If a report is to be believed, the value of the Pakistani rupee against the US dollar seems to have fallen by 30.5% in PM Imran Khan-led government's tenure. &nbsp;

Over the last 40 months, the rupee has witnessed massive depreciation. In August 2018, it was Rs 123 against the US dollar and in December 2021, it is Rs 177, a report in ‘The News’ said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-arrests-6-more-people-in-sialkot-lynching-investigation-to-continue-434326" hreflang="en">Pakistan arrests 6 more people in Sialkot lynching; investigation to continue</a>

In the country’s history, this is one of the highest devaluations of the currency. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Earlier, the only other higher devaluation had occurred during the birth of Bangladesh. At that time, Pakistan’s currency was devalued by 58%. It went from Rs 4.60 to Rs 11.10 against the US dollar in 1971-72. &nbsp;

The currency’s recent devaluation has been dictated by the IMF through prior actions and nothing to do with macroeconomic fundamentals, feel independent economists. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-mob-lynching-remains-of-lankan-man-sent-to-colombo-for-last-rites-434613" hreflang="en">Pak mob lynching: Remains of Lankan man sent to Colombo for last rites</a>

The currency’s massive devaluation has led to inflationary pressures, said experts. Two major factors contributed to the price hike. First one was the prices of food, commodities and fuel skyrocketed while the second was the depreciation of the exchange rate by 30.5%, which led to higher inflation. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

If a report is to be believed, the value of the Pakistani rupee against the US dollar seems to have fallen by 30.5% in PM Imran Khan-led government's tenure. Over the last 40 months, the rupee has witnessed massive depreciation.

If a report is to be believed, the value of the Pakistani rupee against the US dollar seems to have fallen by 30.5% in PM Imran Khan-led government's tenure. Over the last 40 months, the rupee has witnessed massive depreciation. In August 2018, it was Rs 123 against the US dollar and in December 2021, it is Rs 177, a report in ‘The News’ said. Also Read: Pakistan arrests 6 more people in Sialkot lynching; investigation to continue In the country’s history, this is one of the highest devaluations of the currency. Earlier, the only other higher devaluation had occurred during the birth of Bangladesh. At that time, Pakistan’s currency was devalued by 58%. It went from Rs 4.60 to Rs 11.10 against the US dollar in 1971-72. The currency’s recent devaluation has been dictated by the IMF through prior actions and nothing to do with macroeconomic fundamentals, feel independent economists. Also Read: Pak mob lynching: Remains of Lankan man sent to Colombo for last rites The currency’s massive devaluation has led to inflationary pressures, said experts. Two major factors contributed to the price hike. First one was the prices of food, commodities and fuel skyrocketed while the second was the depreciation of the exchange rate by 30.5%, which led to higher inflation. (With inputs from agencies)

In Pak PM Imran Khan-led govt's tenure, rupee fell by 30.5%, says report

If you want to know why our politics are so awful, check out our recent public debates about abortion.

Everybody is sensing where the Supreme Court seems to be heading on Roe v. Wade. But as our politics have grown coarser and more combative, a lot of conservatives aren’t even acknowledging the problems that have always made this issue so hard. For example: How do we show proper respect and deference to women who become pregnant in terrible circumstances? How do we respect women who say: “This is not abstract. This is my body and my private concern?” What would it look like to ban abortion in places where vast majorities do not believe that life begins at conception? Many conservatives focus on the fetus to the exclusion of all else.

A lot of the progressive commentary, on the other hand, won’t recognize the fetus at all. Over the past day or two I’ve seen progressives refer to abortion as just health care for women, or an entirely private decision about what a woman does with her body. A lot of progressives talk about abortion as if it couldn’t possibly be a termination of a human life.

Especially now, in the post-Trump degradation of public life, politicos, propagandists and activists on this issue elide the hard and complex issues in order to powerfully advocate their side. And that’s what we see on issue after issue. The armies of certitude march forth and dominate debate and politics. The rest of us, hampered by ambivalence, hang back. We live in a democracy in which the majority often does not rule.

For a professional pundit, I’ve written remarkably little on abortion because I am so torn. For most of my life I’ve considered myself pro-choice because I didn’t have any confidence that I knew when life began and didn’t want to impose my views on others. But like many people, my life has intersected with the issue.

When I was about 19 a friend came home from college and realized she was pregnant, she asked me to accompany her through the abortion process, which I did. My progressive milieu did not prepare me for the moral and emotional anguish she endured before and especially after the abortion. I realized how grave an issue this was, and with what humility it must be addressed.

Then, there came the science. Like a lot of people, I’ve been influenced by the sonograms, and the way they show a human form at the early fetal stages.

I’ve read my share of books about human development, and my takeaway is that things are happening a lot earlier in the womb than we used to think. By 20 or 21 weeks, before what has been considered viability, the fetus is possibly moving, sucking its thumb, moving its eyes, hearing sounds. A female fetus has eggs of her own. These are sobering realities.

Then there are miscarriages. I have watched so many grieve over miscarriages. I’ve grieved myself. It doesn’t feel like the loss of some cells, but of life.

Experience and the moral sentiments that derive from it have moved me many notches over toward the anti-abortion position. Does that mean I know when life begins? That no longer seems like the right question. I’ve come to believe that all human beings have some piece of themselves that has no size, shape, color or weight but gives them infinite value and dignity, and it is their soul. To me the crucial question is when does a living organism become a human soul. My intuition is that it’s not a moment, but a process — a process shrouded in divine mystery.

This leaves me in a humdrum political position, I’m afraid — with the roughly half of Americans who want to restrict abortion in some circumstances, but — perhaps because they feel it would be unworkable or wrong — don’t want to ban it totally. Third- and some second-trimester abortions seem increasingly wrong to me, except in extraordinary circumstances. But the first trimester? I don’t know, and therefore I’d defer to each woman’s conscience.

Given where the Supreme Court seems to be heading, I’d sign onto the compromise position that Claremont McKenna professor Jon A. Shields sketched out in these pages in October, which could involve tightening restrictions on abortion after the first trimester.

I guess that means I’m rooting for John Roberts in the current deliberations over Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. He has signaled that he’s open to exploring whether the court could uphold Mississippi’s law banning abortion after 15 weeks, but not overturn Roe and allow states to enact total or near-total bans. But he may be in a minority of one.

I used to support overturning Roe because I thought it would be healthy to get the abortion issue out of the courts and back to state legislatures. I used to think that most states would wind up where the nation’s center of gravity is — with restrictions but not bans.

But we’re now trying to deal with a miserably complex issue in a brutalized political culture. Majorities don’t rule in this country; polarized minorities do. The evidence this week is that the post-Roe politics would make even our current politics seem tame. I’m not sure our democracy is strong enough for that.

If you want to know why our politics are so awful, check out our recent public debates about abortion. Everybody is sensing where the Supreme Court seems to be heading on Roe v.

If you want to know why our politics are so awful, check out our recent public debates about abortion. Everybody is sensing where the Supreme Court seems to be heading on Roe v. Wade. But as our politics have grown coarser and more combative, a lot of conservatives aren’t even acknowledging the problems that have always made this issue so hard. For example: How do we show proper respect and deference to women who become pregnant in terrible circumstances? How do we respect women who say: “This is not abstract. This is my body and my private concern?” What would it look like to ban abortion in places where vast majorities do not believe that life begins at conception? Many conservatives focus on the fetus to the exclusion of all else. A lot of the progressive commentary, on the other hand, won’t recognize the fetus at all. Over the past day or two I’ve seen progressives refer to abortion as just health care for women, or an entirely private decision about what a woman does with her body. A lot of progressives talk about abortion as if it couldn’t possibly be a termination of a human life. Especially now, in the post-Trump degradation of public life, politicos, propagandists and activists on this issue elide the hard and complex issues in order to powerfully advocate their side. And that’s what we see on issue after issue. The armies of certitude march forth and dominate debate and politics. The rest of us, hampered by ambivalence, hang back. We live in a democracy in which the majority often does not rule. For a professional pundit, I’ve written remarkably little on abortion because I am so torn. For most of my life I’ve considered myself pro-choice because I didn’t have any confidence that I knew when life began and didn’t want to impose my views on others. But like many people, my life has intersected with the issue. When I was about 19 a friend came home from college and realized she was pregnant, she asked me to accompany her through the abortion process, which I did. My progressive milieu did not prepare me for the moral and emotional anguish she endured before and especially after the abortion. I realized how grave an issue this was, and with what humility it must be addressed. Then, there came the science. Like a lot of people, I’ve been influenced by the sonograms, and the way they show a human form at the early fetal stages. I’ve read my share of books about human development, and my takeaway is that things are happening a lot earlier in the womb than we used to think. By 20 or 21 weeks, before what has been considered viability, the fetus is possibly moving, sucking its thumb, moving its eyes, hearing sounds. A female fetus has eggs of her own. These are sobering realities. Then there are miscarriages. I have watched so many grieve over miscarriages. I’ve grieved myself. It doesn’t feel like the loss of some cells, but of life. Experience and the moral sentiments that derive from it have moved me many notches over toward the anti-abortion position. Does that mean I know when life begins? That no longer seems like the right question. I’ve come to believe that all human beings have some piece of themselves that has no size, shape, color or weight but gives them infinite value and dignity, and it is their soul. To me the crucial question is when does a living organism become a human soul. My intuition is that it’s not a moment, but a process — a process shrouded in divine mystery. This leaves me in a humdrum political position, I’m afraid — with the roughly half of Americans who want to restrict abortion in some circumstances, but — perhaps because they feel it would be unworkable or wrong — don’t want to ban it totally. Third- and some second-trimester abortions seem increasingly wrong to me, except in extraordinary circumstances. But the first trimester? I don’t know, and therefore I’d defer to each woman’s conscience. Given where the Supreme Court seems to be heading, I’d sign onto the compromise position that Claremont McKenna professor Jon A. Shields sketched out in these pages in October, which could involve tightening restrictions on abortion after the first trimester. I guess that means I’m rooting for John Roberts in the current deliberations over Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. He has signaled that he’s open to exploring whether the court could uphold Mississippi’s law banning abortion after 15 weeks, but not overturn Roe and allow states to enact total or near-total bans. But he may be in a minority of one. I used to support overturning Roe because I thought it would be healthy to get the abortion issue out of the courts and back to state legislatures. I used to think that most states would wind up where the nation’s center of gravity is — with restrictions but not bans. But we’re now trying to deal with a miserably complex issue in a brutalized political culture. Majorities don’t rule in this country; polarized minorities do. The evidence this week is that the post-Roe politics would make even our current politics seem tame. I’m not sure our democracy is strong enough for that.

Abortion: The voice of the ambivalent majority

If reports are to be believed, China may be looking for its first permanent military base on Africa's Atlantic coast.&nbsp;In order to thwart the idea, the US seems to have already started diplomatic effort, reports said. &nbsp;

Citing intelligence reports, US officials told ‘Wall Street Journal’ that Beijing may be looking for port city of Bata in Equatorial Guinea as the base. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/us-announces-diplomatic-boycott-of-beijing-winter-olympics-due-to-human-rights-abuses-in-china-434742" hreflang="en">US announces diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics due to human rights abuses in China</a>

Bata already has a deep-water port, which had been upgraded by China Road &amp; Bridge Co between 2009 and 2014, a report said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In 2019, US first learnt about the possibility of the base in the city, the report said. &nbsp;

In an email, Department of Defense spokesman Todd Breasseale told Fox News, "part of US diplomacy to address maritime security issues, the administration has made clear to Equatorial Guinea that certain potential steps involving PRC activity there would raise national security concerns." &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-bomber-carries-out-mine-laying-exercise-in-south-china-sea-434578" hreflang="en">China's bomber carries out mine laying exercise in South China Sea</a>

To dissuade President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and his son from agreeing to the deal, principal deputy US national security adviser Jon Finer visited the country in October, as per the Journal. &nbsp;

In a statement at the time, the White House said that the two discussed "ways to enhance maritime security and end the COVID-19 pandemic." &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

If reports are to be believed, China may be looking for its first permanent military base on Africa's Atlantic coast. In order to thwart the idea, the US seems to have already started diplomatic effort, reports said.

If reports are to be believed, China may be looking for its first permanent military base on Africa's Atlantic coast. In order to thwart the idea, the US seems to have already started diplomatic effort, reports said. Citing intelligence reports, US officials told ‘Wall Street Journal’ that Beijing may be looking for port city of Bata in Equatorial Guinea as the base. Also Read: US announces diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics due to human rights abuses in China Bata already has a deep-water port, which had been upgraded by China Road & Bridge Co between 2009 and 2014, a report said. In 2019, US first learnt about the possibility of the base in the city, the report said. In an email, Department of Defense spokesman Todd Breasseale told Fox News, "part of US diplomacy to address maritime security issues, the administration has made clear to Equatorial Guinea that certain potential steps involving PRC activity there would raise national security concerns." Also Read: China's bomber carries out mine laying exercise in South China Sea To dissuade President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and his son from agreeing to the deal, principal deputy US national security adviser Jon Finer visited the country in October, as per the Journal. In a statement at the time, the White House said that the two discussed "ways to enhance maritime security and end the COVID-19 pandemic." (With inputs from agencies)

China eyes military base on Africa's Atlantic coast, US trying to thwart it, say reports

The citizens of the United States seem to have been continuously losing confidence in the military, a new survey published recently said. &nbsp;

There is a need to conduct more research to understand the reasons for the development. &nbsp;

Since its launch in 2018, the Reagan Institute’s national defence survey, for a third year in a row, found the confidence in the military to be declining regularly. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-china-eyes-military-base-on-africas-atlantic-coast-us-looks-to-dump-idea-say-reports-434751">As China eyes military base on Atlantic Ocean, US looks to dump idea: Reports</a>

Around 2,500 respondents belonging to different gender, age, political and other demographics were included in the survey. &nbsp;

In it, there were questions about confidence in Supreme Court, law enforcement, media, Congress, presidency and other institutions as well. &nbsp;

From 2019, the confidence began to fell in the military. It fell from 70% to 63% in 2019 and then down to 56% earlier this year. In nine months, it dropped to 45%. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-send-more-troops-to-eastern-europe-if-putin-invades-ukraine-434750">US to send more troops to Eastern Europe, if Putin invades Ukraine</a>

Rachel Hoff, the Reagan Institute’s policy director, said, “... we’ve tested over the last three years a number of public institutions and institutional trust is declining overall in American society.” &nbsp;&nbsp;

“That’s perhaps not surprising, but the way that the military is falling so much more quickly than the other institutions, we think is notable, particularly in the light of the real understanding that the American people have about the national security threats we face,” added Hoff. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The citizens of the United States seem to have been continuously losing confidence in the military, a new survey published recently said. There is a need to conduct more research to understand the reasons for the development.

The citizens of the United States seem to have been continuously losing confidence in the military, a new survey published recently said. There is a need to conduct more research to understand the reasons for the development. Since its launch in 2018, the Reagan Institute’s national defence survey, for a third year in a row, found the confidence in the military to be declining regularly. Also Read | As China eyes military base on Atlantic Ocean, US looks to dump idea: Reports Around 2,500 respondents belonging to different gender, age, political and other demographics were included in the survey. In it, there were questions about confidence in Supreme Court, law enforcement, media, Congress, presidency and other institutions as well. From 2019, the confidence began to fell in the military. It fell from 70% to 63% in 2019 and then down to 56% earlier this year. In nine months, it dropped to 45%. Also Read: US to send more troops to Eastern Europe, if Putin invades Ukraine Rachel Hoff, the Reagan Institute’s policy director, said, “... we’ve tested over the last three years a number of public institutions and institutional trust is declining overall in American society.” “That’s perhaps not surprising, but the way that the military is falling so much more quickly than the other institutions, we think is notable, particularly in the light of the real understanding that the American people have about the national security threats we face,” added Hoff. (With inputs from agencies)

US citizens continuously losing confidence in military, says new survey

At a time when Pakistan seems to be under intense international pressure after a Sri Lankan national was lynched by a mob, the country seems to have heaved a sigh of relief on getting $3 billion loan from Saudi Arabia. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Riyadh has again come to Islamabad’s rescue as the loan will alleviate some financial woes. Pakistan has received the loan, which is a part of an economic support package, the prime minister's finance adviser said on Saturday. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/makeshift-memorial-honours-slain-lankan-factory-manager-in-pakistan-434244">Makeshift memorial honours slain Lankan factory manager in Pakistan</a>

The nation has been reeling under numerous economic challenges, which seem to be growing unabated.&nbsp;The country is witnessing sliding forex reserves, high inflation, widening current account deficit and depreciating currency. &nbsp;&nbsp;

According to the central bank data, total liquid foreign reserves of the country stand at $22,498.8 million. &nbsp;&nbsp;

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Good news, US$3 billion Saudi deposit received by SBP. I want to thank His Excellency Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the kind gesture.
— Shaukat Tarin (@shaukat_tarin) <a href="https://twitter.com/shaukat_tarin/status/1467059562104635394?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2021</a></blockquote>
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In a tweet, Shaukat Tarin, finance adviser to Pakistan's prime minister Imran Khan, said, "I want to thank His Excellency Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the kind gesture." &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lankan-parliament-pm-rajapaksa-condemn-brutal-lynching-of-lankan-man-over-blasphemy-in-pakistan-434175" hreflang="en">Sri Lankan Parliament, PM condemn brutal lynching of Lankan man in Pakistan</a>

The loan has been given for a year at an interest rate of 4% under the terms of the package, which was signed last month. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Saad Hashemy, executive director, BMA Capital, said, "This is positive news ... and will help bolster both the foreign exchange reserves and sentiments in the forex market." &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

At a time when Pakistan seems to be under intense international pressure after a Sri Lankan national was lynched by a mob, the country seems to have heaved a sigh of relief on getting $3 billion loan from Saudi Arabia.

At a time when Pakistan seems to be under intense international pressure after a Sri Lankan national was lynched by a mob, the country seems to have heaved a sigh of relief on getting $3 billion loan from Saudi Arabia. Riyadh has again come to Islamabad’s rescue as the loan will alleviate some financial woes. Pakistan has received the loan, which is a part of an economic support package, the prime minister's finance adviser said on Saturday. Also Read: Makeshift memorial honours slain Lankan factory manager in Pakistan The nation has been reeling under numerous economic challenges, which seem to be growing unabated. The country is witnessing sliding forex reserves, high inflation, widening current account deficit and depreciating currency. According to the central bank data, total liquid foreign reserves of the country stand at $22,498.8 million. Good news, US$3 billion Saudi deposit received by SBP. I want to thank His Excellency Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the kind gesture. — Shaukat Tarin (@shaukat_tarin) December 4, 2021 × In a tweet, Shaukat Tarin, finance adviser to Pakistan's prime minister Imran Khan, said, "I want to thank His Excellency Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the kind gesture." Also Read: Sri Lankan Parliament, PM condemn brutal lynching of Lankan man in Pakistan The loan has been given for a year at an interest rate of 4% under the terms of the package, which was signed last month. Saad Hashemy, executive director, BMA Capital, said, "This is positive news ... and will help bolster both the foreign exchange reserves and sentiments in the forex market." (With inputs from agencies)

Under intense pressure, Pakistan heaves a sigh of relief on getting $3 billion loan from Saudi Arabia

We bring you the biggest stories of the day so far. From&nbsp;Britain introducing new travel measures as Omicron cases rise to&nbsp;over 20 people drowning after bus plunges into Enziu river in&nbsp;Kenya,&nbsp;we have it all.

You can also read about&nbsp;Austin saying Taiwan airspace incursions by Chinese military look like 'rehearsals' and&nbsp;Trump's social media company getting agreements for $1 billion in capital.

Please click on the headline to read the full story.

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-introduces-new-travel-measures-as-omicron-cases-rise-to-160-434232">Britain introduces new travel measures as Omicron cases rise to 160</a>

<img alt="Brief 2" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="78cb5f8f-8ebb-4a48-9a9c-6c8bbd144956" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/XZ1_0.JPG" />

As fears of a new variant Omicron looms, Britain has tightened curbs for travellers. According to the new measures, Britain will now require all inbound travellers to have a negative pre-departure Covid-19 test.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kenya-over-20-people-drown-after-bus-with-church-choir-plunges-into-enziu-river-434224">Kenya: Over 20 people drown after bus plunges into Enziu river</a>

<img alt="Brief 3" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6c408352-4b57-4dd0-accd-a263485fa718" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/XZ2.JPG" />

A bus travelling to a wedding in Kenya was swept away by fast-flowing river water drowning at least 20 people. The incident took place at a bridge in the Enziu river, which is about 200km east of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-airspace-incursions-by-chinese-military-look-like-rehearsals-says-us-defense-secretary-lloyd-austin-434227">Taiwan airspace incursions by Chinese military look like 'rehearsals': Austin</a>

<img alt="Brief 3" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1c89f633-057f-4507-b4f9-f15ac4e0b934" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/XZ3.JPG" />

Amid heightened tensions between the US and China over Taiwan issue, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that the actions of Chinese military, such as flights near Taiwan, look like "rehearsals".&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/former-us-president-donald-trumps-social-media-company-gets-agreements-for-1-billion-in-capital-434233">Trump's social media company gets agreements for $1 billion in capital</a>

<img alt="Brief 4" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9c97195f-8e58-4aa2-8499-5653ab9c7535" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/XZ4.JPG" />

In the latest development, former US president Donald Trump's new social media company and its special purpose acquisition company partner said the partner has agreements for $1 billion in capital from institutional investors.

We bring you the biggest stories of the day so far. From Britain introducing new travel measures as Omicron cases rise to over 20 people drowning after bus plunges into Enziu river in Kenya, we have it all.

We bring you the biggest stories of the day so far. From Britain introducing new travel measures as Omicron cases rise to over 20 people drowning after bus plunges into Enziu river in Kenya, we have it all. You can also read about Austin saying Taiwan airspace incursions by Chinese military look like 'rehearsals' and Trump's social media company getting agreements for $1 billion in capital. Please click on the headline to read the full story. Britain introduces new travel measures as Omicron cases rise to 160 As fears of a new variant Omicron looms, Britain has tightened curbs for travellers. According to the new measures, Britain will now require all inbound travellers to have a negative pre-departure Covid-19 test. Kenya: Over 20 people drown after bus plunges into Enziu river A bus travelling to a wedding in Kenya was swept away by fast-flowing river water drowning at least 20 people. The incident took place at a bridge in the Enziu river, which is about 200km east of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. Taiwan airspace incursions by Chinese military look like 'rehearsals': Austin Amid heightened tensions between the US and China over Taiwan issue, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that the actions of Chinese military, such as flights near Taiwan, look like "rehearsals". Trump's social media company gets agreements for $1 billion in capital In the latest development, former US president Donald Trump's new social media company and its special purpose acquisition company partner said the partner has agreements for $1 billion in capital from institutional investors.

Morning news brief: Britain introduces travel measures, 20 drown in Kenya and more

Former US president Donald Trump seems to be inching closer to make his new social media platform 'Truth Social’, a reality. &nbsp;

In the latest development, Trump's new social media company and its special purpose acquisition company partner said the partner has agreements for $1 billion in capital from institutional investors. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-putin-all-set-for-video-meet-on-tuesday-amid-ukraine-crisis-434185" hreflang="en">Biden, Putin all set for video meet on Tuesday amid Ukraine crisis</a>

In October, Trump launched new company, Trump Media &amp; Technology Group. The former president looks to come up with a new messaging app called 'Truth Social’ to rival Twitter and the other social media platforms that banned him after Capitol riots. &nbsp;&nbsp;

According to the plan, the Trump Media &amp; Technology Group wants to become a publicly listed company through a merger with the publicly traded Digital World Acquisition Corp, which is a special purpose acquisition company whose purpose is to acquire a private company and make it public. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-airspace-incursions-by-chinese-military-look-like-rehearsals-says-us-defense-secretary-lloyd-austin-434227" hreflang="en">Taiwan airspace incursions by&nbsp;Chinese military look&nbsp;like 'rehearsals', says US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin</a>

In the press release issued on Saturday, Trump Media and Digital World did not identify the institutional investors. After the two companies are combined, the money would come from 'a diverse group' of investors, it said. &nbsp;

In the release, Digital World CEO Patrick Orlando, said, "I am confident that TMTG can effectively deploy this capital to accelerate and strengthen the execution of its business, including by continuing to attract top talent, hire top technology providers, and roll out significant advertising and business development campaigns." &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Former US president Donald Trump seems to be inching closer to make his new social media platform 'Truth Social’, a reality. In the latest development, Trump's new social media company and its special purpose acquisition company partner said the partner has agreements for $1 billion in capital from institutional investors.

Former US president Donald Trump seems to be inching closer to make his new social media platform 'Truth Social’, a reality. In the latest development, Trump's new social media company and its special purpose acquisition company partner said the partner has agreements for $1 billion in capital from institutional investors. Also Read: Biden, Putin all set for video meet on Tuesday amid Ukraine crisis In October, Trump launched new company, Trump Media & Technology Group. The former president looks to come up with a new messaging app called 'Truth Social’ to rival Twitter and the other social media platforms that banned him after Capitol riots. According to the plan, the Trump Media & Technology Group wants to become a publicly listed company through a merger with the publicly traded Digital World Acquisition Corp, which is a special purpose acquisition company whose purpose is to acquire a private company and make it public. Also Read: Taiwan airspace incursions by Chinese military look like 'rehearsals', says US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin In the press release issued on Saturday, Trump Media and Digital World did not identify the institutional investors. After the two companies are combined, the money would come from 'a diverse group' of investors, it said. In the release, Digital World CEO Patrick Orlando, said, "I am confident that TMTG can effectively deploy this capital to accelerate and strengthen the execution of its business, including by continuing to attract top talent, hire top technology providers, and roll out significant advertising and business development campaigns." (With inputs from agencies)

Former US president Donald Trump's social media company gets agreements for $1 billion in capital

Amid heightened tensions between the US and China over Taiwan issue, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Saturday said that the actions of Chinese military, such as flights near Taiwan, look like "rehearsals". &nbsp;

The defense secretary, however, did not look to indicate that he expected the Asian giant to actually carry out these operations. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ahead-of-bidens-democracy-summit-china-publishes-its-own-democratic-model-434132" hreflang="en">Ahead of Biden's democracy summit, China publishes its own 'democratic model'</a>

At a conference in California, Austin said, "I don't want to speculate, but certainly ... it looks a lot like rehearsals." &nbsp;

By definition, military training flights seem to be rehearsals for future operations. &nbsp;

Earlier, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had warned China against its increasing incursions in Taiwan saying that it should be prepared of 'terrible consequences' if it precipitates a crisis in Taipei. &nbsp;

According to him, the United States is ''resolutely committed'' to protect Taiwan, and if China decides to invade Taiwan ''that would be a potentially disastrous decision.'' &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-to-vote-on-bill-banning-imports-of-products-from-chinas-xinjiang-433718" hreflang="en">US House to vote on bill banning imports of products from China's Xinjiang</a>

“I hope that China’s leaders think very carefully about this and about not precipitating a crisis that would have I think terrible consequences for lots of people and one that’s in no one’s interest, starting with China," he added. &nbsp;

China and the United States are tussling over President Joe Biden’s upcoming democracy summit, in which Taiwan is invited. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

Amid heightened tensions between the US and China over Taiwan issue, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Saturday said that the actions of Chinese military, such as flights near Taiwan, look like "rehearsals".

Amid heightened tensions between the US and China over Taiwan issue, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Saturday said that the actions of Chinese military, such as flights near Taiwan, look like "rehearsals". The defense secretary, however, did not look to indicate that he expected the Asian giant to actually carry out these operations. Also Read: Ahead of Biden's democracy summit, China publishes its own 'democratic model' At a conference in California, Austin said, "I don't want to speculate, but certainly ... it looks a lot like rehearsals." By definition, military training flights seem to be rehearsals for future operations. Earlier, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had warned China against its increasing incursions in Taiwan saying that it should be prepared of 'terrible consequences' if it precipitates a crisis in Taipei. According to him, the United States is ''resolutely committed'' to protect Taiwan, and if China decides to invade Taiwan ''that would be a potentially disastrous decision.'' Also Read: US House to vote on bill banning imports of products from China's Xinjiang “I hope that China’s leaders think very carefully about this and about not precipitating a crisis that would have I think terrible consequences for lots of people and one that’s in no one’s interest, starting with China," he added. China and the United States are tussling over President Joe Biden’s upcoming democracy summit, in which Taiwan is invited. (With inputs from agencies)

Taiwan airspace incursions by Chinese military look like 'rehearsals', says US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin

Let's revisit major natural calamities that rocked world in 2021

In what can be termed an unwelcome surprise, a woman is suffering due to callous attitude of UK Government's Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) department. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In August 2020, the bank account of the woman, who is a self-employed mother of a five-year-old, was mistakenly credited with £774,839.39 through Bacs payment transfer from HMRC. &nbsp; &nbsp;

The experience was “amazing, incredible, bizarre” but it quickly became “a nightmare,” said the woman. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/with-display-of-687000-christmas-lights-family-breaks-own-world-record-in-us-434318" hreflang="en">With display of 687,000 Christmas lights, family breaks own world record in US</a>

For over a year, she was waiting for the department to realise their mistake and take the money back but to no benefit. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Keeping her conscience clear, the woman has been making efforts to return the money. She not just tried to contact HMRC but also connected with the Guardian. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The real issue now is that as the year was tough due to coronavirus induced pause in work, she has spent £20,000 and has no way to return the complete money immediately. &nbsp;&nbsp;

After the Guardian told HMRC, it probed and found that a staff member made the mistake while trying to pay a £23.39 parcel customs duty rebate to woman. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trying-to-get-rid-of-snakes-owners-accidentally-burned-down-their-home-434281" hreflang="en">Trying to get rid of snakes, owners accidentally burned down their home</a>

According to the Section 24A of the Theft Act 1968, it is an offence to knowingly keep a wrongful credit. The recipient, who dishonestly fails to “take such steps as are reasonable in the circumstances to secure that the credit is cancelled”. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In her case, an HMRC spokesperson has told the woman that the organisation “genuinely wants to be supportive”. &nbsp;&nbsp;

“We are sorry for the inconvenience caused to the individual. We are working to recover the payment that was made. For the amount that the individual spent, we will work with them to come to a payment arrangement that takes into account their financial circumstances,” he said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In what can be termed an unwelcome surprise, a woman is suffering due to callous attitude of UK Government's Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) department.

In what can be termed an unwelcome surprise, a woman is suffering due to callous attitude of UK Government's Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) department. In August 2020, the bank account of the woman, who is a self-employed mother of a five-year-old, was mistakenly credited with £774,839.39 through Bacs payment transfer from HMRC. The experience was “amazing, incredible, bizarre” but it quickly became “a nightmare,” said the woman. Also Read: With display of 687,000 Christmas lights, family breaks own world record in US For over a year, she was waiting for the department to realise their mistake and take the money back but to no benefit. Keeping her conscience clear, the woman has been making efforts to return the money. She not just tried to contact HMRC but also connected with the Guardian. The real issue now is that as the year was tough due to coronavirus induced pause in work, she has spent £20,000 and has no way to return the complete money immediately. After the Guardian told HMRC, it probed and found that a staff member made the mistake while trying to pay a £23.39 parcel customs duty rebate to woman. Also Read: Trying to get rid of snakes, owners accidentally burned down their home According to the Section 24A of the Theft Act 1968, it is an offence to knowingly keep a wrongful credit. The recipient, who dishonestly fails to “take such steps as are reasonable in the circumstances to secure that the credit is cancelled”. In her case, an HMRC spokesperson has told the woman that the organisation “genuinely wants to be supportive”. “We are sorry for the inconvenience caused to the individual. We are working to recover the payment that was made. For the amount that the individual spent, we will work with them to come to a payment arrangement that takes into account their financial circumstances,” he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Complete nightmare? Woman who got £775,000 from HMRC by mistake feels troubled

Creating a world record for a unique thing is memorable but breaking your own world record again is passion to be way better. This holds true for the Gay family, who are from Hudson Valley, New York. &nbsp;&nbsp;

With a display of 687,000 lights, this family broke own world record for most Christmas lights on a residential property. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-lawmaker-posts-family-picture-with-several-guns-faces-backlash-434259" hreflang="en">US lawmaker posts family picture with several guns, faces backlash</a>

For the first time, this family held the Guinness World Record for the same in 2014 with 601,736 bulbs. &nbsp;

They have been continuously making concerted efforts to break the record since. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The family also hopes to raise $500,000 for the fire department and local charities from the visitors to the drive-through display they have set up this year, the Albany Times-Union reported. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/former-us-president-donald-trumps-social-media-company-gets-agreements-for-1-billion-in-capital-434233">Trump's social media company gets agreements for $1 billion in capital</a>

The family, which includes Tim Gay, Grace Gay, and their three grown children, develop the massive displays. It first started gaining attention from visitors in 2007 after the addition of animation. &nbsp;

“It always felt pretty cool being a part of something so big. It’s really been a gift to see that happen over time, to start something small where it felt more personal and intimate as our family tradition, and then grow it into a tradition for so many people in the community,” said daughter Emily Gay. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Creating a world record for a unique thing is memorable but breaking your own world record again is passion to be way better. This holds true for the Gay family, who are from Hudson Valley, New York.

Creating a world record for a unique thing is memorable but breaking your own world record again is passion to be way better. This holds true for the Gay family, who are from Hudson Valley, New York. With a display of 687,000 lights, this family broke own world record for most Christmas lights on a residential property. Also Read: US lawmaker posts family picture with several guns, faces backlash For the first time, this family held the Guinness World Record for the same in 2014 with 601,736 bulbs. They have been continuously making concerted efforts to break the record since. The family also hopes to raise $500,000 for the fire department and local charities from the visitors to the drive-through display they have set up this year, the Albany Times-Union reported. Also Read: Trump's social media company gets agreements for $1 billion in capital The family, which includes Tim Gay, Grace Gay, and their three grown children, develop the massive displays. It first started gaining attention from visitors in 2007 after the addition of animation. “It always felt pretty cool being a part of something so big. It’s really been a gift to see that happen over time, to start something small where it felt more personal and intimate as our family tradition, and then grow it into a tradition for so many people in the community,” said daughter Emily Gay. (With inputs from agencies)

With display of 687,000 Christmas lights, family breaks own world record in US

Rabbi Arthur Schneier has spent decades shaping Park East Synagogue into one of the most prominent synagogues in New York, a public showcase for Modern Orthodox Judaism that has drawn visiting world leaders, including Pope Benedict XVI. He became synonymous with the synagogue and grew in stature by founding a school renamed in his honor and a nonprofit focused on human rights.

Ten years ago, he hired Benjamin Goldschmidt to be assistant rabbi, a dutiful job that has never been a steppingstone to the synagogue’s senior position. But Goldschmidt, young and charismatic, quickly began to develop his own following by focusing on the spiritual needs of what he calls “the next generation of Jews.”

The relationship between the leaders grew strained as Goldschmidt, 34, rose in popularity at a time when Park East members began to question who would take over when Schneier, 91, was no longer able to lead.

In October, Schneier abruptly fired Goldschmidt, and those long-simmering tensions publicly exploded in a way rabbinic rivalries rarely do. One New York tabloid called the conflict “The Rabbi War,” and it has captivated much of the Jewish world for its acrimony, its allegations of unlawful behavior, and the generational questions it raises about the leadership of a prominent synagogue and the future of Modern Orthodox Judaism, which is increasingly shaped by the influence of ultra-Orthodox Jews and Russian speakers.

The accusations of betrayal and lawbreaking are extraordinary public attacks between influential rabbis that led Park East to decry its former employee’s actions as “a disgrace of the Rabbinate and Torah values” and have drawn the attention of an Israeli government minister who called for the younger rabbi to be rehired.

The conflict has split the synagogue: Schneier supporters remain there, while hundreds of other Park East members have joined the younger rabbi as he leads a rival Shabbat service down the street.

“I think Rabbi Goldschmidt is an up-and-coming figure in the Orthodox world,” said David Lobl, 37, a Goldschmidt supporter. “And there is an old saying, ‘There is only room for one rabbi in a shul.’”

That rabbi is and should be Schneier, said Hank Sheinkopf, a political strategist and spokesperson for the Schneier family.

“He and the institution are identified together,” he said. “If you attack one, you attack the other.”

Both rabbis have obtained public relations representatives and legal teams. Schneier and members of the board of Park East Synagogue declined to be interviewed for this article. Goldschmidt agreed to be interviewed in the presence of a public relations adviser but declined to address the allegations he made through his lawyer that Schneier has run Park East and his foundation in ways that violate state law.

Richard Emery, a lawyer for the Schneier family and the rabbi’s foundation, blamed the younger rabbi for a conflict that he described as “internecine pettiness.”

“Goldschmidt’s manipulations to try to control PES must not be permitted to tarnish Rabbi Schneier’s 60 years of accomplishments,” Emery said in a statement.

Born in Vienna, Schneier survived the Holocaust and emigrated in 1947 to the United States. He attended New York’s Yeshiva University, which would later name its international affairs program after him. In 1962, he began working at Park East, located in one of the city’s most exclusive neighborhoods, and built it from a small, 40-person congregation into a community of 750 members today.

He founded the Appeal of Conscience Foundation in 1965 to campaign for human rights behind the Iron Curtain. The foundation’s board of trustees boasts members such as George Pataki, the former governor of New York, and executives from Deutsche Bank, Johnson &amp;amp; Johnson and Bank of America. He remains president of the charitable organization.

He also founded the Rabbi Arthur Schneier Park East Day School in 1976 and remains dean of the school, which became eponymous in 1990.

Schneier’s tenure has combined the daily spiritual work of a rabbi and the advocacy and institution building of a public figure. During the Cold War, he held rallies in support of Soviet Jews in front of Park East, which sat across the street from a Soviet diplomatic mission, and was awarded a Presidential Citizens Medal in 2001.

As news of the discord at Park East spread, the public profiles of both rabbis led the Israeli government to weigh in.

In a letter to the synagogue, Yoel Razvozov, Israel’s tourism minister and former head of its parliamentary diaspora committee, called for Goldschmidt to be rehired. He said the “crisis” at Park East “definitely puts a shadow over the integration of the Russian-speaking Jews in the greater Jewish community of New York.”

From the beginning, Goldschmidt was an unconventional fit for an Upper East Side Modern Orthodox synagogue like Park East.

Goldschmidt was born in Israel and raised in Russia, and a representative for Park East said it hired him in 2011 as a favor to his father, Pinchas Goldschmidt, chief rabbi of Moscow and president of the Conference of European Rabbis.

Unlike many Modern Orthodox leaders, Goldschmidt does not have a college degree and was educated at religiously conservative Haredi, or ultra-Orthodox, schools in Israel and New Jersey.

In 2014, he married journalist Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt in a wedding ceremony featured in The New York Times “Vows” section and attended by 1,000 guests, including renowned sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer.

Chizhik-Goldschmidt’s social media presence has helped boost their image as emerging leaders and includes photos of her husband and children and links to her journalistic work on Jewish issues. (She has also contributed two pieces to the Times opinion section, one about her husband and a second about their courtship.)

In his years at Park East, Goldschmidt concentrated on attracting young families like his own to the synagogue.

“What I feel like is my greatest responsibility is how to engage the next generation,” Goldschmidt said in an interview. “For me, that is the number one, two, three most important thing.”

As Goldschmidt’s influence grew, Park East members said, Schneier began to reduce his visibility and authority: His seat on the dais was replaced with a rickety folding chair. He was stripped of responsibility for a prayer group he started. Chizhik-Goldschmidt was forbidden from mentoring bat mitzvah students.

In October, a group of congregants supportive of Goldschmidt sent an email to all the members of the synagogue and parents of children who attend the day school expressing concern about the future of Park East and criticizing the synagogue’s poor appeal to young families.

In interviews, supporters of Goldschmidt described Schneier as a self-aggrandizing nonagenarian who is unwilling to cede the spotlight or to allow Park East members to participate in the governance of the synagogue.

The email angered Schneier, who saw it as disapproving of his leadership. He soon learned that Goldschmidt gave the contact list to the group that distributed the email and quickly fired him for what he called a violation of members’ privacy.

Three days later, Schneier announced the termination in his own email to the congregation. In that email, he accused the members who wrote the previous email of having “no real ideas” for the future and being driven by “other motives” that he declined to “dignify in this letter to you, my beloved congregation.” Park East later said in a statement that it had been unhappy with the younger rabbi’s job performance.

Goldschmidt could never take over Park East because his education at a Haredi yeshiva, which do not grant bachelor’s degrees, did not meet the synagogue’s “minimum education standards” and was culturally out of step with its peer institutions, said Sheinkopf.

“Look at the other synagogues in the Modern Orthodox vein,” he said. “It is unlikely that someone from a Haredi background would in fact wind up as the rabbi of that institution.”

After he was fired, Goldschmidt decided to tell the news media about what he described as the inappropriate operations of Park East, although he did not take his concerns to law enforcement.

He hired Daniel L. Kurtz, a lawyer who led the Charities Bureau at the New York state Attorney General’s Office from 1979 to 1985, and accused Schneier of concentrating power at Park East and the foundation in ways that violated state law.

The foundation paid Schneier $200,000 and his daughter, Karen Dresbach, $225,000, according to its 2020 tax filings, which also note that the rabbi had an estimated income of $400,000 from other unnamed sources. The filings said the foundation rents space in a building owned by Schneier. Kurtz described that arrangement as “self-dealing.”

Lawyers for Schneier said the rental agreement had been fully approved by the foundation’s board and that the rent amount — under $200,000 per year for most of a four-story building on East 71st Street — was far below market rate.

The rabbi also worked for the foundation without pay for the first 47 years of its operation until the board decided to begin paying him in 2012. His daughter was hired in 2017 after an 18-year career as a nonprofit executive in Florida, and both were paid less than the leaders of many comparable nonprofits, his lawyers said.

Some Park East members worry that Schneier aspires to hand the reins to his son, Marc Schneier, founder of the upscale Hampton Synagogue in Westhampton Beach, and say that they disapprove. But the rabbi’s son has no interest in inheriting his father’s operation, Sheinkopf said.

Still, Goldschmidt called the Schneiers’ various arrangements a demonstration that the rabbi has been using his foundation to financially benefit himself and his family, allegations that Emery said were “categorically false.”

In addition to questioning the foundation’s financial practices, Kurtz said his client believed Park East was being governed in a way that violated state law.

The law governing religious groups requires synagogues to hold regular membership meetings so congregants can elect a board of trustees and obtain information about the synagogue’s finances, Kurtz said.

Four Park East members who Kurtz also represents have requested the synagogue’s bylaws and financial information. None of their requests have been fulfilled, he said.

In an interview, Goldschmidt said there had been no membership meetings during his decade at Park East. His lawyer said the synagogue’s board of trustees was appointed by Schneier, not elected, which Kurtz said was “blatantly illegal.”

Schneier’s lawyer said that his client was not involved in Park East’s operations and bears no responsibility for any unlawful actions that may have been taken by its leadership, although he “occasionally makes suggestions of possible new board members.”

In a statement, Park East declined to say how board members obtain their seats. Schneier’s lawyer also declined to provide that information.

The synagogue said the accusations are aimed at “intentionally defaming” the synagogue and its senior rabbi. It also criticized Goldschmidt for not expressing concern about its operations while on staff and accused him of going to the news media in “a coordinated effort to spread rumors, lies and distrust” that violated “the tenets of the Jewish faith.”

Goldschmidt said his loyalty is to the people of Park East, not its administrators.

“The way I see it, my ultimate responsibility is to members of the congregation,” he said.

Last month, Goldschmidt supporters of all ages gathered for Shabbat at an Upper East Side event space down the street from Park East. They packed the room and poured into the hallway to hear the rabbi speak. In his sermon, Goldschmidt alluded to the conflict.

“I have mixed feelings today,” he said. “This is not an ideal situation. When there is a family feud, there are no victors. And we are a family, a community, one people.”

Down the street on another Saturday, people gathered for Schneier’s service. Standing before the crowd, most of them older adults, he reflected on the way that “Jewish leaders have transformed the skyline here in our great city.”

When taking stock of your life, he told them, it is important to embrace a “spirit of thanksgiving.”

“We thank you, God,” Schneier said. “Be grateful for every day of your life.”

Rabbi Arthur Schneier has spent decades shaping Park East Synagogue into one of the most prominent synagogues in New York, a public showcase for Modern Orthodox Judaism that has drawn visiting world leaders, including Pope Benedict XVI.

Rabbi Arthur Schneier has spent decades shaping Park East Synagogue into one of the most prominent synagogues in New York, a public showcase for Modern Orthodox Judaism that has drawn visiting world leaders, including Pope Benedict XVI. He became synonymous with the synagogue and grew in stature by founding a school renamed in his honor and a nonprofit focused on human rights. Ten years ago, he hired Benjamin Goldschmidt to be assistant rabbi, a dutiful job that has never been a steppingstone to the synagogue’s senior position. But Goldschmidt, young and charismatic, quickly began to develop his own following by focusing on the spiritual needs of what he calls “the next generation of Jews.” The relationship between the leaders grew strained as Goldschmidt, 34, rose in popularity at a time when Park East members began to question who would take over when Schneier, 91, was no longer able to lead. In October, Schneier abruptly fired Goldschmidt, and those long-simmering tensions publicly exploded in a way rabbinic rivalries rarely do. One New York tabloid called the conflict “The Rabbi War,” and it has captivated much of the Jewish world for its acrimony, its allegations of unlawful behavior, and the generational questions it raises about the leadership of a prominent synagogue and the future of Modern Orthodox Judaism, which is increasingly shaped by the influence of ultra-Orthodox Jews and Russian speakers. The accusations of betrayal and lawbreaking are extraordinary public attacks between influential rabbis that led Park East to decry its former employee’s actions as “a disgrace of the Rabbinate and Torah values” and have drawn the attention of an Israeli government minister who called for the younger rabbi to be rehired. The conflict has split the synagogue: Schneier supporters remain there, while hundreds of other Park East members have joined the younger rabbi as he leads a rival Shabbat service down the street. “I think Rabbi Goldschmidt is an up-and-coming figure in the Orthodox world,” said David Lobl, 37, a Goldschmidt supporter. “And there is an old saying, ‘There is only room for one rabbi in a shul.’” That rabbi is and should be Schneier, said Hank Sheinkopf, a political strategist and spokesperson for the Schneier family. “He and the institution are identified together,” he said. “If you attack one, you attack the other.” Both rabbis have obtained public relations representatives and legal teams. Schneier and members of the board of Park East Synagogue declined to be interviewed for this article. Goldschmidt agreed to be interviewed in the presence of a public relations adviser but declined to address the allegations he made through his lawyer that Schneier has run Park East and his foundation in ways that violate state law. Richard Emery, a lawyer for the Schneier family and the rabbi’s foundation, blamed the younger rabbi for a conflict that he described as “internecine pettiness.” “Goldschmidt’s manipulations to try to control PES must not be permitted to tarnish Rabbi Schneier’s 60 years of accomplishments,” Emery said in a statement. Born in Vienna, Schneier survived the Holocaust and emigrated in 1947 to the United States. He attended New York’s Yeshiva University, which would later name its international affairs program after him. In 1962, he began working at Park East, located in one of the city’s most exclusive neighborhoods, and built it from a small, 40-person congregation into a community of 750 members today. He founded the Appeal of Conscience Foundation in 1965 to campaign for human rights behind the Iron Curtain. The foundation’s board of trustees boasts members such as George Pataki, the former governor of New York, and executives from Deutsche Bank, Johnson &amp; Johnson and Bank of America. He remains president of the charitable organization. He also founded the Rabbi Arthur Schneier Park East Day School in 1976 and remains dean of the school, which became eponymous in 1990. Schneier’s tenure has combined the daily spiritual work of a rabbi and the advocacy and institution building of a public figure. During the Cold War, he held rallies in support of Soviet Jews in front of Park East, which sat across the street from a Soviet diplomatic mission, and was awarded a Presidential Citizens Medal in 2001. As news of the discord at Park East spread, the public profiles of both rabbis led the Israeli government to weigh in. In a letter to the synagogue, Yoel Razvozov, Israel’s tourism minister and former head of its parliamentary diaspora committee, called for Goldschmidt to be rehired. He said the “crisis” at Park East “definitely puts a shadow over the integration of the Russian-speaking Jews in the greater Jewish community of New York.” From the beginning, Goldschmidt was an unconventional fit for an Upper East Side Modern Orthodox synagogue like Park East. Goldschmidt was born in Israel and raised in Russia, and a representative for Park East said it hired him in 2011 as a favor to his father, Pinchas Goldschmidt, chief rabbi of Moscow and president of the Conference of European Rabbis. Unlike many Modern Orthodox leaders, Goldschmidt does not have a college degree and was educated at religiously conservative Haredi, or ultra-Orthodox, schools in Israel and New Jersey. In 2014, he married journalist Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt in a wedding ceremony featured in The New York Times “Vows” section and attended by 1,000 guests, including renowned sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer. Chizhik-Goldschmidt’s social media presence has helped boost their image as emerging leaders and includes photos of her husband and children and links to her journalistic work on Jewish issues. (She has also contributed two pieces to the Times opinion section, one about her husband and a second about their courtship.) In his years at Park East, Goldschmidt concentrated on attracting young families like his own to the synagogue. “What I feel like is my greatest responsibility is how to engage the next generation,” Goldschmidt said in an interview. “For me, that is the number one, two, three most important thing.” As Goldschmidt’s influence grew, Park East members said, Schneier began to reduce his visibility and authority: His seat on the dais was replaced with a rickety folding chair. He was stripped of responsibility for a prayer group he started. Chizhik-Goldschmidt was forbidden from mentoring bat mitzvah students. In October, a group of congregants supportive of Goldschmidt sent an email to all the members of the synagogue and parents of children who attend the day school expressing concern about the future of Park East and criticizing the synagogue’s poor appeal to young families. In interviews, supporters of Goldschmidt described Schneier as a self-aggrandizing nonagenarian who is unwilling to cede the spotlight or to allow Park East members to participate in the governance of the synagogue. The email angered Schneier, who saw it as disapproving of his leadership. He soon learned that Goldschmidt gave the contact list to the group that distributed the email and quickly fired him for what he called a violation of members’ privacy. Three days later, Schneier announced the termination in his own email to the congregation. In that email, he accused the members who wrote the previous email of having “no real ideas” for the future and being driven by “other motives” that he declined to “dignify in this letter to you, my beloved congregation.” Park East later said in a statement that it had been unhappy with the younger rabbi’s job performance. Goldschmidt could never take over Park East because his education at a Haredi yeshiva, which do not grant bachelor’s degrees, did not meet the synagogue’s “minimum education standards” and was culturally out of step with its peer institutions, said Sheinkopf. “Look at the other synagogues in the Modern Orthodox vein,” he said. “It is unlikely that someone from a Haredi background would in fact wind up as the rabbi of that institution.” After he was fired, Goldschmidt decided to tell the news media about what he described as the inappropriate operations of Park East, although he did not take his concerns to law enforcement. He hired Daniel L. Kurtz, a lawyer who led the Charities Bureau at the New York state Attorney General’s Office from 1979 to 1985, and accused Schneier of concentrating power at Park East and the foundation in ways that violated state law. The foundation paid Schneier $200,000 and his daughter, Karen Dresbach, $225,000, according to its 2020 tax filings, which also note that the rabbi had an estimated income of $400,000 from other unnamed sources. The filings said the foundation rents space in a building owned by Schneier. Kurtz described that arrangement as “self-dealing.” Lawyers for Schneier said the rental agreement had been fully approved by the foundation’s board and that the rent amount — under $200,000 per year for most of a four-story building on East 71st Street — was far below market rate. The rabbi also worked for the foundation without pay for the first 47 years of its operation until the board decided to begin paying him in 2012. His daughter was hired in 2017 after an 18-year career as a nonprofit executive in Florida, and both were paid less than the leaders of many comparable nonprofits, his lawyers said. Some Park East members worry that Schneier aspires to hand the reins to his son, Marc Schneier, founder of the upscale Hampton Synagogue in Westhampton Beach, and say that they disapprove. But the rabbi’s son has no interest in inheriting his father’s operation, Sheinkopf said. Still, Goldschmidt called the Schneiers’ various arrangements a demonstration that the rabbi has been using his foundation to financially benefit himself and his family, allegations that Emery said were “categorically false.” In addition to questioning the foundation’s financial practices, Kurtz said his client believed Park East was being governed in a way that violated state law. The law governing religious groups requires synagogues to hold regular membership meetings so congregants can elect a board of trustees and obtain information about the synagogue’s finances, Kurtz said. Four Park East members who Kurtz also represents have requested the synagogue’s bylaws and financial information. None of their requests have been fulfilled, he said. In an interview, Goldschmidt said there had been no membership meetings during his decade at Park East. His lawyer said the synagogue’s board of trustees was appointed by Schneier, not elected, which Kurtz said was “blatantly illegal.” Schneier’s lawyer said that his client was not involved in Park East’s operations and bears no responsibility for any unlawful actions that may have been taken by its leadership, although he “occasionally makes suggestions of possible new board members.” In a statement, Park East declined to say how board members obtain their seats. Schneier’s lawyer also declined to provide that information. The synagogue said the accusations are aimed at “intentionally defaming” the synagogue and its senior rabbi. It also criticized Goldschmidt for not expressing concern about its operations while on staff and accused him of going to the news media in “a coordinated effort to spread rumors, lies and distrust” that violated “the tenets of the Jewish faith.” Goldschmidt said his loyalty is to the people of Park East, not its administrators. “The way I see it, my ultimate responsibility is to members of the congregation,” he said. Last month, Goldschmidt supporters of all ages gathered for Shabbat at an Upper East Side event space down the street from Park East. They packed the room and poured into the hallway to hear the rabbi speak. In his sermon, Goldschmidt alluded to the conflict. “I have mixed feelings today,” he said. “This is not an ideal situation. When there is a family feud, there are no victors. And we are a family, a community, one people.” Down the street on another Saturday, people gathered for Schneier’s service. Standing before the crowd, most of them older adults, he reflected on the way that “Jewish leaders have transformed the skyline here in our great city.” When taking stock of your life, he told them, it is important to embrace a “spirit of thanksgiving.” “We thank you, God,” Schneier said. “Be grateful for every day of your life.”

A synagogue feud spills into public view: ‘Only room for one rabbi’

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Zee News Rajasthan

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Gandharv Walia

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