A father of seven tragically lost his life this afternoon after being pulled from the Delaware River.
39 year old Rav Baruch Ber Ziemba, was vacationing with his family in the Poconos when he entered the river to save his child but tragically drowned in the process. Although he was later found and pulled from the water, he did not survive.
Ziemba who was a Rosh Chaburah in BMG, and leaves behind his wife, Temmi, the daughter of Rav Moshe Shimon Luria, and their seven children.
Kamala Harris is reportedly attempting to change the agreed-upon rules for the upcoming ABC debate scheduled for September 10. The request, which includes being seated and having access to notes during the live debate, has sparked criticism from political opponents and commentators alike.
According to Jason Miller, a senior advisor for the Trump campaign, the Harris campaign initially agreed to the same set of rules that governed the recent CNN debate. However, Harris’s team is now allegedly asking for alterations to these rules, raising eyebrows across the political spectrum.
“Enough with the games. We accepted the ABC debate under the exact same terms as the CNN debate. The Harris camp, after having already agreed to the CNN rules, asked for a seated debate, with notes, and opening statements. We said no changes to the agreed upon rules,” Miller stated.
Miller didn’t hold back in his criticism, suggesting that the Vice President’s campaign is attempting to shield her from challenging situations. “If Kamala Harris isn’t smart enough to repeat the messaging points her handlers want her to memorize, that’s their problem,” Miller added. “This seems to be a pattern for the Harris campaign. They won’t allow Harris to do interviews, they won’t allow her to do press conferences, and now they want to give her a cheat-sheet for the debate.”
The move is already fueling speculation about the Harris campaign’s confidence heading into the debate. Miller hinted at the possibility that the Harris team might be looking for a way to avoid facing former President Donald Trump in any future debate altogether.
The Harris campaign has yet to officially respond to these claims. However, the debate over the debate rules is likely to continue as the September 10 event approaches.
Harris’s Previous Debate Performance
This development follows Harris’s previous debate, where she faced intense scrutiny over her performance. Critics noted that she often appeared hesitant and struggled to deliver clear, concise answers to some of the most pressing questions. The debate was a significant moment for the Vice President, and her handling of the issues on stage drew mixed reviews from both her supporters and detractors.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has publicly distanced himself from the Biden-Harris administration, expressing regret for the role his company played in censoring Americans on its platforms during their tenure. This admission marks a significant shift in Zuckerberg’s stance on government involvement in content moderation.
Zuckerberg’s comments were delivered in a letter to House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, in which he addressed the controversy surrounding Meta’s handling of content, particularly during the 2020 election cycle. He revealed that Meta had been under pressure from the FBI to moderate content related to the Hunter Biden laptop story, a topic that became a lightning rod for accusations of political censorship. Zuckerberg acknowledged that the FBI’s insistence on labeling the story as “Russian disinformation” influenced Meta’s decision to limit its visibility on platforms like Facebook.
This is not the first time Zuckerberg has spoken out about the government’s involvement in Meta’s content policies. In a previous appearance on “The Joe Rogan Experience,” he disclosed that the FBI’s warnings about potential disinformation led the company to take action against the Hunter Biden story. However, in his recent letter, Zuckerberg emphasized that Meta has since revised its policies to prevent such interventions in the future.
“We’ve changed our policies and processes to make sure this doesn’t happen again,” Zuckerberg wrote. “We no longer temporarily demote things in the U.S. while waiting for fact-checkers.”
In a further departure from his previous political engagements, Zuckerberg also announced that Meta would not be making financial contributions during the upcoming election cycle. This decision underscores his commitment to maintaining a more neutral stance in the contentious political landscape.
Zuckerberg’s remarks are likely to fuel ongoing debates about the role of tech giants in shaping public discourse and the extent to which they should cooperate with government entities. As Meta continues to grapple with its responsibility to balance free expression with the need to combat misinformation, Zuckerberg’s latest statements suggest a move towards a less interventionist approach.
This development also raises questions about the future relationship between Meta and the U.S. government, particularly as the 2024 election cycle approaches. With Zuckerberg pledging to avoid financial contributions and revising content moderation practices, Meta’s role in the political arena may look very different in the years to come.
Five people were killed in a slay-suicide horror on a quiet cul-de-sac in Nassau County on Sunday — days after the family’s matriarch died and kin were set to sell the house, cops and sources said.
All of the victims were shot to death in the tiny blue home on Wyoming Court in Syosset, while the gunman killed himself on the front lawn, Newsday said.
“The mom just died, and they were selling the house,” said Mary Macaluso, a local real-estate agent, noting she was supposed to meet the relatives at the home around noon — but that authorities had closed the street by the time she arrived.
“The kids were all here for the funeral, and they asked me to come to look at the house,’’ Macaluso told the outlet.
She said one of the children had asked her to meet with the family so they’d know what to do before listing the home, which was estimated at being worth nearly $900,000 on Zillow.
They wanted it done quickly, too, because two of the family members had come up from Florida for the funeral and were headed back soon, she said.
The homeowner, identified through public records as Theresa Martha DeLucia, died early last week at the age of 95, according to her obituary.
“It appears to be a murder-suicide,” Patrick Ryder, the commissioner of the Nassau County Police Department, told Newsday at the scene. “We do know that the subject on the front lawn did shoot and kill himself.”
The two most prominent non-elected officials taking part in the rally are Randi Weingarten, the head of the American Federation of Teachers union, and her girlfriend, Sharon Kleinbaum.
While Weingarten is best known for her work in keeping school closed leading to as much as a grade point of loss in education, she is militantly anti-Israel and has used antisemitic rhetoric.
In response to a question from the JTA, a liberal Jewish media outlet, about the power of teachers’ unions, Weingarten launched into an antisemitic tirade in which she claimed that “American Jews are now part of the ownership class” who “want to take that ladder of opportunity away from those who do not have it.” The American Jewish Committee had responded with an op-ed urging her to “Counter, Not Inflame, Antisemitism”.
On Sunday, conservative Senator Lindsey Graham said on CNN that Israel should threaten to “blow up” Iran’s oil refineries if Hamas does not release the hostages it kidnapped during its Oct. 7 terrorist attack..
“As to the hostages, I would hold Iran responsible for their well-being,” the South Carolina Republican told CNN’s Jake Tapper.
“If I were the state of Israel, I would tell the ayatollah, that if these people do not come home alive — the ones that are left alive — and if we don’t get the bodies of the fallen, we’re going to blow up your oil refineries,” Graham said. “That’s the only way you’re ever going to get the hostages released is to put pressure on Iran.”
Graham also said that the Hamas attacks were generated “to stop normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel.”
“It’s a nightmare for Iran and her proxies, for the Arabs and Israelis to reconcile and make peace and take the region in a different direction,” he said.
Graham also discussed the Democratic National Convention, slamming Kamala Harris and the Democrats.
But rather than the “joy” the media claimed, Graham called the DNC a “hate fest” against Republicans.
“It was light on policy, heavy on insults,” said Graham, adding that he has told former President Donald Trump that he will win the election if he focuses on policy.
“Americans are not joyful when they go to the gas station and fill up their car,” he said. “They’re not joyful when they make their mortgage payment. They’re not joyful when they go to the grocery store. People are hurting and this whole joy love fest doesn’t exist in the real world.”
“If you’re waiting on Kamala Harris to come up with new policies, you’re going to die waiting because she will continue what they’ve been doing for the last four years.”
Kamala Harris has faced growing scrutiny over the high turnover rate among her staff, leading many to question the authenticity of her public persona and leadership style. Since taking office in January 2021, Harris has seen a staggering 92% turnover among her staff, with only 4 out of her original 47 hires remaining.
This alarming rate of staff departures has fueled speculation about the work environment in the Vice President’s office. Critics argue that the “Joy!” campaign, which has been a significant part of Harris’ public image, might not reflect the reality behind closed doors.
Reports from her time as Attorney General of California have resurfaced, painting a picture of a demanding and, at times, authoritarian leadership style. According to Terry McAteer, the father of a former intern, Harris required her staff to stand every morning when she entered the office and address her as “General.”
“Good morning, General,” they were reportedly forced to say, as per McAteer’s account. He further alleged that his son, Gregory McAteer, who interned for Harris, was instructed never to look Harris in the eye or address her directly, as this “privilege” was reserved for senior staff members only.
“Gregory was also given instructions to never address Harris nor look her in the eye as that privilege was only allowed to senior staff members,” McAteer stated.
Even when he commanded the evacuation of Gush Katif, retired Major-General Gershon Hacohen felt it was a mistake. But even in his darkest predictions, he could not have imagined the massacre on October 7.
In a recent interview, Hacohen claimed that October 7 was made possible because it evacuated the Jewish communities in the Gaza Strip.
Nineteen years after Israel's departure from the Strip, he reflects on the mindset that led to the disaster, the failure of military commanders, the responsibility of the political echelon, the increasing Iranian threat, and the future.
“You will hear good news about revenge, God willing,” Salami said last night during an inspection of a border crossing between Iran and Iraq, as thousands of Shiite pilgrims made their way to the Iraqi city of Karbala for the Arbaeen pilgrimage. A group of pilgrims encircled the commander chanting “Death to Israel,” the Iranian news agency IRNA reports.
According to US officials who spoke with The Washington Post last week, Iran may have been convinced to delay a direct attack on Israel, deterred by an enormous US military buildup in the region, but was encouraging Hezbollah to launch a strike.
Last night, some 100 IAF fighter jets conducted a preemptive strike against thousands of Hezbollah rocket launchers, as the Lebanese terror group was about to launch its response to the killing of its military commander Fuad Shukr in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut last month. Hezbollah claimed it fired over 320 rockets and drones at northern Israel.
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| Mendy Kiwak and his "Shvigger" Faye Walkernfeld |
An online schedule of classes listed Menachem “Mendy” Kiwak as the instructor of two fall courses on “Professional, Legal & Ethical Issues in Counseling” — one online and one at an unspecified “offsite” location.
“It’s an absolute travesty,” said a fellow Touro professor. “I am surprised that Touro is allowing him to continue teaching given the nature of the charges.”
Kiwak was charged in May with sexual abuse, harassment and forcible touching.
He pleaded not guilty. He was allowed to finish out the school year, sources said.
The colleague said Touro officials have never addressed the scandal with students or faculty — and suggested that Kiwak is protected by his mother-in-law, Faye Walkenfeld, who chairs the behavioral sciences department in which Kiwak works.
“I have no doubt that if his mother-in-law wasn’t a big shot in the college, he would have been gone by now,” said the prof, who requested anonymity out of fear of retaliation.
A few months before Kiwak’s arrest, the accuser’s advocate informed Walkenfeld of her allegations as well as complaints by female students that he used sex slang and profanity and discussed porn in classes, and once argued there is no such thing as marital rape.
The alleged sex-abuse victim, who had no connection to Touro, first sought private counseling from Kiwak because she was the victim of sexual assault.
She accuses him of coercing her into having sex with him several times.
The Post obtained a recording of Kiwak speaking with the woman and her husband.
At one point, Kiwak seemingly apologizes for the sexual contact.
“I’m sorry that I took advantage and that I’m hurting, that I’ve hurt you. I know you’re angry and that you’re pissed at me. But I promise you, it’s the worst I’ve ever fallen in my life. In my life.”
After The Post’s inquiry to Touro on Friday morning, spokesman Jordan Isenstadt said Kiwak “is not scheduled to work this semester” and remains on “administrative leave.”
However, a check of Touro’s class schedule late Friday showed Kiwak still listed as the instructor of the same online course for 20 students –19 already registered — on Mondays from 5 pm to 7:40.
Asked to clarify whether Kiwak is permitted to work in the upcoming semester and teach online, Isenstadt did not respond.
Kiwak’s lawyer declined to comment.
Kiwak holds a mental health counseling license in New York and a professional counselor license as a marriage and family therapist in New Jersey.
The sexual-abuse victim filed a complaint against Kiwak with the New York State Office of Professional Discipline, which investigates complaints alleging sexual misconduct.
A finding of misconduct can result in disciplinary action, including fines, suspension or license revocation.
A Russian court has handed down prison sentences ranging from six to nine years to five individuals involved in an anti-Israel riot at Makhachkala airport in the southern region of Dagestan.
The riot, which occurred on October 29, saw hundreds of protesters storm the airport’s runway in an attempt to encircle a plane that had arrived from Israel. The incident took place amid heightened tensions worldwide as Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza in response to Hamas’s deadly attack on October 7.
The court found four men guilty of “participating in mass riots” and sentenced them to more than six years in prison. A fifth defendant received a nine-year sentence for the same charge, as well as using “violence against law enforcement officers.”
According to the court, the defendants “broke down the doors of the terminal and entered the tarmac, completely blocking the airport’s operation” while searching for passengers from a Tel Aviv flight.
Over 1,500 people participated in the riot, with 136 identified by authorities. Dozens of protesters had already received lighter sentences, including detention of up to 10 days, for their involvement in the riot.
The Taliban have passed a new law banning Afghan women from reading and singing in public, as part of the government’s ‘vice prevention’ strategy.
The laws, which were issued last Wednesday, are part of a strict new set of ‘vice and virtue legislation’, which was approved by supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada.
They cover aspects of everyday life like public transportation, music, shaving and celebrations.
Article 13 specifically relates to women, making it mandatory for females to veil their body at all times in public while emphasising that a face covering is essential to avoid temptation as well as tempting others. It also states that clothing should not be thin, tight or short.
In addition, women are now forbidden from singing, reciting, or reading aloud in public, since the female voice is considered too intimate.
They are also banned from looking at men they are not related to by blood or marriage and vice versa.
Women are also told to cover themselves in front of non-Muslim males and females to avoid being corrupted.
‘Inshallah we assure you that this Islamic law will be of great help in the promotion of virtue and the elimination of vice,’ said ministry spokesman Maulvi Abdul Ghafar Farooq.
The ministry for the ‘propagation of virtue and the prevention of vice’ was set up when the Taliban seized power in 2021, making this recent set of laws the first formal declaration of vice and virtue laws in Afghanistan under Taliban rule.
The laws make it easier for authorities to regulate conduct and enforce arrests and punishments where they deem necessary.
Among the other restrictions imposed by the law are the ban on the publication of images of living beings, the playing of music and the transportation of solo female travelers.
Only last month, a UN report said the ministry was contributing to a climate of fear and intimidation among Afghans.
‘Given the multiple issues outlined in the report, the position expressed by the de facto authorities that this oversight will be increasing and expanding gives cause for significant concern for all Afghans, especially women and girls,’ said Fiona Frazer, the head of the human rights service at the U.N. mission in Afghanistan.
Israeli Air Force fighter jets are currently striking targets belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization that posed an imminent threat to the citizens of the State of Israel, IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari said early Sunday morning.
Following the strikes, and in accordance with the IDF Home Front Command’s situational assessment, life-saving guidelines for the public in certain areas of Israel will be published.
As part of the latest assessment of the situation, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declared a special situation in the home front throughout the country.
The declaration of the state of emergency will allow the IDF to set special instructions for the population, limit gatherings and close sites in relevant areas.
“A short while ago, the IDF identified the Hezbollah terrorist organization preparing to fire missiles and rockets toward Israeli territory,” said Hagari.
“In a self-defense act to remove these threats, the IDF is striking terror targets in Lebanon, from which Hezbollah was planning to launch their attacks on Israeli civilians. This follows more than 6,700 rockets, missiles, and explosive UAVs fired by Hezbollah at Israeli families, homes, and communities since October 8th.”
“Hezbollah will soon fire rockets, and possibly missiles and UAVs, towards Israeli territory. We will shortly update the Home Front Command Defensive guidelines for those in Israel,” continued the IDF Spokesperson.
“From right next to the homes of Lebanese civilians in the South of Lebanon, we can see that Hezbollah is preparing to launch an extensive attack on Israel, while endangering the Lebanese civilians. We warn the civilians located in the areas where Hezbollah is operating, to move out of harm's way immediately for their own safety,” he stated.
“Hezbollah’s ongoing aggression risks dragging the people of Lebanon, the people of Israel- and the whole region- into a wider escalation. Israel will not tolerate Hezbollah’s attacks on our civilians,” Hagari made clear.
“We are operating in self defense from Hezbollah - and any other enemy that joins in their attacks against us- and we are ready to do everything we need to defend the people of Israel."
The preventive action against Hezbollah was approved in discussions that took place overnight. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant are in the Kirya base in Tel Aviv. The security cabinet will convene on Sunday morning at 7:00 a.m.
Sources in Lebanon reported that about 40 targets were attacked by the IDF.
In the meantime, sirens were sounded in a number of towns in the Upper Galilee. Several explosions were detected, there were no injuries.
Following the IDF's announcement, residents of the conflict line and towns in the Golan were asked to stay close to shelters.
The Israel Airports Authority stated, "Due to the security situation, the departures this morning from Ben Gurion Airport will be delayed, and will not take off in the next few hours. Flights en route to Ben Gurion Airport will be directed to alternative airports in the region. It is recommended that the traveling public keep up to date with the various airlines on changes in schedules."
The Magen David Adom spokesperson announced that "following the security situation and after an assessment of the situation tonight by MDA CEO Eli Bin, Magen David Adom has raised its alertness level and is on peak preparedness all around the country."
