The Magen David Adom emergency service reported that a heavy rocket barrage launched by Hezbollah from Lebanon hit the town of Ma’alot-Tarshiha on Tuesday morning, resulting in one fatality. Authorities later identified the victim as 24-year-old Mohammed Yasser Naim.
Since the war began on October 7, the Defense Ministry’s Rehabilitation Department reports it has treated roughly 12,000 IDF soldiers, many facing serious physical and psychological impacts. Among these soldiers, around 5,200, or 43%, are dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder. Further figures highlight the severe nature of injuries: 14% have moderate to critical injuries, including 23 soldiers with major head trauma, 60 amputees, and 12 who have lost their vision. Approximately two-thirds of the 12,000 soldiers are reservists. A notable 1,500 of those treated sustained injuries twice, having returned to service after initial recovery. Beyond this wave of cases, the Rehabilitation Department continues to care for 62,000 veterans from prior conflicts and projects this number could rise to 100,000 by 2030, with at least half expected to suffer from PTSD. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Germany protested to Iran on Tuesday over the execution of Iranian German prisoner Jamshid Sharmahd, who lived in the U.S. and was kidnapped in Dubai in 2020 by Iranian security forces, and recalled its ambassador to Berlin for consultations. The Foreign Ministry wrote on the social network X that Iran’s charge d’affaires in Berlin was summoned to hear “our sharp protest” against Tehran’s action and added that it reserves the right to take “further measures.” It didn’t elaborate. At the same time, German Ambassador Markus Potzel “protested in the strongest terms against the murder of Jamshid Sharmahd” to the Iranian foreign minister, it said. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock then recalled him to Berlin for consultations. Sharmahd, 69, was put to death in Iran on Monday on terrorism charges, the country’s judiciary said. That followed a 2023 trial that Germany, the U.S. and international rights groups dismissed as a sham. He was one of several Iranian dissidents abroad in recent years either tricked or kidnapped back to Iran as Tehran began lashing out after the collapse of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers including Germany. Iran accused Sharmahd, who lived in Glendora, California, of planning a 2008 attack on a mosque that killed 14 people — including five women and a child — and wounded over 200 others, as well as plotting other assaults through the little-known Kingdom Assembly of Iran and its Tondar militant wing. Iran also accused Sharmahd of “disclosing classified information” on missile sites of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard during a television program in 2017. His family disputed the allegations and had worked for years to see him freed. Sharmahd had been in Dubai in 2020, trying to travel to India for a business deal involving his software company. He hoped to get a connecting flight despite the coronavirus pandemic disrupting global travel. Sharmahd’s family received their last message from him on July 28, 2020. It’s unclear how the abduction happened. But tracking data showed that Sharmahd’s mobile phone traveled south from Dubai to the city of Al Ain on July 29, crossing the border into Oman. On July 30, tracking data showed the mobile phone traveled to the Omani port city of Sohar, where the signal stopped. Two days later, Iran announced it had captured Sharmahd in a “complex operation.” The Intelligence Ministry published a photograph of him blindfolded. Germany expelled two Iranian diplomats in 2023 over Sharmahd’s death sentence. (AP)
Israel’s archenemy Iran loves to threaten Israel in Hebrew and its efforts have increased following the IDF’s attack on Shabbos. On Sunday, a giant banner was hung in Palestine Square stating: “Another storm is coming” – a reference to the October 7 assault, which Hamas and its allies call ” Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.” In other words, the Islamic Republic is publicly threatening to repeat the atrocities committed by Hamas against innocent civilians. But Israelis shouldn’t worry – President Biden will be sure to warn them: “Don’t!” And of course, the UN will remain silent, or condemn Israel instead for causing Iran to hate Jews. Last week, an even crueler sign was seen in Palestine Square in Tehran – a banner depicting the faces of Israeli hostages in Gaza with blood splattered on their faces (including children and babies!), stating: “Not one hostage will be released.” On Monday, a video on social media showed a huge electronic billboard in the heart of Tehran stating: “You didn’t die because we didn’t want to” – a feeble attempt at protecting their bruised ego after Israel’s most recent devastating attack. One Israeli wryly commented: “You didn’t die and we didn’t attack your nuclear or sites and impact your economy – because Biden didn’t want.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
The IDF announced today that four soldiers were killed and an officer was seriously injured during ongoing operations in the northern Gaza Strip. The fallen soldiers were members of the elite Multidomain Unit, also known as the “Ghost” Unit, which specializes in complex combat operations across various domains. The soldiers have been identified as: Cpt. Yehonatan “Joni” Keren hy”d, 22, from Moledet Staff Sgt. Nisim Meytal hy”d, 20, from Hadera Staff Sgt. Aviv Gilboa hy”d, 21, from Neve Tzuf Staff Sgt. Naor Haimov hy”d, 22, from Rosh Haayin The IDF said that it is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. Details about the operation and the events leading to the casualties have not yet been released. The Multidomain Unit, known for its expertise and high-risk missions, plays a critical role in Israel’s military operations, especially in conflict zones like Gaza. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Chaim Treitel, a Charedi soldier in the IDF’s Givati Brigade who sustained serious injuries on Chol Hamoed while serving in Gaza, has been released from the hospital and transferred to a rehabilitation facility. Though still requiring assistance to walk, Treitel is making a rapid recovery, doctors say. During his hospitalization, Treitel received visits from Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi. In a defiant message posted on social media, Treitel addressed Hamas directly, writing, “This is a message to Hamas and all our haters, you failed to kill me and you will not succeed. I left the hospital and will soon return to fight against the terrorists.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced that the IDF’s recent airstrikes have significantly weakened Iran’s air defenses and missile production capabilities, describing the operation as a “change in the balance of power.” Gallant praised the operation’s precision and effectiveness, likening it to the decisive opening strikes of Israel’s 1967 Six-Day War. “This is a proof of ability,” Gallant told Israeli Air Force leaders, claiming that Israel’s forces achieved “a very accurate hit on the radars and the air defense systems,” placing Iran at a strategic disadvantage by diminishing its missile production and limiting its stockpiles until new manufacturing can resume. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed Gallant’s assessment in a passionate address to the Knesset, asserting that the airstrikes had “severely damaged Iran’s defense systems and its ability to export missiles.” Netanyahu stressed that Israel’s actions were aimed at industrial-scale facilities that he called “factories of death.” Responding indirectly to reports of U.S. pressure to moderate Israel’s response to Iran’s October 1 missile strike, Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s independent decision-making, affirming, “we make decisions ourselves according to our interests and considerations.” Outlining Israel’s long-term strategy, Netanyahu said the aim is to “dismantle the axis of evil,” targeting the Iranian regime, its nuclear program, and its regional proxies. He reiterated that the conflict’s goals include ousting Hamas from Gaza and removing Hezbollah from Israel’s northern border. The prime minister also pledged to advance peace with Arab nations, hinting at further regional diplomacy. Positioning Israel as a critical bulwark against Iranian ambitions, Netanyahu claimed that Israel’s resistance is vital to preventing Iran from dominating the Middle East and threatening global security. “If Israel falls,” he warned, “the entire Middle East will fall into [Iran’s] hands, but we will not fall. We will win, and the whole world will be a better place.” Meanwhile, the US State Department said Monday that Israel’s response was “proportionate” and cautioning Iran against further escalation. In a press briefing, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that Israel was justified in responding to Iran’s October 1 missile attack. “We supported their right to do so… We believe this should be the end of the matter,” he said. Miller further underscored that the U.S. would continue to support Israel if Iran chooses to retaliate. “If Iran does respond in any way, we will continue to defend Israel,” he warned. “The response from Israel was limited to military sites, which was entirely appropriate given the nature of the attack by Iran,” Miller noted, commending Israel’s restraint while reiterating the need to avoid further escalation. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Hezbollah has announced the appointment of Naim Qassem as its new Secretary-General, taking over from Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli strike targeting Hezbollah’s underground headquarters in central Beirut on September 27. Nasrallah’s initial successor, Hashem Safieddine, was killed in a subsequent Israeli airstrike before he could even be officially named the terror group’s new leader. Qassem, who has held the role of deputy secretary-general for over three decades, fled from Lebanon to Iran earlier in October, reportedly due to concerns that Israel may target him next. According to Aram News, an Emirati news outlet citing Iranian sources, Qassem traveled to Tehran on October 5, accompanied by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Hezbollah’s allies, including Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), and Iran, publicly congratulated Qassem on his new position. Ynet quoted Hamas’s statement: “Congratulations to our brothers in the Hezbollah leadership for choosing Qassem in place of the martyred Secretary-General, Hassan Nasrallah, who lived as a fighter and was killed as a fighter.” PIJ added that the appointment demonstrated the “resistance’s high ability to confront the enemy and inflict losses.” The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, also extended his congratulations. Qassem has a deep-rooted history with Hezbollah, which he joined after parting ways with Lebanon’s Shi’ite Amal Movement following the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran. His role in the formation of Hezbollah in 1982, alongside Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, cemented his position within the group’s leadership. Known for his role as a spokesperson, Qassem has often spoken to foreign media. In June, amid rising hostilities linked to the Gaza conflict, he claimed to Al Jazeera that Hezbollah aimed to avoid widening the war but would respond if forced. Earlier this month, in a televised address, Qassem maintained that Hezbollah remains “steadfast” despite the death of Nasrallah and the decimation of its military chain of command. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
North Korea said Tuesday its top diplomat is visiting Russia, in another sign of their deepening relations as rival South Korea and Western nations say the North has sent thousands of troops to support Russia’s war in Ukraine. North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency said a delegation led by Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui departed for Russia on Monday, but didn’t specify the purpose of the visit. In a closed-door hearing at South Korea’s parliament, the South’s spy agency said Choe may be involved in high-level discussions on sending additional troops to Russia and negotiating what the North would get in return, according to Lee Seong-kweun, a lawmaker who attended the meeting. The announcement of Choe’s visit came hours after the Pentagon said North Korea has sent about 10,000 troops to Russia, who are expected to arrive in battlefields in Ukraine within “the next several weeks.” South Korean and Western leaders have expressed concern that North Korean involvement could help prolong Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, and that Russia may offer technology in return that could advance the threat posed by North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile program. Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh told reporters Monday that some of the North Korean soldiers have already moved closer to Ukraine and were believed to be heading for the Kursk border region, where Russia has been struggling to push back a Ukrainian incursion. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service told lawmakers it’s examining the possibility that some groups of North Korea’s military personnel in Russia, including generals or other high-ranking officials, may have already moved to frontline areas. The spy agency also said the two sides appear to be struggling to resolve communication issues although the Russian military is training North Korean troops on Russian military terminology, Lee said. The agency said space-based reconnaissance is an area where North Korea is likely receiving Russian help. It said North Korea may be acquiring advanced components from Russia as it prepares to launch another military reconnaissance satellite following a failed attempt in May, said Park Sun-won, another lawmaker who attended the hearing. North Korea first placed a spy satellite in orbit last November. Its leader Kim Jong Un has described those assets as crucial for monitoring South Korean and U.S. military activities and enhancing the threat of his nuclear-capable missiles. In a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said deepening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia could pose a “major security threat” to Seoul if the North gains access to Russian technology and its troops get combat experience. The leaders confirmed plans to exchange government delegations as part of efforts to strengthen communication and coordinate their responses over the conflict, Yoon’s office said. In earlier calls with European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Yoon called for closer coordination with European governments aimed at “monitoring and blocking illegal exchanges” between Pyongyang and Moscow. After initially denying the claims about North Korean troop deployments, Pyongyang and Moscow have adopted a vaguer stance, asserting that their military cooperation conforms with international law without directly admitting the presence of North Korean forces in Russia. North Korea has also been accused of providing millions of artillery shells and other military equipment to Russia to fuel its […]
Russian drones, missiles and bombs smashed into Kyiv and Kharkiv, Ukraine’s biggest cities, in nighttime attacks, killing four people and wounding 15 in a continuing aerial onslaught, authorities said Tuesday. Russia has bombarded civilian areas of Ukraine almost daily since its full-scale invasion of its neighbor almost three years ago, causing thousands of casualties. The Russian army is also pushing hard against front-line defenses in the eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine. In another worrying development for Kyiv officials, Western countries say North Korea has sent some 10,000 soldiers to help Russia’s military campaign. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was expected to speak about that new threat at a meeting Tuesday in Reykjavik with the leaders of Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Norway and Sweden. A Russian aerial attack struck Kharkiv, in Ukraine’s northeast, at around 3 a.m., hitting a house and killing four people, regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said. Nearly 20 houses were damaged in the attack, he said. Several hours earlier, Russia dropped a glide bomb on the landmark Derzhprom building in Kharkiv city center, injuring seven people, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said. Derzhprom, also known as the Palace of Industry, is included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List as an example of modernist architecture. Terekhov said that Russia has concentrated attacks on Kharkiv in recent days. He urged people not to ignore air raid warnings. Authorities in Kyiv said debris from intercepted Russian drones fell on two city districts, injuring six people. Ukraine has also used long-range drones to disrupt Russia’s war machine and embarrass the Kremlin by striking targets on Russian soil. A special forces academy in the Russian province of Chechnya was hit by drones, causing a fire that was quickly extinguished, according to Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, who is close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. It was the first drone attack of the war on Chechnya, which lies about 800 kilometers (500 miles) east of Ukraine. (AP)
Longtime Donald Trump ally Steve Bannon was released from prison early Tuesday, after serving a four-month sentence for defying a subpoena in the congressional investigation into the U.S. Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021. Bannon left the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut, according to Kristie Breshears, a spokesperson for the federal Bureau of Prisons. He planned to hold a news conference later in the day in Manhattan, his representatives said. He’s also expected to resume his podcast Tuesday. Bannon, 70, reported to the prison July 1 after the Supreme Court rejected his bid to delay the prison sentence while he appeals his conviction. A jury found Bannon guilty in 2022 of two counts of contempt of Congress: one for refusing to sit for a deposition with the Jan. 6 House Committee and a second for refusing to provide documents related to his involvement Trump’s efforts to overturn his loss to Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential race. When he began serving his sentence in July, Bannon called himself a “political prisoner.” “I am proud of going to prison,” he said at the time, adding that he was standing up Attorney General Merrick Garland and a “corrupt” Justice Department. Trump, a Republican, is seeking to regain the presidency in next week’s election against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. A federal appeals court panel upheld Bannon’s convictions in May. Bannon is now asking the full appeals court to hear his case. His legal team had argued that the congressional subpoena was invalid because Trump had asserted executive privilege. Prosecutors, though, say Bannon had left the White House years before and Trump had never invoked executive privilege in front of the committee. Bannon faces additional criminal charges in New York state court, alleging he duped donors who gave money to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Bannon has pleaded not guilty to money laundering, conspiracy, fraud and other charges. A trial in that case is scheduled to begin in December. (AP)
A restaurateur pleaded guilty Thursday to displaying a Nazi symbol during a pro-Palestinian rally in Sydney in early October. Alan Yazbek was photographed at the Oct. 6 rally in Sydney’s central business district holding a sign that replaced the Star of David on the Israeli flag with a blue swastika, accompanied by the words “Stop Nazi Israel.” The 56-year-old Yazbek was also photographed holding another sign in the green and yellow colors associated with Hezbollah — a designated terrorist organization in Australia — with the words “our boys in green and gold will win.” The rally took place a day before the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel, carried out by Hamas. Yazbek — the co-founder of the Nomad Group, which owns three high-end restaurants in Sydney and Melbourne — was the only person charged following the rally, which saw an estimated 10,000 people in attendance. Police initially tried to prevent the rally but later reached an agreement with organizers, allowing it to proceed peacefully. Yazbek faces a potential sentence of up to 12 months in jail or a fine of 11,000 Australian dollars ($7,300). He is due to be sentenced on Dec. 10. Performing Nazi gestures and displaying Nazi symbols such as the swastika have been banned by various state and federal laws since 2022. Jewish groups in Australia have reported a significant rise in anti-Semitic actions as the conflict in the Middle East escalates. Earlier in October, an Australian state police chief was compelled to apologize to the Jewish community after a 65-year-old sergeant allegedly performed an outlawed Nazi salute at a police academy. In the same week, a self-described Nazi was told by a magistrate he would become the first person in Australia sentenced to prison for performing the same banned gesture. In June, three soccer fans were fined for performing the salute during a Sydney match. The men were the first convicted in Australia for such offenses and have lodged appeals. (AP)
Iran and Saudi Arabia are reportedly in discussions to conduct joint military exercises in the Red Sea, according to Iranian media. If confirmed, this would mark a historic collaboration between the two regional rivals. Iranian Navy Commander Admiral Shahram Irani stated that Saudi Arabia had proposed the exercises, with military delegations from both countries set to discuss the details. This potential military cooperation follows the restoration of diplomatic ties last year in a China-brokered deal after years of enmity. Iran and Saudi Arabia have been on opposing sides of various regional conflicts, most notably in Yemen, where Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have been fighting a Saudi-led coalition since 2015. While Saudi Arabia has not yet confirmed its participation in the exercises, the announcement signals a significant shift in the geopolitical dynamics of the region. The Red Sea has seen heightened tensions recently, with Houthi rebels launching attacks on ships in support of Palestinians during the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The Houthis have also fired missiles at Israel, prompting retaliatory airstrikes from Israeli forces on Houthi targets in Yemen. Saudi Arabia, which has supported Yemen’s Aden-based government against the Houthis, has been trying to balance its role as a key player in the region while attempting to extricate itself from the costly conflict. The kingdom’s efforts to broker peace in Yemen have been further complicated by recent Houthi attacks, and it has so far refrained from joining a U.S.-led naval coalition aimed at deterring these threats. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
A Jewish woman has filed a lawsuit against Hackensack University Medical Center, alleging that the hospital misplaced her stillborn son’s remains and performed an unauthorized autopsy, disregarding her religious beliefs and explicit instructions, Lakewood Alerts reported. The 34-year-old mother, who underwent an induced birth of her stillborn son at the northern New Jersey hospital on September 28, 2022, had explicitly declined an autopsy, as per halacha and already knowing the reason for why the child was stillborn – he had a congenital heart defect. The lawsuit, filed in August in U.S. District Court, asserts that despite the woman’s clear refusal, an autopsy was performed nearly a year later without her consent. According to the lawsuit, the woman had signed a consent form permitting only a basic examination of her son’s remains, explicitly prohibiting a full autopsy. She left the hospital trusting her son’s remains would be handled according to her wishes, with arrangements for interring the baby’s remains within four weeks. Court papers allege that it wasn’t until July 2023—almost a year after the birth—that she discovered by chance that the hospital had conducted an autopsy. The suit claims the hospital initially misplaced the remains in the morgue due to the infant’s small size, leading to a delay in further action until February 2023. The filing further states that Hackensack University Medical Center hired a fetal pathologist in June 2023, and the unauthorized autopsy was conducted in July of that year. The suit accuses the hospital of professional negligence and negligent infliction of emotional distress, arguing that the hospital’s alleged failure to properly store, locate, and respect the remains caused the woman severe emotional trauma. The lawsuit also contends that the hospital’s actions breached her personal and religious wishes, intensifying the grief and distress she has endured. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
A group of demonstrators at the University of Minnesota took control of a residence hall last week, resulting in the arrest of 11 individuals after law enforcement intervened. According to a statement from the university on October 21, the protest began on the lawn outside Coffman Memorial Union before a faction moved north into Morris Hall. Once inside, protesters reportedly engaged in vandalism, including spray-painting over security cameras, breaking windows, and barricading entrances and exits. This disruption left some staff members unable to exit the building for an extended period. The protesters were reportedly affiliated with UMN Students for a Democratic Society, which is advocating for the university to divest from Israel—a demand that has been rejected by the administration. Images from the scene showed doors barricaded with chairs, tables, and bike locks. Rep, Jason Smith (R-Mo.) condemned the actions on X, writing, “This behavior is unacceptable.” He raised concerns about the safety of Jewish students, questioning how they could feel secure attending classes when “violent, pro-Hamas mobs” were able to seize control of university buildings and vandalize property. Earlier this spring, the university had to close certain campus buildings due to pro-Palestinian protests and pro-Hamas tent encampments, highlighting ongoing tensions surrounding the Israel-Palestinian conflict on campus. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
The IDF announced that troops have carried out a series of specialized operations over the past year in Kfarkela, a Hezbollah stronghold in southern Lebanon. These operations uncovered a complex network of underground infrastructure, weapon storage facilities, and observation posts embedded within the area. Led by the 769th Brigade under the 91st Division, the IDF’s recent missions have intensified, focusing on neutralizing Hezbollah’s capability to launch ground attacks into northern Israel, particularly as part of its “Conquer the Galilee” strategy. Troops have destroyed extensive terrorist infrastructure, including numerous bunkers, hundreds of military structures, and thousands of weapons, as well as capturing intelligence documents and equipment used by Hezbollah’s Radwan Forces. The IDF reported that much of Hezbollah’s military build-up had been placed within civilian structures over the years, with the ongoing efforts in Kfarkela aimed at fully dismantling Hezbollah’s ability to use the area as a base for attacks on Israel.
HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Zilberstein on Monday joined the call of the Roshei Yeshivos of Slabodka to begin the winter zman early. In a special letter the Gadol wrote on Monday morning, he stated: “To the dear and precious bnei yeshivos, shalom and bracha. In these days, we are in dire need of much Rachamei Shamayim…as the blood of Yisrael is flowing like water and dozens of Acheinu Bnei Yisrael were murdrred by Bnei Yishmael.” “And Rabban shel Yisrael Rosh Yeshivha HaGaon HaRav Landau already wrote in his letter that we must strengthen the soldiers with limmud Torah during these days and whoever can begin the winter zeman early will earn the bracha of Shamayim.” “You should be zocheh to shefa Bracha from above and you should grow into tremendous talmidei chachamim and you should elevate yourseves in the maalos of Torah and yirah.” HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Yosef also wrote a letter to avreichim and bnei Torah calling for them to increase their limmud Torah and cancel all Bein Zemanin activities. HaRav Yosef wrote: “In these days when Yisrael’s enemies are raising their heads, and alongside the nissim and wonders we are zocheh to witness daily, they continue to attempt to inflict casualties among Yisrael through acts of terror and war. Unfortunately, many have fallen, rachmana litzlan, and we are in dire need of Siyata Dishmaya and we must fulfill the words of the Navi in Yeshayahu (26:20): ‘Go, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide for a little while until the wrath has passed.'” “”We need to retreat to shuls and Batei Medrashiot, focusing on the tent of Torah and increasing our tefillos for the yeshuas Am Yisrael. Therefore, it’s clear that we shouldn’t go about our usual routines during these days, and must completely cancel any outings that don’t involve limmud Torah or tefillah. “The strength of Yaakov lies only in its mouth, and we must persist and strengthen ourselves in the limmud of the Torah HaKedoshah that protects Am Yisrael and daven for the well-being of our security forces in all locations, for the healing of the wounded and the return of all Israeli hostages.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
Jeremy Ford hates wasting water. As a mist of rain sprinkled the fields around him in Homestead, Florida, Ford bemoaned how expensive it had been running a fossil fuel-powered irrigation system on his five-acre farm — and how bad it was for the planet. Earlier this month, Ford installed an automated underground system that uses a solar-powered pump to periodically saturate the roots of his crops, saving “thousands of gallons of water.” Although they may be more costly up front, he sees such climate-friendly investments as a necessary expense — and more affordable than expanding his workforce of two. It’s “much more efficient,” said Ford. “We’ve tried to figure out ‘How do we do it?’ with the least amount of adding labor.” A growing number of companies are bringing automation to agriculture. It could ease the sector’s deepening labor shortage, help farmers manage costs, and protect workers from extreme heat. Automation could also improve yields by bringing greater accuracy to planting, harvesting, and farm management, potentially mitigating some of the challenges of growing food in an ever-warmer world. But many small farmers and producers across the country aren’t convinced. Barriers to adoption go beyond steep price tags to questions about whether the tools can do the jobs nearly as well as the workers they’d replace. Some of those same workers wonder what this trend might mean for them, and whether machines will lead to exploitation. How autonomous is farm automation? Not completely – yet On some farms, driverless tractors churn through acres of corn, soybeans, lettuce and more. Such equipment is expensive, and requires mastering new tools, but row crops are fairly easy to automate. Harvesting small, non-uniform and easily damaged fruits like blackberries, or big citruses that take a bit of strength and dexterity to pull off a tree, would be much harder. That doesn’t deter scientists like Xin Zhang, a biological and agricultural engineer at Mississippi State University. Working with a team at Georgia Institute of Technology, she wants to apply some of the automation techniques surgeons use, and the object recognition power of advanced cameras and computers, to create robotic berry-picking arms that can pluck the fruits without creating a sticky, purple mess. The scientists have collaborated with farmers for field trials, but Zhang isn’t sure when the machine might be ready for consumers. Although robotic harvesting is not widespread, a smattering of products have hit the market, and can be seen working from Washington’s orchards to Florida’s produce farms. “I feel like this is the future,” Zhang said. But where she sees promise, others see problems. Frank James, executive director of grassroots agriculture group Dakota Rural Action, grew up on a cattle and crop farm in northeastern South Dakota. His family once employed a handful of farmhands, but has had to cut back due, in part, to the lack of available labor. Much of the work is now done by his brother and sister-in-law, while his 80-year-old father occasionally pitches in. They swear by tractor autosteer, an automated system that communicates with a satellite to help keep the machine on track. But it can’t identify the moisture levels in the fields which can hamstring tools or cause the tractor to get stuck, and requires human oversight to work as it should. The technology also complicates maintenance. For these reasons, he […]
The IDF has issued 800 arrest warrants to bnei yeshivos who did not show up to the summons issued to them in the summer. Those who received warrants will not be arrested immediately but will be arrested if caught at Ben Gurion Airport trying to leave the country and will also be prevented from obtaining a driver’s license. Senior Chareidi political officials admitted to Kikar H’Shabbat on Monday evening that they have not managed to find a solution to the issuance of arrest warrants and the criminalization of bnei yeshivos. It should be noted that Charedim are being drafted on the orders of Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara and and the Supreme Court and not the current government. Earlier on Monday, it was reported that the UTJ party retracted its threats to withhold its support for the state budget until a draft law is passed [due to the low likelihood that it will be approved] and instead is insisting on continuing to provide daycare subsidies for the children of bnei yeshivos who are eligible for the draft, a move that Baharav-Miara has deemed illegal [based on her personal opinion.] Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu held a special meeting at his office in the Knesset on Monday evening in an attempt to find a solution for advancing the law that would allow continued subsidization of daycare for avreichim of draft age or a way to bypass Baharav-Miara’s decision. Channel 12 News reported on Monday that the IDF will soon issue draft orders to another 5,000 Chareidim. Out of the 3,000 draft orders previously sent to Chareidim in the summer, only 230 Chareidim obeyed the summons and showed up at draft centers. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
