Feed aggregator

NYPD Chief of Department John Chell warned during an interview on Newsmax that New York City is already struggling with crime tied to repeat offenders, and he cautioned that the situation would worsen if Democrat mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani is elected and cuts funding for law enforcement. “Our staffing is already down tremendously, and we got to fund our police officers,” Chell said Monday on Wake Up America. “We have to pay them, we have to make sure the quality of life in their precincts are proper. We cannot go backwards. We really can’t. We’ve worked so hard post 2020 to get to a little light, if you will, to turn this thing around, to go backwards is not an option.”

Chell stressed that funding is essential not just for maintaining staff levels but also for recruiting. “If you don’t fund us, then people aren’t going to join the police department,” he said. “If you don’t give them a good contract, people are not going to join, and we’re going to have issues. But, at the end of the day, the cops in New York City, like everywhere else, took an oath. We will do our job to the best of our ability. We just need the tools to do it to keep the city safe.”

He pointed to a particularly brutal case in Queens last week, where an elderly couple was allegedly tortured, murdered, and their home set on fire by a repeat offender. According to Chell, the suspect had recently finished a 16-year prison sentence for robbery and sexual assault and was still on parole when the killings occurred. “The problem we spoke about for years now is repeat offenders and consequences for those people,” Chell explained. “In terms of this brutal murder in Queens last Monday, this person just got jailed for doing 16 years for robbery and sexual assault and was also on parole last Monday. So we know where they are, we know how to apprehend them — we just need to keep them in jail.”

Chell underscored that the issue revolves around a relatively small group of criminals who are responsible for a disproportionate amount of violence. “And we’re talking about a small minority. We’re not talking about everybody here. We all know the repeat offenders that affect crime in New York City and nationwide,” he said.

When asked about the morale of officers who see suspects released shortly after being arrested, Chell acknowledged the frustration. “When we talk about repeat offenders, the crimes they commit, we often talk numbers, but these are people, these are victims,” he said. “These are our families. So when the cops do a good job in making a good arrest for a really bad person, they don’t want to see him on the street the next day. They figure, ‘What’s the point here?’ But we’re professionals, and we’ll keep doing it until someone fixes the issue.”

{Matzav.com}

President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are officially wheels up for the United Kingdom.

Israel on Tuesday launched airstrikes on the Yemeni city of Hodeida as Iranian-backed Houthi rebels activated air defenses. The Israeli military said in an update that it struck “military infrastructure” used by the Houthis at Hodeida port. “The Hudaydah Port is used by the Houthi terrorist regime for the transfer of weapons supplied by the Iranian regime, in order to execute attacks against the State of Israel and its allies,” the statement read. “Our air defenses are currently confronting the Israeli aircrafts that are launching an aggression against our country,” Houthi spokesperson Yayha Saree posted on X. Saree said in a statement that the Houthi air defenses “caused great confusion” for Israeli aircraft and forced some combat formations to leave Yemeni airspace before carrying out the attacks, thwarting Israel’s incursion deep into Yemen. Earlier Israeli strikes targeted Sanaa The latest strikes came as hundreds attended funeral services for 31 Yemeni journalists who were reported killed in Israeli airstrikes last week that targeted Houthis in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa. The strikes last Wednesday followed a drone launched by the Houthis that breached Israel’s multilayered air defenses and slammed into a southern Israeli airport, blowing out glass windows and injuring one person. In Yemen, dozens were reported killed, including the journalists, in the strikes that hit Sanaa, including residential areas, a military headquarters and a fuel station, according to the health ministry in the rebel-held northern part of the country. The National Museum of Yemen in Sanaa was also damaged, according to the rebels’ culture ministry, with footage from the site showings damage to the building’s façade. A government facility in the city of Hazm, the capital of northern Jawf province, was also hit. The Israeli army said last week that it struck sites used by the Houthis to gather intelligence and attack Israel, a fuel storage facility, and a “public relations department responsible for distributing propaganda messages in the media.” Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV broadcast the funerals Tuesday, showing dozens inside a mosque and the caskets being carried ahead of the burial. An honor guard stood beside the coffins. The turnout was lower than expected for such a a “huge loss,” according to Khaled Rageh and Ahmed Malhy, who attended the funerals, likely because heavy morning rain kept some away. The two men spoke to The Associated Press by phone. Threats to journalists working in Yemen Israel has previously launched waves of airstrikes in response to the Houthis’ firing missiles and drones at Israel. The Houthis say they are attacking in solidarity with Palestinians amid the war in the Gaza Strip. The Houthis have also targeted ships in the Red Sea for over 22 months. The Committee to Protect Journalists told The Associated Press on Monday that the organization is still actively looking into the reported deaths of Yemeni journalists but was having difficulties in verifying facts on the ground in rebel-held Sanaa. “The information environment is highly restricted — Houthi authorities have imposed strict censorship, including a ban on sharing photos or videos related to the airstrikes,” the CPJ said. The New York-based Human Rights Watch in a Monday post said Israeli airstrikes in Sanaa also hit a media center housing the headquarters of two newspapers, describing it as another example of the dangers facing journalists in Yemen. “The recent Israeli forces’ attack further highlights the threats journalists are […]

Erika Kirk, widow of slain conservative leader Charlie Kirk, said Friday evening that her husband’s murder has “ignited” a flame in countless Americans to stand against political violence—and the impact is being felt nationwide.

Turning Point USA has seen an unprecedented wave of interest since the assassination, with more than 32,000 new requests for chapters, according to CNN’s Brian Stelter. At the same time, Kirk’s soon-to-be-released book has soared to the top spot in pre-orders.

The book, Stop, in the Name of God: Why Honoring the Sabbath Will Transform Your Life, will be published on December 9. Its meteoric rise in pre-sales, surpassing titles by Kamala Harris and others, reflects both outrage over Kirk’s killing and a broader call for renewed faith across America.

Kirk’s reach in the digital space has also expanded dramatically. CNN’s Yashar Ali reported that Turning Point USA and Kirk-affiliated accounts have drawn more than 20 million new followers on social media platforms in the days since the tragedy.

The description of the book highlights its message: “‘Stop, in the Name of God: Why Honoring the Sabbath Will Transform Your Life’ will help you discover how observing the Sabbath isn’t a rejection of modern life but a rebellion against busyness and a pathway to genuine connection, peace, and presence. Through ‘Stop in the Name of God,’ bestselling author Charlie Kirk guides you on how to unplug, recharge, and reconnect with God, family, and yourself in a way that nurtures your soul. In a world dominated by screens and constant noise, ‘Stop in the Name of God’ presents the Sabbath as a radical act of resistance. Packed with practical insights and spiritual wisdom, Charlie Kirk demonstrates how honoring the Sabbath restores balance, reduces anxiety, and nourishes your soul. It’s not just a day of rest – it’s a lifeline to reclaiming what truly matters.”

Kirk’s book is not the only title drawing attention. Pastor Lucas Miles’ Pagan Threat: Confronting America’s Godless Uprising has also experienced a sharp rise in sales. It features a foreword written by Kirk, his final published words: “Because in today’s America, the Christian faithful are faced with a terrifying and broad array of dangers and threats. We are menaced not by new false gods, but by the return of demons from long ago. In the Pagan world, the individual human life was of no importance.”

A memorial service honoring Kirk will be held on Sunday, September 21, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

In a moving national address broadcast Friday night, Erika Kirk delivered an emotional vow: “You have no idea the fire that you have ignited within this wife. The cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry. To everyone listening tonight across America, the movement my husband built will not die. It won’t. I refuse to let that happen. It will not die. All of us will refuse to let that happen. No one will ever forget my husband’s name, and I will make sure of it. It will become stronger, bolder, louder, and greater than ever. My husband’s mission will not end. Not even for a moment.”

{Matzav.com}

POTUS: “We have a deal on TikTok. I’ve reached a deal with China. I’m going to speak to President Xi on Friday to confirm everything up.”

Trump on his message to Maduro: “Stop sending Tren de Aragua into the United States. Stop sending drugs into the United States.”

[COMMUNICATED]

It’s the moment no one prepares for.
The knock you never expect. 
The world tilts. The room spins. The air disappears.
And suddenly, nothing will ever be the same again.
When terror strikes, everything shatters.
And before the fog that comes with the unbearable pain even begins to clear, OneFamily is already there.
Not with forms. Not with press. Not with questions.
But with hugs. With tissues.
With silence, if that’s what’s needed.
With a hand to hold. And a quiet promise.
You are not alone. Not today. Not ever.

We come and become family.

OneFamily didn’t start with a board meeting or a business plan.

It started with a 12-year-old girl, Michal Belzberg, who canceled her bat mitzvah party after the Sbarro bombing in 2001 and gave the money to help the victims instead.
Her parents, Marc and Chantal, followed her lead.
And together, they built something the world had never seen before:
Not a charity. A family.
Israel’s emotional and practical lifeline for victims of terror.

Since then, we’ve walked beside over 6,000 families, in 255 cities and towns, through wars, bombings, stabbings, and shootings.
Through broken hearts, broken homes, and broken dreams.

But our work doesn’t live in the numbers.
It lives in the new lives our families build; shaped by loss, but carried forward with strength, memory, and love.

One Family for Everyone.

For the widow with three toddlers who still ask when Tatty is coming home.
For the 10-year-old boy who watched his father fall.
For the sister who lost her twin and no longer recognizes her own reflection.
For the grandmother raising her son’s orphaned children, even as she grieves him.

We don’t just serve “victims.”
We serve families; each person with their own story, their own pain, their own path to healing.

That’s why our support is deep, personalized, and lifelong.
We’ve built 50+ support groups, each tailored for specific needs:
Young widows. Bereaved parents. Orphans. Siblings. PTSD survivors.
Even grandparents and fiancées who never made it to the chuppah.

And when the pain is too deep for words, we offer therapy that goes where words can’t; art, EMDR, music, psychodrama, sound, and nature-based healing.
For teens. For children. For parents. For the ones left behind.

But healing takes more than therapy.
It takes real-world support; the kind that keeps the lights on and the fridge full when grief makes everything else impossible.

That’s why OneFamily also provides direct financial aid, with dignity and discretion. We help cover groceries, tuition, Simchas, schoolbooks, rent, legal fees, hospital travel, and more; whatever’s needed to help the family stay afloat while they begin to rebuild.

50% of Our Families Are From the IDF

More than half of our beneficiaries are families of fallen or wounded IDF soldiers and reservists, including those suffering from PTSD.
When a soldier sacrifices their body or their life for the Jewish people, their family shouldn’t be left behind.
We are here for them, too, with the same full-circle care, for as long as it’s needed.

Trusted. Proven. Recognized.

We’ve delivered 78,000+ hours of therapy, awarded 933 scholarships, and distributed over $100 million in aid.
But we’ve also earned something deeper: the trust of our families, our partners, and our supporters around the world.

OneFamily is proud to be a recipient of the Genesis Prize Foundation Award for our work with terror victims, a testament to our transparency, impact, and national importance.
When you give to OneFamily, you’re not just giving generously.
You’re giving wisely.
And your donation goes exactly where it should: into the hands and hearts of families who need it most.

Family Is Forever

We don’t stop after the funeral.
We don’t disappear after the headlines fade.
We celebrate bar mitzvahs.
We dance at weddings.
We remember yahrtzeits.
We hold hands through surgeries.
We send pajamas to new widows.
We pick up the phone at 2am.

Because healing doesn’t happen in a week, a month, or even a year.
It happens in moments.
Moments when someone feels safe.
Seen. Held. Supported.
And we create those moments, over and over again.

No One Should Have to Be Brave Alone

Like the boy who lost both parents and spent his birthday in silence, until OneFamily arrived with balloons, cake, and 17 other orphans who understood.
Like the widows who sat together this Seder night in a hotel filled with comfort and care, finally able to laugh again.
Like the siblings carving wood to express grief.
Like the orphaned teens in Sri Lanka, learning to ride waves as they learn to live again.

There Is No One Like Us. Because There Is Nothing Like Family.

We are the only organization in Israel that supports every member of a bereaved or wounded family for as long as they need us.
We don’t have “clients.”
We have people we love.

And we are building the largest, strongest family in Israel—one heart at a time.
Because when everything falls apart…
Family holds you together.
And OneFamily is everything.

Visit OneFamilyFundUS.org to learn more, donate, or become part of this family.

On Monday night, billionaire investor Bill Ackman issued a lengthy statement on his X account in response to accusations that he tried to pressure Charlie Kirk on his views about Israel. The claims had been circulated by conservative commentators, most notably Candace Owens. Ackman explained that he preferred not to amplify Owens by engaging directly with her but felt obligated to set the record straight publicly.

At the heart of the dispute is a private retreat Ackman hosted on August 4–5, 2024, in Bridgehampton, New York. The gathering brought together about 35 conservative social media personalities whose combined reach exceeds 100 million followers. Ackman said the purpose of the event was to hear directly from younger conservatives about their perspectives on economics, culture, foreign affairs, and leadership challenges.

While Ackman himself led the session devoted to economic issues, he said he was absent from the conversation on Israel because of a scheduling conflict with a board meeting. Those who were present reported that the Israel discussion featured differing perspectives—some critical of Israeli policies and others voicing support. Ackman insisted that he never attempted to sway or control Kirk’s stance.

“The event was about understanding viewpoints, not directing them,” Ackman wrote on X. He noted that Kirk had initially contacted him in May 2024, leading to a Zoom call on June 11, during which the idea for the Hamptons event first came up. Ackman added that after the gathering, Kirk went on to identify possible new Turning Point USA campus ambassadors, and the two of them stayed in touch afterward on unrelated matters until Kirk’s death.

Ackman also voiced his dismay that some have seized on Kirk’s passing to spread, in his words, “false allegations.” He emphasized that his sole aim was to create an educational forum, not to pursue political agendas.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli security officials expressed great concern following an unusual incident last week near the Chareidi city of Modi’in Illit. The IDF detected a failed rocket launch attempt from the village of Ni’ma in western Binyamin and, during searches at the site, found two improvised rockets. Both lacked standard explosives. The launch site is located just four kilometers from the first houses on the outskirts of Modi’in Illit. Palestinian Authority security forces apprehended the terrorists behind the attempt, but they have not yet been handed over to the IDF. Security officials emphasized the severity of the event, noting it was the first time two rockets were discovered in the area during such searches. The IDF spokesperson confirmed, “Last week, an improvised rocket was located near the village of Ni’ma. An examination revealed it contained no warhead or standard explosives. The device is being investigated by Yehuda and Shomron Border Police bomb disposal experts, alongside ongoing operational and intelligence efforts to dismantle the infrastructure.” In recent years, several similar cases have been discovered. About a year ago, it was reported that Palestinian Authority security personnel located a rocket launcher in the Tulkarm area, from which Islamic Jihad tried to launch rockets—unsuccessfully. (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

The Saudi outlet Al-Hadath reported that the Israeli Air Force conducted 12 airstrikes targeting three docks at the Port of Hudaydah.

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino on Monday raised the prospect that Charlie Kirk’s accused killer did not act alone, suggesting the bureau is investigating whether a broader network may have supported or even encouraged the assassination of the conservative activist. Speaking on Fox News, Bongino said agents are probing “multiple warning signs” tied to Tyler Robinson, the 23-year-old suspect arrested 33 hours after Kirk was shot in the neck at Utah Valley University last week. He pointed to the possibility of financial assistance or others with advance knowledge of the plot — signaling the FBI’s inquiry is expanding beyond Robinson’s immediate circle. “We’ll be dropping a lot of paper, a lot of subpoenas out there, to take a look to see if there was any extended network,” Bongino said. Law enforcement had already been examining Robinson’s links to pro-trans online groups, gaming communities on Steam, and Armed Queers SLC, a Salt Lake City collective that shuttered its Instagram page after the killing. Now, officials are scrutinizing whether anyone in the audience — including a TikTok creator who had just confronted Kirk on stage — might have known more than they revealed. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed Robinson had sent a text boasting he had “an opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk” and intended to act on it. Patel added that investigators recovered evidence of a handwritten note — since destroyed — echoing the same threat. Relatives and acquaintances have described Robinson as increasingly politicized in recent years. Authorities say his digital trail reflects an “obsession” with Kirk, and unspent shell casings recovered at the scene carried inscriptions tied to pro-trans and anti-fascist ideologies. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican, said Friday that Robinson had been “deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology,” though he was not registered with any political party. Bongino stopped short of confirming whether Robinson’s decision to pull the trigger was linked to the timing of Kirk answering an audience question about mass shootings involving transgender individuals. “I don’t want to say conclusively right now if there was a connection,” he said. “However, we are looking into that.” The FBI has declined to provide further details on the destroyed note or Robinson’s broader network. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Sen. Chuck Grassley announces a whistleblower has exposed the program “Arctic Frost” for targeting 92 Republican groups, Charlie Kirk’s TPUSA among them.

The IDF confirmed it carried out airstrikes on “military infrastructure” at the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeida in western Yemen, which the military says the Houthis use to smuggle weapons from Iran for attacks on Israel and its allies.

Amb. Greer on the TikTok framework deal: “The TikTok saga has gone on for a long time… Over the course of the Biden Administration, they grappled with this issue but could not solve it. But as of yesterday, we believe that President Trump has in fact resolved this issue.”

The IDF attacking the Al-Nasser neighborhood of western Gaza City.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that visa revocations are in progress, stating that anyone in the U.S. on a visa who supports the public assassination of a political figure will face deportation and is not welcome in the country.

The IDF released a graphic showcasing its previous gains in Gaza, saying forces are now moving into the next phase—advancing on Gaza City.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that more than 50 countries worldwide do not recognize Nicolás Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate president, calling him a self-declared leader rather than the country’s rightful head of state.

U.S. President Donald Trump has filed a $15 billion defamation and libel lawsuit against The New York Times.

A major change in the way travelers cross European borders is set to take effect soon, as 29 countries prepare to implement a biometric and fully digital border control system.

According to a report by Israel’s Channel 12, passports will remain valid as the official travel document, but traditional entry and exit stamps will no longer be issued. Instead, passports will be scanned by machines capable of identifying the traveler’s photo and facial features, similar to systems already operating at Ben Gurion Airport. After the scan, the traveler will either pass through an automated gate or receive an instant clearance slip.

The shift to digital verification places greater importance on the quality of the passport photo, since identification will be carried out by machines rather than human border agents. David Alwadey, founder and CEO of ItsEasy.com Passport & Visa Services, stressed that improper photos can cause difficulties in digital recognition. “A white background is required, but wearing a white shirt may blur the outline of the face and create problems for the system,” he cautioned.

Travel consultant Laura Asilis echoed that advice, recommending that travelers choose clothing in contrasting colors to ensure clear differentiation between the subject and the background. She further advised against patterned or heavily printed shirts, which can also interfere with automated recognition technology.

{Matzav.com}