NABATIEH, LEBANON  (VINnews) – The Israel Defense Forces eliminated a senior Hezbollah missile unit commander in a strike in southern Lebanon on Sunday, the military said.

Mohammed Mousa Mteirek, a unit commander in Hezbollah’s missile array, was killed in the strike in the Nabatieh area, according to the IDF.

Mteirek held multiple positions in Hezbollah’s missile array over the years and was responsible for planning and executing hundreds of rocket and UAV attacks targeting Israeli civilians and IDF troops operating in the Beaufort area, the military said.

The strike comes amid ongoing operations against Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon.

No further details on the operation were immediately released. Hezbollah has not commented on the report.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The world is getting more uptight about lending money to President Donald Trump’s government — causing interest rates to climb in ways that are worsening affordability pressures, hampering economic growth and creating a new risk for Republicans in November’s midterm elections.

The energy price spike triggered by the Iran war has seeped into the price of bonds that help fund the U.S. government. Interest rates on a 10-year U.S. Treasury note are topping 4.44%, up from 3.95% before the war started at the end of February. Average mortgage rates have climbed to their highest levels in nine months, while auto sales are slumping.

The challenge is global in scale, as interest rates have risen for multiple countries as the world has been adjusting to the prospect of higher inflation, mounting questions about the sustainability of government debt and a dramatic surge in investment in artificial intelligence.

Trump has tried to assure Americans that he has a plan to trim the roughly $1.8 trillion annual budget deficit. In the past, he has pointed to revenue from tariffs, payments from foreigners for his “Gold Card” visa, spending cuts made by the Department of Government Efficiency, and faster economic growth. Last week, he said the fraud task force led by Vice President JD Vance would be the key to unlocking massive savings.

“If he does really great, we’ll have a balanced budget without having to do anything,” Trump said.

Economists say this is probably unrealistic
Economists say Trump’s strategies to meaningfully curb the deficit are unlikely to deliver the promised results.

The cost of servicing the national debt has tripled since 2021 to more than $1 trillion annually, said Jessica Riedl, a budget and tax fellow at the Brookings Institution.

“President Trump signed a tax cut bill that will likely add $5 trillion to 10-year deficits — and tariffs are offsetting only a small fraction of those costs,” she said. “Budget deficits are still projected to soar past $4 trillion annually within a decade under current policies.”

Deficits are expected to grow over the next decade as the costs of Social Security and Medicare outstrip tax revenues.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury rate climbed as high as 4.67% in the middle of May and has since eased as negotiations over the Iran ceasefire continued — just as rates initially climbed in 2025 because of Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs and then began to decline once Trump backed off the most extreme increases.

When Kent Smetters, faculty director of the Penn Wharton Budget Model, broke down the math tied to rising 30-year Treasury yields, he estimated that 60% of the increase had come from the expectation that America will continue its outsized borrowing and the other 40% was tied to the inflation driven by the Iran war and Trump’s tariffs.

Glenn Hubbard, a former chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers during the George W. Bush administration, worries that the U.S. may no longer have the same borrowing capacity as before to effectively combat an economic crisis, such as the 2008 crash or the coronavirus pandemic.

“I don’t think we have the space that we had in 2008 or 2020 to deal with it,” said Hubbard, now a professor at Columbia University’s Business School. “Washington doesn’t seem to be full of ideas — good or bad — to solve it.”

Interest rates are a concern for voters
Higher interest rates are giving Democratic candidates in the races to determine control of the House and Senate another line of attack at a time when voters are concerned about high costs for food and gasoline.

In Colorado’s fifth congressional district, Democrat Jessica Killin is leaning into the message that the persistent deficits and higher interest rates make it harder to buy or renovate a home, afford a new car or manage credit card debt.

“Things are already expensive,” said Killin, an Army veteran who was a top aide to Doug Emhoff, the former second gentleman. “We can already talk about gas, but the cost of borrowing only makes that worse.”

Joe Reagan, an Army veteran also seeking the Democratic nomination, said in an email that he is talking “a lot about fiscal stewardship” in his campaign. “Every dollar spent paying interest is a dollar that isn’t being invested in infrastructure, education, veterans’ services, or economic growth,” he said.

They are challenging Republican Rep. Jeff Crank in a district that their party views as a potential pickup. Killin said the deficit is an example of how “Trump says one thing and does the opposite.”

In his March 2025 address to Congress, Trump declared that “in the near future, I want to do what has not been done in 24 years: balance the federal budget. We’re going to balance it.”

Crank, the Republican incumbent, did not reply to requests for comment.

Cutting fraud is the new deficit strategy
The administration maintains that it is going to steadily reduce budget deficits. As a share of the overall economy, the deficit last year was lower than it was in 2024, though that drop depended in part on tariff revenues that are subject to refunds after the Supreme Court ruled them to be illegal.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent last week cited a report showing that there was as much as $500 billion annually in fraudulent government spending that could be eliminated, “so that would reduce the deficit substantially.”

Bessent appeared to draw that conclusion from a 2024 report by the Government Accountability Office that estimated there had been between $233 billion to $521 billion each year in fraudulent spending. But those numbers were drawn in part from the pandemic era when the government borrowed heavily to stabilize the economy.

The White House and Treasury did not respond to questions about the source of Bessent’s claims.

On deficits, Bessent told reporters at the White House that the administration was essentially dealt a bad hand from former President Joe Biden, a Democrat. “We inherited the worst budget deficit in history — in history — when we were not in a recession or not at war,” Bessent said.

Bessent had previously announced that the administration would aim to reduce the annual deficit to 3% of overall U.S. gross domestic product. It’s roughly double that percentage currently and Bessent did not directly answer a question about the timeline for hitting his target.

As of now, investors continue to buy shares in U.S. companies, causing the stock market to increase in value in a sign of confidence in America’s economic potential. But the increase in interest rates also suggests that investors view the national debt as a vulnerability for the U.S.

The financial markets might be able to inflict enough pain with higher rates in order to compel political leaders to address the systemic imbalances. Multiple economists said they expected that markets would force the deficit issue before voters would.

Hubbard emphasized that the whole bond market system rests on the trust that the debt will be repaid. He noted that the word “credit” is linked to a Latin term that is also the root of the word creed about a system of beliefs.

“That is what debt is about: I believe you will pay me back,” Hubbard said. “That works until it doesn’t.”

WASHINGTON — JBizNews Desk — May 31. 2026

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed Thursday that the Treasury Department has already designed a proposed $250 bill featuring President Donald Trump’s portrait, while acknowledging the currency cannot legally enter circulation unless Congress changes a federal law that has blocked living Americans from appearing on U.S. money for more than 160 years.

Speaking from the White House briefing room, Bessent said Treasury prepared prototype designs in advance but stressed that the department “will stick to the law” unless lawmakers act.

“It’s all in the hands of Capitol Hill,” Bessent told reporters.

The confirmation followed a report earlier Thursday from The Washington Post revealing that Trump-appointed Treasury officials, including U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach, had pushed the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to produce mock-ups of the proposed bill.

The reported designs place Trump’s portrait prominently in the center alongside signatures from both Trump and Bessent.

During the briefing, Bessent held up a printed copy of the Post article and downplayed suggestions that the administration was attempting to bypass existing restrictions, describing the prototypes as preparation rather than implementation.

The obstacle standing in the way is a federal statute dating back to 1866.

U.S. law currently prohibits living individuals from appearing on American currency or government securities. Congress enacted the rule after then-Treasury official Spencer Clark controversially placed his own image on a five-cent note, triggering public backlash and forcing lawmakers to establish a permanent ban.

Because Trump remains a sitting president, the proposed $250 note cannot legally move beyond the prototype stage unless Congress formally rewrites the law.

A legislative effort already exists but has stalled.

Last year, Republican Congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina introduced legislation directing Treasury to issue $250 bills featuring Trump’s portrait. The proposal has not advanced through Congress.

Treasury attempted to frame the effort partly around the upcoming America250 celebration marking the nation’s 250th anniversary, saying the department is preparing commemorative designs tied to the historic milestone rather than asserting any immediate authority to print the notes now.

Beyond the politics, the proposal carries substantial operational and financial implications.

The United States has not introduced a new circulating paper-currency denomination in decades. Adding a $250 note would require banks, ATM manufacturers, retailers, armored-car companies, vending-machine operators, cash processors, and counterfeit-detection systems to recalibrate equipment and software to recognize, validate, and handle the new bill.

Cash-handling infrastructure across the country would face significant upgrade and retraining costs.

There are also broader monetary-policy concerns.

The U.S. government stopped issuing circulating bills larger than $100 in 1969, retiring denominations including the $500, $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000 notes partly because officials believed high-value paper currency facilitated money laundering, tax evasion, and organized crime.

A modern $250 bill would represent a major reversal of that decades-long policy direction unless treated strictly as a limited commemorative issue rather than a widely circulating denomination.

Treasury has not clarified which path it ultimately envisions.

The proposal also fits into a broader pattern of Trump-linked federal branding surrounding the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Earlier this year, Treasury confirmed that Trump’s signature would appear on commemorative America250 currency, itself highly unusual for a sitting president. The department has also announced commemorative coin programs tied to Trump under authority granted by the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020.

Supporters argue the proposals appropriately honor the president serving during a historic national milestone.

Critics counter that placing a sitting president’s image on currency risks blurring longstanding boundaries between patriotic commemoration and political branding.

For now, however, the practical reality remains unchanged.

The designs exist. The prototypes have reportedly been prepared. But unless Congress changes federal law, the proposed Trump $250 bill remains a symbolic concept rather than legal tender — a printed mock-up waiting on votes that have not yet arrived.

Washington — JBizNews Desk

© JBizNews.com All Rights Reserved. Reproduction or distribution without written permission is prohibited.

LONDON (AP) — British authorities said Monday they blocked Hasan Piker, a Turkish American online streamer, and another political commentator from entering the U.K. to speak at public events.

Piker, a liberal political commentator who is frequently critical of U.S. President Donald Trump, Israel and the war in Gaza, has 2.8 million followers on Twitch.

The Home Office said that the electronic travel authorization, or ETA, for Piker and Cenk Uygur, who hosts the “Young Turks” online political talk show and is reportedly Piker’s uncle, were canceled “on the grounds that their presence in the U.K. may not be conducive to the public good.”

“Decisions to refuse or cancel an ETA on these grounds are based solely on an assessment of the potential risk an individual may pose to U.K. society,” the Home Office said.

Piker and Uygur were due to speak at SXSW London, a culture, technology and creativity festival, this month. Uygur was also expected to give a speech at the Oxford Union, the prestigious student debating society.

“A sad state of affairs where obviously the interests of Israel take the highest priority,” Piker said on his YouTube channel.

Uygur said on X that he had been banned “for criticizing Israel. Are we free any more?”

Piker has faced criticism over some of his comments on the Hamas militant group, which is considered a terrorist organization in the U.K. and the U.S., among other countries.

In April, he told an episode of “Pod Save America” podcast that “I’m a harm-reduction voter, I’m a lesser evil voter, and therefore I would vote for Hamas over Israel every single time.”

Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostage, in an attack that triggered the war in Gaza.

Israel’s ensuing offensive has killed over 72,800 Palestinians, including more than 900 since the ceasefire took hold last October, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The ministry is part of Gaza’s Hamas-run government, but staffed by medical professionals who maintain and publish detailed records that are viewed as generally reliable by the international community.

David Taylor, a Labour lawmaker who called for Piker to be blocked, said that “there is no reason we should open our doors to those who seek to spread hate and division, especially someone who’s supported a proscribed terror group.”

But Green Party leader Zack Polanski said that the government was “doing everything possible to silence criticism of the Israeli government.”

In April, the U.K. government barred the rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, from entering the country, where he was scheduled to headline the Wireless Festival in London in July, after a backlash over his history of antisemitic remarks.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said at the time that his government “stands firmly with the Jewish community, and we will not stop in our fight to confront and defeat the poison of antisemitism.”

By JBizNews Desk

CHICAGO — June 1, 2026

Wheat prices have climbed to their highest levels in nearly two years as severe drought conditions across key U.S. growing regions threaten what could become the nation’s smallest wheat harvest in more than five decades.

The rally follows a closely watched report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that delivered a stark warning about the state of America’s wheat crop.

In its May World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report, the USDA projected total U.S. wheat production at just 1.561 billion bushels, approximately 186 million bushels below analysts’ expectations. If realized, the harvest would be the smallest since 1972, underscoring the growing impact of drought across major wheat-producing states.

The report immediately grabbed the attention of commodity traders.

Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures surged to nearly $6.90 per bushel in mid-May, their highest level in almost two years. While prices have since retreated modestly, wheat remains significantly above levels seen just months ago.

Since hitting a low of approximately $4.92 per bushel in October 2025, wheat prices have rallied nearly 40%, making the grain one of the strongest-performing agricultural commodities of the past year.

The primary driver is simple: there is growing concern that farmers will harvest far fewer bushels than expected.

The drought has been particularly severe across parts of the Great Plains, the heart of America’s wheat belt.

Crop scouts surveying fields in Kansas, the nation’s leading wheat-producing state, reported average yields of just 39.3 bushels per acre, compared with 53.3 bushels per acre a year earlier. The sharp decline highlights how damaging prolonged dry conditions have become.

Conditions have also deteriorated in portions of Nebraska and Oklahoma, where winter wheat crops have struggled to receive sufficient moisture during critical stages of development.

For farmers, once yield potential is lost during key growth periods, it often cannot be fully recovered—even if rains arrive later.

But weather is only part of the story.

Farmers are also confronting a renewed surge in fertilizer costs linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Global fertilizer markets have been disrupted by concerns surrounding shipping routes and energy supplies, helping push fertilizer prices sharply higher. Nitrogen-based fertilizers such as urea and ammonia, which are heavily used in wheat production, have experienced significant price increases in recent months.

Industry estimates show some international urea prices climbing to roughly $700 per metric ton, compared with approximately $400 to $490 per metric ton before the latest geopolitical disruptions began.

For growers already operating on thin margins, higher fertilizer costs create difficult choices.

Some farmers may reduce fertilizer applications, while others may shift acreage toward crops requiring fewer expensive inputs. Both outcomes can ultimately reduce wheat production.

The financial strain is becoming increasingly visible throughout rural America.

According to a recent survey conducted by the American Farm Bureau Foundation, nearly 60% of farmers reported worsening financial conditions due to rising fuel and input costs, while roughly 70% said fertilizer prices were limiting their ability to apply all the nutrients their crops require.

Adding another layer of uncertainty is the global weather outlook.

Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have warned that conditions could shift toward an El Niño pattern later this year. Such climate shifts often alter rainfall patterns across major agricultural regions worldwide and can create additional volatility in crop markets.

Meanwhile, global demand remains another wildcard.

Traders continue monitoring developments in U.S.-China agricultural trade discussions. China remains one of the world’s largest agricultural importers, and any significant increase in Chinese purchases of U.S. grain could further tighten supplies and support higher prices.

For consumers, the impact may eventually reach grocery-store shelves.

Wheat is a key ingredient in bread, pasta, cereals, baked goods, and countless other food products. While commodity prices do not immediately translate into retail prices, sustained increases often work their way through the food supply chain over time.

Whether wheat prices continue rising will depend largely on weather conditions over the coming months.

But for now, traders, farmers, and food manufacturers are all focused on the same reality: fewer bushels in the field, higher costs on the farm, and increasing uncertainty about what the next harvest will bring.

Chicago — JBizNews Desk

© JBizNews.com All Rights Reserved. Reproduction or distribution without written permission is prohibited.

MIAMI (VINnews) – After an Orthodox Jewish-owned kosher restaurant in North Miami became the first kosher establishment ever to receive a Michelin Star, many are asking what exactly the prestigious honor represents and why it carries such weight in the culinary world.

The Michelin Guide traces its roots to France in 1900, when tire manufacturers André and Édouard Michelin published a guidebook to encourage automobile travel. What began as a simple travel companion featuring maps, hotels and restaurants eventually evolved into the world’s most influential restaurant-rating system.

More than a century later, a Michelin Star remains one of the most coveted accolades a chef or restaurant can receive. Michelin inspectors, whose identities are kept secret, visit restaurants anonymously and evaluate them according to a strict set of international standards. Unlike many food awards, inspectors pay their own bills and revisit restaurants multiple times before making a final determination.

According to Michelin, inspectors focus on five primary criteria: the quality of ingredients, mastery of cooking techniques, harmony of flavors, the personality of the chef reflected in the cuisine, and consistency over time and across the entire menu.

Restaurants can earn one, two or three Michelin Stars.

A one-star rating signifies “high-quality cooking, worth a stop.” Two stars indicate “excellent cooking, worth a detour.” Three stars, the guide’s highest distinction, are reserved for restaurants offering “exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey.”

Only a small fraction of the restaurants reviewed by Michelin receive a star, making the recognition exceptionally rare. Even among acclaimed restaurants, earning a Michelin Star can take years of refinement, investment and relentless attention to detail.

Unlike many lifetime achievement awards, Michelin Stars must be earned year after year. Inspectors continue to visit restaurants anonymously, and establishments can lose their stars if quality, consistency or execution falls below Michelin’s exacting standards. Several world-renowned restaurants have seen their stars downgraded or removed over the years, making the distinction both a prestigious honor and a constant challenge to maintain.

For that reason, many chefs view earning a Michelin Star not as the finish line, but as the beginning of an ongoing commitment to excellence. The recognition can elevate a restaurant to international prominence, but maintaining it often requires the same relentless attention to detail that earned the honor in the first place.

Over the decades, Michelin Stars have become a global benchmark of culinary excellence. Restaurants bearing the distinction often experience surges in reservations, international attention and tourism. In many cases, a Michelin Star can transform a local restaurant into a destination attracting diners from around the world.

Historically, Michelin-recognized restaurants have largely been associated with French, Japanese and other fine-dining traditions. In recent years, however, the guide has broadened its reach, honoring a wider variety of cuisines and cultural influences.

That makes the recognition of Mutra particularly noteworthy. Kosher restaurants operate under strict Jewish dietary laws that govern everything from ingredient sourcing and food preparation to kitchen operations and supervision. Many industry observers long believed those requirements could make it difficult for kosher establishments to compete on equal footing with the world’s most celebrated fine-dining venues.

Mutra’s Michelin Star challenges that perception and signals a new era for kosher cuisine. The award demonstrates that a restaurant can maintain rigorous adherence to Jewish dietary laws while achieving the highest standards of creativity, technique and culinary excellence recognized by the international restaurant community.

For South Florida, the achievement represents another milestone in the region’s emergence as a major food destination. For the kosher dining world, it may prove to be a watershed moment that inspires a new generation of chefs and restaurateurs to pursue Michelin-level excellence.

A Michelin Star can have a dramatic impact on a restaurant’s business, often transforming it from a local dining spot into an international destination.

Some of the biggest benefits include:

Higher Demand
Many Michelin-starred restaurants see reservations surge immediately after receiving a star. Diners often travel long distances specifically to eat at Michelin-recognized establishments.

Ability to Charge More
A Michelin Star can justify higher menu prices because customers associate the rating with exceptional quality and a unique dining experience.

International Recognition
The Michelin Guide is respected worldwide. A restaurant that earns a star gains credibility not only locally but also among food critics, tourists and culinary professionals across the globe.

Increased Tourism
Visitors planning trips to cities like Miami often consult Michelin recommendations when deciding where to dine. A star can bring customers who otherwise would never have heard of the restaurant.

Media Attention
Television stations, newspapers, food magazines and social media influencers frequently cover newly starred restaurants, generating publicity that would otherwise cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in marketing.

Attracting Talent
Top chefs, managers and hospitality professionals are often drawn to Michelin-starred restaurants because of the prestige associated with working there.

Business Expansion Opportunities
Michelin recognition can lead to cookbook deals, consulting opportunities, product endorsements, speaking engagements and even additional restaurant ventures.

For Mutra specifically, the impact could be even greater because it is the first kosher restaurant ever to receive a Michelin Star. That distinction gives it a unique place in culinary history and is likely to attract not only food enthusiasts but also kosher diners from around the United States, Israel, Europe and Latin America.

There is also a downside. A Michelin Star creates enormous pressure. Customers arrive with very high expectations, and inspectors continue to visit anonymously. If standards slip, the restaurant can lose its star, which is why many chefs describe Michelin recognition as both a blessing and a burden.

As one restaurant consultant once put it: A Michelin Star doesn’t just change your reputation—it changes your entire business model. Restaurants often need more staff, tighter quality controls, additional training and greater investment to maintain the level of excellence that earned the award in the first place.

JBizNews Desk

A meeting that would have been unthinkable just months ago is now being viewed as a potential turning point for one of the world’s most troubled economies.

In a post on X on May 30, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva confirmed that she met in Washington with Calixto Ortega, Vice President of Venezuela’s Economy Ministry, marking the first in-person meeting between the IMF’s top official and Venezuelan representatives since the fund resumed formal engagement with the country earlier this year.

“We discussed how the IMF can support efforts to strengthen macroeconomic stability, including through capacity development,” Georgieva wrote.

While brief, the meeting represents a significant step toward rebuilding relations between Venezuela and the global financial institutions that have largely been absent from the country for years.

A Break From Years of Isolation

The IMF and World Bank largely suspended dealings with Venezuela in 2019 amid disputes over the country’s political leadership and questions surrounding international recognition of its government.

That changed on April 16 when the IMF announced it would resume formal engagement with Venezuela under the administration of Interim President Delcy Rodríguez, reopening communication channels that had been frozen for years.

The renewed relationship follows major political changes inside Venezuela and has created an opportunity for international institutions to begin assessing the country’s economic condition after years of limited transparency and unreliable economic reporting.

According to IMF officials, current discussions are focused primarily on rebuilding economic data collection and reporting systems, a necessary first step before the fund can evaluate the country’s financial health or consider broader assistance programs.

Why the IMF Matters

For countries facing severe economic challenges, the IMF often serves as the gateway to broader international financial support.

Before debt restructuring, economic reform programs, or large-scale international financing can occur, governments typically must work with the IMF to establish credible economic data, policy frameworks, and stabilization plans.

That process is especially important in Venezuela.

The country remains burdened by one of the most severe economic collapses in modern history. Years of hyperinflation, declining oil production, economic mismanagement, sanctions, and political instability have dramatically weakened public finances and living standards.

According to IMF estimates, Venezuela’s public debt stands at approximately 180% of gross domestic product, one of the highest debt burdens in the world.

Inflation remains elevated, the currency continues to face pressure, and economic conditions remain fragile despite recent improvements.

Oil Markets Are Watching Closely

The implications extend beyond Venezuela.

The country possesses some of the largest proven oil reserves in the world, making its economic recovery a matter of interest for global energy markets.

A more stable Venezuelan economy could eventually support increased oil production, additional exports, and greater participation in international energy markets.

For global consumers, increased supply from a major producer could help ease long-term pressure on energy prices.

Several international energy companies have already begun exploring opportunities in Venezuela as conditions improve. Among them is Chevron, which has expanded engagement with the country following changes in U.S. policy and sanctions.

While a full recovery remains years away, investors are closely monitoring whether improved relations with international institutions could accelerate the process.

The Human Dimension

Behind the financial statistics lies a humanitarian crisis that has reshaped the region.

Since 2014, approximately 8 million Venezuelans have left the country, according to international organizations, making it one of the largest migration and displacement events in the world.

Many fled because of economic hardship, shortages of essential goods, collapsing public services, and limited employment opportunities.

Economic stabilization would not immediately reverse that trend, but it could create conditions that encourage investment, job creation, and eventually the return of some who left.

The outcome also matters for neighboring countries that have absorbed millions of Venezuelan migrants and for the broader Western Hemisphere, where migration pressures remain a major political and economic issue.

What Happens Next

The meeting between Georgieva and Ortega does not signal immediate financial assistance or an IMF lending program.

Instead, it marks the beginning of what could be a lengthy process involving economic assessments, data collection, policy reviews, and negotiations.

If progress continues, Venezuela could eventually receive a formal IMF economic evaluation for the first time in roughly two decades.

Such a review could open the door to future financial support, debt restructuring discussions, and access to resources currently beyond the country’s reach.

For now, the significance lies less in what was announced and more in the fact that the meeting happened at all.

After years of isolation, Venezuela is once again sitting at the table with one of the world’s most influential financial institutions.

Whether that conversation ultimately leads to economic recovery remains uncertain, but the reopening of the dialogue marks a notable shift in a relationship that many believed would remain frozen indefinitely.

JBizNews Desk

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Israel’s Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi, Rav Kalman Meir Ber, has published a comprehensive halachic essay strongly warning against ascending Har Habayis and engaging in acts of prostration there in contemporary times, emphasizing that such conduct may involve serious Torah prohibitions in addition to the longstanding ban on entering the area itself.

Rav Ber opens his discussion with the pasuk, “Hishamru lachem alos bahar u’negoa b’ktzeihu — Beware of ascending the mountain or even touching its edge.”

The article comes amid the growing phenomenon of organized groups ascending Har Habayis and publicly encouraging participants to bow and prostrate themselves there. It also follows recent public discussion sparked by reports regarding statements attributed to the Amshinover Rebbe concerning the subject.

In his essay, Rav Ber stresses that beyond the fundamental prohibition against ascending Har Habayis—a position upheld by gedolei Yisroel from across the Torah spectrum and by successive generations of Israel’s Chief Rabbinate—there is an additional and severe halachic concern regarding the act of bowing on the mountain itself.

The Chief Rabbi writes that entering the precincts of Har Habayis in our times constitutes an extremely serious prohibition and notes that the guidance of gedolei Yisroel and the chief rabbis throughout the generations has been unequivocal: Jews should not ascend any area of Har Habayis.

Rav Ber then addresses the separate issue of hishtachava’ah upon a stone surface. The Torah prohibits full prostration upon a stone floor, as the pasuk states, “V’even maskis lo sitnu b’artzechem l’hishtachavos aleha — You shall not place a stone surface in your land upon which to prostrate yourselves.”

While such prostration was permitted in the Beis Hamikdash itself, Rav Ber explains that a significant halachic question remains as to whether that dispensation applied only within the Azarah or extended to other areas of Har Habayis as well.

The Chief Rabbi notes that a number of later halachic authorities discussed the issue and remained uncertain about its parameters. Among those cited is the Minchas Chinuch, who treats the matter as unresolved.

Because the question involves a possible Torah prohibition, Rav Ber warns that individuals who prostrate themselves on the stone surfaces of Har Habayis may be placing themselves into a situation involving a serious safek issur d’Oraisa.

The article presents additional halachic arguments against prostration on Har Habayis beyond the general prohibition of ascending the site. Rav Ber emphasizes that the matter is not merely a theoretical discussion concerning the boundaries of the mountain or questions of ritual purity, but also involves a practical action that may itself constitute an independent and severe halachic violation.

In his concluding remarks, Rav Ber urges the public to distance itself from the growing trend of ascending Har Habayis and bowing there. He writes that the various guides, instructions, and public campaigns encouraging such behavior run contrary to the position maintained by gedolei Yisroel and the Chief Rabbinate throughout the generations.

According to Rav Ber, the halacha is clear: Jews should refrain from ascending Har Habayis and avoid placing themselves into serious halachic uncertainties at the holiest site of the Jewish people.

{Matzav.com}

EL AL STATEMENT:

New! Non-stop Flights to San Francisco, USA!

The non-stop flights will operate 3 times a week on our advanced Dreamliner aircraft.

At the same time, we will continue to connect you to the world with non-stop flights to Buenos Aires, Vietnam, Manila, Seoul, Copenhagen and a wide range of other exciting gateways worldwide.

North America

San Francisco, USA – A perfect blend of innovation, breathtaking nature and a unique urban atmosphere.

South America

Buenos Aires, Argentina – an immersive South American experience of sports, nature and vibrant urban life.
The non-stop flights will operate twice a week on our advanced Dreamliner aircraft.

Far East

• Seoul, South Korea – The capital of K‑Pop and innovation, offering exceptional cuisine, shopping, temples and a mesmerizing urban experience.
  The non-stop flights will operate three times a week on our advanced Dreamliner aircraft.
• Hanoi, Vietnam – Discover the charm of this cultural, culinary, and nature-filled capital in Southeast Asia.
• Manila, Philippines – Discover this breathtaking island nation where dreamy beaches meet a rich and vibrant culture.

Europe: Sundor Destinatios

• Copenhagen, Denmark – Scandinavian vibes, scenic canals, and wide green spaces. 
• Sicily, Italy – Between dramatic mountains and breathtaking coastlines. 
• Sardinia, Italy – An island of dreamy beaches and turquoise waters. 
• Zagreb, Croatia – A city of culture, history, and a modern pulse.  
• Dubrovnik, Croatia – An architectural gem on the Adriatic Sea. 
• Basel, Switzerland – A perfect blend of art, mountains, and a European atmosphere.

The fare to Hanoi, Vietnam is valid for departures from Israel starting October 24, 2026.

Bookings are available on the EL AL website and app, or through travel agents.

El Al announced on Monday that it would resume nonstop flights between Tel Aviv and San Francisco from October 25, citing demand for a route between the two tech hubs.

It chose LY49 as the flight number for the 15-hour flights, which will happen three times a week, in homage to the San Francisco 49ers football team.

“San Francisco is one of the most important technology, innovation, and business hubs in the world, with a large and central Israeli community,” said Shlomi Zafrani, El Al’s vice president of commerce and sales.

“The opening of the new route is intended to respond to significant demand from the business and Israeli community in the region, and to enable a more direct … and convenient connection between Israel and Silicon Valley.”

According to El Al, the price for a round-trip ticket in CLASSIC economy class, including baggage and a seat, will start at $1,199.

El Al continues to expand its global presence

The new route joins the company’s significant expansion process, within the framework of which it has announced 11 new destinations around the world in recent months – in Asia, Europe, South America, and now also in North America, with El Al calling it a “part of the continued implementation growth strategy and deepening of its global presence.”

El Al operated flights between the two cities from late 2018 until early 2020, when the route was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic; resuming flights to San Francisco is part of its expansion.

The Israeli flag carrier said in April it would buy up to 12 more long-haul 787 Dreamliner aircraft from Boeing.

The new route will expand the number of nonstop flights from Israel to US cities, including New York, Miami, Boston, and Los Angeles, with them representing 45 weekly flights during the upcoming winter.

A man was found deceased in the roadway early this morning after being run over by a dump truck on South Hope Chapel Road, authorities said.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said Jackson Township police officers responded to the area of South Hope Chapel Road at approximately 2:30 a.m. this morning following a report of a motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian.

Upon arrival, officers discovered an adult male in the roadway suffering from significant head injuries. Emergency responders attempted to render aid, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

An investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Jackson Township Police Department, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit determined that a Mack dump truck was traveling northbound on South Hope Chapel Road when the driver observed what he initially believed to be debris in the roadway.

Authorities said the driver attempted to avoid the object but then realized it was a body lying in the roadway. Despite efforts to avoid it, the truck traveled over the victim. The driver immediately stopped and notified law enforcement.

Investigators found no evidence that the victim had been struck by the front of the truck. Rather, officials said the physical evidence indicates the body was already lying in the roadway when the truck ran over it and dragged it a short distance.

The circumstances surrounding how the victim came to be in the roadway remain under investigation.

The investigation is being conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Jackson Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Mass demonstrations organized by the Peleg Yerushalmi spread across Israel on Monday evening, with protesters blocking major highways, disrupting rail service, and clashing with police as anger continues to mount over the arrests of yeshiva bochurim and avreichim accused of draft evasion.

The demonstrations, announced in advance by Peleg leaders, began simultaneously at several key locations, including the entrance to Jerusalem near the Chords Bridge, Begin Boulevard in Jerusalem, and the Ganot Interchange in central Israel, one of the country’s busiest transportation arteries.

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Protesters also blocked Highway 4 in both directions near Ganot, causing major traffic disruptions. Police declared the gathering unlawful and moved to clear the roadway after demonstrators allegedly refused orders to disperse.

Additional protests were reported in Tzfas, Pisgat Ze’ev, and southern Israel. Authorities also reported the closure of the Netivot Junction on Highway 25 as demonstrators spread their activities across multiple regions.

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In Jerusalem, protesters blocked roads, light rail tracks, and major intersections, causing significant transportation disruptions throughout the city.

One of the focal points of the protests was outside the home of Israel Police Traffic Division Commander Chaim Shmueli in Pisgat Ze’ev. More than 100 demonstrators gathered at the site, accusing traffic police of playing a leading role in the transfer of yeshiva students to military authorities. Police used stun grenades during efforts to disperse the crowd following confrontations at the scene.

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Peleg Yerushalmi officials have increasingly directed their criticism toward the police, arguing that law enforcement has moved beyond maintaining public order and has become actively involved in efforts against bnei yeshiva.

The demonstrations were called following the continued detention of yeshiva students and avreichim, with organizers claiming that approximately 50 bochurim and avreichim are currently being held in military prisons due to draft-related issues.

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Earlier Monday, another avreich was arrested on Highway 1 near Shaar Hagai. According to reports, he was initially stopped for a traffic violation, but during the inspection police allegedly discovered he was classified as a draft evader and transferred him to military authorities. Some reports indicated that his wife, who was traveling with him, fainted during the incident.

Throughout the demonstrations, protesters repeatedly chanted that they would rather die than serve in the military and carried out coordinated acts of civil disobedience.

Police urged motorists to avoid the affected areas, follow officers’ instructions, and use alternate routes as efforts continued to reopen blocked roads and restore traffic flow.

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(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

The US plans to accelerate the withdrawal of troops from bases in Europe and will present its proposals to NATO allies next month, German newspaper Welt am Sonntag reported on Saturday, citing an unidentified Pentagon source.

Washington announced plans in May to pull 5,000 troops out of Germany, widely seen as the consequence of a rift over the Iran war between President Donald Trump and European powers. Germany is home to some 35,000 active-duty US military personnel, more than anywhere else in Europe.

At the time, the Pentagon said the withdrawal was expected to be completed over six to 12 months.

Welt am Sonntag did not provide details on how much faster the withdrawal would be, or which locations might be affected. The US is due to present its plans to allies at next month’s North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Force Sourcing Conference, it said.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump threatened troop cuts after clash with German chancellor

Trump had threatened a drawdown in forces after sparring with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who recently said the Iranians were humiliating the US in talks to end the two-month-old war and that he did not see what exit strategy Washington was pursuing.

A senior Pentagon official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said recent German rhetoric had been “inappropriate and unhelpful.”

“The president is rightly reacting to these counterproductive remarks,” the official said at the time.

The official said the drawdown would bring US troop levels in Europe back to roughly pre-2022 levels, before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine triggered a buildup by then-President Joe Biden.

Trump has singled out Germany even as he has chastised other NATO allies for not sending their navies to help open the Strait of Hormuz during the conflict. 

This post was originally published on here.

A Freehold man accused of stealing a cell phone from a Lakewood business earlier this month is now facing additional narcotics charges after authorities allegedly discovered suspected cocaine in his possession during the jail intake process, TLS has learned.

According to Lakewood Police Captain LeRoy Marshall, officers responded to Maggie’s on Country Club Drive on May 16 following a report of a stolen cell phone. Detectives launched an investigation and identified Nicholas Shapiro, 36, of Freehold, as the suspect.

As a result of the investigation, theft charges were filed against Shapiro. On May 29, he was located and taken into custody by the Tinton Falls Police Department on an outstanding warrant connected to the case.

Police said Shapiro was transported to Lakewood Police Headquarters for processing before being lodged in the Ocean County Jail. During the intake process at the jail, corrections officers allegedly recovered a quantity of suspected cocaine from his possession, resulting in additional narcotics charges.

Lakewood Police Chief Gregory H. Meyer commended the efforts of the officers involved in the investigation and the cooperation between agencies.

“This arrest is the result of the diligent work of our officers and detectives, as well as the cooperation of our law enforcement partners,” Meyer said. “We remain committed to investigating crimes thoroughly and holding offenders accountable while continuing to keep our community safe.”

The investigation was conducted by members of the Lakewood Police Department with assistance from the Tinton Falls Police Department and Ocean County Jail staff.

BOSTON (AP) — Former Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell used one of his first major public appearances since leaving office to defend independent institutions while accepting an award Sunday honoring his efforts to preserve the central bank’s independence.

Speaking at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library overlooking Boston Harbor, Powell called universities, courts, Congress and the central bank “the foundation and the embodiment of our democracy” and argued that the Fed’s independence was a “priceless asset” that must be protected.

It was one of his most direct defenses of Fed independence, warning that a single administration’s decision to remove bank officials over policy differences would open the way for future elected officials to follow suit, ultimately undermining the credibility that the Fed has spent decades building.

Powell, who frequently clashed with Trump during his eight years as chair, stepped down as his term expired in May. He was succeeded by Kevin Warsh, whom Trump selected to lead the central bank.

After stepping down as chair, Powell took the unusual step of keeping his seat on the Fed’s governing board, which he has until January 2028. By doing so, he has deprived the Trump administration of an opportunity to appoint another member of the board.

The Trump administration has also sought to fire Fed governor Lisa Cook, which would open an additional seat on the rate-setting committee the president could fill. Yet Cook sued and the courts have so far let her keep her seat.

While Powell never mentioned Trump by name Sunday, he repeatedly returned to the importance of protecting institutions from political pressure and preserving public trust in their independence.

“Like many other institutions, the Fed has been undergoing a stress test,” he said. “Congress wisely chose to insulate monetary policy decisions from political pressure. All other advanced economy nations have done the same.”

Since 1989, the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award has recognized public servants who make what the foundation describes as courageous decisions of conscience despite personal or professional consequences.

Previous recipients include former Presidents Barack Obama and George H. W. Bush, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and former Vice President Mike Pence.

In March, the foundation said it was awarding Powell for protecting the independence of the Federal Reserve “despite years of personal attacks and threats from the highest levels of government.”

Trump harshly criticized Powell throughout his tenure as chair, frequently attacking the Fed’s interest-rate decisions and urging the central bank to cut borrowing costs more aggressively.

Beyond the Federal Reserve, Powell defended U.S. universities and research institutions, the Constitution, Congress and the court system.

“The United States has long been the leader of the world’s freedom-seeking people — the indispensable nation. Other countries know us as a nation built on integrity, and that integrity must be maintained,” he said.

In his remarks, Powell indirectly acknowledged mistakes as chair. The Fed is legally required to seek stable prices, but inflation surged amid the pandemic’s supply chain crunch. Many economists believe the central bank should have raised interest rates more quickly in response.

“At the Fed, we are, of course, human and thus imperfect,” Powell said. “When we make mistakes, we acknowledge them and change course.”

Powell was honored alongside residents of Minnesota’s Twin Cities, who received the award for what the Kennedy Foundation described as acts of courage during a federal immigration crackdown that led to thousands of arrests and the deaths of Minneapolis mother Renée Good and nurse Alex Pretti, both of whom were killed while observing or documenting enforcement activity.

“It’s wonderful just to be invited, honoring Renée,” Good’s father, Tim Granger, said as he entered the library with family members.

Kennedy’s only surviving child, Caroline Kennedy, and her son, Jack Schlossberg, said in a statement that without people like Powell and those in Minnesota “willing to put their lives on the line to hold America to its promises, our democracy can’t survive.”

Attendee U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who is running for governor of Minnesota next year, reflected that the award was unusual because it recognized ordinary residents rather than elected officials.

“This didn’t go to an elected leader for a reason,” Klobuchar said. “It’s because the people stood up. They stood up by marching 50,000 strong. They stood by bringing kids they didn’t even know — strangers’ kids — to school, by bringing them groceries and they didn’t blink. And that’s what this award is about. It’s about courage.”

A passionate call for greater public involvement was issued Sunday evening by Rav Dovid Zucker of the Peleg HaYerushalmi, who expressed alarm over the growing number of bnei yeshiva and avreichim being held in military prison and urged the chareidi public to rally behind them.

Speaking on Kol Chai’s flagship news program hosted by Avi Mimran, Rav Zucker described the situation as intolerable, arguing that dozens of bnei Torah are currently incarcerated because of their commitment to Torah learning while much of the public remains insufficiently engaged.

According to Rav Zucker, approximately 40 bochurim and avreichim spent the past Shabbos in military prison, and that number has since risen, approaching 50 detainees.

He claimed that the arrests are far from random.

“I have unequivocal intelligence information,” Rav Zucker said, asserting that authorities are deliberately conducting arrests in more remote areas where they believe protests and public opposition will be slower to materialize.

At the same time, he said that the chareidi public has demonstrated an ability to mobilize even in those locations.

Recalling a recent incident at the Kiryat Yearim interchange, Rav Zucker said he was summoned late at night and initially assumed that few people would respond.

“I thought I would be the first and only one there,” he related. “When I arrived, there were already ten vehicles on the scene. Within minutes there were more than 200 people. Not only members of the Peleg HaYerushalmi, but people from across the entire chareidi community.”

A central theme of his remarks was the need to fundamentally change how the public views arrested bnei yeshiva.

According to Rav Zucker, a ben yeshiva who is arrested should not be viewed as a victim or as someone deserving pity. Rather, he said, such individuals are carrying the honor of the entire olam haTorah on their shoulders.

“He is not a victim,” Rav Zucker declared. “He is a kiddush olam. We stand behind him and admire him on the highest level.”

Rav Zucker sharply criticized what he described as the relatively muted response to the fact that dozens of bnei Torah are currently incarcerated.

“Fifty bochurim in prison, and it sounds normal? Where are we living, North Korea?” he exclaimed.

He argued that the chareidi public must respond not only through statements and condemnations, but through concrete action—visiting detainees, encouraging them, supporting their families, and participating in public protest.

Rav Zucker also called upon elected officials, community activists, roshei yeshiva, and the broader chareidi public to stand visibly alongside those who have been arrested.

“Where are the members of Knesset who can enter military prisons? Where are all the chareidi leaders who know how to organize and mobilize?” he asked.

He added that simply knowing they are not alone can have a profound impact on the morale of imprisoned bochurim.

Rav Zucker further argued that those who enter prison with a sense of purpose and pride in their commitment to Torah are far less likely to be broken by the experience.

Drawing on the experience of Peleg HaYerushalmi detainees over the years, he said that imprisonment does not intimidate those who are mentally and emotionally prepared for it.

“We will enter the prisons with joy, with a smile, and with strength,” he declared.

Host Avi Mimran responded that insofar as the discussion centered on supporting imprisoned bnei yeshiva and standing with the olam haTorah, he shared those concerns. At the same time, he emphasized that broader public policy questions and practical decisions remain matters for the gedolei Yisroel.

Rav Zucker replied that he was not challenging the authority of the gedolim, but rather calling upon the entire chareidi public to shake off its complacency and provide unwavering support for the bnei yeshiva currently behind bars.

{Matzav.com}

The future of New York transportation made a brief appearance over Manhattan this spring.

It arrived quietly, flew from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Midtown in just seven minutes, landed successfully, and then disappeared without carrying a single paying customer.

The aircraft belonged to Joby Aviation, which announced on April 27 that it had completed the first point-to-point electric air taxi flights in New York City history. The demonstration flights connected JFK Airport with the East 34th Street Heliport and later included stops at the Downtown Skyport near Wall Street and the West 30th Street Heliport.

For New Yorkers accustomed to spending an hour or more crawling through traffic between Manhattan and the city’s airports, the promise is obvious.

A trip that can take anywhere from 60 to 120 minutes by car was completed in approximately seven minutes by air.

The technology worked.

The challenge now is turning a successful demonstration into a viable business.

Joby Aviation remains one of the leading companies racing to commercialize electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, commonly known as eVTOLs. These aircraft are designed to combine the convenience of a helicopter with the lower operating costs and quieter operation of electric propulsion.

The vision is ambitious: fleets of electric aircraft transporting passengers between airports, downtown business districts, and suburban communities with the convenience of a ride-sharing app.

But there remains one major obstacle.

The aircraft cannot yet carry paying passengers.

Before commercial operations can begin, Joby must complete the final stages of certification with the Federal Aviation Administration. The company recently reached a milestone by flying its first aircraft configured for formal FAA inspection and testing, but regulators must still complete extensive evaluations before passenger service can begin.

For investors and industry observers, that certification process has become the defining challenge for the entire air-taxi sector.

The technology is advancing rapidly.

The regulatory framework is moving more slowly.

What makes New York’s demonstration particularly significant is its connection to a broader federal initiative.

The flights are part of the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, a federal effort launched following a 2025 executive order focused on strengthening America’s leadership in advanced aviation technologies.

Earlier this year, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the FAA selected eight projects nationwide to participate in the program. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey was chosen as one of the key partners.

Under the initiative, companies, regulators, airports, and local governments are working together to test how electric aircraft can operate safely within complex airspace environments before large-scale commercial deployment begins.

New York presents one of the most challenging test cases in the country.

The region’s crowded airspace, dense population, major airports, and existing helicopter traffic make it an ideal proving ground for future urban air mobility operations.

Yet even if regulators approve passenger flights, another question remains.

Can air taxis become affordable enough to attract widespread adoption?

That debate has become increasingly important as investors scrutinize the industry’s economics.

Early estimates suggest airport shuttle flights could cost approximately $200 per seat or more. While that price point may appeal to executives, business travelers, and affluent customers seeking to avoid traffic, it remains far above the cost of traditional transportation options.

Joby’s strategy reflects that reality.

In 2025, the company acquired Blade Urban Air Mobility, a business already serving premium travelers with helicopter transportation between Manhattan and regional airports. Rather than creating an entirely new customer base, Joby intends to replace existing helicopter services with quieter electric aircraft.

The approach offers a more realistic path to commercialization than attempting to immediately serve mass-market commuters.

Even so, Wall Street remains cautious.

After a strong rally in 2025, Joby Aviation’s stock has struggled in 2026 as investors wait for regulatory approvals and clearer evidence that commercial operations can generate sustainable profits.

The broader industry has faced even greater challenges.

Several eVTOL developers have entered insolvency proceedings in recent years, highlighting the enormous capital requirements and regulatory hurdles associated with bringing entirely new aircraft categories to market.

Supporters argue that such setbacks are normal for transformative transportation technologies.

After all, commercial aviation itself required decades of investment, regulatory development, and infrastructure construction before becoming a routine part of daily life.

For now, New Yorkers have received a glimpse of what that future may look like.

The aircraft has flown.

The technology has been demonstrated.

The federal government is actively supporting pilot programs.

The remaining questions are whether regulators will approve passenger service—and whether enough travelers will be willing to pay for it.

The sky may be ready.

The business model is still being tested.

New York — JBizNews Desk

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BOGOTÁ, Colombia (AP) — Bombastic pro-Trump lawyer Aberaldo de la Espriella pulled ahead as a leader in Colombia’s race for the presidency in the first round of elections over the weekend, capitalizing on a growing appetite for heavy-handed crackdowns on criminal groups across Latin America.

But the second-place finisher, progressive senator Iván Cepeda, and his ally President Gustavo Petro questioned the results of the election Sunday night without providing evidence.

De la Espriella rapidly gained traction in the lead up to Sunday’s election, winning nearly 44% of the vote, and surpassing progressive senator Iván Cepeda, who had consistently led polling throughout the campaign and won less than 41% of the vote.

The two are slated to continue on to a run-off election on June 21, where de la Espriella is expected to scoop up additional votes from Colombians who supported other conservative candidates in the first round.

Cepeda will face an uphill battle in the runoff, said Sergio Guzmán, a Colombian political analyst. “Abelardo de la Espriella won the first round. In other words, that’s a shift in public opinion that is very difficult to overcome. So now Abelardo is emerging as the likely favorite to win.”

Joining a political shift in the Americas
De la Espriella, known as “El Tigre” or “The Tiger,” has never held office in Colombia and prided himself on living a luxurious life in Italy before becoming deciding to run for president. He pitched himself as an outsider who would cozy up to President Donald Trump and follow El Salvador President Nayib Bukele’s war on gangs, which has driven down homicide rates but fueled accusations of human rights abuses.

“I will wipe out narcoterrorism and those who I’ve declared a military target like cockroaches, like rats. I will unleash upon them the wrath of God never seen before ,” De la Espriella said in an interview with The Associated Press in the final stretch of the campaign, where he promised to open 10 mega-prisons to fight crime.

He joins a growing number of leaders across Latin America – from Chile to Honduras – seeking to latch onto the “Bukele model” as voters across Latin America are increasingly ditching leaders that pitched progressive policies aimed at addressing the root issues of conflict, such as lack of opportunities for young people and corruption.

De la Espriella’s supporters come from a wide range of backgrounds. Yolanda Peréz, a 64-year-old women serving coffee in the downtown of Colombia’s capital of Bogotá who smoked a cigarette and said with a wink the day before the election: “I’m thinking of voting for El Tigre.”

Miguel Maheca, a 20-year-old first time voter flashed a paper showing that he voted to his mom while he strolled out of the voting station on Sunday, saying with a grin, “Love isn’t what’s going to make us safe in Colombia.”

But experts say El Salvador’s security successes will be nearly impossible to replicate in a place like Colombia, which is more than 50 times larger than the Central American nation and has many more armed groups warring for territory.

The polarized vote comes as the Trump administration is playing a more aggressive role in Latin America than any U.S. government in decades, placing mounting pressure on countries like Colombia, Mexico, and Ecuador to crack down on crime.

De la Espriella, 47, made a name for himself as a lawyer defending high-profile clients such as former President Álvaro Uribe (2002–2010), as well as controversial figures like Alex Saab, a close ally of Venezuela’s ousted president Nicolás Maduro who faces legal issues in the U.S. and whom he stopped representing about seven years ago.

A blow to Cepeda
De la Espriella’s rise as a presidential candidate spells trouble for progressive Cepeda, who consistently led polls in the lead up to Sunday’s election, though his competitor quickly gained speed in the weeks ahead of the vote.

Cepeda is a progressive senator who has promised to carry on his ally Petro’s fraught plan to achieve “total peace” by negotiating peace pacts with guerrillas and criminal gangs.

Their political movement was born from a fierce rejection by many Colombians of a militarized offensive by Uribe in decades past used to beat back the guerrillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, which ended in thousands of civilians being killed by Colombian forces in a scandal known as “false positives.”

Mr. De la Espriella “represents a return to the paramilitary politics and drug-trafficking, – a mafia-run, plutocratic, and corrupt past that the country experienced during Álvaro Uribe’s two administrations,” Cepeda said on Sunday.

Petro, a former rebel, won Colombia’s presidency in 2022 in a historic election that ended decades of right-wing domination by leaders from Uribe’s political movement. He gained massive support from rural-dwelling, indigenous and poorer Colombians who felt they had never been directly spoken to by Colombian leaders.

Now, that movement is backed into a corner.

“This is De la Espriella’s election to lose,” wrote Renata Segura, director of International Crisis Group’s Latin America and the Caribbean Program. “Cepeda thought he could win appealing squarely to the left, and that proved to be a massive mistake. How he pivots in the next month will determine if he has any chance to win.”

Following fierce backlash ignited by viral video footage, officials from London Stansted Airport announced Monday that they had launched an investigation into an incident that occurred Saturday in which an airport employee appeared to verbally abuse Israeli travelers.

According to local media, witnesses said that the woman, who is young and Black, screamed “Free Palestine” and other insults at travelers from Tel Aviv as they exited customs. When staffers told her to stop, she shouted, “F— off, bro; I work in this airport.” She then left the area.

Campaign Against Antisemitism, a British Jewish advocacy group, issued a blistering condemnation of the incident on social media alongside footage of the event and called for an investigation.

“This is appalling. Are people no longer free to travel without being accosted by so-called ‘activists’?” the group wrote. “Airport employees in London shouting ‘Free Palestine’ are doing nothing to bring peace to the Middle East.”

Video footage purports to show an airport employee screaming abuse at Israeli travelers before storming off. (From a post on X)

“Being at the airport should never mean having to put up with these attention-seeking stunts designed to cause alarm,” the group added. “We understand that this took place shortly after a flight from Tel Aviv had landed. London Stansted Airport must look into this at once.”

After news of the airport probe broke, a spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism issued a follow-up statement.

“London Stansted Airport is right to launch an investigation and we will be paying close attention to the outcome,” he said.

The United Kingdom saw the highest per capita rate of violent anti-Jewish attacks in the world in 2025, with 121 serious cases among its 300,000-person Jewish population, according to Israel’s Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism.

But according to a British Jewish watchdog, there were 3,700 antisemitic incidents altogether in 2025 in the U.K., the second-highest total in the world.

London’s Jewish community in particular has endured an onslaught of violent assaults recently. Synagogues and ambulances have been firebombed, people have been stabbed in the streets, and Jewish-owned businesses have been vandalized across London. A team of 100 officers was deployed to Jewish neighborhoods in the British capital to combat the rise in anti-Jewish violence.

LAS VEGAS — Barry Diller’s People Incorporated has launched an $18 billion bid to take MGM Resorts International private, wagering that one of the world’s largest casino operators is worth significantly more than public markets currently recognize.

In a letter disclosed Monday to MGM Chairman Paul Salem and Chief Executive Officer William Hornbuckle, People proposed acquiring every MGM share it does not already own for $48.30 per share in cash, valuing the company at more than $18 billion and marking one of the largest gaming-industry transactions proposed this year.

Investors immediately embraced the offer. MGM shares jumped roughly 11% in early trading Monday, while People shares rose about 2%, reflecting confidence that the proposal could unlock value that shareholders have struggled to realize through the public markets.

People already holds a 26.1% stake in MGM, making it the casino operator’s largest shareholder. The proposal seeks to acquire the remaining 73.9% of outstanding shares, effectively removing MGM from public markets and placing control in Diller’s hands.

The company behind the bid may be familiar to consumers even if its new name is not. Formerly known as IAC, the business rebranded as People Incorporated earlier this year and owns more than 40 media brands, including People, Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, Better Homes & Gardens, and Southern Living.

A significant governance issue accompanies the proposal. Diller currently sits on MGM’s board of directors and stated in the letter that he will recuse himself from any board deliberations or votes concerning the transaction, leaving independent directors to evaluate the offer.

Diller’s investment thesis has remained remarkably consistent since People first began accumulating MGM shares during the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the proposal, Diller argued that MGM represents a durable business built around physical experiences that remain difficult to replicate through technology. While artificial intelligence is reshaping media, information, and digital services, Diller believes destination resorts, gaming, entertainment, hospitality, and live experiences possess enduring value that technology cannot easily replace.

People’s original investment, he wrote, was based on the belief that MGM’s assets and businesses would continue growing over time while remaining resilient to technological disruption.

The central argument behind the buyout is straightforward: Diller believes the public market is materially undervaluing MGM.

In his letter, he said MGM’s assets and businesses are not realizing their full potential in public markets and suggested that meaningful value creation may be difficult under the pressures and expectations of quarterly reporting.

For shareholders, the attraction is clear.

The $48.30-per-share offer represents a 10.6% premium to MGM’s closing price on May 29, a 24.1% premium to the company’s average share price during the previous 30 trading days, and more than 30% above its average price over the preceding 90 trading days.

The offer allows investors to lock in a meaningful gain immediately rather than wait for the company’s valuation to improve organically.

Wall Street analysts had already become increasingly constructive on MGM before Monday’s announcement.

Stifel recently raised its target price on the company to $48 per share from $44, while Morgan Stanley analyst Stephen Grambling lifted his target to $38 from $37, maintaining an Equal Weight rating.

Diller’s proposal sits above most published analyst targets, suggesting the premium is meaningful while still remaining within a valuation range that many industry observers consider defensible.

The proposal also carries important implications for MGM’s workforce and business partners.

People indicated that it expects MGM’s current management team to remain in place following completion of the transaction, signaling continuity for day-to-day operations. Nevertheless, private ownership often brings a different operating environment.

Unlike public companies, private owners face fewer quarterly market pressures and can move more aggressively on capital allocation, operational efficiency initiatives, staffing decisions, and long-term strategic investments.

For now, the message to employees is continuity. However, MGM remains one of the largest private employers in Nevada, and any change in control is likely to be closely watched by workers, vendors, and local economic leaders throughout Las Vegas.

The financing structure is another notable feature of the proposal.

People stated that the transaction is not subject to any financing conditions, a provision designed to strengthen the credibility of the bid. The company expects to fund the acquisition through a combination of cash on hand at both People and MGM, together with additional debt financing and equity commitments.

Following completion, People expects to own approximately 50.1% of the post-closing equity, maintaining operational control while allowing co-investors and potentially existing MGM shareholders to retain minority interests.

The timing of the proposal comes as MGM navigates a mixed operating environment.

Las Vegas visitation and foot traffic have softened in recent quarters, creating challenges for operators across the Strip. At the same time, MGM has increasingly leaned on growth from its international operations, particularly in Macau, as well as its rapidly expanding digital gaming businesses.

One of the company’s brightest growth engines remains BetMGM, its online sportsbook and gaming venture, which has emerged as one of the leading players in the U.S. sports betting market. As more states embrace legalized wagering, analysts have viewed BetMGM as a potentially significant long-term growth driver.

The proposal also arrives amid a broader resurgence in gaming-sector deal activity.

Just days after reports of major consolidation activity involving Caesars Entertainment, Diller’s move places another iconic casino operator squarely in the center of takeover speculation. Together, the developments suggest investors are increasingly targeting gaming assets they believe remain undervalued despite years of industry recovery and growth.

Still, the path to completion remains lengthy.

The proposal is non-binding and subject to numerous conditions, including completion of confirmatory due diligence, negotiation of definitive agreements, financing arrangements, antitrust reviews, gaming regulatory approvals, and customary closing requirements.

Gaming-industry transactions often face particularly complex regulatory reviews because operators hold licenses across multiple states and international jurisdictions. Regulatory approval processes can take months and, in some cases, longer than a year.

For now, MGM’s board faces a consequential decision.

Diller controls the company’s largest shareholder position and has made clear that he sees substantial untapped value in MGM’s portfolio. Whether directors agree that $48.30 per share adequately reflects the worth of some of the most recognizable assets in global gaming and hospitality will determine whether one of Las Vegas’ most iconic operators remains public—or becomes the latest major company to disappear from Wall Street.

Las Vegas — JBizNews Desk

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BOROUGH PARK, N.Y. (VINnews) — A wedding celebration in Brooklyn’s Satmar community became an unexpected display of reconciliation and unity Sunday night, drawing prominent members of both branches of the influential Hasidic dynasty to an event many attendees described as historic.

The occasion was the wedding of the daughter of philanthropist and Satmar community figure Lipa Friedman, a prominent supporter of the Williamsburg-based Satmar faction led by Rabbi Zalman Leib Teitelbaum. In recent months, Friedman has been widely credited by community members with helping facilitate dialogue and goodwill between members of the rival Satmar camps.

The wedding, held at the Heitner Hall event venue in Borough Park, was widely regarded as one of the most closely watched events in the Satmar community this year. The attendance of prominent rabbis, community leaders, philanthropists and representatives associated with both Satmar factions added to the significance of the occasion and fueled discussion about improving relations within the movement.

Lipa Friedman is the son of Moshe Friedman, known throughout the Satmar world as “Moshe Gabbai,” the longtime chief aide and one of the most influential figures in the court of the late Satmar Rebbe, Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum. Following the split within Satmar more than two decades ago, Moshe Friedman became closely identified with the Williamsburg-based faction, and for many Hasidim came to symbolize the painful divisions that emerged within the movement. Against that backdrop, some community members view the recent efforts by his son, Lipa Friedman, to bridge differences and foster dialogue between the rival camps as particularly significant.

For more than two decades, the Satmar movement has been divided between followers of brothers Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum and Rabbi Zalman Leib Teitelbaum. The dispute, which emerged following succession disagreements after the leadership of their father, the late Satmar Rebbe Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum, resulted in years of legal battles, competing institutions and separate communal structures despite the groups sharing the same Satmar heritage.

The wedding came just days after what many Satmar Hasidim viewed as a breakthrough moment in efforts to ease longstanding tensions within the movement. Last week, descendants of the late Berech Moshe completed the division of religious heirlooms, manuscripts, sacred objects and family artifacts that had remained part of his estate for more than two decades.

The gathering, held at Friedman’s home, brought together representatives of the various branches of the Teitelbaum family to oversee the distribution of historically significant items according to the late Rebbe’s wishes. Among the artifacts divided among the heirs were rare manuscripts, family heirlooms, religious articles and items tracing their lineage to earlier generations of Satmar and Sighet rabbinic leaders.

Several community members credited Friedman and a small group of intermediaries with helping bring the complex process to a successful conclusion after years of discussions. Participants said the cooperation required to complete the distribution helped foster a spirit of goodwill among family members and community leaders who have often found themselves on opposite sides of the Satmar divide.

For many attendees at Sunday’s wedding, the scenes of unity were viewed as a continuation of the atmosphere created during last week’s inheritance ceremony. Some community members described the successful resolution of the decades-old estate matter as one of the most significant confidence-building measures between the various branches of the family in recent memory and a possible foundation for further reconciliation efforts.

Against that backdrop, guests said Sunday’s wedding featured scenes that would have been difficult to imagine in previous years, as individuals associated with both factions greeted one another warmly, exchanged congratulations and participated in celebrations together.

Among those attending were senior members of both Satmar courts, including representatives and family members associated with the Williamsburg and Kiryas Joel factions. Attendees said many of those present had not appeared together publicly in years.

Among those seen offering congratulations was Rabbi Menachem Mendel Teitelbaum, a son of Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum. Guests said he warmly extended mazal tov wishes to the families and participated in portions of the evening’s festivities.

Also in attendance were senior aides and gabbaim associated with Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum, including Chaim Shlomo Fisher and Mr. Stein, both of whom were seen greeting guests and taking part in the celebration. Their presence, together with that of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Teitelbaum, drew considerable attention from attendees, many of whom viewed it as another indication of the increasingly cordial atmosphere surrounding recent reconciliation efforts.

One of the evening’s most notable moments occurred during the dancing, when family members and rabbinic figures from different segments of the Satmar community joined together in celebration, drawing enthusiastic reactions from guests who viewed the scenes as symbolic of a thaw in relations.

Later in the evening, the gathering was highlighted by the arrival of Rabbi Zalman Leib Teitelbaum, who participated in traditional wedding festivities with members of the Friedman and Teitelbaum families.

While the wedding marked the establishment of a new family, many participants said its broader significance was the spirit of unity it represented. Community members described the event as a rare and powerful display of goodwill, reconciliation and mutual respect within one of the world’s largest Hasidic movements.

According to several well-placed sources within the Satmar community, activists and intermediaries continue to work behind the scenes to build on the spirit of reconciliation seen at Sunday’s wedding. Sources said efforts are underway to arrange the participation of Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum at a Sheva Brachos celebration later this week.

It remains unclear whether Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum will ultimately attend, and no official confirmation has been announced. However, several Hasidim familiar with the discussions said community leaders are actively working to make such an appearance possible, viewing it as another potentially significant step in ongoing efforts to foster goodwill and unity within the broader Satmar community.

For many attendees, Sunday’s celebration served as a reminder that even after decades of division, efforts toward peace and cooperation can produce moments that resonate far beyond a single wedding hall. Should additional joint appearances materialize in the coming days, some community members believe they could further strengthen a reconciliation process that until recently appeared unlikely.

Against the backdrop of escalating tensions surrounding the enforcement of military service requirements for yeshiva bochurim, Israel’s Kikar FM hosts Eli Guthelf and Yehuda Glickman held an extensive discussion examining the legal, constitutional, and societal ramifications of the current situation.

As northern Israel continues to face rocket attacks and security threats from Hezbollah, a different battle has been unfolding within the chareidi community. Arrests of yeshiva bochurim, mass demonstrations, court intervention, and increasing involvement by law enforcement have fueled concerns throughout the Torah world.

Seeking to understand the forces driving the crisis, Guthelf and Glickman sat down for what they described as a candid, analytical conversation focused not on politics, but on the mechanisms and decisions shaping events behind the scenes.

How the Police Became Involved

Guthelf opened by questioning why Israel Police has become so deeply involved in enforcing draft-related arrests.

“The police are not the army,” he noted. “The military answers to the government and carries out directives from the political leadership. The police are charged with enforcing the law. How did they become such a central player in the pursuit of yeshiva bochurim?”

Glickman responded that many people fail to appreciate the legal realities confronting police officials.

“The fundamental role of the police is law enforcement and maintaining public order,” he said. “Historically, this wasn’t their arena. Military police handled these matters, while regular police served primarily as a support force when public disturbances occurred.”

According to Glickman, the situation changed dramatically after the expiration of the draft law and subsequent legal developments.

“Once the law expired and the Attorney General presented her position to the Supreme Court, the police found themselves in a legally binding situation. Senior police officials are caught between conflicting pressures. They have little desire to be drawn into a direct confrontation with the chareidi public, but when a person is flagged in the system as a draft evader, the law requires them to detain him and transfer him to military authorities. At the moment, their primary strategy appears to be slowing the process because they simply do not have the manpower to carry it out on a large scale.”

“They Are Arrested, But They Don’t Become Soldiers”

Guthelf questioned whether the policy is accomplishing its stated objective.

“The military itself does not appear eager to launch a large-scale campaign against yeshiva bochurim,” he observed. “If someone is arrested, sits in prison for a week or two, and then is released, he has not become a soldier. What exactly has been achieved?”

Glickman agreed.

“In the overwhelming majority of cases, the individual is released after a short period and returns either to the street or to the yeshiva,” he said. “The objective is not necessarily enlistment. The goal is to create public pressure or encourage others to volunteer.”

He pointed to the example of Belz, where a structured framework exists for those who choose to serve.

“There are exceptional cases. We recently saw a Belzer chossid who was arrested and then continued with the enlistment process under the guidance of the Rebbe. Belz has developed an organized system and hundreds have enlisted through it. That serves both the military and the community because it demonstrates that solutions can be achieved without coercion. But that does not reflect the broader reality.”

According to Glickman, many members of the so-called “hard core” are fully prepared to endure imprisonment rather than enlist.

“For them, a prison sentence is something they are willing to accept. The policy therefore fails to achieve its intended goal.”

Claims of Targeted Enforcement

The conversation then turned to allegations that enforcement efforts disproportionately affect bochurim from Sephardic backgrounds and from communities outside the major chareidi centers.

Guthelf noted that many respected rabbonim and community figures have raised concerns about selective enforcement.

Glickman rejected claims of blanket discrimination but suggested that military planners have adopted a highly calculated approach.

“The military has analyzed the data carefully,” he said. “They appear to be focusing on individuals whose families have military backgrounds—fathers, brothers, brothers-in-law, or uncles who served. Their assumption is that pressure will be more effective in those cases.”

He added that the rapidly growing Sephardic yeshiva world includes many first-generation bnei Torah whose parents served in the military.

“That may make them more likely targets, not because of ethnicity but because of family background.”

Glickman also claimed that chareidi reservists serving in advisory roles may have helped military planners understand community dynamics.

“They were not trying to harm the Torah world,” he said. “But they provided insights that may have influenced how these policies were developed.”

Guthelf expressed concern over that possibility.

“If someone from within the chareidi community is helping direct pressure toward a Sephardic ben Torah simply because his father served in the army—even though there is no difference between him and a bochur learning diligently in Bnei Brak—that raises serious questions.”

Others, Glickman noted, argue that there is no sophisticated targeting at all and that enforcement is simply easier in outlying communities where authorities face less organized resistance than in densely populated chareidi centers.

“If This Happened in Kaplan, It Would Lead Every News Broadcast”

One of the most emotional portions of the discussion focused on the conduct of police during protests.

Guthelf admitted that he initially sympathized with law enforcement.

“I wasn’t among those immediately crying foul,” he said. “I believed much of the responsibility rested with the political leadership for failing to solve the problem.”

However, he said his perspective shifted after meeting an avreich who was injured during a demonstration.

“I met Aharaleh, a sweet avreich and father of fourteen children. He attended a protest and came home with a broken arm in a cast after being struck by a police officer. This is a person who never hurt anyone in his life.”

Guthelf argued that similar incidents involving anti-government demonstrators in Tel Aviv would generate national outrage.

“If a Kaplan protester left a demonstration with a broken arm, it would dominate the headlines and spark endless discussion about civil rights and police conduct. But Aharaleh will quietly wear his cast, and no one will tell his story.”

While emphasizing that he understands the pain felt by many Israelis whose relatives are serving in the military, Guthelf said the response toward chareidi demonstrators often appears excessive.

“There is a level of force being used here that raises serious concerns.”

Glickman suggested that officers have been drawn into an impossible situation.

“The police have been pulled into this crisis because of legal pressure. Unfortunately, some officers view the chareidi public as a red line. There is demonization on both sides. But people need to understand that these are not individuals looking to exploit the system. For them, this issue is deeply tied to their identity and beliefs.”

Civil Disobedience Being Discussed

Toward the end of the conversation, the hosts discussed possible responses being debated within parts of the chareidi community.

One idea involved individuals declining to provide full identification when temporarily detained by police, thereby making it more difficult for authorities to determine whether they are listed as draft evaders.

Another proposal was far more dramatic.

Guthelf suggested that if tens of thousands of individuals classified as draft evaders were to appear at a police station simultaneously and request to be arrested, the system would be unable to cope.

“What would happen if thirty thousand people showed up in one day and said, ‘We’re all here—arrest us’?” he asked.

Glickman responded that versions of that idea are being discussed seriously in some circles.

“The concept of mass civil disobedience and collective surrender is absolutely being talked about,” he said. “People are discussing it seriously in various groups, both in Eretz Yisroel and abroad. I don’t know whether it has reached every leadership forum, but it is certainly a topic of conversation.”

Concluding the discussion, Guthelf stressed that the current controversy extends far beyond the question of military service.

“Even those who believe that young men who are not learning should enlist need to understand that this is about much more than a dispute between chareidim and secular Israelis,” he said. “This is a moral, constitutional, and legal test case whose implications affect the entire country. Nobody likes seeing eighteen-year-olds being taken into detention cells.”

Glickman closed by expressing hope that calmer days lie ahead and offered a brief prayer for Divine assistance in resolving the crisis.

{Matzav.com}

Per New Jersey American Water (NJAW)’s qualified contractor, CDM Smith; crews are currently canvassing homes within the 7153.01 and 7154.03 census tracts in the northern section of Lakewood – from North Lake Drive until Park Avenue – for potential lead service line replacement. (See attached map for detailed locations.)

As previously reported on TLS, this program is part of NJAW’s Lead Service Line Replacement Program, which follows a 2021 state law that requires all water providers to identify and replace lead and galvanized steel service lines by 2031. A service line is the pipe that brings water from the water main in the street into a home or building. It includes both the portion owned by New Jersey American Water and the portion owned by the property owner.

Residents and property owners can self-identify and report their water service pipe with photos to New Jersey American Water or schedule an in-person inspection during a time that’s convenient for them. New Jersey American Water has sent, and will continue to send, informational materials in multiple languages directly to potentially affected customers explaining how to proceed with either of these options.

In addition, authorized canvassers may proactively visit designated properties to assist customers. Inspections are free and typically take only approximately 15 minutes. Canvassers will never ask residents to share any sensitive personal or financial information, or documentation. Canvassers will wear clearly marked, high-visibility vests displaying New Jersey American Water and CDM Smith logos and carry official identification.

All canvassing, inspections, and any replacement work are performed solely by New Jersey American Water or its authorized contractors, not by Lakewood Township or any other government agency. At the same time, this effort has been coordinated with Lakewood Township to support public awareness and safety.

In the interim, Lakewood residents may continue to use their water as usual. Water provided by New Jersey American Water continues to meet all state and federal water quality standards, including those for lead. Additional program resources, an interactive service line inventory map, and tools to self-identify service line materials are available at newjerseyamwater.com/leadfacts.  Questions not addressed on the utility’s website may be directed to the New Jersey American Water Lead Team via email at [email protected] or by calling CDM Smith at 732-590-4700.

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio (VINnews) — A legal dispute involving an Orthodox Jewish man who was told he needed a permit to host prayer gatherings in his home could soon reach the U.S. Supreme Court, according to a report by Cleveland.com.

The case centers on Daniel Grand, an Orthodox Jewish resident of University Heights, a Cleveland suburb, who argues that local zoning regulations were improperly used to restrict religious gatherings at his residence. Attorneys representing Grand recently asked the nation’s highest court to review the dispute after lower federal courts ruled in favor of the city.

According to court filings cited by Cleveland.com, the dispute began in 2021 when Grand invited friends to participate in a Jewish prayer gathering at his home. City officials subsequently informed him that he might need a permit typically required for houses of worship and other religious assembly uses.

Grand, who is Orthodox Jewish, maintains that he was not attempting to establish a synagogue but simply sought to host a minyan, a gathering of at least 10 Jewish adults required for certain communal prayers and religious observances. Such gatherings are a longstanding and important aspect of Jewish religious life.

After receiving notice from the city, Grand canceled the planned gathering and entered the permit process. The issue later became the subject of public discussion and neighborhood opposition, with residents raising concerns ranging from parking and traffic to the potential impact on the character of the neighborhood.

Court records indicate that Grand ultimately withdrew his application after concluding that obtaining the permit could effectively require his residence to be classified as a house of worship rather than a private home. His attorneys argue that the process imposed an unreasonable burden on his ability to practice his faith.

The city has disputed those claims, arguing that Grand was never prohibited from praying in his home and that no enforcement action was taken against him. Municipal officials have also contended that because Grand withdrew his application before the review process was completed, it was never formally determined whether a permit was actually necessary.

Attorneys representing Grand told the Supreme Court that the case raises significant constitutional questions involving religious liberty, free exercise rights and the application of zoning laws to private religious gatherings. They argue that Americans should not need government approval to host prayer meetings in their homes when comparable nonreligious gatherings are generally permitted without special authorization.

The appeal also highlights what Grand’s legal team describes as conflicting rulings among federal courts regarding the treatment of religious gatherings in residential neighborhoods, a factor they say warrants Supreme Court review.

Religious liberty advocates are closely watching the case, saying a Supreme Court ruling could have implications far beyond Ohio. A decision could affect homeowners nationwide who host Bible studies, prayer groups, minyanim and other faith-based gatherings in private residences.

The Supreme Court has not yet announced whether it will hear the case. If the justices agree to take it up, the dispute could become a closely watched test of the balance between local zoning authority and constitutional protections for religious exercise.

TEL AVIV, Israel (VINnews) — A nonprofit organization that monitors antisemitism on social media is warning that a viral online trend masquerading as “gym humor” is spreading antisemitic stereotypes across major social media platforms.

CyberWell, which works with platforms including Meta, TikTok and YouTube to identify and report antisemitic content, said the trend features users mocking Orthodox Jewish customs while recycling longstanding stereotypes about Jews.

According to the organization, some videos show individuals using gym equipment to imitate the sidelocks, or payot, worn by some Orthodox Jewish men while making references to land, money and entitlement. Other videos incorporate Jewish cultural symbols and music while portraying Jews through negative stereotypes.

CyberWell said the trend evolved from earlier AI-generated content that used similar themes. The group argued that initial reluctance by platforms to take action because the content was framed as humor allowed the material to spread more widely and evolve into new formats.

“The normalization phase, when harmful content is dismissed as comedy, is when early intervention matters most,” said Tal-Or Cohen Montemayor, founder and chief executive of CyberWell.

The organization said its monitoring has found that some comment sections associated with the videos include Holocaust-related distortions, conspiracy theories and praise for violence against Jews. CyberWell also cited incidents in which the online rhetoric appeared to migrate into real-world interactions.

The group said the trend highlights the challenges social media companies face in moderating content that uses humor, satire and cultural references to spread hateful messages while avoiding direct violations of platform rules.

CyberWell called on technology companies to strengthen enforcement of existing policies against antisemitic content and invest in tools capable of identifying emerging trends before they become widespread.

The organization said the issue reflects a broader evolution in online antisemitism, in which traditional prejudices are repackaged through memes, jokes and algorithm-driven content designed to maximize engagement and sharing.

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Nvidia unveiled Monday new powerful chips that would bring advanced artificial intelligence functions into laptops and desktop computers, with the new personal computer models from brands including Microsoft and Dell set to roll out later this year.

While Santa Clara, California-based Nvidia has already been massively successful in supplying high-end chips for data centers riding the worldwide AI demand boom, it is plotting different plans to expand its presence across AI systems and products.

Jensen Huang, the Taiwanese-American founder and CEO of Nvidia, made the announcement in Taipei at the annual Nvidia GTC event. Microsoft and Nvidia “are going to reinvent the PC (personal computer),” he said in his keynote speech.

“This is going to be the new PC,” Huang said as he unveiled Nvidia’s RTX Spark superchip — which combines CPU, or central processing unit, and GPU, or graphics processing unit, capabilities — that would power new Windows laptop and desktop computer models in what the company called “AI personal computers,” expected to debut in the fall of this year.

Nvidia is already the world’s most valuable company, ahead of Apple, Google’s parent Alphabet and Microsoft.

The company said it will be “reinventing the personal computer” for creating and gaming. “When it has an autonomous (AI) agent, an agent that’s helping you, that understands you, you could talk to it. It could look at you. You could ask it to read files, go help you do some research. It could do a lot more,” Huang said.

Microsoft said in a separate statement that the personal computers running on Nvidia’s RTX superchips would be able to support “highly capable AI models” and complex workloads. With the new superchips, these personal computers can run AI agents locally, Nvidia said.

Nvidia’s move is significant at a time when demand is growing for the use of personal AI agents, said Lian Jye Su, chief analyst at the technology research and advisory group Omdia.

“For consumers, it means more choices, which is always a good thing,” Su said.

Neil Shah, analyst and co-founder of Counterpoint Research, described Nvidia’s announcement as a move that’s “revolutionizing how PCs would look like in the next 10 years.”

The new laptops and desktop computers “will drive agentic AI applications in every home,” Shah said, with an aim of having an “AI supercomputer” in each household.

Also during Monday’s speech, Nvidia’s Huang said its new Vera CPUs for data centers are in full production and are “going to be our new major growth driver” on the boom of AI agents, with early customers expected to include Anthropic, OpenAI and SpaceXAI. He also revealed a humanoid robot reference design that could act as a blueprint for future research, especially within the higher education sector.

JBizNews Desk — May 29, 2026

Canadian privacy regulators concluded that OpenAI violated federal and provincial privacy laws when building and launching ChatGPT, according to a sweeping joint investigation report that could become one of the most consequential legal threats yet facing the artificial-intelligence industry.

The ruling, released earlier this month by Philippe Dufresne, Canada’s Privacy Commissioner, alongside privacy regulators in Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta, argues that OpenAI unlawfully collected massive amounts of personal data from the public internet to train ChatGPT without obtaining proper user consent.

The report — formally cited as 2026 BCIPC 41 — spans 128 pages and examines seven separate areas including data collection, consent, transparency, retention policies, and accuracy standards surrounding the GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 versions of ChatGPT as they operated during 2023.

At the center of the findings is how AI systems are trained.

Regulators concluded that OpenAI scraped and processed personal information from publicly accessible internet sources — including health details, political opinions, and information involving minors — without establishing a valid legal basis or obtaining meaningful consent from individuals whose data was absorbed into the training systems.

The commissioners specifically argued that collecting personal data first and adding disclosure notices later does not cure the original violation.

That legal logic could have consequences far beyond OpenAI itself.

Virtually every major artificial-intelligence company — from Silicon Valley giants to venture-backed startups — built large language models using similar methods: sweeping public internet data into massive training systems designed to teach AI models how humans communicate, write, reason, and answer questions.

Canadian regulators are now effectively arguing that much of that foundational data collection may have violated privacy law from the beginning.

The commissioners took an especially aggressive position on retroactive consent.

Privacy authorities in British Columbia and Alberta argued that if companies lacked permission when they originally gathered the data, later disclosures or consent mechanisms cannot legally repair the problem after the fact. In practical terms, regulators are suggesting that personal information already embedded inside AI training models may remain permanently tainted under privacy law.

That creates a major challenge for the AI industry because models cannot easily “unlearn” information once training is complete.

If similar interpretations spread internationally, AI developers could face long-term legal exposure over the core datasets powering their systems — including some of the industry’s most valuable assets.

OpenAI chose cooperation over confrontation.

The company agreed to implement multiple corrective measures rather than formally challenge the findings. Within three months, OpenAI will place clearer warnings on signed-out versions of ChatGPT explaining that user interactions may be used for model training and advising users not to submit sensitive personal information.

Within six months, the company also agreed to simplify user data-export tools and improve systems allowing individuals to challenge inaccurate personal information generated by the chatbot.

OpenAI additionally confirmed it retired the GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 models examined during the probe and committed to ongoing quarterly compliance reporting with Canadian regulators.

The investigation intensified following a separate controversy tied to public safety.

Canadian authorities disclosed that OpenAI had flagged warning signs tied to an alleged shooter involved in the February 2026 mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, but failed to escalate concerns to Canadian law enforcement. OpenAI later apologized publicly to the community for not notifying the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

The incident has since fueled broader discussions inside Canada about whether AI chatbots and social-media systems should face age restrictions or stricter oversight surrounding minors.

Not everyone supports the regulators’ interpretation.

The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a U.S.-based technology policy group, criticized the ruling as a dangerous precedent, noting that regulators themselves acknowledged that building generative AI systems serves legitimate and socially valuable purposes.

The broader dispute now reflects one of the defining legal questions surrounding artificial intelligence globally: whether privacy laws originally written for an earlier internet era can realistically be applied to AI systems built by ingesting enormous portions of publicly available online information.

For investors, executives, and AI companies, the concern is straightforward.

If the legal foundation underlying how modern AI models were trained is ultimately judged unlawful — and cannot be retroactively corrected — then the industry’s most valuable technology assets may carry permanent regulatory and legal risk attached to them.

For now, the ruling applies only in Canada.

But its underlying logic is portable — and that is exactly what may concern boardrooms financing the global AI boom.

Toronto — JBizNews Desk

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Dozens of clips and pictures were published throughout the event on TLS Status and TLS Communities (NOTE: NEW GROUP – OTHERS FULL!)

At a Met Council breakfast Sunday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill into law that creates a buffer zone around places of worship, forcing protesters to remain 50 feet from the perimeter of these institutions.

The Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty is the largest Jewish charity in America that fights poverty. The organization distributes not only free kosher food to Jewish people but also halal food to Muslims.

At the breakfast, which drew several notable New York Jewish politicians, such as City Councilmember Eric Dinowitz, honorees included the first Jewish speaker of the City Council, Julie Menin, and Mark Levine, the city comptroller. New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch was also recognized at the event.

Julie Menin, speaker of the City Council, speaks at the Met Council breakfast. (From Menin’s X account)

The breakfast was held at Cipriani 42nd Street in the morning before the Israel Day Parade was set to take place.

In her remarks, Hochul condemned the actions of protesters at places of worship.

“Being assaulted verbally and sometimes physically in a state built on the premise that it should be a refuge for people, especially after Oct. 7, is shocking to me as the governor of this state, the hate that it unleashed in our home,” she said. “Now it is up to us not just to condemn it but to take action against it.”

“It will now be a criminal act to harass people at a place of worship,” she said.

Attendees at the breakfast pose for a photo with Menin, center. (From Menin’s X account)

Violations of the bill will be defined as a Class B misdemeanor, with penalties that may include jail time, probation, fines and a permanent criminal record.

“It should not be controversial that congregants have the right to freely enter and exit their house of worship without intimidation, harassment or injury,” Menin said in her talk. “In addition, it should not be controversial for students to enter and exit their respective school without intimidation, harassment or injury.”

Recently, a bill to protect places of worship with a buffer zone passed in New York City with a veto-proof majority, but Mayor Zohran Mamdani vetoed a bill that would similarly protect schools.

HaGaon Rav Dov Landau delivered a powerful and emotional address in which he spoke forcefully about the mounting pressures facing the Torah world, lamenting what he described as the ongoing persecution of Torah and its learners and calling upon Jews around the world to strengthen their support of yeshivos and kollelim.

The rosh yeshiva addressed a special gathering attended by hundreds of rabbonim, roshei yeshiva, and admorim from across the Torah spectrum. The event was convened in response to the growing challenges confronting bnei Torah in Eretz Yisroel.

In particularly sharp remarks, Rav Landau condemned those responsible for the current policies targeting the Torah community.

“Throughout the generations, the Jewish people—and especially those who learn Torah—have endured cruel persecution and devastating decrees. Yet Torah is eternal. Torah and its learners have always remained strong, even in circumstances that defied the natural order, because Torah is truth and Torah endures forever.

“But you—how are you not ashamed? You are Jews descended from Avrohom, Yitzchok, and Yaakov, yet you wage war against Torah and those who learn it in Eretz Yisroel. If your fathers and grandfathers, who stood steadfast against those who persecuted the Jewish people throughout the generations, could rise from their graves, what would they say to you? They would cry out: Be ashamed. You are continuing the path of those who persecuted Torah. Be ashamed. Your path will not succeed.”

The following is the full text of Rav Landau’s address as translated and transcribed by Matzav.com:

“With the permission of the assembled rabbonim and Torah leaders.

“We find ourselves in a very difficult situation. Anyone who possesses even the slightest connection to Torah can feel it wherever he may be. Torah and those who dedicate their lives to it have become targets of attack and contempt.

“For several years already, Torah and its learners have been pursued in a disgraceful manner. The situation continues to worsen, and no one knows how far it may go.

“The decrees being imposed against Torah have become unbearable. They affect many areas of life, both spiritual and material. Yet Hakadosh Boruch Hu remains faithful to His covenant and His promise that He will never abandon His people.

“At the same time, we stand in awe of the extraordinary strength displayed by those who learn Torah. Despite every challenge, bnei yeshiva and avreichei kollel continue to immerse themselves in Torah learning. Not only have they remained steadfast, but we continue to witness the growth of Torah institutions, the increase of Torah learners, and countless Jews drawing closer to Torah and its scholars.

“All bnei Torah, whether in Eretz Yisroel or abroad, share deeply in the pain of the avreich who struggles under the weight of financial sanctions and economic pressures that disturb his peace of mind day after day. New restrictions continue to emerge, creating a sense that, according to the natural order, he may not be able to provide for his family.

“We pour out our hearts before the Ribbono Shel Olam, the Giver of the Torah, pleading for mercy upon His Torah learners.

“Our hearts bleed and our eyes shed tears over the tremendous anxiety experienced by avreichei kollel, yeshiva bochurim, and their families because of the fear of arrests, the threat of conscription, and the burden of these decrees. We feel the pain of their families. We see before us the worry and tears of the wife of an avreich and the mother of a yeshiva bochur, fearful every time her husband or son leaves home lest he, chas v’shalom, be seized.

“We have complete faith in the Creator’s promise that Torah will never depart from the Jewish people. Nevertheless, the fear and pain being experienced are very real and very deep.

“With Siyata D’Shmaya, generous and righteous benefactors from the United States and throughout the Jewish world have stepped forward. For more than two years, they have undertaken the responsibility of replacing the funds that yeshivos and kollelim have lost as a result of these decrees. There is no doubt that bnei Torah feel tremendous gratitude toward these supporters, and their assistance enables Torah learners to continue devoting themselves to Torah despite the difficulties.

“We are now preparing to travel once again to the United States together with other gedolei Torah in order to appeal to the open hearts of those who care about the plight of the Torah world in Eretz Yisroel. These donors are asked and they give; they are asked again and they give again; and now they are being asked a third time and continue to respond. They even encourage others to join them in supporting Keren Olam HaTorah.

“There is nothing more inspiring than this. Through their generosity, the Name of Heaven is sanctified. Their efforts on behalf of Keren Olam HaTorah are extraordinary. It is not easy, but they understand that this is their responsibility, their privilege, and their obligation.

“Fortunate are the supporters of Keren Olam HaTorah. Fortunate are those who sustain and uphold the Torah world in Eretz Yisroel. Through your steadfast support, you not only strengthen Torah learners materially, but also lift their spirits and encourage them in the face of every challenge. There is no limit to the reward awaiting you in this world and in the next.

“From here we call upon the Jews of the United States and Jews throughout the world: Participate with all your strength on behalf of Keren Olam HaTorah. Even those who cannot contribute large sums should undertake to support at least one avreich. Every person should give according to his ability—and beyond his ability.

“And to those who persecute Torah we say: The Jewish people, and especially those who learn Torah, have endured cruel persecution throughout history. Terrible decrees have been enacted against them. Yet Torah is eternal. Torah and its learners have always remained strong because Torah is truth and Torah will endure forever.

“But you—how are you not ashamed? You are Jews descended from Avrohom, Yitzchok, and Yaakov, yet you fight against Torah and those who learn it in Eretz Yisroel. If your fathers and grandfathers, who stood courageously against the enemies of the Jewish people throughout the generations, could rise from their graves, what would they say to you? They would cry out: Be ashamed. You are continuing the path of those who persecuted Torah. Be ashamed. Your path will not succeed.

“The people of Torah will continue learning Torah. Jewish communities throughout the world will continue to burn with the fire of Torah. May we merit the final redemption speedily in our days. Amein.”

Red Lobster is closing its Times Square restaurant after more than two decades in one of the world’s busiest tourist destinations.

The restaurant, located at 5 Times Square, is scheduled to close June 14, ending a high-profile presence the seafood chain has maintained in the heart of Manhattan since 2003.

“Times Square has been an important chapter in Red Lobster’s history, and this was a difficult decision,” the company said in a statement.

RED LOBSTER BRINGS BACK FAN-FAVORITE ‘ENDLESS SHRIMP’ DEAL IN LONG-AWAITED RETURN

Red Lobster said extensive and prolonged construction at the building has significantly impacted access, visibility and foot traffic at the restaurant. The company also cited the property’s planned conversion to residential use, saying continued operations at the location were no longer viable.

“We are grateful to the team members and guests who have made this restaurant special over the years,” the company said.

The closure comes as Red Lobster continues efforts to rebuild the business after emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2024. The seafood chain filed for bankruptcy in May of that year after closing dozens of restaurants nationwide amid mounting financial pressures.

A bankruptcy court later approved the company’s reorganization plan, allowing Red Lobster to exit Chapter 11 under new ownership backed by Fortress Investment Group. At the time, the company said it would continue operating as an independent company with 544 locations across 44 states and four Canadian provinces.

RED LOBSTER CLEARED TO EXIT CHAPTER 11 BANKRUPTCY PROTECTION

As part of the restructuring, RL Investor Holdings LLC, an entity backed by Fortress Investment Group, acquired the company. Damola Adamolekun took over as CEO following the reorganization and has led efforts to revive the iconic seafood chain.

Red Lobster has not indicated that the Times Square closure is part of a broader round of restaurant shutdowns. 

RED LOBSTER CONSIDERING MORE RESTAURANT CLOSURES, CEO SAYS

The Times Square restaurant has occupied a prominent corner location at 41st Street and Seventh Avenue since 2003, serving tourists and theatergoers visiting the area. 

CLICK HERE TO GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO

Red Lobster said all affected employees will be offered the opportunity to transfer to another company location and will receive additional pay to support them through the transition.

By JBizNews Desk

NEW YORK — June 1, 2026

Artificial intelligence has created the hottest trade on Wall Street, and it is centered on a product most consumers never see: semiconductor chips.

Chip stocks have surged to extraordinary heights in recent months as technology companies race to build the infrastructure powering the AI revolution. The gains have been so dramatic that investors, analysts, and fund managers are now openly debating whether the sector is experiencing the beginning of a long-term transformation—or the formation of another dangerous market bubble.

The numbers are difficult to ignore.

The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX), widely considered the benchmark for the chip industry, is on pace for one of the strongest rallies in its history. Semiconductor companies have become the best-performing segment of the stock market this year, significantly outpacing the broader S&P 500.

At the center of the rally is a surprising winner: memory chips.

For years, memory-chip makers were considered one of the most cyclical and volatile corners of the technology industry. Today, they have become critical suppliers to the artificial-intelligence boom. Demand for high-bandwidth memory, a key component used in AI servers and data centers, has exploded as companies rush to expand computing capacity.

Few companies illustrate the trend better than Micron Technology.

Shares of Micron have more than tripled this year as investors bet that AI demand will continue driving unprecedented growth. Analysts expect the company’s earnings to rise dramatically as hyperscale data-center operators continue purchasing massive quantities of memory products.

The spending behind the surge is coming from some of the world’s largest corporations.

Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Meta Platforms are collectively expected to invest hundreds of billions of dollars in AI infrastructure over the next two years. New data centers, advanced processors, networking equipment, and memory systems are all required to support increasingly powerful artificial-intelligence models.

Those investments have become the fuel powering the semiconductor rally.

As long as the spending continues, chip manufacturers stand to benefit.

Yet Wall Street remains deeply divided about how long the trend can last.

Kai Wu, Chief Investment Officer of Sparkline Capital, says the key question is whether AI infrastructure spending remains elevated for years or begins slowing once current projects are completed.

“If the AI buildout continues, chips will likely continue doing well,” Wu said. “But there’s also the possibility that investors are getting ahead of themselves.”

That concern has become increasingly common among market strategists.

One reason is valuation.

Chip-company profits are growing rapidly, but stock prices have risen even faster. Several analysts note that semiconductor shares now trade at levels that historically have preceded periods of significant volatility.

Jonathan Krinsky, chief market technician at BTIG, recently noted similarities between current semiconductor-market conditions and the technology boom that preceded the dot-com collapse in 2000.

By several technical measures, chip stocks are trading at some of their most extended levels in decades.

That does not necessarily mean a crash is imminent.

It does mean expectations have become extraordinarily high.

Another concern is the growing role of debt financing throughout the AI ecosystem. Many technology companies continue generating substantial cash flow, but some are increasingly relying on borrowing to help fund aggressive infrastructure expansion.

Investors generally welcome debt when it finances productive growth. However, when borrowing accelerates during periods of market euphoria, concerns about sustainability often follow.

Meanwhile, retail investors have poured into semiconductor stocks at record levels.

Historically, large inflows from individual investors often occur late in major market rallies. While that does not guarantee a downturn, it frequently increases volatility as momentum-driven trading intensifies.

The impact of the AI boom is also beginning to reach consumers.

As technology giants compete for advanced chips and memory components, prices throughout the supply chain are rising. Industry analysts warn that increased competition for memory products could eventually contribute to higher costs for smartphones, laptops, servers, and other electronic devices.

In other words, the battle to build artificial intelligence could ultimately affect the price of the technology consumers use every day.

Supporters of the rally argue that comparisons to the dot-com era miss an important distinction.

Unlike many internet companies during the late 1990s, today’s leading AI-related firms are generating substantial revenue and profits. Demand for AI computing resources is real, measurable, and growing rapidly.

Skeptics counter that strong earnings do not eliminate the possibility of a bubble. History shows that even great businesses can become poor investments if expectations become unrealistic.

For now, the AI spending wave remains intact, corporate profits continue rising, and semiconductor companies remain among the biggest beneficiaries.

That leaves investors confronting a difficult question.

Are today’s chip stocks pricing in a technological revolution that will transform the global economy for decades—or are they reflecting expectations so optimistic that reality will eventually struggle to keep pace?

Wall Street does not yet have an answer.

And that uncertainty may be the clearest sign of all that the AI boom is still in its early chapters.

New York — JBizNews Desk

© JBizNews.com All Rights Reserved. Reproduction or distribution without written permission is prohibited.

This article discusses investment-related topics and is intended for informational and journalistic purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice. Readers should consult a licensed financial professional before making investment decisions.

Preparations at the Rachmastrivka Beis Medrash Hagadol are already in full gear as thousands are expected to attend the levaya.

BoroPark24 will be providing continuous coverage throughout the day, including live updates, developments, photos, traffic information, and coverage from the scene as events unfold.

Readers are encouraged to check the WEBSITE STATUS section regularly for the latest information and comprehensive coverage of the historic levaya. Updates will be posted throughout the day to keep the community informed of all developments.

The following is an ‘Ask The Mayor’ question submitted to TLS, and the Mayor’s response. Email your questions for the Mayor to [email protected].

Question:

I work in the industrial park and travel on New Hampshire to get home. When there is a game around 5:00 which is rush hour, one lane gets closed heading south so people can turn into the game area. Is there a way to put up a light there so we can avoid lane closures? Can the Blue Claws management make the games later so it doesn’t interfere with rush hour?

Thank you!

Response from Mayor Coles:

Good morning

The county has plans to install a traffic light at that intersection. It is being advertised, but completion will not be until next year.

Thanks

Ray

—————–

Have a question for the Mayor? Send it to [email protected]

Have a question for the Chief? Send it to [email protected]

Israel’s Military Police is preparing to launch a large-scale enforcement operation this week targeting dozens of individuals classified as draft evaders, with coordinated raids planned across several cities in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area. However, Israel Police officials have reportedly asked that the operation be postponed due to mounting security demands and the expanding rocket threat from Lebanon.

According to information obtained by Matzav.com, the operation is expected to involve simultaneous raids on dozens of homes throughout Gush Dan. Military authorities are preparing to carry out multiple arrests at the same time as part of what officials have described as a significant enforcement effort.

The planned operation is aimed at dozens of individuals for whom arrest warrants have already been issued. The primary focus is expected to be on the cities of Tel Aviv, Givatayim, and Ramat Gan.

Sources within the Military Police reportedly characterized the initiative as a “test run” for future operations, with the goal of refining procedures ahead of additional large-scale arrest campaigns expected in the coming months.

The plan, however, has encountered resistance from Israel Police. On Sunday, discussions took place between senior officials from both agencies, during which Israel Police representatives requested that the operation be delayed.

According to the report, police officials cited the increasingly complex security situation in northern Israel and the growing rocket fire from Lebanon as reasons for seeking a postponement.

During those discussions, Israel Police officials reportedly explained that the force is currently facing substantial operational pressures on multiple fronts. Among the challenges cited were ongoing efforts to combat crime and violence in the Arab sector, addressing the security implications of the widening northern threat posed by attacks from Lebanon, continuing operations against serious criminal activity, and a range of additional homeland security and traffic enforcement responsibilities.

The developments follow an announcement by Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, who revealed on Sunday that the IDF and Israel Police had reached a formal agreement to carry out proactive and significant enforcement actions against draft evaders, including arrests expected in the near future.

The agreement was reached following the 14th monitoring hearing regarding implementation of court rulings related to the enlistment of yeshiva bochurim.

In a document released by the Attorney General’s Office, officials noted that the operational plan has been classified in order to preserve the element of surprise and maximize its effectiveness. As a result, the state intends to present the details of the operation to the Supreme Court in an ex parte proceeding, without public disclosure.

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Israeli singer-songwriter Yonatan Razel is in stable condition after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage and being hospitalized at Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center, according to statements from his family and medical officials.

Razel, 53, remains conscious and is receiving ongoing medical care. Family members expressed appreciation for the outpouring of support and prayers from across Israel and abroad, while asking the public to continue praying for his recovery, Yonatan Adi ben Chaya Rachel.

Widely regarded as one of the leading figures in contemporary Jewish music, Razel has spent decades building a career that bridges religious and secular audiences. His music, which combines traditional Jewish themes with modern melodies and arrangements, has made him a household name in Israel and throughout Jewish communities worldwide.

Born into a musical family, Razel began performing at a young age and later served in the Israel Defense Forces as an outstanding musician. He went on to study music and conducting, working with professional orchestras before establishing himself as a successful solo artist.

Over the years, Razel has released multiple acclaimed albums and produced a number of songs that have become fixtures at Jewish celebrations, concerts and communal events. His recordings are known for their spiritual themes and emotional depth, helping him attract a diverse audience spanning different sectors of Israeli society.

News of his hospitalization prompted an outpouring of concern from fans, fellow musicians and public figures, many of whom shared messages of support and called for prayers on his behalf.

Additional details regarding the cause of the hemorrhage and his prognosis were not immediately available.

Mount Sinai Hospital, Manhattan, NY – Its with great sadness Belaaz reports the passing of Rebbetzin Miriam Twersky A”h, the Almana of the Rachmastrivka Rebbe of Boro Park, Rav Chai Yitzchok Twersky Zt”l.

Born in Romania in 1934 (תרצ”ד), she was the daughter of the Skverer Rebbe, Rav Yaakov Yosef Twersky zt”l, and Rebbetzin Treina a”h, daughter of the Ostila Rebbe, Rabbi Pinchas zt”l.

In her youth she married the Rachmistrivka Rebbe zt”l, son of the previous Rachmastrivka Rebbe, Rabbi Yochanan Twersky zt”l.

Their wedding took place on 20 Adar 5714 (1954) in Manhattan and was honored by the presence of the greatest Admorim of the generation, including the Satmar Rebbe, the Vayoel Moshe zt”l, the Vizhnitzer Rebbe, the Imrei Chaim zt”l, and many other Gedolei Yisroel.

For nearly seven decades she stood faithfully at her husband’s side through every stage of their life, in Williamsburg, the Skvera community, and later in Boro Park, supporting his Heilige avodah with strength, wisdom, and quiet devotion.

The Rebbetzin’s Kevura is set to be beside her husband in Monsey.

Levaya details to follow

Bsuros Tovos

Iran has suspended all negotiations and back-channel communications with the United States in protest of Israel’s continuing military operations in Lebanon and Gaza, and announced plans to fully close the Strait of Hormuz and open a new front at the Bab el-Mandeb, the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency reported.

“As long as Israeli strikes continue, there will be no negotiations,” Tasnim quoted Iranian officials as saying.

The agency reported that Tehran has resolved “to pursue the complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and to activate other fronts, including the Bab el-Mandeb Strait,” describing the moves as measures “to punish the Zionists and their supporters.”

The announcement effectively halts the indirect U.S.-Iran channel that has operated since early April, when President Donald Trump and Iranian negotiators agreed to a two-week ceasefire brokered by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. That pause ended Operation Epic Fury, the joint U.S.-Israeli air campaign launched on February 28 that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in its opening hours and triggered Iran’s largest missile retaliation in the region’s history.

The talks, held in Islamabad and led on the American side by Vice President JD Vance, were intended to produce a permanent settlement covering Iran’s nuclear program, its ballistic missile arsenal, and freedom of navigation through the Persian Gulf. They have repeatedly stalled over Israel’s parallel war against Hezbollah in Lebanon, which Israel and the United States have said is not covered by the U.S.-Iran ceasefire. Iran’s lead negotiator, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, has called that position a violation of the truce.

Israeli strikes on Beirut and southern Lebanon have continued in recent weeks, with Lebanon’s Health Ministry reporting more than 1,600 dead since Israel intensified its campaign against Hezbollah. Israeli officials say the operations are aimed at disarming the Iran-backed group and preventing it from rearming. Gaza has also remained under sustained Israeli fire, despite the October 2025 ceasefire with Hamas that nominally remains in place.

The threat to fully close the Strait of Hormuz marks a sharp escalation of an existing crisis. Iranian forces declared the strait closed on March 4, days after Operation Epic Fury began, using a combination of naval mining, vessel seizures, and IRGC swarm-boat operations to deter commercial transits. Analysts estimate roughly 6.7 million barrels of oil per day have been removed from global supply since the closure began. Brent crude has traded above $100 per barrel for much of the spring, with refined fuel prices spiking further in Asian markets. Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, and Hapag-Lloyd have all suspended transits through the strait, and QatarEnergy declared force majeure on liquefied natural gas shipments in early March after Iranian strikes on its Ras Laffan facilities.

Roughly 20 percent of the world’s traded oil and a comparable share of global LNG normally pass through Hormuz. Iran’s announcement suggests it intends to move from the current contested closure to a hardened blockade.

The Bab el-Mandeb, the narrow waterway between Yemen and Djibouti at the southern end of the Red Sea, has so far been the principal alternative route for Gulf-bound cargo diverted from Hormuz. Houthi forces in Yemen, who entered the war in early April with missile and drone strikes on Israel, have repeatedly warned that they could resume attacks on commercial shipping in the strait. Iranian official Aliakbar Velayati wrote in April that “the unified command of the Resistance front views Bab el-Mandeb as it does Hormuz.”

A senior Iranian military source quoted by Tasnim last month said Tehran would open a Bab el-Mandeb front if attacks were carried out on Iranian territory or its islands. Monday’s announcement suggests that threshold has now been met in Iran’s view.

There was no immediate comment from the White House, the State Department, or the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — A three-month-old baby girl from the Gur community in Hatzor HaGlilit was rushed in critical condition to Ziv Medical Center after emergency medical teams performed prolonged resuscitation efforts at the scene. The infant arrived at the pediatric emergency department in critical condition, while doctors continued intensive attempts to save her life.

Emergency room physicians continued advanced resuscitation procedures, but despite their extensive efforts, they were ultimately forced to pronounce the death of the infant, Rachel Mendelson, of blessed memory. She was the granddaughter of Rabbi Yisrael Roshatzki, the rabbi of Mevo’ot HaHermon and one of the rabbis associated with the Gur Hasidic community in Hatzor HaGlilit.

Because the death was sudden, concerns immediately arose that police might require a post-mortem examination (autopsy), something that many religious Jews strongly oppose on religious grounds and which often becomes a source of controversy.

Late last night, the situation at Ziv Medical Center reportedly reached a dramatic stage. According to the report, due to fears that the body might be subjected to procedures considered a desecration of the deceased and because of bureaucratic delays, several activists and private individuals allegedly organized an attempt to remove the infant’s body directly from the hospital and bring it for immediate burial. Ultimately, the attempt was unsuccessful.

Later in the night, under instructions from the relevant authorities, the body was transferred to the National Center of Forensic Medicine, where a CT was performed. Only on Monday morning, after more than 24 hours of anxious waiting and immense distress for the grieving family, was the body released for burial.

During the past several hours, many people reportedly worked behind the scenes to assist the family and secure the body’s release as quickly as possible. Among those involved were volunteers and leaders from various ZAKA organizations, public figures, politicians, and medical advocates.

This painful case highlights a broader public issue. A situation in which parents who have just lost their three-month-old daughter must wait more than 24 agonizing hours before being able to bury her is unacceptable and inhumane, regardless of the reason for the delay or which authorities were responsible.

JBizNews Desk

The first major economic report of June arrives Monday morning, and it could offer an early indication of whether America’s manufacturing sector is truly regaining momentum or simply benefiting from temporary factors.

The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) will release its closely watched Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) at 10:00 a.m. ET on Monday, providing investors, businesses, policymakers, and workers with one of the earliest readings on economic activity for the month.

The report comes at a time when Wall Street sits near record highs and investors are looking for confirmation that economic growth remains durable despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, elevated borrowing costs, and lingering supply-chain concerns.

Recent data has offered reasons for optimism.

A preliminary May reading from S&P Global showed its U.S. Manufacturing PMI rising to 55.3, up from 54.5 in April and above economist expectations. The figure represented the strongest pace of manufacturing expansion since May 2022 and suggested that factory activity accelerated significantly during the month.

Factory output increased at the fastest rate in more than four years, while manufacturing employment posted its strongest growth since June 2025. New orders remained healthy, signaling continued demand across large parts of the industrial economy.

At first glance, those numbers suggest that manufacturing may finally be emerging from a prolonged period of weakness.

Yet economists caution that the headline figures may not tell the entire story.

According to S&P Global, part of the increase in manufacturing activity may have been driven by businesses building inventory as a precaution against disruptions linked to ongoing instability in the Middle East. Companies increased purchases of raw materials and components while supplier delivery times lengthened, reflecting concerns about potential supply interruptions.

In other words, some of the activity may have been defensive rather than demand-driven.

For investors and economists, Monday’s ISM report will help determine whether manufacturers are expanding because customers are placing more orders or because companies are temporarily stockpiling goods in anticipation of future uncertainty.

The distinction matters.

If the report shows strong new orders alongside higher production levels, it would suggest that demand remains healthy and that the manufacturing recovery has a stronger foundation. If new orders weaken while inventories continue to rise, concerns could emerge that recent gains may prove temporary.

The implications extend far beyond factory floors.

Manufacturing activity affects employment throughout the economy, including transportation, logistics, warehousing, raw materials, construction, and energy. Strong factory demand often translates into additional hiring, increased business investment, and greater economic activity across multiple sectors.

Manufacturing also plays a direct role in consumer prices.

When factories operate efficiently and supply chains remain stable, goods tend to move more smoothly through the economy, helping keep prices under control. Supply disruptions, production bottlenecks, and transportation delays can have the opposite effect, contributing to inflationary pressures on everything from automobiles and appliances to building materials and consumer products.

The timing of Monday’s report is particularly notable because it arrives amid growing attention on global energy markets. Manufacturers have spent months coping with higher fuel, transportation, and logistics costs stemming from geopolitical uncertainty and disruptions to global trade routes.

A reduction in those pressures could provide meaningful relief to industrial producers during the second half of the year.

Longer term, manufacturing leaders remain cautiously optimistic. The ISM has projected manufacturing employment growth in 2026 while forecasting revenue expansion across much of the sector. Whether those expectations are being realized will become clearer once Monday’s report is released.

For investors, business owners, and workers alike, one component may matter more than any other: new orders.

Production can be influenced by inventory building, supply concerns, and short-term events. New orders, however, provide one of the clearest signals about future demand.

If customers continue buying, factories keep producing.

That makes Monday’s report one of the most important economic indicators to watch as June begins.

JBizNews Desk

© JBizNews.com All Rights Reserved. Reproduction or distribution without written permission is prohibited.

A man dressed in a bizarre costume delivered a bizarre rant to a man standing outside the office of the British Ministry of Justice in central London.

Wearing a red and green bandana, a burgundy tunic over a red kilt, a frilly apron with a strange symbol that resembled a swastika and a keffiyeh tied around his neck and holding a mop, the man announced his identity.

“I’m the Prince of Wales,” he told the bemused security staffer, who listened in polite silence to the whole tirade.

“So I’ve come up here to the Crown Prosecution Service because they’re absolutely filthy, absolutely bogging,” he went on. “So I’m going to go in there now, and I’m going to mop the filth of genocide off them, the blood of Palestinian children and the fact that Britain is doing the equivalent of supporting the Nazis in the Second World War by supporting Israel.”

Protests against Israel and its alleged “genocide” in Gaza occur frequently in Great Britain, occasionally taking strange turns and at times turning violent.

A group of anti-Israel activists from the proscribed and then un-proscribed group Palestine Action was recently convicted after breaking into Elbit Systems, a factory owned by an Israeli defense contractor, and causing £1 million ($1.36 million) in damage as well as striking a female security guard in the back with a sledgehammer and causing a serious injury.

In addition, synagogues and ambulances have been firebombed, people have been stabbed in the streets and Jewish-owned businesses have been vandalized across London. A team of 100 officers was deployed to Jewish neighborhoods in the British capital to combat the rise in anti-Jewish violence.

A new bill introduced by MK Meir Porush of United Torah Judaism would impose far-reaching economic penalties on individuals convicted of working with Iranian agents, drawing directly on the same legal reasoning that has been used to justify sanctions against yeshiva bochurim who refuse to serve in the IDF.

The legislation would strip those convicted of spying for Iran of a wide range of government benefits and financial incentives. Among the measures outlined in the proposal are the loss of academic scholarships, income tax credit points, National Insurance payments, housing discounts, daycare assistance, reduced fares on public transportation, and government aid programs for purchasing a home.

Porush based the proposal on positions previously advanced by the Attorney General’s Office before the Supreme Court. In those proceedings, the state presented a list of “personal enforcement measures” aimed at yeshiva students, arguing that the withholding of financial benefits constitutes a lawful and proportionate deterrent.

The bill’s explanatory notes directly invoke that rationale. “If the legal counsel believes that denying daycare subsidies is a legitimate enforcement tool, then all the more so it should be applied to those who act to harm the State,” the bill’s explanatory notes state.

Porush also delivered a pointed jab at the Attorney General’s Office while promoting the measure. “I am certain that the Attorney General’s Office will support the proposal,” he said sarcastically, “since it is clear that the bodies responsible for law enforcement wish to stop espionage on behalf of Iran no less than they wish to persecute Torah learners.”

The High Court on Monday afternoon rejected the petitions against the appointment of Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman as the next chief of the Mossad after a protracted legal battle and relentless attempts by Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara to thwart it.

Gofman is expected to enter his position on Tuesday.

Even after Gofman was twice cleared of wrongdoing by the senior appointments advisory committee, and after she herself came under attack for her underhanded efforts to smear him, Baharav-Miara continued to demand that his appointment be revoked.

One of the committee members, Prof. Talia Einhorn, publicly posted her support of Gofman’s appointment and slammed Baharav-Miara for her intervention, saying that the material that the committee reviewed proved Gofman’s integrity, and in a barb aimed at Baharav Miara, wrote: “From what emerged during and after the High Court hearing, it appears that serious flaws in the integrity of others were revealed, while Gofman’s integrity remains intact.”

Channel 12 journalist Amit Segal accused the Attorney General of lying, corruption, and a blood libel, writing: “The number of substantive flaws committed by Baharav-Miara exceeded any flaws Goman was (falsely) accused of: deliberately delaying her response, submitting her opinion only to former Supreme Court President Asher Grunis, and lying to the media that no such opinion existed.”

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

YS GOLD

The Chassidic world was plunged into mourning on Monday morning as the sad news emerged from Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan of the passing of the revered Rebbetzin of Rachmastrivka, a"h, the devoted life partner and steadfast support of the late Rachmastrivka Rebbe, zt"l, and a daughter of the previous Skverer Rebbe, zt"l. She passed away at the age of ninety-three after a life of extraordinary dignity, emunah, and devotion to the growth of Torah and chassidus, and a beautiful family of Admorim who continue the path forged by her illustrious husband and herself.

The Rebbetzin was among the last remaining links to a luminous bygone era, a living remnant of a generation that had witnessed the grandeur of prewar Chassidic life and basked in the radiance of the great tzaddikim of earlier generations. Through her, countless memories, minhagim, and traditions were preserved and transmitted to future generations.

Born on the 23rd of Teves, 5693 (1933) in Calarasi, Romania, she was the third child and third daughter of the Skverer Rebbe, zt"l, and Rebbetzin Trana, a"h, daughter of the holy Reb Pinyele of Ostila, zy"a. Her illustrious lineage traced directly to the great dynasties of Chernobyl, Skver, Rachmastrivka, and many other noble Chassidic dynasties.

In her formative years, she was raised under the direct guidance of her father, the Skverer Rebbe, in Yasi, Romania, where she absorbed the timeless values and traditions of Yiddishkeit with exceptional care and devotion. Throughout her life, she often spoke of the elevated chinuch she received from her father, a legacy she cherished deeply and faithfully passed on to her children and descendants.

Following the war, the family immigrated to America, where the Rebbetzin played a significant role in the rebuilding of the Skverer court. First as a young woman in Williamsburg during the establishment of the Skverer community there, and later after her marriage, when the Skverer Rebbe founded New Square in Rockland County. Together with her husband, she became part of the fledgling community and helped nurture its growth during its formative years.

In Adar of 5714 (1954), the Chassidic community of New York witnessed what was widely regarded as the first major “Rebbishe chasunah” held on American soil. The Rebbetzin married the future Rachmastrivka Rebbe, zt"l, beloved son of Rav Yochanan of Rachmastrivka, zt"l. The wedding drew thousands of participants and became a landmark event in postwar American Jewish life.

From that day forward, she stood faithfully at her husband's side, serving as his devoted partner in every aspect of his avodas hakodesh. The Rebbe held her in the highest esteem, and together they built a remarkable family and home rooted in Torah, Chassidus, and selfless dedication to Klal Yisrael.

While the Rachmastrivka Rebbe served as a spiritual guide and mentor to generations of young bochurim in New Square, the Rebbetzin shared fully in that mission, helping to create an atmosphere of warmth, stability, and inspiration for all who entered their home.

In 1982, when the Rebbe established the Rachmastrivka court in Boro Park, the Rebbetzin once again devoted herself wholeheartedly to the growth of the chassidus. With quiet strength and unwavering commitment, she supported every aspect of the Rebbe's avodas hakodesh and became a pillar of the kehillah for decades.

Much can be written about her noble character and exceptional virtues. Above all, however, stood her profound devotion to preserving the memories and traditions of earlier generations. She viewed it as a sacred responsibility to recall what she had witnessed in the homes of tzaddikim and elders and to pass those treasured recollections onward so that future generations would continue to walk in their footsteps.

Throughout her life, she endured profound personal loss with remarkable faith and resilience. She was predeceased by her three eldest children: her eldest son, Harav Hatzaddik Reb Mordechai Twersky, zt"l, who passed away in 1992; her daughter, the Barniver Rebbetzin, a"h, who passed away in 2023; and her eldest daughter, the Vizhnitzer Rebbetzin of Kiamesha, a"h, who passed away in 2025.

Most painful of all was the loss of her crown, her beloved husband, the Rachmastrivka Rebbe, zt"l, who passed away on the 29th of Av, 5783. Yet even through these trials, the Rebbetzin remained steadfast, strengthening herself through simple, unwavering faith in the Ribbono Shel Olam and serving as a source of inspiration to all who knew her.

She merited to see generations of descendants following in the path of Torah and Chassidus. Her distinguished sons continue the sacred Rachmastrivka dynasty in communities across the world, while her daughters and their families have likewise built homes of Torah and chessed.

The Rebbetzin leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, together with countless admirers who were touched by her wisdom, warmth, humility, and unwavering dedication to the traditions of her ancestors.

Her passing marks the end of a remarkable chapter in the history of Chassidus, but the values she embodied and the generations she helped shape will continue to illuminate the Jewish world for years to come.

Levaya information will be published when it becomes available. 

Yehi zichra baruch.

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Hundreds of people broke into a police station in Beit Shemesh overnight Sunday to protest the arrest of a charedi man who is suspected of being a military draft evader. Protesters also set fire to vegetation near the station and threw stones. Police and Border Police forces used stun grenades and crowd-dispersal measures against the rioters.

According to the police: “Violent rioters gathered outside the Beit Shemesh police station and began violent disturbances following the arrest of a suspect believed to be a draft evader, who had been taken by the Military Police before their arrival. The rioters broke into the station compound and set nearby vegetation on fire.”

לילה דרמטי: מאות חרדים פרצו לתחנת משטרת בית שמש בעקבות מעצר עריק, הציתו צמחיות וגרמו לנזק רב. הנה כמה תיעודים. נתחיל מהפריצה לתחנת המשטרה > pic.twitter.com/wUYyrGdPa0

— יואלי ברים yoeli brim (@yoeli_brim) June 1, 2026

מפקד משטרת בית שמש מותקף ברכבו> pic.twitter.com/ZXqthbzqcG

— יואלי ברים yoeli brim (@yoeli_brim) June 1, 2026

סלעים על הכביש כדי להזיק לרכבים והצתת צמחיה> pic.twitter.com/Jt9CVI6t3O

— יואלי ברים yoeli brim (@yoeli_brim) June 1, 2026

Police later announced that eight of the rioters had been arrested and that order had been restored.

The charedi news site Kikar HaShabbat reported that one person at the scene said: “I saw members of the Gur Hasidic community, the Belz Hasidic community, and other major groups here that have never participated in such demonstrations before. Everyone understands that this is a shared crisis in light of the decrees against the Torah world.”

Emergency responders from across Ocean County participated in specialized training this weekend aimed at enhancing preparedness and operational readiness for emerging infectious disease incidents and other public health emergencies.

The training, coordinated by the Ocean County EMS Coordinators and the Ocean County Office of Emergency Management, brought together multiple partner agencies to strengthen interagency coordination and ensure responders are equipped to handle a wide range of emergency situations safely and effectively.

Officials said the program emphasized an all-hazards approach to emergency preparedness, focusing on responder safety, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), patient management considerations, operational best practices, and coordinated response efforts between agencies.

Participating organizations included the Ocean County Sheriff’s 911 Communications Center, Jackson Township EMS, Lakewood Township EMS, and the Manchester Division of Emergency Services.

Emergency management officials stressed that preparedness remains a critical component of protecting residents, visitors, healthcare partners, and first responders. Through continued training, planning, and collaboration, agencies are working to strengthen their capabilities and maintain readiness for future public health and emergency incidents.

The training is part of ongoing efforts to ensure Ocean County’s emergency response network remains prepared to address evolving threats and challenges while safeguarding the communities they serve.

Thousands converged on the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on Sunday night for the fifth Adirei HaTorah maamad in support of the yungeleit of Lakewood, NJ. Those who couldn’t get tickets to the primary venue filled the Cure Arena in Trenton, NJ, joining the full program via live hookup.

From cities and towns across the tri-state area, busloads and carloads of attendees arrived with one shared purpose: to proclaim the honor and centrality of limud haTorah and to pay tribute to those who dedicate their lives to it.

The arena’s doors opened at 3 p.m. Gone were the sports banners and celebrity endorsements. In their place were powerful declarations of kavod haTorah, with mottos and visuals emphasizing the preciousness of those who carry the spiritual burdens of Klal Yisroel. As guests entered, they were offered refreshments, while inside the arena they were met with a magnificent sight: a round majestic dais on the floor of the arena constructed for the hundreds of roshei yeshiva, rabbonim, and roshei chaburah in attendance.

The air was charged with anticipation and uplifted by the sweet sounds of music. Keyboardist Meir Adler, flown in from Eretz Yisroel, was joined by singers Yanky Daskal, Hershy Weinberger, Duvid Berger, Shaya Lebron, and the Yedidim and Yingerlach Choirs. Their stirring melodies provided the evening with an atmosphere of joy and reverence.

Tehillim was recited for acheinu Bnei Yisroel by Rav Chaim Ginsburg, senior rosh chaburah at Bais Medrash Govoah.

Mincha was led by Rabbi Moshe Schepansky, father of Eli Schepansky z”l, a bochur who was recently niftar in a tragic accident.

As the roshei yeshiva entered the arena, accompanying the esteemed guest from Eretz Yisroel, Rav Yitzchok Soloveitchik, the crowd rose in a unified, thunderous display of kavod haTorah.

Rav Nochum Binder, who served as the evening’s emcee, opened the program by reflecting on the current state of Klal Yisroel and the many challenges that seem to abound.

Tehillim was then recited, led by Rav Dovid Schustal, rosh yeshiva of Bais Medrash Govoah, who first delivered divrei chizuk.

Rav Aryeh Malkiel Kotler, rosh yeshiva of Bais Medrash Govoah, was then introduced to address the maamad.

A video was then shown featuring a song to the tune of Shlomo Zolty’s Vahaviyosim, followed by a second song to Chaim Banet’s Machnisei Rachamim, sung by Boruch Levine, as well as V’ahavascha, Moshe Goldman’s Ani Maamin, and Yisgadal V’yisgadash.

The special guest from Eretz Yisroel, Rav Yitzchok Soloveitchik, was then introduced.

Following Rav Soloveitchik’s drasha, a poignant video was shown in memory of Rav Shimon Frank zt”l, an outstanding yungerman who was niftar during the past year. The video about this dedicated ben Torah painted a picture of a life steeped in Torah and kedusha.

The singing of Avinu Av Harachaim and several other niggunim was led by Yanky Daskal, who was joined by special guest singer Naftali Kempeh, who sang his own composition, Baavur Avoseinu.

A Siyum HaShas on Talmud Bavli and Talmud Yerushalmi, learned b’iyun by the yungeleit of Bais Medrash Govoah, was made, with the Hadran recited by Rav Yisroel Neuman, rosh yeshiva of Bais Medrash Govoah. After Rav Neuman recited the Hadran, the Kaddish for the siyum was recited by relatives of lomdei Bais Medrash Govoah who were niftar during the past year.

With the response of the final amein and a cry of “Mazel tov!” the crowd erupted with pure joy and simchas haTorah.

Rav Uri Deutsch, rov of the Forest Park Shul, then delivered the keynote drasha.

After an uplifting medley, the thousands joined together in Kabbolas Ohl Malchus Shomayim, led by Rav Yeruchom Olshin, rosh yeshiva of Bais Medrash Govoah, who first delivered divrei chizuk.

A brief final round of singing and dancing followed, bringing the program to a close shortly after 9 p.m.

As the crowd began to file out, with music still echoing through the cavernous arena, the prevailing feeling was that the Adirei HaTorah maamad had once again fulfilled its mission—with a resounding reminder that the lomdei Torah remain the crown jewels of our people.

PHOTOS:

{Matzav.com}

Doctors at Beilinson Hospital in Petach Tikvah have carried out a first-of-its-kind fetal operation in Israel, intervening inside the uterus to stop a rare tumor on the placenta that had pushed an unborn baby into heart failure.

The mother was only 25 weeks pregnant when a routine anatomy scan revealed the tumor. Further ultrasound testing showed it was not a passive finding: it was changing blood flow between the placenta and the baby, straining the fetal heart and turning the pregnancy into an emergency. At that stage, delivery would have meant extreme prematurity. The team had to try to treat the problem while the baby was still in the womb.

The operation was led by Dr. Yuval Gielchinsky, director of Beilinson’s Fetal Medicine Center, together with Dr. Kinneret Tenenbaum, who heads the hospital’s Twin Pregnancy Clinic. Using an endoscopic approach, the doctors entered the uterus, identified the blood vessels feeding the tumor and cauterized them, cutting the growth off from its blood supply. “The only option left was endoscopic intervention,” Gielchinsky said, noting that such a procedure is possible only when the tumor sits in a reachable location on the placenta.

Placental tumors can sometimes grow slowly and cause no immediate damage. In severe cases, they can become life-threatening: draining fetal circulation, triggering heart failure, anemia, low platelets, dangerous excess amniotic fluid and even preeclampsia in the mother. That is what made this case so urgent. The doctors were not simply treating a mass; they were trying to stop a dangerous vascular system from overwhelming the baby’s heart before birth.

The mother was monitored in the maternal-fetal medicine unit after the procedure and has since been discharged home, with continued follow-up at Beilinson. For Israel’s medical world, the case marks another jump in the fast-moving field of fetal medicine: treating the patient before birth, inside the place where survival still depends on every heartbeat holding steady.

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — As part of Diaspora Week, which began this week, the 2026 Diaspora Closeness Index was presented to President Isaac Herzog by Avi Cohen-Scali, Director-General of the Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism. The index examines the attitudes of the Israeli public toward relations with Jewish communities around the world.

President Herzog emphasized that ties with Diaspora Jewry are a fundamental component of Israel’s identity: “The State of Israel sees its relationship with Jewish communities around the world as a value of the highest importance and an inseparable part of the nation’s identity. It is our duty to continue nurturing this deep connection, strengthen the sense of mutual responsibility among all parts of the Jewish people, and pass on to future generations the importance of the bond between the State of Israel and Jewish communities worldwide.”

According to the survey, there is a clear trend toward strengthening Jewish identity among Israelis:

• 57% of respondents define themselves as Jewish before Israeli, a sharp increase from 34% last year.
• 87% of Israelis report being proud of their Jewish identity.
• 85% believe that being Jewish means belonging to a people with a shared history and roots. This perception strengthened particularly among secular Israelis, reaching 82%.

The survey also found that:

• 94% of Israelis expect Diaspora Jews to support Israel during times of war.
• 66% view assimilation as a significant threat to the Jewish people.

At the same time, there has been a decline in the sense of responsibility that Israelis believe the state owes to Diaspora Jewry. According to the report’s authors, this reflects a process of “identity consolidation”, a strengthening of national and communal identity alongside the belief that the state should prioritize its own citizens when allocating resources.

The index is based on a survey of 1,216 Israeli Jews aged 18 and over and includes ten key variables related to identity, mutual responsibility, and perceptions of obligation.

Diaspora Week, taking place from May 31 to June 6, includes a series of educational and community events throughout Israel. As part of the initiative, the government approved three resolutions totaling more than 100 million shekels aimed at strengthening Jewish identity and ties with Diaspora communities.

Among the measures are:

• Expanding educational programs.
• Training teachers from Diaspora communities at Israeli academic institutions.
• Coordinating government programs related to Israel experience initiatives.

Minister for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Amichai Chikli said:

“For decades, Diaspora Jews strengthened the State of Israel. Today it is our turn to strengthen them. That is why the Government of Israel is increasing its investment in Jewish communities around the world, based on the understanding that the most important investment is in Jewish education, the foundation of identity, mutual responsibility, and the future of the Jewish people.”

Avi Cohen-Scali, Director-General of the ministry, added:

“The only way to guarantee the continuity of the Jewish people forever is through Jewish education. We will do everything possible to strengthen Jewish education and Jewish identity throughout the Diaspora in order to ensure the future existence of the Jewish people.”

Wells Fargo has reached an agreement with construction technology company ICON to serve as the preferred lender for its new 3D-printed residential properties. As part of the partnership, the bank will offer a 50 basis-point interest rate incentive to borrowers.

“The housing market is looking for new ways to increase supply and improve affordability, and this technology is now proven enough to do both at scale,” a Wells Fargo spokesperson said in a statement. “Our role is to step in and make sure buyers can actually finance these homes, so innovation in construction can translate into real access to homeownership.”

Historically, securing financing for 3D-printed homes has been challenging due to lender concerns surrounding the nascent technology, home valuations and insurance availability.

“We don’t have any reason to believe that the long-term value for these homes will be any different from homes that are built based on traditional construction technologies,” Serhat Oztop, head of home lending for Wells Fargo, told CNBC, which first reported the partnership.

Wells Fargo noted that it sees the move as a “natural extension of the housing network” that can expand supply and create more paths to homeownership.

“As adoption grows and confidence builds, we expect 3D-printed homes to become another viable option that fits within traditional mortgage lending,” the bank said in a statement.

In prior projects, ICON’s 3D-printed units were financed by Lennar. The companies joined forces in 2022 to build what they billed as the largest community of 3D-printed homes. Located in Georgetown, Texas, just north of Austin, the Wolf Ranch master-planned community developed by Hillwood Communities featured homes starting in the mid-$400,000s.

“Having one of the big banking players make such a strong and pointed announcement that we like these houses, we’re excited about these houses and, in fact, we’re going to give preferential treatment to these houses, I think, helps people just in a broad way who don’t track the minutiae of the housing mortgage industry,” Jason Ballard, co-founder and CEO of ICON, told CNBC.

The two companies have partnered before. In 2024, ICON launched Initiative 99, an international competition challenging architects to design homes that could be affordably constructed by its 3D printers for $99,000 or less.

Backed by a $500,000 grant from Wells Fargo, the nonprofit Mobile Loaves & Fishes completed the first buildouts of these Initiative 99 designs in its supportive neighborhood for underhoused individuals and families.

In addition to consumer mortgages, ICON is currently offering its new Titan 3D printers to developers for $899,000, with Wells Fargo financing available to builders.

This post was originally published on here.

⚠️ BREAKING: Iran fired two ballistic missiles at a U.S. military base in Kuwait, according to U.S. Central Command. Both missiles were intercepted, and CENTCOM says no American personnel were harmed.

This is a major escalation by the Iranian regime: a direct ballistic missile attack on American forces in the Gulf, not a proxy strike and not another vague threat. Kuwait is one of the key U.S. military hubs in the region, and an attack there puts Tehran in open confrontation with Washington.

The strike comes as the already fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire is being tested on multiple fronts. CENTCOM said over the weekend that U.S. forces carried out self-defense strikes on Iranian radar and drone command sites in Goruk and Qeshm Island after Iran shot down an American MQ-1 drone over international waters.

Kuwait has also condemned repeated Iranian missile and drone attacks as a dangerous escalation and a violation of its sovereignty. The immediate question now is whether the Trump administration treats this as another contained incident or responds with force.

A dramatic incident sent shockwaves through the olam haTorah Sunday evening after a bochur from Yeshivas Ateres Shlomo was detained by authorities, prompting concern among family members and sparking warnings of a public response from the yeshiva if he was not released.

The bochur, Uriel Rosenfeld, reportedly left his home at approximately 6:00 p.m. and was scheduled to attend a wedding. When he failed to arrive and his family was unable to determine his whereabouts, concern quickly grew.

Family members contacted attorney Shlomo Chadad, who immediately began efforts to locate him.

After making inquiries, Chadad learned that Rosenfeld was being held at the Anatot police station.

Sources within Yeshivas Ateres Shlomo warned that if the bochur was not released immediately, the yeshiva would launch a public campaign on his behalf, including demonstrations and possible road blockages.

A short time later, Rosenfeld was released, bringing the immediate episode to an end.

The incident nevertheless heightened concern throughout the yeshiva world amid the ongoing arrests of bnei yeshiva and the growing tensions surrounding enforcement measures directed at those whose military status has not been regularized.

The arrest drew particular attention due to Rosenfeld’s association with Yeshivas Ateres Shlomo, one of the largest and most prominent yeshivos in Eretz Yisroel, headed by Rav Sholom Ber Sorotzkin, who was in the United States last night for the Adirei HaTorah event and the wedding of Reb Lipa Friedman’s child. Rav Sorotzkin previously led the historic gathering of the olam haTorah that drew hundreds of thousands in a public display of support for bnei yeshiva and lomdei Torah.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli legal officials are moving toward a new financial front in the Charedi draft dispute: municipal property tax discounts. Deputy Attorney General Gil Limon today defended the possible revocation of property tax discounts (arnona) for Charedi men who have not reported for military service.

In a letter responding to Interior Ministry Director-General Israel Uzan, Limon said revoking the discounts had been identified by the Israeli Supreme Court and professional officials as an effective tool against mass non-compliance with the draft. “An arnona discount is not a vested right,” Limon wrote, while military service is “a legal obligation, a vital security need,” and failure to serve “severely harms equality.”

The move comes one day after the Attorney General’s office advanced another major sanction: blocking tax-deductible donation benefits for Yeshivot where eligible draft-age students who have not regularized their military status continue to learn. The Tax Authority is expected to publish a public notice on the policy by June 7, ahead of a July 13 Supreme Court hearing.

The issue goes to the heart of Israel’s long-running dispute over Charedi military service an arrangement now under growing legal pressure especially in recent days. 

Shas chairman Aryeh Deri accused the attorney general of pushing Charedim “to the edge,” saying the sanctions campaign was driving a growing rift between parts of the Charedi community and the state.

JBizNews Desk

As traditional television continues to lose viewers and streaming becomes the dominant way Americans consume entertainment, The Walt Disney Company is making a major bet that advertising—not subscription fees alone—will drive the next phase of growth.

At the center of that effort is Rita Ferro, Disney’s President of Global Advertising, who is leading an aggressive expansion of the company’s advertising business across Disney+, Hulu, ESPN, ABC, and its broader media portfolio.

According to a profile published May 31 by CNBC, Ferro has become one of Disney’s most important executives as advertisers increasingly seek targeted, measurable campaigns across streaming, sports, and digital platforms.

The timing is critical. Media companies spent years chasing streaming subscribers, often sacrificing profits in the process. Now the industry is shifting focus toward profitability, and advertising is becoming one of the most important revenue drivers.

Disney’s Advertising Strategy

Ferro’s approach centers on combining Disney’s content portfolio with technology that allows advertisers to better target audiences and measure results.

That means leveraging some of the world’s most recognizable brands and franchises, including ESPN, Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and Disney’s entertainment networks, while expanding the company’s in-house advertising technology platform.

Advertisers increasingly want more than broad television exposure. They want precise audience targeting, performance data, and measurable returns on investment.

Disney believes its proprietary advertising technology can help deliver those capabilities while keeping more of the advertising infrastructure under its own control.

According to executives who work closely with Ferro, Disney has spent years investing in its advertising technology stack to compete more effectively against digital giants and streaming rivals.

Streaming Is Becoming an Advertising Business

The financial results explain why Disney is doubling down.

In Disney’s most recent quarter, streaming operating income surged 88% to $582 million, a dramatic improvement from earlier years when streaming operations generated substantial losses.

A key driver has been the growth of ad-supported streaming.

Disney has reported that roughly half of new Disney+ subscribers are selecting lower-cost plans that include advertising. While those plans generate less subscription revenue per user, they create additional opportunities for advertising sales.

Every new subscriber on an ad-supported plan becomes another viewer that advertisers can reach.

For Disney, that creates a dual revenue stream: subscription fees and advertising dollars.

A New Audience of Advertisers

Disney is also targeting a broader range of advertisers than it historically pursued.

The company has expanded efforts to attract emerging brands and midsize advertisers that previously viewed national television advertising as too expensive or inaccessible.

Executives say automation and self-service advertising tools are helping make Disney’s platforms more accessible to a wider range of businesses.

The strategy mirrors trends across the broader digital advertising industry, where companies increasingly seek scalable systems that allow advertisers of all sizes to buy inventory efficiently.

Challenges Remain

The transition is not without obstacles.

While streaming advertising continues to grow, parts of Disney’s traditional advertising business remain under pressure.

Entertainment advertising revenue outside Disney+ and Hulu has softened, while certain sports advertising categories have faced challenges due to programming changes and shifting viewing habits.

The company is betting that growth in streaming advertising can offset those declines over time.

Investors will be closely watching whether that strategy succeeds as Disney negotiates advertising commitments for the coming year.

What It Means for Consumers

For viewers, the shift is already visible.

Many streaming services now offer lower-priced plans supported by advertising, and Disney continues to expand ad formats across its platforms.

Consumers receive cheaper subscription options, while Disney gains additional revenue from advertisers.

The arrangement reflects a broader transformation occurring throughout the media industry.

After years of prioritizing subscriber growth, media companies are increasingly focused on turning streaming audiences into profitable advertising businesses.

The Bottom Line

Disney’s future growth strategy increasingly depends on advertising, and Rita Ferro is leading that effort.

The company is combining its content portfolio, sports rights, streaming platforms, and advertising technology in an attempt to capture a larger share of marketing budgets moving into digital media.

As advertisers shift spending away from traditional television and toward streaming platforms, Disney is positioning itself to be one of the industry’s biggest beneficiaries.

Whether that strategy delivers sustained growth will become clearer in the months ahead, but one thing is already evident: advertising has become central to Disney’s next chapter.

JBizNews Desk

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JERUSALEM (VINnews) — The United States has effectively signaled a green light for Israel to expand its operations toward Beirut, following the collapse of a fresh diplomatic initiative and back-channel talks between Ambassador Yechiel Leiter and senior White House officials, according to a US official on Monday.

According to the official, quoted by Israel’s channel I24, Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with both Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an attempt to advance a framework under which Hezbollah would halt its attacks in exchange for Israel refraining from escalating in Beirut. Aoun sought to advance the proposal, but Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri responded evasively, demanding Israel cease firing first, despite Hezbollah having initiated the current round of hostilities on March 2.

Washington’s patience appears to have run out. A US official said the administration does not expect Israel to continue absorbing terrorist attacks against its citizens and made clear that the American position is that Hezbollah operates under Tehran’s direction, with Iran deliberately prolonging the conflict to claim credit for resolving it. The official’s remarks amount to the clearest American endorsement yet of further Israeli military action.

The shift follows Ambassador Leiter’s talks at the White House, in which he conveyed that Israel can no longer sustain the current pace of attacks and must change its tactics. The message landed, according to reports, particularly after the Pentagon talks collapsed and Israeli officials noted that Lebanon’s delegation appeared not to grasp the reality on the ground.

A further round of diplomatic talks had been scheduled for Tuesday, but its prospects are now considered highly doubtful given Israel’s stated intention to expand operations in the coming days.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Monday that they have ordered the IDF to strike terrorist targets in the Dahiyeh neighborhood of Beirut, citing Hezbollah’s repeated ceasefire violations and ongoing attacks against Israeli cities and civilians.

Analysts note that the current difficulties facing the US in its negotiations with Iran are creating a narrow window of opportunity for Israel to act before any future US-Iran agreement potentially constrains its freedom of maneuver.

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Shas chairman Aryeh Deri issued a sharp and highly unusual statement signaling a deep crisis within the right-wing coalition and a breakdown in relations with state authorities. At the center of Deri’s angry outburst are the economic and legal sanctions being imposed on Torah students and yeshivas.

At the beginning of his remarks, Deri launched a direct attack on the Attorney General, using unusually harsh language: “The dismissed and anarchist Attorney General is racing ahead with arrests and severe sanctions against Torah students. She is pushing the charedi public to the brink.”

Deri warned that the current policy would not pass quietly and could lead to drastic forms of civil resistance that the state has never faced before: “This will lead to a tax revolt, a detachment from the police, and a deep rift with state authorities. Anyone who cares about the future of the country must rise up against this madness.”

A significant portion of Deri’s criticism was directed inward, at his coalition partners from the Likud, Religious Zionism, and Otzma Yehudit parties. He argued that their silence in the face of the ultra-Orthodox community’s distress amounts to abandonment.

“I cry out and warn the Prime Minister and the leaders of the right-wing parties: if you truly wish to preserve the right-wing bloc, you must stand firmly against this persecution. Your voices are not being heard!”

Deri concluded his remarks with the famous phrase, “Silence is filth,” making clear that Shas seeks more than rhetorical escalation and is demanding action: “It is unacceptable that we should be the government’s punching bag, that everything sacred and precious to the Jewish people should be harmed, while you stand by and remain silent.”

Political observers assess that this statement amounts to Deri’s “doomsday weapon” rhetorically, aimed at forcing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to immediately resolve the issues of military conscription and yeshiva funding, while strongly hinting at the stability of the government itself.

In response, Government Secretary Yossi Fuchs wrote: “The IDF needs charedi soldiers, not charedi detainees in military prisons. As I warned all along, the Attorney General’s struggle against the charedi public, which escalates every week, from demands for arrest quotas, to demands to prevent donations to yeshivas (which currently receive no state funding for draft-eligible students), and all the way to demands for indictment quotas, will ultimately lead to a decline in charedi enlistment in the IDF, turn the entire charedi public into the Jerusalem Faction, and G-d forbid even lead to civil strife.”

He continued: “Until the expiration of Chapter G1 of the Security Service Law, which resulted in Torah scholars in charedi yeshivas, including the most dedicated students, waking up to the reality that failing to enlist in the IDF constituted a criminal offense, we did not see any effort by the Attorney General to criminally enforce the law against draft evaders who were not charedi. There were no arrest campaigns, no sanctions, and nothing of the sort. This is not equal enforcement; on the contrary, it is selective, politically motivated, and improper enforcement.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Yariv Levin said:”I join MK Rabbi Aryeh Deri’s call not to remain silent any longer. For a long time, I have called on the government and coalition to unite, rise above all internal disagreements, and put an end to the discriminatory judicial anarchy under whose feet many sectors of the public are being trampled.”

He added: “I call for an urgent meeting of the leaders of the right-wing bloc. The time has come for us to make a series of operational decisions that will return control of the state to the government and put an end to judicial anarchy.”

WASHINGTON — JBizNews Desk — May 29, 2026

Walt Disney’s ABC network filed early broadcast-license renewal applications Thursday for its eight owned-and-operated television stations, telling the Federal Communications Commission it was complying “under protest” while accusing the agency of carrying out an “unlawful, arbitrary and unconstitutional” attack on protected speech.

The filing marks the first time in more than 50 years that the federal government has forced a major broadcaster into accelerated license renewals before the normal schedule.

The dispute centers on an April order issued by the FCC’s Media Bureau under Trump-appointed FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, requiring ABC stations to seek early renewals years before their existing licenses expire. Some of the affected licenses were not scheduled for renewal until 2028, while others extended as far as 2031.

The order arrived shortly after President Donald Trump publicly criticized ABC and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel following a joke involving First Lady Melania Trump, though Disney’s filing stopped short of directly naming the specific incident.

Instead, ABC argued broadly that the FCC’s action was designed to pressure broadcasters into self-censorship by forcing them to consider potential regulatory retaliation before airing politically sensitive material.

“The true purpose and effect of the order is to suppress speech,” the filing argued, claiming the accelerated review process creates pressure for networks to avoid programming the government may dislike out of fear that broadcast licenses could ultimately be threatened.

Disney framed the issue not simply as a corporate dispute but as a constitutional concern affecting viewers and journalism itself.

The company argued that when broadcasters must weigh possible government retaliation before making editorial decisions, the public’s access to independent reporting and commentary is undermined.

ABC also sharply criticized the legal mechanism used by the FCC.

The filing argued the agency revived an obscure “call-up” procedure that had largely sat dormant for decades and originated during an earlier regulatory era when broadcasters faced far more direct content-based scrutiny during renewal proceedings.

Disney contended the procedure serves no legitimate operational purpose because the FCC already possesses broad investigatory authority through ongoing enforcement tools and existing regulatory processes.

The FCC has separately been investigating Disney’s diversity, equity, and inclusion practices since mid-2025, examining whether any company policies violate federal anti-discrimination rules.

ABC argued in Thursday’s filing that the DEI investigation already provides the Commission with all necessary authority and information, noting that Disney has already produced more than 11,000 pages of documents under an agreed schedule with regulators.

The dispute carries substantial financial implications for Disney.

Broadcast licenses form the legal foundation supporting station operations, advertising revenue, affiliate agreements, and retransmission deals across some of America’s largest television markets, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Houston, San Francisco, Raleigh-Durham, and Fresno.

Legal experts note that actually denying renewal licenses to major broadcasters remains extremely rare and legally difficult, with any challenge likely triggering years of hearings and federal court litigation while stations continue operating normally.

Still, Disney appears focused on building a constitutional challenge that could eventually move into federal court.

The ABC dispute is also not the company’s only conflict with the FCC.

Earlier this year, the agency opened a separate proceeding involving alleged equal-time rule concerns tied to ABC’s daytime program “The View,” questioning whether the show properly qualifies as a bona fide news program exempt from certain political-balance requirements.

ABC pushed back strongly against that proceeding as well, warning regulators that reopening settled broadcast standards could create a chilling effect on protected speech across the television industry.

For Disney, the immediate strategy appears carefully calibrated: comply procedurally with the FCC’s deadline while simultaneously constructing a constitutional record arguing the government is improperly using broadcast regulation to pressure editorial decision-making.

The company concluded Thursday’s filing by reserving all legal rights and formally urging the Commission to withdraw the order entirely.

Washington — JBizNews Desk

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President Donald Trump sharply criticized CNN on Sunday night over its coverage of ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran, insisting that a proposed nuclear agreement explicitly bars Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons and accusing the network of misrepresenting the contents of the deal.

Posting on Truth Social, Trump rejected reports suggesting that the draft agreement fails to adequately address Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

“Fake News CNN said today, routinely, that my Iran Nuclear Deal doesn’t talk about Nuclear, when actually it states, very clearly, that Iran will not have a Nuclear Weapon,” Trump wrote.

The president argued that the proposed agreement contains far more than a simple pledge by Iran and includes extensive provisions dealing with nuclear-related issues.

“It then goes on, in very strong and lengthy detail, to discuss various other aspects of Nuclear. In fact, that’s what most of the agreement is about,” Trump stated in his online post.

Trump also took aim at CNN itself, questioning whether the network can recover from its current struggles despite changes in ownership.

“CNN, and so many others in the Fake News Media, is a Low Ratings disaster. Even with new ownership, it is unlikely to ever get better!!!” he wrote.

The president’s remarks came as reports emerged that negotiations between Washington and Tehran remain active. Earlier Sunday, Iran’s Tasnim News Agency reported that Iranian officials are preparing a new set of revisions to the draft agreement after Trump sought tougher language and additional commitments from Tehran.

Tasnim, which is closely aligned with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other hardline elements within the regime, said indirect talks between the two countries are continuing.

The report followed an earlier story by Axios indicating that Trump has instructed negotiators to make several significant changes to the preliminary agreement reached during discussions between American and Iranian officials.

According to Axios, those instructions were delivered during a high-level meeting held Friday in the White House Situation Room.

The original draft reportedly required Iran to commit to abandoning efforts to acquire a nuclear weapon but contained few concrete obligations beyond that declaration. The framework established a 60-day period for further negotiations aimed at determining additional nuclear restrictions and the scope of potential sanctions relief from the United States.

Among the key issues slated for future talks were the disposition of Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium and limitations on future enrichment activities.

Sources cited by Axios said Trump now wants those provisions strengthened and incorporated more directly into the agreement rather than postponed to later negotiations.

Trump also discussed the negotiations during an interview with his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, which aired on Fox News on Motzoei Shabbos. He expressed confidence that the United States would ultimately achieve its objectives in the talks.

The president emphasized that he is not under pressure to reach a quick agreement and reiterated that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons remains his central demand.

“We’ve defeated their military, essentially defeated their military. I would rather get a deal because we can open the strait immediately upon signing. The one guarantee that I have to have is that there will be no nuclear weapons,” he stressed.

{Matzav.com}

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — The IDF announced on Monday that Staff Sergeant Adam Tzarfati, 20, from Rosh HaAyin, was killed in combat in southern Lebanon. Tzarfati is the 14th Israeli soldier to have fallen since the Lebanon ceasefire came into effect.

Tzarfati served as a fighter in the Maglan Unit, which is part of the Commando Brigade. An official notification was delivered to his family by the relevant authorities.

The incident occurred at around 1:00 a.m. in the village of Yohmor in southern Lebanon, near the Beaufort Castle. Tzarfati was killed when an explosive drone struck and detonated on a group of soldiers stationed there.

Forces from the Golani Brigade and the Commando Brigade are currently operating in the area as part of the fighting on the northern front.

Three additional soldiers were wounded in the incident. One soldier was seriously injured, while two others sustained light injuries as a result of the explosion.

The wounded soldiers were evacuated for medical treatment at a hospital, and their families have been notified.

Yesterday morning, the IDF announced the death of Staff Sergeant Michael Tyukin, a fighter in the Givati Reconnaissance Unit, 21, from Ashkelon, who was killed by an explosive drone strike in southern Lebanon. Four additional soldiers were lightly wounded in that incident. Tyukin was an only child who had immigrated from Ukraine six years ago and volunteered for combat duty.

JBizNews Desk

The U.S. government has delivered a blunt message to shipping companies navigating one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints: do not make deals with Iran to cross the Strait of Hormuz.

In updated guidance issued May 29, the U.S. Treasury Department warned that American companies are prohibited from accepting any arrangement with the Iranian government related to safe passage through the strategic waterway — even if no money changes hands.

“Regardless of whether a payment is made, U.S. persons are prohibited from receiving services from the Government of Iran, including services related to a guarantee of safe passage,” Treasury said in its updated statement.

The guidance arrives at a sensitive moment as markets closely watch efforts to restore normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz following months of conflict that disrupted one of the world’s most critical trade routes.

What Treasury Is Prohibiting

The updated guidance expands previous warnings that focused primarily on payments, tolls, fees, or other financial transactions involving Iranian authorities.

Under the new interpretation, simply accepting an Iranian guarantee of safe passage could constitute a prohibited service under U.S. sanctions rules.

The warning centers on the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), a recently established Iranian entity that Tehran says is responsible for managing vessel traffic through the strait.

According to Treasury, the PGSA works alongside elements of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and has sought to direct shipping traffic through routes designated by Iranian authorities.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned the PGSA under U.S. counterterrorism authorities, meaning American individuals and companies face significant sanctions exposure if they engage with the organization.

Iran maintains that the system is designed to manage navigation and maritime safety. U.S. officials argue that it functions as a mechanism for coercion and control over international shipping.

Why Hormuz Matters

The Strait of Hormuz is among the most strategically important waterways on earth.

Roughly one-fifth of global oil consumption typically passes through the narrow channel connecting the Persian Gulf to international markets. Major energy exporters including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iraq, and Qatar rely heavily on the route.

Disruptions to shipping through Hormuz can quickly affect oil prices, shipping costs, insurance rates, and ultimately consumer prices worldwide.

Since conflict escalated earlier this year, vessel traffic through the region has slowed significantly, contributing to heightened volatility across global energy markets.

The Treasury guidance underscores the difficult position many shipping companies now face.

A vessel attempting to leave the Persian Gulf cannot negotiate directly with Iranian authorities without risking sanctions exposure. At the same time, uncertainty surrounding transit security continues to complicate shipping operations and increase costs.

The Business Impact

For shipping companies, energy traders, insurers, and commodity markets, the new guidance adds another layer of complexity.

War-risk insurance premiums have risen sharply for vessels operating in the region, while shipping firms continue to evaluate route risks and security considerations.

Some tankers have successfully transited the waterway under heightened security measures and military protection, but industry executives remain cautious.

The situation is particularly important for energy markets because every disruption in Hormuz affects global oil supply calculations.

Even modest reductions in tanker traffic can tighten markets and contribute to higher fuel prices around the world.

A Complication for Broader Diplomatic Efforts

The Treasury announcement also highlights a broader policy challenge.

While discussions continue regarding a potential diplomatic framework aimed at restoring stability and reopening maritime traffic, the U.S. government is simultaneously reinforcing sanctions restrictions that limit direct engagement with Iranian authorities.

That creates a difficult environment for businesses seeking clarity on future operations.

Shipping companies, insurers, commodity traders, and multinational corporations are left navigating a rapidly changing landscape in which security, sanctions compliance, and geopolitical developments are all closely intertwined.

Adding to the uncertainty, Iranian lawmakers have reportedly advanced legislation intended to formalize the authority of the PGSA, potentially giving the organization a more permanent role in Tehran’s maritime strategy.

Such a move would not change international maritime law or remove U.S. sanctions, but it could further complicate future negotiations over shipping access and transit rights.

Why Consumers Should Care

For most Americans, the impact of the Strait of Hormuz is felt far from the Persian Gulf.

The route plays a critical role in global energy flows, and disruptions can influence the cost of gasoline, diesel fuel, airline tickets, shipping expenses, and countless products that depend on transportation.

Higher insurance costs, longer transit times, and supply uncertainty all contribute to broader inflation pressures.

A fully secure reopening of Hormuz would likely help stabilize energy markets and ease some of those costs.

Treasury’s latest guidance, however, makes clear that Washington is not willing to allow private companies to negotiate their own arrangements with Tehran to achieve that outcome.

For now, the message from the U.S. government is straightforward: American companies must stay clear of any agreements with Iranian authorities related to passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Until broader diplomatic and security issues are resolved, one of the world’s most important shipping lanes will remain a source of uncertainty for global commerce.

JBizNews Desk

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JBizNews Desk

As Wall Street enters June near record highs, Bank of America is telling investors not to abandon the rally just yet.

In research highlighted May 30, Bank of America identified several of its favorite stock ideas for June, led by familiar technology giants Nvidia and Apple, while also pointing to opportunities in housing, banking, discount retail, and consumer services.

The list offers more than a collection of stock recommendations. It provides insight into how one of Wall Street’s largest banks views the U.S. economy as investors navigate questions about interest rates, consumer spending, artificial intelligence, and economic growth.

Nvidia and Apple Remain Core Favorites

The most recognizable names on Bank of America’s list are Nvidia and Apple.

Nvidia remains one of Wall Street’s strongest artificial intelligence plays, benefiting from surging demand for the advanced chips that power AI data centers, cloud computing infrastructure, and machine-learning applications.

The company has become one of the largest and most valuable businesses in the world as technology companies race to build AI capabilities.

Apple also remains a favored name, with Bank of America analysts maintaining confidence in the company’s ability to generate growth through its ecosystem of devices, services, and software.

Together, the two companies continue to serve as pillars of the broader technology rally that has helped push major indexes to record levels.

Housing Makes the List

One of the more notable selections was luxury homebuilder Toll Brothers.

Bank of America analyst Rafe Jadrosich described the company’s recent earnings performance as a rare “beat and raise” quarter, highlighting strong demand, healthy profit margins, and continued resilience in the higher-end housing market.

The call is significant because many economists expected elevated mortgage rates to weigh more heavily on housing activity.

Instead, luxury buyers appear to remain active despite higher borrowing costs.

For investors and economists alike, that suggests parts of the housing market continue to show surprising strength.

What Dollar General Says About Consumers

The bank also highlighted Dollar General, one of the nation’s largest discount retailers.

Analyst Robert Ohmes cited store modernization efforts, delivery partnerships, and improving operational performance as reasons for optimism.

The selection offers insight into how Wall Street views consumer spending.

Dollar General primarily serves value-conscious shoppers, making the company’s performance an important indicator of financial conditions facing lower- and middle-income households.

While the stock has struggled in recent months, Bank of America believes improving execution and consumer demand could support a recovery.

A Contrarian Bet on National Vision

Another name on the list is National Vision Holdings, the eyewear retailer behind brands including America’s Best.

Shares fell sharply during May, but Bank of America sees potential opportunity following the decline.

Analysts pointed to rising customer spending per visit and possible future demand drivers tied to wearable technology and vision-related products.

The recommendation reflects a broader Wall Street strategy of identifying companies whose share prices may have fallen further than their underlying business fundamentals justify.

Banking Confidence Shows Up in Citigroup

Bank of America also maintained a positive outlook on Citigroup.

The banking giant has enjoyed a strong run over the past year as investors responded favorably to restructuring efforts under CEO Jane Fraser.

The firm’s recent investor presentations included plans for approximately $30 billion in capital returns, reinforcing confidence in earnings strength and shareholder returns.

The selection suggests Bank of America remains constructive on the financial sector despite ongoing uncertainty surrounding interest rates and economic growth.

What the List Says About the Economy

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Bank of America’s recommendations is how diverse they are.

The bank’s top ideas span artificial intelligence, consumer electronics, luxury housing, discount retail, vision care, and banking.

That breadth suggests analysts see strength extending beyond a handful of technology companies.

Critics of the current market rally have argued that gains have been concentrated in a small group of mega-cap technology stocks. Bank of America’s list reflects a different view — that economic activity remains healthy enough to support multiple sectors simultaneously.

Luxury homebuyers continue purchasing homes. Budget-conscious consumers continue shopping. Banks continue generating profits. Businesses continue investing in artificial intelligence.

Taken together, the recommendations paint a picture of an economy that remains more resilient than many expected.

A Reminder for Investors

Bank of America’s selections represent analyst opinions rather than guarantees.

Even highly rated stocks can decline, and investors should evaluate their own financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment objectives before making decisions.

Analyst ratings are best viewed as one input among many rather than a standalone investment strategy.

Still, the broader message from one of Wall Street’s largest institutions is clear: Bank of America believes the market rally has room to continue and sees opportunities well beyond the technology sector that has dominated headlines.

Whether that view proves correct will be one of the key stories investors watch throughout June.

JBizNews Desk

© JBizNews.com All Rights Reserved. Reproduction or distribution without written permission is prohibited.

California’s self-inflicted economic wounds have reached a fever pitch in 2026. 

Strapped with record-high gas prices, a staggering $31 billion transit deficit and a radical billionaire wealth tax heading to the ballot this November, the Golden State is witnessing an unprecedented mass migration.

It is no longer just a working-class flight; California’s elite are actively being courted by pro-business states, prompting luxury billboards to tell Angelenos they should “move to Miami, where they are not being persecuted for having extreme wealth.”

As ultra-high-net-worth buyers permanently sever their West Coast ties, urban affairs and real estate experts warn that the progressive enclave is “careening towards a very, very difficult period,” leaving a hollowed-out middle class left behind to bail out the deficit.

CALIFORNIA BUSINESS OWNERS ‘WORKING FOR PEANUTS’ AS COSTS, RECORD GAS PRICES AND REGULATIONS DEVOUR PROFITS

“We started to see the outmigration. It was very concentrated among poor, working-class people who were reacting to changes in the economy and prices. Increasingly, the people leaving are wealthier,” Chapman University professor Joel Kotkin told Fox News Digital. “And that means that they’re taking their tax dollars with them. So states like Florida and Texas gain enormously from this kind of trade, both from New York and from California in particular. So one of the things it’s going to do is it’s gonna put pressure on the remaining middle class to bail it out.”

“The fact that you’re paying more in income tax than you take home yourself on an annual basis is madness to me,” said RIVANI President and founder Robert Rivani, who moved his family and commercial real estate firm from L.A. to Miami in 2020. “I’d be somewhat OK with even paying that high tax rate if we didn’t have our economy falling apart, if we didn’t have such a massive increase in homelessness, if we [didn’t] have such a mass increase in crime. You’re paying all this money, but for what?”

“It’s really sad,” Douglas Elliman’s Cory Weiss added. “Some people have no choice but to leave.”

California faces a critical turning point with a multibillion-dollar transportation funding gap, high energy costs, an upcoming November ballot measure for a controversial billionaire tax and staggering exodus numbers — notably including Los Angeles County losing more than 54,000 residents in a single year.

What’s more, Weiss argued that permitting delays have slowed rebuilding efforts, saying about 25% to 30% of Palisades and Eaton fire victims will rebuild while most will walk away. The deciding factor is often not desire, but rather the math surrounding insurance disputes, labor shortages, permitting delays and rebuilding costs.

The “final nail in the coffin” for Rivani – who facilitated the California-to-Florida corporate relocations for Playboy and “Shark Tank” investor Daymond John – was losing his Malibu home to a past wildfire: “I thought California was going towards communism… We couldn’t have enough funding for enough firefighters or enough public support… I’d rather be the person that’s ahead of the trend, and that’s why I decided to move to Florida, I said, ‘I’m done with it.’”

Florida became a major beneficiary of migration from high-tax states, attracting billions of dollars in luxury real estate investments from figures including Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Google’s Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Peter Thiel and Larry Ellison. This shift occurred alongside a broader national trend that saw nearly $1 trillion in assets under management relocate from states such as California and New York to Sun Belt states, according to industry estimates.

It’s a type of “gold rush” that Douglas Elliman’s No. 1 agent nationwide, Dina Goldentayer, is capitalizing on. She launched billboards across Los Angeles featuring her face and a $79.5 million listing that read: “Your wealth is wanted. Step inside with me. #MoveToMiami.”

“There’s obviously a little bit of satire there. The house that’s on the billboard is my $79 million listing in Golden Beach, so there’s definitely a target market for whom that billboard is intended for,” Goldentayer told Fox News Digital. “The calls that I receive are mostly from people already in my network, top brokers out in the L.A., Beverly Hills market who we share some good laughs about the messaging of the billboard. My clients with whom I’m already working with, they think that it is brilliant.”

“Every buyer over $30 million that I’m working with currently is from California… It absolutely picked up right at the tail end of the year when the Google founders were purchasing property in Miami,” she added. “As far as the ultra-high-net-worth individuals, the billionaires, they obviously don’t feel wanted in the blue states. They are not being loved in Manhattan and Los Angeles and markets of similarity. So it is being signaled that Florida wants you.”

CEO: MIAMI’S LUXURY BOOM FUELS ‘MECCA’ FOR WEALTHY AS OTHER BUYERS FEEL PRICED OUT

“There is zero income tax here, zero. It is still a thriving economy,” Rivani said of Florida. “Yeah, you’re taxing people in California and in New York over 50%, and the economy keeps falling apart and people keep running away. So taxing the rich and getting nothing for it, not only for the wealthy people but for the economy and the people, itself, is a zero-sum solution. It does not work.”

“My entire family is still in California. We left all of our family. My parents don’t get to see their grandchild that we had here in South Florida. So it’s devastating not to be able to have those intimate moments with your family,” Rivani continued. “But then, at the end of the day, I had to say enough is enough, and I had to think for the benefit of my family and their future. And if I saw that there was a potential [for] comeback or change in the near future, I would have stayed and stuck it through. I just don’t see that happening.”

“If you’re going to really maintain a low-employment welfare state, which is where California is going,” Kotkin cautioned, “you’re going to have to tax the hell out of the middle and upper middle class, because that’s where the money is. And I think that’s going to be what will come next.”

“Part of the problem is that you’re paying these prices that you have no choice about… Whether the wealth tax passes or not, I don’t think it will make a big difference one way or the other, but what it does say if you’re a business owner, what are they going to get after next?” the professor expanded. “You have a legislature that is completely controlled by the public employees. And so, well, the public employee is in their immediate self-interest to tax people as much as possible. The problem is nobody has explained to them that eventually, you do run out of money, and eventually they’re going to have to be some sort of cutbacks. I think California right now is careening towards a very, very difficult period. And I don’t see it turning around, at least in the immediate future.”

Weiss has seen a similar decline, arguing that California’s favorable climate may not be enough to sustain its real estate market, despite remaining optimistic about the dozens of fire victim households he’s helped relocate.

“We’ve had people say, ‘OK we’re going back,’ and then they started the construction process, and they said, ‘You know, I can’t do it. It’s too sad. It’s not the same community,’” Weiss reflected. “Very, very close clients of mine, who were fortunate enough to be able to buy another house, but were going to rebuild and they have a premier lot, have just this week decided that they’re not gonna rebuild… It is still tragic for people. People are healing and then processing, but it is very emotional.”

“I invite Mayor Bass or Gavin Newsom to [hop] right in my car and go sit in some of these families’ living rooms with me and see what they’re up against financially. I’ll be more than happy to sit down,” the agent added. “This isn’t just high-end problems.”

Mayor Karen Bass’ office did not respond to multiple interview requests from Fox News Digital. Though Gov. Newsom is not running for re-election this year, he has been publicly outspoken against the proposed billionaire tax and was reportedly left sick upon learning of his state’s wealth outmigration.

“I feel a great sense of loss and disappointment that I really can’t suggest to my daughters that they live in California. I think that it’s a very sad thing to see a place that, when I arrived in 1971, this was the place to be,” Kotkin said. “I think we’re eating our seed corn. We’re no longer this destination for talent from around the world the way we once were… Whether the California Dream is gone for good is, I still think it’s uncertain. But I think the state has to make some real changes. One, it’s got to move away from the current climate regime… Unless there’s some sort of major change, it will continue to become both the place of greatest wealth and of the most intense poverty. And I think that’s a tragedy and I think it’s a violation of what California is all about.”

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“Everyone always says to me, California has got to come back. Did Detroit ever come back? Did Minnesota ever come back?” Rivani said from his $100 million Class X office that’s preparing to open in Miami Beach. “Our gas price is half the cost of California. Our living prices are still cheaper than California, but most of all, whether you’re a low-income earner or a high-income earner, you pay zero income tax. That allows more money into your family’s pocket day-to-day.”

“I think this is just the beginning of Miami’s gold rush. I think it’s just the beginning of the gold rush of South Florida as a whole,” Rivani said. “There’s literally nothing that [California] could do that would ever make me want to invest in a state like that again, I mean, unless there is a complete upheaval of the financial beliefs of that economy, I just, I can’t do it.”

“Just call the U-Haul company, get your butt on the truck, and get your ass out here because you’re going to miss the gold rush.”

READ MORE FROM FOX BUSINESS

Three Israelis were wounded in a ramming attack at the Gush Etzion Junction between Jerusalem and Chevron on Sunday evening.

A vehicle struck pedestrians near the junction, including two teenage girls, a 17-year-old who was evacuated from the scene in serious condition, and a 15-year-old who was evacuated in light condition. A third person, 25, was treated for shock and evacuated to the hospital for further treatment.

Security forces and soldiers who were deployed at the junction responded quickly, opening fire at the car and neutralizing the terrorist. The terrorist was later identified as a 31-year-old resident of Chevron.

A large number of IDF forces were deployed to the scene following the attack. The soldiers blocked the roads leading to the junction to allow the victims to be treated at the scene and to rule out the possibility of additional terrorists in the area.

IDF spokesperson

Yaron Rosenthal, head of the Gush Etzion Regional Council, spoke from the scene of the attack, saying: “It was a severe attack. A terrorist tried to run over a group of boys and girls. We have several wounded. The terrorist was eliminated very quickly by IDF forces.”

MDA paramedics Moshe Benita and EMT Chaim Sharabi recounted: “When we arrived at the scene of the attack, we noticed a big commotion and a vehicle near a bus stop. Next to the vehicle lay a 17-year-old girl, who was fully conscious and suffering from severe injuries to her lower limbs. We provided her with initial medical treatment at the scene, including stopping the bleeding, and evacuated her by intensive care ambulance to the hospital in serious condition. Additional Magen David Adom teams provided medical treatment to another injured person, a 15-year-old girl in mild condition who suffered a facial injury.”

MDA

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara’s relentless quest to persecute Lomdei Torah was not satisfied with just stripping yeshivos of all government funding, and she has now issued a decision targeting even private funding to yeshivos by revoking tax benefits to donors who contribute to yeshivos and Torah mosdos at which draft-eligible students are enrolled.

In addition, Baharav-Miara is establishing a team to circumvent alternative funding channels to ensure that Torah institutions are barred from receiving even one penny that she deems “illegal.” The team will demand a list of all students and their personal details from any institution requesting donors’ tax benefits approval, and then cross-check the information against IDF databases, effectively turning the tax system into an enforcement mechanism against yeshivos and Torah institutions.

According to a document published by the Attorney General’s Office on Sunday, a meeting was held last week, headed by Baharav-Miara and attended by senior officials from the Tax Authority, the Corporations Authority, the Finance Ministry, and the Justice Ministry.

Baharav-Miara stated in the document that according to High Court rulings and legal opinions presented at the meeting, “it is not possible to indirectly fund” Torah institutions serving draft-eligible students who have not regularized their status by granting donors tax credits under Section 46 of the Income Tax Ordinance.

The practical implication is significant: donations to such institutions would no longer qualify donors for tax benefits, a move that may severely hinder the fundraising capabilities of yeshivos, kollelim, and Torah organizations.

According to the decision, the Tax Authority must publish a public notice by June 7, 2026, outlining the policy change. The notice will detail the new requirements for institutions, including affidavits, supporting documents, and identifying information about students as conditions for continued eligibility for the tax benefit.

Institutions seeking new Section 46 approval — or renewal of existing approval — will be required to declare whether they operate Torah-study programs or financially support Lomdei Torah. If so, they will be required to submit a signed and verified affidavit from the head of the institution confirming that students have regulated their status with the military authorities. Institutions will also be required to provide student details, including ID numbers.

The Tax Authority will then cross-check the information against IDF databases on draft-eligible individuals who have not regulated their status. The move effectively turns the tax system into an enforcement mechanism against Torah institutions, requiring them to submit lists of students and personal information in order to preserve tax benefits for donors.

Organizations that already possess Section 46 approval will not be exempt. According to the document, the Tax Authority will contact institutions holding existing approval and demand the required declarations and documentation no later than July 1, 2026.

Institutions that fail to submit the required materials — or fail to receive renewed approval from the Tax Authority — will lose eligibility for the tax benefit.

The document also outlines an additional layer of enforcement: the establishment of a special interagency team designed to “circumvent alternative funding channels.” The team will be headed by the Deputy Attorney General for Public-Constitutional Law and include representatives from the Tax Authority, the Budget Department, the Corporations Authority, and the Justice Ministry. Its role will be to formulate procedures preventing circumvention of the revocation of benefits, including cross-checking declarations against data held by the Education Ministry and the Corporations Authority.

In practical terms, Baharav Miara’s move goes far beyond the revocation of a tax benefit; it creates an extensive bureaucratic and legal system to monitor donations to the Torah world, demand information about students, and determine whether institutions comply with conditions imposed following the High Court rulings.

Head of Torah institutions warn that revoking Section 46 status could affect not only yeshiva administrations, but also donors, avreichim and their families, and the entire infrastructure supporting Limmud Torah.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

For much of the past two years, Wall Street’s message to investors has been remarkably simple: stay long equities, ride the AI boom, and trust the economy to keep delivering.

Bob Doll thinks the situation is more complicated than that.

Doll — the longtime market strategist and current CEO and chief investment officer of Crossmark Global Investments, with more than four decades of investment experience across multiple market cycles — entered 2026 describing the current environment with a phrase that has increasingly resonated across institutional finance: a “high-risk bull market.”

At first glance, the phrase sounds contradictory. Bull markets imply confidence, momentum, and expanding risk appetite. High-risk environments usually imply caution and instability.

But what Doll is describing is a market where gains remain possible — even likely — while the underlying foundation supporting those gains grows increasingly fragile.

Five months into 2026, that framing may be proving unusually accurate.

Stocks remain elevated, artificial intelligence spending continues driving earnings growth across major technology companies, and the broader economy has avoided recession despite higher interest rates and geopolitical instability.

At the same time, inflation remains stubbornly elevated, oil prices are rising again amid Middle East tensions, Treasury yields remain volatile, valuations are historically stretched, and markets are increasingly dependent on a narrow concentration of mega-cap technology firms.

That combination is exactly what Doll means by a “high-risk bull market.”

The Bull Case Is Still Real

Doll’s broader thesis is not bearish.

In fact, he continues to argue that several major structural forces remain supportive for equities.

The U.S. economy has proven significantly more resilient than many economists expected entering 2025. Consumer spending has slowed but not collapsed. Corporate earnings, particularly in technology and AI-linked sectors, continue expanding. Fiscal stimulus and industrial spending remain historically elevated. And the Federal Reserve appears increasingly cautious about tightening policy further unless inflation reaccelerates materially.

Artificial intelligence remains central to that optimism.

The AI investment cycle is producing one of the largest capital spending booms seen in decades, with hyperscalers, semiconductor firms, data infrastructure companies, software providers, and cloud operators all experiencing surging demand tied to enterprise AI adoption.

For equity investors, that matters enormously because it creates real earnings growth rather than purely speculative enthusiasm.

That distinction helps explain why markets continue climbing despite persistent macroeconomic concerns.

Doll has also pointed toward continued government spending, regulatory easing, and a labor market that remains relatively healthy as additional support pillars for equities heading into the second half of the year.

Under normal circumstances, those conditions would form a relatively strong backdrop for stocks.

The problem is that markets are no longer priced for merely “good.”

They are priced for near perfection.

Why The Risk Side Matters More Now

This is where Doll’s warning becomes more important.

The market’s vulnerability comes less from current economic weakness and more from how little room investors now have for disappointment.

Inflation remains the clearest example.

While price pressures cooled significantly from their 2022–2023 peaks, inflation has stopped falling consistently toward the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. Recent data has shown renewed firmness in core prices, while higher oil prices tied to geopolitical tensions risk feeding additional inflation into transportation, manufacturing, food, and consumer expectations.

That leaves the Federal Reserve trapped in a difficult position.

If inflation remains sticky, aggressive rate cuts become difficult. But if rates remain elevated too long, economic growth eventually slows and financial conditions tighten further.

Markets are effectively betting policymakers can engineer a narrow “soft landing” where growth slows just enough to control inflation without damaging earnings or employment significantly.

Historically, that balancing act has been extremely difficult.

Doll has repeatedly warned about that “tightrope” dynamic.

The stock market has already delivered multiple consecutive years of double-digit gains, while corporate earnings expectations remain elevated. Historically, periods of sustained double-digit earnings growth rarely continue uninterrupted for extended stretches without eventually encountering economic or valuation pressure.

That does not mean a crash is inevitable.

But it does mean expectations leave very little room for mistakes.

The Concentration Problem

Another issue increasingly worrying strategists is market concentration.

A growing percentage of market gains continues coming from a relatively small group of mega-cap technology and AI-related companies. That concentration creates a situation where headline indexes can appear healthy even while large portions of the broader market remain weaker underneath.

In practical terms, markets are becoming more dependent on a handful of companies continuing to deliver exceptional earnings growth.

If even one or two major AI leaders stumble, the impact on broader sentiment could be disproportionate.

That concentration risk is one reason Doll continues emphasizing diversification rather than blind momentum chasing.

Why Investors Still Stay In

Despite the warnings, Doll has not advocated abandoning equities.

That is what makes the “high-risk bull market” concept more nuanced than a standard bearish forecast.

His argument is essentially that investors probably still need exposure to equities because earnings growth and economic resilience continue supporting higher prices over time. Sitting entirely in cash risks missing further upside if AI-driven growth persists longer than expected.

But participating in the market now requires accepting greater volatility, tighter margins for error, and a much wider range of possible outcomes than many investors became accustomed to during the long post-2009 bull market.

In other words: the bull market may continue, but it is becoming less forgiving.

What Wall Street Is Really Debating

Underneath the headlines, Wall Street is increasingly arguing over one central question:

Is artificial intelligence productivity growth strong enough to offset the macroeconomic pressures building elsewhere in the economy?

If AI-driven earnings expansion continues accelerating, markets may justify current valuations longer than skeptics expect.

But if inflation, interest rates, or geopolitical instability begin undermining broader growth, the market’s current optimism could face a much more difficult stress test.

That tension explains why markets in 2026 often appear strangely divided — with investors simultaneously optimistic and anxious.

Doll’s phrase captures that contradiction better than most.

This is not a euphoric bull market built on easy money and broad confidence.

It is a bull market still climbing higher while carrying an increasingly visible list of risks underneath it.

And that may ultimately make it more dangerous than it first appears.

New York — JBizNews Desk

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