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Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been sentenced to 5 years in prison after a Paris court found him guilty of criminal conspiracy tied to alleged Libyan financing of his 2007 campaign. In a surprise move, the court ruled Sarkozy will be incarcerated even if he appeals, though the date is not yet set. Sarkozy, 70, called the verdict “a scandal” and vowed to fight it, saying the ruling humiliates France.

NORAD says U.S. fighter jets intercepted 4 Russian warplanes near Alaska on Wednesday — the 3rd such incident in a month and the 9th this year. The aircraft, 2 Tu-95 bombers and 2 Su-35 fighters, stayed in international airspace but were tracked and identified by 9 U.S. aircraft, including 4 F-16s.

A massive sinkhole roughly 165 feet deep and spanning nearly 10,000 square feet opened near Vajira Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, on Wednesday. The collapse swallowed cars and electricity poles, shocking commuters and bringing traffic in the busy area to a complete standstill.

Second-quarter GDP was revised up again, now showing 3.8% growth on the back of stronger consumer spending, rising incomes, and fewer imports.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas: “The Gaza Strip is an integral part of the State of Palestine… We are ready to bear full responsibility for governance and security there.”

Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Kalmanson, a distinguished talmid chacham in the Lubavitch community and longtime Rosh Yeshiva in Connecticut, was niftar suddenly on the first night of Rosh Hashana. He was 70 years old.

Rabbi Kalmanson was born in France, one of a pair of twins alongside his brother, Rabbi Yechiel Menachem Mendel Kalmanson. They were the sons of R’ Yekusiel Dovber Kalmanson and his wife Batsheva (née Rabinowitz). Their father was a devoted Chabad chossid from Brunoy and traveled as a shadar, raising funds for Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch in Brunoy.

The brothers learned in the Brunoy yeshiva, where they were shaped by the Chassidim who taught there. They studied under the guidance of figures such as the Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Yosef Goldberg and the mashpia Reb Nissan Nemanov.

Both twins later went on to lead yeshivos — Reb Yosef Yitzchok becoming Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Beis Dovid Shlomo in New Haven, Connecticut, while Reb Yechiel assumed the position of Rosh Yeshiva in Brunoy.

Reb Yosef Yitzchok gained a reputation for his vast knowledge in both nigleh and Chassidus. As a bochur, he dedicated himself to listening to recordings of the Rebbe’s farbrengens, analyzing them with passion.

He continued learning in Brunoy until 5735, after which he served as a shliach and was selected to present the Rebbe with a golden key marking the inauguration of a new mitzvah tank. In 5738, with the Rebbe’s blessing, he established the New Haven yeshiva. Under his leadership, it expanded into a mesivta and later a zal, where he shaped generations of students. He became widely known as a brilliant teacher and the author of numerous Torah writings.

In 5748, Rabbi Kalmanson began publishing his Reshimos Shiurim, a series of seforim containing chiddushim on masechtos of Shas studied in Chabad yeshivos. These works earned broad acclaim among talmidei chachamim, receiving warm haskamos from prominent roshei yeshiva.

His stature was evident at the annual Global Yarchei Kallah of Chabad rabbonim, Roshei Yeshiva, and mashpiim held each summer at Camp Gan Israel in Parksville, New York. His shiurim were delivered with depth and clarity, prompting attendees to remark, “The world doesn’t know the ge’onus of the Kalmenson brothers.” Fellow rabbonim were always eager to receive his newly published volumes.

Rabbi Kalmanson suddenly became ill on the first night of Yom Tov and was niftar.

He leaves behind his wife, Mrs. Hindy Kalmenson (née Sanowicz), and their children: Mrs. Chani Altein of Pittsburgh, PA; Mrs. Nechama Hendel of Yerushalayim, Israel; Mrs. Menucha Schochet of Los Angeles, CA; Rabbi Mendel Kalmanson of London, England; Rabbi Yekusiel Kalmanson of Los Angeles, CA; and Rabbi Moishy Kalmanson of Rockwell, Texas; as well as many grandchildren.

He is also survived by his siblings: Rabbi Yechiel Menachem Mendel Kalmanson of Brunoy, France; Mrs. Doba Raiza Vorst of Amsterdam, Netherlands; Mrs. Chaya Uminer of Crown Heights; Mrs. Baila Goldstein of Crown Heights; Rabbi Yisroel Shimon Kalmanson of Crown Heights; and Mrs. Shterna Spritzer of Crown Heights.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani told the UN General Assembly that Israel had “chosen war” instead of pursuing the release of its remaining 48 hostages. He accused Israel of sabotaging the Qatari-brokered talks with its September 9 strike on Hamas officials in Doha, calling the attack “treacherous.”

In his speech in New York, al-Thani accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza and said Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu views the conflict as “an opportunity to expand settlements.”

Other world leaders also spoke out against Israel. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Jordan’s King Abdullah, and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan all sharply criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza. Abdullah devoted nearly his entire address to attacking Netanyahu’s government, saying its push for “Greater Israel” threatened the sovereignty of neighboring states and made Israel “not a partner for peace.”

Indonesia’s president, however, took a different stance. Representing the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, which has no official ties with Israel, he emphasized that Israel’s security must be respected and closed his remarks with the Hebrew word “Shalom.”

Some of al-Thani’s criticism echoed the concerns of hostage families, who said they plan to shadow Netanyahu in New York when he speaks on Friday. They argue the IDF’s new push into Gaza City endangers their relatives’ lives and that the strike in Doha derailed negotiations for their release.

The emir condemned the attack in Qatar as a breach of sovereignty and labeled it “state terrorism.” He accused Israel of using diplomacy as a cover for plots to kill negotiators. “They visit our country and plot to attack it,” al-Thani said. “They negotiate with delegations and plot to assassinate the members of the negotiation teams. It is difficult to cooperate with such a mentality that does not respect the most minimal standards of cooperation. It is impossible.”

“They consider negotiations the continuation of war by other means and a way to delude the Israeli public opinion,” he added. Al-Thani claimed that by tying hostage releases to the war’s end, Israel was “abandoning the notion of releasing the hostages.”

The emir accused Israel of seeking to make Gaza uninhabitable and to push out its population. “The Israeli leader wants to continue war. He believes in what is called Greater Israel,” he said, alleging Netanyahu saw war as a chance to expand settlements and alter the situation at the Temple Mount, where the Al-Aqsa Mosque stands. “Israel is not a democratic country surrounded by enemies, but in fact it is an enemy to its surrounding neighbors,” he added.

Al-Thani praised Western countries that recently recognized a Palestinian state, noting that Netanyahu had vowed to prevent such a state from ever being created. He charged that Israel is “engaged in a genocide” and that its leadership “takes pride in preventing peace with the Palestinians.”

The Qatari ruler said Israel “desires to impose its will” on the region, labeling anyone who resists as antisemitic or a terrorist. He pledged that Qatar would continue diplomacy despite attempts to smear his country, which has long faced criticism for funding Al Jazeera and hosting Hamas leaders.

Turkey’s President Erdogan also called Israel’s campaign in Gaza a “genocide,” displaying images of destruction. “A genocide is continuing in Gaza; even as we meet here, innocent people are dying,” he said. He insisted the situation was not “a fight against terrorism” but “an occupation, deportation, exile, genocide, and destruction of life.”

Erdogan also condemned Israel’s military actions in the West Bank and in countries such as Syria, Iran, Yemen, and Lebanon. He argued that Israel’s conduct jeopardizes global human rights standards and said Netanyahu was “obviously not interested in forging peace or releasing the hostages.”

Jordan’s King Abdullah called the Gaza war “one of the darkest moments in this institution’s history.” He criticized endless condemnations without concrete action and warned that interim agreements had only allowed Israel to expand settlements and displace Palestinians. He accused Israel of enabling the desecration of holy sites and said Israeli families, too, lack real security because “military action cannot bring the safety they need.”

Abdullah cited figures from Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, claiming over 60,000 Palestinians killed and 50,000 children injured or killed. He condemned the scale of destruction, though those numbers cannot be independently verified and do not distinguish between civilians and fighters. Israel says it has killed about 22,000 militants in Gaza and 1,600 terrorists inside Israel during the October 7 attack.

Like the Qatari emir, Abdullah accused Israel of undermining the Temple Mount status quo and warned that rhetoric about “Greater Israel” violates neighboring states’ sovereignty. He cautioned that threats to Al-Aqsa Mosque risk igniting a religious war that could spread far beyond the region.

UN Secretary General Guterres, opening the assembly, said Gaza is entering “a third monstrous year” of war and accused Israel of imposing “collective punishment.” While condemning Hamas’s October 7 massacre, he stressed that “nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people and the systematic destruction of Gaza.” He urged a permanent ceasefire, release of all hostages, humanitarian access, and a two-state solution.

In contrast, Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto said his nation will recognize Israel once it recognizes a Palestinian state. “We must also recognize, we must also respect, and we must also guarantee the safety and security of Israel. Only then we can have real peace,” he said, ending his remarks with “Shalom.”

Though Indonesia lacks official ties with Israel, it has cooperated on aid deliveries into Gaza and has considered normalizing ties. Subianto said Indonesia is prepared to send peacekeepers, offering up to 20,000 troops for Gaza if mandated by the UN. He added that Indonesian forces could also deploy to other hotspots such as Ukraine, Sudan, or Libya.

{Matzav.com}

A Western source told the Lebanese outlet Elnashra on Wednesday that the Trump administration has introduced a new peace initiative aimed at fully bringing the war in Gaza to an end. The report came just a day after US President Donald Trump held talks with leaders from Muslim countries.

According to the report, the proposal envisions an initial 20-day truce, after which hostages would be released. The details remain unclear, including how many of the 48 hostages would be freed during this stage of the process.

Elnashra added that once the hostages are returned, an Arab-led administration composed of representatives from Islamic nations would oversee Gaza. During this interim period, steps would be taken to form a Palestinian government without Hamas involvement.

Other sources who spoke with the Lebanese paper said that Muslim leaders who attended the discussions with Trump reacted positively to his proposal, but they are waiting to hear the official responses from both Hamas and Israel before moving forward.

On Wednesday, the Emirati news agency WAM reported that the central priorities highlighted in the meeting were the release of all hostages and urgent action to relieve the worsening humanitarian conditions inside Gaza.

Politico reported the same day that Trump gave assurances to Arab leaders that he would not permit Israel to annex the West Bank, which is administered by the Palestinian Authority.

The gathering, which took place alongside the UN General Assembly in New York, included leaders from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia, and Pakistan, according to WAM.

Later Wednesday evening, Reuters quoted US special envoy Steve Witkoff as saying the administration was “hopeful … even confident that in the coming days we’ll be able to announce some sort of breakthrough” regarding Gaza.

Witkoff noted that President Donald Trump’s 21-point plan for peace had been presented to several leaders during meetings on Tuesday at the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

{Matzav.com}

The United Nations said Wednesday that a videographer may have unintentionally caused the sudden stoppage of an escalator as President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived for the General Assembly in New York.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, however, suggested on Fox News that sabotage could be involved and stressed that the Secret Service is “looking into” what happened.

According to the UN, there was no deliberate action behind the incident. Spokesman Stephane Dujarric explained that a videographer from the U.S. delegation may have triggered a safety sensor near the top of the escalator, which brought it to an abrupt halt. The mechanism, he said, is intended to prevent people or objects from being pulled into the gears. A diagnostic review confirmed that the safety system on the comb step had been activated.

Leavitt pointed out that the issue came just after a report in London’s Times noted that UN staffers had half-jokingly discussed interfering with the escalator ahead of Trump’s visit. On Fox News’s Jesse Watters Primetime, she linked the escalator failure to other mishaps during the president’s visit, saying the timing did not seem random.

“And first it was the escalator, then it was the teleprompter, and then Katie Pavlich from Townhall… noticed that the audio inside of the room was much lower and different for the president of the United States than the previous speakers,” Leavitt said.

“So when you put all of this together, it doesn’t look like a coincidence to me. And I know that we have people, including the United States Secret Service, who are looking into this to try to get to the bottom of it,” she continued.

“And if we find that these were U.N. staffers who were purposely trying to trip up, literally trip up the president and the first lady of the United States, well, there better be accountability for those people, and I will personally see to it,” she added.

Trump himself blasted the UN over the difficulties. “All I got from the United Nations was an escalator that, on the way up, stopped right in the middle. If the first lady wasn’t in great shape, she would have fallen. But she’s in great shape. We’re both in good shape. We both stood,” he said.

“Then a teleprompter that didn’t work. These are the two things I got from the United Nations — a bad escalator and a bad teleprompter,” he said.

The Associated Press later cited a UN official, speaking anonymously, who claimed that Trump’s own team was controlling the teleprompter during his address.

{Matzav.com}

The World Health Organization (WHO) stated on Wednesday that there is no solid scientific proof connecting acetaminophen (paracetamol) use during pregnancy with autism. The announcement came after US President Donald Trump asserted earlier in the day at a press conference that such a link exists.

The WHO noted that roughly 62 million people worldwide, or about one in every 127 individuals, are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The condition encompasses a wide range of developmental differences tied to how the brain develops. While diagnostic methods and public awareness have grown in recent years, the precise causes remain unknown and are believed to involve multiple factors.

In the last ten years, researchers have conducted extensive studies to investigate whether acetaminophen use during pregnancy could increase the risk of autism. To date, those investigations have not provided consistent findings to support such a link.

The WHO advised expectant mothers to continue seeking guidance from their physicians or healthcare professionals, who are best placed to evaluate their personal health needs and recommend safe options. The organization emphasized that, as with all medicines, paracetamol should be taken carefully during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, and only when prescribed or supervised by a doctor.

The WHO also underscored its longstanding position on vaccines. “Since 1999, independent experts advising the WHO have repeatedly confirmed that vaccines, including those containing thimerosal or aluminum, do not cause autism or other developmental disorders,” the organization said.

According to the WHO, national immunization programs are based on rigorous, evidence-driven evaluations involving international specialists and health ministries. These vaccination plans, adopted around the world, have saved at least 154 million lives over the past five decades by protecting people of all ages against 30 different infectious diseases. The guidelines are reviewed and updated regularly to reflect new scientific developments.

The organization warned that when vaccination programs are interrupted, delayed, or altered without proper scientific review, the danger of outbreaks rises dramatically. This not only endangers children but also puts infants too young for vaccination and individuals with compromised immunity or chronic conditions at serious risk.

Autism and broader neurological conditions will feature prominently at the UN’s fourth high-level session on noncommunicable diseases and mental health, scheduled for Thursday.

“As a global community, we must do more to understand the causes of autism and how to best treat and support the needs of autistic people and their families,” the WHO said. “The organization is committed to this goal in partnership with autistic-led groups and other organizations representing those with lived experience.

“The WHO also stands alongside autistic individuals and their families, a respected community deserving of evidence-based, stigma-free considerations.”

{Matzav.com}

Two Syracuse University freshmen, both 18, are facing hate crime charges after an attack at the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity house, a Jewish residence, during Rosh Hashanah.

Campus police said that at approximately 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, one of the students entered the fraternity home and threw a clear plastic bag filled with pork against a wall, spreading its contents throughout the room. Members of the fraternity had assembled inside to mark Rosh Hashanah.

The individual quickly ran out and got into a car driven by the second suspect. Authorities tracked them down shortly after the incident, and both were arrested. They are now charged with burglary as a hate crime as well as criminal nuisance.

Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick underscored the seriousness of what occurred. “This incident is not a foolish college prank and will not be treated as such. 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’s Chief Student Experience Officer Allen Groves issued a strong statement condemning the act. “Tonight’s incident, as reported to us, is abhorrent, shocking to the conscience and violates our core value of being a place that is truly welcoming to all. It will not be tolerated at Syracuse University.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu set out for the United States on Thursday morning aboard the Wing of Zion aircraft.

Speaking before boarding, Netanyahu declared, “At the UN General Assembly, I will speak our truth. I will condemn those leaders who, instead of denouncing the murderers, rapists, and child burners, want to give them a state in the heart of the Land of Israel. That will not happen.”

Netanyahu added, “In Washington, I will meet for the fourth time – more than any other leader – with President Trump, and I will discuss with him the great opportunities that our victories have brought, as well as our need to complete the war’s objectives – to bring back all our hostages, defeat Hamas, and expand the circle of peace that has become possible following the historic victory in Operation Rising Lions and other victories we have achieved.”

His trip includes an address to the UN General Assembly in New York on Friday and a meeting at the White House with US President Donald Trump on Monday.

Trump has been vocal about wanting the fighting to come to an end and has pushed for a comprehensive arrangement to ensure all hostages are freed. During his holiday speech at the UN, he again made clear that he rejects any plan for hostages to be released in stages.

Netanyahu’s UN address is scheduled for Friday at 9:00 a.m. in New York (4:00 p.m. in Israel). He is expected to respond to the countries that recognized a Palestinian state and to strongly criticize that move, while also reaffirming Israel’s rejection of a Palestinian state.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday labeled the suspected gunman who attacked an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Dallas as “a violent left-wing extremist.” The incident reportedly left one person dead and two others wounded before the attacker took his own life.

 

 

Vance also blasted Democratic leaders, accusing them of stoking hostility toward ICE officers and toward anyone who does not share their political positions.

Speaking just outside Charlotte, North Carolina, hours after the shooting, Vance delivered an impassioned address about the assault. CNN reported that the sniper fired into the ICE facility, killing one detainee and injuring two others. FBI Director Kash Patel said shell casings recovered at the scene included one marked with the words “ANTI ICE.” Patel added that no law enforcement personnel were harmed.

“In Dallas, Texas, an ICE facility… was opened fire upon by a violent left-wing extremist, a person who wrote ‘ANTI ICE’ messaging on their bullets,” Vance said. “And there’s some evidence that we have that’s not yet public, but we know this person was politically motivated.”

“They were politically motivated to go after law enforcement. They were politically motivated to go after people who are enforcing our border. And I think that is the most disgusting thing. The very people who keep us safe ought to be honored, and protected, and praised by Democrats and Republicans alike,” Vance added.

The vice president argued that inflammatory rhetoric by liberal politicians and “left-wing media lies” against immigration authorities embolden unstable individuals to attack officers.

“It is time to stop the rhetorical assault on law enforcement, because here’s what happens… when Democrats, like Gavin Newsom did, say that these people are part of an authoritarian government, when the left-wing media lies about what they’re doing, when they lie about who they’re arresting, when they lie about the actual job of law enforcement, what they’re doing is encouraging crazy people to go and commit violence,” he said.

Vance stressed that policy disagreements over immigration are legitimate, but rhetoric that incites violence against officers crosses the line. Those who spread it, he declared, “can go straight to hell” and do not deserve a role in American politics.

He pointed to an NBC News post on X that was deleted and later corrected. The original caption read, “ICE agents held a 5-year-old autistic girl outside her Massachusetts home to pressure her father to surrender to authorities last week, according to the girl’s family.”

NBC later replaced it with a new version: “Video shows ICE with 5-year-old girl while agents attempt to arrest her father.” The network added, “Correction: An earlier version of this article mischaracterized the activities of ICE agents in the video. The article has been updated.”

Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin criticized NBC for not contacting DHS first, saying the outlet spread “smears.” Vance called the report “a complete fabrication.”

“But when you go around and lie about our law enforcement and you tell them that they’re mistreating five-year-old girls, what do you think is going to happen?” Vance asked. “When Democratic politicians incur doxing, when they encourage us to unmask ICE enforcement officers, what do you think is going to happen?”

“When the mayor of Los Angeles encourages violent protesters to get in the face of our law enforcement, what do you think is going to happen? What’s going to happen is political violence, and political violence has gotten out of control in this country,” he added.

Vance concluded that the blame begins with national Democratic leadership. “If you want to stop political violence, stop attacking our law enforcement as the Gestapo. If you want to stop political violence, stop telling your supporters that everybody who disagrees with you is a Nazi. If you want to stop political violence, look in the mirror,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

WATCH:

The IDF announced on Thursday morning that an IDF soldier was killed by a Hamas sniper in Gaza City on Wednesday. He was identified as Staff Sgt. Chalachew Shimon Demalash, H’yd, 21, from Be’er Sheva. He served in the Nachal Brigade’s 932nd Battalion and was shot by a sniper while serving on guard duty. He is the second IDF fatality since the IDF launched Operation Gidoen’s Chariots B in Gaza City. Hashem Yikam Damo. (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

The IDF announced on Thursday morning that Staff Sergeant Chalachew Shimon Demalash, 21, from Be’er Sheva, a fighter in the 932nd Battalion of the Nachal Brigade, was killed in action in northern Gaza.

The military said the incident happened Wednesday evening at about 6:00 p.m., during an operation by the 162nd Division in northern Gaza City.

During the clash, troops from the Nachal Brigade’s 932nd Battalion came under fire, apparently from a sniper. Demalash was mortally wounded, and despite efforts by medics at the scene, he was pronounced dead shortly afterward.

With his passing, the number of Israeli soldiers who have fallen since the war began has reached 912.

Earlier, over Rosh Hashanah, the IDF confirmed that Major Shahar Netanel Bozaglo, 27, of Migdal Haemek, who commanded a company in the Armored Corps 77th Battalion of the 7th Brigade, was also killed in battle in northern Gaza.

According to the military, Maj. Bozaglo, serving with the 77th Battalion combat team, had been operating Monday morning alongside Golani forces in the southern part of Gaza City under the 36th Company. Terrorists launched an ambush, firing an RPG at a tank, and the officer was gravely hurt.

He was evacuated to Soroka Hospital in Be’er Sheva, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Tom Homan: This morning, a gunman was targeting an ICE facility in Dallas, Texas… it’s the third shooting that’s occurred in Texas against immigration officials… This is clearly a targeted attack against ICE.

Video for YWN by David Cohen

Video for YWN by David Cohen

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller: Democrats have been clear — they will not fund law enforcement, the military, or public safety, unless they get free health care for illegals. “We will see if there’s enough Democrat senators who are dumb enough to follow Chuck Schumer off the edge of that cliff.”