile, colorless liquid with a sweet oder.

Just before 2pm, the Hamilton County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency warned residents saying: “Per Whitewater Fire – DANGEROUS chemical leak near State Route 128. IMMEDIATELY GO INDOORS and stay inside until further notice. Close and seal off doors & windows, close fireplace dampers, and turn off the heat. Stay tuned to local media for more information.”

Soon after the initial alert, residents were told to evacuate the half-mile area ‘in any direction’ immediately. Authorities have opened a shelter for the displaced residents in the Whitewater Township Community Center. It is unclear at this stage how long the evacuation orders will last for.

A local ABC News station captured drone footage of firefighters dousing a train car with water.

{Matzav.com}

President Joe Biden declared in his final address to the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday that the U.S. must not retreat from the world, as Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon edged toward all-out war and Israel’s bloody operation against Hamas in Gaza neared the one-year mark. Biden used his wide-ranging address to speak to a need to end the Middle East conflict and the 17-month-old civil war in Sudan and to highlight U.S. and Western allies’ support for Kyiv since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. He also raised concern over artificial intelligence and its potential to be used for repression. His appearance before the international body offered Biden one of his last high-profile opportunities as president to make the case to keep up robust support for Ukraine, which could be in doubt if former President Donald Trump defeats Vice President Kamala Harris in November. Biden insisted that despite global conflicts, he remains hopeful for the future. “I’ve seen a remarkable sweep of history,” Biden said. “I know many look at the world today and see difficulties and react with despair but I do not.” “We are stronger than we think” when the world acts together, he added. Biden came to office promising to rejuvenate U.S. relations around the world and to extract the U.S. from “forever wars” in Afghanistan and Iraq that consumed American foreign policy over the last 20 years. “I was determined to end it, and I did,” Biden said of the Afghanistan exit, calling it a “hard decision but the right decision.” He acknowledged that it was “accompanied by tragedy” with the deaths of 13 American troops and hundreds of Afghans in a suicide bombing during the chaotic withdrawal. But his foreign policy legacy may ultimately be shaped by his administration’s response to two of the biggest conflicts in Europe and the Middle East since World War II. “There will always be forces that pull our countries apart,” Biden said, rejecting “a desire to retreat from the world and go it alone.” He said, “Our task, our test, is to make sure that the forces holding us together are stronger than the forces pulling us apart.” The Pentagon announced Monday that it was sending a small number of additional U.S. troops to the Middle East to supplement the roughly 40,000 already in the region. All the while, the White House insists Israel and Hezbollah still have time to step back and de-escalate. “Full scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” Biden said, and despite escalating violence, a diplomatic solution is the only path to peace. Biden had a hopeful outlook for the Middle East when he addressed the U.N. just a year ago. In that speech, Biden spoke of a “sustainable, integrated Middle East” coming into view. At the time, economic relations between Israel and some of its Arab neighbors were improving with implementation of the Abraham Accords that Israel signed with Bahrain, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates during the Trump administration. Biden’s team helped resolve a long-running Israel-Lebanon maritime dispute that had held back gas exploration in the region. And Israel-Saudi normalization talks were progressing, a game-changing alignment for the region if a deal could be landed. “I suffer from an oxymoron: Irish optimism,” Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when they […]

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday pledged his country’s support for Lebanon and objection to “indiscriminate attacks on civilians.”

During a meeting with Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib on the sidelines of the 79th U.N. General Assembly in New York, Wang said, China would continue to stand on the “side of justice and on the side of Arab brothers, including Lebanon.”

Beijing, he continued, was paying “close attention to the development of the regional situation, especially the recent explosion of communication equipment in Lebanon, and firmly [opposed] indiscriminate attacks on civilians.”

On Sept. 17, thousands of pagers used by Hezbollah terrorists simultaneously exploded, killing at least 12 and wounding more than 3,000. A day later, hand-held radios used by the terror group also detonated.

Hezbollah has blamed Israel for the targeted attack, but Yerushalayim has not acknowledged responsibility.

Over the past 24 hours, Israel has carried out 1,600 targeted strikes against the Iranian terror proxy. The Israeli military has issued thousands of warnings to Lebanese civilians to flee areas known to house Hezbollah weapons caches, via telephone, the internet and radio.

The terror group stores missile stockpiles and launchers in civilian neighborhoods and buildings, endangering Lebanon’s civilian populace, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

The Israeli Prime Minister emphasized in a video statement directed to the Lebanese people on Monday that “Israel’s war is not with you, it’s with Hezbollah.”

Israel has been under continuous missile attack from Hezbollah in Lebanon since Oct. 8, 2023, one day after Hamas invaded Israel’s south, killing 1,200 Israelis.

“Fighting violence with violence will not solve problems in the Middle East, but will lead to greater humanitarian crises,” Wang said during his meeting with Habib, according to a statement from his ministry.

China’s position is for a permanent Gaza ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli troops to make way for a two-state solution, he added.

Earlier this week, Beijing called on its citizens to leave Israel, describing the situation along the border with Lebanon as “extremely tense, with frequent military conflicts.”

“The security situation in Israel remains severe, complex, and unpredictable,” according to a statement issued by China’s Embassy in Israel on Sunday. As such, Chinese citizens are urged to “return home or relocate to safer areas as soon as possible.”

(JNS)

Two polls have US Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris leading Republican Donald Trump by significant numbers. Harris is leading Trump 47% to 40% in the race to win the November 5 US presidential election, a Reuters/Ipsos poll published today found. Harris had a lead of six percentage points based on unrounded figures – which showed her with support from 46.61% of registered voters while Trump was backed by 40.48%, according to the three-day poll that closed on Monday. The Democrat’s lead was slightly higher than her five-point advantage over Trump in a Sept 11-12 Reuters/Ipsos poll. Meanwhile, Harris has surged ahead of former President Donald Trump by 5 points in a new NBC News poll, marking a major shift in the 2024 presidential race. The poll, released Sunday on NBC’s Meet the Press, shows Harris with 49% support compared to Trump’s 44%, a 7-point swing from the network’s July poll when Trump led by 2 points. “The race has been completely reshaped!” NBC News political analyst Steve Kornacki said while presenting the findings. Kornacki attributed Harris’s rise to a dramatic increase in her popularity. In July, only 32% of voters had a favorable view of the vice president. However, the new poll shows her favorability rating soaring to 48%, a gain Kornacki described as historic. Despite the positive news for Harris and the Democratic Party, Kornacki pointed out a silver lining for Trump, who remains competitive in key areas. He compared the current race to the 2020 election, where Trump came close to winning the Electoral College, even though he trailed in national polls. “In 2020, Trump was the incumbent president, and 60% of people thought the country was on the wrong track. Now, Harris is part of an incumbent administration, and two-thirds say the country is on the wrong track,” Kornacki explained. Though Harris currently holds a lead, Kornacki emphasized that Trump, now the challenger, could still have a path to victory, especially given the ongoing dissatisfaction with the direction of the country. “Trump is pretty much in the same place, a little bit worse in terms of views of him as 2020, but certainly in the Electoral College within reach for him,” Kornacki said. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Tuesday asserted that Hezbollah will not cease its assaults on Israel because Hamas is obstructing a potential hostage deal. Speaking to CNBC, Herzog explained that ongoing negotiations to free hostages held by Hamas have been repeatedly rejected by Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, resulting in Hezbollah continuing its attacks. “[Hezbollah leader Hassan] Nasrallah decided that he wants to keep on going in the war because we are trying to negotiate a hostage deal, and [Hamas leader Yahya] Sinwar, in the dungeons of Gaza, says no and again, no and again, no,” Herzog told CNBC. Herzog stressed that resolving the conflict requires not only securing the return of hostages but also neutralizing the threat posed by Hezbollah from Israel’s northern border. “First and foremost, we have to remove the threat from Israel’s northern border, and that’s what we’re trying to do,” he said, adding, “We will do whatever it takes to bring our citizens back home and enable calm in our cities.” He also highlighted the growing danger posed by Iran’s regional influence. “All of Iran’s proxies are trying to close in on Israel from all sides of our borders. That’s the real situation now,” Herzog stated, calling Hezbollah a “terrorist army which basically hijacked a nation called Lebanon.” Herzog also emphasized that Israel’s military operations adhere to international humanitarian law, despite Hezbollah’s tactics of hiding weapons in civilian spaces. “We alert, we give ample warning, according to the rules of international law, but people have missiles in their kitchens, in their living rooms, in their storage rooms, in their mosques, in their shops.” In response to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s comments that Hezbollah cannot stand alone against Israel, Herzog remarked that Iran’s actions in the region are contributing to instability. “If the president of Iran really wants to lead to a different direction, then these proxies must be eliminated, must be removed,” he said. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

INSIDE ARTSCROLL IS BACK! Watch fascinating episodes featuring Rabbi Shlomo Landau, who as host, speaks with Rabbi Paysach Krohn, Abie Rotenberg, Rabbi Nosson Muller and Rabbi Nosson Neuman!

Click here to watch Rabbi Krohn and Rabbi Nosson Neuman talk about his father, Rabbi Moshe Neuman, the renowned and beloved principal of Bais Yakov of Queens who is the subject of ArtScroll’s new title by Rabbi Yechiel Spero, Because He Cared.

Here is a link to a fascinating interview with the legendary Abie Rotenberg as he takes us on a journey to uncover the life and story of one of the greatest sages of all time which he covers in great depth in his book, Rabbi Akiva.

In this episode, renowned mechanech and public speaker, Rabbi Nosson Muller, speaks about some of the incredibly uplifting segments of his new, bestselling book, Steps to the Throne, where he guides us through the Yamim Noraim with profound wisdom and heartfelt stories.

All the books featured in these videos are available at your local Hebrew bookseller, at artscroll.com or by calling 1-800 MESORAH (637-6724).

{Matzav.com}

A major hurricane is forecast to slam into Florida’s Gulf Coast on Thursday, unleashing destructive winds, a potentially “life-threatening” storm surge and dangerous amounts of rain. The tropical storm, which the National Hurricane Center named Helene on Tuesday morning, is predicted to rapidly gain strength over the exceptionally warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, becoming a hurricane by Wednesday morning.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) declared a state of emergency in 41 of the state’s 67 counties ahead of the storm – both in the state’s Panhandle and along its west coast. Mandatory evacuation orders were set to take effect at noon Tuesday for the barrier islands in Franklin County in the Panhandle. Additional evacuation orders are anticipated along the coast in both the Panhandle and Big Bend area.

“The risk of impacts from life-threatening storm surge and damaging hurricane-force winds continues to increase along the coast of the Florida Panhandle and the Florida west coast,” wrote the Hurricane Center, which predicts the storm to reach Category 3 intensity.

In addition to probably becoming the strongest hurricane to make landfall in the United States this year, Helene is also poised to become the sixth hurricane to hit Florida since 2022 and potentially the ninth major hurricane, rated Category 3 or higher, to make landfall along the Gulf Coast since 2016.

Hurricane watches have been issued from east of Panama City to north of Fort Myers. They include Tampa and Tampa Bay. This watch area affects over 4 million people. They’re also up for the Cuban province of Pinar del Rio, as well as parts of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula.

A storm surge watch, which represents Helene’s potential to push water above ordinarily-dry ground, also spans the entire Gulf Coast of Florida’s Peninsula from the Everglades to near Panama City. If a worst-case scenario is realized, a storm surge could push water to the height of second-flood windows in the Big Bend, or at least 10 to 15 feet above normally dry land. The risk of surge impacts in Tampa are increasing, where water levels could rise 5 to 8 feet or more, resulting in significant inundation.

Helene’s impacts will extend far inland as well across the southeast, the southern Appalachians and the Tennessee Valley. The storm’s swift forward speed will allow it to penetrate farther inland before weakening, leading to greater impacts – including the risks of heavy rainfall and flooding, isolated tornadoes and damaging gusts.

In addition to its potential to reach Category 3 or higher strength, Helene is predicted to be a larger-than-normal hurricane, or in the 90th percentile for size, according to the Hurricane Center, meaning its impacts will affect areas potentially hundreds of miles away from the storm center.

– – –

Where is the storm now, and what’s its short-term outlook?

Tropical Storm Helene was centered over the northwestern Caribbean late Tuesday morning, about 170 miles south-southeast of the western tip of Cuba. Packing maximum sustained winds of 45 mph, the storm is headed to the northwest at 12 mph.

In its 11 a.m. update Tuesday, the Hurricane Center said the storm center had become “better defined” and met the criteria of a tropical storm. It said that the hostile upper-level winds, which had been impeding the system’s organization, were weakening and that “significant strengthening” should soon commence.

The rapid intensification is predicted as the storm moves over areas of record ocean heat content – or hurricane fuel. Water temperatures are between 87 and 90 degrees.

The Hurricane Center’s forecast for intensification is the fastest it has made for such a developing storm.

– – –

Where and when is it likely to come ashore?

The system is most likely to come ashore in Florida’s eastern Panhandle or Big Bend on Thursday evening. That said, there is a chance it could nudge farther east, which would mean greater impacts for Tampa.

The system is being “captured” by a pocket of a dip in the jet stream over the lower Mississippi Valley. That’s what will tug it northward as it swings ashore.

– – –

How strong could it be?

With hot water temperatures, weak high-altitude winds and ample moisture at most levels of the atmosphere, the ceiling is high – meaning that assuming Helene remains unperturbed, it could reach Category 3 or 4 strength.

There are relatively few limiting factors. The most obvious would be if the system takes a long time to develop a core. If that’s the case, it might have a tougher time organizing in the short term and would have a lesser window over the Gulf to strengthen. However, a low-end scenario would still entail a Category 1 or 2 hurricane.

Another potential limiting factor would be outflow, or exhaust air, from John – the remnants of a Pacific hurricane – which could fan over the Gulf. If that’s the case, it might limit how strong Helene could get.

– – –

What are the impacts of greatest concern in Florida?

A dangerous storm surge of 10 to 15 feet isn’t impossible where the hurricane’s core makes landfall, especially to the east, or right, of the center. That’s also where winds will be strongest onshore and will most efficiently pile water against the coastline.

Damaging gusts over 110 mph are possible within the core of the storm at the immediate coastline. In Tampa, gusts over 70 mph are possible, and a few gusts of 80 mph can’t be ruled out in Ocala. Perry might see gusts to 90 mph or greater.

A general 4 to 8 inches of rain is expected across central and north Florida, bringing the threat of flooding.

While an isolated tornado can’t be ruled out, the risk of tornadoes – mainly to the east of where the center comes ashore – is marginal.

– – –

What areas north of Florida need to be concerned about this storm?

Because of the storm’s large size and fast speed, strong winds capable of producing downed trees and power outages could extend well inland. Southern Georgia and far southeastern South Carolina might also see gusts of 80 mph as Helene’s remnant core breezes through overnight Thursday into Friday. But the most widespread inland hazard will probably be flooding rainfall, as the storm will be drawing record levels of moisture northward.

The Hurricane Center projects 4 to 8 inches of rain over a broad area from Florida’s west coast to the southern Appalachians, with some areas seeing up to a foot. It forecasts the potential for “considerable flash and urban flooding.” Some of the heaviest rain and most serious flood potential could occur in the western Carolinas on Friday.

Tornadoes could occur in some of the heavy rain bands that pivot ashore and progress northward Thursday and Friday, mainly east of the storm center.

The remnants of the storm could meander over the mid-South and even drift as far west as Missouri into the weekend and early next week, producing scattered downpours.

– – –

(c) Washington Post

A person has died in New York state from eastern equine encephalitis, prompting Gov. Kathy Hochul to declare the rare mosquito-borne illness an imminent threat to public health. The death that was reported Monday in Ulster County is apparently the second death from the disease in the United States this year after a New Hampshire resident infected with the eastern equine encephalitis virus died last month. Ten human cases of the disease, also known as EEE, had been reported nationwide as of Sept. 17, before the New York case was confirmed, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Ulster County death was the first from the disease in New York state since 2015. No details about the person who became infected and died have been released. Hochul said the public health declaration will free up state resources to help local health departments combat EEE. “Following the first confirmed human case of EEE, my administration took statewide action to help protect communities – and with today’s declaration we’re making more State resources available to local departments to support their public health response,” the governor said in a news release. The CDC says only a few cases of EEE are reported in the U.S. each year, mostly in the eastern and Gulf Coast states. There were just seven cases nationally last year but more than 30 in 2019, a historically bad year. There are no vaccines or treatments for EEE, and about 30% of people who become infected die. Symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea and seizures. (AP)

The Tzaddik Rabbi Shalom Arush on the special Segulah of the challah and wine of Rabbi Hanina ben Dosa: “Anyone who participates in this rare Segulah will bring miracles into their home, beyond the natural order!” Who among us does not need miracles? Do you feel you need a Yeshuah in a specific area? It is said that the Tanna Rabbi Hanina ben Dosa and his wife were experienced in miracles—nature did not affect them! The Kadosh Baal Shem Tov teaches that Rabbi Hanina is the pathway to miracles in this world! Through connecting to him, one can draw all the miracles that exist! Rabbi Hanina’s great power of miracles is especially present on Erev Shabbos. Therefore, anyone who performs the rare Segulah by sending challah and wine each week to a needy family for Shabbos, through the institutions of Rabbi Hanina ben Dosa, B”H, will witness the miracle that awaits them! Even if, according to nature, there’s no chance, with Rabbi Hanina, there is hope! The Tanna has the power to change nature! The Segulah of a miracle beyond the natural order is 119 NIS per month, without credit limit, and every week, challah and wine will be sent in your name to a needy family in honor of the Tanna, helping you to bring the miracle into your home! All names will be included in prayers at the Tziun of the Tanna on Thursday at midnight, a well-known time that is favorable for miracles and Yeshuos beyond the natural order! Donate now to provide challah and wine for needy families for Shabbos, and you will merit to see miracles beyond the natural order! Donate now

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu urged Lebanese citizens to rise up against Hezbollah on Tuesday while warning that the military will not hesitate to strike any infrastructure used by the terror group.

“I say to the people of Lebanon: Our war is not with you. Our war is with Hezbollah. Nasrallah is leading you to the edge of the abyss,” Netanuahu after a visit to an undisclosed intelligence base.

“I told you to evacuate homes in which there is a missile in the living room and a rocket in the garage,” he said. “Whoever has a missile in the living room and a rocket in the garage will no longer have a home.”

The Israeli Air Force will keep up strikes in Lebanon, he warned.

Hezbollah is “putting your country in danger,” Netanyahu said, urging Lebanese to “free yourselves from Nasrallah’s grip, for your own good.”

The Israel Defense Forces on Monday released evidence showing how Hezbollah terrorists store munitions inside civilian homes, including images of a long-range missile on a hydraulic system in the attic of a home in the southern village of Houmine el-Tahta.

“It is ready to launch from an opening in the roof. Under the attic, on the first floor, a Lebanese family lives serving as a human shield,” military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari told reporters on Monday night.

“This is an immediate and real threat to Israeli civilians, and we have an obligation to remove it,” Hagari explained during the press conference.

Yerushalayim has escalated attacks on Hezbollah since adding the return of evacuated Israeli civilians to the north as an official war goal on Sept. 17.

Hezbollah has attacked Israel nearly daily since Oct. 8, firing thousands of rockets, missiles and drones. The attacks have killed more than 40 people and caused widespread damage. Tens of thousands of Israeli civilians remain internally displaced due to the violence.

Throughout the day on Tuesday, the Israeli Air Force struck more than 1,600 Hezbollah terror targets in Southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley as part of “Operation Northern Arrows,” according to the Israeli military.

As part of the campaign against Hezbollah, the IDF has sent thousands of text messages to Lebanese civilians, warning them to steer clear of terror sites. According to local reports, the Israeli military also hijacked popular Lebanese radio stations to deliver warnings to noncombatants.

On Monday evening, Israeli Air Force jets carried out an unsuccessful airstrike targeting Ali Karaki, Hezbollah’s highest-ranking remaining commander following Friday’s targeted killing of Ibrahim Aqil.

Unnamed Israeli officials confirmed to Israel Hayom on Tuesday that he survived the strike, saying that the use of smaller bombs with the goal of minimizing civilian casualties contributed to the operation’s failure.

Hebrew media reports said on Sunday that last week’s mass pager and radio explosions, which have been attributed to Israel, were designed to ensure that only Hezbollah terrorists carrying the devices would be hurt.

(JNS)

Maj.-Gen. (res.) Yaakov Amidror, the former head of the National Security Council and currently a senior member of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security (JISS), spoke about Israel’s current conflict with Hezbollah on Kol BaRama Radio on Tuesday. “We’re not in an all-out war,” he said. “We’re not wiping out Dahieh [Beirut suburb and Hezbollah stronghold], and they’re not firing at Tel Aviv. All the targets we’ve taken out are less than 10% of Hezbollah’s capabilities.” ” For 20 years, we preferred to invest in Lebanon instead of Gaza, and the results can be seen in the past few weeks,” Amidror added in a veiled criticism of the IDF’s failure to predict and defend against the October 7 assault. In an interview with Globes on Monday, Amidror said that Israel is now ready for a full-out war with Hezbollah but Hezbollah is not, explaining that if the terror group wanted war it would have dramatically expanded its fire. Since it hasn’t done so despite Israel’s “exploding devices” operation, the IDF’s targeted eliminations in Beirut and numerous strikes throughout Lebanon, it’s evident that Hezbollah is not currently interested in a war. Amidror believes there’s one question hanging over Israel right now: “Iran is waiting around the corner and seemingly needs to get involved. This is a serious event, and the question is whether it fits into the Iranian interest picture. I don’t know, and I don’t have an answer to how long they will wait before significantly escalating the situation. I think they understand the shift in the strategic situation.” “Something big has changed in the Middle East,” Amidor continued. “Have you asked yourself the most natural question – how will Hamas respond to these assassinations? After all, Sinwar’s dream is for Hezbollah to go crazy and fire at Israel from the north but where’s the support from Hamas for that? Not even a single barrage. Why? Because you need to understand – Israel doesn’t have two fronts at its borders right now; it has a front and an eighth. That’s a huge difference.” Amidror criticized Israel’s lack of preparation for an all-out war, saying: “To deal with security threats, we needed very extensive activity in the area of evacuation and construction over the years, or at least to ensure the construction of secure rooms, where the risk of being hit by rocket fire is ten times less. Israel failed to implement even this at the right pace. There are plenty of similar issues that need to be examined.” “Do you think the residents of Haifa and the surrounding areas should be prepared for evacuation?” the Globes reporter asked. “I don’t know. And not because I’m not in the position right now but because I’m sure neither side knows what will happen. It depends on developments. I think Israel, more than Hezbollah, is ready to take the risk of reaching that threshold of total war, but even it prefers that it doesn’t come to that. How long will this last? In my opinion, both sides have no idea.” Amidror added that the goal of the IDF’s strikes in Lebanon is to pressure Hezbollah into an agreement or to push it away from the border. “We’re going back to something that looks like – but isn’t – the security zone we […]

Amid escalating security concerns in northern Israel, United Hatzalah significantly expanded its emergency fleet this week, adding 31 new state-of-the-art ambulances that will allow the organization’s volunteers to provide faster and more efficient medical treatment across Israel. The ambulances were released from the Ashdod Port over the weekend and are currently being deployed in northern Israel and across the country. United Hatzalah, Israel’s largest independent emergency medical services (EMS) organization, will use the ambulances to help provide faster and more efficient medical treatment in emergency cases. This significant investment in new equipment comes as part of the organization’s expansion, which has seen the acquisition of hundreds of new emergency vehicles since the October 7, 2023, attacks. On October 7, United Hatzalah volunteers raced down south and led the emergency medical response efforts in the Gaza border communities, working under life-threatening conditions to save the lives of countless soldiers and civilians. With security concerns looming in northern Israel, United Hatzalah has escalated its emergency preparedness, which the arrival of the new ambulances will bolster. “The addition of these 31 advanced ambulances marks a significant leap forward in our ability to save lives in Israel,” said Eli Beer, Founder and President of United Hatzalah. “Our volunteers have consistently demonstrated extraordinary bravery and dedication, and by equipping them with these new ambulances, we’re ensuring they have the best tools possible to carry out their vital mission. These new ambulances enhance our ability to respond swiftly and effectively to emergencies and reinforce our readiness to save lives and face any future challenges that may arise,” added Beer.

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu on Tuesday slammed the International Criminal Court’s prosecutor for meeting with the president of Turkey and the head of the Palestinian Authority, whom he described sarcastically as “two great champions of human rights.”

“Under the category of ‘This can only happen at the UN’: ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan met yesterday with two great champions of human rights— Turkish President [Recep] Tayyip Erdoğan, renowned for slaughtering Kurdish civilians and jailing journalists, and with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who denies the Holocaust and pays terrorists who murder Jews,” said Netanyahu.

“Rather than issuing arrest warrants for war crimes against Erdoğan and Abbas, Khan remains obsessed with casting as war criminals Israel’s democratically elected leaders, who are pursuing a just war with just means against genocidal terrorists. What a joke!” continued the premier.

Israel filed an official petition to the ICC that it drop the prosecutor’s request to issue arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, the Foreign Ministry announced on Friday.

“Israel initiated two separate legal proceedings,” the Foreign Ministry statement read.

The first legal case challenges the legal authority of the ICC to file such arrest warrants, the statement said. The second proceeding argues that chief prosecutor Karim Khan violated the court’s constitution and the principle of complementarity by not granting Israel the right to investigate itself the claims made by the ICC.

“No other democracy with an independent and respected judicial system—as exists in the State of Israel—has received such discriminatory treatment from the prosecutor,” the statement went on to say.

“Despite this, Israel remains steadfast in its commitment to the rule of law and justice, and will continue to protect its citizens from the ongoing attacks and atrocities of Hamas and Iran’s other terrorist affiliates, in accordance with international law.”

Earlier in the month, Khan pressed ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber to file the arrest warrants, urging action ahead of Netanyahu’s scheduled address to the United Nations General Assembly on Sep. 27.

Netanyahu excoriated the chief prosecutor, stating that the comparison between Israelis and Hamas terrorists is “pure antisemitism.”

“Unfortunately, we have seen from the beginning that the proceedings in The Hague are politically biased and have no professional legal basis whatsoever,” said Netanyahu.

The ICC has no jurisdiction as Jerusalem is not a signatory to the Rome Statute, which established the court. But in a legalistic sleight of hand, the court claimed jurisdiction by accepting “Palestine” as a signatory in 2015, even though no such state exists under international law.

(JNS)

The IDF reported that a drone launched from Lebanon earlier this evening caused minor damage and ignited a fire near Atlit, a coastal town south of Haifa. Hezbollah claimed responsibility, stating it had sent multiple explosive-laden drones targeting the Israeli Navy’s Atlit base, home to the Shayetet 13 commando unit. According to the IDF, three drones were involved in the attack, with two being successfully intercepted by air defense systems. The third drone struck near Atlit, resulting in a small fire and slight damage. The fire was quickly extinguished, and no injuries were reported.

The U.N. General Assembly’s yearly meeting of world leaders is here — and with it, an array of acronyms, abbreviations, titles and terms that can be confounding to observers. Here is some key vocabulary, decoded. For starters … UNGA: Acronym (yes, people do pronounce it “UN’-gah”) for the U.N. General Assembly’s “High-level Week.” It’s the international organization’s biggest annual event, inviting presidents, prime ministers, monarchs and other top leaders of all 193 U.N. member countries to speak to the world and each other. Although New Yorkers sometimes just use “General Assembly” to describe what many experience mainly as a week of street closures and whizzing motorcades, the assembly actually isn’t just this meeting. It’s a body that convenes countries’ ambassadors throughout the year to discuss a wide range of global issues and vote on resolutions. GENERAL DEBATE: The centerpiece of the week, it gives each country’s leader (or a designee) the mic for a state-of-the-world speech from its viewpoint. There is a theme, chosen by the assembly’s president — this year’s is about “leaving no one behind” and “acting together” to advance peace, sustainable development and human dignity. But speakers use the opportunity to opine on the planet’s biggest issues and hotspots, spotlight domestic accomplishments and needs, air grievances, and project statesmanship. Dignitaries are asked to wrap up within 15 minutes, but there’s no buzzer or Oscars-style music. While the “debate” is less an interactive back-and-forth than a series of speeches, rebuttals are allowed at the end of each long day, and some embittered neighbor nations routinely go multiple rounds. BILATERAL (or “bilat,” for short): Private meetings between leaders of one country and another. Some argue the real value of UNGA lies in these tête-à-têtes and other personal, off-camera encounters among decision-makers. MINISTERIAL: Applies to meetings of cabinet-level officials, such as foreign ministers, from different countries. SECURITY COUNCIL: The U.N.’s most powerful component, charged with maintaining international peace and security. The 15-member council can enact binding (though sometimes ignored) resolutions, impose sanctions and deploy peacekeeping troops. While this week is the Assembly’s show, the council generally holds at least one meeting of its own with high-wattage attendees in town for the events next door. This week, there are set to be three council sessions, on Ukraine, the Mideast and the topic of “leadership for peace.” Who’s on the council? Read on. Fun with numbers! P5: The Security Council’s five permanent members with veto power. Under a structure set up in 1945, they are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. E10: The Security Council’s 10 elected, non-permanent members. The General Assembly elects them for two-year terms in seats allocated by region. Calls for council reform are an UNGA staple. One major complaint is the lack of permanent members from Africa and the Latin America-Caribbean region, though some other nations also have angled for years for a permanent presence. G77: Stands for the “Group of 77,” a developing-countries interest group that formed within the U.N. in 1964. Despite its name, it actually now has 134 members. COP29: A major U.N. global climate conference coming up in November in Baku, Azerbaijan. 1.5 DEGREES: A crucial climate threshold. Under the 2015 Paris climate accord, countries agreed to work to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) over pre-industrial times. The earth already has warmed at least 1.1 degrees (2 degrees Fahrenheit) […]

The IDF releases footage showing the airstrike in Beirut that killed Ibrahim Qubaisi, the commander of Hezbollah’s rocket and missile division.