HaGaon HaRav Dov Landau and HaGaon HaRav Hillel Hirsch published a joint letter on Sunday evening calling to begin the winter zeman early, on Wednesday of this week. The letter, which was addressed to the Roshei Yeshivos of yeshivos across Israel, says: “As everyone knows, we’re in a complex security situation, and with the increasing number of decrees and slander against the dear Bnei Yeshivos, it would be very appropriate to begin the winter zeman early, on Wednesday. And whoever can manage to do this will be blessed by Shamayim.” “The matter is clear and it’s unnecessary to repeat what was already written and said, that during these days, no one should be going on trips. .והשם יושיענו ויגאלנו במהרה.” The Nasi of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas, HaGaon HaRav Moshe Maya, along with two members of the Moetzet, HaGaon HaRav Avraham Salim and HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Betzalel, also published a letter instructing yeshivos to begin the zeman on Wednesday. In the letter, they added: “Yeshivos ketanos and kollelim should try to begin early, at least for a half day. It is unnecessary to say that all activities and tiyulim are canceled immediately without any exceptions.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
Azita, a resident of Tehran who is opposed to the Iranian regime, spoke to Ynet about what he experienced on the day of the Israeli attack on Iran. “Despite being prepared that the confrontation was approaching, it caught us by surprise,” Azita said. “We woke up to very loud booms. This lasted for almost three hours. It’s a strange mix of emotions: many of us in the opposition are hopefully waiting for an Israeli attack, because what could be worse than the current situation? But it’s still frightening. Bombs are still being dropped on your home, on your country. The colors in the sky, the movement, the sounds – it was very, very scary. We’re used to seeing these things on TV from Lebanon and Gaza, and suddenly it was above our heads.” “There were two types of reactions once we realized the attack had begun. There were the people who support the regime, who immediately took to the streets, gathered and started marching and shouting that nothing happened, that the Israeli attack did no damage, and that the regime succeeded in keeping the citizens safe. And then there were the more practical people. They got into their cars with fuel containers and drove to gas stations, both to stock up in case of a shortage or price increase and to have the option to escape Tehran in case it became a primary target. People waited for hours in line at gas stations. “State-run media quickly reported that the Iranian air defense proved itself much more than its Israeli counterpart. They repeatedly said Iranians should be proud of themselves and the regime that provided them protection from the ‘Zionist enemy,’ but the truth is that among many people, even among regime supporters, there is a certain degree of skepticism about these statements. The Israeli planes managed to bomb Iran. “In the eyes of many, this is a crossing of red lines that Iran should not have allowed to be crossed. The regime and the authorities made every effort to return everything to normal as quickly as possible, ensuring there were no disruptions to daily life. They tried to convey that nothing happened, that it was an unsuccessful Israeli attempt. Many people walked the streets, the parks were full, and so were the markets. There was an attempt, more than usual, to project normalcy. “Opinions here are also divided. Some people say it’s a disgrace that we were bombed and that Iran must respond like a country whose sovereignty has been violated, but there are also many others who think the attack shows Iran’s strength. They feared that Israel would bomb the oil sites or the nuclear bases and facilities and, in the end, it didn’t happen, so there’s a bit of relief. But the general feeling is a desire for revenge, to show Israel that Iran is neither Lebanon nor Gaza. “All the attacks and repeated attacks are nerve-wracking. You don’t know what to expect, when, how or with what intensity. There’s also no one to really share with because there aren’t many answers; we all live in constant uncertainty. The authorities have also increased their control over censorship and warned of severe punishments for anyone who shares materials from the attack with Western media. So, it’s a fear that […]
President Joe Biden slammed Elon Musk for hypocrisy on immigration after a published report that the Tesla CEO once worked illegally in the United States. The South Africa-born Musk denies the allegation. “That wealthiest man in the world turned out to be an illegal worker here. No, I’m serious. He was supposed to be in school when he came on a student visa. He wasn’t in school. He was violating the law. And he’s talking about all these illegals coming our way?” Biden said while campaigning on Saturday in Pittsburgh at a union hall. The Washington Post reported that Musk worked illegally in the country while on a student visa. The newspaper, citing company documents, former business associates and court documents, said Musk arrived in Palo Alto, California in 1995 for a graduate program at Stanford University “but never enrolled in courses, working instead on his startup. ” Musk wrote on X in reply to a video post of Biden’s comments: “I was in fact allowed to work in the US.” Musk added, “The Biden puppet is lying.” Investors in Musk’s company, Zip2, were concerned about the possibility of their founder being deported, according to the report, and gave him a deadline for obtaining a work visa. The newspaper also cited a 2005 email from Musk to his Tesla co-founders acknowledging that he did not have authorization to be in the U.S. when he started Zip2. According to the account, that email was submitted as evidence in a now-closed California defamation lawsuit and said that Musk had apllied to Stanford so he could stay in the country legally. Musk is today the world’s richest man. He has committed more than $70 million to help Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and other GOP candidates win on Nov. 5, and is one of the party’s biggest donors this campaign season. He has been headlining events in the White House race’s final stretch, often echoing Trump’s dark rhetoric against immigration. Trump has pledged to give Musk a role in his administration if he wins next month. There was no immediate response to messages left with X and Tesla seeking Musk’s comment. (AP)
Russian forces thwarted an attempt at another cross-border incursion by Ukraine into southwestern Russia, a local official reported Sunday, months after Kyiv staged a bold assault on its nuclear-armed enemy that Moscow is still struggling to halt. An “armed group” sought Sunday to breach the border between Ukraine and Russia’s Bryansk region, its governor, Aleksandr Bogomaz, said but was beaten back. Bogomaz did not clarify whether Ukrainian soldiers carried out the alleged attack, but claimed on Sunday evening that the situation was “stable and under control” by the Russian military. There was no immediate acknowledgement or response from Ukrainian officials. The region neighbors Kursk province, where Ukraine launched a surprise push on Aug. 6 that rattled the Kremlin and constituted the largest attack on Russia since World War II. Hundreds of Russian prisoners were blindfolded and ferried away in trucks in the opening moments of the lightning advance, and Ukraine’s battle-hardened units swiftly pressed on across hundreds of square miles (square kilometers) of territory. Responsibility for previous incursions into Russia’s Belgorod and Bryansk regions has been claimed by two murky groups: the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Freedom of Russia Legion. Russian officials and state media have sought to downplay the significance of Kyiv’s thunderous run in Kursk, but the country’s forces have so far been unable to dislodge Ukrainian troops from the province. Western officials have speculated that Moscow may send troops from North Korea to bolster its effort to do so, stoking the almost three-year war and bringing geopolitical consequences as far away as the Indo-Pacific region. Russian lawmakers Thursday ratified a pact with Pyongyang envisioning mutual military assistance, a move that comes as the U.S. confirmed the deployment of 3,000 North Korean troops to Russia. North Korean units were detected Wednesday in Kursk, according to Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate, known by its acronym GUR. The soldiers had undergone several weeks of training at bases in eastern Russia and had been equipped with clothes for the upcoming winter, GUR said in a statement late Thursday. It did not provide evidence for its claims. Moscow warns West against approving long-range strikes against Russia Also on Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow is working on ways to respond if the U.S. and its NATO allies allow Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia with long-range Western missiles. Putin told Russian state TV that it was too early to say exactly how Moscow might react, but the defense ministry has been mulling a range of options. Russia has repeatedly signaled that it would view any such strikes as a major escalation. The Kremlin leader warned on Sept. 12 that Moscow would be “at war” with the U.S. and NATO states if they approve them, claiming military infrastructure and personnel from the bloc would have to be involved in targeting and firing the missiles. 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 the revised document envisages possible nuclear weapons use in case of a massive air attack, opening the door to a potential nuclear response to any aerial assault — an ambiguity intended to deter the West. Ukrainian leaders have repeatedly […]
(By Rabbi Yair Hoffman) It was a year of enormous tragedy for Yeshiva Chaim Berlin, with the loss of two remarkable Roshei Yeshiva within some 14 months of each other. Today, HaGaon HaRav Shlomo Dovid Halioua passed away tragically at the age of 66. His father-in-law, HaGaon HaRav Aharon Schechter zt”l, had passed away 14 months earlier. Rav Halioua acted in the role of “acting rosh yeshiva” during his shver’s illness the past few years. It is a sad tragedy that the Oilam HaTorah beyond the Yeshiva did not get such a chance to fully appreciate who this remarkable Rosh Yeshiva was by virtue of the short tenure that we had him. His brilliance shined forth in so many Torah techunos, as well as his remarkable midos and anivus. He was clearly destined to play a pivotal leadership role in the Torah world, which is why the talmidei haYeshiva are in a state of despair and shock. The talmidim noticed that in the past few months he was visibly weaker, but whatever illness he suffered from, he kept hidden from his talmidim. After Mincha in the Yeshiva today, they announced that the Rosh Yeshiva was niftar. The news was met with crying and sobbing. The news came as a complete shock to everyone. Rav Halioua zt”l demonstrated remarkable brilliance as a talmid chochom, who gave masterful shiurim. He also had a full mastery of the entire oeuvre of Rav Hutner’s Pachad Yitzchock, and was fully comfortable in the world of Torah Machshava as well. The Rosh Yeshiva’s mastery of the Ramchal’s writings was demonstrated in his many shmuessim that he delivered to the Talmidim. Every erev Shabbos in the morning he gave a shiur to the Kollel in Maharal. The talmidim were enamored by the down-to-earth nature of Rav Halioua’s maamarim as well as synthesis of the machshava of Rav Hutner zt”l, the Maharal and the Ramchal. Rav Halioua veritably introduced the Talmidim of the Yeshiva to the deeper understanding of the Ramchal’s greatest talmid, Rav Moshe Dovid Valle zt”l. He was also a baal mechadaish – who could derive deep insights from their writings which we otherwise might have missed. Rav Halioua was rushed to the hospital on Tuesday afternoon right before Hoshana Rabbah, and yet he was still delivering maamarim until the last week of Yeshiva and during the Yom Tov. He gave a maamar on Monday during the Yeshiva’s Simchas Beis HaShoaiva. His father, Rav Avraham zatzal, immigrated from Morocco to the USA at the age of twenty in November of 1948, and was a Rav in Flatbush who passed away in December of 1988. Rav Shlomo was thirty years old at his passing and took over the shul. He had a close association with Agudath Israel even while yet in Morocco. They helped sponsor his arrival in the US. The Rosh Yeshiva zt”l was also a talmid muvhak of Rav Binyomin Paler zt”l and mastered the Brisker mehalech from him. Rav Paler was one of Rav Velvel Soloveitchik’s closest Talmidim, and a chevrusah of Rav Beryl Soloveitchik zt”l– father of Rav Avrohom Yehoshua Shlita, the current Rosh Yeshiva of Brisk in Yerushalayim. Rav Halioua also learned under HaGaon haRav Yonasan David shlita, Rav Hutner’s son-in-law and the Rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Pachad Yitzchok in Yerushalayim. Rav Halioua considered […]
A presidential candidate’s phone is hacked. A fake video falsely shows ballots burned in Pennsylvania. National security officials warn that U.S. adversaries may incite violent protests after Election Day. These developments — all revealed in the past week — show how Russia, China and Iran have increased the pace of efforts to meddle in American politics ahead of next month’s election, just as intelligence officials and security analysts had predicted. At the same time, officials, tech companies and private researchers have adopted a more aggressive defense by swiftly exposing foreign election threats, highlighting the lessons learned from past election cycles that revealed America’s vulnerability to disinformation and cyberespionage. Officials say the U.S. election system is so secure that no foreign nation could alter the results at a scale necessary to change the outcome. Nevertheless, authoritarian adversaries have leveraged disinformation and cyberespionage to target campaigns and voters while stoking distrust and discord. Here’s what to know as the presidential election approaches: Russia is the top threat Russia is the most active and sophisticated nation working to manipulate the U.S. election, using fake websites, state-controlled media and unwitting Americans to spread misleading and polarizing content aimed at undermining confidence in elections. The Kremlin’s disinformation apparatus seizes on contentious issues like immigration, crime, the economy or disaster relief. The goal is to weaken the U.S., erode support for Ukraine as it fights off Russian invaders and reduce America’s ability to counter Russia’s growing ties to China, North Korea and Iran, officials have said. Intelligence officials and private security analysts have determined that Russia supports former President Donald Trump, and is using disinformation — sometimes AI-generated — to smear his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump has praised Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggested cutting funds to Ukraine and repeatedly criticized the NATO military alliance. In one particularly audacious campaign, Russia staged a video that falsely accused Harris of paralyzing a woman in a car crash years ago. Another video made fictitious allegations against Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. On Friday, the FBI confirmed Moscow’s role in creating a third video supposedly showing the destruction of mail ballots in Pennsylvania. Local election officials quickly debunked the video as false. Russia also has tried to pay American influencers who spread the Kremlin’s preferred narratives. Last month, U.S. authorities accused two Russian state media employees of funneling $10 million to a Tennessee company to create pro-Russian content. The company then paid several popular right-wing influencers, who have said they had no idea their work was being supported by Russia. Moscow’s campaign won’t end on Election Day. Instead, intelligence officials and private security analysts predict Russia will exploit claims of election irregularities to suggest the results can’t be trusted. A recently declassified intelligence memo said Russia may also encourage violent protests after the election. “Putin’s aim is to foment chaos, division and polarization in our society,” said Michael McFaul, a former U.S. ambassador to Russia who now teaches at Stanford University. Russia has rejected claims that it seeks to influence the U.S. election. A message left with Russia’s embassy in Washington was not immediately returned Saturday. Iranian hack-and-leak operations Iran has been a particularly brazen player in foreign interference this year. It’s accused of hacking Trump campaign associates and offering the stolen communications to media organizations and Democrats in hopes that damaging stories would emerge that could hurt the Republican’s prospects. Emails dangling dirt were sent to people associated with President Joe Biden’s campaign, but there’s no indication anyone replied, officials have said. The Justice Department […]
YWN regrets to inform you of the petirah of Rebbetzin Mesoda Halioua a”h, the mother of Harav Shlomo Halioua zt”l, the rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Chaim Berlin who was niftar earlier today. Rebbetzin Halioua a”h was the wife of Rav Avraham zt”l, who had immigrated from Morocco to the U.S. at the age of 20 in November of 1948, and was a Rav in Flatbush. Rav Avraham zt”l was niftar in December of 1988. She had been critically ill and hospitalized just a few rooms away from her son, who was niftar following a sudden drastic medical deterioration towards the conclusion of Simchas Torah. Levaya details will be published when they become available. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Like every year, HaGaon HaRav Moshe Shternbuch received the smallest Sefer Torah in the world on the night of Hoshanah Rabbah. In the past, the Sefer Torah was used by HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky, z’tl. HaRav Shternbuch was videoed dancing with the Sefer Torah around his neck on Motzei Simchas Torah with his talmidim at his yeshivah in Beit Shemesh. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
At a rally in Pittsburgh on Saturday, President Joe Biden took sharp aim at former President Donald Trump, portraying him as a threat to the hard-won benefits of union workers. Biden emphasized his commitment to protecting union rights and accused Trump of being an “anti-labor” figure who, if re-elected, would jeopardize healthcare, pension plans, and other union-supported benefits. “Donald Trump is a loser,” Biden declared to a supportive crowd, adding, “He’s a loser of a candidate, and he’s a loser of a man.” Biden’s remarks marked an unusually direct critique, reflecting a strategic appeal to Philadelphia union workers, a key demographic that has traditionally leaned Democratic but in recent years has shown greater support for Trump. Biden called out Trump’s attempts to weaken labor protections, reminding the crowd that Trump had “tried 51 times to eliminate health care coverage for union employees.” “The last thing we need is for Trump to get elected, to take away all the things we’ve done,” Biden continued, stressing the importance of preserving pensions. “How many of you have pensions now? How many of your families have pensions? Trump opposes it,” he added. Biden’s speech also took an indirect shot at Tesla CEO Elon Musk, a prominent Trump ally. Without naming Musk directly, he referred to “the wealthiest man in the world” as an “illegal worker” backing Trump, hinting at recent controversies surrounding Musk’s labor practices and his political support for Trump. The Biden administration has yet to clarify the specifics of this comment. In a closing call to action, Biden urged the crowd to support Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming election, portraying her as a champion of labor rights. “There is more to do, and Kamala is going to make it happen,” he said. The event underscored Biden’s dedication to reinforcing Democratic support among union workers as labor endorsements become less predictable in the changing political landscape. He closed with a final swipe at Trump, declaring, “I can think of no man who has thought less of the American worker. He is a man with no character and who doesn’t give a d— about union members.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Seven Israeli citizens were formally charged this week after being arrested on suspicion of operating a spy ring for Iran over the past two years. Prosecutors allege that the suspects, all residents of Haifa and northern Israel, completed approximately 600 missions on behalf of Iranian intelligence, gathering sensitive information on Israeli military and strategic sites. The suspects face serious charges, including aiding the enemy during wartime and providing sensitive information. Among those charged are a soldier who deserted the IDF and two unnamed minors, aged 16 and 17, intensifying concerns over the extent of Iran’s intelligence reach within Israel. According to court documents, prosecutors allege that Azis Nisanov served as the leader of the spy ring, with Alexander Sadykov acting as his deputy. An unnamed minor allegedly served as a main operative, responsible for photography assignments and transmitting images to Iranian contacts, while a second minor carried out similar tasks and reportedly received funds from Iranian operatives. Additional defendants include Vyacheslav Gushchin, Yevgeny Yoffe, and Yigal Nissan, all of whom are named in court documents as members of the espionage network. Prosecutors revealed that Nisanov and his associates had a cover story prepared: if apprehended, they would claim to be tour guides documenting Israeli sites for tourism purposes. The espionage activities were wide-ranging, with defendants allegedly tasked with photographing Israeli air bases, including Nevatim, Ramat David, Tel Nof, and Palmachim, as well as key facilities in Beer Tuvia, Kiryat Gat, Emek Hefer, and the Glilot complex north of Tel Aviv. Additionally, they reportedly gathered imagery of the Iron Dome missile defense systems around Haifa, government buildings, ports in Haifa, Ashdod, and Eilat, and power plants and observation installations in strategic areas. In a chilling revelation, prosecutors claim that the Iranian operatives provided one suspect with a list of sensitive sites to target, including the dining hall at the Golani training base – a site attacked by drones earlier this month – and a location linked to Rafael, a defense contractor. On April 14, the suspects allegedly photographed the Nevatim air base just one day after Iran launched ballistic missile and drone strikes on Israeli interests in the region. In addition to strategic and military targets, the operatives reportedly sought personal information on an Israeli a gas engineering expert at the University of Haifa who had spoken on Iranian topics. Nisanov was allegedly tasked with gathering details on the academic’s vehicle, family, and daily routine. The suspects are reported to have received financial compensation for their work, with payments ranging from $500 to $1,200 per assignment, and the total compensation for the spy ring is estimated to have reached $300,000, divided among the members. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
U.S. health officials on Wednesday recommended that people 50 and older get a shot against bacteria that can cause pneumonia and other dangerous illnesses. The recommendation was made by a scientific advisory panel and then accepted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The decision lowered — from 65 — the minimum recommended age for older adults to get the shot. “Now is a great time to get vaccinated against pneumococcal disease in preparation for the winter respiratory season,” CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen said in a statement Wednesday night. The advisory committee voted 14-1 to make the change during a meeting earlier in the day in Atlanta. The guidance is widely heeded by doctors and prompts health insurers to pay for recommended shots. Pneumococcal shot recommendations are sometimes called the most complicated vaccination guidance that the government issues. The CDC currently recommends shots for children younger than 5 and adults 65 or older, as long as they have never been vaccinated against pneumococcal disease. Officials also recommend the shots for children and adults at increased risk for pneumococcal disease, such as those with diabetes, chronic liver disease or a weakened immune system. There are more than 100 known types of pneumococci bacteria, which can cause serious infections in the lungs and other parts of the body. Each year, the U.S. sees roughly 30,000 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease, which includes blood infections, brain and spine inflammation, and other illnesses. About 30% of cases are among 50- to 64-year-olds. The first pneumococcal vaccine was licensed in the U.S. in 1977, and since then pharmaceutical companies have been coming up with newer versions that target a dozen or more types in a single shot. Different vaccines have fallen in and out of favor, including Pfizer’s Prevnar 13, which was once a top-seller but is no longer available. There are four vaccines now in use. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration this year approved the newest — Merck’s Capvaxive, which can cost around $300 a dose and protects against 21 types, including eight not included in other pneumococcal vaccines. A Merck spokesperson said it was specifically designed to help protect against the bacteria types that cause the majority of severe disease in adults aged 50 and older. The CDC advisory panel in June recommended the vaccine as an option for adults at higher risk. At the time, the committee also talked about the possibility of lowering the age recommendation for older adults. They noted that illness-causing infections peak at age 55 to 59 in Black Americans — a lower age than what’s seen in white people. But the committee put off that decision until this week’s meeting. Some concerns: A booster shot may prove to be necessary, perhaps in about 15 years. And there are some new vaccines in development that could force another update to the recommendations. “Pneumococcal has been a very confusing recommendation for many, many years and it’s hard to have a new recommendation every two or three years,” said Dr. Jamie Loehr, chair of the committee’s pneumococcal working group. He was the only person to vote against the proposal. (AP)
A US researcher said that satellite photos show that Israel attacked the “secret” military site in Parchin near Tehran in its attack on Shabbos, Reuters reported on Sunday. Parchin, a huge military complex, is widely known to be part of Iran’s nuclear weapons development program and was used for atomic experiments in the past. David Albright, a former U.N. weapons inspector, and Decker Eveleth, an associate research analyst at CNA, a Washington think tank, examined commercial satellite imagery and both separately concluded that Israel struck buildings in Parchin. Albright said that Israel hit a building in Parchin called Taleghan 2 that was used in the past for nuclear testing. The satellite image shows three damaged buildings about 350 years from Talegahn 2, including two used for mixing solid fuel for ballistic missiles. Eveleth said that Israel destroyed three ballistic missile solid fuel mixing buildings and a warehouse. He added that Israel also attacked Hojir, a massive missile production site near Tehran. “Israel says they targeted buildings housing solid-fuel mixers,” Eveleth said. “These industrial mixers are hard to make and export-controlled. Iran imported many over the years at great expense, and will likely have a hard time replacing them.” Eveleth added that Israel’s limited operation caused a significant blow to Iran’s ability to mass-produce missiles and will affect Iran’s ability to carry out further missile attacks on Israel that could penetrate Israel’s missile defenses. “The strikes appear to be highly accurate,” he said. Axios reported that Israel destroyed 12 “planetary mixers” used to mix solid fuel for long-range ballistic missiles. The report quoted three anonymous Israeli sources as saying that the attack severely damaged Iran’s ability to renew its missile stockpile and could deter Iran from further massive missile strikes against Israel. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes slowed in September to the weakest annual pace in nearly 14 years even as mortgage rates eased and the supply of properties on the market continued to climb. Existing home sales fell 1% last month, from August, to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.84 million, the National Association of Realtors said Wednesday. That marks the second straight monthly decline and the slowest annual sales pace since October 2010 when the housing market was still in a deep slump following the late-2000s real estate crash. Sales fell 3.5% compared with September last year. On a regional basis, sales fell in the Northeast, South and Midwest last month from a year earlier, but rose in the West. Overall, the latest home sales were short of the 3.9 million pace economists were expecting, according to FactSet. “The factors that would drive higher home sales —- such as mortgage rates meaningfully lower now compared to one year ago, inventory beginning to increase and, of course, jobs continuously being added to the economy —- and yet home sales are stuck at low levels,” said Lawrence Yun, the NAR’s chief economist. Despite the slower sales pace, home prices increased on an annual basis for the 15th consecutive month. The national median sales price rose 3% from a year earlier, to $404,500. While the rate of price growth has been slowing, the latest median sales price is 49% higher than it was five years ago, before the pandemic. By comparison, wages grew 25% in the same period, Yun noted. Years of soaring home prices have helped put homeownership out of reach of many Americans, making housing a key political issue for voters in next month’s election. The U.S. housing market has been in a sales slump dating back to 2022, when mortgage rates began to climb from pandemic-era lows. Existing home sales sank to a nearly 30-year low last year as the average rate on a 30-year mortgage surged to a 23-year high of nearly 8%, according to mortgage buyer Freddie Mac. Mortgage rates mostly eased since July in anticipation of last month’s move by the Federal Reserve to cut its main interest rate for the first time in more than four years and to signal further cuts through 2026. While the central bank doesn’t set mortgage rates, its policy pivot cleared a path for mortgage rates to generally go lower. The average rate on a 30-year mortgage fell to 6.08% four weeks ago — its lowest level in two years — but has edged higher since then, reaching 6.44% last week. “Falling mortgage rates in July and August were expected to bring more buyers into the market, but some home shoppers may be holding out for rates to fall further,” said Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist at Bright MLS. “Others may be taking a wait-and-see approach in the lead up to the presidential election.” Economists generally expect mortgage rates to remain near their current levels, at least this year. Fannie Mae projects the rate on a 30-year mortgage will average 6.2% in the October-December quarter and decline to an average of 5.7% in the same quarter next year. As sales have slowed, the inventory of homes for sale has kept ticking higher. There were 1.39 million unsold homes at the […]
Exclusive Interview on Jewish n’ Joyful: From Church to Mosque to Shul In this interview, Aryeh Fingerer sat down with Efraim Nachman a man who grew up as a devout Christian. In his teenage years, he took a dramatic turn by converting to Islam. After still not feeling fulfilled, he found the truth and discovered Judaism. Eventually, he converted, leaving behind everything. Today, he is a proud Jew inspiring others with his incredible adventures and stories. Watch on YouTubeWatch on Torah AnytimeListen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsVisit our website parshaknowledge.comJoin the exclusive Jewish n’ Joyful group! Watch More!
At a solemn ceremony on Mount Herzl marking one year since the devastating October 7 Hamas attack, Shin Bet head Ronen Bar addressed the ongoing investigation into Israel’s security failures and committed to ensuring future protection for Israeli citizens. Bar acknowledged the agency’s shortcomings in preventing the attack, calling the incident “a failure in [Israel’s] most basic responsibility — protecting its citizens.” “We are in the middle of a deep, penetrating investigation that will leave no stone unturned,” Bar stated, emphasizing that the Shin Bet is actively analyzing and correcting its protocols to prevent similar failures. He noted that while the agency has already begun implementing changes, the ongoing probe is aimed at identifying the deeper issues that allowed the attack to occur without sufficient warning. “The attack did not harm our determination… it only increased it,” he said. Bar also pledged that the Shin Bet is tracking down every individual involved in the October 7 attack. “We are bringing to justice all those who carried out that horrible massacre, one by one, until we reach everyone,” he said, while also vowing that the agency’s efforts will continue “until the very last hostage returns home.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
דם ישראל נשפך כמים… Following the recent terror attacks in Israel, the deaths of many IDF soldiers in combat, and the difficult security situation in general, HaGaon HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, the Rosh Yeshiva of Slabodka has instructed that all Bein HaZemanin trips for yeshivah bochurim should be immediately canceled. The Rosh HaYeshivah said: “All the plan for Bein HaZemanim trips should be canceled and the bochurim should sit in the Batei Medrash and learn Torah as a zechus for Klal Yisrael, for the return of the hostages, and the quick recovery of the wounded.” HaRav Yosef Korlanksy, the Mashgiach in Yeshivas Beis Medrash Elyon, and one of the Rabbanim in the Ichud Bnei Yeshivos, announced in the name of HaRav Hirsch to cancel all tiyulim. Following the Rosh Yeshivah’s instructions, the Ichud immediately canceled all its Bein HaZemanim projects and trips for thousands of yeshivah bochurim despite incurring a loss of over a milltion shekels and months of work. The municipalities of Chareidi cities, such as Bnei Brak and Beitar Illit, also canceled their Bein HaZemanim plans and projects, incurring significant financial losses. Various reports say that HaGaon HaRav Dov Landau is considering canceling Bein HaZemanim altogether. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu encountered a tense moment during a memorial ceremony for civilian victims of the October 7 Hamas attack and ensuing conflict, as grieving family members interrupted his speech with vocal expressions of anger and sorrow. The interruption came as Netanyahu addressed the crowd, only to be met with cries of “Shame on you!” The prime minister briefly paused as event organizers moved to calm the gathering and escorted some of the upset family members from the venue. He resumed his speech shortly afterward, though the event remained charged with emotion. Sunday marked the second day of memorial ceremonies, but like the initial event held earlier this month, it was marred by controversy over the government’s handling of the October 7 attack and perceived inadequacies in securing the release of hostages taken by Hamas. The decision to organize this second memorial day initially sparked anger among bereaved families when reports suggested that speeches by family members directly affected by the October 7 tragedy would not be included. Amid a public outcry, the program was revised to include a representative from the bereaved families, allowing them a platform to share their voices. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
The catastrophic flooding and destruction caused by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina likely caused at least a record $53 billion in damages and recovery needs, Gov. Roy Cooper’s administration said Wednesday. The state budget office generated the preliminary figure for direct or indirect damages and potential investments to prevent similar destruction in future storms. Cooper told reporters the state’s previous record for storm damage was $17 billion from Hurricane Florence, which struck eastern North Carolina in 2018. “It is no exaggeration to describe Helene as the deadliest and most damaging storm ever to hit North Carolina,” Cooper said while unveiling his request to the General Assembly for $3.9 billion to help pay for repairs and revitalization. He called it a “down payment on western North Carolina’s future.” North Carolina state officials have reported 96 deaths from Helene, which brought historic levels of rain and flooding to the mountains in late September. The storm and its aftermath caused 1,400 landslides and damaged over 160 water and sewer systems, at least 6,000 miles (9,650 kilometers) of roads, more than 1,000 bridges and culverts and an estimated 126,000 homes, the budget office said. Some 220,000 households are expected to apply for federal assistance. “This jaw-dropping damage figure reminds us that we are very much on the front end of this recovery effort,” the Democratic governor said. The report with Cooper’s spending request was released the day before the Republican-controlled legislature planned to meet for a one-day session to advance additional Helene recovery legislation. Lawmakers unanimously approved two weeks ago a $273 million package that also included language to provide flexibility to state agencies, displaced residents and officials running elections in 25 western counties. Thirty-nine of the state’s 100 counties are within the federally declared disaster area. State government coffers include several billon dollars that can be accessed for future recovery spending. Almost $4.5 billion is in the state’s savings reserve alone. Legislative leaders had not disclosed as of late Wednesday afternoon specifics about what they would attempt to pass Thursday. Lawmakers were still reviewing Cooper’s request that they received Tuesday, according to Lauren Horsch, a spokesperson for Senate leader Phil Berger. Any legislation is unlikely to be the full package presented by Cooper and State Budget Director Kristin Walker. After Thursday, legislators are expected to return to Raleigh on Nov. 19. The damage report projects $48.8 billion in direct or indirect damages, along with $4.8 billion of anticipated mitigation expenses. The budget office estimates the federal government will cover $13.6 billion, with private and other sources covering $6.3 billion. Most of the losses won’t ever be recovered, Walker said. The private-source share of expenses likely will be relatively low because so few homeowners and farmers in the disaster areas had flood or crop insurance. Close to 93% of homes with flood damage verified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency lacked flood insurance, the report said. Cooper’s request includes $475 million for a two-phase recovery program for businesses in the hardest-hit areas, with grants from $1,500 to $50,000 in the first phase and up to $75,000 in the second phase. Other highlights include $289 million in matching funds to access federal money to repair utilities and debris removal; $225 million for grants to farmers for uninsured losses; and $100 million for public school […]
British killer nurse Lucy Letby lost her bid Thursday to challenge her conviction for the attempted murder of a baby girl in her care. Letby, 34, is serving multiple life sentences with no chance of release after being convicted of murdering seven babies and trying to murder seven others while working as a neonatal nurse at the Countess of Chester Hospital in northwestern England between June 2015 and June 2016. Her attorney argued that her retrial in July on a charge of attempting to kill an infant identified in court as Child K in February 2016 should not have gone ahead because it was overshadowed by “overwhelming and irremediable prejudice” from news coverage of her first trial in 2023. The retrial was held after Manchester Crown Court jurors failed to reach a verdict on the charge involving Child K. Letby, who testified that she never harmed a child, has continued to proclaim her innocence. She watched the hearing from a prison video link and showed no emotion when judges denied her petition to appeal. The court issued a similar decision in May in her effort to appeal her multiple earlier convictions. The ruling comes as an inquiry is underway to examine failures by the hospital to recognize why babies were dying in the neonatal unit and to stop Letby sooner. (AP)
