In today’s politically charged environment, where elections seem to dominate every conversation, and with the election coming up, I find myself increasingly disturbed by the act of voting itself. As a Torah-practicing Jew, I wonder if voting has become a form of avak avodah zara, subtly pulling us away from our trust in Hashem’s sovereignty. Why should I, a mere individual, have the audacity to assume I know how Hashem should conduct the affairs of great nations? When we step into a voting booth, we are essentially making a decision about the leadership, policies, and future direction of entire societies. But how can I know what the preferable outcome is? As much as I can analyze policies, weigh pros and cons, and consider the consequences, I still lack the perspective of Hashem. It feels presumptuous to impose my limited understanding on matters so vast and complex. Isn’t it Hashem who ultimately guides the fate of nations? Isn’t it He who, in His infinite wisdom, orchestrates the rise and fall of empires? This is not to say that we should be passive. On the contrary, as Jews, we are called to engage in the world, to uphold justice, and to work towards bettering ourselves and those around us. Yet, the increasing pressure to participate in elections sometimes feels like a distraction from the real work we are meant to do. Shouldn’t our focus be on Torah, mitzvos, and mussar, trusting that Hashem will lead the nations as He sees fit? In today’s world, where secular systems and ideologies often clash with yiddishkeit, the very act of voting can feel like a participation in a system that doesn’t fully align with Hashem’s will. The candidates we are presented with, no matter how promising or qualified they may seem, often represent values and policies that don’t reflect our deepest beliefs. We are asked to choose the “lesser of two evils,” but even that concept seems problematic. Should we be content with choosing between flawed options? Moreover, the act of voting implies that we have control over the outcome, that our choices and political decisions will dictate the future. But doesn’t that belief in human control over history flirt with hubris? The Torah teaches us that Hashem is the ultimate ruler, the One who governs all. Voting, with all its good intentions, can sometimes feel like an act of overconfidence in our own ability to shape the world. Ultimately, I am not suggesting that we withdraw entirely from political life or shun civic responsibility. There is a delicate balance between engaging with the world and recognizing the limits of our power. But as I reflect on the spiritual implications of voting, I believe we must tread carefully. We must ensure that our participation in elections does not replace or diminish our faith in Hashem’s ultimate control. Sincerely, M.S. 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.
Israel’s attack on Iran likely damaged a base run by the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard that builds ballistic missiles and launches rockets as part of its own space program, satellite images analyzed by The Associated Press on Tuesday showed. The damage at the base in Shahroud raises new questions about Israel’s attack early Saturday, particularly as it took place in an area previously unacknowledged by Tehran and involved the Guard, a powerful force within Iran’s theocracy that so far has remained silent about any possible damage it suffered from the assault. Iran only has identified Israeli attacks as taking place in Ilam, Khuzestan and Tehran provinces — not in rural Semnan province where the base is located. It also potentially further restrains the Guard’s ability to manufacture the solid-fuel ballistic missiles it needs to stockpile as a deterrent against Israel. Tehran long has relied on that arsenal as it cannot purchase the advanced Western weapons that Israel and Tehran’s Gulf Arab neighbors have armed themselves with over the years, particularly from the United States. Satellite photos earlier analyzed by the AP of two military bases near Tehran also targeted by Israel show that sites there that Iran uses in its ballistic missile manufacturing have been destroyed, further squeezing its program. “We don’t know if Iranian production has been crippled as some people are saying or just damaged,” said Fabian Hinz, a missile expert and research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies who studies Iran. “We’ve seen enough imagery to show there’s an impact.” Iran’s mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Israeli military declined to answer questions from the AP, but sent a previous statement acknowledging it targeted “missile manufacturing facilities” in the attack. Images show major building at Shahroud base destroyed High-resolution satellite images from Planet Labs PBC taken for and analyzed by the AP showed the damage at the Guard’s Shahroud Space Center in Semnan, some 370 kilometers (230 miles) northeast of the Iranian capital, Tehran. Semnan also hosts the Imam Khomeini Space Center, which is used by Iran’s civilian space program. The images showed a central, major building at the Shahroud Space Center had been destroyed, the shadow of its still-standing frame seen in the image taken Tuesday morning. Vehicles could be seen gathered around the site, likely from officials inspecting the damage, with more cars than normal parked at the site’s main gate nearby. Three small buildings just to the south of the main structure also appeared to be damaged. Iran has been constructing new buildings at the base in recent months. Another hangar to the northeast of the main building also appeared to have been damaged. Iran has not acknowledged any attack at Shahroud. However, given the damage done to multiple structures, it suggested the Israeli attack included pinpoint strikes on the base. Low-resolution images since the attack showed signs of damage at the site not seen before the assault — further pointing to Israeli missile strikes as being the culprit. “We can’t 100% exclude the possibility it’s something else, but it’s almost certain this building got damaged because of an Israeli attack,” Hinz said. Given that the large building had been surrounded by earthen berms, that suggests it handled high explosives, said Hinz, who long […]
The teenager accused in a stabbing rampage that killed three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England has been charged with producing the deadly poison ricin and now faces a terror offense for possessing a jihadi training manual, police said Tuesday. Axel Rudakubana, 18, who is charged with murdering three girls and stabbing 10 other people on July 29, produced the deadly poison ricin that was later found in his home, Merseyside Police said. Police also found he had a computer file with an Al-Qaida training manual titled: “Military Studies in the Jihad Against the Tyrants.” Ricin is derived from the castor bean plant and is one of the world’s deadliest toxins. It has no known vaccine or antidote and kills cells by preventing them from making proteins. Police stressed that the stabbing attack has not been classed as a “terrorist incident,” which would require a motive to be known. The stabbing occurred on the first week of summer vacation as girls aged about 6 to 11 participated in a two-hour session led by a yoga instructor and a dance instructor. Witnesses described hearing blood-curdling screams and seeing children covered in blood running from the studio. The first officers who arrived were shocked to find so many casualties, Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said. Rudakubana already faced three counts of murder over the July deaths of Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Bebe King, 6, in the seaside town of Southport in northwest England. He also has been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder for the eight children and two adults who were injured. The stabbings were used by far-right activists to stoke anger at immigrants and Muslims after misinformation spread on social media identifying him as an asylum seeker and misreporting his name. Violence spread from Southport and led to rioting across England and Northern Ireland that lasted a week. Rudakubana was born in Wales to Rwandan parents, police said. British media reported that he was raised Christian. Dr. Renu Bindra of the U.K. Health Security Agency said “there was no evidence that any victims, responders or members of the public were exposed to ricin either as part of the incident or afterwards,” and the risk to the public was low. No ricin was found at the site of the stabbing attack. Ricin is estimated to be 6,000 times more poisonous than cyanide and can be fatal when inhaled, ingested, injected or swallowed. Two millionths of an ounce — roughly the weight of a grain of salt – is enough to kill an adult. Several people have gone on trial around the world in recent years charged with attempting to use ricin for murder or terror plots, but examples of its succesful fatal use are rare. Bulgarian defector Georgi Markov was killed in London in 1978 when a pinhead-sized pellet laced with ricin was injected into his thigh – reportedly by a rigged umbrella. (AP)
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held a situational assessment at the Northern Command base in Tzfas on Tuesday evening. Speaking to the commanders and soldiers, he said: “I assess that Hezbollah’s remaining rocket and missile fire capabilities is about 20%, and even that isn’t organized in the way it used to be. This was a very impressive operation by tens of thousands of soldiers who pushed Hezbollah out of all the border villages and destroyed terror infrastructure. These actions are creating a different reality in Lebanon and also in the region.” Gallant also spoke about Israel’s recent attack on Iran: “I see a deep connection between the operation we conducted in Iran, in which we struck at the ‘head of the snake,’ and what is happening with Hezbollah. They understand that their reliance on Iran is futile. When we operated in Iran, thanks to what you all did here at the Northern Command, we took into account that Hezbollah has no real response capability, and indeed, this was proven.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
As tensions mount between Israel and Iran, Republican vice presidential candidate Senator JD Vance emphasized that, while Israel has a right to defend itself, a war with Iran would not align with U.S. interests. Vance made these comments during an appearance on The Tim Dillon Show on Saturday, where he discussed the potential implications of an escalating conflict in the Middle East. “Israel has the right to defend itself,” Vance said, but added that U.S. interests do not always align with those of its allies. “America’s interest is sometimes going to be distinct. Sometimes we’re going to have overlapping interests, and sometimes we’re going to have a distinct interest,” he explained. “And our interest, I think, very much, is in not going to war with Iran.” Vance argued that direct involvement in a conflict with Iran would come at a significant cost to the United States, both financially and strategically. “It would be a huge distraction of resources; it would be massively expensive to our country,” he said. While he expressed opposition to Iran obtaining nuclear weapons, he advocated for diplomatic strategies to discourage Iran’s nuclear ambitions, rather than military intervention. Highlighting the principles behind the Abraham Accords, Vance advocated for a foreign policy approach he termed “smart diplomacy,” which he credited to the Trump administration. The accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations, embody a strategy that empowers regional allies to maintain their own security without heavy U.S. involvement. “America doesn’t have to constantly police every region of the world,” Vance argued. “We should empower people to police their own regions of the world.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday launched a massive exercise of the country’s nuclear forces featuring missile launches in a simulation of a retaliatory strike, as he continued to flex the country’s nuclear muscle amid spiraling tensions with the West over Ukraine. Speaking in a video call with military leaders, Putin said that the drills will simulate top officials’ action in using nuclear weapons and include launches of nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles. Defense Minister Andrei Belousov reported that the exercise is intended to practice “strategic offensive forces launching a massive nuclear strike in response to a nuclear strike by the enemy.” Putin, who has repeatedly brandished the nuclear sword as he seeks to deter the West from ramping up support for Ukraine, emphasized on Tuesday that Russia’s nuclear arsenal remains a “reliable guarantor of the country’s sovereignty and security.” “Taking into account growing geopolitical tensions and emerging new threats and risks, it’s important for us to have modern strategic forces that are always ready for combat,” he said, reaffirming that Russia sees nuclear weapons use as “the ultimate, extreme measure of ensuring its security.” Putin noted that Moscow will continue to modernize its nuclear forces, deploying new missiles that have a higher precision, quicker launch times and increased capabilities to overcome missile defenses. As part of Tuesday’s drills, the military test-fired a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile from the Plesetsk launch pad at the Kura testing range on the Kamchatka Peninsula, the Defense Ministry said. The Novomoskovsk and Knyaz Oleg nuclear submarines test-fired ICBMs from the Barents Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk, while nuclear-capable Tu-95 strategic bombers carried out practice launches of long-range cruise missiles. The ministry said that all the missiles reached their designated targets. Last month, the Russian leader warned the U.S. and NATO allies that allowing Ukraine to use Western-supplied longer-range weapons for strikes deep inside Russia would put NATO at war with his country. He reinforced the message by announcing a new version of the nuclear doctrine that considers a conventional attack on Russia by a nonnuclear nation that is supported by a nuclear power to be a joint attack on his country — a clear warning to the U.S. and other allies of Kyiv. Putin also declared that the revised document envisages possible nuclear weapons use in case of a massive air attack, holding the door open to a potential nuclear response to any aerial assault — an ambiguity intended to deter the West. Tuesday’s maneuvers follow a series of other drills of Russia’s nuclear forces. Earlier this year, the Russian military held a joint nuclear exercise with Moscow’s ally Belarus, which has hosted some of Russia’s tactical nuclear weapons. (AP)
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CNN has banned conservative writer Ryan Gidursky from the network following a contentious on-air exchange where he told panelist Mehdi Hasan that “I hope your beeper doesn’t go off.” “Did you just say I should die?” Hasan said, responding to Gidursky’s apparent reference to September’s attack where pagers used by hundreds of Hezbollah members in Lebanon and Syria exploded simultaneously. The attack was widely believed to be carried out by Israel. Hasan has a long history of anti-Israel activism, terror apologia, and openly siding with anti-Western actors around the world. Hasan and Gidursky were on a panel on “News Night” Monday night, talking about Donald Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden, where speakers made a variety of racist comments and referred to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage.” The panel discussion devolved into back-and-forth bickering after Gidursky said to Hasan, a commentator and founder of the media company Zeteo, that “you’ve been called an anti-Semite more than anyone else at this table.” Host Abby Phillip said that Gidursky’s beeper comment was “completely out of pocket” and he apologized. But after a commercial break, he was gone. Philip apologized to Hasan and to viewers. She said Gidursky, author of the book “They’re Not Listening: How the Elites Created the National Populist Revolution,” had crossed a line. CNN was having a heated discussion about the Trump rally, where the racist and other demeaning language was a sign of how tensions are coming to a boil with only a week to go until a highly contested and contentious Election Day that reflects the nation’s political and cultural fissures. Despite that fragmentation, Phillip said that “we can have conversations about what is happening in this country without resorting to the lowest … kind of discourse.” CNN, saying there is “zero room for racism or bigotry at CNN or on our air,” said that Gidursky would not be allowed back on the network. Gidursky responded in a post on X: “You can stay on CNN if you falsely call every Republican a Nazi” but apparently can’t “if you make a joke. I’m glad America gets to see what CNN stands for.” (AP/YWN)
World-renowned boxing champion Floyd Mayweather visited United Hatzalah headquarters in Jerusalem on Tuesday afternoon, marking his second visit this year. Mayweather came with close friends and business partners, Jona Rechnitz and Avi Hiaeve, just a few days after donating $100,000 to the organization to fund protective equipment for volunteers. Since the onset of the conflict on October 7th, Mayweather has actively mobilized his resources in solidarity with the country, sending his private jet filled with critical medical supplies in the immediate aftermath to assist those injured on that horrific day. During this latest visit, United Hatzalah unveiled 1,000 new bulletproof vests and helmets funded by Mayweather’s generous donation, adding to the total operated by the organization’s volunteers in the field. The importance of protective gear was underscored on October 7th, when United Hatzalah volunteers risked their lives to save civilians, soldiers, and security personnel while evacuating hundreds of wounded under intense fire. Mayweather also toured the organization’s dispatch center, met with volunteers, and received a demonstration of the organization’s advanced CPR training dummies, which are instrumental in preparing volunteers for critical lifesaving situations. “Thanks for having me again. I’m very thankful,” said Mayweather. “We’re all about positivity, love, and peace, and we want to thank all the volunteers that help out within 90 seconds or less because your job is not easy.” “Having Floyd Mayweather donate these essential bulletproof vests means so much to us,” said Eli Beer, President and Founder of United Hatzalah. “His unwavering support for Israel and for our volunteers truly touches our hearts, especially during these challenging times. Floyd’s friendship and generosity remind us that we’re not alone in this mission, and we are incredibly grateful.”
IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi visited the Ramon Air Force on Tuesday and spoke to the air and ground crews who participated in Operation Days of Return, Israel’s recent attack on Iran. Halevi said, “If Iran makes the mistake of firing another barrage of missiles at Israel, we’ll know how to reach Iran again, even with capabilities we didn’t use this time, and hit very, very hard – both in terms of our capabilities and places we didn’t hit this time.” “We did this for a very simple reason: because we may need to do it again. We have not finished this event, we’re still in the middle of it.” “We couldn’t have done this without the very significant capabilities that each and every one of you brings,” Halevi added, expressing his appreciation to the Air Force crews for the successful operation. “We are now looking ahead. We’re highly prepared across all fronts. We are fighting in Lebanon, in Gaza, fighting terrorism in Yehudah and Shomron, and other distant arenas.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has approved an additional $35 million in funding to jumpstart the planning and design process for a new Terminal B at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). This move is the first substantial action to implement the newly introduced EWR Vision Plan, a comprehensive roadmap aimed at transforming Newark Liberty into a world-class international gateway. With the newly approved funds, combined with $20 million from a previous allocation, the total $55 million will support preliminary design and planning for a modernized Terminal B, as well as assessments of associated infrastructure and utility needs. The new terminal is intended to replace the existing Terminal B, which opened in 1973 and was designed to accommodate 6.8 million annual passengers. In contrast, Terminal B handled roughly 12.3 million passengers in 2023, highlighting the urgent need for modernization. “By initiating the planning for a new, world-class Terminal B, we’re not wasting any time in bringing the EWR Vision Plan to life,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “This funding will support early planning efforts, including funding strategies, as we work to ensure Newark Liberty meets the highest international standards.” Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton echoed this vision, emphasizing that the redevelopment will build on the recent success of Terminal A. “This funding enables us to lay the groundwork for a new Terminal B that matches the award-winning quality of Terminal A,” Cotton noted. “Our recent achievements at Newark and LaGuardia, combined with ongoing projects at JFK, prove that the Port Authority is equipped to deliver top-tier airport facilities.” The EWR Vision Plan, developed with design firm Arup and architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, outlines a transformative blueprint for Newark Liberty that includes modernized terminals, an intuitive roadway system, and a reconfigured taxiway to streamline operations and reduce delays. The plan, announced earlier this month in the new Terminal A, was shaped by extensive consultations with airport tenants, partners, and the public, ensuring it reflects the needs of passengers, airlines, and the local community. The funding will not only advance planning for Terminal B but also address integration with ongoing projects, such as the replacement of the existing AirTrain system with a new automated model and a new rail access point to improve transit options for underserved communities in Newark and Elizabeth. The Port Authority’s ultimate goal is to build on Newark Liberty’s recent accolades, including Terminal A’s designation as “world’s best new airport terminal” by Skytrax in 2024, and establish Newark Liberty as a leading global airport. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
A Japanese nuclear reactor which survived a massive 2011 earthquake and tsunami that badly damaged the nearby Fukushima nuclear power plant was restarted Tuesday for the first time since the disaster after a safety upgrade, as the government pursues a renewed expansion of nuclear energy to provide stable power and reduce carbon emissions. The No. 2 reactor at the Onagawa nuclear power plant on Japan’s northern coast was put back online and is expected to start generating power in early November, operator Tohoku Electric Power Co. said. The reactor is one of the three at the Onagawa plant, which is 100 kilometers (62 miles) north of the Fukushima Daiichi plant where three reactors melted following a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, releasing large amounts of radiation. The Onagawa plant was hit by a 13-meter (42-foot) tsunami but was able to keep its crucial cooling systems functioning in all three reactors and achieve their safe shutdowns. All of Japan’s 54 commercial nuclear power plants were shut down after the Fukushima disaster for safety checks and upgrades. Onagawa No. 2 is the 13th of the 33 still useable reactors to return to operation. It is also the first restart in Japan of the same type of reactor damaged in Fukushima. Tohoku Electric President Kojiro Higuchi said the reactor’s restart highlights the area’s recovery from the disaster. Last year, Japan’s government adopted a plan to maximize use of nuclear energy, including accelerating restarts of closed reactors, extending the operational life of aging plants, and developing next-generation reactors, as the country struggles to secure a stable energy supply and meet its pledge to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. “Nuclear energy, along with renewables, is an important power source for decarbonization,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said Tuesday. “We will maximize its use while ensuring safety.” Restarting nuclear reactors is also increasingly important for Japan’s economic growth, Hayashi said. Concern about the government’s revived push for nuclear energy grew after a magnitude 7.5 earthquake hit Japan’s Noto Peninsula on Jan. 1, 2024, killing more than 400 people and damaging more than 100,000 structures. Minor damage was reported at two nuclear facilities and evacuation plans for the region were found to be inadequate. For the Onagawa No. 2 reactor, Tohoku Electric in 2013 began upgrading its safety, including tsunami risk estimates and anti-quake measures. It also built an anti-tsunami wall extending up to 29 meters (95 feet) above sea level, and obtained safety approval from regulators in 2020. Twenty-one of Japan’s nuclear reactors, including six at Fukushima Daiichi and one at Onagawa, are currently being decommissioned because their operators chose to scrap them instead of investing large amounts for additional safety equipment required under the much-stricter post-Fukushima safety standards. (AP)
A high-speed car chase through Williamsburg on Tuesday nearly ended in disaster as a driver, pursued by officers from the NYPD’s 94th Precinct, sped onto the sidewalk, narrowly missing several bystanders. The pursuit began when officers attempted to pull over the suspect vehicle, but the driver refused to stop, leading police through the neighborhood at dangerous speeds. The chase took a harrowing turn on Wythe Avenue, where the driver veered onto the sidewalk at South 8th Street, coming perilously close to chassidish bochurim on the sidewalk. Thankfully, they were able to jump out of the way just in time, avoiding injury. The driver then continued recklessly down Kent Avenue, heading against traffic and narrowly avoiding a major collision before police finally intercepted the vehicle at South 9th Street. The suspect was taken into custody at the scene. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Iran remains actively engaged in plots to assassinate senior officials from the Trump administration, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former U.S. Iran envoy Brian Hook, according to a confidential State Department notice sent to Congress and obtained by The Washington Free Beacon. The alert reveals ongoing “serious and credible” threats against both men, reportedly from Tehran, which has sought to retaliate against officials responsible for the U.S.’s hardline policies toward Iran. The warning arrives amidst a contentious U.S. presidential election, with threats from Iran becoming a focal point. Former President Donald Trump, who was briefed on the threats last month, noted on social media that Iran has made “big threats on my life,” and indicated that previous assassination attempts had failed. “Moves were already made by Iran that didn’t work out, but they will try again,” he added, highlighting the persistent nature of the Iranian threat. Pompeo and Hook were instrumental in the Trump administration’s strategy to isolate Iran through sanctions and other diplomatic efforts, a stance that has made them prime targets. According to The Washington Free Beacon, Congress has now been informed 20 times since January 2021 about credible threats against Hook, while Pompeo has been the subject of 17 such alerts. Both men, alongside former National Security Adviser John Bolton, remain under U.S. government protection due to these threats. The issue has drawn bipartisan scrutiny. Earlier this year, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) accused the Biden administration of withholding information on Iran’s assassination plots, alleging that officials were “abusing the classification system” to avoid public discussion of Iranian aggression. “They find public discussion of Iran’s aggression politically inconvenient because it gets in the way of their appeasement of the regime,” Cruz argued in a Senate hearing. The FBI confirmed in May that Iranian intelligence operative Majid Dastjani Farahani was actively recruiting individuals within the U.S. to execute lethal operations against former American officials. The FBI has named Farahani as a key player in Tehran’s strategy to seek vengeance against those involved in the 2020 killing of Qassem Soleimani, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps’ Quds Force commander. In a further escalation, Politico reports that Iran has a “hit list” of former Trump administration officials, with Assistant Attorney General for National Security Matt Olsen describing the threat as “extraordinarily serious.” Olsen stated, “Iran has made it very clear that they are determined to seek retaliation against former officials in connection with the Soleimani strike.” The gravity of these threats was underscored in a 2022 documentary produced by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, in which Hussein Mousavian, a former Iranian nuclear negotiator now at Princeton University, mocked the danger faced by Hook. In the documentary, Mousavian recounted, “I went to America, and an American told me that Brian Hook’s wife can’t sleep, she cries and trembles…that’s how much they were trembling,” suggesting the threats are intended to create lasting psychological effects on their targets. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Google is changing the way its Google Local Services ads work, which could affect millions of small businesses. Google Local Services ads run locally and are a big way that small businesses market their goods and services. Ads appear on the top of Google search results. Starting Nov. 21, only businesses with a verified Google Business Profile will be able to run the ads. The change affects businesses in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and “select” businesses in the U.S. and Canada, Google said in an online post. The company didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. The change is an effort to crack down on fraud. But legitimate small businesses could be hurt if they’re unaware of the change. If a small business’ Google Business Profile’s name and address doesn’t match the information with the ad, advertising will be paused. Getting verified on Google isn’t difficult, but it does take some time. Business owners must add or claim their business address on Google. Then owners will need to verify the address through phone, text, email, or video. The process varies by business category and location and may include giving information about background, business registration, insurance, and license checks. Google’s verifications can take up to seven business days. Once a business is verified, its owner gets notified. (AP)
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Christophe Barraud, celebrated as the “world’s most accurate economist,” is forecasting a victory for Donald Trump in the presidential race, and Republicans likely to secure full control of Congress. Barraud, chief economist and strategist at Market Securities Monaco, sees a Trump win as likely to boost the U.S. economy in the short term, but he cautions that longer-term economic challenges, especially related to the growing national deficit, could emerge. “Looking at different metrics such as betting markets, polls, election modelers’ forecasts, and financial markets, as of now, the most probable outcomes are: [1] #Trump victory [2] #GOP clean sweep,” Barraud wrote on X. A highly ranked forecaster for the U.S. economy for 11 of the past 12 years, Barraud suggests that while a Republican victory in both the Senate and House appears feasible, the House remains a closer contest. In a scenario where Republicans control both Congress and the White House, Barraud predicts the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) could see a jump of 2.1% to 2.3% in 2025. However, he also warned that if Trump were to pursue significant tax cuts without corresponding spending cuts, the national deficit could spiral, pushing the 10-year Treasury bond yield up to 5% over time. Despite this, Barraud believes a Trump administration’s policies could drive GDP growth beyond consensus forecasts of 2.6% in 2024 and 1.8% in 2025. While polls currently show the race as tight, Trump leads in RealClearPolitics’ polling aggregates. Election forecaster Allan Lichtman, known for his historically accurate predictions, leans toward a Harris win, while data analyst Nate Silver says he has a “gut” feeling that Trump will prevail. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
