The families of the American hostages held in Gaza issued a statement today in response to the 2024 election results, marking nearly 400 days since Hamas militants captured hundreds of individuals, including seven Americans who remain in captivity.
“For 397 days, Americans– Omer, Edan, Judi, Gad, Keith, Sagui, and Itay– have suffered at the hands of Hamas terrorists in Gaza,” their statement reads. “As the United States prepares for a Presidential transition, we implore President-elect Trump and his transition team to work together with President Biden and his Administration officials to secure the immediate release of the hostages and end this nightmare for the hostage families, Israel, and the civilians of Gaza.”

In a new alert issued by Lakewood’s Shatnez testers, a woolen suit from the men’s brand Alesso was found to contain shatnez.
The suit, which is produced and sold by a Jewish-owned company, has sparked concern.
The discovery is significant because the fabric in question, which contains both wool and linen, qualifies as shatnez even if found in a suit made of polyester or other materials.
This revelation follows reports from shoppers who were assured by salespeople that the suit did not contain shatnez, highlighting the need for vigilance when purchasing clothing, particularly from Jewish-owned stores.

In a televised address on Wednesday, Naim Qassem, the newly appointed leader of Hezbollah, suggested that a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflict was still possible, but only if Israel halts its military operations in Lebanon.
This speech marked Qassem’s second public appearance since succeeding Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli attack in September. Qassem stated that hostilities would only cease once Israel stops its “aggression” against Lebanon, after which Hezbollah would be willing to engage in indirect negotiations mediated by its ally, Nabih Berri, the president of the Lebanese parliament.

NEW YORK (AP) — New York State Police have launched a criminal investigation of a trooper who claimed he was shot and wounded by an unknown gunman on a Long Island highway last week. State police Maj.

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In a statement issued Wednesday, former President Barack Obama, along with former first lady Michelle Obama, said the election’s result “is obviously not the outcome we had hoped for” but noted that “living in a democracy is about recognizing that our point of view won’t always win out, and being willing to accept the peaceful transfer of power,” the AP reports.
Congratulating Trump and Vance, the Obamas expressed pride for Harris and Walz, for both of whom they campaigned, calling them “two extraordinary public servants who ran a remarkable campaign.”

Former Vice President Mike Pence congratulated Trump for winning a second term in office, writing yet another awkward chapter in the relationship between the president-elect and his former running mate, the AP reports.
“The American people have spoken and Karen and I send our sincere congratulations to President-Elect Donald Trump and his family on his election as 47th President of the United States,” Pence wrote on behalf of him and his wife. The former vice president also congratulated Ohio Sen. JD Vance, who ran in place of Pence as Trump’s running mate.
“We will continue to pray for all those in authority and urge every American to join us in praying for our incoming President, Vice President and elected officials at every level,” Pence concluded.

If you’re looking to get rich you might want to consider running for president. Donald Trump’s shock election victory Tuesday saw stock in his Trump Media & Technology Group, which owns Truth Social, spike by roughly 35 percent, with his 114.75 million shares skyrocketing to $5.3 billion in premarket trading—up from $3.9 billion at close of markets on Election Day.
Trading of the stock was halted three times after the market open on Wednesday, with the shares still up around 16 percent when stopped for the third time. That would value Trump’s stake in the company at $4.6 billion if the 16 percent hike were to hold throughout the day.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a statement late Wednesday, saying that “we all pray for America’s success under the next administration,” but did not make mention of Trump by name, the AP reports.
Pelosi was seen as the architect of the Democratic party’s strategic shift from Joe Biden to Kamala Harris as top of their ticket over the summer. The California Democrat has been Trump’s biggest critic, saying previously that her goal is to ensure Trump never enters the White House again.
“The peaceful transfer of power is the cornerstone of our democracy,” Pelosi said. “After every election, we all have a responsibility to come together and find common ground.”
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Vice President Kamala Harris addressed supporters at Howard University today after calling President-elect Donald Trump earlier in the day to congratulate him on winning the 2024 presidential election.
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