Iran is preparing a “definitive and painful” response to Israel’s recent strike on its territory, expected to occur ahead of the U.S. presidential election on November 5, according to a senior Iranian source cited by CNN. The anonymous source, who reportedly has insight into Iranian government discussions, confirmed that Tehran intends to retaliate, saying: “The response of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Zionist regime’s aggression will be definitive and painful.” This anticipated move follows heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, stemming from Israel’s counterstrike in response to Iran’s October 1 missile attack. While Israel has anticipated a reaction, Iran had previously appeared cautious about escalating the situation. The upcoming response indicates a shift, suggesting a possible intensification of the conflict. In turn, Israel has cautioned Tehran that any additional aggression will be met with firm retaliation. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
UTJ MK Moshe Roth commented on Wednesday in a radio interview on Kol B’Rama about a Chareidi recruitment law and the daycare law, criticizing Minister Ofir Sofer, and saying that “a coalition agreement was signed, and agreements must be respected.” Aliyah Minister Ofir Sofer (Religious Zionist party) said in an interview earlier on Wednesday that the daycare bill proposed by MK Yisrael Eichler, which is being promoted by the UTJ party, will not be advanced until there’s progress on the recruitment law. “We’ve been spat in the face of the Chareidi leadership during the recruitment process,” Sofer claimed. “People here are bleeding to death, Bnei Torah and non-Bnei Torah. The categorical statement that there is a public here that doesn’t bear the burden in historic moments is just unacceptable.” Roth said: “There’s no shortage of manpower in the IDF and there’s no real need to recruit Charedim.” Roth criticized the political use of the leftists regarding the memory of the many Dati Leumi soldiers who fell during the war: “They chased these people down when they were alive – and now they use the Dati Leumi casualties as a tool for political attacks. The Dati Leumi have become the useful idiots of the left.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
Russian forces struck a residential building in Ukraine’s second-largest city of Kharkiv on Thursday, killing two, including a 12-year-old boy, and injuring scores of others, and launched scores of other attacks as they continued their grinding onslaught in the country’s east. Regional head Oleh Syniehubov said the boy was fatally injured when the building was hit by a Russian 500-kilogram (1,100-pound) glide bomb. “He was freed from under the rubble with severe head injuries and fractures,” Syniehubov wrote on social media. “Doctors performed resuscitation measures for more than half an hour. Unfortunately, it was not possible to save the child.” Syniehubov said later that rescuers also retrieved the body of an unidentified man from the debris. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said at least 35 people were injured in the attack and others could still be trapped under the rubble, including a missing 15-year-old boy. Russia has increasingly used powerful glide bombs to pummel Ukrainian positions along the 1,000-kilometer (600-miles) line of contact and strike cities dozens of kilometers (miles) from the front line. Kharkiv, a city of 1.1 million, is about 30 kilometers (less than 20 miles) from the border. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly urged the United States to allow Ukraine to use long-range American missiles to strike air bases deeper in Russia that are used by aicraft carrying glide bombs. Washington so far has only allowed some strikes close to the border. Zelenskyy repeated his request Thursday, publishing a video showing the ravaged building, at least three of its floors destroyed and the rest of it seriously damaged. “Partners see what is happening every day,” Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram. “And under these conditions, each of their delayed decisions means at least dozens, if not hundreds of such Russian bombs against Ukraine. Their decisions are the lives of our people. Therefore, we must together stop Russia and do it with all possible force.” Early Thursday, Russia also fired 10 missiles of various types at the Dniester Estuary bridge that connects the northern and southern parts of the Odesa region, Ukraine’s air force said, adding that only two of them were intercepted. It didn’t say whether the bridge was hit. Russian forces also sent 43 exploding drones over at least nine Ukrainian regions, the air force said. It said 17 were shot down, 23 jammed and three flew back to Russian-controlled territories. The head of Kyiv city administration, Serhii Popko, said debris from some of the drones that were intercepted over the capital fell in the Podil district just north of downtown, causing minor damage. According to Popko, there was only one day in October in which Kyiv residents did not hear an air alert. During the month, Kyiv experienced two air alerts per day on average, repelling 20 actual aerial attacks targeting the city. In the country’s east, Russian forces continued their slow but steady assault, trying to capitalize on Ukrainian shortages of manpower and ammunition. In Moscow, the Defense Ministry reported the capture of the village of Yasna Polyana in the Donetsk region that lies on the way to the well-fortified Ukrainian stronghold of Kurakhove. Ukraine struck back Thursday with drone attacks. Authorities in the Russia-occupied city of Berdyansk on the Sea of Azov reported a drone attack on the port early Thursday, saying three people were injured. […]
With less than a week before Election Day, the race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump is incredibly close in Pennsylvania, a key battleground state with 19 electoral votes at stake. According to three new polls, both candidates are locked in a virtual tie as they campaign intensively in a state that played a decisive role in recent elections. A Quinnipiac University poll conducted from October 24-28 shows Trump holding a narrow one-point lead over Harris, with 47% support compared to her 46%. A CNN poll indicates an exact tie, with each candidate at 48% support among likely voters. The Monmouth University survey finds a similarly close contest, with 42% of registered voters already committed to each candidate and an additional 5% leaning toward one or the other. The tight race comes amid shifts in Pennsylvania’s voter registration. Since the 2020 election, Republicans have closed the gap with Democrats, cutting their opponent’s previous advantage nearly in half. Democrats now lead by 297,824 registered voters, compared to 685,818 in 2020. As Election Day nears, both campaigns are ramping up ad spending in Pennsylvania, where spending has exceeded half a billion dollars. Trump’s campaign has reserved $5.8 million in ad time for the final stretch, while Harris’s campaign has allocated $4.6 million. This spending dwarfs ad budgets in other battleground states, including Michigan, as both parties vie for critical swing-state voters. Both Harris and Trump have made Pennsylvania central to their strategies, with Harris visiting the state at least 15 times since August, including her latest rally on Wednesday at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex. Trump, who also has made multiple stops, appeared in Allentown on Tuesday, urging supporters to vote early—an apparent shift from his previous opposition to early voting. The Pennsylvania Senate race is also shaping up to be a close call. Democratic incumbent Sen. Bob Casey Jr. holds a slight lead over Republican challenger Dave McCormick, with polls showing Casey with a 3-point margin. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Survivors of the worst natural disaster to hit Spain in this century awoke to scenes of devastation on Thursday, after villages were wiped out by monstrous flash floods that claimed at least 95 lives. The death toll is expected to rise as search efforts continue with officials removing bodies from buildings and vehicles and an unknown number of people still missing. “Unfortunately, there are dead people inside some vehicles,” said Spain’s Transport Minister Óscar Puente in reference to hundreds of cars and trucks stranded on roads stained brown with mud. The aftermath looked like the damage left by a strong hurricane or tsunami. Cars piled on one another like broken toys, uprooted trees, downed power lines and household items all mired in a layer of mud covered the streets of Barrio de la Torre, a suburb of Valencia, just one of dozens of localities in the hard-hit region of Valencia, where 92 people died between late Tuesday and Wednesday morning. Walls of rushing water turned narrow streets into death traps and spawned rivers that ripped into the ground floors of homes and swept away cars, people and anything else in its path. The floods knocked down bridges and left roads unrecognizable. “The neighborhood is destroyed, all the cars are on top of each other, it’s literally smashed up,” said Christian Viena, the owner of a wrecked bar in Barrio de la Torre. Regional authorities said late Wednesday it seemed no one was left stranded on rooftops or in cars in need of rescue after helicopters had saved some 70 people. But ground crews and citizens continued to inspect vehicles and homes that were damaged by the onslaught of water. “Our priority is to find the victims and the missing so we can help end the suffering of their families,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said after meeting with regional officials and emergency services in Valencia on Thursday, the first of three days of official mourning in the European country. Spain’s Mediterranean coast is used to autumn storms that can cause flooding. But this was the most powerful flash flood event in recent memory. Scientists link it to climate change, which is also behind increasingly high temperatures and droughts in Spain and the heating up of the Mediterranean Sea. While the greatest suffering was inflicted on municipalities near the city of Valencia, the storms unleashed their fury over huge swaths of the south and eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula. Two fatalities were reported in the neighboring Castilla La Mancha region. Southern Andalusia reported one death. Homes were left without water as far southwest as Malaga in Andalusia, where a high-speed train derailed on Tuesday night although none of the nearly 300 passengers were hurt. Greenhouses and farms across southern Spain, known as Europe’s garden for its exported produce, were also ruined by heavy rains and flooding. The storms spawned a freak tornado in Valencia and a hail storm that punched holes in cars in Andalusia. Heavy rains continued Thursday farther north and the Spanish weather agency issued a red alert for several counties in Castellón, the northernmost province in the Valencia region, and an orange alert for the south of Tarragona, in northeast Catalonia, and the west coast of Cádiz, across the country in the southwest. “This storm front is still with us,” Sánchez […]
A draft agreement for a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah envisions a 60-day implementation period during which the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) would take control of southern Lebanon and work to disarm Hezbollah along the border, according to a report from Kan News. The proposal is part of a broader plan aimed at reducing hostilities and establishing lasting stability along the Israel-Lebanon border. Under the proposed terms, the IDF would withdraw from Lebanon within seven days after hostilities cease, paving the way for the LAF to establish a significant presence in the area. The transition would be facilitated by UN peacekeepers, allowing the LAF to ultimately position approximately 10,000 troops along the border with Israel. Following the 60-day period, Israel and Lebanon would begin indirect negotiations with US mediation to further implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for a demilitarized zone free of Hezbollah’s armed presence, as well as to address ongoing border disputes. A new oversight body, the International Monitoring and Enforcement Mechanism (IMEM), would be established to ensure compliance with the agreement. The IMEM, led by the US, would include key European and regional partners, such as Italy, France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, UNIFIL, and representatives from Middle Eastern countries, to monitor and enforce the terms of the ceasefire. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
A pig at an Oregon farm was found to have bird flu, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday. It’s the first time the virus has been detected in U.S. swine and raises concerns about bird flu’s potential to become a human threat. The infection happened at a backyard farm in Crook County, in the center of the state, where different animals share water and are housed together. Last week, poultry at the farm were found to have the virus, and testing this week found that one of the farm’s five pigs had become infected. The farm was put under quarantine and all five pigs were euthanized so additional testing could be done. It’s not a commercial farm, and U.S. agriculture officials said there is no concern about the safety of the nation’s pork supply. But finding bird flu in a pig raises worries that the virus may be hitting a stepping stone to becoming a bigger threat to people, said Jennifer Nuzzo, a Brown University pandemic researcher. Pigs can be infected with multiple types of flu, and the animals can play a role in making bird viruses better adapted to humans, she explained. The 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic had swine origins, Nuzzo noted. “If we’re trying to stay ahead of this virus and prevent it from becoming a threat to the broader public, knowing if it’s in pigs is crucial,” Nuzzo said. The USDA has conducted genetic tests on the farm’s poultry and has not seen any mutations that suggest the virus is gaining an increased ability to spread to people. That indicates the current risk to the public remains low, officials said. A different strain of the bird flu virus has been reported in pigs outside the U.S. in the past, and it did not trigger a human pandemic. “It isn’t a one-to-one relationship, where pigs get infected with viruses and they make pandemics,” said Troy Sutton, a Penn State researcher who studies flu viruses in animals. This version of bird flu — known as Type A H5N1 — has been spreading widely in the U.S. among wild birds, poultry, cows and a number of other animals. Its persistence increases the chances that people will be exposed and potentially catch it, officials say. It isn’t necessarily surprising that a pig infection was detected, given that so many other animals have had the virus, experts said. The Oregon pig infection “is noteworthy, but does it change the calculation of the threat level? No it doesn’t,” Sutton said. If the virus starts spreading more widely among pigs and if there are ensuing human infections, “then we’re going to be more concerned.” So far this year, nearly 40 human cases have been reported — in California, Colorado, Washington, Michigan, Texas and Missouri — with mostly mild symptoms, including eye redness, reported. All but one of the people had been to contact with infected animals. (AP)
As winter approaches and daylight hours grow shorter, people prone to seasonal depression can feel it in their bodies and brains. “It’s a feeling of panic, fear, anxiety and dread all in one,” said Germaine Pataki, 63, of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. She’s among the millions of people estimated to have seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. Her coping strategies include yoga, walking and an antidepressant medication. She’s also part of a Facebook group for people with SAD. “I try to focus on helping others through it,” Pataki said. “This gives me purpose.” People with SAD typically have episodes of depression that begin in the fall and ease in the spring or summer. Changing the clocks back to standard time, which happens this weekend, can be a trigger for SAD. A milder form, subsyndromal SAD, is recognized by medical experts, and there’s also a summer variety of seasonal depression, though less is known about it. In 1984, a team led by Dr. Norman Rosenthal, then a researcher at the National Institutes of Health, first described SAD and coined the term. “I believe that because it is easy to remember, the acronym has stuck,” he said. What causes seasonal affective disorder? Scientists are learning how specialized cells in our eyes turn the blue wavelength part of the light spectrum into neural signals affecting mood and alertness. Sunlight is loaded with the blue light, so when the cells absorb it, our brains’ alertness centers are activated and we feel more wakeful and possibly even happier. Researcher Kathryn Roecklein at the University of Pittsburgh tested people with and without SAD to see how their eyes reacted to blue light. As a group, people with SAD were less sensitive to blue light than others, especially during winter months. That suggests a cause for wintertime depression. “In the winter, when the light levels drop, that combined with a lower sensitivity, might be too low for healthy functioning, leading to depression,” Roecklein said. Miriam Cherry, 50, of Larchmont, New York, said she spent the summer planning how she would deal with her winter depression. “It’s like clockwork,” Cherry said. “The sunlight is low. The day ends at 4:45, and suddenly my mood is horrible.” Does light therapy help? Many people with SAD respond to light therapy, said Dr. Paul Desan of Yale University’s Winter Depression Research Clinic. “The first thing to try is light,” Desan said. “When we get patients on exposure to bright light for a half an hour or so every morning, the majority of patients get dramatically better. We don’t even need medications.” The therapy involves devices that emit light about 20 times brighter than regular indoor light. Research supports using a light that’s about 10,000 lux, a measure of brightness. You need to use it for 30 minutes every morning, according to the research. Desan said this can help not only people with SAD but also those with less-severe winter blahs. Special lights run from $70 to $400. Some products marketed for SAD are too dim to do much good, Desan said. Yale has tested products and offers a list of recommendations, and the nonprofit Center for Environmental Therapeutics has a consumer guide to selecting a light. If your doctor diagnosed you with SAD, check with your insurance company to see if the cost of a light might be […]
The Washington Post has lost at least 250,000 subscribers since announcing last Friday that it would not endorse a candidate for president — roughly 10 percent of its digital following, the newspaper reported Wednesday. The Post would not officially confirm that figure, saying it was a private company, but it was reported in a story in the newspaper that cited documents and two unnamed sources who were familiar with the figures. Another non-endorsement last week has caused thousands of Los Angeles Times readers to cancel subscriptions, although not nearly at the Post’s level. One journalism historian, Jon Marshall at Northwestern University, said he had a hard time recalling a comparable response, although a boycott of the Arkansas Gazette when it supported the integration of Little Rock schools in 1957 cost that newspaper more than $20 million in today’s dollars. The Post’s owner, Jeff Bezos, said presidential endorsements create a perception of bias at the newspaper while having little real influence on how readers vote. His said his only regret was making the decision known when passions are heated so close to Election Day; the paper’s editorial staff had reportedly prepared an endorsement of Democrat Kamala Harris. “A lot of people would have forgotten about the Harris endorsement slated to run in the newspaper,” the Post’s media critic, Erik Wemple, wrote. “Few will forget about the decision not to publish it.” The Post’s executive editor, Matt Murray, told employees in a staff meeting that there were “several positive days” of new subscribers signing up, although he didn’t mention any numbers, the newspaper reported. Some of the Post’s angry digital readers have also already paid for a year’s access, and will retain that until their subscriptions expire. “After another month or so, the election will have ended, and there may be people who say that ‘I need the Post more than they need me’ and come back,” said Rick Edmonds, media business analyst at the Poynter Institute. The Post also saw a big increase in subscribers during Donald Trump’s presidency from people attracted to the newspaper’s aggressive coverage, raising the possibility of a repeat if the man that the newspaper wasn’t prepared to endorse is returned to office. In the meantime, Edmonds said, “it’s very bad.” After losing readers during the Biden administration, the Post had reportedly seen positive signs of growth — until this week. (AP)
Before Simchas Torah, a Jewish magazine ran a piece urging parents to ease up on their teenage bochurim and let them enjoy a few drinks on the Yom Tov. This kind of “don’t make a big deal” message might seem harmless on the surface. After all, I was once a bochur myself and recall having a small l’chaim to enhance the joy of the day. A little moderation in celebration, after all, is one thing. But what I witnessed this past Simchas Torah was nothing short of alarming. In the place I attended, there were so many bochurim intoxicated to the point of total dysfunction that extra security was required to help manage the situation. I was both disturbed and saddened to see a respected rosh yeshiva feel compelled to publicly reprimand a bochur, who was so drunk and disruptive during Krias Hatorah that no amount of polite correction could get him to quiet down. This isn’t about one or two kids being irresponsible—it’s about a culture that has grown dangerously comfortable with overindulgence, with very real, long-term consequences. As an addiction counselor, I know firsthand the toll that substance abuse takes on families. I’ve seen families torn apart, lives upended, and futures destroyed—all stemming from one underlying issue that often goes unaddressed: unchecked alcohol consumption. This problem isn’t isolated to Simchas Torah or Purim, though these Yomim Tovim can often bring it to a head. The tendency to turn a blind eye, to normalize excessive drinking under the guise of celebration, has unfortunately become embedded in much of the yeshiva-minded community. The real issue here isn’t about the handful of bochurim who took things too far on Simchas Torah. It’s about the pervasive, unspoken acceptance of drinking and making l’chayim’s left and right as a core part of our culture, leading to a growing number of community members who are developing dangerous habits. These habits, if left unchecked, can easily spiral into full-blown addiction. And while it’s easy to shrug this off as a private struggle or an individual failing, we must recognize it for what it truly is: a collective blind spot that’s eroding the foundation of our community. Why are we willing to take such risks with our children’s futures? For every young man who can “handle” a drink, there’s another who finds himself unable to stop. Addiction doesn’t discriminate, and young people are especially susceptible. By normalizing excessive drinking, we are setting them on a path that can lead to severe consequences later in life. It’s time we ask ourselves some tough questions: Why are we allowing, and even encouraging, drinking alcohol to become the norm? Why are we turning a blind eye to the damage this habit can cause in our homes, our communities, and our futures? We deserve better. Let’s address this issue openly, without shame or denial. Let’s set boundaries that ensure we can be joyous without being destructive. The stakes are simply too high to do otherwise. Signed, An alarmed therapist The views reflected in this letter do not necessarily represent those of YWN. Have an opinion you would like to share? Send it to us for review.
Former Chief Rabbi of Israel HaRav Dovid Lau on Wednesday wrote a letter to presidential candidate Donald Trump wishing him success ahead of the elections next week, Tuesday, November 5. HaRav Lau expressed his gratitude for Trump’s numerous contributions to the Jewish people and Israel during his term as president and conveyed his hopes that he will be elected again and “continue to lead the US with the same vision and determination.” HaRav Lau stressed that he is “speaking for myself and countless others who recognize your contributions to both the free world and Israel.” The letter states: “Mr. President: As the United States approaches a crucial election that will shape the future of both the nation and the world, I feel compelled to express my gratitude for your leadership and the significant impact you’ve had on both the Jewish people and the State of Israel. “During your presidency, you strengthened the alliance between the United States and Israel to unprecedented levels. Your historic decisions—recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s eternal capital, acknowledging Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and establishing the groundbreaking Abraham Accords for peace with Arab states—demonstrate remarkable leadership and commitment to regional stability. “These actions go beyond diplomatic achievements. They reflect a deep understanding of historical justice and affirm the Jewish people’s right to rebuild their national and spiritual life in their ancestral homeland with dignity and freedom. Your policies have shown the world that the bond between the Jewish people and their land is not temporary but rather a fundamental and enduring part of human history. “As a religious leader and former Chief Rabbi of Israel, I particularly value your dedication to religious freedom and interfaith respect. Throughout your presidency, you consistently defended the right of all faiths to practice their beliefs freely and openly. Speaking for myself and countless others who recognize your contributions to both the free world and Israel, I sincerely hope you will continue to lead with the same vision and determination that has characterized your previous service. “As you approach the upcoming election, you have my blessings for success. May you continue to work toward peace, justice, and security for the American people and all who seek peace throughout the world. “With sincere wishes for success and prosperity, with blessings for success and abundant goodness, Rabbi David Lau, 8th Chief Rabbi of Israel, Former President of the Supreme Rabbinical Court.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Wednesday that North Korean troops wearing Russian uniforms and carrying Russian equipment are moving toward Ukraine, in what he called a dangerous and destabilizing development. Austin was speaking at a press conference in Washington with South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, as concerns grow about Pyongyang’s deployment of as many as 12,000 troops to Russia. The U.S. and South Korea say some of the North Korean troops are heading to Russia’s Kursk region on the border with Ukraine, where the Kremlin’s forces have struggled to push back a Ukrainian incursion. Some North Korean advance units have already arrived in the Kursk region, and Austin said “the likelihood is pretty high” that Russia will use the troops in combat. North Korea’s move to tighten its relationship with Russia has triggered alarms across the globe, as leaders worry about how it may expand the war in Ukraine and what Russian military aid will be delivered to Pyongyang in exchange. Ukraine’s U.N. Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya, speaking at an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday, said they expect as many as 4,500 North Korean troops to be at the border this week and to begin directly participating in combat operations against Ukrainian forces in November. Austin said officials are discussing what to do about the deployment, which he said has the potential to broaden or lengthen the conflict in Ukraine. Asked if it could prompt other nations to get more directly involved in the conflict, he acknowledged that it could “encourage others to take action” but provided no details. “This is something that we’re going to continue to watch, and we’re going to continue to work with our allies and partners to discourage Russia from employing these troops in combat,” Austin said. Kim said he doesn’t necessarily believe the deployment will trigger war on the Korean Peninsula but could increase security threats. There is a “high possibility” that Pyongyang would ask for higher technologies in exchange for its troops, such as receiving tactical nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities, he said through an interpreter. Both Kim and Austin called on North Korea to withdraw its troops. Russia has had to shift some resources to the Kursk border region to respond to Ukraine’s offensive. U.S. leaders have suggested that the use of North Korean forces to augment Russia’s defenses indicates that Moscow’s losses during the more than two-year war have significantly degraded its military strength. “They’re doing this because (Russian President Vladimir) Putin has lost a lot of troops,” Austin said, adding that Moscow has a choice between mobilizing more of its own forces or turning to others for help. Already, he noted, Russia has sought military weapons from other nations. Those include North Korea and Iran. The U.S. has estimated there are about 10,000 North Korean troops now in Russia. But others have put the number higher. And Kyslytsya provided an array of more specific numbers and details to the U.N. Security Council. The Ukrainian ambassador said up to 12,000 North Koreans were being trained at five bases in eastern Russia, including at least 500 officers and three generals from the General Staff. In addition to wearing Russian uniforms and carrying Russian small arms, Kyslytsya said they will be provided with Russian identity documents, “notably to conceal […]
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s glaring double standard in addressing hate crimes has reached a disturbing new low. Last Shabbos (the morning after Shmini Atzeres), a Jewish man on his way to shul was shot from behind in West Rogers Park, an attack that authorities describe as unprovoked and marked by the shooter’s shouts of “Allahu Akbar.” Yet, in his public statement, Mayor Johnson avoided any mention of the anti-Semitic nature of the attack. His response was disappointingly vague, calling the shooting merely a “tragic event” and declaring that “all Chicagoans deserve to feel safe,” without a single word acknowledging the apparent targeting of the Jewish victim. This isn’t just disappointing; it’s an insult. Compare Johnson’s muted response to his strong condemnation following the brutal murder of a Muslim child in nearby Plainfield last year. Then, Johnson swiftly and unequivocally decried the crime as a “despicable hate crime” and highlighted Islamophobia’s “destructive role” in our society. Yet, when a Jewish resident is shot on his way to shul—in a clear act of anti-Semitism—Johnson sidesteps, effectively dismissing the targeting of Chicago’s Jewish community. It’s not just Mayor Johnson’s failure. The Chicago Police Department has remained disturbingly silent as well. They have yet to publicly acknowledge that the victim was an Orthodox Jew, that the attacker yelled “Allahu Akbar,” or that the shooter deliberately traveled ten miles to a Jewish neighborhood to carry out this horrific act. Why are these critical facts being withheld from the public? This lack of transparency – which is clearly intentional – only adds to the impression of indifference and cowardice. Rep. Ritchie Torres pointed out Johnson’s glaring oversight, questioning why the Mayor failed to even acknowledge the victim’s identity as a Jew or the hate-driven motivation behind the attack. “Any Mayor who cannot be bothered to acknowledge the antisemitism of a hate crime against a Jewish man heading to a synagogue is unworthy of the office he holds,” Torres rightly observed. It’s equally disheartening to see Jewish organizations like Agudath Israel soft-pedal their responses. Why is it that Rep. Ritchie Torres—a non-Jewish Congressman—has taken the lead in calling out this crime’s anti-Semitic roots, while organizations that claim to represent us merely urge “action” without pressing Johnson or the police for accountability? Is Jewish blood somehow cheaper, unworthy of the same forceful advocacy we’ve seen when other communities face attacks? Agudath Israel’s statement referred to the incident as “an act of violence” without even mentioning the shooter’s cry of “Allahu Akbar” or the suspect’s targeting of a Jewish neighborhood. Moreover, Agudah’s failure to call out Mayor Johnson’s evasiveness, or the Chicago Police’s reluctance to name the victim as an Orthodox Jew, is nothing less than stunning. The suspect, Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi, an illegal immigrant from Mauritania, had been caught and released by Border Patrol in California before making his way to Chicago, shielded by Cook County’s sanctuary policies. He now faces multiple felony charges, including attempted murder. And yet, in the face of this violent anti-Semitic assault, Johnson, the police, and Jewish organizations tiptoe around or completely ignore the real problem at hand. For Johnson, hate crimes should not be acknowledged selectively. His silence on this anti-Semitic crime is a betrayal to his Jewish constituents and speaks to a deeper disregard for unbiased justice. If the Mayor can’t […]
North Korea test-launched a suspected long-range missile designed to strike the continental U.S. on Thursday, South Korea’s military said, as the United States warned that North Korean troops in Russian uniforms are heading toward Ukraine in a likely move to augment Russian forces and join the war. It wasn’t immediately known what specific long-range missile capabilities North Korea aims to test, but the launch was likely meant to grab American attentions ahead of next week’s U.S. presidential election. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected a ballistic missile launch from North Korea’s capital region around 7:10 a.m. on Thursday. It said the weapon was launched on a high angle and it was suspected of being a long-range ballistic missile. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said South Korea’s military has boosted its surveillance posture and was closely exchanging information on the North Korean launch with the U.S. and Japanese authorities. If confirmed, it’s North Korea’s first test-firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile since December 2023, when it launched the solid-fueled Hwasong-18 ICBM. Missiles with built-in solid propellants are easier to move and hide, and can be launched quicker than liquid-propellant weapons. South Korea’s military intelligence agency told lawmakers Wednesday that North Korea was close to test-firing a long-range missile capable of reaching the United States and has also likely completed preparations for its seventh nuclear test. North Korea has made strides in its missile technologies in recent years, but many foreign experts believe the country has yet to acquire functioning nuclear-armed missile that can strike the U.S. mainland. They say North Korea likely possesses short-range missiles that can deliver nuclear strikes across all of South Korea. All of North Korea’s ICBM tests in past years have been performed on lofty angles to avoid neighboring countries. South Korean officials and experts earlier predicted that North Korea may test-launch a ICBM on a normal angle to verify whether the weapon’s warhead would survive the harsh conditions of atmospheric re-entry. That is considered one of the few remaining technological hurdles North Korea needs to overcome to obtain functioning nuclear-tipped ICBMs. There also have been speculation that North Korea may soon test a new ICBM. In September, North Korean state media published a photo of Kim inspecting what appeared to be a 12-axle missile launch vehicle, the largest mobile launch platform the country has disclosed so far. Observers said North Korea could be developing a new ICBM that is bigger than its existing ones. In the past two years, Kim has used Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a window to ramp up weapons tests and threats while also expanding military cooperation with Moscow. South Korea, the U.S. and others have recently accused North Korea of dispatching thousands of troops to support Russia’s warfighting against Ukraine. They’ve said North Korea has already shipped artillery, missiles and other convectional arms to Russia. North Korea’s possible participation in the Ukraine war would mark a serious escalation. South Korea, the U.S. and their partners also worry about what North Korea could get from Russia in return for joining Russia’s war against Ukraine. Asides from his soldiers’ wages, experts say Kim Jong Un likely hopes to get high-tech Russian technology that can perfect his nuclear-capable missiles. On Wednesday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said North Korean troops wearing Russian […]
Brooklyn, NY – With early voting underway and Election Day fast approaching, Joey Saban, a proud Sephardic Jewish candidate and lifelong Brooklynite, is calling on the community to make their voices heard in the New York State Assembly election for District 45. Saban represents a unique opportunity for the community to elect someone who shares their values and understands their needs firsthand. Raised in South Brooklyn, Saban has spent his life engaged in community service, beginning with volunteer work during his school years at Yeshivah of Flatbush and later as a student leader at George Washington University, where he advocated for policies against antisemitism and for strengthening US-Israel relationship. Upon returning to Brooklyn, Saban deepened his involvement, from supporting local community organization to serving on the board of the Sephardic Community Federation. Saban’s campaign focuses on the values that matter most to the community: neighborhood safety, quality education, protecting our yeshivas, and combating rising antisemitism. “Our community needs a leader who understands our values and will fight to protect them in Albany,” Saban said. For the Jewish community, this election is a critical chance to elect a representative who is deeply connected to their heritage and invested in our collective future. Joey Saban encourages all eligible voters in District 45 to participate in early voting or cast their ballots on Election Day to help bring their values and priorities to the forefront. Vote Joey Cohen Saban for New York State Assembly in District 45. Let’s strengthen our community and ensure our voice is heard. For more information, visit joeysaban.com. Contact:Lawrence CiullaCampaign Manager347-208-6455Saban for Brooklyn
In a spectacularly cheeky move, a garbage truck decked out with American flags and a massive “TRUMP” sign pulled up beside Trump Force One in Green Bay, Wisconsin, delivering a clear, humor-filled response to President Biden’s comment on Tuesday night labeling Trump supporters as “garbage.” The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Former President Trump, spotting the truck, grinned and pointed it out to the crowd with a laugh: “How do you like my garbage truck? This truck is in honor of Kamala and Joe Biden!”
Google is still thriving while the company navigates through a pivotal shift to artificial intelligence and battles regulators trying to topple its internet empire. The latest evidence of Google’s prosperity emerged Tuesday with the release of its corporate parent Alphabet Inc.’s results for the July-September period. Both Alphabet’s profit and revenue increased at a brisker pace than industry analysts anticipated, thanks primarily to a moneymaking machine powered by Google’s ubiquitous search engine. Alphabet earned $26.3 billion, or $2.12 per share during the most recent quarter, a 34% increase from a year ago. Revenue rose 15% from the same time last year to $88.27 billion. “Our commitment to innovation as well as the long-term focus and investment in AI are paying off,” Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said during a call discussing the results. The profits would have been even higher if Google wasn’t pouring so much money into building up its AI arsenal in a technological arms race that includes other industry heavyweights Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, Facebook parent Meta Platforms and rising star OpenAI. The AI investments are the primary reason Google’s capital expenditures in the past quarter soared 62% from the same time last year to $13.1 billion. The AI spending will likely stay at roughly the same level during the current October-December period, and the rise even higher next year, according to Anat Ashkenazi, Alphabet’s chief financial officer. But Ashkenazi also emphasized the Mountain View, California, company will act on cost-cutting opportunities in other areas to help boost profits. Alphabet already has trimmed its payroll from more than 190,000 worldwide employees early last year to about 181,000 workers now. In an example of how AI can perform tasks that once required human brainpower, Pichai said the technology is now writing more than 25% of the company’s new computer coding. Investors seemed pleased with the both the performance and what they heard from company executives. Alphabet’s stock price climbed 5% in extended trading after the numbers came out and the conference call was completed. Investing.com analyst Thomas Monteiro said Alphabet’s showing makes it likely more good news will be coming for Big Tech as this week progresses, with quarterly reports from Microsoft, Meta, Amazon and Apple still to come in the days ahead. But a 4-year-old antitrust case brought by the U.S. Department of Justice has cast a cloud of uncertainty over Google’s future. After weighing the evidence presented during a high-profile trial last year, a federal judge declared Google’s search engine is an illegal monopoly — a decision that has opened the door for a major shake-up. Earlier this month, the Justice Department suggested it might seek to break up Google as part of penalties that will be determined by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta next summer. Besides the legal assault on its search engine, Google also has been ordered to tear down the barriers protecting its Play Store for Android smartphone apps. That ruling came earlier this month after a jury decided that operation also was an illegal monopoly. Google is also nearing the end of another antitrust trial in Virginia revolving around the technology underlying its digital ad network. As if the regulatory headaches aren’t enough, Google is also in the midst of a major makeover of its search engine that is putting an increasing emphasis on […]
The IDF confirmed that earlier today, under IDF intelligence guidance, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) launched airstrikes against Hezbollah command and control centers and other terrorist infrastructure located in Baalbek, in northern Lebanon, and Nabatieh, in the south. According to the IDF, Hezbollah has routinely used civilian areas throughout Lebanon to orchestrate and carry out terrorist operations, posing a risk to Lebanese civilians by embedding its infrastructure in populated regions. To minimize civilian risk, the IDF reported taking numerous precautionary measures before the strikes, including issuing advance warnings across multiple communication channels to alert residents in the targeted areas.
A 10-story hotel under renovation in Argentina collapsed Tuesday, leaving one person dead and at least seven trapped in the debris, authorities said. Firefighters searching for survivors rescued a woman who was alive from the rubble of the Dubrovnik Hotel in Villa Gesell, a coastal city 217 miles (350 km) south of the capital Buenos Aires. A prosecutor opened an investigation to determine the cause of the collapse, but Villa Gesell’s municipality said in a press release that the hotel was undergoing a renovation without the proper permits. Javier Alonso, security minister for the Buenos Aires’ province, told journalists that an 80-year-old man died in the collapse and a woman was taken alive from the debris. He added that between seven and nine people, presumably masons working on the hotel’s restoration, remain trapped. Rescue team members began removing the rubble by hand while waiting for a crane and some engineers to evaluate the area. (AP)
The head of the Shomron Regional Council, Yossi Dagan, has purchased 31 Gilead DMR sniper rifles for the council’s emergency response units. The rifles, which have a range of over 700 meters, were acquired with the help of donations he raised in recent months from friends of the Shomron around the world. The Shomron Council stated, “Over the past few years, the Shomron Regional Council, led by Yossi Dagan, has invested heavily in building connections worldwide for advocacy with members of parliament, congressional representatives, and public officials from around the globe, as well as fostering ties with Jewish communities. In the past year, the council even hosted dignitaries from Jewish communities and sent delegations to them.” “In recent months, Yossi Dagan has worked with friends of the Shomron worldwide, who opened their hearts and donated significant amounts, allowing the council to acquire the weapons.” The sniper rifles were purchased from an Israeli company run by officers from elite units, formerly experts in commando warfare. They are considered the best sniper weapons in Israel and the emergency response units in the Shomron will be the first in the country to use them. At the beginning of the war, the Shomron Regional Council purchased – largely funded by donations from friends of Israel across the world – over 500 rifles, as well as 1,300 vests and helmets for the emergency response units. The council also acquired advanced equipment including drones, night vision devices, and about 700 “Roni” attachments for handguns. The purchases were made to to ensure that communities in the Shomron had enhanced defensive capabilities in case of an attack. Additionally, the council used the donations to subsidize the purchase of handguns for 500 female residents of the Shomron. Dagan said during the signing of the agreement for the supply of rifles at the weapons factory: “We’re doing everything we can to be as prepared as possible for any scenario and, of course, we thank our friends around the world who are stepping up and helping the Shomron during this difficult and tense time. This tremendous support allows us to stand strong and confident, shoulder to shoulder with the IDF and the security system, in the struggle to ensure our safety.” “The emergency response teams risk their lives every day, every hour. For over a year, they’ve been mobilized within the communities to protect them, and so far they’ve succeeded in thwarting several infiltrations and defending the towns. We support the members of the emergency response teams, the wives of the recruits and the reservists who stand strong and support during these days.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
