U.S. officials would allow increased logging on federal lands across the Pacific Northwest in the name of fighting wildfires and boosting rural economies under proposed changes to a sweeping forest management plan that’s been in place for three decades. The U.S. Forest Service proposal, released Friday, would overhaul the Northwest Forest Plan that governs about 38,000 square miles (99,000 square kilometers) in Oregon, Washington and California. The plan was adopted in 1994 under President Bill Clinton amid pressure to curb destructive logging practices that resulted in widespread clearcuts and destroyed habitat used by spotted owls. Timber harvests dropped dramatically in subsequent years, spurring political backlash. But federal officials now say worsening wildfires due to climate change mean forests must be more actively managed to increase their resiliency. Increased logging also would provide a more predictable supply of trees for timber companies, officials said, helping rural economies that have suffered after lumber mills shut down and forestry jobs disappeared. The proposal could increase annual timber harvests by at least 33% and potentially more than 200%, according to a draft environmental study. The number of timber-related jobs would increase accordingly. Harvest volumes from the 17 national forests covered by the Northwest Forest Plan averaged about 445 million board feet annually over the past decade, according to government figures. Cutting more trees would help reduce wildfire risk and make communities safer, the study concluded. That would be accomplished in part by allowing cuts in some areas with stands of trees up to 120 years old — up from the current age threshold of 80 years. The change could help foster conditions conducive to growing larger, old growth trees that are more resistant to fire, by removing younger trees, officials said. A separate pending proposal from President Joe Biden’s administration aims to increase protections nationwide for old growth trees, which play a significant role in storing climate change-inducing carbon dioxide. “Much has changed in society and science since the Northwest Forest Plan was created,” Jacque Buchanan, regional forester for the Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Region, said in a statement. He said the proposal would help the agency adapt to shifting conditions, as global warming increases the frequency of droughts and other extreme weather events. The proposed plan also calls for closer cooperation between the Forest Service and Native American tribes to tap into tribal knowledge about forest management. Tribes were excluded when the 1994 plan was crafted. Environmentalists greeted the proposal with skepticism. The group Oregon Wild said it was “deeply troubling” that the Forest Service would release the proposal just ahead of a change in presidential administrations. “It appears that the Forest Service wants to abandon the fundamental purpose of the Northwest Forest Plan–protecting fish and wildlife and the mature and old-growth forests they need to survive,” John Persell, an attorney for the group, said in a statement. During former President Donald Trump’s first term, administration officials sought to open millions of acres of West Coast forest to new logging by stripping habitat protections for the imperiled spotted owl. The move was opposed by government biologists and reversed under Biden. A draft environmental study examined several potential alternatives, including leaving the existing plan’s components in place or changing them to either reduce or increase logging. A timber industry representative who co-chaired an advisory […]
President Joe Biden inadvertently was a missing man in the traditional photo of world leaders at the final Group of 20 summit of his presidency Monday, a photo-shoot fail that U.S. officials attributed to timing. Instead, Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau strolled up after photographers had already taken the official picture, as other world leaders milled about chatting after having smiled and raised linked hands for the photo. The timing left Chinese President Xi Jinping front and center among the rows of leaders posed against blue skies and blue water in Rio de Janeiro. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stood, less visible, in a back row. A senior Biden administration official, who was not authorized to comment publicly, said Biden and other leaders missed the photo because of “logistical issues.” Biden had intended to be part of the photo, but it occurred earlier than scheduled. Biden and Trudeau arrived together at the designated spot for the photo, standing and looking about for a time. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also did not join in the group photo, a set piece of such summits. (AP)
It is with a heavy heart that I write this letter, as I feel profound concern for the spiritual direction of our collective kehilla. Week after week, I see the so-called “kosher” magazines pushing the boundaries further and further, yet no one seems to bat an eye. Our sensitivity to kedusha and Yiddishe values is being eroded in ways never seen before. These publications, which were once modest and uplifting, have become filled with content that blatantly undermines the values of tzniyus. The advertisements are disgusting, glorifying material excess and promoting a lifestyle of indulgence that stands in stark contrast to our Torah values. Sukkos editions, for instance, now stretch to 300 pages, with most of that space dedicated to outrageous and extravagant ads. Where are our values? This week’s low point: a magazine openly discussing Botox, plastic surgery, and more. Is this what we want a young, impressionable Bas Yisroel reading? Do we want her to think that vanity and physical appearance are the ideals to aspire to? Such topics might have existed privately, but now there are no boundaries. Anything goes. And somehow, it’s all seen as muttar because it steers away from our pre-approved list of “taboo subjects.” The silence from our leaders is equally deafening. While rabbonim are preoccupied with various other matters, this slow destruction of our community’s tzniyus and kedushah goes unchecked. Adding to the shame, nearly every major yeshivah advertises in these publications. Does their participation mean they endorse this descent into filth? Three weeks ago, a Gadol b’Yisroel was niftar, and instead of honoring his memory on the cover, one magazine chose to focus on election coverage. Are we really prioritizing secular politics over our Torah leaders? Worse, the magazines regularly glorify Israeli politicians on their front cover featured story who are mechalelei Shabbos and openly eat treif. These are the role models our children see featured? We are raising a generation that is slowly being desensitized to our core values, and no one is saying a word. It’s time to wake up and restore the dignity and kedusha that should define Klal Yisroel. Sincerely, Bothered in Brooklyn The views expressed in this letter do not necessarily represent those of YWN. Have an opinion you would like to share? Send it to us for review.
The U.S. government’s automobile safety ratings will get a major update starting with the 2026 model year when regulators add new driver-assistance technologies and tests for protecting pedestrians. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday that it has finalized the changes, which were required by Congress under the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law. In addition to the five-star ratings for crash tests, the agency will add four new technologies including pedestrian automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind spot warning, and intervention if a driver tries to move toward a vehicle in a blind spot. The new rule also strengthens test procedures and performance standards for technology that’s already included in the ratings such as automatic emergency braking. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, whose department includes NHTSA, said the previous ratings, which went into effect in 1978, have helped the industry rise to higher safety standards. The new requirements make sure “that the evaluation of these cars includes not just the safety of people inside vehicles during a crash, but how the design of a vehicle could prevent a crash or make it less fatal for someone outside the vehicle,” Buttigieg said in an interview with The Associated Press. The agency said that the five-star crash test ratings, which most vehicles now get, would not change under the new system. But consumers would also see green check marks on NHTSA’s website if vehicles they’re shopping for have the safety features, and they can be assured that the features meet standards set by the government, Buttigieg said. Early on, the features will get a pass or fail grade, but later will get scores so buyers can compare vehicles, he said. The standards, which will start showing up this coming August, should motivate automakers to speed up deployment of the features, he said. Automakers already use crash test ratings to compete for customers, and Buttigieg expects that to happen with the new features as well. The safety devices can either be standard equipment or optional, the agency said. “We hope that this will move the market in that direction, that consumers will have another reason to be conscious that these features exist and then ask whether the car are thinking about buying has those features,” he said. The new standards also will strengthen test procedures for safety features that are already included such as automatic emergency braking, the agency said. Automatic emergency braking will have to meet tough requirements and be standard equipment on all passenger vehicles by 2029. The agency also will set design standards to mitigate injuries to pedestrians, following most of the regulations already in effect in Europe. The standards will set a minimum threshold for points of impact and injuries to a pedestrian struck by a vehicle at 25 miles per hour (40 kilometers per hour). The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a large industry trade group, said the updated standards are needed. But for the standards to accelerate industry investment, they need to be “updated on a more predictable and frequent cadence,” the association said. Buttigieg said this is the first of multiple regulations that his department wants to put into effect before the end of President Joe Biden’s term of office. He wouldn’t say what other regulations could go into effect. “We’ve been full steam ahead on a number […]
Lebanon and Hezbollah have agreed in principle to a U.S. proposal for a ceasefire with Israel, marking what a top Lebanese official described as the most serious effort yet to end the ongoing hostilities. Ali Hassan Khalil, an aide to Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, confirmed Lebanon’s written response to the proposal had been delivered to the U.S. ambassador in Beirut on Monday. He also revealed that White House envoy Amos Hochstein is traveling to Lebanon to continue discussions. Hezbollah has backed Berri as the primary negotiator for the ceasefire. While details of the proposal remain undisclosed, Khalil said that Lebanon’s response was given “in a positive atmosphere” and aligned with the provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. Resolution 1701 calls for no armed Hezbollah presence in the region between the Israeli-Lebanese border and the Litani River, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the border. However, Hezbollah has repeatedly violated these terms since the resolution was adopted. Khalil insisted that the success of the U.S.-brokered effort now rests with Israel. “If Israel does not want a solution, it could create 100 problems,” he said, accusing Israel of escalating its bombardment of Beirut and southern Lebanon to negotiate “under fire.” Khalil added that such tactics would not change Lebanon’s position. Israel has not yet commented on the ceasefire talks. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a pointed critique of the Biden administration’s policies during a speech in the Knesset on Monday, highlighting disagreements over major decisions in Israel’s ongoing war against Iran and its proxies. Netanyahu alleged that the United States had opposed Israel’s military actions at critical junctures in the conflict. “The US had reservations and suggested that we not enter Gaza,” he said. “It had reservations about entering Gaza City, Khan Yunis, and, most critically, strongly opposed entry into Rafah.” He also accused the Biden administration of threatening to withhold weapons if Israel proceeded with its offensive, saying, “President Biden told me that if we go in, we will be alone.” Netanyahu also took aim at US advice following drone and missile attacks from Iran. “We were told by our friend that there is no need to respond,” he said. However, Israel responded independently, targeting Iranian air defense systems and missile production capabilities. “Sitting and not reacting is not acceptable,” Netanyahu argued. Addressing attempts to negotiate a ceasefire in Lebanon, Netanyahu dismissed the significance of diplomatic agreements, stating, “The important thing is not the piece of paper.” He argued that systematic action was necessary to neutralize Hezbollah’s ability to threaten Israel. “This is not only our reaction but our ability to prevent Hezbollah from building up its power,” he said. Netanyahu’s speech was repeatedly interrupted by opposition lawmakers and protesters in the gallery displaying posters of hostages held in Gaza. He assured the Knesset that efforts to secure their release remained a priority. “I met with aides and members of security services until 3 a.m. last night to discuss new ways to get hostages home,” he said. Netanyahu also called for a crackdown on leaks from the cabinet and negotiating teams, which he claimed were hampering efforts to reach a deal. Netanyahu expressed frustration with the lack of investigations into leaks from the negotiating team, contrasting this with the ongoing inquiry into the alleged theft of IDF intelligence documents. Former aide Eli Feldstein remains in custody over accusations of leaking sensitive materials to the press. While Netanyahu did not directly reference the case, he implied selective enforcement in investigations, saying, “How can it be that leaks causing immense damage to the State of Israel are not investigated? Nobody has been arrested for those leaks.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Activists from the right-wing Noam party erected a huge banner on a bridge over the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv on Monday morning featuring photos of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara, with the statement: “His (chalilah) blood is on your hands.” The party explained that the sign is part of a protest against Baharav-Miara’s lack of action against the incitement and anarchy on the streets against Netanyahu, which caused the situation to escalate to the point where Israelis felt free to shoot flares at Netanyhau’s home in Caesarea on Motzei Shabbos, causing a fire. Three people suspected of shooting the flares, including a senior IDF reserve officer, were arrested following the incident and are still being held by the police. A fourth suspect, the son of one of the main suspects, was arrested on Monday afternoon and taken to Lahav 433 for questioning. Noam chairman, Deputy Minister Avi Maoz, stated: “Anarchy in the streets has been rampant for over a year, and the attorney general only encourages the situation with her statement that there is no effective protest without disorderly conduct. If something unfortunate were to happen to the Netanyahu family, the blood would be on her hands.” “This action is a clear call – we can no longer remain silent. The attorney general, along with senior officials in the judicial system, is playing an active role in the struggle to overthrow the government. This is an attempt at a quiet coup, and we are here to expose the truth. “The shooting of flares at the prime minister’s house not only poses a physical threat but is also a direct result of a dangerous atmosphere that those who are supposed to stop it choose not to fight against. Those who allow anarchy and incitement to run rampant bear responsibility.” The Noam party is also holding a protest outside Baharav-Miara’s house on Monday evening. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that he wanted a strong and durable relationship with China Monday as he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Brazil. It was the first time a British leader has met with Xi in recent years as ties between the two countries deteriorated over security and human rights concerns and China’s support for Russia in the war in Ukraine. Starmer, who became prime minister in July after his Labour Party won a landslide election victory, is seeking to repair relations with Beijing. The last time a U.K. leader met with Xi was in 2018. “We want our relations to be consistent, durable, respectful, as we have agreed (and) avoid surprises where possible,” Starmer told Xi during a meeting on the fringes of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro. Downing Street said that Starmer wanted a “pragmatic” approach to working with Beijing on global stability, boosting economic ties and especially climate change and the transition to clean energy. Starmer also raised more thorny issues including concerns over the detention of Hong Kong pro-democracy publisher and activist Jimmy Lai, a U.K. citizen who has been in custody since December 2020. Lai, 76, could face up to life in prison if he is convicted under a sweeping national security law that Beijing has imposed on the former British colony. Journalists were ushered out of the room at the start of Monday’s bilateral meeting around the time Starmer raised Lai’s case, Britain’s Press Association agency reported. Starmer “wanted to engage honestly and frankly on those areas where we have different perspectives, including on Hong Kong, human rights and Russia’s war in Ukraine,” his office said in a statement after the meeting. Xi told Starmer that the U.K. and China have potential for more cooperation despite their differences and should deepen political trust for mutual benefit, according to China’s Xinhua state news agency. Monday’s meeting came after U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy paid a visit to Beijing last month for talks with his counterpart, Wang Yi. (AP)
In the aftermath of the November 5 presidential election, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez pointed a finger at the pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC, suggesting its influence might have played a role in the Democratic Party’s underperformance. The New York congresswoman, known for her frequent criticism of Israel, made her remarks in a post on the social media platform X. “If people want to talk about members of Congress being overly influenced by a special interest group pushing a wildly unpopular agenda that pushes voters away from Democrats, then they should be discussing AIPAC,” Ocasio-Cortez, commonly referred to as AOC, wrote on Sunday. The post was in response to comments made by Jeremy Slavin, a senior adviser to Senator Bernie Sanders, who highlighted the impact of corporate and industry lobbying within the Democratic Party. Slavin wrote, “Weird to have a whole discourse about ‘special interest groups’ that completely leaves out corporate and industry lobbies—by far the most influential ‘groups’ in the Democratic Party.” AIPAC responded to AOC’s remarks by challenging her claim. The organization posted a fact-check graphic on X, referencing primary election results in New York and Missouri where progressive “Squad” members Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush failed to secure reelection. The graphic aimed to counter Ocasio-Cortez’s assertion about the group’s unpopularity among voters. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
President-elect Donald Trump said Monday he is naming former Wisconsin Rep. Sean Duffy as his nominee to be transportation secretary, as he continues to roll out picks for his Cabinet. Duffy is a former reality TV star who was one of Trump’s most visible defenders on cable news — a prime concern for the media-focused president-elect. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, was a member of the Financial Services Committee and was chairman of the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019, and is now co-host of a show on Fox Business, the “Bottom Line.” In his announcement Monday, Trump noted that Duffy is married to a Fox News host, calling him “the husband of a wonderful woman, Rachel Campos-Duffy, a STAR on Fox News.” Duffy is so far the second Fox-affiliated television host to be named to a cabinet position in Trump’s new White House. Trump last week announced he was choosing Fox News host Pete Hegseth to serve as his defense secretary. Trump said Duffy would use his experience and relationships built over the years in Congress “to maintain and rebuild our Nation’s Infrastructure, and fulfill our Mission of ushering in The Golden Age of Travel, focusing on Safety, Efficiency, and Innovation. Importantly, he will greatly elevate the Travel Experience for all Americans!” Duffy in 2022 ruled out a run for Wisconsin governor, despite pleas from Trump to make a bid, saying he needed time to care for the needs of his family of nine children, posting on social media that his youngest child had a heart condition. He is a former lumberjack athlete and frequent contributor to Fox News. He was featured on MTV’s “The Real World: Boston” in 1997. He met his future wife on the set of MTV’s “Road Rules: All Stars” in 1998. He was a special prosecutor and Ashland County district attorney who won election to Congress as part of a tea party wave in 2010. He served until resigning in 2019. Trump, in his statement, said Duffy would “prioritize Excellence, Competence, Competitiveness and Beauty when rebuilding America’s highways, tunnels, bridges and airports.” Trump, as he campaigned for the White House, would sometimes complain about the state of air travel in particular, lamenting that the nation’s “once-revered airports” are a “dirty, crowded mess.” Duffy, Trump said Monday, “will make our skies safe again by eliminating DEI for pilots and air traffic controllers.” DEI refers to “diversity, equity and inclusion” programs. The Transportation Department oversees the nation’s complex transportation system, including pipelines, railroads, cars, trucks and transit systems as well as federal funding for highways. The department includes the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which regulates automakers, including Elon Musk’s Tesla. The department sets fuel economy standards for cars and trucks and regulates the airline industry through the Federal Aviation Administration, one of its agencies. Trump has criticized electric vehicles as expensive and unreliable and called President Joe Biden’s policy to promote EVs “lunacy. He also has said EV manufacturing will destroy auto industry jobs and has falsely claimed that battery-powered cars don’t work in cold weather and aren’t able to travel long distances. Trump has softened his rhetoric in recent months after Musk endorsed him and campaigned heavily for his election. Even so, industry officials expect Trump […]
New York City on Monday issued its first drought warning in 22 years after months of little rain — and will restart the flow of drinking water from an out-of-service aqueduct as supplies run low. Dry conditions across the Northeast have been blamed for hundreds of brush fires. They had already prompted New York City and state officials to implement water-conservation protocols when Mayor Eric Adams upgraded the drought warning and temporarily halted a $2 billion aqueduct repair project that had stopped drinking water from flowing from some reservoirs in the Catskill region. Last week, a park on the northern tip of Manhattan caught fire, sending smoke billowing across the city — less than a week after a brush fire in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. “New Yorkers should not under estimate the dry weather and what it means,” Adams said at a news conference, noting the recent fires. ”The fire risk is high and the fire risk is real.” The city may elevate the warning to an emergency if dry conditions persist. A drought emergency involves requiring residents and city agencies to cut down on water usage. Upgrading from a watch to a warning requires a range of conservation protocols, Adams said. Water-saving measures planned for the coming weeks will include washing buses and subway cars less frequently and limiting water use for fountains and golf courses, the mayor said. “Our city vehicles may look a bit dirtier, and our subways may look a bit dustier, but it’s what we have to do to delay or stave off a more serious drought emergency,” he said. At the same time on Monday, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a statewide drought watch and elevated 15 counties to drought warning status, asking residents to conserve water whenever possible. The shut-off of a stretch of the Delaware Aqueduct to address leaks had been in the works for years. The aqueduct carries water for 85 miles (137 kilometers) from four reservoirs in the Catskill region to other reservoirs in the city’s northern suburbs. A portion of the aqueduct was shut off in early October but will now be turned back on because water levels across the city’s reservoir system are too low to make up the difference, officials with the city Department of Environmental Protection said. The last drought warning in New York City was issued in January 2002. (AP)
Tensions are reportedly escalating within President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team after a heated exchange between Elon Musk and Boris Epshteyn, a close Trump ally, erupted during a dinner at Mar-a-Lago last week. According to sources cited by Axios, the argument stemmed from disagreements over Cabinet appointments and accusations of leaking sensitive transition details. The confrontation reportedly reached a boiling point when Musk accused Epshteyn of leaking information about potential personnel picks. “You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Epshteyn allegedly fired back, intensifying what sources described as a “massive blowout.” The altercation underscores a growing power struggle within Trump’s team as Musk, a newcomer to Trump’s circle, pushes for his preferred candidates for key positions. Musk has reportedly criticized Epshteyn’s influence, particularly in nominating Justice Department officials, including Matt Gaetz as attorney general. Musk is also lobbying for Howard Lutnick, co-chair of Trump’s transition team, as Treasury secretary, as opposed to Wall Street veteran Scott Bessent, who is backed by other Trump allies. Despite the friction, Musk enjoys significant support from figures like Vice President-elect JD Vance, commentator Tucker Carlson, and Trump’s sons, who reportedly value Musk’s unconventional perspective. However, Musk’s increasing role in shaping the administration has sparked resistance from Trump loyalists, who view his influence as overstepping boundaries. Epshteyn, who has been instrumental in Trump’s legal strategy during recent criminal cases, remains a key figure in shaping the administration’s direction. Neither Musk nor Epshteyn have commented publicly on the incident. Epshteyn referred Axios to the Trump transition team for any statements. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
A Georgia appeals court on Monday canceled oral arguments that were scheduled for next month on the appeal of a lower court ruling allowing Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to continue to prosecute the election interference case she brought against President-elect Donald Trump. Trump and other defendants had asked the Georgia Court of Appeals to hold oral arguments in the case, and the court had set those arguments for Dec. 5. But in a one-line order with no further explanation, the appeals court said that hearing “is hereby canceled until further order of this Court.” A Fulton County grand jury in August 2023 indicted Trump and 18 others, accusing them of participating in a sprawling scheme to illegally try to overturn the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. Four defendants have pleaded guilty after reaching deals with prosecutors, but Trump and the others have pleaded not guilty. But with Trump set to return to the White House in January, the future of the case against the once and future president was already in question even if the Court of Appeals ultimately says Willis shouldn’t be disqualified. Trump and other defendants filed the appeal seeking to get Willis and her office removed from the case and to have the case dismissed. They argue that a relationship Willis had with special prosecutor Nathan Wade created a conflict of interest. Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee in March found that no conflict of interest existed that should force Willis off the case, but he granted a request from Trump and the other defendants to seek an appeal of his ruling from the Court of Appeals. McAfee wrote that “reasonable questions” over whether Willis and Wade had testified truthfully about the timing of their relationship “further underpin the finding of an appearance of impropriety and the need to make proportional efforts to cure it.” He allowed Willis to remain on the case only if Wade left, and the special prosecutor submitted his resignation hours later. The allegations that Willis had improperly benefited from her relationship with Wade resulted in a tumultuous couple of months in the case as intimate details of Willis and Wade’s personal lives were aired in court in mid-February. (AP)
Achiezer has emerged as a true pillar of community support in the Five Towns and Far Rockaway. Around the clock, Achiezer offers relief in moments of crisis and solace in times of grief, embodying the spirit of its name through every act of service. In an effort that spans the entire alphabet of needs—from emergencies to mental health support, home repairs, legal guidance, and beyond—Achiezer is there. Every call for help is met with unwavering dedication and tailored assistance, exemplifying the team’s mission to serve all, always. This commitment isn’t automatic; it’s carefully crafted, fueled by years of experience, and powered by the dedication of an unparalleled team. Achiezer is truly here for everything from A to Z, meeting every challenge head-on with professionalism, responsibility, and heart. At the end of this month, Achiezer is pausing to reflect on the incredible accomplishments that the A Team and all of its partners have achieved together. For the first time in five years, Achiezer presents a community-wide Gala Evening celebrating some of Achiezer’s most impactful partnerships, and the good we’ve done together. “After five years without a gala, we recognized the need for an event that would reunite and strengthen our community,” shares Achiezer President, Boruch Ber Bender. The Gala Evening, which will take place on Sunday, November 24th at The Sands Atlantic Beach, is an opportunity to reconnect as a community and to honor those who go above-and-beyond to uphold Achiezer’s mission of kindness and resilience. Six of our most impactful partners will be honored at the event as we join together to celebrate the contributions of every volunteer and supporter that make Achiezer’s work possible. A powerful reminder of the resilience and solidarity that defines the Five Towns and Far Rockaway, the event will bring together neighbors, friends, and families to celebrate our shared commitment to lifting one another up. Adding to the excitement of the evening, we are thrilled to announce that the Blue Melody Group will be performing live, bringing their extraordinary energy and spirit to this special event. To partner in Achiezer’s work, please consider reserving a Gala journal ad. Your contribution is incredibly appreciated. Please visit Achiezer.org/Dinner to reserve your ticket and journal ad. We look forward to sharing this memorable evening with the community and with everyone who makes Achiezer’s work not only possible, but powerful.
Iran has reportedly urged Hezbollah to accept a ceasefire agreement with Israel amid ongoing U.S.-led efforts to end hostilities, The New York Times reported over the weekend. Ali Larijani, senior adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, conveyed Tehran’s support during a November 15 meeting in Beirut with senior Lebanese officials, including Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Najib Mikati. Larijani reportedly assured Hezbollah of Iranian assistance in rebuilding its forces and infrastructure after the war, while urging the group to retreat north of the Litani River in accordance with U.N. Resolution 1701. Hezbollah has launched 16,000 rockets, missiles, and drones at Israel since joining the war in support of Hamas on October 8, but it has suffered significant setbacks. Israeli strikes have depleted over 80% of Hezbollah’s long-range rockets, and assassinations have decimated its leadership, including Hassan Nasrallah. The U.S. proposal, presented by Ambassador Lisa Johnson, includes a 60-day truce and the redeployment of Lebanese Armed Forces to the border, with oversight by the U.S. and Britain. Israel insists on maintaining operational freedom in Lebanon, while Hezbollah demands restrictions on Israeli military actions. U.S. President Joe Biden’s envoy, Amos Hochstein, is set to visit Beirut for further talks, while Israeli officials are engaging with both Biden’s team and President-elect Donald Trump to secure a ceasefire deal. If diplomacy fails, Israel may further escalate ground operations in Lebanon. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Sunday that he would not allow Hamas to regain power in Gaza under any circumstances, according to Israel National News. “The only thing that Hamas wants is a deal that ends the war and for the IDF to leave the Strip in order to return to power,” Netanyahu said. “I am not ready to allow that under any circumstance.” Netanyahu reportedly insisted that Hamas interprets Israeli pressure as a sign it can hold out for a more favorable deal. Security officials have warned that this approach could jeopardize the lives of hostages held by the terror group. In the meeting, Netanyahu instructed the security establishment to present him with a plan by Thursday to replace Hamas in the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza, according to the report. “We’ve struck Hamas militarily, but we haven’t harmed their ruling capabilities enough,” he said, according to Channel 12. Netanyahu also addressed ongoing negotiations in Lebanon, expressing skepticism about reaching an effective agreement. He reiterated Israel’s insistence on maintaining operational freedom against Hezbollah, though mediating countries reportedly do not support these demands. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
A former U.S. Army soldier who was court-martialed for fatally shooting a handcuffed civilian in Iraq two decades ago was sentenced on Monday to more than four years in prison for his role in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Edward Richmond Jr. attacked police officers with a metal baton during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol. Richmond, 41, of Geismar, Louisiana, said he immediately regretted his actions that day. “It was wrong. It was foolish. It was not thought-out. It was spur of the moment,” Richmond said before U.S. District Judge John Bates sentenced him to four years and three months behind bars. The judge said Richmond appeared to be genuinely remorseful for joining one of the most violent episodes of the Capitol riot — a clash between rioters and outnumbered officers inside a tunnel entrance. “Your conduct was pretty terrible. You’ve recognized that,” Bates said. More than 1,500 people have been charged with federal crimes stemming from the Capitol riot. More than 650 of them have been sentenced to terms of imprisonment ranging from a few days to 22 years. Several Jan. 6 riot defendants have asked judges to pause their cases until after President-elect Donald Trump takes office, citing his campaign vow to pardon supporters who stormed the Capitol after his “Stop the Steal” rally near the White House on Jan. 6. Judges have largely rejected those requests and forged ahead with plea hearings and sentencings as scheduled. Richmond didn’t ask for his sentencing to be delayed. His lawyer, John McLindon, said after the hearing that such a request seemed like a “waste of time.” Prosecutors recommended a prison sentence of five years and three months for Richmond, who will get credit for roughly nine months that he already has served in jail since his arrest. Richmond was wearing a helmet, goggles and other military-style tactical gear when he attended then-President Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally near the White House on Jan. 6. After marching to the Capitol, he joined other rioters in a “heave ho” push against police officers guarding a tunnel entrance. Richmond carried a police shield into the crowd and then returned to the mouth of the tunnel, where he attacked officers with a retractable metal baton, hitting their shields. Before leaving, Richmond passed along a wooden board for rioters to use against police as a makeshift weapon. He also carried out office furniture from a broken window. “He pumped it up in the air several times over his head and shouted, drawing huge cheers from the crowd and spurring the rioters on in their violent attack against police,” a prosecutor wrote. Richmond was arrested in January and pleaded guilty to an assault charge in August. Richmond was 20 when an Army court-martial panel convicted him of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced him to three years of military confinement for killing a handcuffed Iraqi civilian near Taal Al Jai in February 2004. Richmond was incarcerated at Fort Sill in Oklahoma and also received a dishonorable discharge from the Army. The Army said Richmond used a rifle to fatally shoot Muhamad Husain Kadir, a cow herder, in the back of the head from about six feet away after the man stumbled. During Monday’s sentencing, Richmond told the judge that a […]
It is with deep pain and regret that YWN informs you of the petirah of Rav Meir Chaim Gutfreund, zt”l, a pioneering mechanech and the visionary founder of The Cheder in Flatbush. He was 72. Rav Meir Chaim’s life was defined by an unwavering dedication to chinuch and a relentless pursuit of excellence in the craft, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to impact generations to come. Rav Meir Chaim zt”l was raised in Monsey, where his early years were imbued with Torah and Yiras Shamayim. At the age of 13, he began learning in Bais Hatalmud, where he remained through his kollel years. These formative experiences, combined with his unique perspective on chinuch, laid the foundation for his future endeavors. In 1993, he took took a bold step to address the educational needs of the Flatbush kehilla founding The Cheder with just 50 children in a nursery and kindergarten. It was not to be “just another institution.” Drawing on the guidance of leading mechanchim and gedolim, Rav Meir Chaim established a school that successfully implemented the most effective and innovative educational strategies, allowing for the unparalleled growth of its talmidim. Under his leadership, The Cheder grew exponentially, expanding into a complete school that now serves over 800 talmidim. It includes an elementary school, a mesivta, and a bais medrash, housed in multiple state-of-the-art buildings, complete with a dormitory. His vision also extended to Lakewood, where he acquired and revitalized Yeshivas Kaminetz, transforming it into one of the town’s premier and most sought-after boys schools. The Niftar also established a Yeshiva in Queens [Cheder Moshe Raya Mehamina] to serve the Bucharian community. Rav Meir Chaim was more than an mechanech; he was a baal chessed and a marbitz Torah who dedicated his life to fostering the next generation of talmidei chachomim. His life’s mission lives on through his family, a dynasty of talmidei chachomim and marbitzei Torah, including his son, Rav Mordechai, who serves as the Rosh Yeshiva of the Mesivta and Bais Medrash of The Cheder. The levaya will take at 10:30 AM Tuesday morning at 401 Elmwood, followed by a levaya at the Kaminetz Yeshiva in Lakewood at 2:30 PM. Baruch Dayan Ha’Emes. Yehi zichro baruch. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
The Knesset’s Economic Affairs Committee will meet Monday to consider amendments to Israel’s Aviation Services Law, following requests from airline companies struggling with losses due to the ongoing conflict. Foreign carriers suspended flights to Israel over a year ago, significantly reducing travel options and increasing ticket prices on local airlines. The Aviation Services Law, also known as the “Tibi Law,” requires airlines to compensate passengers for canceled or delayed flights or provide alternative arrangements. Modeled after EU regulations, the law has come under fire from airlines, which claim it imposes unsustainable financial burdens during the conflict. Airlines are pushing to suspend the law retroactively from the war’s onset and shorten the notice period for cancellations without compensation from 14 to three days. They also propose implementing price controls on substitute flight tickets. Major international carriers, including American Airlines, have halted operations to Israel, with some, like Ryanair, citing millions in compensation payouts. American Airlines has announced it will not resume service to Tel Aviv until at least September 2025. El Al remains the sole carrier operating direct flights to the U.S., but Israir CEO Uri Sirkis hinted that amendments to the law could enable his airline to launch U.S. flights this winter, easing financial strain and increasing travel options for Israelis. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Wisconsin Republican Eric Hovde conceded defeat on Monday to Democratic incumbent Tammy Baldwin in their U.S. Senate race, saying he did not want to “add to political strife through a contentious recount” even though he raised debunked election conspiracies. Hovde, who was backed by President-elect Donald Trump, could have requested a recount because his margin of defeat was less than 1 percentage point, at about 29,000 votes. He would have had to pay for it himself. Baldwin’s campaign referred requests for comment on Hovde’s concession on Monday to her victory speech last week. In that address, Baldwin pledged to work with Trump when possible but also vowed to fight him to protect the national health care law and abortion rights. Hovde, in his concession video, repeated claims he first made last week, saying there were “many troubling issues” related to absentee ballots in Milwaukee and when they were reported. Republicans, Democrats and nonpartisan election leaders all refuted the claims of impropriety Hovde made. “Without a detailed review of all the ballots and their legitimacy, which will be difficult to obtain in the courts, a request for a recount would serve no purpose because you will just be recounting the same ballots regardless of their integrity,” Hovde said Monday. Although there is no evidence of wrongdoing in the election, many Hovde supporters questioned a surge in votes for Baldwin that were reported by Milwaukee around 4:30 a.m. the morning after the election. Those votes put Baldwin over the top. The votes were the tabulation of absentee ballots from Milwaukee. Those ballots are counted at a central location and reported all at once, often well after midnight on Election Day. Elections officials for years have made clear that those ballots are reported later than usual because of the sheer number that have to be counted and the fact that state law does not allow for processing them before polls open. Republicans and Democrats alike, along with state and Milwaukee election leaders, warned in the days and weeks leading up to the election that the Milwaukee absentee ballots would be reported late and cause a huge influx of Democratic votes. Hovde also repeated his complaint about the candidacy of Thomas Leager, who ran as a member of the America First Party. Leager, a far-right candidate who was recruited by Democratic operatives and donors to run as a conservative, finished a distant fourth. Republicans supported independent presidential candidates Cornel West and Jill Stein in efforts to take votes away from Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. And Robert F. Kennedy Jr. tried to get his name removed from the ballot in Wisconsin and other swing states after he backed Trump. In the Wisconsin Senate race, Leager got about 400 fewer votes than the margin between Baldwin and Hovde. But Hovde claimed on Monday that he would have won the Senate race if Leager had not been on the ballot. Baldwin declared victory after The Associated Press called the race for her on Nov. 6. She outperformed Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost Wisconsin by about as many votes as Baldwin defeated Hovde. The Baldwin win came in the face of Democratic losses nationwide that allowed Republicans to take control of the Senate. Her win was the narrowest of her three Senate races. Baldwin won in […]
