Enya- Oche Chin (Silent Night) Song by Enya

'If you tell anyone, I'll kill you': Gaza hostage Romi Gonen recounts sexual abuse during captivity

Former Gaza hostage Romi Gonen recounted her experiences in Hamas's terror captivity in the Gaza Strip, including terrorists sexually abusing her, during an interview with Channel 12's "Uvda" broadcast on Thursday evening.

Gonen told the interviewer that the question that comes to people's minds is if she was sexually assaulted, but acknowledges that people do not directly ask her. "I would not ask it if I were them. I also think no one asks it because no one wants to hear the answer," she said.

However, Gonen recounted several instances when she was assaulted.

Gonen said she felt it was important to speak about such events, although she only described them in part.


'https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-881435?utm_source=jpost.app.apple&utm_medium=share

Melbourne rabbi's car displaying Hanukkah decorations firebombed early Christmas morning

A rabbi's car decorated for Hanukkah was firebombed overnight in Melbourne’s east, with authorities launching an investigation into the incident, Australian media reported on Thursday.

Emergency services arrived at Balaclava Road in St Kilda East around 2:50 a.m. on Thursday to find a grey Mazda CX8 severely damaged by fire. The vehicle had a "Happy Chanukah" sign on its roof.

The car’s interior was extensively damaged, and multiple windows appeared to be smashed. No one was inside the vehicle at the time of the attack.

Victoria Police confirmed that detectives have identified a person who may assist with the investigation. The car was towed away from the scene, and a crime scene was established.



Melbourne rabbi's car displaying Hanukkah decorations firebombed early Christmas morning https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-881314?utm_source=jpost.app.apple&utm_medium=share

Ruggiero (R) challenges Town of Newburgh Council election results

GOSHEN – Republican Town of Newburgh Councilman Paul Ruggiero on Tuesday filed an Order to Show Cause (OSC) in Orange County Supreme Court seeking to determine the accuracy of the canvass of all ballots in November’s election.

Two town council seats were won by Democrats Mary McLymore (3,292 votes) and Mary Lou Carolan (3,226). Ruggiero, who could not be reached for comment on Tuesday night, finished with 3,224 votes. Ruggiero’s filing requests that Carolan not be sworn into office until his legal counsel can appear before Justice Sherri L. Eisenpress to argue that 22 votes were improperly tallied during a manual recount.

It also asks the Orange County Board of Elections to amend the voting certification to certify the correct vote tally to declare Ruggiero the winner of the election. According to Zak Constantine, chairman of the Orange County Democratic Party, Town of Newburgh Supervisor Gil Piaquadio has indicated to Carolan that he is not comfortable swearing in anyone who is involved in a “contested election.”

“Since she has also been certified the winner of the election for town council, Carolan is also legally entitled to take office, pending the outcome of Ruggiero’s challenge, and she intends to file the necessary paperwork before the end of the year,” Constantine said.




https://midhudsonnews.com/2025/12/24/ruggiero-challenges-town-of-newburgh-council-election-results/

St. Louis Board of Aldermen plan special election to replace ousted Sheriff Montgomery

ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Board of Aldermen will convene for a special virtual meeting Monday to initiate a special election to replace Sheriff Alfred Montgomery, following a judicial ruling that removed him from office for misconduct.

The meeting, scheduled for 10 a.m., follows a decision by retired Judge Steven Ohmer, who stripped Montgomery of his position after reviewing six claims brought forward by the Missouri Attorney General’s Office.

The court found that Montgomery willfully neglected his duties and abused his power, specifically regarding the unlawful detention of Deputy Jail Commissioner Tammy Ross and former deputy Darryl Wilson.

Montgomery’s legal team expressed immediate opposition to the ruling. David Mason, a retired judge and one of Montgomery's attorneys, indicated that while he will not be involved in the next steps, an appeal is likely.


https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/st-louis-board-of-aldermen-special-election-replace-sheriff-alfred-montgomery/63-b3828119-edac-4205-bf39-b5a9bd68ad36

Hamtramck mayoral candidate to appeal court ruling leaving 37 absentee ballots uncounted

Hamtramck — A candidate who lost Hamtramck's mayoral election by 11 votes in November is appealing a Wayne County judge's ruling this week that 37 uncounted ballots in the race should not be tabulated, which — for now — upholds Adam Alharbi’s 11-vote win in the enclave of 28,000 people.

Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Patricia Fresard ruled Tuesday in a written decision that the Wayne County Board of Canvassers properly exercised its discretion under state law in not counting the untabulated ballots, which were found the day after the Nov. 4 election.

"In the present case, the Board of Canvassers concluded that the City Clerk failed to comply with mandatory requirements imposed to protect the integrity of ballots both during and after the election," she wrote.

Hamtramck City Clerk Rana Faraj discovered the untabulated ballots, still in their envelopes, in her office the day after the election and delivered them immediately to the Wayne County Board of Canvassers.




https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/wayne-county/2025/12/24/wayne-county-judge-rules-against-losing-hamtramck-mayoral-candidate-in-case-of-uncounted-ballots/87908332007/

NJ-11: Little Falls mayor backs Bartlett (D) for special

Passaic County Commissioner John Bartlett (D-Wayne), working to consolidate the Passaic County vote in the crowded February 5 special primary for New Jersey’s 11th congressional district, was endorsed today by Little Falls Mayor James Damiano and other top Little Falls Democrats.

Also endorsing Bartlett are Councilmembers Christine Hablitz and Anthony Sgobba, as well as Little Falls Democratic municipal chairman Adam Zurbruegg.

“John has committed his career to public service and is a reliable and effective representative for our shared constituents,” Damiano said in a statement. “From roadway safety to parks and open space funding, John is a leader with a record of delivering for Little Falls and all his constituents. I know he will continue his hard work as our next congressman.”

Bartlett is one of two Passaic County-based candidates in the 12-way primary for the 11th district, alongside Lieutenant Gov. Tahesha Way; the two Wayne politicians are sharing the official endorsement of the Passaic County Democrats. Damiano’s support will likely help Bartlett further lock down Passaic voters, though the county only makes up around one-tenth of the district.





https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/little-falls-mayor-backs-bartlett-for-nj-11-special/

Erik Bottcher (D) drops out of House race, will run for state Senate instead

New York City Council Member Erik Bottcher is dropping out of the race for the 12th Congressional District and will instead run for state Senate, he announced on Monday.

“This decision is rooted in where I believe I can do the most good immediately,” he said in a statement. “The State Senate is where critical decisions are being made on housing affordability, addressing the mental health crisis, safeguarding our environment, and defending New York from the Trump agenda. At a moment when MAGA extremists are attacking our freedoms and undermining democracy, strong state leadership matters more than ever.”

Bottcher filed to run for the House seat, which covers the East and West sides of Manhattan, in October, after incumbent Rep. Jerrold Nadler announced that he would not run for reelection next year.

He raised nearly $700,000 within 24 hours of opening a fundraising committee, he said, and received endorsements from national LGBTQ+ organizations like Equality PAC and the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, but he struggled to stand out among the crowded Democratic field, which also includes Assembly Members Micah Lasher and Alex Bores, Kennedy family scion Jack Schlossberg and Gen Z anti-gun violence activist Cameron Kasky.


https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2025/12/erik-bottcher-drops-out-house-race-will-run-state-senate-instead/410344/?oref=csny-homepage-river

Mayor Adams vetoes bill that'd make it easier for gender violence victims to sue

As one of his final acts in office, Mayor Adams late on Christmas Eve vetoed a City Council bill that would temporarily allow victims of gender-based violence to sue their perpetrators even if the statute of limitations for their claim has lapsed.

The veto, which Adams issued just a week before he leaves office on Dec. 31, came even though the City Council passed the bill in a unanimous 48-0 vote last month.

The Council has 30 days to override a mayoral veto after it’s formally received by the chamber, a step that won’t happen until January. Three-fourths of the chamber’s 51 members would need to support an override for it to be successful.

The gender-based violence bill’s author, Queens Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers, said in a statement late Wednesday that the chamber “must” next month “override this callous veto and restore survivors’ right to seek accountability.”





https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/12/24/mayor-adams-vetoes-bill-make-it-easier-gender-violence-victims-sue/

PA-11: Smucker (R) Announces Reelection Bid

Congressman Lloyd Smucker announced his candidacy for reelection on Tuesday to continue representing Pennsylvania’s 11th Congressional District, which includes Lancaster and York Counties.

According to a press release, Smucker’s campaign will focus on restoring opportunity, strengthening families, and ensuring the American Dream remains attainable for future generations.

“Every generation before us fought to create greater opportunity for their children and grandchildren,” said Smucker. “Today, that promise feels increasingly out of reach as our national debt surpasses $38 trillion, threatening prosperity for future generations.”

Smucker, who currently serves as Vice Chair of the House Committee on the Budget and is a member of the House Ways & Means Committee, also serves on the Trade, Social Security, and Tax Subcommittees.



https://www.politicspa.com/pa-11-smucker-announces-reelection-bid-2/145268/