News
Trump marks October 7 Israeli massacre with a prayer visit to Ohel
Former US president Donald Trump marked October 7 Israeli massacre with a prayer visit to Ohel which is the most visited Jewish holy site in North America, the Rebbe’s resting place that draws people from all walks of life.
It was a personal prayer visit on Monday afternoon to the Ohel in Queens, N.Y., the resting place of the Rebbe—Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory.
Millions of people send their written prayers via email and post to the Ohel, while some 400,000 make pilgrimages there each year.
Located at the Old Montefiore Cemetery, the Ohel is open 24/7 and has long been a place for reflection for private citizens and world leaders alike, Jews and non-Jews, each coming to the holy site to pray, seek inspiration and find solace.
Trump was welcomed by Rabbi Abba Refson, director of the visitor’s center at the Ohel, and Rabbi Motti Seligson, a spokesman for Chabad-Lubavitch. Also present were Yael, Adi and Roy Alexander, parents and brother of Edan Alexander, who is currently being held hostage by terrorists in the Gaza Strip; Jerry Wartski, a survivor of the Auschwitz death camp; two Jewish college students currently speaking out against antisemitism on campus; Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, chairman of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch, the educational arm of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement; and Rabbi Levi Shemtov, director of American Friends of Lubavitch in Washington, D.C., among others.
On his way into the Ohel, Trump placed some money into the large tzedakah box near the entrance in keeping with Jewish tradition to increase charitable giving at this time of year.
The Rebbe’s Ohel is the most visited Jewish holy site in North America, drawing people from all walks of life in a way similar only to the Western Wall in Israel. It is common for people to visit the Ohel to pray in proximity to a personal or professional milestone—whether a bar or bat mitzvah, wedding, anniversary, starting a new business or overcoming personal challenges. Indeed, the former president has survived two assassination attempts over the last few months.
In many ways, Trump’s prayer visit is the continuation of a family tradition: Prior to both presidential elections, his daughter, Ivanka Trump, and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, paid late-night, media-free visits to the Ohel.
Recognized as the most influential rabbi in modern history, the Rebbe has been honored by every U.S. president since Jimmy Carter, who in 1978 began the tradition of proclaiming the Rebbe’s birthday as Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A. In 1994, the Rebbe was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of his “extraordinary life and work.”
The Rebbe was born in 1902 in what is today Ukraine, arriving in the United States in 1941 after escaping from Nazi-occupied Europe. A decade later, following the passing of his father-in-law and predecessor the Sixth Rebbe—Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, of righteous memory—he assumed leadership of the worldwide Chabad-Lubavitch movement.
Far from focusing only on the revival of the Jewish people, the Rebbe turned his gaze outward to the world at large, emphasizing a universal vision for a better world. He spoke of the goodness inherent within all of humankind and the infinite potential of every individual and each good deed. He believed in the fundamental need to nurture this good within man via a moral and ethical education, especially among children, who must be impressed upon from the youngest age that it is within their capacity to change the world for the better.
Throughout his lifetime, the Rebbe expended thousands of hours meeting and corresponding with people from all walks of life, among them rabbis, statesmen and laypeople, Jews and non-Jews, including Presidents Carter and Ronald Reagan, Shirley Chisholm and Robert F. Kennedy.
Visiting the resting place of the righteous is a long-held tradition in Judaism. The Talmud recounts how Caleb visited Hebron to pray at the Maarat Hamachpela (“Cave of the Patriarchs”), the resting place of the biblical patriarchs and matriarchs. Resting places of Jewish mystics and sages in Israel and Europe are considered sacred spaces and have been visited by Jews and non-Jews for centuries.
The timing of Trump’s visit—two days after Rosh Hashanah—is significant, as special emphasis is placed on visiting these sites on the days leading into Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
News
Generator fumes suspected for death of UNN students
Strong indications has emerged that the use of a generator in a poorly ventilated environment may have caused the death of some students of the University of Nigeria, Nssuka.
The suspicion emerged after a survivor of the incident disclosed that a generator was operating outside the corridor of the apartment where they gathered, while the doors and windows remained shut.
According to the 24-year-old survivor, an Art Education student, about 10 people attended the party organised by his friend, David, to celebrate the completion of his final examinations.
The gathering reportedly started around 11:30 a.m. at the host’s residence in the Hilltop area of Nsukka, with participants sharing alcoholic drinks and playing Truth or Dare.
Recounting his experience, the survivor said he suddenly lost consciousness after helping one of the participants who had vomited and returning to clean the floor.
He disclosed that his legs had become stiff and he could no longer walk before eventually passing out. The student said he regained consciousness at about 9 p.m., only to discover that his friends were lying motionless on the floor.
“When I regained consciousness at about 9 p.m., I heard someone saying that the host was shaking. I woke up and managed to look into the parlour, where I saw the host and other participants lying on the floor,” he recounted.
He said he subsequently contacted friends for assistance, before one of them eventually helped convey the affected students to Bishop Shanahan Hospital and other medical facilities in Nsukka.
The survivor further explained that the apartment was poorly ventilated, with the doors and windows shut, while a generator was running outside in the corridor. A fan was also operating inside the room.
News
Speed Darlington begs Burna Boy to drop case
Nigerian singer, Darlington Okoye popularly known as Speed Darlington, has apologised to Grammy-winning musician, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, asking him to withdraw the charges against him and promising to stop making comments about his sexuality.
Speed Darlington made the appeal in a video posted on his Instagram page on Thursday, in which he expressed regret over the pain and embarrassment he might have caused the singer.
“This video is for Burna Boy. Burna, this is an apology video. I apologise for any pain that I have caused you. Any shame that I have caused you,” he said.
The singer admitted that he was wrong to assume that everyone had the same temperament, adding that he wanted an end to their disagreement.
“I made the mistake of thinking that everybody vibrates at the same frequency. That’s wrong of me. I apologise, Burna Boy,” he added.
He further pledged to refrain from making both direct and indirect comments about Burna Boy’s sexuality, making the withdrawal of the charges a condition for his promise.
“I give you my word that if you withdraw all charges and let everything die, I give you my word that I will never make any direct comment regarding your sexuality. “Even indirect comment. I will no longer try sustain. I give you my word. Let peace reign,” he said.
Speed Darlington also promised not to mention the singer’s name again if the legal dispute was resolved.
“I promise I will never use my mouth to mention your name,” he added.
News
Why I left Peter Obi- Yinusa Tanko
Yinusa Tanko, former national coordinator of the Obidient Movement, says he experienced a betrayal of trust and loyalty in Peter Obi’s camp, which led to his exit from the movement.
Tanko spoke on Thursday shortly after his unveiling as the coordinator of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential campaign council.
Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Party (NDP), appointed Tanko as national coordinator of the Obidient Movement in September 2024, following a consensus to zone the position to the north.
He was later redeployed as Obi’s political adviser (north), a position he held until October 30, when he resigned.
However, Tanko said he never wanted to leave Obi’s camp, insisting that he was pushed out rather than choosing to exit the movement.
Tanko said although he appreciated the opportunity to serve Obi, he could not remain in a political group where his contributions were no longer valued.
“Well, you know, as you move along in politics, there may be a time when your group does not want you, does not need you or does not appreciate what you do,” he said.
“You don’t stay where you are being tolerated; you go where you are appreciated.
“As far as I’m concerned, I appreciate all the work I have done, and I appreciate him for giving me the opportunity. But the only thing I have suffered in that particular movement is betrayal of trust and betrayal of loyalty.”
Tanko said he served the former Anambra governor with diligence, honesty and integrity, adding that he still held him in high regard despite the circumstances surrounding his departure.
“Everybody knows that I have served with diligence, determination, honesty and integrity. That was how I served Peter Obi, and I continue to respect him,” he said.
“But now, since they don’t want me, people who appreciate me have picked me from the dustbin and made me a bride.”
Asked whether Obi would be pleased to see him in another political party, Tanko said he could not determine what was on the former governor’s mind.
“You cannot say what is on his mind; only he can speak for himself,” he said.
He added that his new political associates had recognised his contributions to nation-building and offered him another opportunity to serve.
-
News2 years agoSenate to speed up conclusion of Nigeria Forest Security Service Bill
-
News1 year agoThe Many Lies Against Bashir Haske
-
News3 years ago“Anytime we want to kill terrorists, President would ask us to take permission from France but they were killing our soldiers-” Niger Republic coup leader
-
News3 years agoBreaking: Tinubu’s authentic ministerial nominees
-
News5 months agoSee your state governor’s performance ranking
-
News3 years ago“I’m leaving the Catholic church because Bishop Onah is oppressing me,” says Okunerere
-
News3 years agoMy nude photo leak was a mistake- lawyer Ifunanya
-
News3 years agoRadio Nigeria’s veteran broadcaster Kelvin Ugwu dies three months after retirement from service
