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Newly compiled crime figures suggest the United States is experiencing an unprecedented decline in killings, with early indicators pointing to the steepest single-year reduction ever observed.

Independent crime researcher Jeff Asher says fresh national numbers show homicides falling faster than at any point in modern data tracking, reversing the surge seen during the pandemic years.

Asher’s Real-Time Crime Index, a nationwide dataset that aggregates reports from hundreds of police departments and is refreshed frequently, indicates the country is on course for the largest one-year decrease in murders ever recorded.

Federal officials are also striking an optimistic tone. Last month, Kash Patel said the 2025 homicide rate is expected to be the lowest in “modern history,” attributing the shift to a renewed focus across the bureau on violent crime.

Researchers outside the government say the underlying data back that assessment. Because the Real-Time Crime Index is updated well ahead of official federal releases, it offers an early look at national trends while final FBI tallies are still years away.

Figures available through October show killings down by nearly 20 percent compared with the same point in 2024. The index defines murder as intentional, non-negligent killings, excluding accidental deaths and other categories that fall outside standard FBI definitions, a distinction it summarizes as tracking “willful (nonnegligent) killings.”

Asher has cautioned in recent months that nationwide crime estimates are often revised and that official totals can shift over time. Even so, he says the downward trajectory has become so pronounced that the FBI is likely to ultimately report the lowest U.S. murder rate ever when complete 2025 data are finalized, potentially edging below the prior low set in 2014.

The sharp fall in homicides is occurring alongside broader declines in violent crime. Real-Time Crime Index data show reductions across several major categories, including robbery, aggravated assault, and motor vehicle theft, suggesting the change is widespread rather than confined to specific regions or demographics.

Large metropolitan areas appear to be driving much of the improvement. Axios recently noted drops of almost 20 percent in murders in New York City and Memphis, nearly 28 percent in Chicago, and sizable decreases across Los Angeles County.

At the same time, analysts note that a small number of jurisdictions have posted sharp percentage increases, underscoring how year-to-year swings can be volatile for smaller agencies with fewer cases.

The emerging numbers come as Donald Trump has placed fighting violent crime at the center of his second-term agenda, with the administration highlighting tougher enforcement policies and expanded backing for law enforcement nationwide.

{Matzav.com}

Convicted Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard has leveled an explosive allegation against Israel’s own government, claiming that an individual “sent by the Israeli government” once urged him to commit suicide in order to permanently bury the diplomatic crisis his case caused between Jerusalem and Washington. In a recorded interview aired Monday on Israel Army Radio, Pollard […]

Otzma Yehudit MK Almog Cohen disclosed a dramatic intelligence detail that had been barred from publication by the military censor during a speech in the Knesset on Wednesday. Defying the military censor due to his ministerial immunity, Cohen said that just hours before the October 7 massacre, Shin Bet leaders were informed by an agent […]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has quietly instructed his closest advisers to prepare for the possibility that the Knesset could dissolve in the near future, raising the prospect that Israel could be headed for early elections months ahead of schedule, according to a report by Ynet on Wednesday. While Israel’s next national election is officially […]

The United States and Iran clashed at the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday, trading accusations over whether stalled nuclear talks can be revived. Washington said it is prepared to return to negotiations, but only on its terms. Tehran responded by rejecting those conditions outright, accusing the United States of bad faith and political coercion. […]

At a ceremony marking the graduation of the 191st pilot course at Hatzerim Airbase, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir addressed the newest aviators and reflected on the responsibilities now resting on their shoulders. As the wings were pinned to their uniforms, Zamir told the graduates that from this moment forward, “the next operational mission – and with it the great responsibility of removing existential threats to Israel and ensuring the continued existence of the Jewish state – will be yours.”

Zamir urged the new pilots to look ahead with confidence, closing his remarks by encouraging them to “soar upward to the skies and return safely to your bases,” and charging them to go forth and succeed.

Turning to the broader picture, Zamir emphasized that the memory of fallen soldiers accompanies every mission and that the military remains committed to the rehabilitation of the wounded. He added that the task is not complete until SFC Ran Gvili is brought back to rest in Israel.

Addressing parents and families in attendance, Zamir described them as full partners in the achievement of the graduates, thanking them for standing by their children through years of demanding preparation. He also expressed appreciation to commanders, career and reserve personnel, and technical crews, crediting their leadership during what he called the longest and most complex war in Israel’s history.

Zamir congratulated Brig. Gen. Omer Tishler on assuming the role of incoming commander of the Israeli Air Force, voicing confidence in his ability to guide the force through future challenges. He likewise praised course commanders and staff who, he said, trained the next generation of pilots while simultaneously leading real-time operations during wartime.

Reflecting on the months since October 7, Zamir said the air force, together with ground forces, has operated “with unprecedented precision and scope” in both nearby and distant arenas. He noted that the IDF is conducting ongoing reviews and applying lessons learned, stressing that “we will learn from the failure, but we will not sink into it.”

Zamir added that the military continues to adapt even as operations unfold, declaring, “The Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps,” and reaffirming that Israel will act decisively against those who seek to do it harm, guided by the principle of striking those who rise to kill.

Only later in his remarks did Zamir recount the hours leading up to the strike on Iran. He said that during the night between June 12 and June 13, he presented the final operational plan to the Israeli cabinet, calling it “a dramatic meeting.” According to Zamir, the Cabinet Secretary offered a prayer for the safety of IDF troops, recalling that “the tension was palpable, and there was a feeling in the air of the crowded room that something historic was about to happen.” The plan, he said, was approved by a show of hands.

Once the decision was made, Zamir described how senior commanders rushed from Jerusalem to IDF headquarters, entering the command bunker as pilots were already in the air. Officers, he said, were “operating with composure and professionalism,” while dozens of aircraft circled, awaiting final instructions. Intelligence updates continued in real time, forcing mission changes mid-flight. “At 02:55, dozens of strikes hit their targets with great precision,” Zamir said, marking the launch of Operation “Rising Lion.”

He noted that the full scale of the operation — from aerial refueling and intelligence coordination to helicopters on standby, special forces deployment, and ground crews — would be recorded in history. Zamir said the air force “was at its very best,” describing it as Israel’s long-range strategic arm.

Zamir also recalled the briefings held with pilots ahead of the operation, when he warned them plainly of the dangers, telling them that “some aircraft will be shot down and some of you will not return.” He said the response was immediate and unified: “We are ready for the mission. You can rely on us!” According to Zamir, that moment captured the spirit that has enabled the IDF to confront threats on multiple fronts.

{Matzav.com}

In a clear message to Iran, Israeli PM Netanyahu’s office shares an AI video of Bibi and Trump flying a B-2 bomber together.

Ben gvir at a police ceremony demanding the death penalty for terrorists.

STEPHEN MILLER: “Look how powerful the Democrat Party became in Minnesota once they flooded it with 100,000 Somalians.”

A pro-Russian hacking group claimed responsibility for a major cyberattack that halted package deliveries by France’s national postal service just days before Christmas, prosecutors said Wednesday. After the claim by the cybercrime group known as Noname057, French intelligence agency DGSI took over the investigation into the hacking attack, the Paris prosecutor’s office said in a […]

More than two years after October 7, soldiers from the Netzah Yehuda Battalion participated in a הכנסת ספר תורה at the Erez Crossing Coordination and Liaison facility.

Australian police arrested 39-year-old Martin Thomas Glynn in Perth, a city in western Australia, after he allegedly posted antisemitic statements online saying he “supports the shooters 100%” following the Sydney terrorist attack. Police say a search of his home uncovered around 4,000 rounds of ammunition, Hamas and Hezbollah flags, and materials allegedly linked to bomb-making. […]

A unique and inspiring Chanukah celebration took place this year in the main bais medrash of Yeshivas Rechasim, bringing together talmidim from across generations. The event was held under the leadership of Rosh Yeshiva Rav Yitzchak Sofer, alongside the yeshiva’s rabbinic faculty.

As in previous years, the Chanukah gathering opened with heartfelt singing and expressions of gratitude. Continuing a long-standing yeshiva tradition, the honor of lighting the Chanukah neiros was “sold,” not for money, but for commitments in Torah learning. This year, the custom was expanded and divided among the three candles to be lit by the Rosh Yeshiva.

The first candle was acquired through a commitment of 4,500 pages of Gemara. The second candle was taken through the acceptance of responsibility for 153 chaburos. The third candle followed a stirring moment, when Rav Sofer circulated among the talmidim and asked who would undertake the study of Bava Kamma. Hundreds of bochurim signed on, collectively committing to learn the masechta which is currently being studied in the yeshiva,four times.

Following the commitments, the Rosh Yeshiva lit the Chanukah neiros and offered heartfelt tefillos on behalf of the students, praying for their success and for the protection of the Torah world in the face of ongoing challenges. After the lighting, the students burst into spirited dancing.

{Matzav.com}

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters that he would be willing to withdraw troops from the country’s eastern industrial heartland if Russia also pulls back and the area becomes a demilitarized, free economic zone monitored by international forces.

In a stunning revelation in the Knesset plenum, Deputy Minister and MK Almog Cohen said that on the eve of October 7, Israel’s security services had intelligence indicating that Nukhba terrorists were gathering in mosques around 3:30 a.m., based on information from a source codenamed “Green Sardine.” According to Cohen, the information — had it […]

A legal petition filed by the Movement for Freedom of Information has led to the release of detailed data outlining the costs of flights and accommodations for Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu during his overseas visits since the beginning of 2025. The figures reveal extensive expenses tied to charter flights, luxury suites, and hotel rooms for large delegations and security teams during trips to the United States and Hungary.

According to the data made public on Tuesday, Netanyahu traveled to four international destinations this year, accompanied by dozens of staff members and security personnel. The expenses covered airfare, high-end hotel suites for the prime minister, and multiple rooms for his entourage.

In February, Netanyahu traveled to Washington for a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. He was accompanied by approximately 40 aides and security staff. The prime minister stayed at the Willard Hotel in a suite costing $5,000 per night, for a total of $25,000. The flight aboard Israel’s official aircraft, known as Wing of Zion, cost $434,000. Members of the delegation and security team stayed in hotel rooms costing $415 per night.

In April, Netanyahu visited Hungary, accompanied by 36 delegation members. Rooms for the entourage cost $417 per night. The prime minister and his wife stayed at the Four Seasons Hotel at a rate of $4,632 per night, with the total cost of their stay reaching $18,528. During the same trip, Netanyahu made an additional short visit to Washington lasting three days. Delegation members stayed in a hotel where rooms cost $520 per night, while the Netanyahu couple and additional staff occupied 14 rooms at Blair House.

In July, Netanyahu returned to Washington for another meeting with Trump, this time accompanied by 41 staff members. Hotel rooms for the delegation cost $375 per night, while the prime minister again stayed in a suite at Blair House.

The most recent trip disclosed took place in September, when Netanyahu traveled to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, accompanied by 38 delegation members. Rooms for the entourage cost $1,199 per night, while the prime minister’s suite cost approximately $6,000 per night. The total cost of that stay reached $41,993.

Netanyahu is expected to travel to the United States again next week. As with previous trips, the costs of that visit are likely to become public only through additional legal petitions and court rulings.

{Matzav.com}

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell last week and remain at historically healthy levels despite some signs that the labor market is weakening. U.S. applications for jobless claims for the week ending Dec. 20 fell by 10,000 to 214,000 from the previous week’s 224,000, the Labor Department reported Wednesday. That’s below the […]

BREAKING: A 2020 video of a Fulton County election worker testifying under oath that she saw all military absentee ballots go to Biden is resurfacing, following reports that more than 300,000 ballots were illegally counted in the county.

Former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad reportedly left several of his closest associates stranded at a luxury hotel in Moscow with an enormous bill after fleeing Damascus, then stopped responding to their calls and disappeared, according to an investigative report published Tuesday in the United States.

Citing The New York Times, the report says Assad instructed three of his most trusted confidants to accompany him as he escaped Syria during what was presented as a trip to Moscow. Events unfolded so rapidly that the aides allegedly had no time to gather personal belongings, passports, or cash before leaving Damascus.

Once in Moscow, Assad arranged for the group to stay at the upscale Four Seasons Hotel Moscow. However, when the hotel presented them with a staggering bill for their stay, Assad reportedly cut off contact entirely and could no longer be reached.

The account adds another layer to earlier reporting by The Guardian, which described Assad as living a quiet, low-profile life in an affluent area on the outskirts of Moscow. According to sources close to the family, Assad has been attempting to return to his professional roots, studying Russian and refreshing his knowledge in ophthalmology—the field he practiced before entering politics and before the outbreak of Syria’s civil war.

The Assad family is believed to be residing in Rublyovka, a gated and prestigious enclave known for housing members of Moscow’s elite. Much of the family’s wealth was reportedly transferred to Russia during the early years of Western sanctions imposed in 2011, allowing them to safeguard assets and maintain a high standard of living even after the collapse of Assad’s regime.

Despite their comfortable surroundings, the family’s lifestyle is described as highly isolated. Sources say Assad maintains contact with only a small inner circle of longtime associates and former officials from the presidential palace. A source close to the Kremlin reportedly said that within Russian leadership circles, Assad is now viewed as entirely irrelevant and no longer a figure of political significance.

Russian authorities have also made clear that Assad’s public role is over. Russia’s ambassador to Iraq confirmed that Assad is barred from all political and media activity and is not permitted to give interviews or make public appearances, even though he continues to receive protection and security while in Moscow.

{Matzav.com}