New data from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reveals that 58,626 illegal migrants in New York City, roughly 7.7% of the 759,218 living in the area, have either been convicted of crimes or face pending charges as of November 17, the NY Post reports. The figures also include 1,053 individuals identified as suspected or known gang members. Nationwide, ICE reports that out of 7.8 million illegal immigrants, 662,586 – around 8.6% – have criminal convictions or pending charges. Data on suspected gang affiliations at the national level remains unspecified. Since the immigration surge began in spring 2022, over 223,000 migrants have arrived in New York City. Currently, at least 58,000 remain in taxpayer-funded shelters. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Mia Schem, a former hostage released from Hamas captivity one year ago, has announced her engagement to Yinon Hasson, who she began dating over the past year. The two, who were childhood friends, reconnected and became a couple following her release. Schem gained international attention when she was freed as part of the first hostage deal with Hamas, which took place exactly one year ago. Since her return, she has openly spoken about how her emunah grew during her time in captivity. “I have always been a person of faith and a very, very spiritual person,” Schem said. “In captivity, my faith grew like crazy.” Earlier this month, Schem participated in an event at the Israeli consulate in New York, where she recounted the harsh conditions she endured while being held hostage.

The IDF announced plans to establish the first company of the new Chashmonai Brigade, an initiative designed to cater exclusively to Charedi soldiers, by the time Chanukah begins in late December. The brigade’s name is intended to underscore its symbolic alignment with the Chanukah story, as the Chashmonean Dynasty emerged from the successful revolt against the Hellenistic Seleucid Empire, better known in Charedi circles as the Yevanim. The IDF hopes to channel this legacy to inspire Charedi participation in the military. According to reports, 30 young men have already passed initial screenings, and dozens more have expressed interest in joining.

Nate Silver, one of the country’s foremost election analysts, criticized excuses from Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign staff regarding her limited media appearances during the 2024 campaign trail. The remarks came after campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon defended the decision on “Pod Save America,” alleging a “double standard” in media scrutiny. O’Malley Dillon claimed that President-elect Donald Trump received minimal criticism for conducting few traditional media interviews, while Harris faced significant backlash. Calling the critique unfair, she said the difference reflected a “double standard” in how the campaigns were treated. Silver pushed back on this narrative in a post shared online. “Harris didn’t do a solo network interview until late September,” he noted.

Several BBC journalists have resigned from the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) after receiving instructions to wear the colors of the Palestinian flag during a workplace initiative, according to a report by Jewish News. The directive, part of a Day of Action for Palestine organized by the NUJ and the Trades Union Congress (TUC), encouraged staff to “wear something red, green, black, or a Palestinian keffiyeh” to advocate for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The request sparked outrage among BBC staff, with one journalist calling it “hypocritical and antisemitic” and a violation of the BBC’s impartiality guidelines.

Menachem was once the pride of his yeshiva. A serious bochur and a child prodigy, everyone believed he was destined for greatness. But as time passed, his interests shifted. Slowly, he transitioned from the path of becoming a talmid chochom to settling into the life of a kovei itim baalebos. While the kehillah shook their heads at what they saw as wasted potential, they comforted themselves with the thought: “Baruch Hashem, at least his phone is filtered.” Chaim’s story is heartbreakingly different. Raised in a single-parent, low-income home, his challenges were apparent to all. His expulsion from one yeshiva after another barely raised an eyebrow. But when Chaim began wearing an earring and displaying a tattoo, the askanim who had tried to intervene felt defeated.

Passengers on El Al Flight LY10 departing John F. Kennedy International Airport on Wednesday experienced an extraordinary in-flight celebration when the flight transformed into an impromptu Sheva Brachos for a newlywed couple traveling to Eretz Yisroel. The flight was well underway when word of the couple’s presence began to spread among the passengers. By the time night fell, the festive spirit had taken over, and a large group of travelers gathered to celebrate the joyous occasion. A flight attendant provided complimentary wine for the brachos. Passengers joined together in heartfelt singing, creating an atmosphere of unity and joy, as the newlyweds embarked on their lifelong journey together.

Some New York Democratic lawmakers, led by State Senator Liz Krueger, are seriously considering seceding from the United States and becoming a province of Canada in response to President-elect Donald Trump’s immigration policies. Krueger’s suggestion—an apparent attempt to oppose Trump’s proposed deportation plans—includes the idea that New York’s secession could help alleviate Canada’s supposed burden of enforcing illegal border crossings. “It’s not unreasonable to think outside of the box,” Krueger said, though many might argue this particular box has fallen off its rocking chair. Adding to the spectacle, Krueger floated the idea of withholding federal taxes as a retaliatory measure against Trump’s threat to cut federal funding for states that resist his immigration policies.

Emergency responders were battling a residential structure fire at 29 Kaser Terrace, near Phyllis Terrace, in Monsey, on Wednesday morning. The Monsey Fire Department arrived on the scene, and promptly requested mutual aid from neighboring departments, due to the large fire. Amidst the chaos, Chaverim of Rockland displayed extraordinary heroism, ensuring all occupants of the home were safely evacuated. Chaverim also successfully removed a Sefer Torah from a neighboring residence, safeguarding it from harm, as there was fear that the fire was spreading No injuries were reported. The fire, which has been escalated to a second alarm, has drawn a robust response from multiple fire departments, including Hillcrest, Suffern, Tallman, South Spring Valley, Spring Valley, and New City.

The IDF issued arrest orders for 1,126 bnei yeshivos who ignored their draft orders, Army Radio reported on Tuesday. “Our target was for 1,110 Chareidim to show up for the first summons out of 3,000, and only 290 came,” said Brig. Gen. Shay Taib, the head of the IDF’s Manpower Division, at a meeting of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. “We issued 1,126 arrest warrants to those who didn’t respond to the first and second orders.” “They will then receive a call to come to the induction centers and anyone who fails to appear will be declared a draft dodger.” Those who are declared draft dodgers will not be arrested immediately but will be taken into police custody if they try to leave the country and be prevented from receiving a driver’s license.