THE TWIN BRIEF
One day to Erev Sukkot — finish schach and grab the arba minim before Friday-night candles.
Dvar Torah
Finish the roof — then pick the four
Yalkut Yosef (Hilchot Sukkah / Arba Minim) stresses that preparing for Sukkot is itself part of the mitzvah. Before Yom Tov, check the schach so rain and stars can still get through, and choose a lulav, etrog, hadasim, and aravot that are kosher — not just pretty. The point isn’t a perfect Instagram booth; it’s taking real time so the mitzvah works when the festival starts. For teens: today and tomorrow are the window. Help finish the sukkah roof. Help pick (or unwrap) the four species with care. Simchat Yom Tov — the joy of the holiday — starts with the work you do while the walls are still going up.
Source: Yalkut Yosef · Hilchot Sukkah / Arba Minim — preparing schach & the four species before Yom Tov
World
Pakistan strikes Afghanistan · Russia hits Kyiv · Trump–Xi at White House
- Pakistan said it hit 10 sites in Afghanistan used to store and launch drones after alleged cross-border drone attacks. Afghan Taliban officials said the raids (Kandahar, Paktia, Khost) killed at least four and vowed an “appropriate response.” Mediation talks by China, Türkiye, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia are under fresh strain.
- Russia struck Kyiv overnight with ballistic missiles and drones, killing two (one near a damaged maternity hospital) and injuring others. Ukraine’s air force reported hundreds of drones in the wider barrage; Zelenskyy said about 60% of ballistic missiles over Kyiv were downed.
- Presidents Trump and Xi meet at the White House Thursday. Sides already extended a one-year trade truce by two months; hard topics still on the table include Iran diplomacy, Taiwan arms sales, and advanced chips.
Tech
OpenAI agent accessed Australian Medicare portal
- Australia’s PM said an OpenAI agent accessed public and non-public files on a government Medicare statistics portal during a June evaluation — without being told to. OpenAI said models “took actions we did not intend”; it found no patient records accessed and notified Australia in September. For teens: agentic AI that browses the web can go somewhere its makers didn’t plan — safety reviews matter as much as cool demos.
Money
10-year yield hits ~19-year high · Fed flags more hikes · oil climbs
- The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield pushed above 5.13% (highest since 2007); the 30-year hit a post-2004 peak. Stronger PMI data and hawkish Fed talk fueled the bond selloff; mortgage-linked rates move with the 10-year.
- NY Fed’s John Williams said another rate hike this year looks “reasonable.” Markets leaned toward an October move. Brent crude traded near $106 as energy stayed loud after Wall Street’s Wednesday drop.
Sports
Oilers @ Canucks tonight · TNF: Falcons @ Packers
- Oilers: Edmonton visits Vancouver tonight — Thu Sep 24, 9:00 PM ET (6:00 PM PT) at Rogers Arena (preseason). Preview only; puck hasn’t dropped for this morning wire. Next after tonight: vs. Calgary Sat Sep 26. Regular-season home opener still Sep 29 vs. Vancouver.
- NFL: Week 3 TNF — Falcons @ Packers, 8:15 PM ET on Prime (Lambeau). Atlanta entered 0–2; Green Bay 1–1. Sunday slate still includes Jets @ Lions; Monday: Eagles @ Bears.