Jooish News

NEW YORK — New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Saturday the city will proceed with a previously stalled redesign of McGuinness Boulevard in Brooklyn, moving ahead with street safety changes that had been delayed under the prior administration.

Appearing with New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn, Mamdani said the project will include protected bicycle lanes in both directions along the busy roadway in Greenpoint, as well as other traffic-calming measures.

McGuinness Boulevard has long been cited by residents and advocates as a dangerous corridor, with a history of serious crashes involving pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. Plans to redesign the street had been approved but were repeatedly delayed amid internal opposition during the administration of former Mayor Eric Adams.

Mamdani said the decision reflects his administration’s emphasis on traffic safety and enforcement of Vision Zero principles, adding that projects aimed at reducing injuries and fatalities would no longer be sidelined.

The redesign had previously become a point of controversy, with critics accusing City Hall officials of blocking or slowing the plan despite community support.

Transportation advocates welcomed the move, calling it a significant step toward improving safety on one of Brooklyn’s most hazardous roads, while some local opponents have raised concerns in the past about traffic congestion and vehicle access.

City officials said work on the project will move forward immediately.

For too long, critical street safety projects have been delayed or shelved because of political considerations and backroom deals rather than the needs of New Yorkers. Those days are over.

New Yorkers deserve to be safe no matter how they commute — whether they bike, walk, or… pic.twitter.com/rves2X3Dvd

— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) January 3, 2026

Nicolas Maduro was transported to New York over the weekend and placed into federal custody following a U.S. military operation that forcibly removed him from Venezuela, according to reporting by the Associated Press. He is expected to appear in Manhattan federal court on Monday to face criminal charges tied to an alleged decades-long criminal enterprise.

Court proceedings are scheduled to begin at noon before Judge Alvin Hellerstein, who will preside over the arraignment at the federal courthouse in Manhattan. Prosecutors have brought a four-count indictment accusing Maduro of directing a 25-year narco-terrorism conspiracy.

Video footage released after his arrival showed Maduro being transferred by helicopter from a Manhattan helipad and taken for processing at the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York Division headquarters. He was later moved to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where he remains held.

Federal authorities said Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were detained at their residence located on a military installation in Venezuela. The pair were taken aboard a U.S. warship before Maduro was flown to the United States. A plane carrying him touched down Saturday evening, and agents were seen escorting a detainee from the aircraft.

The capture followed an overnight operation carried out by U.S. forces, which resulted in Maduro being removed from power and extracted from the country. Hours later, President Donald Trump announced that the United States would administer Venezuela “at least temporarily” while overseeing its resources.

Addressing reporters after the operation, Trump said the U.S. would move quickly to “fix” Venezuela’s oil infrastructure and export “large amounts” of oil to foreign markets, pointing to the country’s vast energy reserves as a key focus of the interim plan.

{Matzav.com}

Joe Biden’s decades-long run in public office has positioned him to receive what analysts say is the largest taxpayer-funded retirement package ever collected by a U.S. president, with projected annual payments totaling about $417,000 — a figure that exceeds the presidential salary itself, the NY Post reports.

According to an analysis by Demian Brady, vice president of the National Taxpayer Union Foundation, Biden, now 83, qualifies for retirement income from multiple government programs during his first year out of office, a combination that sets him apart from every prior occupant of the White House.

“It’s pretty unusual, historically unusual, to have such a large pension amount,” Brady told The Post.

“I would have to say that it’s the largest,” the taxpayer advocate added when asked to compare Biden’s retirement benefits with those of past presidents.

The projected payout is roughly twice the amount received by Barack Obama after leaving office and about $17,000 more than the $400,000 annual salary Biden earned while serving as president.

Brady said the size of the pension reflects Biden’s “unique situation,” noting that his career path — which included lengthy service as a senator, vice president, and president — allows him to draw from more than one taxpayer-backed retirement system under current law.

Biden, who once described himself as “one of the poorest members” of Congress, is eligible to receive benefits under both the Former Presidents Act of 1958 and the Civil Service Retirement System that applies to former senators.

The CSRS benefit is calculated based on a formula that factors in Biden’s 44 years of combined service in the Senate and as vice president, along with his three highest-earning years during that period.

“Biden’s starting pension could be as much as $166,374, including an $18,186 set aside in the program for the spousal portion of benefit,” Brady said, emphasizing that the estimate assumes Biden opted to maximize his Senate pension.

Absent a statutory cap, Biden’s CSRS payments could have exceeded $254,000 annually. However, the system limits benefits to 80 percent of a retiree’s highest salary, which in Biden’s case was $230,700 during his tenure as vice president and president of the Senate.

With the Senate set to consider a bipartisan war powers resolution next week, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer sharply criticized the Trump administration’s military actions in Venezuela, accusing the White House of acting without authorization and misleading both lawmakers and the public.

Schumer argued that the administration’s moves contradict repeated assurances he says were delivered in private briefings over recent months. “The administration has assured me three separate times that it was not pursuing regime change or taking military action in Venezuela. Clearly, they are not being straight with Americans,” he said.

The New York Democrat also took aim at President Trump’s comments earlier in the day suggesting the United States would “run” Venezuela until a “safe” transition could be arranged. Reacting to that idea, Schumer warned, “The idea that Trump plans to now run Venezuela should strike fear in the hearts of all Americans. The American people have seen this before and paid the devastating price.”

In an initial statement responding to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Schumer acknowledged Maduro’s lack of legitimacy but condemned the manner in which the operation was carried out. “Let me be clear: Nicolás Maduro is an illegitimate dictator,” he said. “But launching military action without congressional authorization and without a credible plan for what comes next is reckless.”

The criticism comes as the Senate prepares to vote on a privileged war powers resolution that would seek to halt U.S. military activity in Venezuela, including the overnight bombing of Caracas. Because of its procedural status, the measure cannot be blocked from reaching the floor and would require only a simple majority to pass.

The resolution is sponsored by Sens. Tim Kaine, Rand Paul, and Adam Schiff. Kaine framed the effort as a necessary constitutional check on executive power. “It is long past time for Congress to reassert its critical constitutional role in matters of war, peace, diplomacy and trade,” he said in a statement. “My bipartisan resolution stipulating that we should not be at war with Venezuela absent a clear congressional authorization will come up for a vote next week.”

Kaine added a broader warning about democratic norms, saying, “We’ve entered the 250th year of American democracy and cannot allow it to devolve into the tyranny that our founders fought to escape.”

MEXICO CITY (AP) — As uncertainty simmers in Venezuela, interim President Delcy Rodríguez has taken the place of her looming ally President Nicolás Maduro, captured by the United States in a nighttime military operation.

Rodríguez served as Maduro’s vice president since 2018, overseeing much of Venezuela’s oil-dependent economy and its feared intelligence service, and was next in the presidential line of succession.

She’s part of a band of senior officials in Maduro’s administration that now appears to control Venezuela, even as U.S. President Donald Trump and other officials say they will pressure the government to fall in line with its vision for the oil-rich nation.

On Saturday, Venezuela’s high court ordered her to assume the role of interim president, and the leader was backed by Venezuela’s military. In a televised address, Rodríguez gave no indication that she would cooperate with Trump, referring to his government as “extremists.”

“The only president of Venezuela, President Nicolás Maduro,” Rodríguez said, surrounded by high-ranking civilian officials and military leaders. “What is being done to Venezuela is an atrocity that violates international law.”

At odds with Trump
Rodríguez, a 56-year-old lawyer and politician has had a lengthy career representing the revolution started by the late Hugo Chávez on the world stage.

Her rise to become interim leader of the South American country came as a surprise on Saturday morning, when Trump announced that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had been in communication with Rodríguez and that the Venezuelan leader was “gracious” and would work with the American government. Rubio said Rodríguez was someone the administration could work with, unlike Maduro.

In doing so, observers said the government was effectively turning its back on the opposition movement it maintained was the winner of Venezuela’s 2024 elections just weeks before.

On Sunday, Trump’s tone shifted as Rodríguez and other Venezuelan officials continued to rail against the Trump administration and assert that they were in control of the country.

To the Editor,

The issue of posting advertising materials in shuls has existed in our community for some time. Until recently, it was primarily a nuisance and a matter of respect. However, it has now escalated into an issue that threatens safety and security.

In recent weeks, individuals who are not part of our community have been observed entering shul properties in the middle of the night to post advertising materials. This has resulted in property damage, unnecessary cleanup, and a clear bizayon Beis HaMedrash.

Allowing unknown individuals to wander through shuls at night poses a serious safety concern and cannot be tolerated. Beyond the immediate risk, this reflects a broader problem of indiscriminate posting and damage throughout town that has gone unchecked for too long.

This matter requires attention and action.

Sincerely,

A Concerned Community Member

TLS welcomes your letters by submitting them to us via Whatsapp or via email [email protected]

Reaction to the dramatic U.S.-led operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro has reverberated far beyond Latin America, reaching Kyiv and Moscow alike and injecting new tension into already fraught global diplomacy.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded approvingly to the downfall of the Venezuelan leader, who had ruled since 2013, suggesting that similar decisive action could be applied elsewhere. Speaking after a meeting of European national security advisers, Zelensky commented on the U.S. operation, saying, per Ukrinform: “Well, what can I say? If dictators can be dealt with like this, then the United States of America knows what it should do next.”

The remarks were widely interpreted as a reference to Russian President Vladimir Putin, as Russia’s war against Ukraine approaches its fourth year. Zelensky’s comments came as the Trump administration continues efforts to broker a long-term peace agreement between Moscow and Kyiv, adding an additional layer of sensitivity to an already volatile diplomatic environment.

Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were seized in a series of early-morning strikes carried out by a U.S. Special Forces–led operation. Both are now facing criminal charges in the Southern District of New York connected to alleged narco-terrorism activities.

In Moscow, the response was swift and sharply critical. Russian officials denounced the U.S. action, urging Washington to “reconsider their position and release the legitimately elected president of a sovereign country and his spouse.” The Kremlin further insisted that “any existing issues between the United States and Venezuela” should be resolved “through dialogue,” despite Russia’s own reliance on military force in Ukraine.

The situation has also fueled speculation about possible escalations elsewhere. Former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis suggested that the Maduro operation might embolden similar thinking in Moscow, remarking that Putin could be asking himself: “Maybe I should arrest Zelensky too and hand him over to Russian justice?”

Tensions between Russia and Ukraine have already been heightened following claims by the Kremlin that Ukraine carried out a drone strike targeting Putin’s presidential residence in Russia’s Novgorod region. While Moscow has asserted it possesses proof, U.S. intelligence assessments reportedly concluded that the strikes were not intended to hit the Russian leader’s residence.

JERUSALEM — Benny Sagi, president of Israel’s Beersheba District Court, was killed Sunday in a traffic accident on Highway 6, police said.

According to a police spokesperson, Sagi was riding a motorcycle when he was struck by a vehicle that entered the roadway from an open area. Paramedics from Magen David Adom found him without signs of life and pronounced him dead at the scene.

Israel Police said they are investigating the circumstances of the crash.

Sagi’s death prompted an outpouring of tributes from across Israel’s political and judicial spectrum, with leaders praising his legal acumen, integrity and personal humility.

Justice Minister Yariv Levin described Sagi as a “brilliant jurist and exceptional judge” who was widely respected by lawyers and litigants.

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, who said he first encountered Sagi when Sagi served as a prosecutor, recalled him as honest, deeply knowledgeable in criminal law and gifted with an uncommon ability to find compromise. Ohana said that even after rising to the presidency of a district court, Sagi remained modest and approachable.

President Isaac Herzog said Sagi combined professional excellence with compassion, calling him a judge who “always saw the person standing before him” and sought dialogue and reconciliation.

In a statement, the Judicial Authority said Sagi was a respected leader who achieved significant professional milestones at a young age, adding that his death represents a major loss to the court system.

The Israel Bar Association said Sagi was broadly admired across ideological lines and viewed as a consensus figure during a polarized period in Israeli society.

The Justice Ministry described him as a senior public servant who carried out his duties with dedication, professionalism and a strong sense of responsibility.

No further details were immediately released.

In a sweeping briefing, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan “Raizin” Caine laid out new details of the U.S. military operation that culminated in the arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia. The mission, carried out without a single American casualty, was described as one of the most complex and tightly coordinated actions undertaken by the U.S. armed forces in recent memory.

President Trump later confirmed that the operation concluded with no loss of U.S. personnel or equipment, despite reports of explosions across Caracas in the hours leading up to the raid, including activity near Fuerte Tiuna, a major military installation believed to include Maduro’s bunker.

Caine emphasized that the effort relied on exhaustive intelligence preparation and interagency cooperation. “We leveraged our unmatched intelligence capabilities and our years of experience in hunting terrorists. We watched, we waited, we prepared.” He noted that analysts from the Central Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency, and National Geospatial Intelligence Agency compiled an unusually detailed profile of Maduro, down to his daily habits, wardrobe, meals, and even the whereabouts of his pets.

According to Caine, the military had been on alert for weeks as conditions aligned. “In early December, our force was set pending a series of aligned events… through Christmas and New Year’s, the men and women of the United States military sat ready, patiently waiting for the right triggers to be met and the president to order us into action.” Timing was selected carefully to limit risk to civilians and detainees alike. As Caine explained, “choosing the right day to minimize the potential for civilian harm and maximize the element of surprise and minimize the harm to the indicted personnel, so, as the President said, they could be brought to justice.”

When the order finally came, it was decisive. “At 10:46 pm Eastern time… the President ordered the United States military to move forward with this mission. He said to us, and we appreciate it, Mr. President, ‘Good luck and Godspeed.’”

The scope of the deployment spanned much of the hemisphere. More than 150 aircraft took off from over 20 bases, involving an array of platforms and personnel. “Bombers, fighters, intelligence, reconnaissance, surveillance, rotary wing were in the air. Our youngest crew member was 20, and our oldest was 49.”

LONDON — Eva Schloss, an Auschwitz survivor who became a leading Holocaust educator and the posthumous stepsister of Anne Frank, has died at age 96, the Anne Frank Trust UK announced.

Schloss died Saturday in London, the organization said. She served as a co-founder and honorary president of the trust.

In a statement, her family described Schloss as “a remarkable woman — an Auschwitz survivor, a devoted Holocaust educator, tireless in her work for remembrance, understanding and peace.” They said she is survived by her daughters, Jacky, Caroline and Sylvia, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and asked for privacy as they mourn.

Born Eva Geiringer in Vienna in 1929, Schloss fled Austria with her family following the Nazi annexation and later settled in Amsterdam. There, the Geiringer family lived across the street from the Franks on Merwedeplein, and Eva and Anne, born just months apart, played together as children.

Both families went into hiding on the same day in 1942. The Geiringers were betrayed in 1944. Eva and her mother were deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau, where they survived until the camp’s liberation in January 1945. Her father, Erich Geiringer, and brother, Heinz, were murdered during the Holocaust.

After the war, Schloss settled in London, where she later married Zvi Schloss. In 1953, her mother married Otto Frank, making Eva Anne Frank’s stepsister.

For decades after the war, Schloss rarely spoke publicly about her experiences. Beginning in the late 1980s, she emerged as one of Britain’s most prominent Holocaust educators, traveling widely to speak to students and community groups about the dangers of antisemitism, racism and intolerance.

In 1990, she co-founded the Anne Frank Trust UK, which works with young people to challenge prejudice through Holocaust education. The trust said that in 2024 alone it reached more than 132,000 students through its schools program and trained thousands of peer educators.

Schloss authored three books, Eva’s Story, After Auschwitz and The Promise, the latter aimed at younger readers.

Her work was recognized with her appointment as a Member of the Order of the British Empire.

Immigration attorneys across the country say federal officials are no longer treating marriages to U.S. citizens as a reliable path to legal status, warning that applications tied to spousal relationships are now being examined with far greater suspicion.

Lawyers say the shift accelerated after President Donald Trump directed his administration to confront what it views as widespread abuse of marriage-based visas, particularly arrangements in which migrants allegedly pay Americans to enter short-term or sham marriages.

For years, a wedding to a U.S. citizen often gave migrants a major advantage when seeking permanent residency, even though it was never an automatic guarantee of approval. Attorneys now report that those cases are being treated far more cautiously, with officials at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services probing details that previously drew little attention.

Brad Bernstein, an immigration lawyer with Spar & Bernstein, told clients that marriage to an American citizen can no longer be viewed as a near-certain route to a green card, according to reporting by NDTV.

One of the biggest changes, Bernstein says, is a new focus on whether couples actually live together. Under current enforcement priorities, the Trump administration is emphasizing a shared residence between spouses, an issue that had often been secondary in the past.

“Immigration officers do not care why you live apart, and they do not care if it’s for work, school, money, or convenience,” Bernstein said.

“So, if you’re not living in the same house every day, immigration is going to start questioning the marriage. And once they question it, they’re investigating, and once they come knocking on your door, they’re looking to deny you. So, if you want a marriage green card, you live together. Period,” he explained.

Federal officials have also issued broader warnings making clear that marriages must be genuine. USCIS has said it will deny applications where officials conclude the relationship involved “no good faith, intent to live together as spouses and intended to circumvent immigration laws.”

Beyond new applications, the administration has indicated that even existing green card holders could face renewed scrutiny. In November, officials suggested that previously granted statuses may be reopened and reassessed.

Federal court records and recent reporting have shed new light on how participants in Minnesota’s sprawling Feeding Our Future fraud case allegedly used stolen pandemic relief funds to bankroll extravagant personal lifestyles instead of feeding low-income children, even as the state faces mounting scrutiny over broader welfare fraud.

According to a report by the New York Post, individuals convicted in the scheme diverted hundreds of millions of dollars from federal COVID-19 nutrition programs into luxury purchases, including high-end real estate, expensive vehicles, and overseas investments.

Court documents cited by the outlet describe purchases ranging from upscale condominiums and exotic rental cars to properties in Kenya. One defendant, 43-year-old Liban Yasin Alishire, pleaded guilty in 2023 to wire fraud and money laundering after prosecutors said he spent approximately $350,000 of the stolen funds on a Kenyan resort where visitors are offered services such as personal chefs.

Prosecutors have said the fraud operation was orchestrated by Aimee Bock, who allegedly used the nonprofit Feeding Our Future as a vehicle to submit false claims for meals that were never served. Authorities also claim Bock financially supported her former boyfriend, Empress Malcolm Watson Jr., through what they described as a sham contract that paid him a $1 million salary.

The New York Post reported that the pair frequently rented Lamborghinis, Rolls-Royces, and other exotic vehicles for roughly $2,000 per day while traveling. Court filings further state that the couple took repeated luxury trips to destinations such as Las Vegas and Graceland, with Watson Jr. posting displays of wealth on social media.

In June 2024, federal prosecutors announced charges against nearly 50 Somali Muslim immigrants in Minnesota, accusing them of stealing approximately $250 million through the Feeding Our Future umbrella of organizations.

More recently, Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson warned that fraud in Minnesota extends far beyond a single case. Speaking publicly, Thompson said an estimated half of $18 billion in welfare spending in the state has been lost to fraudulent activity.

NEW YORK — A press conference held Friday by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was briefly upstaged when a Chabad-Lubavitch music truck passed by, offering what amounted to an unscheduled musical commentary.

The truck, part of the Chabad-Lubavitch outreach fleet, blasted “Hinei Ma Tov,” a Hasidic song popularized by Avraham Fried. The lyrics translate to, “How good and how pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity,” a sentiment that briefly drowned out the mayor’s remarks on cabinet appointments and administrative changes.

Video circulating online shows the music forcing a pause in the proceedings. Rather than object, Mamdani appeared amused, commenting that it was “a pretty good song,” smiling and nodding along to the rhythm before resuming his announcements.

The interruption lasted only moments. the truck continued on its way — apparently satisfied that its message had been delivered.

Chabad music trucks are a familiar feature of New York City life, particularly during holidays and outreach campaigns, and are known for arriving precisely when no one has scheduled them.

Neither City Hall nor Chabad representatives offered comment on the timing of the impromptu performance.

The episode unfolded as Mamdani’s early days in office continue to draw attention, serving as a reminder that in New York politics, even press conferences are subject to outside commentary — sometimes in stereo.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio argued Sunday that the administration was unable to brief lawmakers in advance of the Venezuela mission, citing the risk of leaks and the unpredictable conditions surrounding the operation. He said the circumstances were too fluid to permit prior notification, stressing that secrecy was essential.

“You can’t congressionally notify something like this for two reasons. Number one, it will leak. It’s as simple as that. And number two, it’s an exigent circumstance. It’s an emergent thing. You don’t even know if you’re going to be able to do it,” Rubio said, adding, “We didn’t know if all of the things that had to line up were going to line up at the same time in the right conditions.”

“It had to be at the right place at the right time with the right weather, and all things like that. So those are very difficult to notify, but the number one reason is operational security.”

Rubio made the remarks during an appearance on ABC News’s This Week, where he rejected claims that the United States violated the law by acting without congressional authorization.

“It wasn’t necessary because this is not an invasion. We didn’t occupy a country,” Rubio said in response to questions from host George Stephanopoulos.

He emphasized that the mission should be viewed as a criminal arrest rather than a military campaign. “This was an arrest operation. This was a law enforcement operation. He was arrested on the ground in Venezuela by FBI agents, read his rights and removed from the country,” Rubio said.

U.S. forces carried out a covert overnight action into Saturday to seize Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, transporting them to New York to face charges tied to drug trafficking, terrorism, and firearms offenses. Maduro is now being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center.

According to Rubio, the planning for the mission began months ago, following a series of threats and maritime strikes aimed at what U.S. officials described as “narco-terrorists.” He said the arrest could not have been carried out without military support.

“Obviously, this was not a friendly territory,” Rubio said, explaining why the Pentagon was involved.

BERLIN — Authorities in Germany are investigating a suspected arson attack targeting the property of a state official responsible for combating antisemitism, after a fire was set overnight and extremist graffiti was discovered in the area.

Andreas Büttner, who serves as Brandenburg’s commissioner for countering antisemitism, said his family was inside the home at the time of the incident but was not harmed.

In a statement posted online, Büttner said the fire marked a serious escalation and described it as a direct attack on both his family and his work. He thanked emergency responders and confirmed that police are treating the incident as a criminal investigation.

Meine Gedanken sind bei Andreas Büttner und seiner Familie. Wie ich ihn kenne, wird er nach diesem Angriff nur noch entschlossener gegen Antisemitismus aufstehen.

Denn der radikale Teil der „Palästina-Solidarität“ ist nicht nur antisemitisch, sondern terroristisch. Anschläge auf… pic.twitter.com/MtgSfD7qn4

— Ambassador Ron Prosor (@Ron_Prosor) January 4, 2026

Local media reported that an inverted red triangle — a symbol commonly used by Hamas — was spray-painted on a nearby building.

Israel’s ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, shared images of the scene on social media and voiced support for Büttner, calling the attack an act of intimidation aimed at silencing opposition to antisemitism and extremism.

German broadcaster Deutsche Welle reported that Büttner had previously been targeted in 2024, when his vehicle was vandalized with Nazi symbols.

No arrests have been announced, and officials have not released details about possible suspects or motives.

In der vergangenen Nacht wurde mein privates Grundstück Ziel eines Brandanschlags und einer Sachbeschädigung. Meine Familie befand sich zu diesem Zeitpunkt im Haus. Wir sind körperlich unverletzt, stehen aber unter dem Eindruck eines schweren Angriffs.

Jackson Council President Burnstein wants to remind all Jackson residents that the weekly recycling will begin in Jackson tomorrow, January 5th.

See the attached map for your zone and its pickup day.

If you have any questions, you can email [email protected]

NEW YORK — New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has ordered a series of public hearings across all five boroughs to gather testimony from tenants about poor housing conditions, hidden fees and what the administration describes as abusive landlord practices.

Under an executive order signed Sunday, city agencies will hold “Rental Ripoff” hearings within the first 100 days of Mamdani’s administration, giving tenants and housing advocates an opportunity to publicly describe problems ranging from unsafe buildings to deceptive rent charges.

Too many New Yorkers are getting ripped off—paying obscene rents for apartments that fail basic health and safety standards. When tenants speak up, landlords threaten eviction.

That ends now. Today we launched a citywide crackdown on rental ripoffs, like landlord neglect and…

— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) January 4, 2026

The hearings will be coordinated by the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, the Department of Buildings, and the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, working alongside the city’s newly created Office of Mass Engagement.

City officials said testimony collected during the hearings will be used to shape enforcement priorities and policy changes. A public report summarizing common complaints and proposed actions is to be released within 90 days of the final hearing.

Mamdani, who took office last week, has made tenant protection a central focus of his early agenda. On his first day in office, he restructured the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants and appointed Cea Weaver, a key figure behind New York’s 2019 tenant protection law, to lead the office.

“There is no economic justice without safe, quality, affordable housing,” Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su said in a statement, adding that the hearings are intended to ensure housing laws are enforced and tenants understand their rights.

Tenant advocates welcomed the move, saying renters across the city face rising costs driven not only by rent increases but also by fees for applications, amenities and payment processing.

BROOKLYN – Chaim Tzvi Freiman, a longtime activist associated with the anti-Zionist ultra-Orthodox group Neturei Karta, died in the United States on the Sabbath. He was 74.

Freiman, who lived in Manhattan, frequently referred to himself as “a man of Jerusalem,” despite residing in New York. He was widely regarded as an anti-Zionist and spent decades opposing the State of Israel in ideological campaigns that took him across the Jewish world.

At the same time, some associates said that in his earlier years Freiman worked quietly behind the scenes to promote dialogue and encourage peace between Israelis and Palestinians. According to people familiar with the matter, those private efforts were not aligned with the public posture of Neturei Karta, and the group’s central leadership distanced itself from him about 15 years ago.

Over the past decade, Freiman was a familiar presence in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where he spent much of his day before returning to his Manhattan home in the evenings. During those years, he was also a frequent Shabbat guest in many Hasidic homes and a well-recognized figure at weddings and celebrations, where acquaintances said he attended simply to bring joy to families.

For many years, Freiman was also a recognizable presence in the village of Kiryas Joel, where he stayed in numerous homes and formed friendships within the Satmar community, according to people familiar with his activities.

Beyond his political activism, Freiman was well known to generations of Orthodox Jewish youth in the 1990s. He was a fixture for many years at summer camps across the United States, working as a lifeguard and swim instructor. A competitive swimmer in his younger years, he was described by acquaintances as an Olympic-level swimmer, and students from more than a dozen camps recalled him as a familiar and respected presence during that era.

Born to Rabbi Moshe Yehoshua Freiman, he never married and had no children. In his early years, he studied at Yeshiva University, later gravitating toward radical anti-Zionist ideology. His home was reportedly adorned with numerous posters reflecting Jerusalem-based ideological themes.

[Video below.] House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said the administration must face limits on its actions in Venezuela, calling on lawmakers to reassert their authority once Congress reconvenes. He argued that any additional steps involving the South American nation should not move forward without lawmakers’ clear consent.

Speaking Sunday, Jeffries contended that the White House has failed to demonstrate that the dramatic operation against Venezuela was necessary to protect Americans. Appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press, he said, “There’s been no evidence that the administration has presented to justify the actions that were taken in terms of there being an imminent threat to the health, the safety, the well-being, the national security of the American people.”

The Democratic leader also criticized the decision-making behind the raid that resulted in Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, being taken into custody and flown to a federal detention facility in Brooklyn. Jeffries described the move as “an act of war.”

President Donald Trump defended the operation a day earlier, telling reporters that detaining Maduro was required to curb the flow of narcotics and criminal networks into the United States and to halt shipments of Venezuelan oil sold in violation of sanctions. He also said Maduro had undermined regional stability through ties with China, Russia, and Iran.

Trump further stated that Washington would temporarily take charge of Venezuela, saying the United States would “run [Venezuela] until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition.” He added that American energy firms would “fix” the country’s oil sector, pointing to Venezuela’s vast petroleum reserves.

Jeffries questioned whether that approach would actually improve conditions for Venezuelans, arguing that Trump’s leadership record suggests otherwise. “It remains to be seen whether the people of Venezuela are going to be better off,” he said.

“He’s done a terrible job running the United States of America,” Jeffries added. “Life hasn’t gotten better for the American people over the last year; life has gotten worse.”

NEW YORK — New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani deliberately moved on his first day in office to revoke executive orders tied to Israel, antisemitism and the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, according to reporting by The New York Times.

The newspaper reported that Mamdani knew “from the moment he won the election” that he would not extend the Israel-related orders issued by former Mayor Eric Adams, but spent weeks weighing how and when to formally rescind them.

Among the revoked directives were executive orders adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism for city use and measures opposing BDS-related activity.

According to the Times, Mamdani’s legal team presented him with several options in the days leading up to his inauguration, including selectively renewing certain orders. Ultimately, the mayor chose to revoke all of Adams’ post-indictment executive actions in a sweeping reset on his first day.

The report said Mamdani and his advisers were aware the move would anger some Jewish organizations, particularly after months in which Mamdani sought to reassure communal leaders during the campaign. Still, the mayor concluded that extending the orders would conflict with his long-held political views.

Mamdani, a vocal critic of Israel’s policies toward Palestinians, did not replace the rescinded orders with new directives addressing antisemitism or Israel-related matters.

The revocation immediately drew criticism from pro-Israel and Jewish advocacy groups, while supporters said the action fulfilled Mamdani’s campaign promises and underscored his rejection of what he views as politicized executive governance.

Mamdani was sworn in Thursday, becoming the city’s first Muslim mayor and signaling a sharp break from his predecessor’s approach to Israel and Jewish communal policy.

WASHINGTON D.C (VINnews)— Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday forcefully defended the Trump administration’s actions in Venezuela following the capture of ousted leader Nicolás Maduro, emphasizing that the United States does not seek Venezuelan oil for its own needs but will not allow China, Russia or Iran to control the country’s vast reserves.

In a heated exchange on NBC’s “Meet the Press” with moderator Kristen Welker, Rubio rejected suggestions that the U.S. was motivated by energy interests, stating that America has ample domestic oil production.

“We don’t need Venezuela’s oil. We have plenty of oil in the United States,” Rubio said. “What we’re not going to allow is for the oil industry in Venezuela to be controlled by adversaries of the United States.”

When pressed on why foreign powers like China, Russia and Iran have stakes in Venezuelan oil, Rubio responded sharply: “Why does China need their oil? Why does Russia need their oil? Why does Iran need their oil? They’re not even in this continent. This is the Western Hemisphere. This is where we live.”

He added that the administration would prevent the region from becoming “a base of operations for adversaries, competitors and rivals of the United States,” vowing that such destabilizing influences “are not going to continue to happen” under President Trump.

Rubio’s comments came one day after a U.S. military operation resulted in Maduro’s capture and removal from Venezuela. The secretary of state outlined broader U.S. demands, including halting drug trafficking, gang migration and foreign intelligence operations linked to Cuba, Iran and Hezbollah.

PALM BEACH, Fla. (VINnews) — Donald Trump and Elon Musk appeared together publicly over the weekend at a dinner at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, a sign the two have moved past a high-profile feud that played out publicly last year.

Musk posted a photo on social media showing himself with Trump at the Palm Beach, Florida, property, writing that 2026 is “going to be amazing.”

Video circulating online showed Trump walking through a crowd at Mar-a-Lago with Melania Trump, with Musk following closely behind. The three were seen smiling and greeting guests as they entered the dining area.

Had a lovely dinner last night with @POTUS and @FLOTUS.

2026 is going to be amazing! pic.twitter.com/1Oq35b1PEC

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 4, 2026

The appearance marked a notable shift from tensions last year, when Trump and Musk clashed publicly over a major federal spending bill backed by the White House.

At the time, Musk criticized the legislation, saying it would increase the federal deficit and undermine efforts to reduce government waste. Trump responded by accusing Musk of opposing the bill because it rolled back electric vehicle tax credits and mandates that benefit Tesla, the automaker Musk leads.

🍽 Donald Trump and Elon Musk enjoyed a lavish dinner after Maduro’s abduction

At Mar-a-Lago, judging by the video, they were greeted with applause.

Earlier, the billionaire changed his X avatar to the US flag and said that Venezuela can now get the prosperity it deserves.… pic.twitter.com/TXheDeuoO1

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) January 4, 2026

The dispute escalated into personal attacks exchanged on social media, after which the two stopped engaging publicly.

Following the US military operation that removed Venezuela’s leadership, President Donald Trump said the United States would take control of the country, arguing that the situation on the ground left no better alternative. In a telephone interview with The Atlantic, Trump said that “rebuilding there and regime change — anything you want to call it — is better than what you have right now.”

Trump expanded on that point by delivering a blunt assessment of Venezuela’s condition. “Rebuilding is not a bad thing in Venezuela’s case,” he said. “The country’s gone to —-. It’s a failed country. It’s a totally failed country. It’s a country that’s a disaster in every way.”

His remarks came a day after US forces carried out overnight strikes in Caracas, hitting military targets and taking Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife into custody. The pair were transported to New York City, where Maduro was jailed to face federal narco-trafficking charges.

In the aftermath of the operation, the Trump administration signaled that it was prepared to work with other elements of the Venezuelan government, provided that Washington’s objectives were met. Those goals included opening the country’s vast crude oil reserves to US investment.

Amid the upheaval, Delcy Rodriguez was confirmed as interim president by Venezuela’s Supreme Court and senior military officials. She responded defiantly to the US action, insisting that Maduro remained the nation’s only legitimate leader and declaring that “we’re ready to defend our natural resources.”

Trump, however, issued a direct warning to Rodriguez, saying her future depended on her cooperation with Washington. “If she doesn’t do what’s right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro,” he told The Atlantic.

{Matzav.com}

NEW YORK (JNS) – Though Rabbi David Katz, executive director of the Israel Heritage Foundation, is no fan of Zohran Mamdani, he acknowledged the need to respect the new mayor of New York City.

“It’s very simple. He’s become the mayor of New York, whether we like it or not,” Katz told JNS. “We’ve got to respect him as mayor.”

The Israel Heritage Foundation’s official social media account echoed the sentiment, stating, “As we enter the new year, we extend our deepest respect and honor to Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who will be leading New York with greatness, making our city safe and proud. May his leadership bring joy and prosperity to all New Yorkers.”

Katz told JNS that political disagreements shouldn’t get in the way of showing respect, noting his reaction when U.S. President Joe Biden knelt to meet with Holocaust survivors during a 2022 trip to Israel.

“I wrote him a beautiful letter,” Katz said. “Now, a lot of Biden haters say you could never give him a compliment. It’s not true. If a person does the right thing, you compliment them.”

He told JNS that he won’t hesitate to call out Mamdani should he do something “not to the liking of humanity.” But, in the meantime, “why would I not give him a chance?”

As debate over Chareidi conscription intensifies, Shas has made clear it will not back the 2026 state budget unless the coalition first advances legislation formalizing exemptions and regulation for Chareidi enlistment. Party spokesman Asher Medina issued the warning on Sunday, signaling a move that could topple Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s government if carried through.

With the March 31 deadline for passing the budget looming, the 11 Knesset seats held by Shas are pivotal. Failure to approve the budget on time would automatically dissolve the Knesset and send the country to early elections, giving the party significant leverage in coalition negotiations.

Speaking to Radio Kol Barama, Medina framed the proposed law as a defining issue for the Chareidi public. “From the perspective of the Chareidi public, the draft law is as far-reaching as one could possibly imagine. With God’s help, we will support the law because it is the only thing that will save the world of Torah,” he said. He added pointedly that “the only thing that will stop the arrests is not demonstrations, but legislation.”

For roughly a year and a half, Chareidi leaders have pressed for a statutory arrangement keeping full-time yeshiva students out of the Israel Defense Forces, following a High Court ruling that invalidated the longstanding blanket exemptions granted to them. The ruling upended decades of policy and placed immediate pressure on both the government and the Chareidi community.

Estimates suggest that around 80,000 Chareidi men between the ages of 18 and 24 are currently eligible for military service but have not enlisted. At the same time, the IDF has stated that it needs some 12,000 additional recruits urgently, citing the heavy burden on standing and reserve forces amid the war with Hamas in Gaza and other security demands.

Shas lawmakers have consistently backed the proposed legislation, which would preserve exemptions for full-time yeshiva students while ostensibly encouraging greater enlistment among graduates of Chareidi educational frameworks. In recent weeks, they have even voiced support for the bill during visits to Chareidi draft evaders held in military prison.

In a separate Kol Barama interview on Sunday, Shas MK Michael Malkieli stressed that his party is acting in full coordination with United Torah Judaism, despite a very public dispute between the two factions over control of Yerushalayim’s religious council.

JERUSALEM (JNS) – Israel’s Foreign Ministry over the weekend presented evidence alleging that officials with the Doctors Without Borders NGO in the Gaza Strip were simultaneously members of Palestinian terrorist organizations.

Fadi al-Wadiya was employed by the Geneva-based humanitarian group while serving as a senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist, the ministry said in a post on X, sharing a picture of him in military fatigues.

Al-Wadiya was responsible for furthering the Iranian-controlled terrorist organization’s rocket capabilities, according to the ministry.

Meanwhile, Nasser Hamdi Abdelatif al-Shalfouh worked for Doctors Without Borders while at the same time serving in Hamas as a sniper during terroristic “combat and operational activity,” the Foreign Ministry said.

“This is why strict vetting and real accountability of humanitarian staff is essential,” the X post concluded. “Aid must never be a cover for terror.”

On Thursday, the NGO Monitor watchdog identified four Doctors Without Border staffers as members of Gaza-based terrorist groups.

In addition to al-Wadiya, NGO Monitor named Mahmoud Abu Nujaila, a top figure in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP); Mazab Bashir, who confessed to and was indicted over an assassination plot targeting then-Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert; and Hani Majdalawi, a Gazan nurse who opened fire on Israeli troops.

In February 2024, in response to a question concerning its relationship with terrorist organizations, Doctors Without Borders admitted that it continued to work with the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip, which it called “the governing authority responsible for health care.”

Jerusalem on Jan 1. began enforcing a new regulatory framework for NGOs working in Gaza, Judea and Samaria, suspending licenses of groups that “failed to meet required security and transparency standards.”

The move followed findings that employees of several NGOs operating primarily with the Palestinian population were involved in terrorist activity, according to an interministerial review process led by the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism.

Job listings continue to be published on our jobs page here.

MIAMI (AP) — When deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro makes his first appearance in New York courtroom Monday to face U.S. drug charges, he will likely follow the path taken by another Latin American strongman toppled by U.S. forces: Panama’s Manuel Noriega.

Maduro was captured Saturday, 36 years to the day after Noriega was removed by American forces. And as was the case with the Panamanian leader, lawyers for Maduro are expected to contest the legality of his arrest, arguing that he is immune from prosecution as a sovereign head of foreign state, which is a bedrock principle of international and U.S. law.

That argument is unlikely to succeed and was largely settled as a matter of law in Noriega’s trial, legal experts said. Trump’s ordering of the operation in Venezuela raises its own constitutional concerns because it was not authorized by Congress, now that Maduro is in the United States. But American courts are to allow Maduro’s prosecution to proceed because, like Noriega in Panama, the U.S. government does not recognize him as Venezuela’s legitimate leader.

“There’s no claim to sovereign immunity if we don’t recognize him as head of state,” said Dick Gregorie, a retired federal prosecutor who indicted Noriega and later went on to investigate corruption inside Maduro’s government. “Several U.S. administrations, both Republican and Democrat, have called his election fraudulent and withheld U.S. recognition. Sadly, for Maduro, it means he’s stuck with it.”

Noriega died in 2017 after nearly three decades in prison, first in the U.S., then France and finally Panama. In his first trial, his lawyers argued that his arrest as a result of a U.S. invasion was so “shocking to the conscience” that it rendered the government’s case an illegal violation of his due process rights.

Justice Department opinion allows ‘forcible abductions’ abroad
In ordering Noriega’s removal, the White House relied on a 1989 legal opinion by then-Assistant Attorney General Bill Barr, issued six months before the invasion. That opinion said the U.N. Charter’s prohibition on the use of force in international relations does not prohibit the U.S. from carrying out “forcible abductions” abroad to enforce domestic laws.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s military intervention in Venezuela will pose a fresh test of his ability to hold together a restive Republican coalition during a challenging election year that could be defined by domestic concerns like health care and affordability.

While most Republicans lined up behind the president in the immediate aftermath of the stunning U.S. mission to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and bring him to New York to face criminal charges, there were signs of unease across the spectrum within the party. In particular, Trump’s comments about the U.S. positioning itself to “run” Venezuela have raised concerns that he is abandoning the “America First” philosophy that has long distinguished him from more traditional Republicans and helped fuel his political rise.

“This is the same Washington playbook that we are so sick and tired of that doesn’t serve the American people, but actually serves the big corporations, the banks and the oil executives,” said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, a former Trump ally who is resigning on Monday, in an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday.

Those concerns were shared by some who are not associated with the party’s far-right flank.

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, a moderate who is one of the most vulnerable Republicans in the November midterms, said in a statement that “the only country that the United States of America should be ‘running’ is the United States of America.”

Those comments reflect the sensitive dynamics between Trump and his fellow Republicans at the outset of an election year in which their party risks losing control of Congress. While the president’s dominance remains undisputed, the ironclad grip that he has held over the party has faced unusual challenges in recent months. Blocs of Republicans have banded together to pressure Trump to release the Jeffrey Epstein files. Others have been vocal in encouraging Trump to take concerns about affordability more seriously.

Trump’s aggressive vision of U.S. dominance
Few issues are as central to Trump’s political brand as ensuring that the U.S. does not get entangled in seemingly endless foreign conflicts at the expense of domestic goals. During a 2016 Republican presidential debate, for instance, he described the war in Iraq as a “big, fat mistake.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested Sunday that the U.S. would not take a day-to-day role in governing Venezuela, a turnaround after President Donald Trump announced a day earlier that the U.S. would be running Venezuela following its ouster of leader Nicolás Maduro.

Rubio’s statements seemed designed to temper concerns about whether the assertive American action to achieve regime change might again produce a prolonged foreign intervention or failed attempt at nation-building. They stood in contrast to Trump’s broad but vague claims that the U.S. would at least temporarily “run” the oil-rich nation.

Venezuela’s defense minister demanded Maduro’s release, maintaining that he is still the rightful leader of the South American country. The military, which has long acted as the arbiter of political disputes in Venezuela, has thrown its support behind Delcy Rodríguez, who served as vice president under Maduro.

Meanwhile, a tense calm hangs over Venezuela after the U.S. military operation that deposed Maduro, who was brought to New York to face criminal charges.

Maduro and his wife landed late Saturday afternoon at a small airport in New York. The couple face U.S. charges of participating in a narco-terrorism conspiracy.

BRUSSELS — Twenty-six European Union countries issued a joint statement Saturday urging calm and restraint in Venezuela following the U.S. military operation that captured President Nicolás Maduro.

The statement, endorsed by all EU members except Hungary, emphasized that “respecting the will of the Venezuelan people remains the only way for Venezuela to restore democracy and resolve the current crisis.”

“The European Union calls for calm and restraint by all actors, to avoid escalation and to ensure a peaceful solution to the crisis,” the statement said.

It also stressed that principles of international law and the U.N. Charter must be upheld.

The EU has long maintained that Maduro lacks democratic legitimacy following the disputed 2024 presidential election.

The statement comes amid escalating tensions after U.S. forces seized Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in an overnight operation on Jan. 3, flying them to New York to face drug-related charges.

Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez has assumed power, while opposition figures call for a transition.

Speaking before the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, a senior IDF officer reported that a significant number of Chareidi men had entered military service earlier today, marking what could become the largest enlistment of its kind in recent years. Brig. Gen. Shay Tayeb, who heads the Planning and Personnel Management Division within the IDF Personnel Directorate, told lawmakers that by the afternoon hours, “there were over 210 fighters and over 140 combat support troops and it is likely that in 10 days this will end with the largest enlistment in recent times.”

The recruits, most of whom were slated for combat or combat-support roles, were assigned to frameworks geared toward the Chareidi public, including the Netzach Yehuda battalion, the Chashmonaim brigade, and additional tracks designed to accommodate a Chareidi lifestyle within the army.

The enlistment took place despite efforts by Chareidi demonstrators to block the process. Protests were reported both at the Yerushalayim enlistment office and at the Bakum induction base in central Israel, where clashes erupted between demonstrators and police. Law enforcement ultimately used water cannons to disperse the crowds.

According to Ynet, protesters shouted warnings that the recruits would abandon their religious way of life in the army and hurled harsh accusations at them, calling the enlistees “sinners” and “murderers.”

{Matzav.com}

Sharp reactions rippled through the Knesset on Sunday night after comments made by MK Yitzchak Goldknopf of United Torah Judaism during a heated session of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee focused on the proposed conscription legislation.

In the committee session, Goldknopf had addressed the sanctions included in the draft law and likened them to “a yellow star for Torah students,” a statement that immediately sparked outrage across party lines.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid responded with a deeply personal rebuke, addressing Goldknopf directly. He said that his father wore a yellow star in the Budapest ghetto because there was no Jewish army to defend him, and that his grandfather was forced to wear one before being murdered in a concentration camp. Lapid charged that the comparison trivialized the Holocaust and demeaned the sacrifice of IDF soldiers, describing the remarks as damaging and profoundly offensive.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also weighed in forcefully, saying there is no place in the coalition for leaders who are “disconnected, insensitive, and who repeatedly harm Israeli society, IDF soldiers, and Torah students.” He stressed that Goldknopf is no longer part of the mainstream coalition and is not expected to return.

Smotrich added that IDF soldiers are those standing on the front lines against antisemitism and its contemporary expressions. He said the Religious Zionist camp believes it is possible to unite Torah learning with military service and is committed to showing that the chareidi public can do so as well.

Committee chairman MK Boaz Bismuth of Likud publicly distanced himself from the analogy. While expressing “great respect for Torah scholars and the chareidi community,” he said the language used “crosses a line” and has no place in such a discussion.

Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli issued his own sharp criticism, calling the comparison a sign of extreme political detachment. He said that equating draft-related sanctions with the yellow star reflects a profound disconnect and added that the public deserves more responsible leadership, particularly on matters so sensitive to Jewish history and national unity.

Millions around the globe today are arguing whether President Trump did the right thing by capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Do you believe it was the right move for America?

A press conference held by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was momentarily interrupted when a Chabad truck drove past the event blasting the song “Hinei Ma Tov,” bringing the proceedings to a brief standstill.

The incident occurred as Mamdani was in the midst of announcing members of his new cabinet and outlining a series of administrative changes. As the music echoed through the area, aides and reporters paused, and the mayor stopped speaking until the truck passed and the sound faded.

“It’s a good song,” Mamdani said.

WATCH:

While announcing new members of his administration, Mayor Zohran Mamdani stopped to listen to a passing Chabad truck that was playing “Hinei Ma Tov.”

“It’s a good song,” Mamdani said. pic.twitter.com/OVnbcKMcHp

— Anash Reporter (@AnashReporter) January 3, 2026

Diplomatic contacts between Israel and Syria are set to resume this week, with senior representatives from both countries scheduled to convene in Paris on Monday to reopen discussions toward a new security framework, Axios reported, citing an Israeli official and another individual familiar with the matter.

The planned meetings are expected to span two days and will bring together Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and a newly assembled Israeli negotiating team. According to the report, the talks are intended to focus on a potential security arrangement that would address demilitarization in southern Syria, alongside an Israeli pullback from territories entered following the collapse of the Assad regime.

The renewed effort comes after President Trump personally urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to restart the negotiations during their recent meeting in Mar-a-Lago, Axios reported. Netanyahu agreed to move forward with additional talks while underscoring that any agreement must safeguard Israel’s security interests.

This upcoming round will be the first in nearly two months and represents the fifth session overall. Previous negotiations were put on hold amid wide disagreements between the parties and following the resignation of Israel’s earlier lead negotiator, former Minister Ron Dermer.

The initiative is being actively supported by the Trump administration, which has prioritized stabilizing the security situation along the Israel-Syria border. President Trump’s Syria envoy, Tom Barrack, is expected to play a mediating role during the discussions.

In preparation for the Paris meetings, Netanyahu appointed a new Israeli delegation led by Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter. Other members named by Axios include Netanyahu’s military adviser, Gen. Roman Gofman, and acting National Security Adviser Gill Reich.

{Matzav.com}

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has prepared a contingency plan to flee the country if nationwide protests spiral beyond the control of his security forces, revealing the depth of concern inside the Islamic Republic’s highest ranks as unrest grips the country.

An intelligence report says the 86-year-old cleric would evacuate Tehran with a tightly controlled group of up to 20 aides and family members, including his son and presumed successor Mojtaba Khamenei, if signs emerge that the army, police, or paramilitary forces are deserting, defecting, or refusing orders.

Israeli intelligence veteran Beni Sabti, who fled Iran years after the 1979 revolution, said Khamenei’s likely destination would be Russia, describing Moscow as “the only place” that would guarantee him safety. The model for the escape, the report says, is the flight of deposed Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, who escaped to Moscow in late 2024 as his regime collapsed.

The intelligence assessment indicates that preparations include moving cash, securing foreign properties, and coordinating exit routes, supported by Khamenei’s vast financial empire. His holdings are largely concealed within Setad, a powerful network of semi-state foundations estimated in a 2013 Reuters investigation to control assets worth up to $95 billion.

The revelations come as protests driven by economic collapse and soaring inflation spread across Iran, including in religious strongholds such as Qom. Demonstrators accuse the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Basij militias, and police—forces directly loyal to Khamenei—of using live fire, tear gas, and water cannons to suppress dissent.

While large-scale defections remain rare, the assessment describes Khamenei as “weaker, both mentally and physically” since last year’s 12-day war with Israel, during which he reportedly hid in a bunker. He has been notably absent from public view during the current wave of protests, reinforcing perceptions of a leadership under strain.

Khamenei’s long-standing fixation on survival, shaped by a 1981 assassination attempt that left him permanently injured, now appears to include an exit strategy—one that underscores a growing fear inside Tehran that the regime’s grip may no longer be absolute.

The Jewish community in Lausanne issued a statement mourning the loss of two young girls after the deadly blaze, saying, “it is with great sorrow that we announce the deaths of Alicia and Diana, who were tragically killed in a fire. The community partakes in the family’s mourning and will stand beside it as needed.” Alicia and Diana Gunst were sisters, ages 14 and 15, whose bodies were confirmed earlier in the day.

ZAKA’s International Unit later reported that another missing victim from the same incident has now been identified. The organization said that the remains of Charlotte Needham, a 15-year-old Israeli citizen, were located and formally identified following the inferno at the ski resort in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, where she had been unaccounted for.

In the aftermath of the disaster, ZAKA personnel remain active on the ground, working in coordination with Swiss authorities. Their teams are continuing to assist local police, emergency responders, and security forces as recovery and investigative efforts proceed at the site.

The fire at the popular Alpine resort has sent shockwaves through Jewish communities in Switzerland and abroad, as confirmations of the victims’ identities bring a painful close to days of uncertainty surrounding those who had been missing.

A day after the audacious U.S. military operation in Venezuela, President Donald Trump on Sunday renewed his calls for an American takeover of the Danish territory of Greenland for the sake of U.S. security interests, while his top diplomat declared the communist government in Cuba is “in a lot of trouble.”

The comments from Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio after the ouster of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro underscore that the U.S. administration is serious about taking a more expansive role in the Western Hemisphere.

With thinly veiled threats, Trump is rattling hemispheric friends and foes alike, spurring a pointed question around the globe: Who’s next?

“We do need Greenland, absolutely,” Trump said in an interview with The Atlantic in which he described the strategically located Arctic island as “surrounded by Russian and Chinese ships.”

Asked what the U.S.-military action in Venezuela could portend for Greenland, Trump replied: “They are going to have to view it themselves. I really don’t know.” The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

Trump, in his administration’s National Security Strategy published last month, laid out restoring “American preeminence in the Western Hemisphere” as a central guidepost for his second go-around in the White House.

Trump has also pointed to the 19th century Monroe Doctrine, which rejects European colonialism, as well as the Roosevelt Corollary — a justification invoked by the U.S. in supporting Panama’s secession from Colombia, which helped secure the Panama Canal Zone for the U.S. — as he’s made his case for an assertive approach to American neighbors and beyond.

Trump has even quipped that some now refer to the fifth U.S. president’s foundational document as the “Don-roe Doctrine.”

Saturday’s dead-of-night operation by U.S. forces in Caracas and Trump’s Atlantic interview heightened concerns in Denmark, which has jurisdiction over the vast mineral-rich island of Greenland.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in a statement following Trump’s latest comments on Greenland said he has “no right to annex” the territory. She also reminded Trump that Denmark already provides the United States, a fellow member of NATO, broad access to Greenland through existing security agreements.

Critics are sharply attacking the choice of schools chancellor made by Socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani, arguing that his appointee represents an aggressive ideological agenda focused on race and opposition to merit-based education, according to comments made to The New York Post.

At the center of the criticism is Kamar Samuels, a veteran educator who previously led school districts covering parts of Brooklyn and Manhattan and is known for dismantling Gifted & Talented programs. Mamdani selected Samuels to run the nation’s largest public school system after his tenure as a district superintendent.

Samuels previously oversaw District 13 in downtown Brooklyn and later District 3 on the Upper West Side. During that time, he promoted a series of policies framed around “equity” and “antiracism,” while regularly hosting town halls dedicated to those themes.

“I don’t like him, I’ve never liked him; he came in as an ideologue,” a Department of Education official told The Post, adding that he believes Samuels is an “idiot.”

Samuels, now 48, ran District 13 before being appointed in 2022 to lead District 3 by then-Mayor Eric Adams. In both districts, he organized and promoted repeated “Anti-Racist Town Hall” events that critics say pushed a woke agenda under the banner of equity. One such event in February 2022 featured far-left Brooklyn Councilwoman Crystal Hudson as a guest speaker.

“You are invited to join D3 town hall: A courageous conversation about equity,” Samuels wrote in a 2023 post.

“District 13 continues our conversation on serving all students in an Anti-Racist District tonight at 7pm when we hear from students at MS 266 and PS 133! Tuesday, June 7 @ 7:00 pm Anti-Racist Town Hall,” Samuels posted in June 2022.

Critics also point to Samuels’ social media activity as evidence of what they describe as an obsessive focus on race. Following the altercation between comedian Chris Rock and actor Will Smith at the 2022 Academy Awards, Samuels weighed in publicly.

“Just wondering … If Chris Rock were white, would Will Smith had slapped him?” Samuels wrote on X after what became known as “the slap heard round the world.”

One of the most consequential international criminal prosecutions to land in New York in years is now in the hands of Alvin K. Hellerstein, a 92-year-old senior U.S. district judge, Orthodox Jew, and one of the longest-serving active jurists in the federal judiciary.

Hellerstein has been assigned to preside over the criminal case against Nicolás Maduro, the former Venezuelan leader who was captured by U.S. special forces and brought to Manhattan on Saturday. Prosecutors have charged Maduro with a sweeping array of offenses, including narcotics trafficking, corruption, and crimes tied to terrorism.

The assignment puts a prosecution with major geopolitical reverberations before a judge whose courtroom résumé is unusually deep — and whose personal background has drawn attention in legal and Jewish communal circles for decades.

Hellerstein, appointed to the bench in 1998 and elevated to senior status in 2011, has spent more than a quarter-century on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, widely viewed as the most powerful federal trial court in the country. Despite his age, he continues to preside over major criminal matters, including terrorism-related and national security cases, maintaining a workload that many younger judges would avoid.

Maduro’s prosecution is among the highest-profile international criminal cases to reach the court in recent memory. Beyond the criminal allegations, the case carries diplomatic and symbolic weight, particularly given Maduro’s long-standing alliance with Iran and his government’s repeated attacks on Israel and “Zionism.”

Hellerstein has overseen complex financial prosecutions, high-stakes commercial disputes, and sprawling civil litigation arising from the September 11 attacks. He is known for lengthy, detail-heavy rulings, tight control of courtroom proceedings, and an insistence on meticulous adherence to federal rules of evidence and procedure.

Born in New York City in 1933, Hellerstein earned both his undergraduate degree and law degree from Columbia University. He served in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps before entering private practice, where he spent decades litigating complex matters before joining the federal bench. Since then, he has remained a central figure in the Southern District’s most demanding cases.

Chani Lifshitz, who, together with her husband, Rabbi Chezky, runs the Chabad House in Kathmandu, where they’ve hosted tens of thousands of Israeli backpackers over the years, published a Facebook post stating that their landlord ordered them to evacuate the premises of the home they’ve been renting for 20 years after months of harassment.

“The past few days have not been easy for Chezky and me,” she wrote. “You know what? Forget the polished wording—really difficult days. We’re in the midst of a crisis—but we’re not leaving the shlichus. After many years in which this specific house was our life’s work—a place of Shabbatos, Chagim, tears, hugs, and conversations until the wee hours of the morning—we find ourselves packing everything into boxes and looking for a new place. How much we invested in this house… yours and ours.”

“In recent months, we really felt how the noose was tightening around us. Another request from the landlord, another demand, another restriction, another decree… nightmarish months. At first, we were asked to remove all Hebrew signs—so no one would realize that there’s a Jewish presence here… so he wouldn’t be suspected by Iran of being a spy.”

“At the same time, the financial demands kept rising, again and again, to the point where it was no longer possible to meet them. Slowly, it became clear to us that we were being led to one conclusion: that Jews were not wanted here. That our presence here is a disturbance. And that hurt. Because behind all of this was a clear feeling of antisemitism—one that could no longer be ignored.”

“Then came the moment when we were told explicitly: To leave. Now.”

“Just like that, almost without time to breathe, we packed everything into a large storage space we managed to find in a flash in a neighborhood called Balaju, and we keep checking nonstop for options for a new place. We’re standing now in front of empty walls, and I quietly say to myself: how do you leave a home that is really, entirely a neshama?” Ugh. Chezky says that e-v-e-r-y-thing is for the best (surprised, anyone?), and I just have tears in my eyes.”

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

NEW YORK (VINnews) — Chaim Malespin, a U.S.-born sergeant in the Israel Defense Forces’ elite Yahalom commando unit, shared insights into his extensive combat experience and humanitarian efforts in a recent interview with commentator Alan Skorski.

Malespin, who immigrated to Israel with his family as a teenager in 1999, has served in the IDF’s Combat Engineering Corps, specializing in explosives handling, countering improvised explosive devices and destroying terror tunnels.

The Yahalom unit, known as “diamond” in Hebrew, focuses on high-risk engineering operations in combat zones.

Malespin has been deployed for hundreds of consecutive days during Israel’s ongoing Swords of Iron war against Hamas, leading missions across Gaza, northern Israel and southern Lebanon. He previously saw action in the 2006 Lebanon War, Operation Cast Lead and Operation Protective Edge.

His decorations include the Iron Swords War Service Ribbon, Operation Protective Edge Ribbon and Operation Cast Lead Ribbon.

When not on active duty, Malespin directs operations at the Aliyah Return Center (ARC), a humanitarian organization he co-founded in 2013 in Israel’s Galilee region along the Jordan River.

The ARC assists Jewish immigrants, or olim, with integration into Israeli society through temporary housing, Hebrew classes, job training, community activities and basic aid such as food and clothing distribution.

Under Malespin’s leadership, the center transformed a former hotel into a campus for new immigrants and international volunteers after a multimillion-dollar renovation project in partnership with the Jewish Agency.

The organization also hosts volunteers from abroad who participate in service projects in the Galilee and train as “ambassadors for Israel” upon returning home, fostering ties between Israel and supportive global communities.

Malespin hosts “The Real Israel” on YouTube and an “Iron Swords” daily podcast, providing updates and perspectives on Israel.

The interview highlighted Malespin’s dual roles as a frontline soldier defending Israel and a humanitarian leader supporting Jewish immigration and absorption.

Ukrainian military intelligence has revealed a covert operation in which Russian authorities were manipulated into paying a $500,000 assassination bounty to their own enemies, after being deceived into believing a wanted anti-Kremlin figure had been killed.

According to Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence, the operation was designed both to protect Denis Kapustin, commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps, and to uncover a hostile intelligence network tasked with eliminating him. Officials described the effort as a “complex, multi-stage” mission coordinated with a pro-Ukrainian Russian group.

The ruse hinged on convincing Russian operatives that Kapustin had been successfully assassinated. Ukrainian intelligence officers staged drone footage to simulate his supposed death, creating visual evidence intended to satisfy Moscow’s handlers.

Two strike drones were central to the deception. One drone appeared to strike a vehicle allegedly carrying Kapustin, while a second drone documented the aftermath, showing a burning car that served as “proof” of the purported hit.

Ukrainian officials said the fabricated material was convincing enough that Russian intelligence proceeded to release the promised bounty. The $500,000 payment, intended as a reward for Kapustin’s assassination, was transferred to Ukrainian operatives.

Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence said the funds are now being redirected to strengthen its special forces, effectively turning a Russian assassination contract into financial support for Ukraine’s war effort.

The Telegraph reported that Kapustin was falsely declared dead on Dec. 27, with Russia’s own volunteer force initially echoing the claim in a Telegram post that vowed revenge and stated, “Your legacy lives on.”

That report noted that Moscow had pursued Kapustin for years and was prepared to pay a substantial sum for his elimination, underscoring how damaging his group’s activities have been for the Kremlin.

The deception unraveled publicly on New Year’s Day, when Kapustin appeared alive in a video released by Ukraine’s military intelligence. He was shown standing beside Gen. Kyrylo Budanov.

In the video, Budanov congratulated those involved in the operation and openly mocked Russia’s security services for unwittingly financing Ukraine’s military campaign. He said he was pleased that the funds meant for Kapustin’s “liquidation” were instead used to support Ukraine’s fight.

A U.S. Defense Department watchdog has found that Washington lost full accountability over large portions of sensitive American-supplied weapons in Israel during the first year of the Gaza war, as the intensity of the fighting overwhelmed standard oversight systems meant to track some of the Pentagon’s most advanced arms.

A report from the U.S. Department of Defense Inspector General concluded that the Pentagon only partially complied with its own rules for monitoring high-risk weapons sent to Israel after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack triggered a prolonged, high-intensity conflict.

The audit examined Enhanced End-Use Monitoring (EEUM)—the strictest oversight regime applied to sensitive U.S. weapons, including advanced munitions, night-vision systems, and specialized platforms. While U.S. officials had largely met monitoring requirements before the war, the report found that once fighting escalated, the system began to break down.

From November 2024 onward, the Pentagon maintained tracking records for just 44% of EEUM-controlled platforms in Israel, down sharply from 69% before the war. Much of the equipment could not be inspected because it had already been deployed by the IDF, according to the report.

The watchdog cited a combination of factors behind the lapse: U.S. travel restrictions, a rapidly changing security environment, and staffing shortages at the Office of Defense Cooperation-Israel, the embassy unit responsible for tracking U.S. weapons. Together, those constraints made it impossible to conduct annual physical inspections and serial-number inventories required under Pentagon rules.

Although U.S. officials continued some monitoring—such as recording Israeli notifications of weapons used in combat—the Inspector General found that large sections of the tracking database contained outdated or incomplete information. Many items lacked updated records showing whether they were deployed, stored, or unavailable for inspection.

The report also faulted U.S. Central Command and the Defense Security Cooperation Agency for failing to detect the growing gaps or intervene to restore compliance.

The BBC has quietly admitted to a grave ethical breach in southern Israel—entering the private home of a terror-survivor family days after the October 7 massacre without permission to film, then broadcasting the footage.

The BBC has now apologized and paid NIS 120,000 in compensation to the Horenstein family of Netiv HaAsara, a community devastated by Hamas’s attack. The broadcaster later confirmed the incident.

“Not only did terrorists break into our home and try to murder us,” Tzeela Horenstein said, “but then the BBC crew entered again—this time with a camera as a weapon—without permission or consent.”

The family survived only because their front door jammed after Hamas terrorists detonated an explosive device against it. Days later, while the trauma was still raw, a BBC crew entered their home anyway. The family discovered the broadcast by chance.

In a Hebrew apology signed by BBC Middle East bureau chief Joaquin Floto, the corporation called the intrusion a “good-faith mistake,” claiming it believed consent had been given. The apology rings hollow. Consent was not given, and the BBC filmed inside a terror-targeted home at a moment of acute vulnerability.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

YOBE, Nigeria (AP) — A passenger boat capsized in northern Nigeria’s Yobe state, leaving at least 25 people dead while 14 others remained missing, emergency services said Sunday.

The boat was carrying residents who had gone to the local market as well as some who were involved in fishing or farming when it capsized along the Yobe River in Yobe state’s Garbi town on Saturday night, the Yobe emergency management agency said.

Out of the 52 passengers on board the boat, 13 were rescued and are receiving medical assistance, the agency said in a statement.

“Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with security agencies, emergency responders, and local community volunteers working tirelessly to locate the missing passengers and recover bodies,” the agency added.

The disaster response agency said the boat overturned mid-journey without offering additional details.

Boat accidents kill hundreds annually across Nigeria, especially in remote areas where water transportation is common due to its convenience for business owners and the absence of good roads. At least 30 passengers were killed when their boat capsized in September, while 25 others died in similar circumstances in July.

Past accidents have been often caused by overloaded and poorly maintained vessels, many of them operating without carrying life jackets.

Yobe Gov. Mai Mala Buni offered condolences to families affected in Saturday’s accident and directed that all necessary medical and logistical support be provided immediately to victims receiving treatment, according to a government update.

Please be Mispallel for Harav Dovid Magid Shlita, the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva of Bayonne who is in need of much Rachmei Shomayim:

Elchonon Dovid Aryeh Leib Ben Ita Faiga.

In a sharp escalation of rhetoric following the U.S. military action that targeted Venezuelan state infrastructure, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez accused Israel of playing a role in the operation that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and first lady Celia Flores.

Speaking during an address in which she convened the National Defense Council, Rodríguez charged that the strike bore ideological fingerprints she described as foreign and hostile. “The governments of the world are shocked that the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is the victim and target of an attack of this nature, which undoubtedly has Zionist undertones,” she said. “It’s truly shameful.”

Rodríguez rejected statements made by U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting that she had been sworn in as Venezuela’s president or had expressed readiness to cooperate with Washington. She insisted that Maduro remains the nation’s sole legitimate leader and said security forces had already secured key government installations.

She also demanded the immediate release of both Maduro and Flores, arguing that their detention was carried out under false pretenses as part of a broader effort to impose regime change and gain control over Venezuela’s natural resources.

The vice president’s comments have raised concerns among members of Venezuela’s small Jewish community, both inside the country and among Venezuelans living abroad, amid fears that such rhetoric could inflame tensions or invite reprisals.

The latest accusations echo earlier remarks by Maduro himself during a period of heightened friction between Caracas and Washington late last year. At a November 15 Bolivarian Integral Base Committee event, he blamed Zionists for seeking Venezuela’s destruction. “There are those who want to hand this country over to the devils – you know who, right? The far Right Zionists want to hand this country over to the devils,” Maduro said. “Who will prevail? The people of [King] David, the people of God, the people of [Simón] Bolívar, or the imperialist demons?”

During that same period, Maduro repeatedly stressed that Venezuela is a Christian nation, questioning why the United States would seek to harm Christians as U.S. forces increased their presence in the Caribbean and carried out strikes on vessels accused of drug trafficking.

Rudy Giuliani said the federal case against Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro could result in sweeping financial consequences, including the confiscation of enormous sums of money and property tied to criminal activity.

In an interview on Newsmax’s “Saturday Report,” the former New York City mayor and longtime federal prosecutor said the use of racketeering statutes is central to the government’s strategy. “The real value of a racketeering charge is that you can seize the business and take it away from them,” Giuliani said.

According to Giuliani, a conviction would allow U.S. authorities to target not only individuals but entire criminal enterprises, including drug routes, infrastructure, and cash flows both inside Venezuela and abroad. “So, assuming a conviction on some, if not all of the charges, we would stand to seize billions and billions of dollars in ill-gotten gains, which then could be used for our benefit, for the benefit of the people of Venezuela, and to destroy this animal.”

He said the scope of potential punishment is still unclear at this stage, but emphasized the severity of the charges. Alongside racketeering counts, Maduro faces terrorism-related allegations that could carry the most serious penalties available under federal law, including life imprisonment or even capital punishment.

Giuliani noted that prosecutors are now adjusting their approach following Maduro’s detention by U.S. authorities. “The criminal penalties are significant,” he said, adding that the government’s legal teams will sharpen their focus as the case moves closer to trial. “I suspect it will now be refined for trial and focus in on the defendants that are going to be the focus of the trial.”

He also argued that Maduro’s alleged criminal network has had far-reaching consequences well beyond Venezuela. “He’s been enormously damaging to the United States. Drugs, massive numbers, Tren de Aragua, helping Iran constantly, and giving aid and assistance to China and Russia,” Giuliani said.

Giuliani sharply criticized the administration of Joe Biden, saying it failed to confront the expansion of Maduro’s alleged criminal operations and allowed them to grow unchecked.

By contrast, Giuliani said the current administration marks a dramatic shift. With President Donald Trump back in the White House, he said the moment represents a turning point. “So, this is an unbelievably great day for the people of Venezuela and for the people of America.”

Israel’s Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi, Rav Kalman Meir Ber, has been appointed to serve as the rov of the Raananim Shul in Yerushalayim. He will be filling the position previously held by Rav Avigdor Berstein zt”l, who passed away during Chanukah.

It has emerged that in recent weeks, the Ahavas Chaim kehillah—comprised primarily of young families from the neighborhood—officially joined the Raananim Shul. The unification was orchestrated by Rav Berstein in the final period of his life.

With Rav Bar now assuming the role of shul rov, the move is seen as a continuation and strengthening of that vision.

The Ahavas Chaim kehillah was founded approximately four and a half years ago, during the aftermath of the COVID period, by young families from the Talbiya–Rechavia area and nearby neighborhoods. Their goal was to establish a vibrant, meaningful Torah community in the heart of Yerushalayim.

The community brings together families from diverse backgrounds—French- and English-speaking olim alongside native Israelis; chareidi and dati-leumi families; Ashkenazim and Sephardim—creating a warm, inclusive, and close-knit environment. Its activities focus on providing Torah and educational programming tailored specifically to young families choosing to settle once again in central Yerushalayim, with a strong emphasis on shared learning, tefillah, and communal life.

During the week, the kehillah operates an evening kollel, where members gather for regular Torah learning.

It is noteworthy that the site houses an ancient and striking aron kodesh and bimah dating back to the 18th century, brought from Italy. At the dedication of the aron kodesh in Padua, a special tefillah was composed by the Ramchal, adding a layer of historical and spiritual significance to the shul now led by the Chief Rabbi.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said that bringing an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine has proven far more difficult than he anticipated, even as he reiterated his desire to halt the bloodshed and criticized multiple actors involved in the conflict.

Speaking at a press conference, Trump stressed that the war predates his return to office and again placed the responsibility for its outbreak on his predecessor. “And look, that’s former President Joe Biden’s war. That’s not my war,” he said. “But I want to stop the lives.”

Trump described the scale of the fighting in stark terms, citing what he said were devastating monthly casualty figures. “Did you see where last month 30,000. This last it was 27, 27,000 the month before; 30,000 mostly soldiers were killed. This last month. 30,000. I want to stop that,” he said.

He emphasized that the toll of the conflict extends beyond the battlefield and into Ukrainian cities, where civilians are also being killed. “Life is a big deal,” Trump said. “But if I can stop that war and stop 30,000 young people, in addition to the fact that people are being killed in Kyiv, people are being killed in other cities throughout, you know, a much smaller number, but they’re being killed, viciously killed.”

While acknowledging the complexity of the situation, Trump said he initially believed resolving the Russia-Ukraine war would be among the easier diplomatic challenges. “I thought the easiest one would be, one of the easier ones would be Russia, Ukraine. It’s not,” he said. “And they both have done some pretty bad things.”

Trump also addressed his recent conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying the topic of Venezuela did not come up. At the same time, he voiced sharp criticism of Putin’s conduct in the war. He said he is “not thrilled” with the Russian leader, accusing him of “killing too many people,” and described the conflict overall as a “bloodbath” that he wants to see end.

Turning to NATO, Trump highlighted his efforts to push alliance members to increase defense spending and outlined ongoing American military assistance to Ukraine. “You know, I got NATO to pay 5% instead of the 2% that they weren’t paying. They weren’t paying two. Now they pay five, and we send them a lot of munitions,” he said. “We send them a lot of things, missiles and various other things a lot. And they pay.”

Twin Italian-Jewish sisters, both in their teens, were confirmed on Sunday to be among the 40 fatalities from a fire that broke out at a hotel in Switzerland at a New Year’s party just after midnight Friday.

Another Jewish teenage girl, Charlotte Niddam, who is an Israeli citizen, is still missing.

Sisters Alicia and Diana Gunst were initially considered missing in the ski town of Crans-Montana in the Swiss Alps, but their bodies were identified along with 16 others out of the known 40 dead, a spokesperson for the Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities (SIG) said.

Sparklers on bottles being carried too close to the ceiling are the likely cause of the fire during New Year’s celebrations at the bar, a preliminary investigation has found. In addition to the 40 slain, 119 others were injured in the fire. Many of the approximately 80 critically injured have also not yet been identified.

Many of the dead and missing are teenagers. The Le Constellation bar, where the fire broke out, was popular with teenagers and young adults in the ski resort town of Crans-Montana, where the drinking age is 16.

On Saturday, eight casualties were identified and their remains were returned to their families. All were aged between 16 and 24, Swiss authorities said. On Sunday, another 16 were identified, including the Gunst sisters.

The French couple who own the bar—named by the media as Jacques and Jessica Moretti—are suspected of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence and arson by negligence, the prosecutors’ office for the Valais region said.

Beatrice Pilloud, Valais canton lead prosecutor, said in a statement that investigators were looking into whether the acoustic foam on the venue’s ceiling was “the cause of the problem,” as well as “whether it complies with regulations,” the BBC reported. JNS

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump has been “unequivocal” that Hamas must fully disarm before his proposed peace framework can move forward, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday, demonstrating a hard U.S.-Israeli stance that leaves little room for compromise with the Iran-backed terrorist group.

Speaking to reporters ahead of Israel’s weekly Cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said Trump has made Hamas’ demilitarization a nonnegotiable condition of his 20-point peace plan.

“This is a necessary and fundamental condition for the implementation of his 20-point plan,” Netanyahu said. “He made no concessions on this and showed no flexibility on this matter.”

Your browser does not support the video tag.

Netanyahu’s comments followed his visit last week to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, which he described as strengthening both the strategic alliance between Israel and the United States and the personal relationship between the two leaders. During that visit, Trump warned publicly that Hamas would be given only a “very short period of time” to demilitarize, adding that if it failed to do so “there will be hell to pay.”

While Trump said he wants to advance to the next phase of the plan “as quickly as we can,” he offered no timetable, leaving the pressure squarely on Hamas to comply or face escalation.

Netanyahu reinforced that message in a separate interview with Fox News, calling Hamas’ refusal to give up its weapons the single greatest obstacle to stabilizing Gaza in 2026. He said a different future for the territory remains possible, but only if Hamas is stripped of its military capabilities.

“If we disarm Hamas, whether with an international force or by any other means,” Netanyahu said, “then there’s a chance for a different future. If it can be done the easy way, fine. And if not, it’ll be done another way.”

According to Netanyahu, Hamas still fields roughly 20,000 operatives and controls an estimated 60,000 rifles, along with a vast underground tunnel network stretching hundreds of kilometers beneath Gaza.

“That’s what disarmament means,” he said. “You’ve got to take all these rifles away from them and break up those terror tunnels.”

NEW YORK (AP) — The Brooklyn jail holding Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is a facility so troubled, some judges have refused to send people there even as it has housed such famous inmates as music stars R. Kelly and Sean “Diddy” Combs.

Opened in the early 1990s, the Metropolitan Detention Center, or MDC Brooklyn, currently houses about 1,300 inmates.

It’s the routine landing spot for people awaiting trial in federal courts in Manhattan and Brooklyn, holding alleged gangsters and drug traffickers alongside some people accused of white collar crimes.

A throng of Venezuelan expatriates, many draped in flags, gathered on the sidewalks outside the jail Saturday night to celebrate Maduro’s capture. The crowd cheered as the law enforcement motorcade believed to be carrying the deposed leader and his wife arrived at the jail.

Maduro is not the first president of a country to be locked up there.

Juan Orlando Hernández, the former president of Honduras, was imprisoned at MDC Brooklyn while he was on trial for trafficking hundreds of tons of cocaine into the U.S. Convicted and sentenced to 45 years in prison, Hernández was pardoned and freed by President Donald Trump in December.

Current detainees include the co-founder of Mexico’s Sinaloa drug cartel, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada Garcia, and Luigi Mangione, who is accused of killing the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. Past inmates have included crypto mogul Sam Bankman-Fried and longtime Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

Located next to a shopping mall in a waterfront industrial area and within sight of the Statue of Liberty, the jail has been described, at its worst, as a “hell on earth” and an “ongoing tragedy.”

Detainees and their lawyers have long complained about rampant violence. Two prisoners were killed by other inmates in 2024, and jail workers have been charged with accepting bribes or providing contraband.

During the winter of 2019, a power outage plunged the facility and its inmates into a cold darkness for a week.

Recently, however, the federal Bureau of Prisons says it has worked to improve conditions.

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is drawing sharp fire from veteran conservative commentator Michael Goodwin, a longtime New York political observer who has covered City Hall, Albany and Washington for decades.

Goodwin, who has written about New York politics and national affairs for more than 30 years and serves as a columnist for the New York Post, accused Mamdani of squandering his first day in office by rescinding executive orders aimed at protecting Jewish New Yorkers from antisemitism.

In his latest column, Goodwin argued that Mamdani’s move to revoke orders issued by former Mayor Eric Adams — including one adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism and another barring city agencies from boycotting Israel — was a provocative and unnecessary opening act for a new administration.

According to Goodwin, the decision sent an alarming signal in a city with one of the largest Jewish populations in the world, particularly at a time of rising antisemitic incidents at home and abroad. He framed the rollback as ideological rather than administrative, saying it appeared designed to distance City Hall from Israel and its supporters.

Goodwin dismissed Mamdani’s explanation that the repeal was intended to create a “clean slate” after Adams’ 2024 indictment, noting that the case was later dropped and that the antisemitism-related orders had no connection to the investigation.

The columnist also cited Mamdani’s past public support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement and his critical statements about Israel, arguing that the repealed orders would have placed limits on those positions. By undoing them, Goodwin wrote, Mamdani effectively removed constraints that conflicted with his political worldview.

Reaction to the mayor’s move was swift, with Israeli officials and major Jewish organizations warning that the repeal weakened safeguards against antisemitism. Mamdani has responded by insisting his administration will aggressively combat hate crimes and protect Jewish New Yorkers, though he has not outlined a replacement definition of antisemitism.

The following is an ‘Ask The Mayor’ question submitted to TLS, and the Mayor’s response. Email your questions for the Mayor to [email protected].

Question:

Good morning ,

Greatly appreciate all that you do for Lakewood Township.

Cathedral Dr was repaved by the water company recently. But they did a horrible job.

-The curb line is virtually non existent in some places , if the road gets flooded with a 1/2 inch of water it backs straight over to the lawns.
– they ground up the curb at the driveway aprons and didn’t repair them.
– the road is a roller coaster. Completely not smooth.
Now with the snow plowing the uneven pavement was that much more visible.

This is shameful that they even left the block and consider this complete.

Please look into this and have them come back and fix their work correctly. They should not be paid until this is corrected.

Response from Mayor Coles:

I am already looking into his. I spoke with one of your neighbors a week or so ago about this & several other neighborhood issues.

I will see what we can do to expedite any repairs there.

Ray

Question:

Hi, I feel bad asking again, but I truly love driving in my favorite town—Lakewood. That said, there is one intersection that makes me very uneasy.

It’s at Pine Street when making a left turn onto where it becomes River Avenue. I don’t understand why there isn’t a dedicated left-turn signal. A left-turn arrow would make this intersection much safer and easier to navigate, especially with traffic coming from James Street crossing River Avenue.

Right now, cars are trying to make left turns while others are going straight through the intersection, and vehicles attempting to make a right often get stuck in the middle. This creates confusion and feels unsafe.

By BoroPark24 Staff

The world’s attention shifted to Brooklyn overnight, and specifically to the Boro Park area, as Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was brought into the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, where he is now being held on federal charges. 

Boropark24 reporters were on scene outside MDC as Maduro arrived, witnessing an intense security operation with a heavily guarded convoy and armed personnel surrounding the vehicle as it entered the detention complex.

At the same time, hundreds of Venezuelans gathered nearby, waving flags and cheering in celebration, turning the area outside the federal facility into a scene rarely witnessed in this neighborhood.

Maduro’s arrival at MDC Brooklyn places a major international story right at the doorstep of Boro Park, with court proceedings expected to move forward in Manhattan federal court in the coming days. 

TEL AVIV (VINnews) — An Israeli court on Sunday handed down a life prison sentence to a Palestinian man convicted of murdering an 83-year-old Holocaust survivor in what judges described as a terrorist attack in the coastal city of Herzliya.

The Tel Aviv District Court found Ibrahim Shalhoub, 29, guilty of murder under aggravated circumstances, ruling that the December 2024 stabbing of Ludmila Lipovsky was carried out as an act of terrorism. Shalhoub, a resident of the West Bank city of Tulkarm, admitted to the killing and to carrying a knife illegally.

Judges also ordered Shalhoub to pay the maximum financial compensation permitted by law — 258,000 shekels — to Lipovsky’s family.

According to the court, Shalhoub attacked Lipovsky near a commercial area close to an assisted-living facility, stabbing her repeatedly at close range. She later died of her injuries. Security forces at the scene shot and detained Shalhoub shortly after the attack.

In its ruling, the court said the killing targeted a defenseless elderly woman and was meant to instill fear among the public. Judges noted that the attack took place during a period of heightened security tensions, amplifying its impact beyond the victim herself.

Prosecutors told the court that Shalhoub had been living in Israel legally at the time, after being relocated from the West Bank due to past cooperation with Israeli security services. Defense arguments seeking a reduced sentence were rejected, with the court citing the severity of the crime and the need for deterrence.

The verdict concludes a case that deeply unsettled residents of Herzliya and drew renewed attention to lone-attacker violence inside Israel.

The Tel Aviv District Court on Sunday sentenced Ibrahim Shalhoub, 29, of Tulkarm, to life imprisonment for the murder of Ludmila Lipovsky hy”d, an 83-year-old woman who was stabbed to death in Herzliya in December 2024.

Shalhoub pleaded guilty and was convicted of murder under aggravated circumstances as an act of terrorism, as well as unlawful possession of a knife. The court also ordered him to pay the maximum compensation allowed by law—NIS 258,000—to Lipovsky’s family.

The attack occurred on December 27, 2024, near a commercial area adjacent to an assisted-living complex in Herzliya. Shalhoub armed himself with a knife and attacked Lipovsky at close range, stabbing her approximately 11 times. She later died of her wounds. Security personnel shot and apprehended Shalhoub at the scene.

The court noted that Shalhoub had been living lawfully inside Israel at the time of the attack, after being relocated from the West Bank due to the exposure of his past cooperation with Israeli security authorities.

Senior Judge Yaron Levy described the killing as an “exceptionally brutal” act of terror carried out against a defenseless elderly woman. The ruling said the murder gravely violated protected social values and was intended to terrorize the civilian population, emphasizing that it took place during wartime, when Israel’s home front was under sustained threat.

Beyond the killing itself, the court said, the attack conveyed a broader message that no civilian or public space is safe, amplifying its social harm.

Prosecutors pressed for a life sentence, stressing the timing and severity of the attack. Prosecutor Hadas Forer Gafni told the court that the murder occurred amid heightened national anxiety, as Israel faced attacks on multiple fronts. “A terror attack of this kind in the heart of Herzliya is all the more severe,” she said.

The judges rejected defense arguments for leniency, finding no mitigating circumstances, and underscored the need for deterrence by imposing the harshest penalty available under Israeli law.

NEW YORK (VINnews) — Subway and bus riders in New York City will pay higher fares starting Sunday, as a long-planned increase by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority takes effect alongside the agency’s full transition away from MetroCards.

The base fare for subways and local buses rises by 10 cents to $3. The change completes the move to the OMNY tap-and-go payment system and ends 30-day unlimited MetroCards. Riders can instead purchase a $35 seven-day unlimited pass, up from $34, with all additional rides free after 12 trips in a week.

Express bus fares increase from $7 to $7.25, while seven-day unlimited express passes rise from $64 to $67. Cash and coin payments on buses are no longer accepted, with OMNY now required systemwide.

Several regional transit systems that previously accepted MetroCards — including NICE buses on Long Island and Bee-Line buses in Westchester — will also raise base fares to $3 to match the MTA.

Commuter rail riders will see additional increases, with Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North monthly and weekly tickets rising by 4.5%, along with new enforcement measures aimed at reducing fare evasion.

The fare hikes come as Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said his administration plans to move toward free bus service citywide, a proposal he has framed as a way to ease the financial burden on working New Yorkers and speed up surface transit. No timeline has been announced for implementing the free-bus plan.

At the annual dinner of Yeshiva Orchos Chaim of Lakewood, NJ, held last night at the Ateres Genendel/Fountain Ballroom Hall in Lakewood, the yeshiva’s founder, Rabbi Yaakov Mandelbaum, devoted a portion of his address to make what he called a public macha’ah on behalf of kavod haTorah.

Speaking before a massive gathering of rabbonim, rabbeim, parents, grandparents, and supporters, Rabbi Mandelbaum addressed events that took place several weeks ago during a visit to Lakewood by Hagaon Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, the Slabodka rosh yeshiva and one of the gedolei hador.

Rabbi Mandelbaum pointed out that the visit was marred by a blatant bizayon haTorah.

The bizayon he referred to included the public and widespread distribution of pashkevilin attacking Rav Hirsch and related actions that crossed clear red lines.

Rabbi Mandelbaum expressed particular pain over what followed. The response to the incident, he told the audience, was silence. There was no public outcry and no clear stand taken to denounce what had occurred. That silence, he said, was itself deeply troubling.

Using the platform of his own yeshiva’s annual dinner, Rabbi Mandelbaum explained that he felt a responsibility to speak openly and publicly, taking a principled stand – a “macha’ah” he called it – to stand up for kavod haTorah.

Those in attendance described the moment as powerful and moving. The public protest, delivered calmly but firmly, left a strong roshem on the audience, highlighting the point that bizayon of Torah leadership cannot be met with indifference and that silence in such moments carries its own weight.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s Foreign Ministry on Sunday accused officials working for Doctors Without Borders in the Gaza Strip of simultaneously serving in Palestinian terrorist organizations, presenting the allegations as further evidence that humanitarian frameworks are being exploited by armed groups operating in the enclave.

In a statement posted on X, the ministry said Fadi al-Wadiya was employed by the Geneva-based aid organization while also serving as a senior operative in Palestinian Islamic Jihad, where he was responsible for advancing the group’s rocket capabilities. The post included an image of al-Wadiya wearing military fatigues.

The ministry also alleged that Nasser Hamdi Abdelatif al-Shalfouh worked for Doctors Without Borders while simultaneously serving as a sniper for Hamas, taking part in what it described as terrorist “combat and operational activity.”

“This is why strict vetting and real accountability of humanitarian staff is essential,” the Foreign Ministry said. “Aid must never be a cover for terror.”

The accusations build on findings released last week by NGO Monitor, which identified four Doctors Without Borders staffers in Gaza as members of terrorist organizations. Alongside al-Wadiya, the watchdog named Mahmoud Abu Nujaila, whom it described as a senior figure in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine; Mazab Bashir, who was previously indicted for an assassination plot targeting former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert; and Hani Majdalawi, a Gazan nurse alleged to have opened fire on Israeli troops.

Israeli officials say the cases underscore longstanding concerns that terrorist groups embed operatives within international NGOs to gain legitimacy, freedom of movement, and access to resources.

Doctors Without Borders has previously acknowledged working with Hamas-run institutions in Gaza. In February 2024, responding to questions about its interactions with terrorist organizations, the group said it continued to coordinate with Gaza’s Ministry of Health, which it described as “the governing authority responsible for health care” in the territory.

Jerusalem moved this month to impose tighter controls on NGOs operating in Gaza, Judea and Samaria. On Jan. 1, Israel began enforcing a new regulatory framework allowing the suspension or revocation of licenses for organizations that fail to meet heightened security and transparency requirements.

photos: Issac Y.

JERUSALEM (VINnews) – Passengers traveling to and from Israel are likely to experience significant flight disruptions Sunday after a technical failure disrupted air traffic communications over Greece, aviation officials said.

The malfunction has forced air traffic controllers to modify flight routes passing through Greek airspace, a key corridor for flights between Israel and much of Europe. Airlines have been rerouting aircraft, resulting in extended flight times and delays affecting both departures and arrivals.

The disruption is not limited to Greece-bound flights, with knock-on effects reported across multiple European routes due to increased congestion in surrounding airspace.

Passengers were urged to confirm flight status with their airlines before departing for the airport, as delays were expected to continue throughout the day.

NEW YORK (VINnews) — New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Saturday sharply criticized President Donald Trump over the U.S. military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, calling the action an unlawful “act of war” and a dangerous escalation of U.S. foreign policy.

Mamdani said he personally contacted Trump to register his opposition to the operation, which resulted in the arrest of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on federal narco-terrorism charges.

“I called the president directly to make clear my opposition,” Mamdani told reporters during a news conference in Brooklyn. He said his objections were rooted in opposition to regime change efforts and what he described as violations of international law.

Commie Mamdani called Trump to protest Maduro’s arrest: “I made it clear.”

Trump’s response? Maduro just landed in New York. pic.twitter.com/nMOchYSHa3

— Sean Hannity 🇺🇸 (@seanhannity) January 3, 2026

The comments marked Mamdani’s first public confrontation with Trump since being sworn in as mayor earlier this week. He said the administration’s actions could have direct consequences for New York City, home to tens of thousands of Venezuelan immigrants.

Mamdani also criticized the operation on social media, arguing that unilateral military action against a sovereign nation undermines international norms and increases the risk of broader conflict.

“This kind of action doesn’t happen in a vacuum,” Mamdani said. “It affects communities here in New York as much as it affects people abroad.”

I was briefed this morning on the U.S. military capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, as well as their planned imprisonment in federal custody here in New York City.

Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and…

— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) January 3, 2026

NEW YORK (VINnews) — Ninety-two-year-old Senior U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein, an Orthodox Jew and one of the most senior active judges in the federal judiciary, has been assigned to preside over the criminal case against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in Manhattan federal court, according to a Ynet report.

The assignment places one of the most consequential international prosecutions in recent years in the hands of a judge whose Jewish identity has long been public and who has played a central role in some of the most sensitive cases heard by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Hellerstein, appointed to the bench in 1998 and taking senior status in 2011, has served for more than a quarter-century in the Manhattan-based court, widely regarded as the most powerful federal prosecutor’s office in the United States. Despite his age, he continues to hear major criminal, terrorism-related and national security cases.

Maduro, who was transferred to U.S. custody and brought to New York on Saturday, faces sweeping federal charges including narcotics trafficking, corruption and offenses linked to terrorism, according to U.S. prosecutors. The case has significant geopolitical implications and has drawn close attention in Israel and Jewish communities worldwide, given Maduro’s long alliance with Iran and repeated attacks on Israel and “Zionism” by his government.

Hellerstein’s Orthodox Jewish background is rarely emphasized in court coverage, but it has been widely noted in Jewish and legal circles over the years. He is known for observing Jewish law while maintaining a reputation for strict judicial independence and meticulous adherence to federal procedure.

Over his career, Hellerstein has presided over complex and politically sensitive litigation, including major financial cases and consolidated civil lawsuits stemming from the September 11 attacks. He is known for detailed rulings, firm courtroom management and a methodical approach to evidentiary and procedural matters.

Born in New York City in 1933, Hellerstein earned both his undergraduate and law degrees at Columbia University. He served in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps before spending decades in private practice. Since joining the federal bench, he has remained a key figure in the Southern District’s docket.

Grief spread through the community of the Pnei Menachem Rosh Yeshivah, Rav Shaul Alter, with the sudden passing of Reb Chaim Yaakov Naftali Zilberberg z”l, Friday night. He was 75 years old and collapsed just moments before beginning Kiddush.

Reb Chaim Yaakov Naftali was born on 29 Iyar 5710 to his father, Reb Yitzchak Yissachar Menachem, the publisher of the works of the Mahari”l of Tzintz and son of the renowned gaon Rav Avraham Binyamin, Av Beis Din of Pittsburgh. His mother, Rebbetzin Rivkah Hendel, was known as the “mother” of Yeshivas Yagdil Torah of Ger in Boro Park and was the daughter of the tzaddik Rav Avraham Binyamin Beinish Auerbach, known as the “Yerushalmi Rav,” a grandson of the Imrei Binah and Zais Raanan.

At the age of 14, he traveled alone to Eretz Yisroel to learn in the Ger Yeshivah, where he came under the guidance of the Beis Yisrael of Ger. Upon reaching marriageable age, he married into the family of the mashpia Rav Chaim Mandel of Antwerp, a close emissary of the Beis Yisrael.

For many years he lived on Rothschild Boulevard in Tel Aviv, where he became a trusted confidant of rebbes of the Ruzhiner dynasty. In what was once a vibrant spiritual Tel Aviv, his presence radiated warmth and light. Even as the area’s Torah life diminished, he remained steadfast, operating—devotedly and selflessly—the neighborhood’s only mehadrin kosher grocery, serving a community that had grown increasingly distant.

He later spent several years in Krakow, Poland, where he worked tirelessly to provide tens of thousands of Jews with kosher, nourishing food, coupling practical help with heartfelt warmth and kindness. He was close to the rebbes of Ger, who regarded him as a dignified and trusted figure. The Lev Simcha of Ger once referred to him simply as a “talmid chacham” in a letter to his father-in-law, Rav Mandel.

On one occasion, when Reb Chaim Yaakov went to be menachem avel the Rav Ovadia Yosef, zt”l, the Rav stood in his honor and told those present, “This is the man of of Tel Aviv,” a reference to the quiet acts of righteousness Reb Chaim Yaakov performed through his store.

Today’s post is about: Reverse Mortgages (HECM) — How Seniors Tap Home Equity Without Monthly Payments

What it is

A reverse mortgage lets homeowners (typically 62+) convert home equity into cash without making monthly mortgage payments. The most common type is the HECM (Home Equity Conversion Mortgage), which is FHA-insured.

Instead of you paying the bank each month, the loan balance generally grows over time (interest + fees), and it’s repaid later when a “maturity event” happens.

Who it’s for

Reverse mortgages can make sense for:

• Homeowners 62+ who plan to stay in the home long-term
• Retirees who are “house rich, cash flow tight”
• Borrowers who want a backup cash reserve (often via a line of credit)
• Seniors who want to pay off an existing mortgage and eliminate that monthly payment

The biggest rule

It must be your primary residence, and you still have to keep up with:

• **Property taxes
  **
• Homeowners insurance (and flood insurance if required)
• Basic home maintenance
  

Not paying these can cause the loan to become due.

How you can receive the money

With a HECM, funds are typically available as:

• Line of credit (use what you need, when you need it)

NEW YORK (VINnews) — On Saturday, American forces seized Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, and brought the pair to the US to face what Trump has described as a “narco-terrorism” trial.This follows months of build-up of US military forces in the region.

International legal jurists are questioning whether the US actions can be defended in  international law, as reported by The Conversation. The Russian Foreign Ministry claimed that the US attacks are:

“an act of armed aggression against Venezuela. This is deeply concerning and condemnable. The pretexts used to justify such actions are unfounded.”

Yet Russia is hardly the best candidate to debate the justification of such “armed aggression” after its own 2022 attack on Ukraine, even though it claims that its actions were justified under exceptions to the rules or they are merely ‘operations’ in its own territory.

So, what does international law say? Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter says:

All members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations.

Commentators have been quick to describe the US strikes in Venezuela as a breach of article 2(4) of the UN charter.

“This is clearly a blatant, illegal and criminal act,” said Jimmy Gurule, a Notre Dame Law School professor and former assistant US attorney.

The US’ actions could only be deemed lawful if supported by a resolution from the UN Security Council; if the US was acting in self-defence; or – and this is often overlooked – if there was consent by the lawful government of Venezuela to the intervention.

There was no UN Security Council authorisation for the US to intervene in Venezuela, nor has the US been the victim of an ongoing or imminent act of aggression by Venezuela.

A claim of consent by the lawful Venezuelan government might have more ostensible credit because evidence suggests the 2024 presidential election was stolen from Maduro’s opponent, Edmundo González.

SYDNEY (VINnews) — More than 40,000 spectators at the Sydney Cricket Ground rose to their feet Sunday in a prolonged ovation honoring the heroes of last month’s Bondi Beach terror attack, as the fifth and final Ashes Test opened with a solemn tribute before the first ball was bowled.

Players from Australia national cricket team and England national cricket team stood arm in arm at the center of the field while applause echoed around the packed stadium, a moment of unity that lasted several minutes and drew cheers from all sections of the crowd.

A touching tribute for the victims of the Bondi massacre, first responders and community members ❤️ #Ashes pic.twitter.com/DXaW3xY4LP

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 3, 2026

The ceremony concluded with a lap of honor recognizing first responders and civilians whose actions helped save lives during the Dec. 14 attack at Bondi Beach. Those acknowledged included Bondi lifeguards and lifesavers, police officers, paramedics, representatives of the Sydney Jewish community, and civilians such as Ahmed Al Ahmed. Also recognized was Chaya Dadon, a 14-year-old survivor.

Cricket Australia Chief Executive Todd Greenberg said the tribute reflected values shared across the country. “The incredible acts of bravery at the scene were a reminder of the spirit of community and self-sacrifice that unites us as a nation,” Greenberg said. “Our thoughts remain with everyone affected, and as a sport we will continue to offer support.”

Security around the sold-out venue was visibly heightened. New South Wales police deployed additional public order and riot officers, some carrying long firearms, as a reassurance measure for fans attending the match. NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the increased visibility was intended to help the public feel safe. “Police will be out in force,” he said, adding that officers would continue to focus on crowd safety and antisocial behavior as usual.

President Nicolas Maduro arrived in the United States late Saturday, stepping off a plane at Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York under heavy guard. Dressed in grey clothing and wearing handcuffs, he was escorted by more than a dozen federal agents clad in black.

Authorities said Maduro is expected to be flown by helicopter to Manhattan and then transferred to the Metropolitan Detention Center, a federal facility that has previously held a number of high-profile defendants tied to major criminal cases.

Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump addressed the nation in a press conference focused on the operation that led to Maduro’s capture. Trump said the United States intends to administer Venezuela for the time being, explaining that the US is “going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition.”

He elaborated on that position, adding, “We don’t want to be involved with having someone else get in, and we have the same situation that we had for the last long period of years. So we are going to run the country.”

The military action has drawn strong support from US Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who said the events in Venezuela should resonate far beyond Caracas. In an interview with Axios reporter Barak Ravid, Graham said he had discussed the matter with President Trump on Thursday and said the President “has been very clear that he believes there is a drug caliphate in our back yard that need to be taken out. The operation has been formulating for the last couple of weeks.”

Graham warned that the leadership in Havana and Tehran should take note of the US posture. “There is a new sheriff in town. He has put life into the Monroe doctrine. If I were the leader of Iran, I would go pray in the mosque.”

Describing the next phase in Venezuela, Graham told Ravid that “the process of liberation” is now underway and emphasized that “it is in America’s interest to see it succeed. We need to help the people to start fresh.”

When asked whether additional US military action inside Venezuela could follow, Graham responded bluntly: “All options will be on the table.”

{}

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to announce the establishment of a “Gaza Peace Council” and present its composition within about two weeks, by mid-January, according to senior political sources. However, the presidential announcement, originally planned for the coming week, may be postponed at this stage due to the severe crisis surrounding Venezuela. Nevertheless, political sources emphasize that this is only a technical delay: the decision itself has already been made, and the president is determined to present the Peace Council and its full composition within a short time frame, no later than mid-month.

The establishment of the Peace Council constitutes a central pillar of Phase B of the American plan for Gaza, which is intended to create a civilian–political mechanism to govern the Strip on the “day after” the fighting ends. However, as details are examined more closely, it becomes clear that the security component of the plan, the creation of a multinational stabilization force, is far more complex than initially assessed.

In Israel, it is noted that doubts about the feasibility of such a force were raised at an early stage. Now, in Washington as well, there is growing recognition that this is a significant challenge: potential countries with which Washington has been in contact regarding participation in the stabilization force are reluctant to commit to sending troops into an area where Hamas still maintains military capabilities, underground infrastructure, and an armed presence. The current American assessment is that Hamas will not voluntarily lay down its weapons, a factor that deters many countries and raises serious questions about the very establishment of the force.

Against this background, during his most recent meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, Prime Minister Beinyamin Netanyahu conveyed a clear message: Israel opposes the presence of Turkish soldiers in Gaza. In Jerusalem, there is insistence on a veto right regarding the identity of the countries that would participate in the stabilization force, and in particular a rejection of Turkish military involvement, due to Turkey’s relations with Hamas and the growing tension between Turkey and Israel.

Former Israeli Supreme Court President Aharon Barak delivered a sharply worded address overnight, declaring that Israel can no longer be described as a liberal democracy, three years after the launch of the judicial reform initiative.

Barak spoke at a demonstration held against the backdrop of upcoming elections, marking three years since the start of the judicial overhaul promoted by the political right. The rally was organized by left-wing groups, with Barak serving as the keynote speaker.

In his remarks, Barak argued that the erosion of Israel’s democratic character did not occur in a single dramatic moment, but rather through a prolonged process. “We are no longer a liberal democracy, and this did not happen in one dramatic, one-time event. It is a process in which essential components of democracy are under severe attack, and democracy is being weakened,” he said.

Barak went on to describe what he called an unprecedented concentration of power. “Our system of government today is rule by a single political authority that is effectively controlled by one person. That person controls the government and controls the Knesset. That person is the prime minister,” he stated.

Turning directly to the judicial reform, Barak said the effort was aimed at neutralizing the only institution capable of restraining governmental power. “For this control to be complete, it is necessary to take over the one body that can oversee the government — the court. It is no surprise that the first stage of the regime change focused on appointing judges and on their power to invalidate legislation and government actions. When the court is ‘ours,’ the rule of law will no longer exist in government. In its place will come rule by the government through law.”

Barak also leveled criticism at law enforcement authorities, accusing the police of improper conduct. “The police are exercising their power in an unequal and unrestrained manner,” he said.

Despite his bleak assessment, Barak concluded with a call to public action, emphasizing that the judiciary alone cannot halt what he described as democratic decline. “The court, on its own, will not be able over time to prevent our deterioration. Only the people — who stand at the center of liberal democracy — can stop it. Each of us must take hold of the flag of the state, raise it high, and thereby express loyalty to the state and not to its rulers, to the rule of law and not to the rule of the ruler.”

NEW YORK (VINnews) — A Jewish teenager educated in the United Kingdom remains missing following a deadly New Year’s Eve nightclub fire at the Alpine resort of Crans-Montana, as authorities confirmed that two other Jewish sisters previously listed as missing were among those killed.

Charlotte Niddam, believed to be 15, has not been located since the blaze that tore through the venue shortly after midnight. According to the resort’s website, Niddam worked locally as a babysitter and was in Crans-Montana frequently. She previously attended JFS School in London and later Immanuel College.

Swiss authorities and community leaders have confirmed the deaths of sisters Alicia Gunst, 15, and Diana Gunst, 14, ending days of uncertainty for their family. The girls, who were of Italian Jewish origin, had been the subject of urgent missing-person appeals on social media in the immediate aftermath of the fire.

Images of the Gunst sisters — including a widely shared photograph showing them standing side by side in party attire — circulated online as relatives desperately sought information. Their deaths were later confirmed by officials and members of the local Jewish community.

Photos and details of other missing individuals, many of them teenagers and young adults, continue to circulate online as authorities work to identify all victims of the disaster and account for those still unlocated.

The fire, one of the deadliest civilian incidents in Switzerland in recent years, remains under criminal investigation as prosecutors examine possible negligence linked to the venue’s operation.

Authorities said search and identification efforts are ongoing.

ATHENS, GREECE (VINnews) — A major technical malfunction in Greece’s air traffic control radio frequency systems disrupted flights nationwide Sunday, leading authorities to impose severe restrictions on the country’s airspace.

The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority issued a notice to airmen declaring a “zero rate” for flights in the Athens Flight Information Region due to communication frequency failures at the Athens and Macedonia Area Control Centers. Takeoffs and landings were halted at airports across Greece, including Athens International Airport, while aircraft already airborne were managed under emergency procedures.

Flight tracking data showed Greece’s airspace largely empty, with many inbound flights diverted to neighboring countries such as Italy, Turkey and Cyprus. Overflights through the region were partially allowed in some cases.

The disruption began early Sunday morning, affecting thousands of passengers during a busy post-holiday travel period. Airports reported widespread delays and cancellations, with travelers advised to check with airlines for updates.

Officials described the issue as a technical problem under investigation in cooperation with external providers. Operations began resuming gradually later in the day, though full restoration was not immediate.

No injuries were reported, and authorities emphasized that safety protocols prevented risks during the outage. The cause remained unclear, with no indications of external interference.

The United Nations Security Council is set to meet on Monday following the dramatic US military action in Venezuela that resulted in the removal of longtime President Nicolas Maduro from power, according to Reuters.

The request for the emergency session came from Colombia, with support from Russia and China, diplomats said. The 15-member council has already held two meetings in recent months — in October and December — as the standoff between Washington and Caracas steadily intensified.

US President Donald Trump said yesterday that the United States would administer Venezuela “until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition.” How that oversight would function in practice has not yet been spelled out.

Strong criticism was delivered by Venezuela’s ambassador to the United Nations, Samuel Moncada, who addressed the Security Council in a sharply worded letter. “This is a colonial war aimed at destroying our republican form of government, freely chosen by our people, and at imposing a puppet government that allows the plundering of our natural resources, including the world’s largest oil reserves,” he wrote.

Moncada further argued that Washington’s actions were in direct violation of the UN Charter, citing its provision that “All members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.”

Concerns were also voiced by the office of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. His spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said the overnight operation amounted to “a dangerous precedent.” He added, “The Secretary General continues to emphasize the importance of full respect – by all – of international law, including the UN Charter. He’s deeply concerned that the rules of international law have not been respected.”

The United States, for its part, rejected accusations that the move constituted an unlawful seizure of power. US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz defended the action on Saturday in a social media post, stating, “This is not regime change this is justice. Maduro was an indicted, illegitimate dictator that led a declared Narco-terrorism organization responsible for killing American citizens.”

Anti-Israel protest groups and far-left activist organizations that have dominated street demonstrations since the October 7 Hamas massacre have erupted in fury over the U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, rapidly folding the episode into their broader anti-Israel, anti-U.S. protest ecosystem.

Groups including Palestinian Youth Movement, National Students for Justice in Palestine, the ANSWER Coalition, and the Party for Socialism and Liberation organized or promoted rallies Saturday condemning the operation that removed Nicolás Maduro and first lady Celia Flores.

In Los Angeles, PYM urged supporters to join the “Palestine contingent” of a “Hands Off Venezuela” protest, while accusing President Donald Trump of using narcoterrorism as a pretext to steal Venezuela’s oil. NSJP echoed the message, calling on activists to “take action” against what it described as the “United States of Terror,” linking the Venezuela operation to Israel, Iran, and China in a single anti-Western narrative.

Demonstrators carried Venezuelan flags alongside hammer-and-sickle symbols, while activists from Awda NY/NJ marched with banners featuring the red inverted triangle commonly used in Hamas propaganda to designate targets.

In New York City, ANSWER said it mobilized hundreds of demonstrators, while its allies claimed actions in 75 cities nationwide. Calla Walsh, founder of Palestine Action US, went further, publicly urging supporters to sabotage weapons factories rather than attend what she dismissed as “police-coordinated NGO parades.”

At a Times Square rally, Manolo De Los Santos declared that the United States had “no right” to try Maduro or dictate outcomes abroad. Outside the White House, the Party for Socialism and Liberation accused Washington of trading “blood for oil,” while Code Pink called for mass disruption to stop what it labeled “Monroe Doctrine 2.0.”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

During the two years he was held captive in Gaza, Segev Kalfon had a recurring dream: slowly walking through a supermarket, browsing each aisle for his favorite foods, taking in the brightly colored packages and smells.

Since being released on Oct. 13, his dreams have flipped: Most nights when he closes his eyes, he is back on a dirty piece of foam mattress in the 2-square-meter (22-square-foot) room in a Hamas tunnel where he was kept with five other hostages, counting each tile and crack in the cement to distract himself from severe hunger and near-daily physical torture.

“I was in the lowest place a person can be before death, the lowest. I had no control over anything, when to eat, when to shower, how much I want to eat,” said Kalfon, 27. During the worst parts of captivity, he was so skinny he could count the individual vertebrae jutting from his spine.

Now that he’s back home in Dimona in southern Israel, Kalfon is trying to piece together a post-captivity life. He spends much of his time juggling appointments with an array of doctors and psychologists.

One of the strangest aspects of his release, Kalfon said, is that for two years, his entire life revolved around trying to please his captors, so they might share more food or spare a beating. Now that he’s out, “everyone is trying to please me,” he said.

Before being taken hostage at the Nova music festival, Kalfon worked at his family’s bakery in the town of Arad and was studying finance and investments.

When rockets started flying at the start of the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, Kalfon said he and his closest friend tried to help others at the festival escape. Kalfon remembers pleading with a group of people who had taken cover in a yellow dumpster, telling them to come with him, that they were in a death trap. For two years, Kalfon wondered what happened to them. After his release, he learned they were all killed.

While in captivity, every moment “felt like an eternity,” Kalfon said. The only thing that broke up the monotony was a meager portion of food and water once a day.

There were so many times he felt close to death: during frequent bombardment by the Israeli military, going through COVID and other illnesses with no medicine, and enduring starvation and frequent physical torture. He said his captors used bicycle chains as whips and pummeled the hostages while wearing large rings to leave painful welts.

Israel quietly pressed Qatar to expand financial support to Gaza just weeks before the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, massacre, according to a new report that adds a new layer to questions about the policies that preceded the deadliest attack in the country’s history.

Yediot Acharonot reported Friday that in September 2023, senior Israeli officials met in a Jerusalem hotel with Mohammed al-Emadi, Doha’s longtime envoy to Gaza, and asked him to increase Qatari-funded fuel purchases intended for the Hamas-run enclave. The request came roughly one month before Hamas terrorists stormed southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and abducting 251 others.

At the center of the meeting was a familiar but controversial arrangement. Since 2021, Qatar had been buying fuel from Egypt and transferring it to Gaza, where Hamas sold it to local gas stations, providing the group with revenue to pay officials and commanders. Israel, while not funding Hamas directly, was a tacit partner in the mechanism, viewing it as a way to stabilize Gaza and avoid another round of fighting.

The report says Israel’s request mirrored an earlier demand made by Hamas itself. About a month before the Jerusalem meeting, al-Emadi traveled to Gaza and met with then-Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who urged Qatar to more than double monthly fuel purchases, from roughly $3 million to $7 million. Al-Emadi refused. Weeks later, Israeli officials would make the same ask.

According to the newspaper, the Israeli request was part of a developing understand­ing with Hamas aimed at halting a renewed wave of “March of Return” protests along the Gaza border. Israeli security officials viewed those demonstrations—echoes of the violent weekly riots of 2018–2019—as pressure tactics designed to extract economic concessions in exchange for quiet.

Behind the scenes, Gaza was under growing strain. Deepening poverty had driven rare, spontaneous protests by Gazans against Hamas during the summer of 2023—an outbreak of dissent that the terror group swiftly crushed. In retrospect, Israeli officials now believe Hamas was simultaneously working to suppress internal unrest and project restraint toward Israel, lulling decision-makers into a false sense of stability ahead of its planned onslaught.

LISTEN:

https://matzav.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Bitachon4Life-Shiur-1671-Chikuy-Part-71-Greater.mp3

​​For more info, email bitachon4life@gmail.com.

LISTEN:

https://matzav.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Stories4Life-Shiur-521-Stand-Up-R-Dovid-Soloveichik.mp3

The Jewish community in Lausanne announced on Sunday that Jewish sisters Alicia and Diana Gunst, a’h, 15 and 14, were killed in the fire at the Crans-Montana ski resort.

The sisters are of Italian Jewish origin.

“It is with great sorrow that we announce the death of Alicia and Diana, who perished tragically in the fire,” the Jewish Community of Lausanne stated. “The community shares in the family’s grief and will stand by its side in whatever is required.”

Charlotte Niddam, a 15-year-old Israeli citizen who also holds French and British citizenship, is still unaccounted for. She was working at the resort as a babysitter.

Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that representatives of the embassy are monitoring developments and are in contact with local authorities and with the family.

Authorities have identified 24 of the 40 victims killed in the blaze.

Swiss authorities have opened a criminal investigation against the bar’s owners—a French couple in their 40s—suspected of negligent manslaughter, causing injury through negligence, and negligent arson. The two were released at the end of their questioning.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

NEW YORK (VINnews) — Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was perp walked by U.S. authorities in New York on Sunday, escorted past cameras as prosecutors moved forward with federal indictments that include narco-terrorism conspiracy and cocaine importation conspiracy.

Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured by U.S. forces and flown to New York following U.S. military action in Caracas, U.S. officials said. Video released by authorities showed Maduro in custody as agents led him through a secured area.

The White House Rapid Response account shared a video on X that appeared to show Maduro. It included the caption: “Perp walked.”

He appears to be walking down a hallway on a carpet that states, “DEA NYD,” and is escorted by three men in Drug Enforcement Administration jackets.… pic.twitter.com/rH8fUsYsrO

— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 4, 2026

Prosecutors unsealed charges accusing Maduro of narco-terrorism conspiracy, conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess those weapons.

U.S. officials said the couple was initially held aboard a U.S. naval vessel before being transferred to New York. Maduro is expected to make an initial appearance in Manhattan federal court on Monday, according to a Justice Department official.

The indictment alleges Maduro’s government worked with violent drug-trafficking organizations, including the Sinaloa Cartel and Tren de Aragua, to move large quantities of cocaine toward the United States.

NEW YORK (VINnews) — New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Friday night defended his decision to revoke an executive order adopted by his predecessor that expanded the city’s definition of antisemitism, saying the move does not diminish his administration’s commitment to protecting Jewish New Yorkers.

The repeal was part of a broader executive action Mamdani signed on his first day in office, undoing a series of orders issued by former Mayor Eric Adams after Adams was indicted in 2024. Among those rescinded was an order adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism for city agencies.

Speaking at a Brooklyn news conference, Mamdani said the action was intended to give his administration what he called a “clean slate” as it begins governing.

“My administration will be relentless in combating hate and division,” Mamdani said, adding that this includes addressing antisemitism through enforcement, funding for hate-crime prevention and broader community engagement.

Jewish organizations, Israeli officials and Republican leaders criticized the repeal, arguing that removing the IHRA definition weakens safeguards against antisemitism at a time of rising incidents nationwide. Some groups said the definition provides clarity for identifying anti-Jewish discrimination, particularly when it overlaps with anti-Israel rhetoric.

Mamdani acknowledged that concerns exist within the Jewish community over the decision but said there is also disagreement among Jewish organizations about the use of formal definitions. He did not announce a replacement standard.

“I know that there are deeply held views on this issue,” he said. “What matters is that Jewish New Yorkers are protected.”

The mayor said his decision was not a rejection of efforts to combat antisemitism, but rather a rejection of policies enacted under circumstances he described as politically compromised.

The issue has quickly become one of the most closely watched early policy decisions of Mamdani’s tenure, highlighting broader national debates over how governments define antisemitism and how those definitions are applied in public institutions.

The legal adviser to the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Miri Frenkel-Shor, is demanding harsher sanctions on Chareidi “draft dodgers” as part of the new conscription law being advanced by committee chairman MK Boaz Bismuth.

In a letter she sent to members of the committee on Sunday morning, she demanded that the committee include new and stricter sanctions and that economic sanctions, such as the revocation of daycare subsidies, should not be lifted at the age of 26.

She also wants the committee to consider adding a sanction that would revoke municipal tax discounts for “draft dodgers” and also revoke driver’s licenses even from Chareidim who obtained them before the law’s enactment.

She is also demanding that sanctions be implemented in the first year after enactment, and not only after a year and a half, as the current law stipulates.

A senior Charedi figure told Kikar HaShabbat on Sunday morning, “As time passes, it is clear to everyone that the Knesset’s legal adviser is not supporting us, opposes all the central clauses in the draft law, and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara won’t defend the law to the Supreme Court. The law won’t withstand the Supreme Court’s review. We’re at a dead end. That’s the truth.”

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

Ninety-two-year-old Senior United States District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein – an Orthodox Jew – will preside over the criminal case against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, placing one of the most consequential international prosecutions in recent years in the hands of one of the federal judiciary’s most senior jurists.

Judge Hellerstein, who has served on the Manhattan-based federal bench for more than a quarter-century, is among the oldest active federal judges in the country. He took senior status in 2011 after being appointed to the court in 1998 and continues to hear major cases in the Southern District, which is widely regarded as the most powerful federal prosecutor’s office in the United States.

The assignment has drawn attention not only because of Hellerstein’s age and judicial stature, but also because he is an Orthodox Jew, a personal background that has long been publicly known but is rarely highlighted in connection with such a high-profile international criminal case.

Maduro faces sweeping federal charges related to narcotics trafficking, terrorism-linked offenses, corruption, and other serious crimes. The case has major geopolitical implications and has been closely watched since the charges were first unsealed by U.S. prosecutors several years ago. With Maduro now in U.S. custody, the proceedings are expected to move forward in Manhattan federal court.

Judge Hellerstein brings extensive experience with complex, politically sensitive, and historically significant litigation. Over the years, he has presided over major financial cases, terrorism-related litigation, and nationally prominent civil actions, including consolidated lawsuits arising from the September 11 attacks. He is known for detailed rulings, firm courtroom management, and a methodical approach to evidentiary and procedural issues.

Born in New York City in 1933, Hellerstein earned his undergraduate and law degrees at Columbia University before serving in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He later spent decades in private practice before joining the federal bench, where he quickly became a central figure in the Southern District’s docket.

NEW YORK — Julie Menin, who is expected to become the first Jewish speaker of the New York City Council, outlined her agenda and addressed working with Mayor Zohran Mamdani in an interview published by the New York Post.

Speaking with the New York Post, Menin said her top priorities would include expanding affordable housing, easing burdens on small businesses and improving accountability at City Hall. She described herself as a pragmatic Democrat and said the Council must remain proactive in shaping policy rather than simply responding to the mayor’s initiatives.

Menin, a Manhattan councilmember, said she supports creative approaches to housing, including repurposing underused city-owned properties. She also highlighted universal child care, streamlining procurement rules and reducing bureaucratic delays for small businesses as key legislative goals.

In the interview, Menin addressed her relationship with Mayor Zohran Mamdani, acknowledging ideological differences but stressing areas of potential cooperation. She said the Council can work with the mayor on shared priorities such as improving public transit and addressing affordability, even as disagreements remain on other policy issues.

Menin, whose father was a Holocaust survivor, also spoke about combating antisemitism and hate crimes, saying the Council must play an active role in protecting all communities across the city.

The New York City Council is expected to vote on its next speaker in the coming days. If elected, Menin would make history as the first Jewish woman to hold the post.

A newly unsealed U.S. Justice Department indictment accuses captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of running a “corrupt, illegitimate government” fueled by an extensive drug-trafficking operation that flooded the U.S. with thousands of tons of cocaine.

The arrest of Maduro and his wife in a stunning military operation early Saturday in Venezuela sets the stage for a major test for U.S. prosecutors as they seek to secure a conviction in a Manhattan courtroom against the longtime leader of the oil-rich South American nation.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a post on X that Maduro and his wife “will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts.”

Here’s a look at the accusations against Maduro and the charges he faces.

Maduro is charged alongside his wife, his son and three others. Maduro is indicted on four counts: narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices.

Maduro is facing the same charges as in an earlier indictment brought against him in Manhattan federal court in 2020, during the first Trump presidency. The new indictment unsealed on Saturday, which adds charges against Maduro’s wife, was filed under seal in the Southern District of New York just before Christmas.

It was not immediately clear when Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, would make their first appearance at the courthouse in Manhattan. A video posted Saturday night on social media by a White House account showed Maduro, smiling, as he was escorted through a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration office in New York by two federal agents grasping his arms. He was expected to be detained while awaiting trial at a federal jail in Brooklyn.

The indictment accuses Maduro of partnering with “some of the most violent and prolific drug traffickers and narco-terrorists in the world” to allow for the shipment of thousands of tons of cocaine into the U.S. Authorities allege powerful and violent drug-trafficking organizations, such as the Sinaloa Cartel and Tren de Aragua gang, worked directly with the Venezuelan government and then sent profits to high-ranking officials who helped and protected them in exchange.

Hundreds of cheering onlookers gathered near the Brooklyn detention facility Saturday night as Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, arrived under heavy guard, celebrating what many viewed as a historic moment following the Venezuelan leader’s capture.

Among the crowd was Ronny Chirinos, a Venezuelan national who moved from Maracay to New York three years ago to escape the Maduro government. Watching the scene unfold, he said, “It’s such a joy to see the dictator fall, but the regime hasn’t fallen yet.” He added, “I want everything to fall. That there is no one left.”

The couple had been seized earlier that day in Caracas during a dramatic overnight US operation. After being taken out of Venezuela, they were flown to New York Saturday night to face federal narco-terrorism and related charges in the Southern District of New York.

Upon landing, Maduro and Flores were brought to the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York headquarters for processing. From there, they were transported by helicopter past the Statue of Liberty to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where the celebrating crowd had already assembled.

Video and photographs released by the White House on X later showed Maduro inside the DEA facility in Manhattan, marking his first public appearance since his capture. The footage, labeled “Perp walk,” depicts him in handcuffs, wearing black sweatpants, a black hat, white socks, and jail-issued flip-flops, clutching a water bottle as agents escorted him through the Chelsea building.

Despite the circumstances, Maduro appeared oddly cordial in the footage, audibly greeting agents with “Good Night, Happy New Year,” and at another point wishing them a “Happy New Year,” according to the video.

Outside the Brooklyn lockup, the mood was loud and triumphant. Revelers praised President Trump for authorizing the high-risk military mission, chanting slogans including “down with the dictator” and “dirty scumbag” as news spread of Maduro’s arrival.

Maduro and Flores are expected to make their first appearance in federal court as early as Monday.

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Delcy Rodríguez, the vice president of Venezuela who is now serving as acting president, accused Israel of orchestrating the U.S. operation that led to the capture of former leader Nicolás Maduro.

Speaking in a televised address alongside senior figures from Maduro’s inner circle, Rodríguez blamed “the Zionists” for the events surrounding his arrest, echoing familiar rhetoric long used by Venezuela’s Chavista leadership to fault Israel and its allies for international pressure on the regime.

“The attack on Venezuela has an undoubtedly Zionist character,” Rodríguez declared, offering no evidence to support the claim. She reiterated that Nicolás Maduro “is the only president of Venezuela,” despite his transfer to U.S. custody and a ruling by Venezuela’s constitutional court appointing her interim president during his absence.

Venezuela’s leadership has repeatedly invoked Israel and “Zionism” during past crises.

Rodríguez’s comments underscored the ongoing uncertainty over who wields power in Venezuela. Although she has assumed the role of acting president under the constitution, she appeared publicly alongside National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López, signaling cohesion within the ruling elite.

Israeli officials did not immediately respond to Rodriguez’s statements.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

By Rabbi Yair Hoffman

This morning at the conclusion of Leining, we all said, “Chazak Chazak veNischazaik.”

The fact is, however, that no one really knows how the minhag of reciting “Chazak, Chazak v’Nischazaik” upon completing the last parsha in each of Chamisha Chumshei Torah really started.  Nor do people really known where and when it started (but there are some indications).  Toward the end of this article, the author would like to present a theory.

There are many things that we do know about this minhag.

THE REASONS FOR IT

It seems that the Gedolei HaAcharonim provide us with a few reasons for the minhag to say Chazak:

The Maharam Mintz (responsa #85) says that it is similar to the Hadran that we recite after completing a Mesechta.  In other words, we are saying, “Review it and learn it again so that you will not forget it.”

He gives  second reason as well.  Just as we tell the Chazan, “Yasher Kochacha” – we, in essence are saying, “Wow! You finished this Mitzvah!  May it be Hashem’s will that you complete other Mitzvos as well!”

The Pri Chadash (Siman 139) explains that since Torah weakens the strengths of an individual we tell him, “May you strengthen yourself from the wekening that just happened.”

THE OTHER MINHAG

We know that the Aruch haShulchan (OC 139:15) and the Chasam Sofer both held to say instead, “Chazak, Chazak, Chazak.”  We know that there was a minhag to say, “Chazak, Chazak, Chazak” because Chazak in gematria is 115 and saying that three times is 345 – which is the Gematria of “Moshe.”

The Chsam Sofer’s minhag is mentioned in the writings of his student (5638) Rabbi Chizkiya Feivel Plaut in his Likutei Chaver ben Chaim).  So we know that in 1806-ish – the minhag of reciting “Chazak, Chazak v’Nischazaik” – already existed – at least in Hungary.

This idea of reciting chazak 3 times is actually first mentioned by Rav Chaim Vital in his Shaar hapsukim on Yehoshua 1:6 – where he notes that Hashem told Yehoshua “Chazak” three times.

We know that the custom in Worms was to recite Chazak twice at the conclusion of every Sefer – once by the Chazan and once by the congregation (Minhagei Worms 5747 edition page 278).  This was also the custom in Frankfurt (cited in “Noheg k’Tzon Yosef by Rav Yoseph Kashman on parshas Vayechi).

PALM BEACH, FLA. (VINnews) — President Donald Trump on Saturday defended his recent pardon of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, who was convicted of drug trafficking charges, asserting that Hernández had been “persecuted very unfairly” by the Biden administration.

Speaking at a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort following the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on narco-trafficking charges, Trump drew parallels between Hernández’s case and his own past legal battles.

“He [Hernández] was persecuted very unfairly by Biden,” Trump said. “He was treated like the Biden administration treated a man named Trump.”

Trump added that the pardon was supported by public sentiment and political alignment in Honduras.

“Obviously, the people liked what I did,” he said. “He’s also a party member of the man who won. That man was persecuted and treated very badly. That’s why I gave him a pardon.”

The comments came in response to a reporter’s question pressing Trump on the apparent inconsistency of calling Maduro a drug trafficker while having pardoned Hernández, who was convicted in a U.S. court in 2024 of conspiring to import hundreds of tons of cocaine into the United States and sentenced to 45 years in prison.

Trump granted Hernández a full pardon on Dec. 1, 2025, leading to his immediate release. The president has previously described the prosecution as politically motivated.