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Children removed from Jewish sect’s jungle compound in Mexico

It follows a months-long surveillance operation against the extremist Lev Tahor group in Mexico.

Children and older teenagers have been removed from the jungle compound of a Jewish sect in Mexico following a raid by police, the BBC has learned.

Two members of Lev Tahor were arrested on suspicion of human trafficking and serious sexual offences, including rape, Israel’s foreign ministry said.

A three-year-old child removed from the compound has been flown to Israel.

Lev Tahor (Hebrew for Pure Heart) is known for extremist practices and imposing a strict regime on members.

It advocates child marriage, inflicts harsh punishments for even minor transgressions and requires women and girls as young as three years old to completely cover up with robes.

The stricture has earned the group the nickname the Jewish Taliban, because of seeming similarities with the dress code enforced by the Sunni Muslim extremist group which controls Afghanistan.

Police made their way into the compound 11 miles (17.5km) north of Tapachula in Chiapas state on Friday morning.

They had been instructed by a federal judge to detain several leaders suspected of child abuse and rescue members of the sect, following an investigation by the attorney general’s Special Prosecutor for Organised Crime (Femdo).

An Israeli source connected to the operation said the boys and girls were quickly separated from the rest of the group, because of fears their lives could be at risk from members trying to prevent them from being removed.

Twenty-six members were found in the compound, among them Israelis with dual citizenships including Canada, the US and Guatemala, Israel’s foreign ministry said.

It said a Canadian and an Israeli citizen were arrested, while two other wanted members reportedly left the compound two days before the raid and are being sought. Five more were detained for allegedly breaking immigration rules.

The remaining members are being housed at a facility of the Mexican Ministry of Welfare pending a decision on what will happen to them, the Israeli foreign ministry said.

The three-year-old son of an Israeli, Yisrael Amir, who had previously left the group, was among those removed from the compound. Mr Amir, who was present during the raid, flew back to Israel with his son on Monday.

‘Dangerous cult’

The Mexican police worked alongside a four-man volunteer team from Israel, including former Mossad agents, in planning and carrying out the operation.

The elite police unit which raided the compound “very carefully and without resorting to any violence” included both male and female officers because of the number of women and children in the sect, the Israel source said.

“The Mexican authorities did their duty in the best possible way,” the source added.

 

Image source, Raffi Berg

The operation was set in motion about two years ago, when Mr Amir and other relatives of some of those in the group asked one of the former agents for help.

The team travelled between Israel and Guatemala, where the branch had lived since 2014, carrying out surveillance operations and working with local authorities, law enforcement and a Guatemalan private investigator.

In January, about 40-50 members illegally crossed into Mexico, where they continued to be tracked, settling in the jungle north of Tapachula.

The leadership in Guatemala has been at the centre of a kidnapping case since 2018, when two children who had been taken to New York by their mother who had fled the community were snatched back. They were recovered three weeks later in Mexico.

Nine of the sect’s members were charged in connection with the case. Four – including the founder’s son and current leader Nachman Helbrans – have been jailed, while one was convicted, but freed because of time already served and another is due to be sentenced in November. Two are awaiting trial and one is in custody in Guatemala.

Lev Tahor was formed in Israel in 1988 by Rabbi Shlomo Helbrans, who later moved to the US. He served two years in prison after being convicted of kidnapping in 1994 and drowned in Mexico in 2017.

Numbering up to about 350 members, Lev Tahor has been forced to move from country to country in recent years after coming under scrutiny from local authorities. It is currently spread between Israel, the US, North Macedonia, Morocco, Mexico and Guatemala. Between 70 and 80 members are still in Guatemala.

While the group is often described as ultra-Orthodox, it follows its own sets of rules and has been declared a “dangerous cult” by an Israeli court.

Its leaders have denied breaking local laws and say the group is being targeted because of its beliefs.

 

It follows a months-long surveillance operation against the extremist Lev Tahor group in Mexico. 

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Video: Deer crashes through window and roams Alabama elementary school classroom

 

On video, a deer was captured crashing through a classroom window at an elementary school in Alabama and then wandering around among the desks. According to Evergreen Elementary School, the incident occurred on February 11, and the “unexpected intrusion” was not hurt. The school posted on Facebook that they had an “unexpected intruder” this weekend. It was undoubtedly interested in seeing all the great things happening in their school. ALASKA WOMAN IS KOMBLED BY HUGE MOOSE AFTER SLEEPING UP ON HIM. The facility claims that the deer left after “a couple of hours.” BUDWEISER CYDESDALES GET TANGLED UP DURING TEXAS STOKES AND RODEO SHOW “It struggled for a few minutes learning to walk on our waxed flooring,” Evergreen Elementary School stated. CLICK HERE TO GET FOX NEWS APP Video footage shows the deer sliding around on the ground as it moves around the desks of children inside the classroom.

 

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Texas school administrator seems to have thrown a 14-year-old boy in the wall

A mother who was concerned released surveillance video that shows a school administrator throwing a boy, 14 years old, into a wall at Round Rock High School. The incident occurred at GOALS Learning Center on April 29, a school for students with a primary disorder of emotional disturbance. Tatiana Alfano, the mother, said that she received an email and a call from the school stating that her son was defiant and had struck his head when he fell. Quintin Proctor, Quintin’s son, insisted that Quintin was actually thrown into a wall by the school administrator. His mother was shocked to receive surveillance video from the school two week later.
Just before he tried to leave, the student was standing in a corridor.
(Round Rock Independent Schools District via Fox 7 Austin) The video shows Proctor in a hallway along with two female teachers as well as the male administrator. Fox 7 Austin reported that Proctor had been brought to the “cool down area” after yelling at his teachers. Proctor tried to follow the two teachers as they left. The administrator grabbed Proctor and threw him against the wall. WILD BRAWL BREAKS OUT at the END OF ARIZONA HOST SCHOOL BASKETBALL GAMES: ‘IT WAS UGLY.’Proctor jumped up several times and raised his arm as if he was going for a punch. But he never did. The teachers later took him down a different corridor. Proctor said that he didn’t know what to think when he hit the wall. Fox 7 Austin echoed this statement.
Quintin Proctor claims he was shoved by an administrator against a wall.
(Round Rock Independent Schools District via Fox 7 Austin). A spokesperson for Round Rock Independent Schools District stated that the administrator was no longer on campus at GOALS Learning Center. Jenny LaCoste Caputo, the spokesperson for Round Rock Independent School District, stated that the incident was thoroughly investigated by the district. She also reported it to all appropriate state agencies. “The staff member is currently employed at the district, but is not on a campus. He is assigned to special projects in Central Administration.
The 14-year old hit his head against the wall.
(Round Rock Independent Schools District via Fox 7 Austin). His mom said that she shared the surveillance video because she has heard similar stories from other families. “What happened to Quintin isn’t unusual or exceptional or rare. It’s just that we have footage of it because these events are usually happening behind closed doors. So now it’s grown and it’s larger,” Alfano explained to Fox 7 Austin. “We must do right by all the kids. This shouldn’t be happening.”

 

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Ex-Honduran congressman who lives in NY is sentenced to 30 years in international drug conspiracy

 

A federal judge in New York sentenced Fredy Renan Najera Montoya, a former Honduran congressman, to 30 years imprisonment for his involvement in a large-scale drug trade operation. Prosecutors claimed that Najera Montoya had imported more than 30 tonnes of cocaine into the United States. He had also pleaded guilty previously to conspiracy to import cocaine and a weapons offense. The sentence was handed down by U.S District Judge Paul Gardephe. Najera, 46, was also ordered to forfeit $39 Million and pay a $10,000,000 fine.
Fredy Renan Najera (46), was ordered to forfeit $39 Million and pay $10 Million in fines for his involvement in a drug trafficking ring.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan, Najera distributed more than 30 tons cocaine from the Honduran region he represented between 2008 and 2015. According to the U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan, Najera helped distribute more than 30 tons of cocaine from the region of Honduras that he represented in his government role between 2008 and 2015.

 

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High ranking US officials meet with Taliban for the first time since July, when al Qaeda’s leader was killed by the US

Two officials familiar with the talks stated that top officials from the Biden administration met with the Taliban in person on Saturday, the first meeting since al Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri was shot to death in Kabul in late Jul.

The administration sent the CIA’s deputy Director and the top State Department official responsible in Afghanistan to Doha, Qatar, for talks with the Taliban delegation. This included their head of intelligence Abdul Haq Wasiq.

Zawahiri was killed during a strike by the US. The US then accused the Taliban of a “clear violation” of the Doha Agreement, “brokered in part by the Trump administration. This agreement stated that the Taliban would not harbor terrorists if the US forces withdraw from Afghanistan, which they did in august 2021.

After a US drone shot down fatal Hellfire missiles at Zawahiri in Afghanistan, American officials accused the Taliban leaders of the Haqqani network knowing Zawahiri was missing. The Taliban reacted angrily to the incident.

The US has maintained its engagement with the Taliban since then, including negotiating Mark Frerichs’ release. However, senior officials hadn’t met face-toface since Zawahiri’s death on July 31.

The presence of CIA Deputy Director David Cohen, and the Taliban’s Wasiq, at Saturday’s meeting indicates a focus on counterterrorism. Last month, the White House called cooperation with Taliban on counterterrorism “a work-in-progress.”

Cohen was accompanied by Tom West, the Special Representative for Afghanistan at the State Department. West has been a leader in engagement with the Taliban ever since the US withdrawal last January.

Frerichs was freed almost three weeks ago, after spending more than two years in captivity. With the help of Qatar, Frerichs was also released. According to administration officials, they claimed that they spent months negotiating with Taliban leaders for Frerichs’ release and warned them about Frerichs’ death after the strike. They stated that the best way to restore trust would be to release him.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, at least one other American, Ivor Shearer (a filmmaker) is currently being held in Taliban custody. He was arrested alongside Faizullah Faizbakhsh, his Afghan producer. They were filming in the same area Zawahiri was murdered. Shearer was reportedly summoned by the Taliban several times for questioning prior to his detention.

The State Department and the CIA declined to comment.

The Taliban maintains ties to al Qaeda but they are now facing an insurgency by the Islamic State offshoot known ISIS-K. This group has repeatedly targeted Afghanistan’s Hazara ethnic minority. A suicide attack at an education center in Kabul’s predominantly Hazara neighborhood resulted in the deaths of at least 25 people, mostly young women. No one claimed immediate responsibility.

Beth Sanner, a former Deputy director of National Intelligence, who led Afghanistan analysis at CIA, says that “the Taliban are struggling to stop ISIS-K attacks,” Sanner is also a CNN contributor.

Sanner stated that Cohen is likely to send a clear message that we will continue to strike as we did against Zawahiri if we discover that al Qaeda members are supporting operations that threaten the US and its allies. “ISIS-K is now a threat to the Taliban and to sectarian security. However, there is some concern that ISIS -K could eventually turn its sights to external plotting if they are unable to contain them.”

The Biden administration announced last month that it had established a $3.5 billion “Afghan Fund” to freeze Afghan money in order to promote economic stability. Two officials said to CNN that the US doesn’t believe there is an institution that can guarantee the funds will be used to benefit Afghans.

Instead, it will be managed by an outside organization, independent from the Taliban and the central bank.

In their discussions with the Taliban, administration officials have repeatedly brought up the issue of women and girls. Last month, the United Nations’ rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan called the “staggering” decline of Afghan women and girls in society “staggering.”

Bennett stated that “in no other country has women and girls so quickly disappeared from all spheres in public life.” “Despite this, women’s rights and accountability for human rights are being maintained by girls and women.”

This report was contributed by Jennifer Hansler and Kylie Atwood, CNN.

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The latest Kindle Paperwhite is now at its lowest ever price

Today’s deals include a discount on KitchenAid appliances, a Kindle Paperwhite (11th Generation) and savings on a Manduka Pro Yoga Mat. You can find all that and more here.

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A long-standing staple of wedding registries and wish lists, a variety of iconic KitchenAid appliances — including ranges, microwaves, ranges, and refrigerators — are on sale now. Use code COLUMBUS15 to get 15% off

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Amazon has a great deal on Dove products: body wash, deodorant, and more!

This handy pet hair roller removes (you guess it) pet hair from furniture and upholstery in a flash. It costs less than $18 with the coupon clipped on the page.

Saucony and Keen offer great discounts on running shoes. Prime members can also save $5

Artifact Uprising offers 10 free cards when you buy a product to celebrate its anniversary. Use code 10FREE from now until Nov. 5.

Lenovo’s Semi Annual Sales Week is currently underway. This week, you can save 25% on Smart Tab M10s and get Legion gaming laptops starting at $1,700.

o This handy GIR spatula can be used in a mini size and is nonstick and flexible.

Lulu and Georgia’s Anniversary Sale is now live. Get 25% off furniture, decor, and linens.

Hanky Panky

Friends & Family Event

Are you looking to upgrade your underwear collection? Hanky Panky is currently offering 30% off all items — a rare deal on the entire site. You can save up to 30% on thongs and underwear, bras, loungewear, pajamas, and more, now through Oct. 3. Hanky Panky’s Friends & Family event has a lot to offer, whether you are looking for something lightweight, lacy, or cozy.

Leuchtturm1917 Medium A5 Dotted Hardcover Notebook

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Journalists who are dedicated know that the Leuchtturm1917 is a great choice for planning, everyday notes, and more. The notebook opens flat and the high-quality pages won’t bleed. This notebook is a great way to organize your life. Regularly $24.95, it’s on sale for a few dollars now at a rare discount.

Universal Standard

25% Discount on All Sites

Universal Standard’s on-trend, size-inclusive clothing is 25% off thanks to its Anniversary Sale. Use code BIRTHDAY25 to get discounts on everything, from sweaters to denim, intimates and outerwear. It’s a great opportunity to refresh your fall wardrobe with timeless fashion in sizes 00-40.

 

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