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Former Vice President Kamala Harris is taking direct aim at Joe Biden’s fateful decision to seek a second term, blasting her former boss for what she calls the “recklessness” of a campaign that collapsed under the weight of his age and faltering public confidence. In excerpts from her upcoming memoir, 107 Days, obtained by The Atlantic, Harris offers a blunt postmortem of the 2024 race, accusing Biden of allowing ego and ambition to dictate a choice that should have been guided by the stakes of the moment. “This wasn’t a choice that should have been left to an individual’s ego,” Harris writes. Her account paints a picture of deep unease inside the White House as concerns mounted over Biden’s stamina and cognitive sharpness. She recalls colleagues repeating the mantra “It’s Joe and Jill’s decision” — a deflection she now casts as collective denial. Harris admits she stayed silent, fearing her urging Biden to step aside would be seen as “naked ambition” or “poisonous disloyalty.” The former vice president insists that Biden remained capable of discharging the duties of office, describing him as a leader with deep conviction and knowledge. But she acknowledges his age showed in fatigue and verbal missteps, culminating in the disastrous debate that accelerated his downfall. Harris claims she would have spoken out if she believed Biden was incapacitated, but her verdict on his reelection bid is unforgiving: a reckless gamble that put the presidency — and the country — at risk. The memoir, set for release later this year, chronicles Harris’s brief and ill-fated 2024 presidential campaign and her behind-the-scenes role in the chaotic final chapter of Biden’s political career. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

A second ship involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), an international campaign aimed at breaking through Israel’s maritime blockade on Gaza, was reportedly targeted in what organizers say was a drone strike early Wednesday morning. No casualties were reported.

“Another boat has been hit,” read a post from the GSF on social media, which claimed a second incident in as many nights. “Second night, second drone attack,” flotilla coordinator Melanie Schweizer told AFP.

This latest episode follows a similar allegation the previous night, with flotilla leaders asserting that one of their vessels had also been struck by a drone.

Footage released by GSF on Tuesday showed a buzzing sound just before a burst of light, while a second video depicted crew members responding in alarm to an apparent blast.

Tunisian officials dismissed the accusations, insisting no drone activity was detected in the area. They suggested instead that the blaze originated from life jackets on board, possibly triggered by a cigarette.

GSF representative Saif Abukeshek squarely accused Israel, saying in a video uploaded to Instagram: “There is no other authority that would do such an attack, such a crime, except the Israeli authorities.”

The flotilla, consisting of 20 vessels, departed Barcelona last Monday and docked in Tunisia on Sunday. There, they were met by local supporters and stocked up with more aid supplies before setting out toward Gaza.

While they had originally planned to leave Tunis on Sunday, the organizers announced a delay the day before, explaining the pushback to Wednesday was due to “technical and logistical reasons beyond management’s control.”

Passengers on board include well-known activists such as Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg and former Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau, who during her tenure severed her city’s relations with Israel. The effort has also received endorsements from Hollywood actors including Susan Sarandon and Liam Cunningham, best known for his role in “Game of Thrones.”

Thunberg had previously been deported by Israel in June after she joined another flotilla, the Madleen, which was stopped by the IDF before it could reach Gaza.

Following that interception, participants were provided food and water, even though several of them had prerecorded statements alleging they had been “kidnapped” by the IDF.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry later noted that the cargo aboard the Madleen amounted to less than one truck of supplies, and confirmed that the goods would be delivered to Gaza through established humanitarian routes.

{Matzav.com}

Barron Trump, the youngest son of President Trump, is now living at the White House while taking courses at New York University’s Washington, D.C. campus.

The 19-year-old, who spent his first year as a well-noticed figure at NYU’s main campus in Greenwich Village, has decided to continue his academic path much nearer to his parents, President Trump and first lady Melania Trump.

The NYU program in the capital accommodates up to 120 undergraduates per semester, offering classes geared toward students preparing for careers in government, policy, economics, history, and journalism.

During his freshman year, Barron resided at Trump Tower in Manhattan and commuted daily to classes at Washington Square, occasionally also flying to Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach to spend time with his father.

Trump had hinted at his son’s plans for higher education in an August 2024 interview with The NY Post, after which Barron was spotted enrolled in courses at NYU.

“He’s a little on the tall side. I will tell you, he’s a tall one, but he is a good-looking guy. And he’s really been a great student. And he does like politics. It’s sort of funny,” Trump said in remarks to “Kayal and Company” on Philadelphia’s Talk Radio 1210 WPHT at the time.

{Matzav.com}

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Poland moved quickly before dawn on Wednesday to strengthen its air and land defenses after Russian drones crossed into its skies while Moscow was carrying out strikes on Ukraine’s border areas.

Poland’s Armed Forces operational command reported that “airspace was repeatedly violated by drone-type objects” during the overnight assault on Ukrainian territory.

“An operation is underway aimed at identifying and neutralizing the objects,” the command wrote on X. “On the orders of the Operational Commander of the Polish Armed Forces, weapons have been deployed, and services are actively working to locate the downed objects.”

Officials confirmed that “Polish and allied aircraft are operating in our airspace, while ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems have been brought to the highest state of readiness.”

Authorities explained that the heightened posture is intended to shield Polish civilians living near the Ukrainian frontier after Russia struck targets in western Ukraine, close to NATO’s borders.

Residents in Podlaskie, Mazowieckie, and Lubelskie provinces were instructed to stay indoors while the military response remains in progress.

Earlier in the night, Ukraine’s armed forces cautioned on Telegram that drones were flying west and might endanger the Polish city of Zamosc. That alert has since been removed.

Reports in Ukrainian outlets suggested one drone was headed toward Rzeszow in Poland, but neither Kyiv nor Warsaw has officially confirmed that any strikes landed there.

Meanwhile, American lawmakers reacted online, directly accusing Russia of an attack on Poland.

“Russia is attacking NATO ally Poland with Iranian shahid drones less than a week after President Trump hosted President Nawrocki at the White House,” posted South Carolina Republican Rep. Joe Wilson on X.

“This is an act of war, and we are grateful to NATO allies for their swift response to war criminal Putin’s continued unprovoked aggression against free and productive nations. I urge President Trump to respond with mandatory sanctions that will bankrupt the Russian war machine and arm Ukraine with weapons capable of striking Russia.”

Senator Dick Durban also faulted Vladimir Putin for persistently testing NATO airspace and “testing our resolve to protect Poland and the Baltic nations.”

“After the carnage Putin continues to visit on Ukraine, these incursions cannot be ignored,” the senator wrote on X.

The Pentagon, NATO, and the White House did not issue an immediate statement when contacted by The Post.

Russia only days earlier mounted its most extensive aerial barrage of the war so far, launching over 800 drones and decoys along with 13 missiles across Ukraine.

Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko of Ukraine said four civilians, including a mother and her infant, were killed in that assault.

Another major strike followed on Monday, which President Volodymyr Zelensky reported left at least 24 people dead as they waited in line to collect pensions in the country’s east.

Ukraine now faces the possibility of running dangerously low on defense systems, since American military support slowed during the summer even as Russia’s daily attacks intensified.

Kyiv has been struggling to intercept the relentless waves of missiles and drones. Western experts caution that if Moscow sustains the scale of these operations, Ukraine’s air defenses could eventually collapse.

“It’s a question of time for when munitions run out,” one individual familiar with U.S. weapons shipments told the Financial Times.

{Matzav.com}

WATCH:

On Tuesday’s “The Record with Greta Van Susteren,” Sen. John Fetterman spoke about Israel’s strike against Hamas officials in Doha, Qatar.

WATCH:

A talmid of Yeshivas Shalheves HaTorah was arrested today by police after it was discovered that he had not reported to the draft office.

The arrest comes just one day after he completed the week of sheva brachos following his wedding last week.

According to available information, the bochur, Yisrael Meir Taharani, was taken into custody by Cholon police for desertion after failing to appear at the enlistment office. He was transferred to Tel Hashomer, where he is expected to face a disciplinary hearing before a military officer.

Organizations that assist yeshiva students in such cases, including Ezram U’Maginam and Nosnim Gav, denounced the arrest. They said, “This represents a serious escalation in the persecution of the Torah world, especially since the yeshiva student appeared at a police station to provide testimony at the request of the police.”

Their statement added: “If Israel Police is setting traps for yeshiva bochurim, then it is in fact encouraging criminality within the chareidi community, and the consequences for the police could be disastrous.”

This arrest comes on the heels of another similar case reported earlier this week. In that incident, military police arrived at 2:30 a.m. at the home of Nesanel Maor Yitzchak, a talmid at Yeshivas Hamayshar in Bat Yam, led by Rav Benayahu Shmueli, and took him into custody.

Yitzchak had submitted deferment requests properly until the expiration of the draft law. After the law was canceled, he was summoned for January but did not report.

Following his arrest, he was taken to the Tel Hashomer detention facility, where a disciplinary officer sentenced him to 20 days in military prison. He was then transferred to Prison 10 in Kfar Yona.

It later emerged—over a day after his arrest—that he had already been tried without any legal representation. Attempts were made to establish contact with him to clarify details, but under current regulations, detainees may only consult with attorneys after their arrest and before trial. Once transferred to Prison 10, communication is only possible if initiated by the prisoner himself.

{Matzav.com Israel}

In response to government sanctions and harassment directed at those dedicated to Torah study, plans for a massive national demonstration have shifted. What was originally intended as one large protest under the leadership of Gedolei Yisroel will now take place as multiple local rallies across the country.

For months, yeshiva leaders and activists had been preparing for a large-scale demonstration against government actions—both the sanctions targeting Torah learners and the push to impose military enlistment. The event was originally set for bein hazmanim and scheduled to be held this Thursday. However, Matzav.com has obtained, ahead of publication, the letter from the Gedolei Yisroel directing that instead of a central gathering, rallies should be held in every city and community.

The logistics for these events are being coordinated by the organization Ezram U’Maginam, whose chairman, Rav Menachem Shapira, has been working closely with chassidishe and Sephardic representatives to finalize arrangements.

The letter, expected to be officially released Wednesday, was obtained in advance and is being made public here for the first time.

In the letter, Gedolei Yisroel write: “Am Yisroel is facing a difficult time, both from within and from without. Jewish blood is being spilled like water by our enemies who seek to wipe us out, and we must awaken ourselves, strengthening our connection with even greater intensity to our holy Torah, which alone has sustained our people throughout the long years of exile.

“Instead, the authorities have risen against us, with rulings from their courts striking at the heart of the Torah world, with decrees to remove bnei Torah from the sacred yeshivos into the army—threatening, chalilah, the very future of the yeshiva world and all who dwell in Eretz Hakodesh.

“As we now stand in the days of mercy and selichos, we therefore designate Thursday, the 18th of Elul, as a day for all who carry Yiras Shamayim in their hearts to gather in the public squares, in every city and town wherever possible, to stand in tefillah and plead with the Master of the Universe to save us from our troubles, to send a complete recovery to all the wounded, and to nullify the designs of our enemies and accusers.

“May we, the bnei Torah, be able to continue sustaining the Torah world without disturbance, and may we all merit to be inscribed and sealed for a good and peaceful year, together with all of Klal Yisroel, and speedily be redeemed with everlasting salvation.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of Rav Dovid Eidenson zt”l. He was 82 years old.

Rav Dovid was originally from Washington, D.C. In his youth, he journeyed to Lakewood to learn in Bais Medrash Govoah, where he attached himself to Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l and remained devoted to him as a talmid throughout his life. The imprint of his rebbi’s guidance and outlook never left him.

Over the years, he also developed a particularly close bond with Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l. Many responsa in the volumes of Igros Moshe were written in direct response to questions posed by Rav Dovid, a testament to the esteem in which he was held.

Settling in Monsey many decades ago, Rav Dovid built a home steeped in Torah and yiras Shamayim. His family continues to reflect the values he cherished and embodied.

Rav Dovid was niftar this afternoon. The levaya is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at his residence, 2 Phyllis Terrace, with kevurah to take place in Eretz Yisroel.

Yehi zichro baruch.

{Matzav.com}

In the aftermath of the horrific terror attack at the Ramot Junction in Yerushalayim, leaving six victims murdered in cold blood, Rav Moshe Shternbuch delivered an emotional response, stating that such a tragedy defies human comprehension and must be met with unshakable emunah.

On Monday night, a group of avreichim visited Rav Shternbuch at his home to hear words of strength. During their meeting, the senior posek addressed the devastating events, offering guidance in a time of heartbreak.

Rav Shternbuch told them plainly that logic cannot explain what happened. “It’s impossible to understand this at all,” he said with emotion. “What did they deserve this for? They never tasted the taste of sin, they went to learn Torah and were killed in such a cruel way.”

Yet, he cautioned, even in the face of such a painful question, man cannot presume to fathom Divine justice. “But we do not judge HaKadosh Baruch Hu. We are human beings, and we only know that judgment belongs to Hashem. Only HaKadosh Baruch Hu knows the ways of justice. People cannot understand, and are not even capable of understanding. The question is a very great question, and there is only one answer: faith—that Hashem is One, His Name is One, and He alone rules the world.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued strong criticism of Israel’s strike in Qatar just ahead of his scheduled meeting with Israel’s president in London on Wednesday.

Starmer said the attack, which targeted Hamas officials based in Doha, amounted to an infringement of Qatar’s sovereignty and carried the danger of “further escalation across the region.”

“The priority must be an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages and a huge surge in aid into Gaza. This is the only solution towards long-lasting peace,” he wrote in a post on X.

On Tuesday, the Israeli military confirmed it had “conducted a precise strike targeting the senior leadership of the Hamas terrorist organisation.”

Qatar, which has served as a mediator in talks between Israel and Hamas, sharply criticized the strike as a “blatant violation of international law.” Hamas said six of its people were killed, though the main leadership group, including its negotiators, survived.

Downing Street emphasized that the UK was not informed in advance, insisting it was “an entirely independent operation.” By contrast, the White House has acknowledged that Washington was briefed ahead of the assault.

Starmer spoke by phone on Tuesday night with Qatar’s emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, condemning the Israeli strike and again describing it as a “flagrant violation of Qatar’s sovereignty,” according to a statement from Downing Street.

The prime minister is slated to meet with Israeli President Isaac Herzog at Downing Street on Wednesday, where the agenda will include the strike on Doha and the worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

Starmer has faced pushback for agreeing to host Herzog. While some in government argue that pressing for a ceasefire and pursuing peace requires direct engagement with Israel, critics—including several Labour backbenchers—say the visit sends mixed signals.

More than 60 MPs and peers, drawn from Labour, the Greens, and the SNP, have urged the government to bar Herzog’s entry to the UK to avoid any association with what they describe as genocide.

Downing Street has previously said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be subject to arrest if he traveled to Britain, given that the International Criminal Court has issued a warrant against him over alleged war crimes in Gaza.

Herzog, from a different political party than Netanyahu, holds a largely ceremonial position. Although he has sparred with Netanyahu over democratic reforms, he has generally supported the military campaign in Gaza.

He drew international attention in October 2023 when he declared that all Palestinians in Gaza bore responsibility for the October 7 Hamas assault. “The entire [Palestinian] nation out there … is responsible. It is not true this rhetoric about civilians not aware, not involved,” he said at the time.

That remark was referenced by the International Court of Justice in its ruling of January 26, 2024, which determined that Palestinians faced an “imminent risk” of genocide and required Israel to act immediately to ensure its forces refrained from violations under the genocide convention and to safeguard Gaza’s population.

Herzog has since contended that the ICJ mischaracterized his comments by citing them out of context. His trip to London this week marks the first time a high-ranking Israeli official has visited the UK since foreign affairs minister Gideon Sa’ar came in the spring.

Starmer last had a face-to-face meeting with Herzog in Paris more than a year ago, shortly after becoming prime minister.

{Matzav.com}

The Trump administration announced that it had informed Qatari authorities before Israel carried out an airstrike on Hamas negotiators in Doha, but officials in Qatar dismissed that assertion.

The White House statement came Tuesday, only hours after Israel hit a residential district in the Qatari capital. Qatar has played a central role in mediating US-backed negotiations to end the conflict in Gaza.

“The Trump administration was notified by the United States military that Israel was attacking Hamas, which very unfortunately, was located in a section of Doha, the capital of Qatar,” White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters.

“Unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a sovereign nation and close ally of the United States that is working very hard and bravely taking risks with us to broker peace does not advance Israel or America’s goals,” she said. “However, eliminating Hamas, who have profited off the misery of those living in Gaza, is a worthy goal.”

Leavitt said that President Trump had directed his envoy, Steve Witkoff, to “inform the Qataris of the impending attack”.

But Doha disputed the account, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari saying that reports of advance warning were “completely false.”

“The call that was received from an American official came during the sound of the explosions that resulted from the Israeli attack in Doha,” he wrote in a post on X.

According to Hamas, five of its members were killed in the strike, but the core negotiating team survived. Qatar’s Interior Ministry said one of those killed was a Qatari security officer. The Foreign Ministry condemned the attack as “cowardly” and denounced “any action targeting its security and sovereignty”.

Trump later expressed regret about where the strike occurred, saying he had promised Qatar it would not be repeated.

“This was a decision made by Prime Minister Netanyahu, it was not a decision made by me,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a Sovereign Nation and close Ally of the United States, that is working very hard and bravely taking risks with us to broker Peace, does not advance Israel or America’s goals.”

He again claimed that Witkoff was instructed to alert Doha but admitted it was “unfortunately, too late to stop the attack”.

“I believe this unfortunate incident could serve as an opportunity for PEACE,” he added.

Qatar has been central to past ceasefire agreements, including a pause in fighting in November 2023 and a six-week truce in January 2025. Its mediation efforts were praised by both the Biden administration and Trump.

The Israeli strike came only days after Trump warned Hamas negotiators to accept his new proposal for a ceasefire, accusing them of dragging their feet. Israel, meanwhile, has been accused of repeatedly disrupting the talks.

“The Israelis have accepted my Terms. It is time for Hamas to accept as well,” Trump posted on Sunday.

“I have warned Hamas about the consequences of not accepting. This is my last warning, there will not be another one!”

After the bombing, Hamas said the individuals targeted were in discussions about Trump’s offer.

The group claimed the incident “confirms beyond doubt that Netanyahu and his government do not want to reach any agreement and are deliberately seeking to thwart all opportunities and thwart international efforts”.

“We hold the US administration jointly responsible with the occupation for this crime, due to its ongoing support for the aggression and crimes of the occupation against our people,” Hamas said.

Leavitt reiterated to journalists that Trump “believes this unfortunate incident could serve as an opportunity for peace.”

She confirmed that Trump spoke with Netanyahu after the strike but declined to say whether he threatened consequences for Israel.

Qatar’s Amiri Diwan later announced that Trump had also spoken with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and condemned the Israeli action.

“For his part, His Highness the Emir affirmed that the State of Qatar condemns and denounces in the strongest terms this reckless, criminal attack and considers it a flagrant violation of its sovereignty and security and a clear breach of the rules and principles of international law,” the statement read.

The emir warned that the attack endangered regional stability and undercut “efforts to de-escalate and reach sustainable diplomatic solutions”.

“Qatar will take all necessary measures to protect its security and preserve its sovereignty,” he declared.

Despite the White House explanation, Khalil Jahshan of the Arab Center Washington DC said regional perceptions would still paint the US administration as complicit.

“When Israel is given a green light to basically wreak havoc over the region and violate international law, violate sovereignty of nations that are not even enemies, but actually very close allies of the United States, one has to wonder: Where does Israel stand, and why would Israel be allowed to do that?” he said.

Qatar, a longtime advocate of Palestinian rights, was granted “major non-NATO ally” status by Washington in 2022, a designation meant to symbolize strong ties and respect.

Jahshan argued that Israel’s actions had rendered the title meaningless.

“If that status allows you to be exposed to attacks from a US ally with a US green light, then, to me, I would rather not have friends like this,” he remarked.

Qatar is home to Al Udeid airbase, the largest American military facility in the Middle East, housing US, Qatari, and British forces, with about 10,000 troops stationed there.

The Gulf state has also played a diplomatic role by hosting political offices of groups such as Hamas and the Taliban, an arrangement it has said was encouraged by Washington more than a decade ago.

Nabeel Khoury, who once served as deputy chief of mission at the US Embassy in Yemen, said the decision to hit central Doha, not far from Al Udeid, left him astonished.

“As cynical as I am and as used as I am to Israeli excesses, I have to say I was shocked,” he said. “I think everybody should be shocked and should be woken up from whatever dream they’re in to the reality that Israel has now obviously become a totally rogue state.”

Khoury suggested that the bombing would seriously harm US credibility and discourage others in the region from engaging in American-led talks.

“Honestly, I don’t see how anybody, especially in the Arab world, can continue to deal with the US,” he said.

Jahshan added that other Gulf states, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia, will be compelled to react strongly or risk appearing vulnerable.

“If they allow one of them to be the target of such an attack, then they’re all targets for such attacks in the future,” he warned. “How do they proceed?”

{Matzav.com}

RFK JR.: “We’re getting the politics OUT of CDC and returning it to a science-based agency.”

President Trump, VP Vance and members of the cabinet go out for dinner in Washington, D.C. after the historic drop in crime: “It’s a safe city and I just want to thank the National Guard… The outcome is really spectacular. We have a capital that’s very, very safe right now.”

President Trump said he is “not thrilled” about Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar, while also stating, “We want the hostages back.”

A U.S. F-35 fighter jet is operating in Polish airspace after Russian suicide drones crossed into eastern Poland.

Several Polish and NATO fighter jets were heard tonight over the city of Lublin in eastern Poland.