A group of bochurim visiting the US-Mexico border in Eagle Pass, Texas, experienced what appears to be an outright miracle after their tefillos for rain on behalf of a local pecan farmer was suddenly and unexpectedly answered. The boys, led by Shloime Zionce, were visiting the area near the Texas-Mexico border when they encountered a local woman who owned a pecan farm. Struck by their faith and background, she approached them, sharing her deep connection to the land and the struggles her farm had been facing due to a severe two-year drought. “We’ve been praying for rain, but nothing has worked,” she told the group. “I know the Jewish people have a special connection to God, and I wonder if you could say a prayer for us.” Moved by her plea, Shloime led a short Mi Sheberach-style tefillah in English, asking for rain to help the struggling crops. The woman then asked if the boys could sing a song from Psalms, which she said she often read herself. The boys sang “Esa Einai El Heharim.” The woman told the bochurim that the weather forecast showed no rain in sight, but she thanked them for their prayers and promised to let them know if anything changed. The group continued their trip, heading deeper into the border area before making their way back to San Antonio, where they were staying, later that day. To their surprise, the woman called them that evening, overwhelmed with emotion. “You won’t believe this,” she said, her voice trembling with tears. “It’s pouring rain here. The skies have opened up, and it’s a downpour like we haven’t seen in years. We’ve been praying for this rain for so long, and now it’s finally here.” The woman attributed the rain to the boys’ tefillos, saying, “I see now when God sends His army—His soldiers—things happen. Your prayers made a difference.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
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• Maran Posek Hador, the Gaon Harav Moshe Shternbuch, shlit”a, arrived at the siyum Hashas of the Shas Yiden kollel network. Without any advanced warning, he was asked if he would test the avreichim
• The masterful questions and in-depth and comprehensive answers and sources amazed all who were present.
• Maran’s excitement was palpable when he declared: In yesteryear, it was just a dream that Yiden would be knowledgeable of the entire Shas, and in detail. And here, today, we see so many avreichim being tested orally on the entire Shas.
A once in a generation happening! Maran Hagaon Harav Shternbuch arrived to attend a siyum Hashas of Shas Yiden, under the leadership of its founder, the Pozna Rov, Hagaon, Harav Avrohom Eisen, shlit”a.
After Maran delivered words of encouragement, the Pozna Rov turned to him with a special request: would he agree to test the Shas Yiden avreichim?
Maran pondered for a few minutes and then responded in the affirmative. The comprehensive in-depth questions that Rav Shternbuch seemed to produce off-the-cuff, one after the other, were simply astounding. They came from sugyos throughout Shas, disputes between Rashi and Tosfos, implications of different peirushim in Tosfos, jumping and connecting Chulin, Kesubos, Zevochim and Kedushim – a veritable whirlwind of Torah coming together. So he would go from the beginning of the Talmud to the end, and then from the end to the middle.The sight was amazing.
And the sight was, literally, spellbinding. The Shas Yiden avreichim geonim were truly amazing in their comprehensive and detailed responses. Questions on the laws of Me’ilah, definitions of ‘migo’, ‘shaliach lidvar aveirah’, ‘sfeik sfeika’ and other sugyos in Shas.
Maran was clearly very excited from the detailed responses. After hour of give-and-take, he again took up the microphone and expressed his delight and appreciation of the avreichim geonim. However, he departed from his prepared remarks and declared:
“In yesteryear, it was just a dream that Yiden would be knowledgeable of the entire Shas, and in detail. Here, today, we see so many avreichim being tested orally on the entire Shas.
“You clearly are causing great satisfaction before Hakadosh Baruch Hu (the Holy One, Blessed Is He), and this is a great zechus for all of the Jewish people.” And then he added “It should be known that anyone who studies and knows Shas is covered by a certain aura – the light of the Shechina. Ashreichem v’ashrei chelkechem – Praised are you all and your portion – even the malochim (angels) on High envy you all.”
To watch this dynamic farher with English subtitles, and previous farheren, or for more info on Shas Yiden, or to donate, click on www.shasyiden.com or call 718-702-1528 or Mail: 1274 49th Street #562, Brooklyn, NY 11219. London: UK Registered Charity # 1191225 – 2 Timberwharf Road, London N16 6DB, England or call 0208-066-1566
Hezbollah terrorists launched sixty-five rockets from Lebanon into Israeli territory on Wednesday afternoon, according to the Israel Defense Forces.
The Iranian terror proxy took responsibility for the barrage, claiming to have targeted Israeli military positions.
IDF aerial defenses intercepted some of the projectiles, while others fell in open areas, the military said, adding that several rockets impacted near the northernmost border town of Kiryat Shmona.
The impacts sparked fires across the Hula Valley.
Local authorities confirmed that at least one home was damaged in a direct hit, causing the house to burn.
No injuries were reported.
In response, the IDF said that it was striking Hezbollah terror targets in Southern Lebanon.
Ynet reported that most of Kiryat Shmona’s residents evacuated when the war broke out in October of last year, with at least two-thirds of the town still deserted.
When the rocket attack began, residents of the Upper Galilee were instructed to remain in shelters.
Shortly thereafter, sirens sounded in Netu’a and Shtula in northern Israel.
Overnight Tuesday, Israeli Air Force fighter jets attacked a Hezbollah rocket launcher in the area of Zabqin in Southern Lebanon that had been used to carry out launches against Israel, the IDF said on Wednesday morning.
The IAF also struck Hezbollah infrastructure in the areas of Khiam and Ayta ash Shab in Southern Lebanon.
Furthermore, IDF artillery targeted threats in the areas of Kfarchouba, Aalma El Chaeb and Kfarkela in Southern Lebanon, according to the military.
(JNS)
In an interview on “Jesse Watters Primetime” on Tuesday, Senator Josh Hawley made a stunning revelation: whistleblowers informed him that many of the agents protecting Trump during his attempted assassination in July were Homeland Security personnel with minimal protective training. According to Hawley, instead of the typical Secret Service detail, the majority of agents guarding Trump on July 13 were Homeland Security agents who had only completed a brief online training session. “A two-hour, online webinar. And I’m told that half the time, the sounds to the webinar didn’t even work,” Hawley claimed. “So think about this: The former president of the U.S. is sent out on stage, most of the people there are not trained, they’re not qualified. They only got a webinar training and even that didn’t work,” he added. Hawley described the situation as “absolutely outrageous,” adding that the Homeland Security agents were reportedly pulled from child exploitation cases and other important investigations to serve on Trump’s protective detail—something outside their normal duties. The senator also ripped the Secret Service and FBI for not providing more information about the rally and the assassination attempt by shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks. “The only reason we have this information is because of whistleblowers,” Hawley said. In a related development, Rep. Clay Higgins recently revealed that a local Butler SWAT team was responsible for the initial shots that damaged Crooks’ rifle and ended the shooting spree before the Secret Service intervened. Hawley noted that when acting Secret Service director Ronald Rowe Jr. testified before Congress about the incident on July 31, he did not mention the SWAT team’s crucial role, a point that was also highlighted by Watters during the interview. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Serbia is a Russian ally and will never impose sanctions against Moscow or join NATO, the Balkan nation’s deputy prime minister said Wednesday as he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The remarks by Aleksandar Vulin, a former intelligence chief who is under U.S. sanctions, reflect persistent close relations between Belgrade and Moscow despite Serbia’s proclaimed bid to join the European Union. “It’s a great honor for me to have the privilege to talk to you,” Vulin told Putin. “Please believe me when I say it is a great encouragement for all Serbs, wherever they may live.” Serbia has refused to join Western sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine though it has condemned Moscow’s aggression. Populist President Aleksandar Vučić has said that imposing the sanctions wasn’t in Serbia’s national interest. “Serbia is not only a strategic partner of Russia, Serbia is also Russia’s ally,” Vulin said. “This is why pressure on us by the West is huge.” Vulin’s meeting with Putin in Russia’s far-eastern city of Vladivostok came just days after French President Emmanuel Macron visited Serbia when Belgrade signed an agreement to buy French Rafale fighter jets, a move that was seen as possible a shift away from Moscow. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz earlier also visited Belgrade for the signing of a tentative EU deal with Serbia on raw materials needed in green transition. The two met in Vladivostok on the sidelines of an economic forum designed to attract foreign investment and showcase Russia to them. Greeting Vulin as the two sat down for talks, Putin expressed hope that Serbia’s deputy prime minister will be able to “take a close look and evaluate the possibilities of cooperation with such a large and promising region” as Russia’s far east. Vulin told Putin that Serbia’s close ties with Russia will continue in the future. “Serbia led by Aleksandar Vučić is a Serbia that will never become a member of NATO, which will never impose sanctions against the Russian Federation and which will never allow its territory to be used for any anti-Russian actions,” he said. “Serbia has not become and will not become part of anti-Russian hysteria,” Vulin said. The U.S. imposed sanctions on Vulin last July, accusing him of involvement in illegal arms shipments, drug trafficking and misuse of public office and aiding Russia’s influence in the volatile Balkans. Vulin has received two medals of honor from Russia. The U.S. sanctions against individuals and companies in the Balkans are designed to counter attempts to undermine peace and stability in the volatile region and Russia’s “malign” influence. The West has stepped up efforts to lure the troubled region into its fold, fearing that Russia could stir unrest to avert attention from the war in Ukraine. The Balkans went through multiple wars in the 1990s, and tensions still persist. (AP)
Rav Gershon Ribner, rosh kollel of Kollel Nesivos Hatorah and son-in-law of Rav Shneur Kotler, has succeeded in applying classical Talmudical analysis and methodology to understanding all areas of Yiddishkeit, bringing out its profundity and sense.
LISTEN:
A senior official on Tuesday confirmed a report that Turkey wants to join the BRICS bloc of developing economies but stopped short of declaring that the NATO country had formally applied for membership. The Bloomberg news agency reported Monday that Turkey had officially applied to join BRICS several months ago. Asked about the report, Omer Celik, spokesman for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party, said Erdogan has stated “several times” that Turkey aspires to become a member. “Our request on this issue is clear. This process is ongoing. But there is no concrete development regarding this,” Celik told reporters. “Our president has clearly stated that Turkey wants to take part in all important platforms, including BRICS.” The BRICS alliance was founded in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India and China, with South Africa joining in 2010, but has recently undergone a major expansion, and now includes Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia has said it’s considering joining and Azerbaijan has formally applied. BRICS has a stated aim to amplify the voice of the Global South. Its founding members have called for a fairer world order and the reform of international institutions like the United Nations, the IMF and the World Bank. Erdogan, who has been in power for more than two decades, has sought to carve a more independent foreign policy for Turkey and to enhance its global influence. The country is also frustrated by the lack of progress in its membership talks with the European Union. Last week, Erdogan said Turkey should “simultaneously” develop relations with both the East and the West. “We don’t have to choose between the European Union and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization,” Erdogan said in reference to the regional cooperation organization established by China and Russia. “On the contrary we have to develop our relations with both these and other organizations on a win-win basis.” BRICS is expected to discuss taking in new members in a meeting in Russia next month. Turkey, which straddles Europe and Asia, joined the NATO military alliance in 1952. It began talks to join the European Union in 2005 but the negotiations have stalled due to concerns over democratic regression under Erdogan’s administration, and ongoing disputes with Cyprus, an EU member, among other challenges. Earlier this year, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Turkey was “exploring new opportunities for cooperation with several partners in different platforms, such as BRICS.” On Monday, Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, also said Turkey has expressed its interest in joining BRICS. (AP)
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Unfortunately, everything changed when he suddenly collapsed at home in front of his daughters. After being rushed to the hospital and receiving the best care, Shimon remains disabled and will soon begin rehabilitation.
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• Maran Posek Hador, the Gaon Harav Moshe Shternbuch, shlit”a, arrived at the siyum Hashas of the Shas Yiden kollel network. Without any advanced warning, he was asked if he would test the avreichim• The masterful questions and in-depth and comprehensive answers and sources amazed all who were present.• Maran’s excitement was palpable when he declared: In yesteryear, it was just a dream that Yiden would be knowledgeable of the entire Shas, and in detail. And here, today, we see so many avreichim being tested orally on the entire Shas. A once in a generation happening! Maran Hagaon Harav Shternbuch arrived to attend a siyum Hashas of Shas Yiden, under the leadership of its founder, the Pozna Rov, Hagaon, Harav Avrohom Eisen, shlit”a. After Maran delivered words of encouragement, the Pozna Rov turned to him with a special request: would he agree to test the Shas Yiden avreichim? Maran pondered for a few minutes and then responded in the affirmative. The comprehensive in-depth questions that Rav Shternbuch seemed to produce off-the-cuff, one after the other, were simply astounding. They came from sugyos throughout Shas, disputes between Rashi and Tosfos, implications of different peirushim in Tosfos, jumping and connecting Chulin, Kesubos, Zevochim and Kedushim – a veritable whirlwind of Torah coming together. So he would go from the beginning of the Talmud to the end, and then from the end to the middle.The sight was amazing. And the sight was, literally, spellbinding. The Shas Yiden avreichim geonim were truly amazing in their comprehensive and detailed responses. Questions on the laws of Me’ilah, definitions of ‘migo’, ‘shaliach lidvar aveirah’, ‘sfeik sfeika’ and other sugyos in Shas. Maran was clearly very excited from the detailed responses. After hour of give-and-take, he again took up the microphone and expressed his delight and appreciation of the avreichim geonim. However, he departed from his prepared remarks and declared:“In yesteryear, it was just a dream that Yiden would be knowledgeable of the entire Shas, and in detail. Here, today, we see so many avreichim being tested orally on the entire Shas.“You clearly are causing great satisfaction before Hakadosh Baruch Hu (the Holy One, Blessed Is He), and this is a great zechus for all of the Jewish people.” And then he added “It should be known that anyone who studies and knows Shas is covered by a certain aura – the light of the Shechina. Ashreichem v’ashrei chelkechem – Praised are you all and your portion – even the malochim (angels) on High envy you all.” To watch this dynamic farher with English subtitles, and previous farheren, or for more info on Shas Yiden, or to donate, click on www.shasyiden.com or call 718-702-1528 or Mail: 1274 49th Street #562, Brooklyn, NY 11219. London: UK Registered Charity # 1191225 – 2 Timberwharf Road, London N16 6DB, England or call 0208-066-1566
Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu hit back at National Unity Party chair Benny Gantz on Tuesday night after the former War Cabinet member, who returned to the opposition in June, accused him of putting political interests above the lives of the hostages held by Hamas.
“Whoever does not contribute to the victory and the return of the hostages would do well not to interfere,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement, responding to Gantz and party colleague Gadi Eizenkot.
“The reality speaks for itself,” the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office stated.
Since Gantz quit the coalition, “Israel eliminated Hamas’s chief of staff and Hezbollah’s chief of staff, attacked the Houthis, captured the Philadelphi Corridor—Hamas’s weapons pipeline—and carried out a pre-emptive strike against Hezbollah, which thwarted its malicious plan and destroyed thousands of rockets aimed at the Galilee,” the PMO said.
Speaking earlier on Tuesday night at an address broadcast from the Kfar Maccabiah Hotel in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv, Gantz and Eizenkot claimed that Netanyahu wasn’t telling the truth in public statements on Monday when he vowed to bring the remaining 101 hostages back alive.
“When we sat in the War Cabinet, Netanyahu continually delayed the ability to move forward with the hostage deals, including the first proposal,” charged Gantz. “It didn’t surprise me because Netanyahu is dealing with political survival and is harming strategic relations with the U.S. while Iran is advancing towards nuclear weapons.”
National Unity Party leader Benny Gantz and party colleague Gadi Eizenkot hold a press conference in Ramat Gan, Israel, on Sept. 3, 2024. Photo by Miriam Alster/Flash90.
Israelis believe Netanyahu is more capable of managing Jerusalem’s diplomatic relations with the United States than Gantz by a margin of 46% to 34%, according to a JNS/Direct Polls survey carried out on July 9.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has confirmed that Netanyahu accepted Biden’s May 31 ceasefire-for-hostages outline, as well as last month’s so-called “bridging proposal” presented by the United States.
“In a very constructive meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu today, he confirmed to me that Israel accepts the bridging proposal, that he supports it,” the diplomat told reporters after meetings in Jerusalem on Aug. 19, adding that “it’s now incumbent on Hamas to do the same.”
Hamas formally rejected the bridging proposal on Aug. 18, accusing the government in Jerusalem of “setting new conditions and demands with the aim of thwarting the mediators’ efforts and prolonging the war.”
Gantz announced in early June his party’s departure from the government set up in the aftermath of Hamas’s Oct. 7 massacre and the ensuing Gaza war. The National Unity Party leader and his No. 2 man, Eizenkot, had served as ministers without portfolio in the War Cabinet.
Before leaving the unity government, Gantz’s party submitted a bill to dissolve the Knesset in a move to topple Netanyahu’s government.
Gantz also declared that Israel should agree to withdraw from the Gaza Strip as part of a long-term truce deal with Hamas. “I want the hostages to return home,” he told Israel’s Channel 12 News. “If there is a change in the fighting and our hostages are returned, and we do what needs to be done in the Gaza Strip in a year, or in two years, that’s not an issue.” JNS
{Matzav.com Israel}
Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, one of Ukraine’s most recognizable faces on the international stage, submitted his resignation Wednesday ahead of an expected major government reshuffle. Russian strikes, meanwhile, killed seven people in a western Ukraine city, a day after one of the deadliest missile attacks since the war began. Kuleba, 43, didn’t give a reason for stepping down. His resignation will be discussed by lawmakers at their next session, parliamentary Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk said on his Facebook page. Four other Cabinet ministers tendered their resignations late Tuesday, making the Cabinet reshuffle likely the biggest since Russia’s February 2022 invasion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated last week that a reshuffle was imminent, with the war poised to enter a critical stage and as its 1,000-day mark looms in November. Zelensky needs to keep up Ukraine’s morale amid the grinding war of attrition with its bigger neighbor and steel the country’s resolve for what will be another hard winter. Russia has been smashing Ukraine’s power grid, knocking out some 70% of generation capacity and rupturing heat and water supplies. And Wednesday’s deadly attack on Lviv — a city near the border with NATO member Poland and far from the front lines — underscored how all of Ukraine is at the mercy of Moscow’s long-range capabilities. The Ukrainian army’s risky incursion almost a month ago into Russia’s Kursk border region raised Ukrainian sprits and countered months of grim news from the front line in eastern Ukraine. The incursion’s ultimate goals are unclear, though Zelenskyy says Ukraine wants to create a buffer zone there that would prevent cross-border Russian attacks. Russian President Vladimir Putin remains bent on pushing his army deeper into eastern Ukraine, meanwhile. Russia’s onslaught in Donetsk, where Ukraine is short of troops and air defenses, and long-range missile strikes that repeatedly hit civilian areas of Ukraine signal that Putin will remain uncompromising and unrelenting in his efforts to crush Ukrainian resistance. The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington think tank, said late Tuesday that Putin believes Russia “can slowly and indefinitely subsume Ukraine through grinding advances and that Russia can achieve its goals through a war of attrition against Ukrainian forces and by outlasting Western support” for Kyiv. Zelensky is also keeping in mind the U.S. presidential election in November, which could bring a shift in key U.S. military support for his country. During the war Kuleba has been second only to Zelenskyy in carrying Ukraine’s message and needs to an international audience, whether through social media posts or meetings with foreign dignitaries. In July, Kuleba became the highest-ranking Ukrainian official to visit China since Russia’s invasion. He has been foreign minister since March 2020. Kuleba’s successor is not yet known but is expected to be announced on Thursday. Several Ukrainian media outlets, citing unnamed sources, said Kuleba’s deputy, Andrii Sybiha, would become the country’s chief diplomat. The new foreign minister will likely accompany Zelenskyy to the U.N. General Assembly in New York next week, which is an opportunity to lobby global leaders for their support. More than half the current Cabinet will undergo changes, said Davyd Arakhamiia, a leader of Zelenskyy’s party in the Ukrainian parliament. Ministers will be resigning on Wednesday and new appointments will be made Thursday, he said. Zelenskyy’s five-year mandate expired in May. He […]
Most polls in critical swing states show Vice President Kamala Harris leading in the areas that will be key to determining the election outcome. However, two polling organizations in southern states are challenging this trend, showing former President Donald Trump with a significant lead, the NY Post reports.
Polling conducted by InsiderAdvantage and Trafalgar across seven key states indicates that Trump could be on course to secure 296 electoral votes, implying that Harris may have lost the momentum she once had.
Matt Towery from InsiderAdvantage, based in Georgia, reported that Trump is leading in Arizona, Nevada, and North Carolina, and is trailing by just 0.4% in Georgia.
Towery highlighted that both he and Robert Cahaly of Trafalgar (who covered Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan) ranked among the top three pollsters in the 2016 and 2020 elections due to their methods, which allow them to capture some of the Trump support that other pollsters might miss.
It’s important to note that all of Trump’s leads are narrow and within the margin of error, meaning these states could still swing either way on Election Day.
Towery believes Harris’s campaign is losing steam now that the initial excitement has faded.
“The momentum that we were seeing after the Democratic National Convention has sort of come to an end,” Towery stated.
He also observed that the surge in Democratic enthusiasm following Harris’s replacement of Biden has slowed and is now nearly equal with Republican enthusiasm.
Towery thinks that the outcome of this “turnout election” will be significantly influenced by the upcoming “make or break” presidential debate.
If Trump can present himself in a “realistic” manner, “this could become a real turning point like the Carter-Reagan debate that basically sealed the deal” in 1980, Towery predicted.
Robert Cahaly from South Carolina also agreed on the debate’s significance.
He mentioned that Trump might say something that could “overshadow” the rest of the debate, but he added that Harris has “the most to lose” and is in a “no-win situation.”
Cahaly sees a trend of “conservative Democrats” switching to Trump in greater numbers than those crossing over to support Harris. He also pointed out that Harris’s reluctance to engage in interviews has left the media feeling “ignored” and “angry.”
Despite the positive polling for Trump, Cahaly warned that the “Democratic machine” could potentially narrow the margin by “a point or 2.” Therefore, a small lead in September might not necessarily hold until the final vote.
{Matzav.com}
Vice President Kamala Harris plans to propose on Wednesday a tenfold increase in federal tax incentives for small business startup expenses, from $5,000 to $50,000, hoping to help spur a record 25 million new small business applications over her four-year term should she win the presidency in November. She’s set to unveil the plan during a campaign stop in the Portsmouth area of New Hampshire — marking a rare deviation from the Midwestern and Sunbelt battlegrounds the Democrat has focused on in her race against former Republican President Donald Trump. A Harris campaign official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a policy plan that hadn’t been released publicly, said Tuesday the change would cover the $40,000 it costs on average to start a business. The proposal would let new businesses wait to claim that deduction until they first turn a profit, to better maximize its impact lowering their taxes. Such changes would likely require congressional approval. But a series of tax cuts approved during the Trump administration are set to expire at the end of next year, setting up a scenario where lawmakers may be ready to consider new tax policies. The proposal can help Harris show her support for entrepreneurs even as she’s called for higher corporate tax rates. Since President Joe Biden dropped his reelection bid and endorsed Harris in July, the vice president has focused on campaigning in the “ blue wall ” states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania that have been the centerpiece of Democratic campaigns that have won the White House in recent decades. She’s also frequently visited Arizona, Nevada and Georgia, all of which Biden narrowly won in 2020, and North Carolina, which last voted Democratic in a presidential race in 2008 but which she’s still hoping to flip from Trump. Biden won New Hampshire by 7 percentage points in 2020, though Trump came far closer to winning it against Hillary Clinton in 2016. “The cost of living in New Hampshire is through the roof, their energy bills are some of highest in the country, and their housing market is the most unaffordable in history,” Trump posted last week on his social media platform. Harris’ team says securing 25 million new business applications in four years if she wins the White House would exceed the roughly 19 million such applications filed since Biden took office. And those were millions more than the previous four years under Trump. The vice president’s goal would be a record for new small business applications — but records only go back about 20 years. Applications to start a business don’t always translate to small businesses actually being formed. Still, Harris’ plan could keep new small businesses that do come to fruition from otherwise incurring more debt which, at a time of high interest rates, might help them better succeed. In the weeks since Harris took over the top of the Democratic ticket, she has offered relatively few major policy proposals — attempting to strike a political balance between injecting new energy into the race and continuing to support many of the Biden administration proposals she helped champion as vice president. Harris’ small business plan follows her announcing last month proposed steps to fight inflation by working to lower grocery prices, and to use tax cuts and […]
Erez Calderon, a 12-year-old former Hamas hostage, made an emotional appeal on Monday for the release of his father, who remains in Hamas captivity. Erez, who was abducted with his father and sister during the October 7 attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz, posted the video on Instagram, hoping his father, Ofer Calderon, might somehow see it. Speaking directly to the camera, Erez admitted that it was difficult to share his message but insisted, “If it reaches my father, it is worth it.” His plea comes just two months before his bar mitzvah, a milestone he finds impossible to celebrate while his father is still held captive. “I have a clear goal in life — that he return,” Erez said. Ofer Calderon was taken hostage alongside his children during the brutal Hamas attack on their kibbutz. Erez’s grandmother and cousin were also killed in the assault. Erez and his sister, Sahar, were released on November 27 as part of a temporary ceasefire brokered by Qatar and the United States, but their father remains in Gaza. In the video, Erez recalled the terrifying moments of his abduction, describing how the family initially sought shelter in their home’s bomb shelter before being captured while trying to escape. He vividly recounted the last time he saw his father, who was on his knees and bleeding as terrorists beat him. “Imagine how I felt when I was separated from my father when he was all covered in blood from the blows the terrorists gave him. It’s a moment that never leaves me,” Erez said. “Yesterday I heard that terrorists murdered six hostages. I can’t stop thinking I don’t want my dad to be next,” Erez says in the video. He shared that during his captivity, he could hear his mother’s voice on the radio as she pleaded for the release of hostages. He hopes that, just as he heard his mother, his father might see his video and find strength in knowing his son is safe. Ninety-seven of the 251 hostages taken by Hamas on October 7 remain in Gaza, with at least 33 confirmed dead by the IDF. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
In an operation over the past week, IDF Forces from the 162nd Division have eliminated more than 200 Hamas terrorists in the Tel al-Sultan area of Rafah. The 401st Brigade, known for its precision and intelligence-based tactics, carried out these missions, uncovering extensive weaponry hidden in civilian structures, revealing the brutal tactics of Hamas. During one particularly intense confrontation, Hamas terrorists attacked IDF troops from inside a civilian building. The IDF soldiers swiftly responded, conducting a targeted raid on the structure, neutralizing the attacker. Upon further investigation, the troops discovered a large stockpile of weapons in the building’s basement, exposing the terrorists’ use of civilian areas to launch their brutal attacks. The cache included ten long-range rocket launchers, ready to be used in future strikes against Israeli civilians. Hamas terrorists, embedded among civilians, continue to display their disregard for human life, using these locations to plan and execute violent assaults. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Video released by Hamas showing hostage Ori Danino calling on Israel to make a deal and free him and the other hostages (Hamas Telegram)
Hamas released a video on Tuesday night showing Ori Danino, one of six hostages whose remains were recovered from Gaza earlier this week.
Just the day before, another video was released by Hamas, this time featuring hostage Eden Yerushalmi, whose body was also recovered this week from Gaza.
On Monday, Ori’s mother, Einav Danino, gave an interview to Reshet Bet radio, where she spoke about her son’s exceptional qualities and how she is coping with the loss. “Ori served in a crucial role in the army, details of which we couldn’t disclose,” she explained. “After three months of his captivity, we began receiving sporadic signs of life, almost monthly. We knew our army was doing everything possible for him. He was an extraordinary person, and we truly believed his story would have a different ending. He was a real fighter.”
With emotion evident in her voice, Einav urged the public to be mindful of their actions online. “Despite the unbearable rumors circulating on Telegram and Instagram, even before we had official confirmation, I ask people to think before they share information or send messages. There are families out there who may not be fully informed and could encounter distressing news through social media. It’s a heartbreaking and unimaginable situation that needs to end.”
Reflecting on the moment they received the devastating news, she recounted, “We were informed early in the morning, around 4 a.m. We couldn’t fathom that this was real. Ori served in a highly important military role and was deeply passionate about the army. We were vigilant in keeping hope alive, and the signs of life we received gave us great optimism that he would come back to us.”
Einav also spoke about Ori’s actions on October 7. “That night, Ori crossed paths with Maya and Itay Regev at the party. Realizing they were in danger, he turned back to rescue them, despite a friend’s plea not to go. Ori didn’t hesitate; he acted with incredible bravery. Tragically, terrorists shot at his car, leading to his capture. Throughout this ordeal, we clung to hope that we would see him again, but sadly, it was not to be.”
{Matzav.com Israel}
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to hold a press briefing in English tonight at 7:00 p.m. in Jerusalem, targeting international media. A source from his office indicates that he will discuss ongoing hostage negotiations and outline his rationale for maintaining an Israeli military presence in the Philadelphi Corridor.
Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris — and the first Jewish person married to a nationally elected U.S. leader — said he is “gutted” after the killing of American Hersh Goldberg-Polin and five other Israeli hostages taken by Hamas. Speaking Tuesday at a vigil for the hostages at his synagogue in Washington, Emhoff said, “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Hersh and his parents, or about the five others and their families.” He added: “This is hard. I feel raw. I’m gutted.” Emhoff, who stands to become the nation’s “first gentleman” if Harris is elected president in November, has emerged as a prominent administration liaison to the Jewish community and a voice in countering antisemitism, particularly in the wake of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel. About 1,200 people, including at least 40 Americans, were killed in the assault, and about 250 more were taken hostage. “How you feel right now is how I feel,” Emhoff said at the event at the Adas Israel Congregation organized by local and national Jewish groups. “And how we all feel is something Kamala hears directly from me.” He added: “Hersh’s loss feels personal to the two of us. We’re both grieving.” Emhoff recounted his and Harris’ conversation with Goldberg-Polin’s parents on Sunday, a day after Israeli forces discovered their bodies in a tunnel under Gaza. He said that even while mourning the loss of their son, Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jonathan Polin were pressing Harris about the latest on the negotiations to reach a cease-fire deal that would free other hostages. “Part of Rachel and Jon’s world had just ended, and they somehow are still looking forward and looking out for others,” Emhoff said. He continued: “Jon and Rachel’s hearts have room to hold everyone. They are not giving up, and neither can we. Not on this 333rd day. Not ever. Not until every hostage is reunited with their family.” Emhoff added that Harris and President Joe Biden are working “around the clock to get a hostage and cease-fire deal done.” He said, “The time to bring them home is now.” Goldberg-Polin and Polin spoke at last month’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago as part of their family’s global tour to raise awareness about the hostages and their plight. Emhoff said they understood “that unless we tell the story again and again, we have no hope of ‘never again,'” and said the Jewish community must continue to tell the stories of the hostages. (AP)
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