Florida
Florida student stuck in Israel returns home: ‘Sigh of relief’
Florida student stuck in Israel returns home
It was a moment of relief for a Central Florida family as they embraced each other at Orlando International Airport on Monday. Serina Vadella was studying in Israel when the war broke out. She is now back home and was safely in her parents’ arms.
ORLANDO, Fla. – Two Central Florida parents got a desperately needed sigh of relief, and a hug they’d been craving for weeks. After trying to escape the war in Israel, their daughter is finally home.
Serina Vadella was at a seminary school in Israel. She felt safe until the war started. Her parents were frantic to get her home. Serina was able to get on a flight from Tel Aviv to Ireland and then from Ireland, she flew to Charlotte, North Carolina, and from Charlotte to Orlando.
“I love you so much!” said Avery Vadella, Serina’s mother.
The Vadella’s held back tears, but not hugs, as Serina ran through baggage claim to see her dad.
“Very, very good to see you,” said James Vadella, Serina’s dad.
It was dangerous traveling to the airport in Tel Aviv, but she was able to get on a flight to Ireland.
“We’re like, looking out the window in the distance for, like, rockets,” said Serina.
In Ireland, Serina stayed with a Jewish family who kept her safe.
“They took me in, and they gave me food and just warmth, shelter, and love,” said Vadella.
After being in Ireland for a week to decompress from the war she felt healthy enough to fly home to Orlando
“It’s like seeing them in the flesh, it’s good,” said Serina.
“Just a huge sigh of relief,” said James. “Yeah, she’s finally back, we’re so happy.”
Mom and Dad are thrilled to finally hug their little girl but recognize not everyone gets this sweet reunion.
“Well, that really makes me cry, thinking that that could have been her,” said Avery. “And for those families, I grieve for that. I feel for them. I thought we were past the Holocaust. Eighty years ago, we’re having another Holocaust. It’s just wrong and it’s disgusting.”
Serina has a long healing journey ahead. Loud noises are scary for her, and they remind her of the missiles. But she says seeing this war has made her a more peace-seeking person and hopes that peace can be achieved. For now, Mom and Dad say they’ll spoil her at home, and when Serina is ready, she wants to finish her seminary program in the States.
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Florida
‘I feel like Bin Laden,’ Florida man arrested by FBI for planning to bomb NYSE to 'reboot' US government
A Florida man has been arrested and charged in connection with a plot to bomb the New York Stock Exchange in an effort to “reboot” the US government, according to the FBI.
Harun Abdul-Malik Yener, 30, from Coral Springs, Florida, was charged with attempting to use an explosive device to damage or destroy a building involved in interstate commerce.
The FBI began investigating Yener in February after receiving a tip that he was storing materials related to bomb-making in a storage unit. Agents searched the area after obtaining a search warrant. They found “bomb-making sketches, numerous watches with timers electronic circuit boards and other electronics that can be utilised to build bombs.
According to the FBI, Yener had also been conducting online searches about bomb-making since 2017.
In March, Yener admitted to authorities during questioning that he had knowledge of making “rockets” and “bombs” and had previously tried to join a “domestic extremist group.” He also revealed that in 2015, he had considered travelling to Iraq to join ISIS but ultimately decided against it because he doubted the group’s ability to meet its objectives.
Yener allegedly told undercover FBI agents that he planned to detonate the bomb during the week before Thanksgiving, targeting the New York Stock Exchange in lower Manhattan. Court documents state that his goal was to “reboot” the US government.
‘I feel like Bin Laden’
“There is one place that would be hella easy… the stock exchange, that would be a great hit. Tons of people would support it. They would see it and think dude, this guy makes sense, they are [profanity] robbing us. So that’s perfect,” he told the agent.
“I feel like Bin Laden,” he told the undercover agent.
Weeks before his arrest, Yener had modified two-way radios to function as remote triggers for explosives. He also planned to wear a disguise while planting the device, according to court filings.
Yener appeared in court on Wednesday afternoon, where it was decided he would remain in custody while awaiting trial.
(With inputs from agencies)
With the early national signing period approaching quickly, the USC Trojans have been working hard on the recruiting process. The Trojans have lost some key recruits but gained some big names. One target to watch for is defensive lineman Joseph Mbatchou, who is set to visit USC on Nov. 30.
Mbatchou is a class of 2025 four-star defensive lineman playing for Grayson (Ga.). On3 ranks Mbatchou as the No. 22 defensive lineman in the nation and the No. 36 player from Georgia. The four-star recruit was once committed to the Florida Gators but re-opened his recruitment in October.
Mbatchou is predicted to commit to the Texas Longhorns, but after another visit with the Florida Gators, Florida has jumped into the top two. The Auburn Tigers have also been a top team in the running for the four-star recruit. One last school to watch out for is the USC Trojans.
Mbatchou is considering visiting the USC Trojans on Nov. 30, when they face the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the final regular-season game. Mbatchou announced this visit in October and is still considering it. As he narrowed down his decision, there was a chance he would no longer meet with USC, but the official visit is still set.
On3 ranks the USC Trojans class of 2025 as No. 13 in the nation and No. 4 in the Big Ten. Though they may have lost a couple of big names, they were able to flip five-star quarterback Husan Longstreet after a big push for him.
USC coach Lincoln Riley and the Trojans’ staff must work hard to flip Mbatchou. The visit will be the most important way to convince the four-star recruit, as that is how Florida rose back into the top two. Visiting USC during the final weekend of November could help the Trojans with the game being right before national signing day.
Mbatchou is expected to make his decision during the early signing period. Texas is the top prediction for now, but expect the USC Trojans to make a final push for the four-star defensive lineman.
This week, USC will take on the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl on Saturday, Nov. 23. The game will be broadcast on NBC and kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.
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