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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with President of Paraguay Santiago Peña in New York.

President Trump torches disgraced former FBI Director James Comey immediately after his indictment.

As several nations at the UN General Assembly pressed ahead with recognizing a Palestinian state, Israelis were infuriated to discover that official government portals abroad were labeling Yerushalayim consulates as being located in “Palestine.”

One glaring example came from the British Consulate General in Yerushalayim, which displayed its address as “East Jerusalem, Palestine.” By late Tuesday, however, that listing had been scrubbed from the site.

It seems the UK is gradually shifting its online references away from the phrasing “Occupied Palestinian Territories” toward the simpler term “Palestine,” though the transition has not yet been carried through consistently.

For instance, while one section of Britain’s foreign travel guidance was updated with the new designation on Sunday, the same webpage still showed the older terminology in its drop-down menu.

The European Union’s consular protection website also briefly listed the French Consulate General in Jerusalem under “Palestine.” The French mission in Israel quickly clarified that this was not an official move by France but an error on the EU platform, which was fixed following a request from the French embassy.

A similar discrepancy was noted on the Global Affairs Canada travel advisory site, where the Canadian embassy in Tel Aviv appeared with an address listed under both Israel and “Palestine,” according to Toronto Sun journalist Bryan Passifiume.

Canadian lawmaker Anthony Housefather told Passifiume that he intended to raise the matter with Global Affairs, and by Wednesday, the listing had already been corrected.

{Matzav.com Israel}

The customary photograph of Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, before leaving for the United Nations General Assembly in New York has ignited an unexpected storm online, all because of their matching color choices. The combination of their outfits struck many as uncannily similar to the Palestinian flag, prompting an avalanche of criticism.

Netanyahu departed for New York last night to deliver his address to the UN, taking a highly unusual and elongated route that deliberately bypassed European skies, in order to avoid any possible complications from an International Criminal Court arrest warrant.

Just prior to boarding, the couple posed for their routine send-off photos. Netanyahu was dressed in a black suit, white shirt, and red tie, while Sara, styled by Sandra Ringle, appeared in a dark green tailored suit with satin details and a lighter green blouse underneath. When viewed together, their clothing presented the distinct color palette of black, white, red, and green—the same four colors featured on the Palestinian flag.

The optics caused an immediate uproar, spreading rapidly across social platforms with reactions ranging from sharp mockery to outrage. One comment posted to Netanyahu’s Instagram page read, “A really successful choice by the stylist to dress them like the Palestinian flags.” Another user jabbed, “Did you pull off a look for the Palestinian state, or are those the colours of Sparta?” while someone else bluntly remarked, “You look like the Palestinian flag (vomiting emoji).”

Both political commentators and fashion analysts noted the extraordinary misstep, questioning how such an oversight could have slipped through the cracks—or if it was, in some baffling way, intentional. In a moment meant to highlight the Prime Minister’s global stage appearance, the color scheme instead drew focus away, especially given the perfectly composed backdrop of the official government aircraft and fluttering Israeli flags.

{Matzav.com}

James Comey, who previously headed the FBI, was indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury on counts of obstruction of justice and providing false statements.

“No one is above the law,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement on X. “Today’s indictment reflects this Department of Justice’s commitment to holding those who abuse positions of power accountable for misleading the American people. We will follow the facts in this case.”

At 64, Comey now becomes the most senior ex-federal official to be criminally charged in connection with the FBI’s protracted inquiry into alleged coordination between Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and Russian operatives.

Speaking from the Oval Office earlier in the day, Trump dismissed suggestions that he pushed prosecutors to move forward against Comey. “They’re going to make a determination. I’m not making that determination. I think I’d be allowed to get involved if I want, but I don’t really choose to do so,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

The White House is telling agencies to prepare large-scale firings of federal workers if the government shuts down next week. In a memo released Wednesday night, the Office of Management and Budget said agencies should consider a reduction in force for federal programs whose funding would lapse next week, is not otherwise funded and is “not consistent with the President’s priorities.” That would be a much more aggressive step than in previous shutdowns, when federal workers not deemed essential were furloughed but returned to their jobs once Congress approved government spending. A reduction in force would not only lay off employees but eliminate their positions, which would trigger yet another massive upheaval in a federal workforce that has already faced major rounds of cuts this year due to efforts from the Department of Government Efficiency and elsewhere in the Trump administration. Once any potential government shutdown ends, agencies are asked to revise their reduction in force plans “as needed to retain the minimal number of employees necessary to carry out statutory functions,” according to the memo, which was first reported by Politico. This move from OMB significantly increases the consequences of a potential government shutdown next week and escalates pressure on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. The two leaders have kept nearly all of their Democratic lawmakers united against a clean funding bill pushed by President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans that would keep the federal government operating for seven more weeks, demanding immediate improvements to health care in exchange for their votes. In statements issued shortly after the memo was released, the two Democrats showed no signs of budging. “We will not be intimidated by your threat to engage in mass firings,” Jeffries wrote in a post on X. “Get lost.” Jeffries called Russ Vought, the head of OMB, a “malignant political hack.” Schumer said in a statement that the OMB memo is an “attempt at intimidation” and predicted the “unnecessary firings will either be overturned in court or the administration will end up hiring the workers back.” OMB noted that it held its first planning call with other federal agencies earlier this week to plan for a shutdown. The budget office plays point in managing federal government shutdowns, particularly planning for them ahead of time. Past budget offices have also posted shutdown contingency plans — which would outline which agency workers would stay on the job during a government shutdown and which would be furloughed — on its website, but this one has not. The memo noted that congressional Democrats are refusing to support a clean government funding bill “due to their partisan demands,” which include an extension of enhanced health insurance subsidies set to expire at the end of the year, plus a reversal of Medicaid cuts that were included in Republicans’ big tax and spending cuts law. “As such, it has never been more important for the Administration to be prepared for a shutdown if the Democrats choose to pursue one,” the memo reads, which also notes that the GOP’s signature law, a major tax and border spending package, gives “ample resources to ensure that many core Trump Administration priorities will continue uninterrupted.” OMB noted that it had asked all agencies to submit their plans in case of a government […]

It is with deep regret that YWN informs you of the sudden petirah of Harav Yosef Yitzchok Kalmanson zt”l, longtime Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Beis Dovid Shlomo in New Haven, Connecticut. COL reported that he was niftar suddenly on the first night of Rosh Hashanah at the age of 70. Rav Kalmanson zt”l was a gaon both in nigleh and in Chassidus, known for his fiery hasmada, penetrating shiurim, and seforim filled with chiddushei Torah that spread throughout the olam haTorah. Rav Yosef Yitzchok was born in France, one of a pair of twins to his parents, R’ Yekusiel Dovber and Rebbetzin Batsheva (née Rabinowitz) Kalmanson. His father was a devoted chossid of Lubavitch in Brunoy and served as a shadar for Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim, traveling to raise funds to sustain Torah learning. As a young bochur, he learned in the yeshiva in Brunoy, where he was shaped by the influence of great mashpi’im and roshei yeshiva, including Harav Yosef Goldberg and Reb Nissan Nemanov zt”l. Already in his youth he distinguished himself through his deep attachment to divrei Torah, often spending long hours reviewing and analyzing the sichos and farbrengens of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. In 5738 (1978), with the bracha of the Rebbe, Rav Yosef Yitzchok founded the New Haven Yeshiva, which over time developed into a full mesivta and later a zal. For decades, he stood at its helm, shaping hundreds of talmidim with his brilliance in Torah and his devotion to their growth in both learning and avodas Hashem. His shiurim were known for depth, clarity, and a unique ability to connect the talmidim to the sugya until it became alive in their minds. In 5748 (1988), Rav Kalmanson began publishing his monumental multi-volume work Reshimos Shiurim, containing his chiddushim on the masechtos learned in yeshivos. The seforim received warm haskamos from prominent roshei yeshiva and were eagerly awaited by rabbonim and talmidei chachamim. Many remarked that his seforim opened new vistas in learning, and they remain a lasting legacy of his geonus. Rav Kalmanson’s stature was felt at the annual Yarchei Kallah of Chabad roshei yeshiva and mashpi’im, held each summer in Parksville, New York. There, his shiurim were delivered with a fiery clarity that left deep impressions on all who heard them. Fellow roshei yeshiva would often express awe at the hidden geonus of the Kalmanson brothers, whose Torah and avodah were revered. On the first night of Rosh Hashanah, in the midst of Yom Tov, Rav Yosef Yitzchok suddenly took ill and was niftar, leaving a grieving family, talmidim, and an entire community bereft of his leadership and Torah. Rav Kalmanson zt”l leaves behind his devoted rebbetzin, Mrs. Hindy (née Sanowicz), and their children: Mrs. Chani Altein (Pittsburgh, PA); Mrs. Nechama Hendel (Yerushalayim); Mrs. Menucha Schochet (Los Angeles, CA); Rav Mendel Kalmanson (London, England); Rav Yekusiel Kalmanson (Los Angeles, CA); and Rav Moishy Kalmanson (Rockwell, TX), along with many eineklach who follow in his ways. He is also survived by his siblings: HaRav Yechiel Menachem Mendel Kalmanson (Rosh Yeshiva of Brunoy, France); Mrs. Doba Raiza Vorst (Amsterdam, Netherlands); Mrs. Chaya Uminer (Crown Heights); Mrs. Baila Goldstein (Crown Heights); HaRav Yisroel Shimon Kalmanson (Crown Heights); and Mrs. Shterna Spritzer (Crown Heights). Yehi zichro baruch. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Two Syracuse University freshmen face hate crime charges after prosecutors say they targeted Jewish students during Rosh Hashanah by throwing a bag of pork into a fraternity house — an incident officials say was more than just a campus prank. The confrontation unfolded Tuesday evening at the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity, where students had gathered to celebrate Rosh Hashana. According to university police, one suspect entered the house, hurled a plastic bag filled with pork against a wall, and fled into a waiting vehicle driven by the second suspect. The contents spilled across the floor of the kosher kitchen. Both 18-year-olds were arrested shortly afterward and charged with burglary as a hate crime and criminal nuisance. Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick said the hate crime enhancement stemmed from the deliberate timing of the incident on one of Judaism’s holiest days. “This incident is not a foolish college prank and will not be treated as such,” Fitzpatrick said. “It will be treated for what it is: a crime directed against a group of Jewish students enjoying a celebratory dinner and seemingly secure in their residence.” Syracuse University officials denounced the act. “This is abhorrent, shocking to the conscience and violates our core value of being a place that is truly welcoming to all,” said Allen Groves, the university’s chief student experience officer. He promised disciplinary action alongside the criminal case. The two students have also been referred to Syracuse’s community standards office, where they could face expulsion or other penalties under the school’s conduct code. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday that he is prepared to step down after Russia’s war against his country concludes.

“If we finish [the] war with [the] Russians, I’m ready not to go for the second term because it’s not my goal — elections,” Zelensky told Axios in an extensive interview.

“I wanted very much in a very difficult period of time to be with my country, help my country. My goal is to finish the war.”

Zelensky, 47, entered office in April 2019 with a five-year mandate. Ukraine had been set to hold elections in March 2024, but those plans were suspended indefinitely under martial law after Russia launched its invasion in February 2022.

Some in the United States have accused Zelensky of using the delay in elections to strengthen his grip on power. President Trump went so far as to call him a “dictator” in February, during a particularly tense stretch in their relationship.

On Wednesday, however, Zelensky conceded that Ukrainians might prefer “a leader with … a new mandate” to guide the nation once the war ends.

He also left open the idea of organizing elections if there is a temporary halt in fighting with Russia, even without a full peace settlement.

“During the cease-fire, I think security can give the possibility to have elections,” he said. “It can be so.”

Both Kyiv and Washington have spoken in favor of a break in hostilities to try to reach a longer-lasting arrangement, but Moscow has consistently turned down such overtures.

During the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, Zelensky met privately with Trump. He later told Fox News anchor Bret Baier that he and Trump now have “better relations than before.”

That same day, Trump issued a pointed statement mocking Russia as a “paper tiger” and asserting that Ukraine could reclaim all of its occupied territory and potentially “go further.”

Currently, Russian forces control about 20% of Ukraine’s territory.

{Matzav.com}

U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff said Wednesday he was “confident” progress could be made in the coming days toward ending the nearly two-year war in Gaza, pointing to a new 21-point peace plan presented by President Donald Trump to Arab and Islamic leaders on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. “We presented what we call the Trump 21-point plan for peace in the Mideast and Gaza,” Witkoff told the Concordia summit in New York. “I think it addresses Israeli concerns as well as the concerns of all the neighbors in the region. We’re hopeful, and I might say even confident, that in the coming days we’ll be able to announce some sort of breakthrough.” The plan was introduced Tuesday in a multilateral meeting with leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia and Pakistan. A joint statement from those governments said the participants reiterated their commitment to work with Trump and emphasized “the importance of his leadership to end the war.” French President Emmanuel Macron, who also met with Trump, said he expected the proposal to incorporate elements of his own plan, which calls for the dismantling of Hamas and the creation of an international force to stabilize Gaza. “If we can align everyone — the United States, the Arabs, the Europeans — around this peace plan, we can have a result,” Macron said in an interview with France 24 and Radio France Internationale. At the same time, Macron underscored his government’s recognition of a Palestinian state earlier this week — an initiative opposed by both Israel and Trump. He added that Trump assured him the United States and Europe were aligned in opposing unilateral Israeli annexation of the West Bank. The remarks came as the war entered its 720th day. Forty-seven Israelis remain captive in Gaza, alongside the body of an Israeli soldier killed in 2014. Details of Trump’s plan remain under wraps, but Israel’s Channel 12 reported that senior officials in Jerusalem view the initiative as a potential framework for “the day after” in Gaza, shaped in coordination with moderate Arab states. Those officials said they did not believe the U.S. would “force a proposal on Israel it doesn’t believe in.” According to the report, the White House hopes to leverage regional governments to fund reconstruction and civilian infrastructure in Gaza once hostilities subside. Trump is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington on Monday. Ahead of his trip to New York, Netanyahu reportedly told ministers that any Israeli moves — including possible annexation in the West Bank — would need Trump’s approval. A senior Israeli official told The Times of Israel earlier this week that the administration had privately cautioned against annexation but publicly framed Western recognition of a Palestinian state as the trigger for Jerusalem’s consideration of the move. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

A new poll conducted by Mano Geva for Channel 12 News and released Thursday evening reveals a surprising political shake-up in the latest mandate projections.

According to the survey, Likud remains the largest party with 24 seats. In a major development, Naftali Bennett has surged to second place, positioning himself as a central figure in the political landscape with 19 mandates.

Other parties show a varied distribution: Yisrael Beiteinu secures 11 seats, while the Democrats also receive 11. Shas gains 9 mandates. Both Yesh Atid and Gadi Eisenkot’s party stand at 8 seats apiece. United Torah Judaism garners 7, while Hadash-Ta’al, Otzma Yehudit, and Ra’am each receive 5. Religious Zionism comes in with 4, as does the new Reservists’ Party, which could prove decisive in the next election.

By contrast, Benny Gantz’s Blue and White party collapses in the poll, falling to just 2.5 percent of the vote—below the electoral threshold. Balad, led by Sami Abu Shehadeh, also fails to pass, registering only 1.9 percent.

When broken down by blocs, the opposition commands 57 seats, including a mix of centrist and left-wing factions. Together with Hadash-Ta’al and Ra’am’s combined 10 mandates, they present a strong but fragmented front.

On the other side, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s coalition drops to only 49 seats. With the Reservists’ Party holding 4 mandates, its decision on alignment could tip the balance of power in Israel’s political system.

{Matzav.com Israel}

U.S. jobless claim applications fell to their lowest level in two months last week as layoffs remain low despite mounting evidence of a softening labor market. The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits for the week ending Sept. 20 fell by 14,000 to 218,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday. Analysts surveyed by the data firm FactSet had forecast 235,000 new applications. Though layoffs remain historically low, recent government data has raised concerns about the health of the American labor market, leading the Federal Reserve to cut its key interest rate by a quarter-point last week. The rate cut is a sign that the central bank’s focus has shifted quickly from inflation to jobs as hiring has ground nearly to a halt in recent months. Lower interest rates can spur growth and hiring as individuals and businesses benefit from reduced borrowing costs. The catch is that it can also exacerbate inflation, which remains above the Fed’s 2% target. Stubborn inflation could make future interest rate decisions tricky for the Fed, whose dual mandate is to support full employment in the labor market while keeping inflation at bay. Earlier this month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics issued a massive preliminary revision of U.S. job gains for the 12 months ending in March, revealing that the labor market has not been as strong as previously thought. The BLS’s revised figures showed that U.S. employers added 911,000 fewer jobs than originally reported in the 12 months ending in March 2025. Job gains were shown to be tapering long before President Donald Trump rolled out his far-reaching tariffs on U.S. trading partners in April. The department issues the revisions every year, with final revisions due in February of 2026. The updated figures came after the agency reported earlier this month that the economy generated just 22,000 jobs in August, well below the 80,000 economists were expecting. Earlier this month, the government reported that U.S. employers advertised 7.2 million job openings at the end of July, the first time since April of 2021 that there were more unemployed Americans than job postings. The July employment report, which showed job gains of just 73,000 and included huge downward revisions for June and May, sent financial markets spiraling and prompted Trump to fire the head of the BLS, which compiles the monthly data. The various labor market reports have bolstered fears that Trump’s erratic economic policies, including the unpredictable taxes on imports, have created so much uncertainty that businesses are reluctant to hire. The four-week average of claims, which softens some of the weekly volatility, declined by 2,750 to 237,500. The total number of Americans collecting unemployment benefits for the previous week of Sept. 13 inched down by 2,000 to 1.93 million. Weekly applications for jobless benefits are considered representative of layoffs and have mostly settled in a historically low range between 200,000 and 250,000 since the U.S. began to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic nearly four years ago. (AP)

The Grunis Committee, responsible for overseeing top-level appointments, voted unanimously on Thursday to endorse David Zini as the new head of the Shin Bet.

The committee’s decision came after deliberations and will now be presented to the cabinet for final approval on Sunday. Once the cabinet gives its consent, Zini will formally assume the role.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir welcomed the outcome, stating: “‘May the year and its curses end and may the year and its blessings begin.’ Success to the next Shin Bet Director.”

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid also responded, saying: “The appointment of Major General Zini has been legally approved, and I wish him success in his critical role of safeguarding the security of Israel’s citizens.”

Lapid continued: “The head of the Shin Bet is not an employee of the government, but of the State of Israel, and an important part of his role is to protect Israeli democracy. I hope and believe that Major General Zini, like his predecessors, will remain loyal to the State of Israel and its laws.”

Earlier this week, S., who had temporarily filled the position after Ronen Bar’s resignation, completed his service as acting Shin Bet director.

{Matzav.com Israel}

President Donald Trump on Wednesday publicly ruled out Israeli annexation of the West Bank, declaring from the Oval Office that “it’s not gonna happen.” The president’s remarks, his first-ever on the matter, came in response to questions about whether he had privately assured Arab and Muslim leaders of his stance during a multilateral meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly this week. Trump confirmed the reports, underscoring that he had communicated his position directly to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank,” Trump said firmly. “There’s been enough. It’s time to stop now.” The comments mark a sharp pivot from Washington’s traditionally ambivalent posture on annexation and could inject fresh volatility into U.S.-Israel relations. Netanyahu, a longtime Trump ally, has at times signaled openness to settlement expansion and sovereignty moves in the West Bank, policies that have drawn outrage across the Arab world and alarm among international diplomats. Trump’s declaration comes as the administration seeks to shore up ties with key Arab and Muslim states amid ongoing regional turbulence. By setting a clear red line against annexation, the president appears intent on balancing U.S. support for Israel with the demands of Arab leaders wary of unilateral moves that could further destabilize the region. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

A total of 178 Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives have signed onto a letter cautioning Israel against annexing any land in Judea, Samaria, or Gaza, according to a report from the Jewish News Syndicate.

The initiative was organized by Reps. Brad Schneider of Illinois and Jamie Raskin of Maryland, who brought together 176 of their colleagues to endorse the letter.

The message reads: “We are convinced that unilateral steps by either side, including Israeli annexation of territory in the West Bank or Gaza, would move Israelis and Palestinians further away from negotiations and further away from a just, sustainable peace. We are particularly troubled by increasing public calls to unilaterally annex West Bank territory.”

The lawmakers further warned: “Moves toward annexation would undermine Israel’s progress on normalization, prevent international cooperation to rebuild Gaza after this devastating war, risk instability in Jordan and even further strain ties with key European partners.”

Of the Democratic caucus, only 35 lawmakers did not join in signing the appeal. Those who refrained include some of the party’s most outspoken allies of Israel, such as Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York.

Meanwhile, Israeli leaders such as National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir have spoken of asserting sovereignty over Judea and Samaria. These discussions come after several nations, including France, the UK, Canada, and Australia, recognized a Palestinian state despite Hamas still governing Gaza and holding 48 hostages.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar told Italy’s Corriere Della Sera that Israel has no plans to extend sovereignty across all of Judea and Samaria, but is considering applying it to Israeli towns in the area that are outside the control of the Palestinian Authority.

{Matzav.com}

Merriam-Webster announced on Thursday that over 5,000 new words and expressions have been incorporated into its “Collegiate” dictionary, the first fresh update to the student- and teacher-focused volume in more than two decades.

The latest edition introduces a range of modern slang and cultural terms, including “beast mode,” “dad bod,” and “rizz.”

Merriam-Webster defines “beast mode” as “an extremely aggressive or energetic style or manner that someone adopts temporarily to overpower an opponent in a fight or competition.” The Associated Press offered an example sentence: “He needed to go beast mode to crush the hot dog eating contest.”

Another widely used phrase now officially recognized is “dad bod,” described as “a physique regarded as typical of an average father, especially one that is slightly overweight and not extremely muscular.”

Meanwhile, “rizz” is identified as a reference to a person’s “appeal or charm.” Merriam-Webster illustrates its use with, “‘You come here often?’ Joe’s rizz was way, WAY off.”

Beyond these, the twelfth edition also includes new additions such as “dumbphone,” “farm-to-table,” “petrichor,” “side eye,” and “hard pass.”

The updated version of the dictionary is scheduled to be released on November 18.

{Matzav.com}

In the weeks following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a leftist gun group with a history of political violence is openly celebrating his death — and using it to recruit. Bright red flyers from the John Brown Gun Club appeared this week on Georgetown University’s campus, plastered across activity boards and reading: “Hey fascist! Catch!” The slogan mirrors words allegedly scrawled on a shell casing by Tyler Robinson, the man accused of murdering Kirk at a Turning Point USA event in Utah earlier this month. The flyers, adorned with QR codes linking to a recruitment page, declare the club as “the only political group that celebrates when Nazis die.” Georgetown students say the message goes beyond provocation. “I read this immediately as a threat — not only to me but to every conservative on this campus,” said Shae McInnis, treasurer of the College Republicans. “It’s a direct call for violence.” Education Secretary Linda McMahon condemned the flyers, saying her department had spoken to Georgetown administrators, who ordered the posters removed and launched an investigation. “Allowing violent rhetoric to fester on our nation’s campuses without consequences is dangerous,” she warned. The John Brown Gun Club is listed by extremism watchdogs as a far-left group with a record of armed appearances at protests and connections to recent anti-ICE violence, including the July 4 assault on a Texas detention center where suspects opened fire on federal agents. The controversy underscores rising fears of an “assassination culture” on the far left — one Kirk himself warned about online just months before he was gunned down. Georgetown University confirmed the flyers have been removed and said it is working with police to protect students. “We have no tolerance for calls for violence or threats to the university,” a spokesperson said. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Amazon has agreed to pay $2.5 billion to resolve a lawsuit brought by the Federal Trade Commission, which accused the company of deceiving customers into subscribing to Prime and creating obstacles for those who tried to cancel. The settlement, announced today, is the largest of its kind in FTC history.

The tech giant will hand over $1 billion in civil penalties, the biggest fine ever imposed for a violation of an FTC rule, along with $1.5 billion in refunds to customers who were affected. Despite the massive payout, Amazon did not admit fault in the agreement.

Prime, Amazon’s flagship subscription service that provides members with benefits like faster delivery and special savings at Whole Foods, now has a global membership of more than 200 million people.

According to the FTC, the refunds are expected to help roughly 35 million consumers who were charged for Prime memberships they did not want or were unable to cancel easily.

Those eligible for restitution include customers who may have signed up through Amazon’s “Single Page Checkout” between June 23, 2019, and June 23, 2025.

The lawsuit was first filed two years ago in federal court. The FTC argued that Amazon violated the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act, a 2010 statute aimed at protecting consumers from deceptive online practices.

The agency said Amazon purposely made it difficult for customers to shop without enrolling in Prime.

In its complaint, the FTC further alleged that canceling Prime was intentionally complicated, with company executives often blocking or delaying efforts to simplify the process.

“Today, the Trump-Vance FTC made history and secured a record-breaking, monumental win for the millions of Americans who are tired of deceptive subscriptions that feel impossible to cancel,” FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson declared. “The evidence showed that Amazon used sophisticated subscription traps designed to manipulate consumers into enrolling in Prime, and then made it exceedingly hard for consumers to end their subscription.”

In response, an Amazon representative told Newsweek that the company continues to believe it acted within the law but chose to settle to avoid a drawn-out legal battle. The spokesperson said Amazon remains focused on compliance and customer service.

Amazon also issued a statement to Newsweek, saying: “Amazon and our executives have always followed the law and this settlement allows us to move forward and focus on innovating for customers. We work incredibly hard to make it clear and simple for customers to both sign up or cancel their Prime membership, and to offer substantial value for our many millions of loyal Prime members around the world. We will continue to do so, and look forward to what we’ll deliver for Prime members in the coming years.”

FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson added: “Today, we are putting billions of dollars back into Americans’ pockets, and making sure Amazon never does this again. The Trump-Vance FTC is committed to fighting back when companies try to cheat ordinary Americans out of their hard-earned pay.”

In a legal brief filed last month, Amazon argued: “Occasional customer frustrations and mistakes are inevitable — especially for a program as popular as Amazon Prime.”

As part of the settlement, Amazon must adjust how customers sign up for and cancel Prime. New requirements include a “clear and conspicuous button” to decline Prime, a cancellation process that matches the ease of enrollment, and full disclosure of all terms during the sign-up process.

{Matzav.com}

Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes remained sluggish in August, even as a late-summer slide in mortgage rates brought home loan borrowing costs to a 10-month low. Existing home sales slipped 0.2% last month from July to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4 million units, the National Association of Realtors said Thursday. That’s the slowest sales pace since June. Sales rose 1.8% compared with August last year. The latest sales figure topped the 3.96 million pace economists were expecting, according to FactSet. The national median sales price increased 2% in August from a year earlier to $422,600. That’s the 26th consecutive month that home prices have risen on an annual basis. The U.S. housing market has been in a sales slump since 2022, when mortgage rates began climbing from historic lows. Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes sank last year to their lowest level in nearly 30 years. Mortgage rates have been mostly declining since late July ahead of the Federal Reserve’s widely anticipated decision last week to cut its main interest rate for the first time in a year amid growing concern over the U.S. job market. The pullback in mortgage rates has given home shoppers more purchasing power, but rates remain too high for many Americans to afford to buy a home following years of skyrocketing home prices. (AP)