President-elect Donald Trump is planning to reimpose strict sanctions on Iran, targeting its oil sales and economic activities to weaken Tehran’s support for regional militias and curb its nuclear program. According to sources close to Trump’s team who spoke with the Wall Street Journal, the new administration will adopt a “maximum pressure 2.0” approach, aiming to cut off Iran’s primary sources of income. In his first term, Trump withdrew from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a multinational agreement to limit Iran’s nuclear activities, and introduced sanctions that reduced Iran’s oil exports to a fraction of prior levels. However, after President Joe Biden took office, oil exports from Iran rebounded, creating new challenges for the incoming administration, which intends to be more aggressive in targeting Iranian oil exports and related financial flows. Sources say Trump’s advisors are discussing targeting Chinese ports that receive Iranian oil, as well as sanctions on Iraqi officials who support Iran-backed militias. Former U.S. energy official Robert McNally suggested that renewed sanctions could reduce Iranian oil sales by around 500,000 barrels a day, mainly from purchases by China. In recent weeks, senior Trump advisors have also voiced support for a potential Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear sites. The previous Biden administration secured assurances from Israel not to target Iran’s nuclear facilities in recent operations, fearing an escalation. Trump’s team, however, may be more open to Israeli action against Iran’s critical infrastructure. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian responded Wednesday, insisting that Iran’s economy would not be influenced by the U.S. election outcome. Yet internal divisions within Iran reflect growing concerns over potential economic impacts from renewed U.S. sanctions, with some Iranian officials warning of potential setbacks for the country’s oil industry. Despite these rising tensions, some advisors close to Trump do not rule out a diplomatic approach, as Trump is known to favor striking his own deals with key adversaries. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Razor blades were found under pro-Palestine stickers in Amsterdam, the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reported. The report noted that the police confirmed the report and added that it is unclear how many such traps intended to harm anyone attempting to remove the stickers have been placed throughout the Dutch capital. The stickers, stating: “Stop Genocide, Free Palestine,” were placed near the Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam. Israel’s Kan News reported on Sunday that a reporter and videographer reporting about the attacks in the Netherlands were harassed by anti-Israel protesters. As they were reporting live from Amsterdam’s Dam Square, the protesters surrounded them and yelled anti-Israel statements. The two gathered their equipment and left the area and the protesters followed them. They then entered a store and called the police. After a wait in the store, the police escorted them back to their hotel. Although Dutch officials banned protests for three days following the attacks, hundreds of anti-Israel rioters gathered in Dam Square on Sunday. Riot police intervened, breaking up the protests and arresting dozens. A Dutch court on Sunday extended the ban until Thursday morning after the police said that further antisemitic incidents occurred on Motzei Shabbos, including passengers forcibly pushed out of cabs and Arabs demanding passersby to show them their passports. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
A New York parks employee died battling one of a number of wildfires in New Jersey and New York amid dry conditions that have prompted air quality warnings in both states, authorities said Sunday. The worker died when a tree fell on him Saturday afternoon as he battled a major brush fire along the New York-New Jersey border, according to reports from the Eastern Dutchess County Fire and Rescue and the New York state forestry services. “Rip brother your shift is over job well done,” the New York State forestry services post said. New York State Police said they were investigating the death amid the fire in Sterling Forest located in Greenwood Lake and identified the victim as Dariel Vasquez, an 18-year-old state Parks and Recreation aide employed by the New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Department. The fires in New York and New Jersey come as firefighters are also battling a wildfire in California. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Forest Fire Service reported the sprawling blaze had spread to 3.9 square miles (about 10 square kilometers) near the border in Passaic County’s West Milford and Orange County, New York. Officials said Sunday the blaze, dubbed the Jennings Creek wildfire, was now threatening 14 Greenwood Lake structures as well as two New Jersey homes and eight buildings in that state’s Long Pond Ironworks Historic District. Health advisories were issued for parts of New York, including New York City, and northeastern New Jersey due to unhealthy air quality due to smoke from the fires. People were urged to limit strenuous outdoor physical activity if possible; those especially sensitive included the very young and very old and people with ailments such as asthma and heart disease. New Jersey officials, meanwhile, reported 75 percent containment of a 175-acre (70-hectare) fire in the Pompton Lakes area of Passaic County that was threatening 55 homes, although no evacuations had been ordered. Progress was also reported on fires in the Bethany Run area on the border of Burlington and Camden counties in Evesham and Voorhees townships; a blaze along the Palisades Interstate Parkway in Englewood Cliffs in Bergen County; and the Pheasant Run wildfire in the Glassboro wildlife protection area of Gloucester County. Prosecutors in Ocean County on late Saturday afternoon announced arson and firearms charges in connection with a 350-acre (142-hectare) Jackson Township fire that started Wednesday. They said it was sparked by magnesium shards from a shotgun round on the berm of a shooting range. Officials said firing that kind of “incendiary or tracer ammunition” was barred in the state. The majority of the blaze has been contained, officials reported Friday. In Massachusetts, one wildfire among several fueled by powerful wind gusts and dry leaves burned more than 200 acres in the Lynn Woods Reservation, a municipal park that comprises about 3.4 square miles (8.8 square kilometers) in the city 10 miles (16 kilometers) north of Boston. “This is a dry spell we have not seen during this time of year in many years,” the Lynn Fire Department said in a statement on social media as firefighters continued to battle the blaze, blaming its intensely on low humidity as well as winds and dry leaves on the ground. It was one of many brush fires that cropped up across the […]
Former UN Teacher Orchestrates Violent Anti-Semitic Attack in Amsterdam, Investigation Reveals According to a detailed investigation by The Jerusalem Post, a disturbing connection has emerged between the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and last Thursday’s orchestrated assault on Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam. At the center of the controversy stands Ayman Nejmeh, a former UNRWA educator who now heads PGNL (Palestinian community in the Netherlands), the organization implicated in coordinating the violent confrontation. In a development that has sent shockwaves through European diplomatic circles, Nejmeh—who suspiciously scrubbed his UNRWA employment history from social media platforms following the incident—had previously posted content supporting militant activities. The timing of his social media alterations has raised significant red flags among security analysts. The investigation reveals a sophisticated network of coordination behind what initially appeared to be spontaneous violence. Despite local authorities’ preemptive cancellation of a planned protest before the Maccabi Ajax football match, organizers utilized encrypted messaging platforms to orchestrate what they ominously termed a “direct clash with our enemy.” Instructions to participants included tactical directions to arrive in small groups and conceal identifying items such as Kufiyehs and Palestinian flags. PGNL’s leadership history compounds concerns about its true nature. The organization was previously helmed by Amin Abou Rashed, who was arrested by Dutch authorities in mid-2023 for allegedly channeling funds to Hamas. The European Leadership Network (ELNET) has documented PGNL’s extensive connections to Hamas, including hosting former Hamas official Ismail Haniyeh via video conference and organizing events honoring Hamas leaders. An Israeli survivor of the attack, identified only as Elad, provided The Jerusalem Post with a chilling firsthand account. “We went through a pogrom and a massacre attempt that had nothing to do with the soccer match,” he stated, drawing parallel between the attackers’ methodology and recent terrorist tactics, including the deliberate documentation of violence and systematic approach to targeting victims. The incident has catalyzed intense scrutiny of UNRWA’s hiring practices and the potential exploitation of international humanitarian organizations by individuals with extremist affiliations. European security agencies are now conducting comprehensive reviews of protest organizations, particularly those with links to former employees of international aid organizations. The Amsterdam attack represents a disturbing escalation in organized anti-Semitic violence in Europe, made more concerning by the revelation that a former UN-affiliated educator played a pivotal role in its orchestration. As investigations continue, questions persist about the intersection of humanitarian organizations, extremist networks, and the safety of Jewish communities in Europe.
On Thursday morning, thanks to the swift actions of Flatbush Shomrim and the NYPD’s 63rd Precinct, two suspects were apprehended at Avenue R and East 31st Street. The arrests followed a spree of vehicle break-ins, scooter thefts, and identity theft, including the grand larceny of a wallet containing $1,200. The incident began when Flatbush Shomrim received a report of two individuals matching the suspects’ descriptions on scooters near Quentin Road and Burnett Street in Marine Park. Witnesses described the suspects going from car to car, breaking into multiple vehicles. Shomrim volunteers responded and managed to track the suspects, eventually spotting them at Avenue P and East 31st Street. The suspects had reportedly stolen a scooter and continued to break into vehicles along the way. Upon confrontation, one of the suspects attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended with the assistance of both Shomrim and NYPD officers. During the arrest, an NYPD sergeant sustained an injury while taking down one of the suspects. Flatbush Hatzolah provided immediate on-site medical assistance to the injured officer. Further investigation revealed that the suspects were in possession of stolen items, including a wallet with credit cards, a driver’s license, and other forms of identification taken from one of the vehicles, leading to additional charges for identity theft. The suspects were taken to the 63rd Precinct for processing. Flatbush Shomrim reminds residents to always lock their vehicles and secure their belongings, including valuable items like bikes and scooters, to deter theft and ensure community safety.
The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem has announced significant changes to its consular services. Earlier this week, Paysach Freedman, CEO of Chaim V’Chessed, met with senior Embassy officials, where he learned about upcoming changes aimed at enhancing services for U.S. citizens. Starting November 11, 2024, a new contractor will oversee the Embassy’s consular operations, offering expanded service options and an improved appointment system for those seeking passport, Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) or notarial services. New Customer Service Locations To streamline consular processes, in the near future, the Embassy will open new customer service centers in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. These centers will provide free document pickup and drop-off services. Additionally, over 30 premium service locations throughout Israel will offer pickup and drop-off services for a fee, along with a premium delivery option for added convenience. From December 2 onward, all passport and consular document applications submitted to the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem or the Embassy Branch Office in Tel Aviv must be registered on the Embassy’s new appointment website. Applications sent through Israel Post or Aramex courier services will still be accepted until December 1. Updated Appointment System Launching November 13 A new online appointment system for all passport, CRBA, and notarial services will go live on November 13, 2024, at 3:00 pm. Applicants will need to use this system to schedule in-person appointments at locations in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Haifa. New appointments will be released each Wednesday between 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm. The Embassy has confirmed that existing appointments scheduled in the current system will still be valid. However, citizens who cancel any pre-scheduled appointment after November 8 will need to rebook through the new platform. Emergency Passport Services Unchanged The Embassy’s procedure for emergency passports remains the same. American citizens facing urgent travel needs can continue to secure walk-in appointments before 8:30 am on regular business days at both the Jerusalem and Tel Aviv locations. Emergency passports, issued with limited validity, are typically available for pickup by the next business day between 2:00 pm and 2:30 pm. Paysach Freedman shared that over the past year, callers to Chaim V’Chessed have reported considerable improvements in the Embassy’s user experience. While he acknowledges that there may be some difficulties as the new system is implemented, he expressed that, “It is hoped that the new services will further enhance Embassy services for U.S. citizens in Israel.” Not all details of the new arrangements have been released to the public yet. Chaim V’Chessed’s extensive U.S. Embassy information will be updated as soon as further details of the new rules become available.
President Joe Biden’s administration on Friday proposed tighter restrictions on oil, solar and wind energy development across more than 6,500 square miles (17,000 square kilometers) of federal land in the U.S. West to protect a declining bird species. However, it is doubtful the changes would survive under President-elect Donald Trump. Greater sage grouse — chicken-sized birds known for an elaborate mating ritual— were once found across much of the U.S. West. Their numbers plummeted in recent decades because of energy exploration, wildfires, disease and other pressures. A 2015 agreement shepherded by the Obama administration kept the birds off the endangered species list, by imposing limits on where and when development could occur across 226,000 square miles (590,000 square kilometers) of remaining grouse habitat spanning 11 states. Now, in the closing weeks of the Biden administration, officials with the Interior Department want to make the protections even stronger. Their plan would eliminate loopholes that allowed development in areas considered crucial to the bird’s long-term survival. New solar and wind projects would be excluded, and oil and gas exploration could only occur from drilling sites located outside the protected areas. Trump has pushed to open more public lands to energy development in line with his mantra to “drill baby drill.” During his first administration, officials attempted to scale back the Obama-era sage grouse protections, but were blocked in court. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said Friday’s science-based proposal would boost sage grouse while allowing development on government lands to continue. “For too long, a false choice has been presented for land management that aims to pit development against conservation,” Haaland said in a statement. Yet the agency’s attempt to find a middle ground fell flat with the oil and renewable energy industries, Republicans and even some environmentalists. A spokesperson for American Clean Power, a renewables industry lobbying group companies, said it had supported an earlier version of the proposal but not the final details released Friday. Spokesperson Phil Sgro said the proposal “unnecessarily restricts the development of wind, solar, battery storage and transmission, undermining the ability to deploy much needed clean energy infrastructure.” Most of the land at issue is in Nevada and California, according to government documents. Affected parcels also are in Wyoming, Oregon, Idaho, Colorado, Montana and the Dakotas. In Wyoming, Gov. Mark Gordon said the proposal would add new layers of federal regulation and hinder practical solutions for the grouse. U.S. Sen. John Barrasso accused the Biden administration of trying to ram though the changes on its way out the door. “I look forward to working with the Trump-Vance administration to reverse this reckless decision,” said Barrasso, the top Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee. Several major conservation organizations, including the Nature Conservancy, National Wildlife Federation and Natural Resources Defense Council, issued a joint statement in support of the changes. Other environmentalists said officials had squandered a chance to put in place more meaningful protections that could halt the grouse’s slow spiral towards extinction. They noted that loopholes allowing development would remain in place across nearly 50,000 square miles (122,000 square kilometers) of sage grouse habitat. “It’s death by a thousands cuts,” said Greta Anderson with Western Watersheds Project, an environmental group involved in previous sage grouse lawsuits. “The Biden administration could have stopped the cutting, and […]
Shlomo Filber, one of the CEOs of the Direct Polls polling company, was astonished by the Democrat party’s dismissal of glaring warning signs regarding the Harris campaign. Filber wrote: “Why did all the US campaign professionals prefer to ignore simple and easy-to-analyze data that served as a huge warning sign and could possibly have changed the outcome for millions of people and trillions of dollars?” “Let’s try to develop a serious and professional discourse about the campaign in the U.S. • The Democratic election campaign incurred direct and conservative spending well above a billion dollars. • In secondary circles – party workers, organizations, institutions, States, financial bodies – we’re talking about many trillions of dollars. • Political elections are unique and different – you have ‘only one bullet and it must hit the target on the first try.’ For some people, it meant the end of their careers. “I have been a consumer of political polls for two decades, and in the past five years, I’ve gained expertise in the execution of political polls, especially in-depth analysis. I have never conducted political polls in the U.S. but I am an enthusiast who follows the US elections, the polls, and the campaigns for personal enjoyment and professional enrichment. “I already noticed and warned in 2020 that the polls in the U.S. were biased in favor of Biden and that the elections will ultimately be decided by fractions of a percent in the swing states and not by a lead of 5%-8%. “This time, I expressed my opinion – already seven weeks ago – based on the analysis of the polls up to that point that Trump would win in the key states by 3% – which indeed happened. “It is true that the left and the media like to argue with me by attacking me personally instead of my position. “But, if I, in a few hours of analysis, twice reached the correct conclusion about the expected results based solely on public polls – then why didn’t all the campaign managers/consultants/strategists/analysts/candidates in the various states, especially the presidential candidate and her staff, reach this conclusion? Or at least accept it as a ‘worse-case scenario’ and plan the campaign accordingly or have a Plan B if the first strategy does not improve the situation. After all, if it comes to fruition (which indeed happened), they lose everything. “It’s like planning an attack on Iran and not being 100% sure that the coordinates of the bomb are accurate – there’s no point in deploying the entire attack system if the most important bomb misses and falls 200 meters from the target. “Accurate political research and analysis is not an expensive component of a campaign – just a few percent of the budget. It hones the campaign and saves time and money – funds wasted on foolish and ineffective advertising, and mainly it provides a safety net so you don’t destroy your political career. “In Israel also, there are currently three to five senior and experienced politicians who follow ‘pipers’ who quite precisely recreate the Democrats’ mistakes for them, hoping that it will work for them here. “And again, I genuinely ask (I would appreciate intelligent and relevant answers): why did everyone ignore simple and easy-to-analyze data that could have changed the outcome for […]
Three NASA astronauts whose prolonged space station mission ended with a trip to the hospital last month declined to say Friday which one of them was sick. Astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt and Jeanette Epps publicly discussed their spaceflight for the first time since returning from the International Space Station on Oct. 25. They spent nearly eight months in orbit, longer than expected because of all the trouble with Boeing’s Starliner crew capsule and rough weather, including Hurricane Milton. Soon after their SpaceX capsule splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico off the Florida coast, the three were taken to a hospital in nearby Pensacola along with Russian cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, who launched with them back in March. One of the Americans ended up spending the night there for an undisclosed “medical issue.” NASA declined to say who was hospitalized or why, citing medical privacy. When asked at Friday’s news conference which one had been sick, the astronauts refused to comment. Barratt, a doctor who specializes in space medicine, declined to even describe the symptoms that the unidentified astronaut had. “Spaceflight is still something we don’t fully understand. We’re finding things that we don’t expect sometimes. This was one of those times and we’re still piecing things together on this,” said Barratt, the only member of the crew who had flown in space before. Epps said everyone is different in how they respond to space — and gravity. “That’s the part that you can’t predict,” she said, adding, “Every day is better than the day before.” Dominick said little things like sitting comfortably in a hard chair took several days to get used to once he returned. He said he didn’t use the treadmill at all during his time in space, as part of an experiment to see what equipment might be pared on a long trip to Mars. The first time he walked was when he got out of the capsule. The two astronauts who served as test pilots for Boeing’s Starliner — Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams — will remain at the space station until February, flying back with SpaceX. Starliner returned empty in September. (AP)
Uber strongly condemned recent anti-Semitic violence in Amsterdam and announced it is actively cooperating with law enforcement to determine if any of its drivers were involved, following calls from Jewish advocacy groups and YWN to boycott the company. “We were shocked and saddened to hear of the abhorrent violence in Amsterdam. While there were no reported incidents of violence on any Uber trip, we’re actively supporting law enforcement as they work to identify the offenders,” a spokesperson gold the Washington Free Beacon. Concerns from Jewish groups have mounted after reports surfaced that some rideshare drivers may have played a role in Thursday’s attacks on Israeli soccer fans visiting the Dutch city. Allegations on social media claim that some drivers may have used the Uber app to facilitate the violence. Uber, however, clarified that its platform does not allow drivers to communicate directly with each other, dismissing the notion that the app could have been used to coordinate attacks. “To be clear, drivers can’t use the Uber Driver app to communicate with one another, so no coordination of the violence took place on our platform,” the spokesperson said. The attacks, which have drawn widespread condemnation, reportedly involved taxi and rideshare drivers coordinating with anti-Semitic mobs. Images circulated online suggested that groups of drivers communicated through messaging apps like Telegram to organize assaults on Israeli fans in Amsterdam. Elad Simchayoff, a journalist with Israel’s Channel 12 News, reported that local police advised Israeli tourists to avoid using cabs, citing concerns that some drivers were aiding rioters. The violence left at least five people hospitalized, with police detaining over 60 individuals involved in the unrest. Struggling to contain the situation, local law enforcement received assistance from the Israeli government, which dispatched rescue planes to evacuate affected tourists. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Hezbollah commander Salim Jamil Ayyash, wanted for his role in the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, was killed in an Israeli airstrike, according to Saudi media reports on Sunday. Al-Arabiya reported Ayyash was targeted near the Syrian city of al-Qusayr, a known Hezbollah stronghold. Social media sources claimed the airstrike specifically targeted Ayyash, a high-ranking Hezbollah member with a $10 million bounty placed by the United States. Ayyash was sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment by a UN-backed tribunal in 2020 for orchestrating the 2005 car bombing in Beirut that killed Hariri. The killing of Ayyash marks a continuation of Israel’s operations against Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups in Syria and Lebanon, which have intensified since October 2023. Following Hamas’s deadly assault on Israeli civilians and soldiers on October 7 last year, Israel has increased airstrikes on Hezbollah positions, as well as Iranian-backed targets in Syria, in efforts to curb ongoing threats to its northern communities. In recent months, multiple high-ranking Hezbollah commanders have been killed, including former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who died in a massive Israeli strike on Hezbollah’s headquarters in Beirut in September. The IDF has also eliminated Ali Karaki, Hezbollah’s commander for operations along Israel’s southern border, and Fuad Shukr, one of Hezbollah’s top military officials. The IDF’s campaign aims to neutralize Hezbollah’s ability to conduct cross-border attacks on Israel, particularly after consistent rocket and drone attacks in northern Israel. Since the renewed hostilities began, 40 Israeli civilians and 61 IDF soldiers have lost their lives in incidents stemming from Hezbollah attacks and Israel’s ground operations in southern Lebanon. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Donald Trump will return to the White House accompanied by a crew of longtime friends and aides as well as newfound, splashy allies. The Republican president-elect has barely begun naming key figures in his administration, but he has kept a rotation of associates with him on and off the campaign trail in recent weeks who joined him on stage early Wednesday as he declared victory. Here’s a look at some key figures in Trump’s orbit as he prepares once again to occupy the White House. Susie Wiles For the second time, Trump has won the White House with a woman steering his campaign. Wiles, who joined his 2024 effort early, served in effect as his campaign manager and was named Thursday as his new chief of staff. She’s been credited with being a steadfast and quiet power behind Trump’s third White House campaign, running a largely disciplined and ultimately winning operation. Wiles is a longtime Florida-based Republican strategist who ran Trump’s campaign in the state in 2016 and 2020. Before that, she ran Rick Scott ’s 2010 campaign for Florida governor and briefly served as the manager of former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman ’s 2012 presidential campaign. Wiles is the daughter of the late NFL player-turned-broadcaster Pat Summerall. Lara Trump Both in business and in government, Trump has always kept relatives in key roles. If physical proximity is any sign of power, it’s worth noting the person standing to Trump’s right at his victory party was Lara Trump. She is married to the former president’s middle son, Eric, and since the spring has been Donald Trump’s handpicked choice to serve as co-chair of the Republican National Committee. Lara Trump, a former television producer, was a prominent campaigner for her father-in-law and contemplated her own campaign in 2022, weighing a run for Senate in her home state of North Carolina, before deciding against a bid. At the RNC, she’s been a TV-ready advocate for the former president and tasked with boosting fundraising, expanding outreach to voters and the party’s “election integrity” initiative. She’s also explored a side venture as a singer, releasing several songs, which sometimes feature political imagery. Dana White White is the president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Trump’s longtime friend. They go back to 2001, when White hosted a UFC battle at the Republican’s former Trump Taj Mahal casino-hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Trump has appeared at UFC matches over the years with White, especially in his 2024 campaign as he sought to appeal to younger male voters. White, in turn, has had speaking roles at the 2016, 2020 and 2024 Republican conventions and appeared on stage at Trump’s victory party Wednesday, even speaking briefly to the crowd. Linda McMahon McMahon, who serves as the other co-chair of the president-elect’s transition team, has been Trump’s longtime friend. She and her husband, Vince, founded World Wrestling Entertainment, growing the organization into a powerhouse. Trump participated in some WWE events over the years, and McMahon was one of his most generous benefactors in his 2016 campaign. Trump tapped her to lead the Small Business Administration during his first term in office. She left to work on his reelection campaign and spent the years since he left office as one of the leaders of the America First Policy Institute strategizing for another Trump term. Howard Lutnick Lutnick, […]
A judge has struck down a state law that made it easier for New Yorkers to sue over electoral divisions and voting rules that weakened the political voice of minority groups, saying its special protections based on race and ethnicity are unconstitutional. Orange County state court Justice Maria Vazquez-Doles struck down New York’s Voting Rights Act of 2022 on Thursday in a decision in which she also dismissed a lawsuit brought by six Black and Hispanic voters against the Town of Newburgh. In the suit, the residents challenged the way people were elected to the town’s board, arguing that “at-large” elections to pick board members in the majority-white town had kept Black and Hispanic residents from electing their candidates of choice. They asked the court to impose a system in which the town, located about 60 miles (96 kilometers) north of New York City, would elect board members by district. New York’s Voting Rights Act created a pathway for voters to challenge at-large elections that led to racially polarized voting patterns or impaired a racial, ethnic or language-group’s ability to get members of their community into office. The judge said that portion of the act violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment. The U.S. Supreme Court similarly cited the equal protection clause in its ruling last year that affirmative action programs at colleges and universities were unconstitutional. An attorney for the plaintiffs said they would appeal. “We are confident that the New York Voting Rights Act is constitutional, and that on appeal that belief will be vindicated,” attorney David Imamura said. The lawsuit, which was filed in March, was one of at least four lawsuits filed under the state’s voting rights act. In her decision, Vazquez-Doles wrote that under the equal protection clause, the government can take actions based on race only if there’s a compelling state interest in doing so. Ending discrimination against a racial group could meet that standard, Vazquez-Doles wrote, but the wording of New York’s law didn’t require voters challenging an electoral system to show evidence of past discrimination. Hypothetically, she said, the law, as written, could also allow white voters to sue for electoral system changes on the grounds that their voting power had been diluted. “No compelling interest — as that term has been defined by the U.S. Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Equal Protection Clause — exists in protecting the voting rights of any group that has historically never been discriminated against,” Vazquez-Doles wrote. She also found that the New York law didn’t include clear guidelines on how much a group’s voting power has to be diluted before its rights are violated. New York was among more than a half-dozen mostly Democratic-controlled states that took action to protect voting rights after lawmakers became frustrated by new voting restrictions in some Republican-led states and the failure of voting rights legislation in Congress. “When New York enacted the strongest voting rights law in the country, we knew there would be challenges,” state Sen. Zellnor Myrie, a bill sponsor, said in a statement Friday. “I disagree with the court’s legal reasoning and expect this decision will be overturned on appeal.” (AP)
Hi, I’m Lali (Leah), and I’m only three years and eight months old. My parents waited five years for me to be born—they always tell everyone that from the moment I came into the world, they felt their lives were finally complete. A few weeks ago, I started to vomit terribly. My parents took me to the doctor, and they discovered I have a virus in my blood, and it has already spread. My parents don’t say the word “cancer,” they say “virus,” but I heard the doctors talking, and I can see in Mommy and Tatty’s eyes how scared they are. They’re trying to stay strong for me, but I hear them crying at night. I thought only kids cried… The treatments I need to fight this virus, as Tatty says, are very expensive, they cost much more than all of my toys, and we just can’t do it alone. Tatty and Mommy told me that someone like you, who is reading my words now, might be able to help me. Maybe you can give me a chance. I want to grow up, to play, to be happy—to continue being the light in my parents’ lives. Every support, every donation, is a ray of hope for us, like the sun I like to draw. Thank you for being here for me, Lali Save lali Please donate generously to save this little girls life
In an unexpected appeal for bipartisan support, President-elect Donald Trump suggested on Saturday that the Republican Party should assist in paying off Vice President Kamala Harris’s reported campaign debts. Trump’s comments, posted on his Truth Social account, come as reports indicate Harris left the 2024 presidential race with significant outstanding expenses despite raising over $1 billion during her campaign. Lindy Li, a Democratic National Committee official, described Harris’s campaign as a “$1 billion disaster” on Fox & Friends Weekend. Li reported that the campaign is burdened with debts estimated between $18 million and $20 million, with donors left questioning the return on their contributions. On Truth Social, Trump wrote, “I am very surprised that the Democrats, who fought a hard and valiant fight in the 2024 Presidential Election, raising a record amount of money, didn’t have lots of $’s left over. Now they are being squeezed by vendors and others. Whatever we can do to help them during this difficult period, I would strongly recommend we, as a Party and for the sake of desperately needed UNITY, do.” Trump highlighted that the GOP had substantial funds left over from campaign efforts, thanks to what he described as “earned media,” or unpaid publicity. Li revealed that many donors felt “misled” by Harris’s campaign about her chances of victory. She claimed that Harris campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon assured supporters of a strong path to victory, particularly in critical early states, which contributed to the substantial financial contributions from donors. “She even put videos out saying Harris would win,” Li said, adding that campaign assurances led donors to continue giving. “I believed her, my donors believed her, and so they wrote massive checks. I just feel like a lot of us were misled.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell, who was sworn in as the chief of the Los Angeles Police Department on Friday, will draw one of the highest police chief salaries in the U.S. for a major city. Before the ceremony, the city council approved McDonnell’s base salary of $450,000, which the LA board of police commissioners requested. That is down from the board’s initial proposal of $507,509 — which was a jump of more than $150,000 from the previous chief’s salary. The salary range for the position was set at $408,475 to $507,509 during the search process. The previous chief, Michel Moore, who announced his retirement in January, made a base salary of $391,268 in 2023, according to city controller data. McDonnell, 65, will take charge of a force of nearly 9,000 officers that has been led by Interim Chief Dominic Choi. The New York Police Department commissioner, who oversees the largest police department in the country with more than 30,000 officers, makes around $243,000, according to city records for the last two commissioners. Chicago’s Superintendent of Police, Larry Snelling, makes $275,748, according to city records posted online. McDonnell will also make more than the current LA County sheriff’s salary of $397,340, according to county records. The city council confirmed McDonnell’s appointment in a 10-2 vote Friday, with city councilmembers Hugo Soto-Martinez and Eunisses Hernandez opposing. Some have criticized the decision to pay McDonnell what they call an “exorbitant” salary while the city council faces budget issues. “Why wouldn’t we start him at a lower rate? Given the situation that the city is in,” said police commissioner Maria Lou Calanche during a meeting Tuesday. Chuck Wexler, executive director of Washington-based nonprofit think tank Police Executive Research Forum, said West Coast police chiefs generally earn more than their East Coast counterparts, according to a 2021 survey of more than 300 departments across the country. And he said LA traditionally ranks among the highest, though McDonnell’s pay is $100,000 more than the previous chief’s salary. “Salaries for police officers across the country have been significantly impacted by a high number of resignations and retirements,” Wexler said. “With the increase in entry-level salaries, executive compensation has increased also.” The $450,000 salary does not include benefits or potential bonuses. McDonnell will also be allowed to continue receiving pension payments from his previous roles. “I’m honored to get what the commission felt that this job was worth, I competed for the job, I was fortunate enough to be the one appointed,” McDonnell said on his compensation, which he described as “somewhat midrange” of the salary range and reflective of his experience and education. The vote came at the end of a lengthy and tumultuous public comment period and questioning from city councilmembers, during which several people were thrown out of council chambers. McDonnell’s appointment was heavily opposed by immigration advocates, who say he allowed federal authorities to operate freely while he was sheriff and shared information with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Maria Estrada, a worker with the Service Employees International Union, said at the council hearing Friday that she remembers when McDonnell was sheriff and her coworkers reported crime committed against them. “Some of these coworkers were deported,” she said. “Thousands of us members here in this community are scared for this man […]
In a message that raised eyebrows — and a few laughs — Vice President Kamala Harris’ former communications director, Jamal Simmons, suggested President Joe Biden should step down to give Harris a historic, albeit brief, stint as the first female U.S. president. Simmons, who served under Harris in 2022 and 2023, shared this “plan” on X and live on CNN, in the wake of Harris’ decisive defeat to President-elect Donald Trump. “Joe Biden has been amazing but he should fulfill one last promise — to be transitional. Biden should resign and make Kamala Harris the first woman president,” Simmons posted. His logic? It would “turn tables” on Trump and “make it easier for the next woman to run.” “Joe Biden’s been a phenomenal president, he’s lived up to so many of the promises he’s made. There’s one promise left that he could fulfill, being a transitional figure,” Simmons said. “He could resign the presidency in the next 30 days, make Kamala Harris president of the United States — ” “It would absolve her from having to oversee the January 6th transition, right, of her own defeat. And it would make sure, it would dominate the news, at a point where Democrats have to learn, drama and transparency and doing things the public want to see — this is the time, this is the moment for us to change the entire perspective of how Democrats operate.” Simmons expanded on his thoughts, suggesting the Democratic Party should embrace “drama and transparency” to win back public favor. “This is the moment for us to change the entire perspective of how Democrats operate,” he declared, urging Democrats to prioritize theatrics as a means of engagement. The timing of this dramatic suggestion is curious, considering that Biden has already handed Harris historic firsts: first female vice president, first black woman, and first Asian American vice president. Biden even stepped aside from his own bid in July, effectively making Harris the party’s nominee without winning a single primary — though her campaign ultimately fell short against Trump. Adding a twist to Simmons’ pitch, Biden’s resignation would mean Harris, instead of certifying Trump’s victory on January 6, 2025, would have a brief chance to occupy the Oval Office herself. In an additional post, Simmons, leaning into his own theatrical flair, said, “Dems have better policies but we must realize the old rules no longer apply. We’re in a mixed martial arts fight, and Americans respond to drama and excitement.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, one of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s closest confidants, made a secret visit to Russia last week, Army Radio reported on Sunday. The visit is a result of US pressure on Israel to reach a ceasefire in Lebanon, with Dermer carrying out the negotiations on behalf of Netanyahu. Russia, which is entrenched in Syria, would play a significant role in any diplomatic arrangement between Israel and Hezbollah due to the close ties between Hezbollah and Syria and the transfer of arms and soldiers from Syria to Lebanon via Iran and its proxy states. It is important to note that there has been a significant deterioration in Israeli-Russian ties since October 7, with President Vladimir Putin adopting a confrontational stance toward Israel since the outbreak of the war. He has also strengthened Russia’s strategic alliance with Iran. Channel 12 News reported that Dermer will depart on Sunday for a four-day visit to Washington, with the latest “conclusions regarding a Lebanese diplomatic arrangement” on the agenda. Channel 13 also reported, citing “sources familiar with the details of the negotiations,” that progress toward a diplomatic arrangement with Lebanon is continuing. Channel 12 previously reported on Motzei Shabbos that Israel is considering a temporary ceasefire in the north to prevent the UN Security Council from passing a resolution against Israel. Israel is concerned that the UN will call for an end to the war in the Gaza Strip or pass other resolutions to restrict the war in Gaza and that US President Joe Biden, in the last months of his term, may choose to refrain from vetoing the decision. The Biden administration has been exerting heavy pressure on Israel to end the war against Hezbollah. Some Israeli security officials say that Israel is close to achieving its goals in Lebanon and support reaching a diplomatic arrangement, allowing the residents of the north to return to their homes. However, many officials, including ministers in the cabinet, oppose reaching a diplomatic arrangement, saying that Israel must continue the war and expand its achievements against Hezbollah. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
The election of Donald Trump returns an ally of school choice to the White House, this time with a Republican-controlled Senate — and potentially House — that could be more supportive of proposals that fizzled during his first term. Although proposals to expand private schooling suffered high-profile defeats in several states, Trump’s victory has brought new optimism to advocates of supporting school choice at the federal level. One of their main priorities: tax credits for donations to organizations that provide private school scholarships. Jim Blew, who served as an assistant secretary in the U.S. Education Department in the first Trump administration, said he’s hopeful the new Congress will greenlight ideas like tax credits for scholarships. “The new members are all very clearly supportive of school choice, and I think that’s going to change the dynamics,” said Blew, who co-founded the conservative Defense of Freedom Institute. Private school choice comprises several ways of using taxpayer money to support education outside of traditional public schools, including vouchers, education savings accounts and tax-credit scholarships. The idea of giving this option to all families regardless of income — known as universal private school choice — has soared in popularity in recent years and is now enshrined in law in a dozen states. Nearly three dozen states have some form of private school choice. Yet the concept has faced pushback — and not just from groups like teachers unions that have long advocated for keeping public money in public schools. Some conservatives in states with large rural communities have questioned the programs’ merits, citing the lack of private schools in sparsely populated areas. In those areas, public school districts are often the largest employer. In Tuesday’s election, voters in Kentucky rejected a measure to enable public funding for private school attendance, and Nebraska voted to partially repeal a law that uses taxpayer money to subsidize private education. A proposed constitutional amendment in Colorado that would’ve established schoolchildren’s “right to school choice” also was defeated. Concerns about diverting money from public education appeared to gain traction in deep-red Kentucky and Nebraska. Ferial Pearson, the chair of an organization in Nebraska that advocates for public education, said it would continue working to provide public schools “the support and resources they need to thrive.” In Kentucky, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear said Thursday that voters sent a clear message that taxpayer money should go to public schools. “This should end any and all debate. And this should end any attempts to take money away from our public schools to send them to unaccountable private schools,” Beshear said at a news conference. He renewed his pitch for larger pay raises for public school teachers and other school personnel, along with his plan to establish universal pre-K across Kentucky. To some observers, it was unsurprising that even states that voted for Trump took a stand against school choice. “Especially in the wake of the pandemic, with all the school closures and learning loss and chronic absenteeism, parents want something different — but they also like their public schools,” said Liz Cohen, the policy director at FutureEd, a nonpartisan research center at Georgetown University. “People want something new, but it doesn’t mean they want to get rid of everything.” Cohen, who has studied private school choice expansion across the country, emphasized decisions […]
