Three kedoshei elyon had one common concept when it came to learning Torah – they were the Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh (Rabbi Chaim ibn Attar 1696-1743) when he came to Eretz Yisroel; the Ramchal (Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto 1707-1746) when he lived in Padua, Italy; and Hagaon, Harav Chaim Volozhiner, (1749-1821) the famous talmid of the Gaon of Vilna. They each had a yeshiva with ‘around-the-clock’ Torah learning, 24-hours a day, so that there would be no minute when the sound of Torah learning would not be heard in this world. The 24-hour period would be divided into shifts, and as one ended the next would begin. Torah-24 A “Torah-24” Center has been opened in Yerushalayim and the Nasi is Maran Sar Hatorah, Harav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l. Under ONE ROOF, from 6:00 am – 6:00 am, 10 kollelim fill successive learning shifts. Each kollel focuses on a specific area of in-depth Torah study. The “Torah-24” Kollelim include: Boker (Gemora), Yerushalmi, Bavli, Zeraim-Taharot, Dalet Chelkei Shulchan Aruch, Erev (Gemora), Chatzos- Zohar/Kabbolah, Erev Shabbos (Chumash / Medrash b’iyun). Already there are 52 avreichim metzuyonim, and a large number of candidates are vying for the remaining slots in the kollelim. All the avreichim are required to take rigorous monthly tests. Endorsements & Letters Endorsements include Maranan Hagaonim shlit”a: Harav Gershon Edelstein, Harav Berel Povarsky, Harav Shimon Badani, Harav Dovid Cohen, Harav Boruch Mordechai Ezrachi, Harav Chaim Feinstein, Harav Shimon Galai, Harav Shraga Shteinman. Letters of support-encouragement have been received from Maranan Hagaonim, shlit”a: Hamekubal Harav David Bazri, Hamashpia Hagadol Reb Elimelech Biderman, Hamekubal Harav Yaakov Meir Schechter, Harav Moishe Sternbuch, Harav Yitzchak Tuvia Weiss. For more “Torah-24” information click on: www.torah-24.com or call 718-766-5022
Mayor Eric Adams announced Wednesday that Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch will be the next Commissioner of the NYPD, effective Monday. Tisch will become the second female to serve in the role in the department’s 179-year history. The first, Keechant Sewell, was also appointed by Adams. Tisch is a 12-year veteran of the NYPD and the current commissioner of the New York City Department of Sanitation. She was previously the NYPD’s technology czar. “The people of this city have been clear that they agree with what our administration has been fighting for since day one in office: a safer city where they don’t need to worry about walking down the street or taking the subway at night,” Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement. “To ensure New Yorkers have the ability to thrive in our city, we need a strong, battle-tested leader who will continue to drive down crime and ensure New Yorkers are safe and feel safe, and I cannot think of a leader more up to the task than Commissioner Jessica Tisch. “As one of the most successful managers in our administration, I am confident that Commissioner Tisch will effectively lead the greatest police department in the world and continue to deliver the safety and peace of mind New Yorkers deserve,” Adams added. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
The gag order on the details of the investigation into the suspects who fired flare bombs at the house of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in Caesarea was lifted on Wednesday, revealing that the incident was a thoroughly planned “military” operation. The details, published by Channel 12 News, reveal that the suspects, Rear Adm. Ofer Doron (res.), Amir Sadeh, and Itai Yafeh, longtime anti-Netanyahu rioters, whose names were released for publication on Tuesday evening, planned the incident for about three weeks. They operated like members of a military cell, carrying out surveillance around Netanyahu’s residence and monitoring the locations of security cameras in the area to plan a route that wouldn’t expose them to the cameras. They gathered extensive intelligence and made meticulous and detailed logistical preparations for firing the flares. Doron procured the pyrotechnic equipment and distributed it to the others. On that Motzei Shabbos, the suspects, led by Doron, drove to Caesarea, parked their vehicles on a side street, and began walking toward the target, moving in crouched positions to avoid exposure. When they reached about 200 meters from Netanyahu’s house, Doron instructed the other suspects to position themselves and even guided them on how to launch the flares “at a 60-degree angle.” Two suspects launched the flares while Doron and another man videoed them on their phones. The launch was successful, and the flares landed in the area of Netanyahu’s house, one of them in the yard of the house. They left the scene immediately afterward, and at one point, they decided to split up after noticing a police car in the area, which was patrolling there without any connection to the incident. According to a Lahav 433 senior official, the investigation began that night: “The Shin Bet provided technological tools that allowed us to track the suspects,” he said, adding that the launch of the flares, which are designed to be used as maritime distress flares was extremely dangerous. “A flare launched at sea in the open sea is a limited tool but in this context, it was a clear and immediate danger.” “This is an incident we expect the State Attorney’s office to handle with a detention process until the end of the proceedings. It was planned as a meticulous military operation. This is the most extreme case against a symbol of government since the assassination of Rabin. If the incident is not treated with the utmost severity, it could send a dangerous message to the public.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
The 4-year-old document has a bland, bureaucratic title — “Basic Principles of State Policy on Nuclear Deterrence” — but its contents are chilling, especially with its newest revisions. Better known as Russia’s nuclear doctrine, the revamped version that was signed Tuesday by President Vladimir Putin spells out the circumstances that allow him to use Moscow’s atomic arsenal, the world’s largest. This new version lowers the bar, giving him that option in response to even a conventional attack backed by a nuclear power. That possibly could include the use of U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles by Ukraine to hit Russian territory — which Moscow says happened Tuesday when six missiles hit the Bryansk region. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that such strikes could potentially be a trigger for a nuclear response under the revised document. What is Russia’s nuclear doctrine? Its first iteration was signed by Putin in 2020, and he approved the latest version Tuesday, according to the Kremlin. It outlines when Russia could dip into its atomic arsenal. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Putin and other Kremlin voices have frequently threatened the West with its nuclear arsenal. But that hasn’t deterred Kyiv’s allies from giving it billions of dollars of advanced weapons, some of which have hit Russian soil. The revamped document describes nuclear weapons as “a means of deterrence,” noting their use is an “extreme and compelled measure.” It declares that Russia “takes all necessary efforts to reduce the nuclear threat and prevent aggravation of interstate relations that could trigger military conflicts, including nuclear ones.” Such nuclear deterrence is aimed at safeguarding the “sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state,” deterring a potential aggressor, or, “in case of a military conflict, preventing an escalation of hostilities and stopping them on conditions acceptable for the Russian Federation,” the document says. “Nuclear deterrence is aimed to ensure that any potential adversary realizes the inevitability of retribution in case of an aggression against Russia and its allies,” it says. While formulated broadly to avoid a firm commitment of nuclear use and keep the West guessing at Moscow’s response, the modernized version spells out conditions under which Putin could use a nuclear option in response to a conventional strike. Changes in the doctrine have been in the works for months, and it’s no coincidence that Tuesday’s announcement of a new version follows by two days Washington’s decision to allow Ukraine to use such longer-range missiles to hit targets in Russia. For months, U.S. President Joe Biden has been weighing the risks of such an escalation. What triggers a Russian nuclear response? The doctrine says Moscow could use nuclear weapons “in response to the use of nuclear and other types of weapons of mass destruction” against Russia or its allies, as well as “in the event of aggression” against Russia and Belarus with conventional weapons that threaten “their sovereignty and/or territorial integrity.” Any aggression against Russia by a nonnuclear power with the “participation or support of a nuclear power” will be seen as their “joint attack” on Russia, the document says. It adds that nuclear weapons could be used in these scenarios: — If reliable information is received about the launch of ballistic missiles targeting the territory of Russia or its allies. — If nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction strike the territory of Russia or its allies, or […]
The U.S. government recognized Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo González as the “president-elect” of the South American country on Tuesday, months after President Nicolás Maduro claimed to have won the July election. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recognized González in a post on X in which he also demanded “respect for the will” of Venezuelan voters. The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden previously said González earned the most votes in the disputed July 28 election but it had fallen short of acknowledging him as president-elect. Venezuela’s National Electoral Council, which is stacked with Maduro loyalists, declared Maduro the election winner hours after polls closed. Unlike previous presidential elections, electoral authorities did not provide detailed vote counts. But the opposition coalition collected tally sheets from 80% of the nation’s electronic voting machines and posted them online. González and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said the voting records showed the former diplomat won the election with twice as many votes as Maduro. “We deeply appreciate the recognition of the sovereign will of all Venezuelans,” González said in a post on X shortly after Blinken’s statement Tuesday. “This gesture honors the desire for change of our people and the civic feat that we carried out together on July 28.” González left Venezuela in September for exile in Spain after a warrant was issued for his arrest in connection with an investigation into the publishing of the vote tally sheets. Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Yván Gil responded to Blinken’s comment with personal attacks. “In the last days of his government, he should dedicate himself to reflecting on his failures, getting rid of imperial and colonial complexes and going to write the memoirs of how the Bolivarian Revolution made him bite the dust of defeat, just like his predecessors,” Gil said of Blinken in a statement, which did not mention election results. Maduro and electoral authorities have rejected repeated calls from the U.S., the European Union, Colombia, Brazil and other nations to show the detailed vote records that back up the president’s reelection. Swift condemnation of the lack of post-election transparency prompted Maduro to ask Venezuela’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice, whose members are aligned with the ruling party, to audit the results. The high court reaffirmed his victory. Experts from the United Nations and the U.S.-based Carter Center, which observed the election at the invitation of Maduro’s government, determined the results announced by electoral authorities lacked credibility. The U.N. experts stopped short of validating the opposition’s claim to victory but said the faction’s voting records published online appear to exhibit all of the original security features. Earlier in the week, Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro, who has friendly relations with Maduro, reversed his support for the July elections, calling the vote a “mistake.” Petro spoke in an interview with Brazilian news outlet Globo News, which released excerpts online that Petro’s office shared Tuesday on social media. Petro told the news outlet Monday while visiting Brazil for the G20 summit that he initially was in favor of Venezuela holding the elections, but that he later decided that the vote was not “free.” “I think the elections were a mistake,” Petro said. His office did not immediately respond to a request for him to elaborate on the reasons for his change of heart. Petro, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio […]
The United States vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, citing concerns over the absence of provisions for the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. The 15-member council voted on a draft resolution that sought an “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire” while separately demanding the release of hostages. However, the US opposed the measure, insisting that a ceasefire resolution must explicitly tie hostilities to the immediate release of all captives. A senior US official, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity, accused some council members of rejecting efforts to find a compromise. “As we stated many times before, we just can’t support an unconditional ceasefire that does not call for the immediate release of hostages,” the official said. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
President-elect Donald Trump is interviewing candidates for the role of FBI director, incoming Vice President JD Vance said Tuesday in the clearest indication yet that the new administration is looking to replace current director Christopher Wray. In a social media post that was later deleted, Vance defended himself from criticism over his absence from a Senate vote at which a judicial nominee of President Joe Biden was confirmed by saying that at the time of the vote, “I was meeting with President Trump to interview multiple positions for our government, including for FBI Director.” “I tend to think it’s more important to get an FBI director who will dismantle the deep state than it is for Republicans to lose a vote 49-46 rather than 49-45,” he added on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “But that’s just me.” Vance was referring to the Senate vote Monday to confirm Embry J. Kidd, a Biden nominee to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, a vote that he and several other Republican senators missed. An FBI spokesperson declined to comment. “President-Elect Trump is making decisions on who will serve in his second Administration,” said Karoline Leavitt, a spokeswoman for the Trump-Vance transition team. “Those decisions will continue to be announced by him when they are made.” The FBI director’s position carries a 10-year term but Wray’s replacement would not be unexpected given Trump’s long-running criticism of the director he appointed when he was president seven years ago. This past summer, for instance, Trump took to social media to call for Wray to resign after Wray appeared to vouch for Biden’s mental acuity. Some allies of Trump, including conservative strategist Steve Bannon, have been pushing Trump loyalist Kash Patel for the position but other potential contenders for the job are thought to include Mike Rogers, a former FBI agent and House intelligence committee chairman who recently lost his bid for the U.S. Senate as a Michigan Republican. (AP)
In the spirit of facilitating generosity and streamlining community fundraising, The Chesed Fund is thrilled to announce the launch of its latest version of the Pushka Kiosk—a widely in-demand tool designed to simplify in-person donations. Crafted from high-quality acrylic, the new Pushka Kiosk serves as a secure, durable home for The Chesed Fund Pushka device, enhancing its functionality and accessibility for donors everywhere. Two Kiosk Models to Meet Diverse Fundraising Needs Recognizing that fundraising settings vary widely, The Chesed Fund now offers two unique versions of the Pushka Kiosk, both tailored to meet specific needs: GET STARTED HERE TODAY! Anti-Theft Version: This model is designed for those who need extra security. The anti-theft version can be mounted to a wall, ensuring the Pushka device stays in place and preventing the credit card reader from being removed. This added layer of security is ideal for locations where the kiosk remains unattended for extended periods, offering peace of mind for organizers while encouraging consistent donations. GET STARTED HERE TODAY! Removable Reader Version: Perfect for those who need portability, the removable reader version offers flexibility and mobility for events like Minyanim, fundraisers, or community gatherings. The credit card reader can be easily detached from the kiosk, allowing organizers to move it wherever donations are being collected. After the event, the device can be securely mounted back in place until it’s needed again. GET STARTED HERE TODAY! Customizable Design for Brand Alignment As an added benefit, the Pushka Kiosk’s acrylic construction can be customized to align with your organization’s branding, event theme, or messaging. Whether it’s custom colors, logos, or unique design elements, The Chesed Fund team can personalize each kiosk, enhancing its presence and encouraging engagement from the community. GET STARTED HERE TODAY! An Essential Tool for Effortless Fundraising The new Pushka Kiosk from The Chesed Fund is more than just a donation station—it’s a vital resource for community-driven organizations. By offering secure, versatile options for in-person donations, this tool empowers fundraisers to connect with their supporters conveniently and effectively. The Pushka Kiosk embodies The Chesed Fund’s commitment to supporting charitable organizations in maximizing their fundraising potential. Upgrade your fundraising toolkit today with The Chesed Fund Pushka Kiosk and make in-person donations easier than ever! PricingPushka Kiosk: The Pushka Kiosk is available through a one-time payment of $495 Processing fees are 3.9% + $0.30 per transaction Have questions? Call us at (732) 517- 3679 or use our live chat
In what could generously be described as a trainwreck, a debate on Piers Morgan Uncensored between progressive commentator Cenk Uygur and historian Allan Lichtman turned into a spectacle of juvenile insults and theatrical outrage on Tuesday. Lichtman, a self-proclaimed authority on election predictions, accused Uygur of committing “blasphemy” against him—because, apparently, that’s a thing now. The chaos kicked off when Uygur criticized Lichtman’s failed prediction for the 2024 election, which Lichtman naturally blamed on voters being duped by “disinformation” from Fox News and Elon Musk. Uygur wasted no time pouncing on the excuse: “Don’t blame the voters. Look, I told you before, your theories about ‘The Keys’ were absurd. I was right, you were wrong. I said you’d lose your keys.” That was all it took to send Lichtman into a tailspin. “No, you were not right, and I was not wrong,” snapped the historian, indignantly. “That’s a cheap shot, and I won’t stand for it!” What followed was an embarrassing verbal brawl that veered between high school drama and an ego contest. “You live in a total world of denial!” Uygur shouted while making a hand gesture to suggest Lichtman had lost his mind. “I read your own followers’ comments, and they all trashed you!” retorted Lichtman, seemingly unaware of how weak a flex that was. The zingers kept flying. Lichtman decided to lean on his academic credentials, proclaiming, “I’ve only been a professor for 51 years, published 13 books. How many books have you published?” “You got it wrong! You were preposterously, stupidly wrong,” Uygur shot back, clearly unimpressed. “Don’t call me stupid!” Lichtman yelled, clutching what remained of his dignity. “I admitted I was wrong. I don’t need you to call me stupid.” As the debate spiraled even further into absurdity, Uygur delivered the pièce de résistance: “Hey Allan, shhh! Hey Allan, you deserve a tall glass of shut-up juice, so can you just shut up for a second and let someone who knows what they’re doing talk?” What was meant to be a substantive debate on election integrity devolved into a spectacle of thinly veiled arrogance and unhinged bickering, leaving viewers wondering if this was an actual discussion or an elaborate audition for a reality show no one asked for. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has confirmed that Turkey barred Israeli President Isaac Herzog from using its airspace earlier this week, forcing him to cancel a planned visit to the United Nations COP29 climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan. Herzog’s office announced that the cancellation was due to “security considerations.” However, during a press conference at the G20 Leaders Summit in Brazil, Erdogan said that the decision was actually tied to Turkey’s opposition to Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza. “With regard to the Israeli president going to Azerbaijan for the COP summit, we did not allow him to use our airspace,” Erdogan said, according to Turkish media. “There are other areas, there are other opportunities, we told him to travel from there… but I do not know whether he was able to go or not.” The decision marks another escalation in tensions between Turkey and Israel. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
A congressional panel has recommended that the U.S. toughen its trade relationship with Beijing, pushing to roll back a nearly 25-year-old decision that helped bring about China’s rapid economic growth but that many in Washington now see as hurting U.S. interests. In its annual report to Congress released Tuesday, the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission called for the first time for ending permanent normal trade relations with Beijing. It echoes moves by prominent Republican lawmakers — including Sen. Marco Rubio, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of state — as the trade war with China is expected to intensify under the incoming administration. The change would mean the U.S. reintroducing annual reviews of China’s trade practices and gaining more leverage to address “unfair trade behaviors,” the commission said in the report. “This move would signal a shift toward a more assertive trade policy aimed at protecting U.S. industries and workers from economic coercion,” the report said. It is among nine pages of recommendations put forward by the commission, created in 2000 to monitor the national security implications of the new trade relationship between Washington and Beijing. The congressional decision in the last year of the Clinton administration facilitated China’s entry into the World Trade Organization in 2001, with the hope that integration into the U.S.-led global economy and economic prosperity could lead to political liberalization in China. That has not happened, and the trade relationship took a turn in 2018, when Trump launched a trade war with China to tackle trade imbalances. This year, on the campaign trail, Trump vowed to levy 60% tariffs on Chinese products to further narrow the trade deficit, a threat that experts say could set back China’s economy and drive up consumer costs in the United States. The trade imbalance stood at $279 billion for 2023, down from $418 billion in 2018. In September, a group of Republican senators, including Rubio, introduced a bill to end permanent normal trade relations with China. The designation significantly lowers trade barriers. “Giving Communist China the same trade benefits that we give to our greatest allies was one of the most catastrophic decisions that our country has ever made,” Rubio said when introducing the bill. Trump picked Rubio — known for his ideological opposition to communism and his hard-line stance on China — to lead the State Department. The choice needs to be confirmed by the Senate. “Our country’s trade deficit with China more than quadrupled, and we exported millions of American jobs. Ending normal trade relations with China is a no-brainer,” Rubio said. Last week, Rep. John Moolenaar, a Michigan Republican who leads the House’s Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, introduced a corresponding bill. (AP)
The Rishon Lezion Magistrate’s Court has authorized the publication of the names of three individuals arrested for firing flares near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s private residence in Caesarea last weekend One of the suspects is Rear Adm. (res.) Ofer Doron, a former senior Navy officer who made headlines last year for refusing to participate in volunteer reservist duty as a protest against the government’s planned judicial overhaul. His refusal led to his suspension from the reserves. The other two suspects have been identified as Amir Sadeh and Itai Yafeh, both veteran anti-government protesters. According to reports from Channel 12 news, the suspects claimed during police questioning that the incident was not an intentional attack on Netanyahu’s home. They claimed that they had tested the flares to ensure they would not head toward the residence but that wind conditions redirected their trajectory. No injuries or damage were reported from the incident, and the prime minister and his family were not at home at the time. The three suspects remain in detention as investigations continue. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Israel is proposing that the US lift some sanctions from Syrian President Bashar Assad in exchange for his cooperation with Russia in halting the transfer of arms across the Syrian border to Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Lebanese daily Al Joumhouria, reported on Tuesday. According to Al Joumhouria, which is affiliated with the opposition movement against Hezbollah, potential sanctions relief is also aimed at securing Russia’s involvement in stopping the flow of arms across the border, with a goal of Moscow cooperating with Assad to close the “Iranian highway” connecting Iran via Iraq and Syria to the Hezbollah stronghold neighborhood of Dahieh in Beirut. Earlier this month, Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer paid a secret visit to Moscow to advance the negotiations. Israeli security officials are aware that Russia has influence with Hezbollah, Syria, and Iran—and Moscow wants a ceasefire. In Moscow, Dermer promised that he would ask the US to freeze sanctions on Assad, as well as Syrian and Russian companies. This idea was first raised during President-elect Donald Trump’s first term and a similar multi-stage plan that was supported by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was launched. However, the plan was stalled after the change of governments in both Israel and the US, with the Biden administration adamantly opposed to any move to legitimize Assad. When Naftali Bennett entered the position of prime minister, he was updated on the plan but he decided against advancing it, believing that it wasn’t feasible. In any event, the plan would have been stalled after Russia invaded Ukraine and its ties with the US deteriorated. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
Distant, ancient galaxies are giving scientists more hints that a mysterious force called dark energy may not be what they thought. Astronomers know that the universe is being pushed apart at an accelerating rate and they have puzzled for decades over what could possibly be speeding everything up. They theorize that a powerful, constant force is at play, one that fits nicely with the main mathematical model that describes how the universe behaves. But they can’t see it and they don’t know where it comes from, so they call it dark energy. It is so vast it is thought to make up nearly 70% of the universe — while ordinary matter like all the stars and planets and people make up just 5%. But findings published earlier this year by an international research collaboration of more than 900 scientists from around the globe yielded a major surprise. As the scientists analyzed how galaxies move they found that the force pushing or pulling them around did not seem to be constant. And the same group published a new, broader set of analyses Tuesday that yielded a similar answer. “I did not think that such a result would happen in my lifetime,” said Mustapha Ishak-Boushaki, a cosmologist at the University of Texas at Dallas who is part of the collaboration. Called the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument, it uses a telescope based in Tucson, Arizona to create a three-dimensional map of the universe’s history to see how galaxies have clustered throughout time and across space. That gives scientists information about how the universe evolved, and where it might be heading. The map they are building would not make sense if dark energy were a constant force, as it is theorized. Instead, the energy appears to be changing or weakening over time. If that is indeed the case, it would upend astronomers’ standard cosmological model. It could mean that dark energy is very different than what scientists thought — or that there may be something else altogether going on. “It’s a time of great excitement, and also some head-scratching and confusion,” said Bhuvnesh Jain, a cosmologist at the University of Pennsylvania who is not involved with the research. The collaboration’s latest finding points to a possible explanation from an older theory: that across cosmic history, the universe expanded and galaxies clustered as Einstein’s general relativity predicted. The new findings aren’t definitive. Astronomers say they need more data to overturn a theory that seemed to fit together so well. They hope observations from other telescopes and new analyses of the new data over the next few years will determine whether the current view of dark energy stands or falls. “The significance of this result right now is tantalizing,” said Robert Caldwell, a physicist at Dartmouth College who is not involved with the research, “but it’s not like a gold-plated measurement.” There’s a lot riding on the answer. Because dark energy is the biggest component of the universe, its behavior determines the universe’s fate, explained David Spergel, an astrophysicist and president of the Simons Foundation. If dark energy is constant, the universe will continue to expand, forever getting colder and emptier. If it’s growing in strength, the universe will expand so speedily that it’ll destroy itself in what astronomers call the Big Rip. “Not to panic. […]
Voters in California have rejected a ballot measure that would have raised the state minimum wage to $18 per hour by 2026, the highest in the country. Opponents, including the California Chamber of Commerce, said it would have increased costs, led to higher taxes and pushed businesses to cut jobs. “With the economy and costs top of mind for many voters this election, that message appears to have resonated,” said Jennifer Barrera, the chamber’s president and CEO. Proponents estimated that the measure would have benefited 2 million workers, including hotel and grocery employees. “Proposition 32’s failure to pass is disappointing for all Californians who believe that everyone who works should earn enough to support their families,” said Kathy Finn, president of UFCW 770, a Southern California union representing nearly 30,000 workers in various sectors. The current minimum wage rates are $16 per hour for most workers and $20 in the fast-food sector. The health care sector will eventually see its minimum wage reach $25 per hour under a law that Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed last year and took effect in October. Hawaii passed a law in 2022 to gradually increase the statewide minimum wage to $18 an hour, but it does not take effect until 2028. In 2016, California became the first state to pass a $15 hourly minimum wage under a law signed by then-Gov. Jerry Brown, also a Democrat. About 40 cities and counties already have minimum wages higher than the statewide rate, and six of them require minimums above $18 per hour as of this year. (AP)
Terry Thompson had an election to run for voters in Cascade County, Montana. Why then, she thought, was her office in Great Falls being sent mailed ballots completed by voters in places such as Wasilla, Alaska; Vancouver, Washington; and Tampa, Florida? It was only about a dozen ballots total from voters in other states. But she said it still raised concerns about the ability of the U.S. Postal Service to deliver election mail and whether the errant ballots would ever be counted. “I mean, I would have had to been doing FedEx overnight envelopes to all these states to try to get them where they needed to go,” said Thompson, the county’s election administrator. She received about a half dozen others that should have gone to county election offices in other parts of Montana. For those, she said she “just had to hope and pray” they made it back on time. While a stray ballot ending up in the wrong place can happen during election season, the number of ballots destined for other states and counties that ended up at Thompson’s office is unusual. The Associated Press found it wasn’t an anomaly. Election offices in California, Louisiana, New Mexico and elsewhere also reported receiving completed ballots in the mail that should have gone to other states. The Postal Service said Tuesday that without additional information or tracking data from bar codes on ballot envelopes, it cannot comment further on those cases. It said earlier this month that it had been working closely with local election officials to resolve concerns. But to some election officials, the misdirected ballots confirm concerns they raised before the Nov. 5 presidential election about the U.S. Postal Service’s performance and ability to handle a crush of mail ballots, as early voting has become increasingly popular with voters. State election officials warned in September that problems with the nation’s mail delivery system threatened to disenfranchise voters in the upcoming presidential election. In a letter to U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, the election officials noted problems during the primaries that included mailed ballots postmarked on time but received too late be counted and instances of properly addressed election mail returned as undeliverable. In Louisiana, state election officials said some 40 to 50 ballots destined for 10 other states ended up being delivered to local election offices, mostly in Orleans Parish. Deputy Secretary of State Joel Watson Jr. said the Secretary of State’s Office had “extraordinary frustration” for the Postal Service’s continued “inconsistencies” and “lack of accountability.” Dozens of mail ballots from inside the state also were delivered to the wrong local election office, Watson said. “There were many instances where our staff had to physically take these ballots and drive them to another parish to get them there on time to make sure those votes count,” Watson said. “We had to use time and resources in the hours and days immediately preceding the biggest election we hold to make sure these ballots were delivered to the right places.” Louisiana law does not permit ballot drop boxes, and Watson indicated his office does not support moving in that direction and would continue to encourage voters to cast their ballots in person. He cited security concerns such as the arson attacks on drop boxes in Washington and Oregon ahead of […]
A video of US Senate Majority Leader-elect Senator John Thune (R-SD) promising Israel and Jews around the world that “reinforcements are on the way” was widely shared in Israel on Wednesday. In statements that can only be called “a breath of fresh air” after four years of the Biden administration’s constant inane posturing about Israel and lack of action on the soaring antisemitism on US soil, Thune speaks the truth – clearly and forcefully – and proudly posted the video on his X account, catching the attention of Israeli media outlets. “It’s been over 13 months since Hamas terrorists waged war against Israel and for the past year plus, Democrats have struggled to support our ally Israel and has literally fractured the Democratic party,” Thune began. “For example, we are expecting tomorrow Sen. Sanders to offer a resolution denying lethal aid to Israel.” “The refusal to have our ally’s back and the hesitation to call out antisemitism in our own country has consequences. It enables bad behavior and bad actors around the world and encourages others to abandon Israel in their time of need. Now you have the ICC and its prosecutor pursuing warrants against Israeli officials. That is outrageous and it is unlawful. The ICC’s rogue actions are a threat to our ally Israel and left unchecked can pose a threat to America in the future.” “I’m calling on leader Schumer to bring a bill to the floor sanctioning the ICC, which the House has already passed on a bipartisan basis. If he refuses to act, our Senate Republican majority next year will. We will stand with Israel and make this and other supportive legislation a top priority in the next Congress.” “So to our allies in Israel and to the Jewish people around the world: my message to you is this: reinforcements are on the way. Senate Republicans reclaim the majority in six weeks, and when we do, we will make clear that the US Congress stands squarely in Israel’s corner and we will help the Trump-Vance administration to defend Israel and promote peace in the region.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. Lutnick, a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration, once appeared on Trump’s NBC reality show, “The Apprentice.” He has become a part of the president-elect’s inner circle. Here are things to know about the billionaire who, if confirmed by the Senate, will lead the Commerce Department. He was Elon Musk’s pick to lead the Treasury Department Elon Musk and others in Trump’s orbit called on Trump last week to dump previous front-runner for treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, in favor of Lutnick. Musk said in a post that “Bessent is a business-as-usual choice, whereas @howardlutnick will actually enact change.” The treasury role has been at the center of an unusual high-profile jockeying within the Trump world. At the same time, the position is closely watched in financial circles, where a disruptive nominee could have immediate negative consequences on the stock market, which Trump watches closely. Trump has yet to decide on one of the top remaining vacancies in his proposed cabinet. The major remaining nominees for the role are Bessent, former Federal Reserve board governor Kevin Warsh, Apollo Global Management Chief Executive Marc Rowan, and Tennessee Sen. Bill Hagerty, Trump’s former Japan ambassador. He is a major supporter of Trump’s tariffs plan Trump on the campaign trail proposed a 60% tariff on goods from China — and a tariff of up to 20% on everything else the United States imports. On the campaign trail, Trump portrayed the taxes on imports as both a negotiating tool to hammer out better trade terms and as a way to generate revenue to fund tax cuts elsewhere. An advocate for imposing wide-ranging tariffs, Lutnick gave full-throated support for Trump’s tariffs plan in a CNBC interview in September. “Tariffs are an amazing tool for the president to use — we need to protect the American worker,” he said. Mainstream economists are generally skeptical of tariffs, considering them a mostly inefficient way for governments to raise money and promote prosperity. His brother and hundreds of Cantor employees were killed in the September 11th terrorist attacks Lutnick’s brother, Gary Lutnick, and 658 of 960 Cantor Fitzgerald employees were killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the World Trade Center. The firm lost two-thirds of its employees that day. Lutnick is a member of the Board of Directors of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, the Partnership for New York City. After Cantor Fitzgerald settled a wrongful death and personal injuries case against American Airlines and insurance carriers in 2013 for $135 million, Lutnick said: “We could never, and will never, consider it ordinary. For us, there is no way to describe this compromise with inapt words like ordinary, fair or reasonable. All we can say is that the legal formality of this matter is over.” Trump’s Tuesday announcement on the Commerce Department nomination mentioned Lutnick’s loss — […]
Mehmet Oz, a celebrity heart surgeon turned talk show host and lifestyle guru, is President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the massive federal health care bureaucracy that covers more than a third of Americans. Here’s a look at a television doctor who became a politician and is now designated to lead an agency that touches nearly all Americans in some way. Who is Dr. Oz? Trained as a heart surgeon, Oz rose to prominence on Oprah Winfrey’s leading daytime television show before spinning off his own series, “The Dr. Oz Show,” in 2009. The program aired for 13 seasons and made Oz a household name. Oz stopped doing surgeries in 2018 but his physician license remains active in Pennsylvania through the end of this year, according to the state’s online database. Oz is an author of New York Times bestsellers, an Emmy-winning TV show host, radio talk show host, presidential appointee, founder of a national nonprofit to educate teens about healthy habits, and self-styled ambassador for wellness. He also guest hosted the “Jeopardy!” game show and helped save a dying man at Newark Liberty International Airport. Oz was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of a heart surgeon who emigrated from Turkey. He attended a private high school in Delaware and Harvard University as a college undergraduate, also playing football there, and served in the Turkish army to maintain his dual citizenship. He made his reputation as a surgeon, but he made a fortune as a salesman Oz dispensed nutritional and lifestyle advice on his show, portraying himself as a trusted doctor capable of explaining health matters in an engaging and approachable way. But his show also blurred the line between medical advice and advertising, failing to make clear to his audience just how closely he worked with the companies he pitched. He repeatedly promoted products of questionable medical value and was named in lawsuits that alleged he made misleading claims on the show. Several of the companies he has promoted are structured as multilevel marketing businesses whose practices have repeatedly drawn the attention of federal regulators. Oz had a net worth between $100 million and $315 million, according to a federal financial disclosure he filed in 2022, which gives dollar values in ranges but does not provide specific figures. He ran for U.S. Senate Oz ran for U.S. Senate as a Republican in 2022, one of the highest-profile races of that year’s midterms. Though he was a longtime resident of New Jersey and worked in New York City, Oz ran in Pennsylvania, citing ties to the state through his wife’s parents. His campaign leaned heavily into his celebrity. Its logo looked just like his TV show logo. His themes — “a dose of reality” or “the doctor is in” — spun off his TV doctor reputation. He ran in a crowded Republican primary and won Trump’s eagerly sought endorsement. “Women, in particular, are drawn to Dr. Oz for his advice and counsel. I have seen this many times over the years. They know him, believe in him, and trust him,” Trump said when he endorsed Oz. Following a court battle that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, Oz narrowly won the primary over McCormick by 951 votes but lost to Democrat John Fetterman in […]
Linda McMahon has been a constant presence in Donald Trump’s tumultuous orbit, serving in his first administration and supporting his presidential campaigns. Now he’s chosen her to serve as Education secretary. Here’s a look at McMahon’s background, from business to politics. McMahon went from wrestling to politics McMahon is married to Vince McMahon, whose father was a prominent professional wrestling promoter. They followed him into the business, founding their own company that’s now known as World Wrestling Entertainment, or WWE. It became a juggernaut in the industry and American culture. When Trump was the star of the reality show “The Apprentice,” he made an appearance at Wrestlemania in 2007. The billionaire entertainment mogul participated in an elaborately scripted feud that ended with Trump shaving off Vince McMahon’s hair in the middle of the ring. Linda McMahon stepped down from her position as WWE’s chief executive to enter politics. She ran twice for a U.S. Senate seat in Connecticut, but lost in 2010 to Richard Blumenthal and in 2012 to Chris Murphy. Shifting gears, she focused on providing financial support to candidates. McMahon provided $6 million to help Trump’s candidacy after he secured the Republican presidential nomination in 2016. Teaching was an initial career goal McMahon served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009. She told lawmakers at the time that she had a lifelong interest in education and once planned to become a teacher, a goal that fell aside after her marriage. She also spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. McMahon is seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she has expressed support for charter schools and school choice. McMahon was part of Trump’s first presidency A month after defeating Hillary Clinton, Trump chose McMahon as leader of the Small Business Administration. The agency gives loans and disaster relief to companies and entrepreneurs, and it monitors government officials’ compliance with contract laws. When McMahon was chosen, she was praised by Blumenthal and Murphy, the two Connecticut Democrats who defeated her in Senate campaigns. Blumenthal called her “a person of serious accomplishment and ability,” while Murphy said she was a “talented and experienced businessperson.” Unlike other members of Trump’s first administration, McMahon was not shadowed by scandal or controversy. She frequently promoted his trade and tax policies. “She has been a superstar,” Trump said when she left the administration in 2019. “The fact is, I’ve known her for a long time. I knew she was good, but I didn’t know she was that good.” She kept supporting Trump after leaving the administration McMahon didn’t leave Trump’s orbit. She chaired America First Action, a super PAC that backed Trump’s reelection campaign in 2020. He lost to Democrat Joe Biden, and McMahon helped start the America First Policy Institute to continue advocating for Trump’s agenda and prepare for a potential return to the White House. When Trump ran for president this year, McMahon was the co-chair of his transition team along with Howard Lutnick, the chief executive of financial services company Cantor Fitzgerald. As part of that role, McMahon has been helping to plan Trump’s new administration. Once he takes office, perhaps McMahon’s biggest task will be to eliminate the agency she was hired to oversee. Trump has promised to close the Education Department and return much of […]
