Chip rally lifts Nasdaq 1.3% and snaps a three-day slide as investors position ahead of Big Tech earnings; Micron jumps 12.6%, oil holds near $91.

Markets at a glance (late-session, July 21)

• S&P 500: ~7,490, +0.9%
• Nasdaq Composite: ~25,730, +1.3%
• Dow Jones: +~360 pts
• Brent crude: ~$91/bbl
• Gold: ~$4,071/oz, +1.5%
• Top mover: Utz Brands +90% on $2.9B take-private

U.S. stocks rebounded Tuesday, breaking a three-session losing streak as a sharp recovery in semiconductor shares outweighed persistent Middle East tensions. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added roughly 360 points, the S&P 500 climbed about 0.9% to reclaim the 7,490 level, and the Nasdaq Composite led the major indexes with a 1.3% gain — a turnaround for a market that had shed 2.9% on the Nasdaq the prior week, when the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index briefly slipped into bear-market territory.

Chips lead the rebound. The advance was powered by the same group that dragged the market lower a week ago. Micron Technology surged 12.6% and Nvidia rose about 2%, the latter also disclosing a stake in AI-cloud provider Nebius. Smaller names rode the wave, with Aehr Test Systems up 27% and Cerebras Systems climbing roughly 17%. The tone was set overnight in Asia, where benchmarks in South Korea and Taiwan each gained more than 2.5%, led by Samsung Electronics and Taiwan Semiconductor.

The AI capex question comes to a head. This week delivers what many are calling the most comprehensive single-week test yet of whether the AI spending boom is producing real returns. Alphabet and Tesla both report Wednesday after the close, followed by Intel on Thursday. The central question — when a roughly $180 billion capital-expenditure cycle translates into proportional revenue — has been building for three years. Alphabet, which raised its full-year 2026 capex guidance to $180–$190 billion, enters off 22% revenue growth last quarter, with Google Cloud margins in focus. Tesla arrives on a record 480,000-plus delivery quarter but faces margin questions. IBM limps into its Wednesday report after a 25% single-day plunge last week, its worst session on record.

Corporate movers. General Motors kicked off the week’s marquee reports Tuesday morning, beating second-quarter expectations and reinforcing a steadier read on consumer demand. The day’s standout was Utz Brands, up nearly 90% after agreeing to be taken private by Germany’s Intersnack Group in a deal valued at about $2.9 billion. The broader season has started strong: of the roughly 50 S&P 500 companies reporting through the weekend, 88% topped estimates, per FactSet, which puts blended Q2 earnings growth at 24.7%.

Geopolitics and commodities. The rebound unfolded against a tense backdrop. The U.S. has now carried out roughly 10 consecutive nights of strikes on Iran, though reports that mediators are pushing for a 10-day ceasefire helped cool oil after Monday’s spike. Adding regional strain, Yemen’s Houthis declared a “maritime embargo” against Saudi Arabia — a potential threat to Red Sea crude flows. Brent crude held near $91 a barrel, while gold jumped more than 1.5% to about $4,071 an ounce on safe-haven demand and a firm dollar.

Trade policy in the mix. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told CNBC he expects “to see some action soon” on tariffs, following a report that the White House is preparing new levies against dozens of countries ahead of the expiration of the current 10% global tariff. The comments came a day after President Trump imposed a 50% tariff on most Canadian goods — a thread with direct implications for the cross-border businesses JBiz readers track.

Beneath the surface. For all the day’s optimism, breadth stayed narrow: even at session highs, a slim majority of stocks were lower, underscoring how much of the gain rested on a handful of large-cap chipmakers. The macro calendar offers little fresh guidance before the Federal Reserve’s July 28–29 meeting, leaving corporate earnings as the dominant catalyst. With megacap results due through the week, investors will soon learn whether Tuesday’s rebound reflects renewed conviction — or simply a pause in an unusually jittery tape.

JBizNews Desk | Wall Street

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

Israeli officials believe US President Donald Trump is preparing to significantly escalate the American military campaign against Iran, according to two Israeli officials.

According to the assessment, an expanded US campaign targeting Iranian strategic infrastructure and senior regime officials would likely prompt Tehran to retaliate directly against Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a six-hour security consultation on Monday night with several ministers and senior defense officials to assess the evolving situation.

During the meeting, an Israeli official said, Netanyahu briefly left the discussion to speak with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

US CENTCOM continues strikes on Iran after Trump says he’ll hit Pickaxe Mountain

Meanwhile, US Central Command has entered its 11th consecutive day of strikes against Iran. A source familiar with the operation told The Jerusalem Post that CENTCOM has struck approximately 1,000 targets across Iran over the past 10 days.

On Tuesday during a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Trump said Tehran was “desperate” to hold talks, warning that it had “not seen anything yet.”

Trump added that the US will be hitting the Pickaxe Mountain area, located near Iran’s heavily damaged Natanz uranium enrichment facility, “pretty soon.”

Pickaxe Mountain is a heavily fortified site that hosts two deeply buried tunnel complexes that experts assess as beyond the reach of the most powerful bunker-buster bombs in the US arsenal.

Earlier this week, a source told the Post that it is no longer a matter of when Trump would strike, but when he will strike. 

“He understands that, barring an unexpected development, the chances of a diplomatic solution is now virtually nonexistent,” the source said. 

However, another official cautioned that Trump has changed course “at the last minute” before, noting that his position could still shift.

This post was originally published on here.

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup has officially come to a close, bringing hundreds of thousands of soccer fans to the New York-New Jersey area for eight matches at MetLife Stadium. Now, city and state officials are assessing whether the projected economic impact of hosting the tournament materialized. While the region’s overall economic impact goals will likely be met, some projections, including a boost in hotel occupancy, fell short of expectations.

Initial projections

Last July, the NYNJ Host Committee released an economic impact summary projecting that NY and NJ would receive a $3.3 billion economic boost from hosting eight tournament matches, with more than 1.2 million visitors expected to attend.

The report also estimated $1.3 billion in total labor income for the regional economy and $1.7 billion in spending from match and non-match attendees, according to Bloomberg.

Additionally, the organization projected that more than 26,000 jobs would be generated across both states to support the tournament, along with roughly $432 million in state and local tax revenue. Hotels across the five boroughs were expected to generate between $250 million and $300 million in additional revenue.

Actual economic impact

A report from Tourism Economics found that through the five World Cup Group Matches hosted in New Jersey in June, there was $1.2 billion in direct visitor spending, generating $2.1 billion in total economic impact. That number does not include operational spending or the impact of the games hosted in July, including the Final match held on Sunday.

According to the NYNJ Host Committee, $228 million in state and local tax revenue was generated during the Group Stage in June.

FIFA is expected to announce a record $15 billion in revenues from the entire tournament, which spanned 16 cities across North America, far exceeding the projected $11 billion.

While the World Cup delivered major gains across several economic indicators, some industries still fell short of expectations.

Hotels & tourism

Hotels across the city fell short of their initial projections, generating between $100 million and $150 million in additional revenue—about half of the $250 million to $300 million originally estimated, according to the New York Times.

Between June 8 and July 4, the New York metropolitan area generated roughly $1.07 billion in hotel room revenue, a 20.6 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

However, officials noted that some of the increase was likely driven by the New York Knicks’ NBA Finals appearance. Vijay Dandapani, president and CEO of the Hotel Association of New York City, told Crain’s that in the days following the team’s first championship victory since 1973, hotel occupancy dropped sharply, with occupancy rates between June 15 and June 20 falling below the same period in 2025.

In the Mid-Hudson region, hotels generated approximately $86 million in room revenue during the same period, up 18.3 percent year-over-year. On Long Island, hotels generated around $117 million, representing a 24 percent increase from the previous year.

New Jersey hotels saw revenue increase by more than $40 million during the tournament when compared to the same period last year, as reported by the Times. The Garden State also saw a substantial boost in Airbnb and similar short-term rental bookings. In Jersey City and Newark, demand increased 37 percent compared to the same period in 2025.

Meanwhile, demand in NYC increased just 3 percent, a figure attributed to the city’s stricter regulations surrounding short-term rentals in the five boroughs.

The eight consecutive sold-out matches at MetLife Stadium welcomed more than 560,000 fans. Through the first five matches held at the stadium in June, the state recorded $1.2 billion in direct visitor spending and a total economic impact of $2.1 billion. Those figures did not include the final three matches, but state officials said the tournament was expected to far exceed initial revenue projections, according to a press release.

The Times Square Alliance told the Times that Times Square saw an average of 254,400 pedestrians per day from mid-June to mid-July, a 7 percent increase compared to the same period last year. The area’s daily peak reached 305,300 pedestrians.

Bars & restaurants

A World Cup watch party at Pig Beach in Astoria, Queens. Credit: Jacob Williams

Many bars and restaurants across the city reported benefiting from the tournament, according to a snap survey of 60 businesses conducted by the NYC Hospitality Alliance. Among venues that aired the matches, 63 percent reported increased sales, including 29 businesses that saw a significant increase.

More than half hosted watch parties, nearly half added televisions or upgraded audiovisual equipment, 46 percent scheduled additional staff or shifts, and 42 percent offered match-day food and drink specials.

Additionally, 70 percent of respondents said the excitement surrounding the World Cup being hosted in the region had a positive effect on the city’s business climate, rising to 76 percent among venues that screened matches.

However, businesses that did not show the matches were more likely to report lower sales, with some respondents also citing street closures, delivery disruptions, operating restrictions, and communication challenges as obstacles.

The Host Committee’s Welcome Rewards Program, launched in May, generated roughly 10,000 visits to more than 1,000 small businesses, restaurants, cultural institutions, and community events across NY and NJ by encouraging fans to earn points and prizes through local spending.

NYC also launched its own special meal program, the “Five Boroughs Winners Special,” which offered $26 meal and drink deals, along with commemorative cups, at more than 900 restaurants and bars.

Transportation

Transportation to the tournament proved smoother than anticipated. NJ Transit told the Times that it carried between 22,000 and 26,000 fans to and from each match, totaling roughly 185,000 passenger trips. The average ride from Penn Station to MetLife Stadium took about 35 minutes.

New Yorkers also benefited from discounted bus transportation to MetLife Stadium, with round-trip fares reduced from $80 to $20. Through the service, 97 percent of fans arrived at the stadium before kickoff, with nearly 120,000 bus tickets sold.

Buses transported fans from staging areas to the stadium in less than 10 minutes, while Midtown travel times were up to 23 percent faster than historical averages across all eight match days, despite the influx of visitors.

“When we brought the FIFA World Cup to New York, we wanted to make sure every New Yorker, every community and every industry would benefit—these past six weeks have proven that effort a success,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said.

“As fans from around the world flocked to New York, hotel revenues went up, spending at local businesses increased and our affordable buses moved people to and from the game faster than ever,” she added.

However, ridership fell short of initial projections, which called for up to 40,000 fans to take NJ Transit per match. As a result, more attendees drove to the stadium despite limited parking availability and prices starting at $225 per space. The increase in vehicle traffic contributed to congestion around MetLife, including during some rush-hour commutes.

While tournament attendees benefited from quick service to the stadium, regular NJ Transit riders faced increased delays and service changes. On match days, NJ Transit prohibited riders from boarding NJ-bound trains from Penn Station for four hours before kickoff.

RELATED:

• NYC Council wants a ‘cultural passport,’ more public bathrooms, and Pelé Way for World Cup
• 2026 World Cup Final will be held in New Jersey
• NYC and NJ selected as host city for 2026 FIFA World Cup

The post World Cup brought billions in economic impact to NYC region first appeared on 6sqft.

President Donald Trump issued a series of forceful warnings Tuesday, declaring that the United States will continue targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and any facilities associated with its weapons program while signaling that additional military action could come soon.

Speaking at the White House, Trump reiterated that Iran will never be permitted to acquire a nuclear weapon and warned that any location connected to such efforts would remain a target.

“Any site where they’re even thinking about nuclear, we’ll be hitting it very, very powerfully,” Trump said.

The President argued that recent U.S. military operations have dealt a devastating blow to Iran’s capabilities, saying the damage would take decades to repair.

“Now, nobody knows except the Iranians the damage that we’ve done to them. We have done damage that will take them 20, 25 years to recover from. So if we left tomorrow, we had a big success. But we’re not leaving tomorrow,” Trump said.

Trump also suggested that another major strike could soon target Iran’s heavily fortified Pickaxe Mountain complex, an underground site near the Natanz nuclear facility that has drawn increasing scrutiny because international inspectors have not been granted access.

Asked whether Iran had transferred uranium enrichment centrifuges to the mountain complex, Trump said it was possible but emphasized that U.S. intelligence is closely tracking Iran’s nuclear materials.

“They may have,” Trump said, adding, “we follow the material, that’s where the action is.”

He then indicated that military action against the site could be imminent.

“We’ll be hitting that area very, probably pretty soon. And there’s not a thing they can do about it. You know, normally I wouldn’t say that. If I thought they could do something about it, I would never say that. But we’ll be hitting that area pretty soon and very heavily,” Trump said.

Despite the ongoing military campaign, Trump said Iran is now seeking negotiations following repeated U.S. strikes against its military assets.

“They can not have a nuclear weapon and they won’t have — they have no chance of having a nuclear weapon… But we are doing very well. We are degrading them at levels that nobody thought was possible,” Trump said.

He added that Iran’s military has suffered severe losses but acknowledged that one recent Iranian attack in Jordan succeeded in killing American troops.

“They’re being degraded, really so seriously. They did slip something through in Jordan,” Trump said.

Meanwhile, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the United States has maintained intense pressure on Iran after ten consecutive days of strikes carried out by U.S. Central Command.

According to Hegseth, Tehran has repeatedly been offered opportunities to negotiate but instead has continued threatening international shipping.

“Iran has been given every opportunity to negotiate, to show that they’re reasonable on the Strait of Hormuz,” Hegseth said.

“But if they’re going to shoot a commercial shipping, then we’re going to hit them, as the president said, ten times harder, which every night we’re degrading them further and further,” he added.

“And the president has all the options necessary. If they want to talk, they can talk. Otherwise they can deal with the War Department. And we’re prepared.”

Trump also praised the U.S. naval blockade surrounding Iranian ports, describing it as nearly impenetrable.

He said the operation has effectively sealed off Iranian maritime traffic, while CENTCOM announced that U.S. forces have redirected multiple commercial vessels and prevented ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports since the blockade resumed.

The President also warned Iran-backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen against carrying out threats to shut down the Red Sea shipping lanes.

“We’ll see what happens. So far, it hasn’t happened. Might happen, but we take care of things. If something like that happens, we take care of it,” Trump said.

When asked specifically how the United States would respond if the Houthis attempted to blockade the Red Sea, Trump replied, “I think that if there is something like that, we’ll just have to take care of business.”

Elsewhere in the region, Iran expanded its military campaign by launching fresh missile and drone attacks against neighboring countries. Bahrain activated nationwide warning sirens and urged residents to seek shelter after Iranian forces claimed responsibility for attacking the U.S.-operated Sheikh Isa Air Base. Kuwaiti officials likewise reported intercepting incoming Iranian missiles and drones.

The growing conflict also reached northern Iraq, where three explosive drones were intercepted near the U.S. Consulate in Erbil. The incident temporarily halted operations at Erbil International Airport, while U.S. officials warned that escalating tensions could trigger additional attacks against American diplomatic facilities worldwide.

Reflecting those concerns, the State Department issued a worldwide security alert urging Americans to exercise heightened caution.

“Due to heightened tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation,” the advisory stated.

The warning added that “U.S. diplomatic facilities, including outside the Middle East, have been targeted. Iran and groups supportive of Iran may target other U.S. interests overseas or at locations associated with the United States and Americans throughout the world.”

The Department also advised Americans in the Middle East to prepare for possible flight cancellations, temporary airspace closures, and other travel disruptions, while recommending that travelers reconsider nonessential travel to the region as the conflict continues to escalate.

A 64-year-old Jewish man was seriously injured Tuesday morning in what authorities are investigating as a anti-Semitic hate crime at the intersection of Kings Highway and Ocean Avenue in Flatbush.

The incident occurred at approximately 8:00 a.m. Sources tell YWN that the victim was crossing the street when the suspect intentionally bumped his shoulder into him. The victim then turned around and told the suspect, “Watch where you’re walking.”

The suspect had already walked away but then turned back, approached the victim, and viciously shoved him to the ground. During the assault, the suspect yelled, “This is what Jews deserve.”

Sources tell YWN the victim suffered a fractured hip and is believed to have also sustained a possible concussion. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

The NYPD’s 61st Precinct, the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force, and Flatbush Shomrim responded and are actively investigating the incident.

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(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

WASHINGTON D.C (VINnews)-House Speaker Mike Johnson announced Tuesday that House Republicans are moving to pass the “Stop Insider Trading Act,” which would prohibit members of Congress from purchasing individual stocks.

The legislation aims to address long-standing concerns about lawmakers potentially profiting from nonpublic information.

“Too often, Americans struggling to make ends meet have watched as lawmakers have entered office to leave as multi-millionaires,” Johnson said in a statement.

“The Stop Insider Trading Act does exactly what it says: It bans members of Congress from purchasing individual stocks from publicly traded companies, and it helps prevent public officials from profiting from inside information,” he added. “It’s a very logical thing to do.”

The bill would bar senators and representatives from buying stocks in individual companies while allowing broader investments such as mutual funds or index funds. Details on timing for a House vote were not immediately released.

The push comes amid repeated bipartisan calls to restrict congressional stock trading, though similar measures have stalled in past sessions. Critics argue that lawmakers’ access to sensitive briefings and policy deliberations creates an unfair advantage in the markets.

Johnson’s announcement positions the legislation as a priority for House Republicans as they seek to restore public trust in Congress.

VINnews will continue to monitor developments on the bill.

Apple is raising prices on Apple Music subscriptions as well as certain Apple One plans as the company faces higher licensing costs.

The tech giant last week hiked prices for Apple Music plans across subscription tiers. Individual plans will rise by $1 a month to $11.99, while student plans will increase by the same amount to $6.99 a month.

Prices for the Apple Music family plan are also rising by $3 per month to a new monthly rate of $19.99.

The company also hiked prices for some tiers of Apple One – the company’s bundle that allows consumers to subscribe simultaneously to Apple TV, Music, iCloud+, Arcade, Fitness+ and News+ or the first four services.

Prices for the Apple One family tier are set to rise by $2 to a new total of $27.95 per month. Family plans may be shared with up to five people and have up to 200 gigabytes of iCloud storage, though they don’t include News+ or Fitness+ in the package.

The individual Apple One subscription, which includes the same four services but with 50 gigabytes of iCloud storage, is unchanged at $19.95 a month.

Apple One’s Premier package, which includes all six of the company’s subscription services with up to 2 terabytes of storage and may be shared among five people, will rise in price by $2 to $39.95 per month.

The price increases apply to consumers in the U.S. as well as other countries around the world.

The moves weren’t announced by Apple, which adjusted the prices for the various subscriptions and tiers on its website on Friday. Apple told 9to5Mac, “As a result of rising licensing costs, Apple Music is increasing its subscription price beginning today.”

FOX Business reached out to Apple for comment.

In late June, Apple announced price hikes for its iPad tablets and MacBook laptops amid rising memory chip costs.

The company raised the price of the MacBook Air by $200 to a new total of $1,299, while the budget Neo laptop price rose from $599 to $699. The price of a MacBook Pro with 1 terabyte of storage rose $300 to $1,999, while the iPad Air with 128 gigabytes of storage rose from $599 to $749.

Apple said at the time that it has “never seen a component price increase this much, this quickly,” adding that it had “shielded our customers from these increases so far, but we have now reached a point where we need to begin raising prices on a number of products.”

This post was originally published on this site.

(AP) – About 6,600 people who indicated they were noncitizens while obtaining New Jersey driver’s licenses and other state IDs were improperly registered to vote in 2023 and 2024, Gov. Mikie Sherrill said on Tuesday.

The Democratic governor, who took office this year, blamed a Motor Vehicle Commission system software error but said a preliminary analysis showed that fewer than 400 of the people registered that way went on to cast ballots.

The revelation comes as President Donald Trump and other Republicans continue to assert that voting by noncitizens is rampant in U.S. elections, even though it’s rare and, when caught, can be punished as a felony that can lead to deportation.

Sherrill said she has ordered that erroneously added voter registrations from that 2023-24 period be removed and is replacing the vendor who ran the system. She also is launching an investigation into how the error happened.

“I am appalled by the reckless failures that allowed this to happen and the lack of transparency shown by those in charge at the time,” she said in a statement.

Phil Murphy, also a Democrat, was governor then. The Associated Press was making efforts to contact him or his representatives.

New Jersey is among several states that allow noncitizens to hold driver’s licenses and other state-issued ID cards.

New findings from the Flatbush–Nostrand Junction Business Improvement District show rising import costs are forcing neighborhood businesses to rethink pricing, inventory and growth plans.

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Tuesday, July 21, 2026 — A new survey released by the Flatbush–Nostrand Junction Business Improvement District found that many small businesses across one of Brooklyn’s busiest commercial corridors are under growing financial pressure as higher tariffs continue raising the cost of imported goods while customer traffic remains uneven.

The findings offer a snapshot of the challenges confronting independent businesses throughout New York City. The survey found that 90% of participating businesses reported higher operating costs linked to tariffs, while 70% said customer traffic has declined, leaving many owners balancing higher expenses against consumers who remain cautious about discretionary spending.

For neighborhood merchants, the pressure begins long before a customer enters the store.

Retailers say wholesale prices have climbed on products ranging from clothing and electronics to household goods and restaurant supplies. Many businesses have absorbed part of those increases to remain competitive, but owners say doing so has steadily reduced already-thin profit margins.

Others have taken a different approach.

Some merchants have raised prices selectively, ordered smaller inventories or delayed expansion plans until costs become more predictable. Several businesses reported placing greater emphasis on online sales and local delivery services to offset softer foot traffic and broaden their customer base.

The report illustrates how international trade policy is increasingly affecting neighborhood commercial districts rather than only large importers and manufacturers.

Unlike major national retailers that can negotiate volume discounts or diversify supply chains, many independent businesses depend on smaller overseas suppliers and have fewer options when costs increase. That leaves owners making difficult decisions about pricing, staffing and future investment.

Business leaders warn that prolonged cost pressures could eventually slow hiring and discourage new investment along commercial corridors that depend heavily on locally owned businesses. While many merchants remain optimistic that supply chains and pricing will stabilize, they say the coming months—particularly the holiday shopping season—will be critical.

Consumers are already beginning to feel the effects.

Higher wholesale costs are gradually working their way into everyday retail prices, meaning shoppers may pay more for clothing, gifts, household items and restaurant meals even as overall inflation has moderated from its recent peaks.

For Brooklyn’s independent business community, the survey underscores a broader reality: global trade policy is no longer an issue affecting only ports, manufacturers and multinational corporations. It is increasingly shaping decisions made every day by neighborhood retailers trying to remain competitive while continuing to serve their communities.

JBizNews Desk | Wall Street

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

Joel Rubin, who led Jewish outreach for Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign, has publicly distanced himself from the Vermont independent, accusing him of backing candidates whose views and rhetoric have contributed to rising antisemitism.

In an interview with Jewish Insider at the Aspen Security Forum, Rubin said Sanders has thrown his support behind “the most categorically anti-Israel, antisemitic candidates that we’ve seen in a generation, if ever.” He argued that those endorsements have helped normalize political figures whose positions have driven many Jewish voters away.

Rubin, who also served as a State Department official, said he once believed Sanders could bridge progressive ideals with strong support for the Jewish community. Instead, he contended, the senator has chosen to align himself with candidates whose rhetoric has gone beyond criticism of Israeli government policy and crossed into antisemitic stereotypes and hostility toward Jews. Rubin said those endorsements are especially troubling at a time when antisemitism is increasing in the United States and worldwide.

His comments represent one of the most pointed public criticisms Sanders has faced from a former senior member of his own presidential campaign, particularly someone responsible for Jewish outreach. Rubin said elected officials have an obligation to draw a clear distinction between legitimate debate over Israeli policy and rhetoric or movements that vilify Jews or encourage antisemitism.

Sanders, who is Jewish, has consistently maintained that his criticism of Israeli government actions is separate from antisemitism and has repeatedly rejected claims that opposing Israel’s policies is inherently antisemitic. Even so, Rubin’s remarks highlight the deepening disagreements within the Democratic Party over Israel, antisemitism, and the future direction of progressive politics as the 2026 midterm elections approach.

{Matzav.com}

France has become the first member of the European Union to approve a nationwide ban preventing children under the age of 15 from using social media, as lawmakers seek to curb the growing impact of harmful online content on young people.

The legislation cleared both houses of Parliament on Tuesday, marking one of President Emmanuel Macron’s signature domestic initiatives during his second term. In addition to restricting social media access for younger teens, the measure also prohibits mobile phone use in French high schools.

The vote comes amid mounting concern over the influence of social media on children’s mental health. In recent years, several French families have filed lawsuits against TikTok, alleging that harmful content on the platform contributed to teenage suicides. Child safety advocates and many parents welcomed Parliament’s decision.

“We’ve been campaigning for this bill from the start because, frankly, we have no other option, no other way to counter tech giants,” said Gaëlle Berbonde, a 52-year-old who lives in the Paris region. “The only thing we can do is protect our children, just as we protect our children from drinking alcohol.”

Berbonde told The Associated Press that her daughter received her first smartphone while in seventh grade. Although the family used parental controls to supervise her online activity, they were unfamiliar with TikTok and its content. Within months, they discovered their daughter had begun self-harming and was battling anorexia and depression. After spending a year and a half in the hospital, she has since recovered and is now 16 years old.

The bill represents one of the final major legislative accomplishments of Macron’s presidency before his term concludes next year. The French president hopes the new restrictions will take effect when schools reopen in September, although the legislation is expected to undergo constitutional review first, a process that could postpone its rollout.

The new law does not apply to educational resources such as online encyclopedias or scientific and academic directories.

Opposition lawmakers from the left-wing France Unbowed party voted against the measure, contending that its legality under the French Constitution remains uncertain. They also argued that enforcing the law would be extremely difficult and warned it could effectively eliminate online anonymity.

Ines Legendre, a legal advisor for the online protection group e-Enfance, cautioned that implementation will take time and will require significant technical solutions.

“We’ll also have to address the issue of existing accounts for those under 15. How do we identify them? How do we suspend them? And then there’s the question of age verification for all new accounts that will come into effect,” she said.

Data from France’s national health authority underscores the widespread use of smartphones among young people. According to the agency, half of all teenagers spend between two and five hours each day using their smartphones. A report released in December found that about 90% of children ages 12 to 17 use smartphones daily to access the internet, while 58% regularly use them for social networking.

Health officials also warned that frequent use of social media can negatively affect young users by lowering self-esteem and increasing exposure to content promoting dangerous behaviors, including self-harm, drug abuse, and suicide.

Before the legislation received final approval, lawmakers revised the proposal after the European Commission concluded that portions of the original bill conflicted with the European Union’s Digital Services Act, which regulates online platforms across the bloc. Following negotiations Monday, Parliament agreed on amended language that aligned with EU rules, paving the way for Tuesday’s final vote.

{Matzav.com}

Goldman Sachs is warning that oil prices could surge above $120 per barrel in the coming months if the conflict between the United States and Iran continues and shipping disruptions persist in the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the investment bank, Brent crude could climb above $120 during the next quarter if the region remains unstable. In a prolonged disruption scenario, prices could average around $100 per barrel throughout 2027, significantly higher than current market expectations.

Oil prices briefly topped $90 per barrel on Monday before retreating as investors weighed the prospects of further escalation versus a ceasefire. The renewed tensions follow the collapse of the June ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, while Iran-backed Houthi rebels have also announced a maritime blockade targeting Saudi Arabia, raising additional concerns about global energy supplies.

Energy analysts say markets may have been overly optimistic about a quick return to normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. If the conflict drags on, they warn crude prices could soon test the $100 mark before climbing even higher.

The impact would likely extend well beyond the energy sector. BlackRock estimates that a sustained surge in oil prices could add roughly 0.8 percentage points to global inflation, with Europe and Asia expected to be hit hardest because of their dependence on imported energy.

Attention is now focused on a proposed 10-day ceasefire between the United States and Iran aimed at restoring the June agreement. Analysts warn that if negotiations fail, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could remain restricted while Houthi attacks in the Red Sea expand, increasing the risk of another sharp spike in global oil prices.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The flat tariff that has governed nearly every import entering the United States since winter is set to vanish this week, and the administration is racing against its own calendar to determine what takes its place. The 10 percent Section 122 surcharge expires by law at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 24, a hard statutory deadline that the president cannot extend on his own — and its lapse could reshape the cost of imported goods almost overnight.

The surcharge has an unusual origin. After the Supreme Court struck down the administration’s earlier tariffs in February, ruling 6 to 3 that emergency economic powers did not authorize the president to impose them, the White House turned within hours to Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. That provision allows a temporary import surcharge to address international payment problems, but it comes with a strict ceiling: 150 days, after which only an act of Congress can keep it alive. Those 150 days run out Friday, and Congress has shown no appetite to extend the measure.

The practical stakes are large. Trade-weighted estimates suggest the average effective U.S. tariff rate could fall from roughly 13 percent to around 7 percent the moment Section 122 lapses, a swing that would ripple through import costs, retail pricing, and corporate margins across the economy. For importers, that represents either a meaningful reprieve or a fresh bout of uncertainty, depending on what the administration announces in the narrow window before the deadline.

That is where today’s date becomes pivotal. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative faces a July 20 completion deadline on a pair of Section 301 investigations designed to serve as the surcharge’s successor. Those probes, opened in March, examine excess manufacturing capacity across 16 economies and forced-labor enforcement spanning more than 60 countries. The proposal on the table would impose 12.5 percent duties on 46 nations, a list that includes China, Vietnam, India, Thailand, Japan, and South Korea. Unlike the emergency authority the courts rejected, Section 301 rests on firmer legal ground, giving the administration a more durable foundation for keeping tariffs in place.

The maneuvering reflects a broader strategy of statute-shopping. Having lost its primary tariff tool at the Supreme Court, the administration has moved methodically through the trade code, invoking one authority after another to preserve its leverage. Section 232, which covers steel, aluminum, automobiles, and semiconductors, remains untouched by the recent legal turmoil and continues to operate under separate authority. A new set of Section 232 tariffs on pharmaceuticals, structured with tiered rates, is scheduled to take effect July 31, just a week after the Section 122 cliff.

For businesses, the compressed timeline is a planning nightmare. Companies that import from the countries targeted by the proposed Section 301 duties must weigh the possibility that their costs stay roughly flat, drop sharply, or shift onto an entirely different legal footing within the span of a few days. Procurement teams have been urged to mark the July 24 date carefully and to protect their positions on entries already made, since a parallel court challenge to Section 122 could eventually affect refund rights for tariffs paid while the surcharge was in force.

The lack of certainty is itself a cost. Firms that cannot predict their duty exposure struggle to price contracts, manage inventory, and commit to supply arrangements, and the whipsaw between tariff regimes makes long-term sourcing decisions harder to justify. Retailers weighing holiday-season orders and manufacturers locking in component supplies are both operating without a clear read on what the coming weeks will bring.

What happens next hinges on choices being finalized in Washington right now. The surcharge can expire as scheduled and leave a lower baseline rate, or the administration can roll out its Section 301 replacement and hold effective tariffs closer to current levels. Either way, the next several days will set the terms of trade for the remainder of the year — and importers are watching the clock as closely as the policymakers running it.

JBizNews Desk | Washington, D.C.

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

The Trump administration has successfully tracked down the Ayatollah’s “money man,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent revealed to FOX Business on Tuesday, detailing plans to publicly expose more than $100 million in properties linked to Iran’s supreme leader around the world.

“We have found the money man for the Ayatollah. We are tracking the Ayatollah’s properties around the world,” Bessent told “Mornings With Maria.”

“We hope to soon be able to print his $100 million-plus properties and show the addresses, and we’re preserving this money for the American people.”

The Trump Treasury chief said the effort is part of the administration’s broader “Economic Fury” campaign against Iran, a “one-two punch” combined with the military “Epic Fury” campaign that rattled the region.

“Economic Fury,” he said, aims to dismantle the regime’s financial network by tracking overseas assets, freezing accounts and ratcheting up economic pressure following recent military operations.

Bessent said officials are pursuing Iranian assets across the globe while working to choke off the regime’s access to funding, arguing the pressure campaign has already helped drive Iran’s currency to record lows against the U.S. dollar and fueled soaring inflation inside the country.

“[Their currency] is at an all-time low versus the dollar. It’s in freefall, and we think the inflation rate is upwards of 180 percent in Iran,” he said.

“So, the government is causing the people to suffer, and we’re going to keep pressing, but we’re also going to marshal the resources and save the resources that we recover for the Iranian people when we get on the other side of this.”

Bessent added that Treasury is also targeting Iran’s oil revenues, pointing to sanctions on Chinese “teapot” refineries and what he described as a roughly 40% decline in China’s purchases of Iranian crude in recent months, which he said has intensified financial pressure on the regime.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (VINnews) — Researchers at the University of Florida say they have identified genetic changes associated with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, a discovery they hope could one day help doctors identify children at risk before the condition progresses to the point of requiring surgery.

The findings, published in the journal Journal of Clinical Investigation, provide new insight into the biological processes underlying adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), the most common form of spinal curvature in children. The condition affects up to 3% of children worldwide and typically develops during periods of rapid growth. While it occurs in both boys and girls, severe and progressive cases are significantly more common in girls.

Because the cause of AIS remains unknown, treatment currently focuses on monitoring spinal curvature and slowing its progression after it has already developed, often through bracing or, in severe cases, surgery.

To better understand the disease, the UF research team analyzed gene activity in spinal cartilage and nearby muscle tissue from adolescents with scoliosis and compared it with tissue from individuals without the condition.

The researchers identified distinct patterns of gene activity in both cartilage and muscle, suggesting scoliosis results from multiple biological processes occurring simultaneously rather than a single underlying cause.

Among the differences were changes in genes involved in cartilage formation as well as genes responsible for muscle contraction, muscle strength and normal spinal development.

“This study gives us one of the clearest pictures yet of what is happening at the molecular level in scoliosis patients,” said lead author Dr. Nadja Makki, an assistant professor in the University of Florida College of Medicine’s Department of Physiology and Aging.

“Now, we basically have a list of genes that we can sort, and we can see exactly which of those are behaving differently in spinal tissues affected by scoliosis,” Makki said.

Researchers said the findings could eventually lead to screening tools that identify children at greatest risk of developing severe spinal curvature before visible deformities appear.

“If we could identify these patients prior to them developing that large curvature, then we could put that child in a brace, or we could do scoliosis-specific exercises,” said Dr. Jessica McQuerry, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon and assistant professor at the University of Florida. “We have preventive therapies that do work, but we don’t know who to use them on.”

McQuerry said earlier identification could allow physicians to begin treatment before permanent spinal changes occur, potentially reducing the number of children who ultimately require corrective surgery.

Researchers cautioned that the study does not establish a single cause of scoliosis or provide a diagnostic test. Instead, they said it offers a foundation for future research aimed at developing earlier detection methods and more targeted treatments.

The team plans to continue studying the genes identified in the research to determine how they influence spinal development and whether they could serve as biomarkers for identifying children most likely to develop progressive scoliosis.

West Texas producers are pumping record amounts of crude, but the natural gas that comes with it is overwhelming the region’s pipeline network.

NEW YORK — Tuesday, July 21, 2026 — The latest production forecasts from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, together with pipeline expansion updates released this week, highlight a growing paradox in America’s largest oil field: West Texas producers are pumping more crude than ever while struggling to find profitable markets for the natural gas that comes with it.

The contradiction reflects the economics of the Permian Basin. Oil remains the prize, generating the vast majority of revenue for producers. But every barrel of crude also brings associated natural gas to the surface. Companies cannot simply produce one without the other, leaving the region awash in gas even as demand struggles to keep pace.

That imbalance has repeatedly driven prices at the Waha Hub, the Permian’s regional natural gas benchmark, below zero this year. In those moments, some producers have effectively paid buyers to take excess gas because shutting in profitable oil wells would cost far more than disposing of the unwanted fuel.

The industry’s focus has shifted to infrastructure. Pipeline operators have added capacity this summer, and several larger projects remain on schedule to begin service later this year. Those expansions are expected to move billions of additional cubic feet of natural gas each day from West Texas to Gulf Coast export terminals, power plants and industrial customers.

Even that may not be enough.

Strong crude prices continue encouraging producers to drill new wells, particularly as global energy markets remain sensitive to geopolitical tensions. Every additional well increases oil production while adding still more natural gas to a transportation system that has spent years trying to catch up.

The next generation of pipelines is being built for a changing energy economy. Beyond supplying liquefied natural gas export facilities, developers increasingly expect new capacity to serve rapidly growing electricity demand from manufacturers, population growth and artificial intelligence data centers, all of which require dependable, around-the-clock power that natural gas can provide.

Whether the market finally reaches balance depends on which moves faster: drilling or infrastructure. If production continues to outpace pipeline construction, West Texas could remain caught in the unusual position of producing one of the world’s most valuable commodities alongside another that periodically struggles to find a profitable route to market.

For investors, utilities and manufacturers, the outcome extends well beyond the oil patch. Natural gas prices influence electricity costs, industrial competitiveness and future energy investment across the United States, making the Permian’s infrastructure race one of the most closely watched stories in the energy sector.

JBizNews Desk | Wall Street

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

WASHINGTON D.C (VINnews)-With 105 days until the midterm elections, control of the U.S. House remains up for grabs as Democrats hold a narrow edge in early assessments.

Fox News Power Rankings identify 16 toss-up districts, with Democrats positioned for a slight advantage but no outcome guaranteed.

The biggest variable could reshape the battlefield before a single ballot is cast: unfinished congressional maps in multiple states. New district lines still being finalized could shift several seats in key battlegrounds including California, Texas and Florida.

“Bill Hemmer explains why those unfinished maps could decide who controls the House,” according to a Fox News segment on “America Reports.”

Mid-decade redistricting efforts have intensified since the last census, with courts, legislatures and voter initiatives altering boundaries in several states. Republicans have pursued gains in Texas and Florida, while Democrats countered with map changes in California. Ongoing litigation and final approvals mean the full impact on the 2026 map remains fluid.

Analysts note that even small shifts from redrawn districts could prove decisive in a narrowly divided chamber. Republicans currently hold a slim majority, but Democrats need only a handful of net gains to flip control.

The dynamic adds uncertainty to an already competitive cycle. While national polling and fundraising trends favor Democrats in the aggregate, localized map changes could blunt or amplify those advantages in specific districts.

Voters head to the polls Nov. 3. Final maps in affected states are expected in the coming weeks, potentially triggering new candidate filings, adjusted campaign strategies and revised forecasts.

Ben Gurion Airport may soon be forced to cancel civilian flights if additional U.S. aerial refueling aircraft are stationed at the airport, Israel Airports Authority CEO Sharon Kadmi warned Tuesday.

Speaking to Kan Reshet Bet, Kadmi said the airport has reached its operational capacity and cannot accommodate any more American tanker aircraft without disrupting commercial aviation.

“We’re doing everything possible to avoid canceling flights,” Kadmi said. “There are American tankers here and at other locations. We’re coordinating with the Israeli Air Force, and everyone is doing their job.”

He added, “We cannot bring in even one more tanker aircraft to Ben Gurion Airport. If another one arrives, we’ll begin canceling flights. The public should prepare for cancellations and delays. We have to remember this is a civilian airport.”

Last week, Transportation Minister Miri Regev lifted a previous restriction on U.S. tanker aircraft landing at Ben Gurion. However, the Transportation Ministry said the number of tankers parked at the airport would be limited under an agreement with U.S. and Israeli defense officials, with additional aircraft being relocated to Israeli Air Force bases in order to preserve civilian flight operations.

The warning comes after the United States informed Israel last week that it plans to expand its regional deployment by sending additional refueling aircraft to support potential military operations against Iran.

Despite efforts to maintain normal airport operations, Israeli security officials have made clear that if tensions with Iran escalate further, military requirements will take precedence over civilian air travel.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

A major investigation by a leading Swiss newspaper claims Hamas spent years quietly building a terrorist network across Europe in preparation for a coordinated wave of attacks modeled after the October 7 massacre, with Israeli, Jewish, and Western targets reportedly in its crosshairs.

According to an investigative report published by Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Hamas established a clandestine infrastructure throughout Europe well before the October 7 attacks in Israel. The network allegedly included concealed weapons stockpiles, arms-smuggling operations, logistical support systems, and sleeper cells that could be activated at the direction of the group’s leadership.

Citing German security investigation files, the newspaper reported that German authorities believe Hamas intended to launch the planned attacks around the second anniversary of the October 7 massacre. Officials say the alleged plot was thwarted through intelligence gathering and coordinated arrests carried out in multiple European countries.

Investigators reportedly identified Hamas-related operations spanning Germany, Austria, Denmark, Britain, Greece, and Cyprus. Among the most significant discoveries was a cache of weapons uncovered in Austria last year that contained five loaded handguns, ten magazines, more than 100 rounds of ammunition, and several explosive devices.

The report identifies Vienna as the central logistical base for the network. Authorities arrested a 39-year-old British man in London in connection with the Austrian weapons cache, while investigators allege that 13 pistols, an AK-47 rifle, and more than 900 rounds of ammunition were moved through Denmark, Germany, and Austria. German courts have since convicted four Hamas operatives in connection with the operation.

According to the investigation, Hamas’s military wing secretly created an operational presence in Europe despite the organization’s longstanding assertions that its activities were confined to Israel, Gaza, and Judea and Samaria. Investigators say the network featured hidden arms depots, weapons-smuggling routes, and a system designed to rapidly activate terrorist cells once leadership gave the order.

The findings come as Germany’s Federal Prosecutor continues pursuing charges against Hamas members accused of establishing terrorist infrastructure throughout Europe. Prosecutors contend that the preparations began years before the October 7 massacre, reflecting what investigators describe as Hamas’s long-term strategy to extend its terrorist operations well beyond the Middle East.

{Matzav.com}

One of the greatest remaining concerns for Israel and the United States is Iran’s heavily fortified “Pickaxe Mountain” facility, an underground tunnel complex carved into granite near the Natanz nuclear site that has so far escaped military attack.

Located roughly one mile south of Natanz, the facility is believed to sit between 100 and 135 meters (330–440 feet) beneath solid granite, making it one of Iran’s most heavily protected nuclear sites. Its depth and construction are similar to the Fordow enrichment facility, which required U.S. B-2 stealth bombers and massive bunker-busting bombs to inflict significant damage.

According to reports, Pickaxe Mountain was originally used primarily to store centrifuges and nuclear equipment rather than conduct active uranium enrichment. Because it was believed to be largely empty during previous military operations, Israeli and American planners reportedly concluded that striking the site would provide little immediate benefit.

That assessment has since changed.

Iran is believed to have begun transferring centrifuges and other sensitive equipment from nuclear facilities damaged in recent strikes into the underground complex. While there is still no confirmed evidence that uranium enrichment is actively taking place there, intelligence officials reportedly view the site as a potential future centerpiece of Iran’s nuclear program.

Military experts say destroying the facility would require exceptionally precise intelligence identifying the exact locations of centrifuges and underground chambers. Even the most powerful bunker-busting bombs could fail to eliminate the site’s critical infrastructure without highly accurate targeting.

The United States remains the only military believed capable of carrying out such an operation, relying on B-2 bombers and GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bunker-buster bombs. Reports indicate that the U.S. used 14 of its estimated stockpile of about 20 GBU-57 bombs during the strike on Fordow, meaning another operation of similar scale could require replenishing inventory and extensive logistical preparations.

The central dilemma facing Washington and Jerusalem is timing. A strike launched before the facility becomes fully operational may have limited impact on Iran’s nuclear program, while waiting too long could allow Tehran to activate one of its most hardened enrichment sites.

Recent satellite imagery also reportedly shows Iran reinforcing tunnel entrances and surrounding infrastructure in an effort to ensure continued access to the facility even after an aerial bombardment and to complicate any potential ground operation.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

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Traffic lights are out as well.

The eastbound lanes (toward Brick) have been shut.

Heavy delays in the area.

Click here to join the official TLS Community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/GGwlPaiG0d49MJTRLfHVPN

~~~~~

The IDF announced Tuesday that it is repositioning forces in parts of southern Lebanon as the Lebanese Army assumes responsibility for additional areas under a pilot program aimed at dismantling Hezbollah’s illegal military infrastructure.

As part of the initiative, Lebanese Army forces have entered three areas along the Ali al-Taher Ridge and the Nabatieh Valley to test their ability to operate as the sole armed authority in the region. Israeli officials described the move as a “sovereignty test” for the Lebanese military, with the final framework still under evaluation.

The IDF said Israel will retain full freedom of operation and the right to self-defense throughout the process. Any violations of the agreement by Hezbollah will be addressed through the U.S.-mediated coordination mechanism, officials said.

Meanwhile, IDF combat engineers have completed inspections of Hezbollah tunnels in the Beaufort Ridge area and are awaiting approval from Israel’s political leadership to demolish them. Troops from the 36th Division also continue operations against dozens of Hezbollah terrorists believed to be hiding in tunnel networks along the Ali al-Taher Ridge. According to the IDF, the terrorists have recently run out of food.

Israeli officials said the U.S.-supervised pilot is intended to ensure the Lebanese Army becomes the only authorized armed force in southern Lebanon while advancing the disarmament of Hezbollah. Israel also said it will remain in the security zone for as long as necessary to protect northern communities and preserve the IDF’s ability to eliminate threats.

As part of the latest phase, the Lebanese Army has assumed responsibility for the villages of Froun and Srifa, while Israel is evaluating its performance before deciding whether to transfer security responsibility for additional areas.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal judge has approved a $1.5 billion copyright settlement in which artificial intelligence company Anthropic will pay thousands of authors about $3,000 per book after using pirated copies of their works to train its Claude chatbot.

District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín said in a Monday ruling that the class-action settlement provides “meaningful relief” to affected authors and publishers.

About 91% of the more than 482,000 books covered by the ruling have been claimed by authors or publishers who are now due payment.

Plaintiff attorney Justin Nelson said in a statement that the settlement was “the largest known copyright recovery in history. We look forward to making distributions to the Class as promptly as possible.”

U.S. District Judge William Alsup issued the preliminary approval in San Francisco federal court last September and has since retired. Alsup had dealt the case a mixed ruling last summer, finding that training AI chatbots on copyrighted books wasn’t illegal but that Anthropic wrongfully acquired millions of books through pirate websites.

Bestselling thriller novelist Andrea Bartz first brought the suit with two other authors in 2024.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump administration has closed the door on any system of tolls for the Strait of Hormuz, signaling that it intends to keep the world’s most vital oil passage open through military escort and expanded American production rather than negotiated fees. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said transit tolls are off the table, framing the position as part of a broader push to grow U.S. energy supply and strip Iran of its leverage over global markets.

Wright laid out the stance in an interview at a defense and innovation summit in Pennsylvania hosted by Senator Dave McCormick, and reinforced it in weekend television remarks. His central message was that the United States will guarantee the movement of oil and gas through the strait with or without Iranian cooperation, and that Washington will not accept an arrangement in which Tehran collects money for passage through the waterway.

The distinction matters because tolls have become a live point of contention in the conflict. Under a now-defunct memorandum of understanding reached in June, Iranian officials have argued they retain the right to impose new fees on ships transiting the strait. The administration has rejected that reading outright, with President Trump stating that Iran will not be permitted to charge tolls even beyond the 60-day window the original agreement specified. Wright’s comments harden that line into settled policy: the U.S. will treat any Iranian fee regime as illegitimate and keep traffic flowing by force if necessary.

By his own account, the strategy is producing results on the water. Wright said the seven-day trailing average of oil moving through the strait stands at just under seven million barrels a day, with a comparable volume flowing through bypass pipelines, putting total throughput from the region near 14 million barrels a day. That figure, he said, amounts to roughly two-thirds of pre-conflict traffic and a substantial recovery from the near-standstill seen in March. American naval escorts moving vessels through Omani territorial waters in the southern portion of the strait are, in his telling, what prevents Iran from interdicting commercial shipping.

The economic logic behind the toll refusal is straightforward. A per-barrel fee at Hormuz would function as a permanent tax on a large share of the world’s crude and liquefied natural gas, raising costs for every economy that depends on Gulf energy and handing Iran a durable stream of revenue and geopolitical leverage. By refusing to institutionalize such fees, Washington is trying to ensure the strait remains a free passage rather than a tollbooth Tehran controls.

The administration is pairing that hard line with a bet on supply. The push to expand domestic output is meant to loosen global balances and blunt the price impact of any Gulf disruption, reducing the leverage that a chokepoint like Hormuz confers on whoever can threaten it. The theory is that the more oil the United States and its partners can put on the market, the less any single waterway can be used as a pressure point against the global economy.

The approach is not without cost or risk. Sustained naval operations in a contested strait carry the constant possibility of escalation, and the recovery in shipping volumes remains incomplete. Iran retains the ability to harass traffic, lay mines, and stage attacks that inject fresh uncertainty into energy markets even without formally closing the waterway. Each flare-up tends to push prices higher, and the strait’s status can shift quickly depending on the pace of strikes and counterstrikes.

For companies exposed to energy costs, the policy offers a measure of reassurance that Washington will not allow a toll regime to permanently raise the price of Gulf oil. But it also ties the stability of a critical supply route to the continuation of an active military commitment, one whose duration and intensity remain uncertain nearly five months into the conflict. The strait stays open for now on American terms — and on the assumption that the escorts keep running.

JBizNews Desk | Washington, D.C.

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

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Tuesday that the federal government is halting more than $1 billion in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota while officials investigate what they believe may be fraudulent claims involving the programs.

“We are not sending Medicaid dollars out the door until we have confidence that they are being spent lawfully and appropriately,” Kennedy said at an announcement on Tuesday.

Kennedy said the funding will remain on hold unless California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz can demonstrate that the payments are valid. According to the secretary, if the governors “want the money to fund low-income healthcare, they need to provide documentation that these payments are legitimate.”

The HHS secretary placed responsibility for the alleged problems on the Biden administration, along with Democratic leaders in California and Minnesota, accusing them of failing to safeguard taxpayer-funded healthcare programs from abuse.

“Instead of protecting your money, they open the floodgates to theft,” Kennedy said. “They dismantle basic program integrity and oversight.”

The suspension of the Medicaid funds is the latest step in the Trump administration’s broader campaign to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse throughout the federal government.

The announcement follows a major healthcare fraud crackdown unveiled last month by acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who revealed that 455 defendants had been charged in schemes involving approximately $6.5 billion in fraudulent healthcare claims.

Federal officials described that operation as the “greatest combined federal and state effort in combating health care fraud in history,” alleging that participants exploited taxpayer-funded healthcare programs to bankroll lavish lifestyles.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump signaled growing ties between the United States and Lebanon during a White House meeting Tuesday with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, while also delivering a stark warning to Iran that any attempt to rebuild its nuclear infrastructure would be met with overwhelming military force.

Speaking alongside Aoun, Trump emphasized Washington’s commitment to supporting Lebanon and expressed optimism about the future of bilateral relations. “We’re gonna help [Lebanon] a lot,” Trump said. President Aoun responded, “The time has come for Lebanon to be stable and secure.”

During the meeting, Trump also suggested that Lebanon could eventually join the expanding list of nations participating in the Abraham Accords.

“The Abraham Accords have been, I think, a tremendous success. I think you’re going to see a lot of countries joining pretty soon,” he said.

Turning to Iran, Trump said the United States has no interest in negotiations unless Tehran is willing to make meaningful concessions, despite what he described as repeated efforts by the regime to open talks.

“The Iranians are desperate to meet with us, but until they’re prepared to do something meaningful, we’re not interested in meeting with them,” Trump said.

He reiterated that Iran has been attempting to initiate secret contacts with the United States but insisted those overtures will continue to be rejected unless they lead to substantive progress.

“They want to desperately meet – and until they’re ready to meet in a meaningful way, we have no interest,” he said.

Trump concluded with a forceful warning over reports that Iran has relocated uranium-enrichment centrifuges to the underground Pickaxe Mountain facility, making clear that any effort by the regime to revive its nuclear program would trigger an immediate American military response.

“How about these people? They’re in this because of nuclear weapons, and they’re trying to possibly reconstitute a site? We’ll hit that site. Any site where they’re even thinking about nuclear – we’ll be hitting it very, very powerfully.”

{Matzav.com}

NEW YORK — The United States is sitting on its smallest crude oil buffer in nearly half a century, a quiet warning signal flashing beneath a market that has otherwise managed to keep panic at bay. Domestic inventories have fallen to roughly 43 days of supply, the lowest reading in 45 years, as the war between the United States and Iran continues to strangle the flow of oil through the world’s most important energy chokepoint.

The drawdown reflects five months of disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, where fighting that began on February 28 has repeatedly interrupted the roughly one-fifth of global oil that normally transits the waterway. Even with American naval escorts keeping tankers moving, the cumulative strain on supply has steadily eroded the reserves that cushion the domestic market against shocks.

What makes the moment unusual is how calm prices have remained relative to the underlying tightness. U.S. crude trades near $81 a barrel, elevated by historical standards but well below the levels above $112 seen at the height of the wartime scare earlier this year. That gap has become one of the more puzzling disconnects in the market: inventories at a multi-decade low, an active conflict at a critical shipping lane, and yet a price that suggests something closer to unease than alarm.

Consumers are feeling the strain more directly than the futures screens let on. The national average price for a gallon of gasoline has climbed back to $4, more than ten cents higher than a week earlier and up sharply from the $3.15 average of a year ago. For households already stretched by rising costs elsewhere, the return to $4 fuel functions as a tax on nearly every trip to work, every grocery run, and every shipment that moves by truck.

The thin supply cushion changes the risk calculus for the months ahead. When inventories run low, the market loses its shock absorber. Any fresh interruption — a new round of attacks in the Gulf, a mine strike on a tanker, a disruption to the bypass pipelines that have been carrying a portion of the region’s crude overland — would hit a system with far less slack than usual. In that environment, a relatively small physical disturbance can translate into an outsized price reaction, because there is simply less oil in storage to draw down while the disruption plays out.

For businesses, the implications ripple outward from the pump. Elevated and potentially volatile fuel costs raise the price of freight, aviation, manufacturing, and agriculture, and they complicate planning for any company that budgets around energy as a major input. Airlines have already flagged billions in added fuel expenses tied to the war-driven surge, and those costs tend to migrate into ticket prices, shipping rates, and ultimately the shelf prices consumers pay.

The administration has leaned on expanded domestic production and naval protection of shipping lanes to keep barrels moving, and officials insist the flow through the region is recovering. But recovery in transit volumes has not yet rebuilt the reserves that the conflict has drained. Until inventories climb back toward historical norms, the American energy market will remain unusually exposed — steady on the surface, but running closer to the edge than it has in a generation.

The coming weeks will test whether the current fragile balance holds. A durable easing in the Gulf would allow supplies to recover and prices to drift lower. A renewed escalation would meet an oil market with little margin for error and a public already watching the number on the gas station sign climb.

JBizNews Desk | New York, N.Y.

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

The Treasury Department says it has prevented nearly $100 million in federal payments from being sent to deceased individuals after launching a government-wide payment verification system, marking another step in the Trump administration’s campaign to curb fraud and improper spending.

According to information obtained by The New York Post, Treasury’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service uncovered the questionable payments while reviewing roughly 885 million federal transactions with a combined value approaching $2.7 trillion.

Since the screening process began in March 2025, officials have flagged more than 4,900 payments totaling about $99 million that were linked to recipients who had already died, Treasury said.

Rather than allowing the money to be distributed, Treasury returned those payments to the federal agencies that initiated them so they could be examined before any taxpayer funds were released. Officials noted that payments directed to deceased individuals can often be a warning sign of fraud.

Although the blocked payments represented only about 0.0036% of the $2.7 trillion reviewed, Treasury emphasized that the amount was more than three times higher than what had been detected before President Trump took office last year as part of the administration’s broader effort to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse.

“Treasury has delivered on a key promise of President Trump’s mandate to stop improper payments and fraud before money leaves the Treasury, and strengthen the integrity of the federal payment system,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.

“Together with Vice President Vance’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, this new safeguard addresses a longstanding vulnerability and helps ensure every dollar the federal government spends reaches its intended recipient,” Bessent added. “Treasury will continue efforts to modernize the federal payment system, strengthen safeguards against fraud and improper payments, and protect taxpayer dollars.”

To identify the improper payments, Treasury relied on the federal Do Not Pay program, which verifies a recipient’s identity, eligibility, and banking information before federal funds or awards are issued. Officials also employed additional verification technologies that helped detect the nearly $99 million in payments intended for deceased recipients.

Treasury said it dramatically broadened the use of these verification tools last year in response to directives issued by President Trump.

A law enacted in 2021 temporarily gave the department access to the Social Security Administration’s Full Death Master File, enabling officials to identify many of the deceased individuals listed as payment recipients.

That authority became permanent in February when President Trump signed the Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act into law, ensuring Treasury retains ongoing access to the federal death records database.

Looking ahead, Treasury estimates that the expanded safeguards will generate approximately $330 million in net savings by preventing improper payments from being issued to deceased individuals.

{Matzav.com}

The American grocery cart is shrinking, and a new industry analysis out Tuesday marks the moment the shift became undeniable. After more than a year of shoppers trading down to cheaper brands and hunting for deals, households have moved to a starker form of belt-tightening: they are simply buying fewer items. Unit sales at U.S. grocers have fallen roughly 2% year over year across most of the past four months through June, a decline holding steady across every region of the country, according to research released by Bain & Company in partnership with NielsenIQ.

What makes the pullback notable is that it is happening while prices keep rising, not falling. A basket that runs a family through the week now costs roughly a third more than it did in 2019, and grocery prices are still climbing 2% to 3% a year. Kurt Grichel, who leads Bain’s retail practice in the Americas, put it in concrete terms — a grocery run that once totaled around $300 before the pandemic can now push past $400, a gap wide enough that even higher-income shoppers have started to change their behavior. Paying more while taking home less is the new math at the register.

Why buying less changes the game

For most of the post-pandemic stretch, grocers and food makers could count on rising prices to lift revenue even when the number of items sold stayed flat. That cushion is gone. When price increases slow and volume falls at the same time, the business becomes a contest for market share, where one chain’s gain comes directly at a competitor’s expense rather than from a growing pie. The report describes a sector where the total pool of demand is no longer expanding, forcing retailers to win customers away from one another rather than ride a rising tide.

So far the winners are the value channels. Discounters, dollar stores, warehouse clubs, and mass retailers are pulling shoppers and trips away from traditional supermarkets. But the analysis cautions that the volume problem does not disappear even for those gaining ground — fewer items sold is a headwind for every format. The grocers expected to pull ahead are those that price sharply on the specific staples customers track most closely and build loyalty through promotions and private-label brands shoppers trust.

The inflation backdrop

The squeeze comes even as broader inflation appears to be cooling. Overall consumer prices fell 0.4% in June on tumbling energy costs, but food-at-home prices rose 0.2% — their fifth monthly increase of 2026 — a reminder that relief at the gas pump has not reached the checkout aisle. Eggs jumped 4.3% for the month and dairy rose 1.2%, while a few categories, including coffee and nonalcoholic beverages, offered modest declines. The takeaway for shoppers is that a falling headline number does not translate to a cheaper cart, because the categories driving the relief are not the ones that fill it.

Compounding the pressure, many lower-income households have absorbed a double hit, contending with reduced federal food-assistance benefits and tighter eligibility rules at the same time grocery costs remain elevated. For those families, buying fewer items is less a choice than a necessity.

A pattern visible across the border

Fresh data out Tuesday from Canada underscored how persistent food inflation has become across North America. There, grocery prices outpaced the country’s overall inflation rate for the 17th consecutive month, running at 3.9% against a headline rate of 2.8%, with chicken up 5.7% and bread and rolls climbing roughly 6% even as cheaper gasoline slowed the top-line figure. It is the same disconnect between food costs and household budgets now visible on both sides of the border.

What it means for tri-state businesses

For grocers, restaurants, and suppliers across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, the message is direct. Consumers are not just seeking bargains; they are removing items from the cart altogether, and that behavior shows up first in discretionary and premium categories. Operators leaning on price increases to protect margins may find the strategy backfiring as customers respond by trimming volume.

The retailers positioned to hold their ground will be those offering a credible value story — sharp pricing on the staples families track, paired with loyalty programs and store brands that keep shoppers coming back. The broader takeaway from Tuesday’s report is that the era of automatic grocery revenue growth has ended. With prices still elevated and carts shrinking, earning a customer’s trip now means convincing them the trip is worth taking.

JBizNews Desk | New York

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

A shocking act of violence was perpetrated against a man in the Würzburg district of Bavaria, Germany, who was wearing a pin with an Israeli flag, Bild reported.

A Syrian man noticed the pin and beat the man so severely that he required hospitalization. According to Bild, prosecutors are investigating the incident as an attempted murder.

According to the report, the Syrian assailant was standing next to the victim at a traffic light late Sunday night when he noticed the Israeli flag pin on the German man’s clothing and punched him in the face. The victim tried to flee, but the Syrian caught up with him and knocked him to the ground.

The assailant repeatedly kicked the victim in the head and upper body, stopping only when police intervened. The victim suffered a fractured vertebra in his back and is hospitalized in the intensive care unit.

The Bild report identified the victim as a German citizen who is a member of the German-Israeli Society (DIG) Würzburg, an organization that promotes German-Israeli relations. It is unclear if he was Israeli or Jewish or simply a pro-Israel German.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

NEW YORK (VINnews) – A free Tisha B’Av video is aiming to promote connection throughout the Jewish community by highlighting three separate stories of forgiveness by those who suffered tremendous personal loss.

Letting Go is a film by the Living Lchaim podcast network, with a large picture of eight year old Charlotte Herzberg a’h portrayed in the video’s cover art. As previously reported on VIN News, Charlotte was killed while riding her bike on June 2nd, with her parents Yudi and Chumi Herzberg taking the extraordinary step of forgiving the driver of the car, one of their closest friends, transforming their loss into a campaign to spread shalom worldwide.

The idea to highlight the Shalom for Charlotte initiative came to Living Lchaim’s Yaakov Langer while paying a shiva call to the Herzbergs. Having attended the same yeshiva as Yudi Herzberg and having reconnected with him multiple times over the years, Langer felt the need to offer emotional support in the days following Charlotte’s passing. But like so many others who flocked to the shiva house, Langer was stunned to realize that it was the Herzbergs who were comforting him as they spoke about their decision to let their personal tragedy, one that could have divided their community, serve as a force that would unite the Jewish community.

Inspired by the Herzberg’s request that their visitors perform an act of shalom in Charlotte’s memory, Langer realized that he had found the perfect message for Living Lchaim’s upcoming Tisha B’Av video. The Herzbergs agreed to take part in Letting Go, which features their story, as well as two others, all of which deal with the theme of forgiveness. Langer admitted that filming the Herzberg’s story was an extremely emotional process.

“To see them relive the experience wasn’t easy,” Langer told VIN News. “I’m sure it wasn’t easy for them, and as we’re filming I had to wipe my eyes so much and I even audibly cried sometimes because it was just so sad.”

But as much as Letting Go has heartbreaking moments, its larger message is a positive one, with what Langer describes as “regular people” rising to meet unfathomable challenges.

“Just talking about the emunah, and the bitachon and focusing on the shalom, it was really out of this world,” recalled Langer.

With Tisha B’Av underscoring the reality that lack of connection led to the destruction of the Bais Hamikdash, Langer said he hopes that viewers will rise to the occasion and will dig deep within their hearts to make peace with others, even those who have wronged them.

“We all have either reasonable or unreasonable reasons to be upset with someone, and if Yudi and Chumi and the other families in the film could find it in their hearts to forgive, then I think anyone can,” said Langer.

Letting Go will be available for free on the Living Lchaim website on July 22.

For more information on spreading shalom as a zechus for Charlotte’s neshama visit Shalom for Charlotte online by clicking here.

Israel’s military confirmed on Tuesday that it is constructing a physical barrier along the so-called “yellow line” in Gaza.

The confirmation came after the Associated Press presented the Israel Defense Forces with satellite imagery analyzed by the news agency. The military said that the project is part of a broader security zone aimed at preventing infiltration and protecting troops and nearby Israeli communities, outfitted with advanced intelligence and technological infrastructure.

Satellite imagery shows the barrier stretching more than 23 kilometers (14 miles) across Gaza, with a rapid expansion in recent months.

The military declined to detail the barrier’s full route or planned extent but said it is working to clearly mark the line, which was designated as a temporary boundary under a U.S.-backed ceasefire agreement with the Hamas terrorist organization which led the Oct. 7, 2023 invasion of southern Israel that sparked the war in Gaza.

Imagery indicates continued expansion in both southern and central Gaza, including near Rafah and Khan Yunis, with additional segments in the north. JNS

{Matzav.com}

(AP) – Powerball ticket sales in the United Kingdom will begin Tuesday, giving players across the Atlantic a chance at winning the same massive jackpot that U.S. players already play for — with the same minuscule odds.

The expansion, first announced in April through an agreement between the Multi-State Lottery Association in the U.S. and Allwyn UK, will mark the first time a lottery outside the U.S. contributes to the Powerball jackpot. The expansion will allow U.K. players to play for much larger jackpots than are now available at lotteries in the country and Europe.

Wednesday night’s drawing will be the first Powerball drawing open to players in the U.K.

The largest Powerball payout was just over $2 billion (about 1.5 billion pounds) from a ticket bought in 2022 in California. EuroMillions, a lottery offered across nine European countries and also operated in the U.K. by Allwyn, awarded the maximum 250 million euros (about $285 million) to players from France, Ireland and Austria over the course of 2025.

The odds of winning a Powerball jackpot are a minuscule 1 in 292.2 million. Those odds will be the same for U.S. and U.K. players, lottery officials say.

U.S. lottery officials say the expanded player base will allow Powerball jackpots to grow more quickly, likely increasing sales as more people are drawn to larger grand prizes.

Powerball tickets cost $2.

Tickets purchased in the U.K. will only go toward the Powerball jackpot — not lower-tier prizes. Players in the U.K. will have a different lower-tier prize structure.

The estimated jackpot amounts in each country will differ due to currency conversion rates and because the U.S. advertises prize amounts pretax, unlike in the U.K.

U.K. Powerball jackpots will also be paid over 30 years, whereas in the U.S. jackpot winners have a choice between taking their winnings spread over years through an annuity or in cash — nearly all winners opt for cash.

Powerball is played in 45 U.S. states, and Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

In the game, players choose five white-ball numbers from 1 to 69 and one red Powerball number from 1 to 26. Drawings will continue to be held Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon said in an interview on Monday that he wouldn’t buy stocks or long-term Treasury bonds at their current prices as he thinks investors aren’t accounting fully for risks that could cause turmoil in equity and debt markets.

Dimon said in an interview with CNBC that he thinks geopolitical and fiscal risks are “probably bigger than other people think” amid the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as looming tensions between the U.S. and China.

He also said that growing budget deficits by governments around the world pose a fiscal risk during a period of rising defense spending, which could lead to interest rates on government bonds remaining higher.

Dimon said that he wouldn’t buy long-term Treasurys given the current conditions of the bond market, saying that he thinks interest rates on U.S. bonds will likely remain elevated even if inflation subsides.

The JPMorgan Chase CEO said that he believes “the 10-year bond should probably be at 4% to 4.5%” even if inflation returns to the Federal Reserve’s long-run target of 2%, and said that he personally wouldn’t buy long-term Treasurys and sees little upside for bond prices.

The 10-year Treasury yield is currently about 4.6% and has remained above 4.2% since March after they had trended closer to 4% late last year.

The most recent consumer price index (CPI) data showed inflation was up 3.5% from a year ago – well above the Fed’s 2% target – despite declining month-over-month as gas prices declined as the energy market stabilized during a period of reduced hostilities between the U.S. and Iran.

Stubbornly high inflation prompted the Fed to leave interest rates unchanged at the central bank’s June meeting and Fed Chair Kevin Warsh has signaled that policymakers won’t tolerate elevated inflation.

That has caused the market’s view of the probability of rate cuts to plunge, as the CME FedWatch tool suggests that the federal funds rate will either remain steady or rise before the end of this year.

Dimon also struck a cautious note on the stock market in the interview, saying that he wouldn’t invest in the broader market at the high valuations that can currently be found at many leading companies and would instead look at individual companies to find “a great investment.”

He also likened the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the market as it reshapes the tech sector and the broader economy to what happened during the initial internet boom, saying that companies are spending a “huge” amount of money that may not quickly lead to the desired results.

“Will it in total pay off? Probably, just like the internet did,” Dimon told CNBC. “Will it pay off the way you expect and the timetable you expect? Definitely not.”

By Jamie Geller

I did not expect to hear the word joy so many times while making a film about grief.

In 2025, twenty Jews were murdered in antisemitic attacks outside of Israel. More than 800 severe antisemitic incidents were documented around the world. It was the deadliest year for Jews living outside Israel this century, and so I started working on a film to document it. When I began, I assumed I already understood the shape of that year. I did not. It took sitting across from the people who lived through it to see the pattern that had been there all along. They did not come for us at random moments. They came for us on our holidays.

A terrorist attacked Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in Manchester on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year, while worshippers prayed and fasted. Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby were murdered that morning. Melvin was the first Jewish man killed in the United Kingdom for being Jewish in 80 years. Gunmen opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, killing fifteen people, among them a girl who had just turned ten, a Holocaust survivor, and a rabbi. And during the war between Israel and Iran, a ballistic missile struck a residential building in Haifa on the fourth day of Passover, killing four members of the Gershovitz family.

Yom Kippur. Hanukkah. Passover. While we were praying. While we were lighting candles. While we were celebrating. This has been something that has happened in Israel several times: the Yom Kippur War, October 7th, now it is spreading to the Diaspora.

As the person behind Aish’s Tisha B’Av documentary While We Were Celebrating, I traveled to three continents this year to sit with the people who lived through each of these attacks, and with the families they left behind. I went in bracing myself for grief. I have made enough films and sat with enough loss to know what to expect. What I found instead has not left me since.

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Karen Cravitz told me she was the one who encouraged her husband Melvin to leave for synagogue early that Yom Kippur morning, because that is simply what you do on the holiest day of the year. She has spent every day since turning that decision over in her head, a decision made entirely out of love and faith. Yoni Finlay was holding the synagogue doors shut to keep the terrorist out when a police bullet struck him in the chest and passed through his body into his friend Adrian, who was standing right behind him. And Rabbi Daniel Walker described his congregation to me as a reserved, quiet English crowd that does not usually dance on Friday nights. That next Friday, they danced.

In Sydney, Sheina Gutnik told me about her father, Reuven Morrison, who ran toward the gunmen at Bondi Beach and used his own body as a shield, saving dozens of lives before losing his.

Through the grief, through the funeral, through the memorial service that followed, Sheina lit Hanukkah candles. All eight nights. She told me she was not going to be the one to let the light go out. That message really moved me in ways I cannot explain.

Chavi Israel recounted how she threw herself over her baby, Meir, the moment the shooting started, trying to protect him and trying somehow not to suffocate him at the same time. She told me it was Reuven who saved both their lives.

Yonatan Frank, a soldier who had come to Australia from Gaza days earlier, and wanted to go to the beach, found himself unarmed in the middle of a massacre and ran toward it anyway. Yonatan helped Chavi’s sister-in-law and her baby reach a waiting car that had arrived to rescue them. Eleven people ended up crammed into a car built for five. Chavi, Meir, Yonatan, and eight strangers who were suddenly not strangers at all. Once they were safe, they lit Hanukkah candles to keep the light alive.

In Haifa, Professor Lena Sagi told me about her neighbors, the Gershovitz family, who were found after an eighteen-hour search through what had been their home. Lena had lost everything but her life that night, the Gershovitz family weren’t as lucky. Lena told me that she later danced at her daughter’s bat mitzvah. Alex Gershovitz, Vladimir’s brother, still cannot speak about his family without his voice catching. In the same moment that he described himself to me as a secular Jew, he looked me in the eye and said that he believes God has a plan.

I sat with each of these people separately. Different continents, different languages, different circumstances. None of them knew what the others had said, yet every single one of them told me the same thing, completely unprompted.

They did not want to talk to me about their pain. They wanted to talk to me about joy. Not in spite of what happened to them, but because of it.

They chose to speak now, ahead of Tisha B’Av, because they understand what that day means to the Jewish world. It is our most reflective moment, the day we sit with our losses across history. None of these people are asking to be pitied. They are asking to be heard; they are asking us to understand our mission to live.

This is nothing new for us. It runs through our history like a current, from the Inquisition to the pogroms to the Holocaust to October 7th, to Manchester, to Bondi, to Haifa. Our enemies have tried to extinguish our flame in every generation, and in every generation, the answer has been the same.

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Live more Jewishly. Live more joyously. Celebrate again. That will be the ultimate victory over our enemies.

This Tisha B’Av, as we sit on the floor and mourn what we have lost, I am sure that I will keep hearing Karen, Sheina, Chavi, and Lena in my head, asking this of me. I did not write their message. I am only carrying it, but now I am not making simple assumptions; I too am listening.

———————–

While We Were Celebrating, the Aish Original Tisha B’Av documentary film, premieres worldwide on July 22. It is free to watch. Register at aish.com/9av. To arrange a community screening, visit 9av.aish.com/groupscreening. For more information email [email protected]

JERUSALEM (VINnews)-Israeli forces struck and eliminated several armed terrorists, including members of Islamic Jihad, as they were transferring weapons into a vehicle in the southern Gaza Strip on Monday, the Israel Defense Forces said.

The terrorists, along with additional armed operatives, were preparing to use the weapons in attacks against IDF troops operating in the area, according to the military. Following aerial surveillance that identified the activity, the IDF carried out an airstrike on the terrorists while they were inside the vehicle and adjacent to it.

Prior to the strike, the military said it took steps to minimize harm to civilians, including the use of precise munitions.

IDF troops under the Southern Command remain deployed in the area in accordance with the ceasefire agreement and will continue operating to neutralize immediate threats, the statement added.

The incident comes as Israeli forces maintain operations in Gaza to prevent terror activity despite the ceasefire framework.

WASHINGTON D.C (AP) – Byron Donalds, a Republican congressman running for Florida governor, on Monday announced legislation intended to prevent artificial intelligence data centers from driving up utility costs, the latest sign of a political backlash over the new technology.

The proposal, if passed by Congress, would require data centers to obtain all their electricity and water needs from private sources, rather than the power grid or public water systems. The idea aligns with an earlier, voluntary initiative from President Donald Trump.

“If you talk to these guys who are building these data centers, if it means that they have to pick up the utility costs, they’re more than willing to do it,” Donalds said in an interview with The Associated Press. “It’s in their interest to make sure that we can construct these centers, and I think the number one way you address and mitigate the concerns that people are having is to just ensure their utility bills aren’t going up in the process.”

Donalds’ proposal is noteworthy coming from a candidate backed by pro-AI political action committees and Trump. The legislation comes during a rapid nationwide buildout of data centers to match growing demand for artificial intelligence systems. Major technology firms at the heart of the AI boom have quickly become some of the world’s most valuable and watched companies, while the Trump administration has aligned itself with the industry’s major players.

Several major tech companies developing AI infrastructure have committed to agreements with the Trump administration to cover the expenses of building new power sources rather than shifting the burden to residential households. But given the expected increase in demand, it’s unclear if the voluntary agreement is legally enforceable.

The furious pace of construction and high stakes of the technology have raised concerns among many Americans. In Florida, more than 20 counties and municipalities have voted to reject the construction of major data centers, while others have banned their construction for at least a year. Residents and local leaders often cite concerns over increased utility bills, disruption of local communities and environmental damage as major reasons for the pauses.

“These companies have been a step behind and didn’t realize how quickly the ground was shifting under their feet,” said Matt Gorman, a Republican strategist. Gorman said that progressive climate activists and conservative populists have both seized on the data center issue, requiring tech firms to “tell a better story” and address concerns from across the political spectrum.

“This is a full-court effort here,” Gorman said. “If you don’t tell that story, you’re going to have it mandated on you from lawmakers of both parties.”

Donalds is running to succeed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a fellow Republican who in May signed legislation that required large-scale data centers to pay their own energy and water costs entirely. Donalds, should he be elected governor, said he’d focus on improving efficiency among data centers and moving the facilities away from population centers.

“We just want to make sure that if they do get built, they’re being built efficiently while protecting ratepayers and protecting Florida’s water,” Donalds said. “The real public policy question for the country and for states is how are we going to generate baseload power for future energy demands, whether it’s for hyperscale data centers or for anything else.”.

James Fishback, a far-right Republican candidate for governor, has made opposition to data centers a center of his primary challenge to Donalds. And David Jolly, a former congressman and the leading Democratic gubernatorial candidate, this month called for a moratorium on the construction of data centers.

Travis Fisher, a fellow at the Cato Institute, said public companies usually push for the best deals to access public utilities. He said any willingness to pick up a bigger tab for energy and water reflects the political pressure facing tech firms.

“They are very afraid that they’re going to, I’d say, lose their social license to operate, as if they’re basically going to get run out of town or banned,” said Fisher.

DETROIT — General Motors raised its full-year profit outlook Tuesday after stronger-than-expected demand for its pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles helped offset higher tariff costs and continued investment in electric vehicles, another sign that American consumers remain willing to spend on big-ticket purchases despite broader economic uncertainty. The improved forecast accompanied the automaker’s second-quarter earnings report and filings released to investors, reflecting management’s growing confidence in North American demand.

The Detroit automaker reported $48.0 billion in second-quarter revenue and adjusted EBIT of $3.9 billion, prompting it to increase its 2026 adjusted earnings guidance to $14 billion to $16 billion, up from its previous forecast. The company also lifted its expectations for adjusted earnings per share and automotive free cash flow as sales of its most profitable vehicles continued to outperform expectations.

Much of that strength came from GM’s full-size truck and SUV lineup, including the Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, and several Cadillac models, where pricing has remained resilient even as higher interest rates continue to pressure affordability. Consumers have become more selective in their spending this year, but the latest results suggest many buyers are still prioritizing vehicle purchases they consider long-term investments.

Chief Executive Mary Barra said the company continues to benefit from disciplined pricing, manufacturing efficiencies and steady retail demand across North America while maintaining its long-term commitment to electric vehicles. GM also said its EV business continues to improve as production becomes better aligned with market demand.

The stronger outlook comes as automakers navigate a challenging environment marked by tariffs, shifting trade policies, evolving EV incentives and higher raw material costs. Even so, GM’s ability to raise guidance at this stage of the year sets it apart from many manufacturers that have remained cautious about the second half of 2026.

Investors welcomed the report, viewing it as another indication that the U.S. consumer has proven more resilient than many economists anticipated. Alexander Potter, an auto analyst with Piper Sandler, has previously noted that GM’s profitability continues to be driven by its leadership in higher-margin trucks and SUVs, giving the company greater flexibility as the industry transitions toward electrification.

The results also reinforce a broader trend emerging across corporate America this earnings season: while households have become more cautious about everyday discretionary purchases, demand for products viewed as essential or high value—including automobiles—has remained comparatively strong.

For consumers, GM’s report suggests automakers are likely to continue emphasizing their most profitable truck and SUV models while carefully managing incentives and production levels rather than engaging in widespread price discounting. That strategy could help support vehicle values but may also keep new-car prices elevated heading into the fall selling season.

JBizNews Desk | Detroit

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As Tishah B’Av approaches, Rav Ofir Malka addressed a common halachic question regarding the use of electronic cigarettes during the fast, ruling that vaping is prohibited because of the flavored liquid used in the devices.

Speaking on his Halachah Lemaaseh radio program, Rav Malka was asked whether smoking an electronic cigarette is permitted on Tishah B’Av.

His response was unequivocal.

“Electronic cigarettes may not be smoked on fast days, and certainly not on Tishah B’Av,” he said.

Rav Malka added that even the limited leniency some authorities extend to conventional cigarettes applies only “privately after chatzos.”

He explained that the prohibition stems from the flavored liquid contained in electronic cigarettes.

“It has moisture, and that is considered like taste, similar to sucking on something,” he said.

When the caller argued that the liquid is not fit for consumption, Rav Malka responded that, in its diluted form, it nevertheless has a pleasant taste.

“It is moisture that is enjoyable to you. In low concentrations, it tastes good to you,” he explained, concluding that vaping is therefore prohibited during a fast.

Rav Malka also noted that because the liquid has flavor, it requires kosher certification throughout the year—not only on Pesach.

“It has an enjoyable taste in every respect, together with that moisture,” he said.

Later in the program, Rav Malka was asked about someone who accidentally ate during a fast.

His answer was clear: “He certainly must stop immediately and continue fasting.”

He explained that inadvertently eating does not exempt a person from completing the remainder of the fast.

{Matzav.com}

NEW YORK — Tuesday, July 21, 2026 — As first reported today by Crain’s New York Business, the Multicultural Business Coalition (MBC) is calling on New York State to establish a new lending program aimed at helping small businesses that have been left without access to federally backed financing following changes to U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan eligibility rules.

The coalition is proposing that the state create a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) to provide loans ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 for green card holders and other underserved entrepreneurs who no longer qualify for SBA-backed financing. The initiative is designed to bridge the capital gap while preserving entrepreneurship, supporting job creation and strengthening New York’s small-business economy.

The proposal calls for an initial capitalization of approximately $20 million, with plans to attract additional public and private investment over time. Once fully operational, coalition leaders estimate the fund could support more than 150 small businesses during its initial phase.

Frank Garcia, Chairman of the Multicultural Business Coalition, said the proposal is intended to ensure entrepreneurs continue to have access to responsible financing that allows businesses to grow, hire employees and invest in their communities.

“Small business is the heartbeat of America,” Garcia said. “Our coalition believes New York has an opportunity to help responsible entrepreneurs who are ready to build businesses and create jobs but have lost access to an important source of capital. This proposal is about strengthening communities and expanding economic opportunity.”

Earlier this year, the SBA revised its lending eligibility rules to limit SBA-guaranteed loans to U.S. citizens. SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler said at the time that the agency’s financing should prioritize American citizens who are building businesses and creating jobs in the United States.

The federal policy change prompted business organizations across New York to examine alternative financing solutions for entrepreneurs who no longer qualify for SBA-backed loans despite operating established businesses and employing local workers.

According to Crain’s New York Business, the coalition commissioned Calva Consulting to develop the proposal. The report estimates a state-backed CDFI could initially be capitalized at approximately $20 million, creating a revolving source of financing that would eventually leverage additional capital while helping businesses secure affordable loans.

Duvi Honig, Co-Founder and Secretary of the Multicultural Business Coalition and Founder & CEO of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce, said expanding access to responsible capital is essential to maintaining New York’s economic competitiveness.

“Access to capital remains one of the greatest challenges facing entrepreneurs,” Honig said. “Small businesses are the engine of our economy, creating jobs, revitalizing neighborhoods and generating opportunity. Our coalition looks forward to working with Governor Kathy Hochul, Empire State Development, financial institutions and community partners to develop practical financing solutions that help qualified entrepreneurs continue investing in New York’s future.”

Empire State Development responded that New York already operates numerous capital access initiatives through partnerships with CDFIs and financial institutions. According to the agency, those programs have supported approximately 5,400 financings between January 2023 and March 2026, deploying more than $1.4 billion in state and private capital, with the majority directed toward socially and economically disadvantaged businesses.

Coalition leaders say the proposed CDFI would complement—not replace—existing state lending programs by focusing specifically on businesses affected by recent federal eligibility changes while expanding the overall availability of responsible small-business financing.

The Multicultural Business Coalition, launched earlier this year, brings together a broad alliance of chambers of commerce and business organizations, including the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce, Greater New York Chamber of Commerce, United Bodegas of America, the Black Institute, the New York State Mexican Chamber of Commerce, and other organizations representing entrepreneurs across New York.

Supporters say the proposal reflects a broader effort to strengthen New York’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by ensuring viable businesses continue to have access to the financing needed to grow, create jobs and contribute to the state’s economy.

JBizNews Desk | Wall Street

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

Student loan defaults are up to a record high, with 9.5 million borrowers in default, meaning they are more than 270 days behind on loan payments, according to data from the Office of Federal Student Aid. 

The near-10 million borrowers in default represent a record-high and nearly double the number in default at the nadir of a pandemic-prompted moratorium on student loan payments enacted by former President Joe Biden. 

In March 2025, months after a default-halting payment pause that Biden signed at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic ended, the U.S. had 5.3 million borrowers in default. 

The Biden-era moratorium technically ended in January 2024, but the former president tacked on a 9-month extension that lasted until September 2024. With borrowers having 270 days to pay before entering default, June 2025 started a skyrocketing of defaults that saw the U.S. add over 4 million defaulted borrowers. 

The 9.5 million defaulted borrowers represent more than 20% of all federal student loan borrowers. 

Of the $1.7 trillion of federally-backed student loans in the U.S., $233.3 billion is in default, according to the Office of Federal Student Aid data. 

Borrowers in default are vulnerable to a number of collection methods that include loans being sent to collections agencies or having their wages garnished directly from their paychecks. 

The Trump administration has thus far been unwilling to take such strong measures, with the Department of Education choosing to delay a plan to resume garnishment in January.

But following a Republican Attorneys General-led effort, a federal appeals court terminated the SAVE Plan, a Biden-built program that lowered repayment rates for student loan borrowers and which 7.5 million Americans had signed up for.

Though the challenge was led by red state Attorneys General, the Trump Department of Justice (DOJ) backed the efforts by encouraging federal courts to vacate the plan and reaching settlements with states that were suing, such as Missouri.

The U.S.’s southern states have the highest concentrations of borrowers in default, with Mississippi leading the way at over 28% of its borrowers in default, according to an analysis from the Associated Press (AP). 

While Mississippi leads all U.S. states, the territory of Puerto Rico has an even higher concentration of borrowers in default at over 30%.

Fox Business contacted the White House and the Department of Education for additional comment. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

As many Israelis debate whether to cancel their summer travel plans amid fears of escalating tensions involving Israel, Iran, and the United States, Israeli security officials say Ben Gurion Airport is prepared to continue operating even during missile and drone attacks.

According to the report, the Transportation Ministry, Israel Airports Authority, and the IDF have completed the implementation of coordinated procedures and an advanced command-and-control system designed to allow takeoffs and landings to continue under threat from long-range missile and drone attacks.

Security officials say the system provides precise operational “windows” for departures and arrivals by synchronizing real-time threat monitoring, air traffic management, and Israel’s air defense systems. Pilots can be instructed to remain on the ground or hold in the air depending on the evolving security assessment.

Officials described the capability as unique, saying it enables the airport to continue functioning while minimizing risk during periods of active threats.

The plan also relies heavily on the experience of Israeli commercial airline pilots, many of whom serve or have served as reserve pilots in the Israeli Air Force, allowing for close coordination between civilian aviation and military authorities.

While officials are confident Israeli airlines can continue operating under these conditions, they acknowledge that the greater challenge will be convincing foreign carriers to maintain service to and from Israel during periods of heightened security concerns.

The strategy is intended to prevent the shutdown of Israel’s primary international gateway while preserving vital air links, subject to ongoing security assessments.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Defense Minister Israel Katz has questioned the growing use of administrative measures against settlers in Judea and Samaria following multiple complaints submitted to his office, according to an exclusive report by Arutz Sheva.

During a closed discussion Monday, Katz said his decision to abolish administrative detention was intended to move suspected criminal activity into the regular investigative and judicial process and to prevent an entire community from being broadly stigmatized.

“This is the correct policy, and I stand by it clearly even today,” Katz said.

He stressed that the change was never meant to be replaced by the sweeping use of other administrative powers held by the head of Central Command without trial or an orderly legal process, except in isolated and exceptional cases.

“Recently, this balance was disturbed,” Katz said.

Katz specifically addressed the case of hilltop activist Tal Yinon Derdik, who is on a hunger strike after being issued an administrative demarcation order. Katz said the case “goes beyond reasonable limits and must be handled appropriately by adjusting the order itself.”

He added that if Derdik committed criminal offenses, he should be dealt with through the regular criminal process, like any other Israeli citizen.

Associates of the defense minister said Katz plans to convene a broader discussion to examine the use of administrative measures in the Central Command region and establish a clear policy. The goal will be to allow police and the judicial system to address violence and vigilantism while preventing disproportionate harm to residents and suspects through the denial of basic rights.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Drivers across New Jersey can expect a heightened police presence on Wednesday, July 22, as law enforcement agencies participate in the annual John Elliott Memorial Enforcement Initiative, a statewide crackdown on impaired driving.

The one-day enforcement campaign, coordinated by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, will see departments throughout the state deploy additional officers dedicated to identifying and removing impaired drivers from the road. The Manchester Township Police Department is among the agencies taking part.

The initiative honors the memory of U.S. Navy Ensign John R. Elliott, an Egg Harbor Township resident who was killed by a drunk driver on July 22, 2000, while returning home to celebrate his mother’s birthday. Elliott had graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy just two months earlier and was preparing to begin Naval Flight School.

His death led to the creation of John’s Law, which requires a vehicle to be impounded for 12 hours following a DWI arrest, preventing impaired drivers from immediately returning to the road.

As part of Wednesday’s campaign, motorists can expect increased patrols, sobriety checkpoints where appropriate, and aggressive enforcement of impaired driving laws throughout the day and evening.

“This initiative honors the life of Ensign John Elliott in the most meaningful way possible by taking impaired drivers off our roads before they have the opportunity to destroy another family,” said NJSACOP President Chief Kevin Carey. “If you choose to drive impaired, you should expect to encounter law enforcement. The safest decision is also the easiest one—plan ahead, designate a sober driver, or find another way home.”

Officials also highlighted the work of the HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers, founded by the Elliott family following John’s death, which continues to promote safe and sober transportation.

The New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety said the initiative is part of the statewide Goal Zero movement aimed at reducing traffic fatalities and serious injuries through education and enforcement.

Authorities are urging anyone who plans to drink this summer to arrange a designated driver, use a rideshare service, call a taxi, or utilize public transportation rather than getting behind the wheel impaired

BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s national railway operator said Tuesday that it is banning alcohol consumption at all stations on the network in an effort to improve security and cleanliness for employees and passengers — though there will be exemptions, including for station bars and restaurants.

Deutsche Bahn said that the ban will be introduced step-by-step at all 5,400 stations in Germany by Oct. 15. Bans have already been introduced at 30 stations, among them in Cologne, Hamburg and Munich. Berlin’s central and Gesundbrunnen stations will follow on Sept. 1, along with some others, before the measure is expanded nationwide.

“We have observed too often that violence increases where too much alcohol flows,” Deutsche Bahn CEO Evelyn Palla said in a statement.

She pointed to a “brutal and senseless attack” last week in which an intoxicated passenger is alleged to have beaten and kicked a member of security staff during a ticket check. The employee fell out of the moving train’s door and was injured.

People who flout the ban will be kicked out of stations and multiple offenders could be given a permanent ban from the premises.

Deutsche Bahn said in-station caterers will be exempted from the ban and people will still be allowed to carry closed bottles and cans of alcohol in their luggage or shopping bags. The ban won’t apply on board trains. Alcoholic drinks are sold in dining cars on many long-distance trains.

The European Union’s most populous country has a railway network totaling some 33,400 kilometers (20,750 miles) in length, used by an average 50,000 trains per day. Deutsche Bahn’s infrastructure division says that makes it Europe’s biggest network.

Representatives from Agudah are spending the day on Capitol Hill today “getting into the weeds of the Daylight Saving Time issue” with dozens of members from across the Country.

Iran was the party that initiated the 10-day ceasefire proposal now being advanced by international mediators, two officials familiar with the negotiations told i24NEWS. The officials said Tehran’s initiative reflects the urgency it places on stopping the fighting as American strikes expand and President Trump weighs a return to a broader campaign against Iran.

Senior officials from Qatar, Egypt, Oman and Pakistan are mediating between Washington and Tehran and delivered the Iranian proposal to the United States. The discussions also produced additional ideas, including the creation of a “middle route” through the Strait of Hormuz, between waters controlled by Oman and those controlled by Iran, that would allow vessels to pass safely.

The United States is demanding that any ceasefire last longer than 10 days and that preliminary understandings on freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz be reached before it takes effect. Under the proposal, the remaining agreements could be completed during the ceasefire period. One official said at least some senior Trump administration officials have described the Iranian proposal as “absurd” and “illogical.”

The proposed pause is intended to provide time to resolve the dispute surrounding navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, the central issue that caused last month’s memorandum of understanding between the two sides to collapse after both effectively declared that it was no longer valid.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Nvidia has held the position as the world’s biggest company since about a year ago, when it became the first to reach $4 trillion in market value. It soared past former leaders Apple and Microsoft. But in recent days, Apple, which hasn’t climbed as much as its peers during the artificial intelligence (AI) boom, has been making a comeback.

And on July 17, Apple even slipped ahead of Nvidia to become – at least for part of the trading session – the world’s biggest company. By the end of the day, though, Nvidia returned to the lead with a value of $4.9 trillion. That’s compared to $4.89 trillion for Apple.

As these tech giants vie for the position as the world’s biggest company, which is the better buy now? Let’s find out.

Nvidia stock has soared more than 300% over the past three years amid excitement about its position in the AI market. The company is the No. 1 designer of graphic processing units (GPUs), the chips used to power AI development and use. This strength, along with Nvidia’s full portfolio of related products and services, has generated double- and triple-digit earnings growth in recent years.

For example, in the recent quarter, Nvidia’s revenue surged 85% to more than $81 billion, and this was at a high level of profitability on sales, as we can see through the company’s gross margin – that figure has exceeded 70% quarter after quarter.

Nvidia focuses on innovation, pledging to update its GPUs on an annual basis, and this has helped it stay ahead. The company has also steadily expanded its reach in order to make it the key place to go for anything AI. In the latest quarter, Nvidia announced the upcoming release of its first stand-alone central processing unit (CPU), a move that opens the door to a $200 billion market.

Investors have piled into Nvidia’s stock in recent years, understanding that an investment in this company should put them on track to benefit from the AI revolution.

Apple shares have advanced – but not as much as those of Nvidia. Over the past three years, Apple has climbed about 70%. The company has been slower to invest in and apply AI than many of its peers – for example, it only began rolling out AI features across its devices in the fall of 2024, and the rollout continues. So, investors aiming to get in on potential AI leaders turned away from Apple and chose companies that were investing more aggressively in the space.

This trend, however, hasn’t hurt Apple’s earnings growth. In fact, the company has proven itself to be a player investors can count on for progress in this area. Apple has a fantastic moat, or competitive advantage, and this is its brand – customers love the iPhone and won’t easily switch to another. In the first quarter, the iPhone 17 was the world’s top-selling smartphone, according to Counterpoint Research.

Apple also is benefiting from its sales of services, with services revenue reaching records quarter after quarter. After building up more than 2.5 billion active devices over the years, Apple now can count on these devices for recurrent revenue. When customers sign up for digital entertainment or storage, for example, this represents a regular stream of income for the company.

Today, investors may be turning to Apple as they recognize these strengths and as they seek an alternative to companies heavily exposed to AI.

Nvidia and Apple have proven their earnings strength and leadership over time. So either makes a solid long-term investment. But if you could only choose one to buy right now, which one should you go for?

Nvidia clearly beats Apple when it comes to valuation. At these levels, the chip giant looks dirt cheap, particularly considering the AI empire it’s built and its long-term prospects in the field. It’s important to note that even if AI stocks slump temporarily, the AI story remains strong, with the technology already put to use in many areas.

So now is a fantastic moment to get in on Nvidia at these levels. That said, cautious investors who aim to avoid any AI turbulence still may prefer picking up Apple shares, as even at today’s level, the stock has room to run.

Adria Cimino has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

One of the first emergency responders to arrive at the scene of Sunday’s deadly balcony collapse in Yerushalayim has recounted the harrowing moments that unfolded, describing a critically injured victim trapped beneath the debris, workers rescued from inside the damaged building, and the heartbreaking arrival of the victim’s grandchildren.

Nachman Tuvul, a volunteer with United Hatzalah, told Kol Chai Radio’s Hamahadura Hamerkazis that when rescue teams first received the call, they had no idea what had actually happened.

“At first we thought it was some kind of construction accident,” Tuvul said. “But when we arrived, we found a shop—a restaurant or café—with several diners inside. Above it was the balcony of a residential apartment, and it had simply collapsed onto the roof of the business.”

According to Tuvul, the balcony crashed through a lightweight roof that offered virtually no protection from the impact.

“The roof was made of sheet metal and an acoustic ceiling, nothing that could absorb the force of the collapsing balcony,” he said.

One of the people trapped beneath the wreckage was later pronounced dead.

“When we arrived, he was still trapped and in critical condition,” Tuvul recalled.

As rescue efforts continued, responders learned that additional people remained trapped inside the shop.

“The wife of the elderly man told us there were still other people inside,” Tuvul said.

United Hatzalah volunteers entered the building through a rear window, where they located a male cashier and a female cashier. Although neither had suffered physical injuries, both were unable to escape because of the collapse.

“We instructed them to stay close to the back wall of the store in case, chas v’shalom, the structure continued collapsing,” he said. “They remained there until the fire department was able to rescue them.”

Before the workers were freed, several customers managed to climb out of the debris on their own, suffering only minor injuries. Firefighters, meanwhile, continued operating cautiously because sections of the damaged roof remained suspended overhead and posed a risk of further collapse.

By the end of the incident, four people with minor injuries had been transported for medical treatment, while another four individuals were treated for emotional trauma.

Tuvul said one of the most painful moments came when the victim’s grandchildren arrived at the scene.

“They saw him trapped beneath the rubble, without signs of life.”

United Hatzalah’s trauma response teams immediately provided emotional support to the grieving family members, as well as to the two cashiers who had endured a lengthy and terrifying ordeal before being rescued.

Reflecting on the operation, Tuvul said all of the trapped victims were ultimately located and evacuated.

“Baruch Hashem, we can report that, as far as evacuating the victims, treating the injured, and completing the rescue operation, the incident has come to an end.”

Despite the successful rescue effort, the collapse claimed the life of one elderly man and left four others injured, bringing a tragic conclusion to an incident that rescuers say will remain with them for a long time.

{Matzav.com}

The leader of Israel’s Democrats party, Yair Golan, is facing fierce backlash after a leaked recording captured him describing the Chareidi community as “parasites” and comparing them to Palestinians during a closed-door meeting with party activists in Kiryat Ono.

In the recording, Golan referred to the growing Chareidi population and said, “Today they’re 13.5% of the population,” before adding, “A community that’s growing rapidly, living like a parasite off the rest of the population—this can’t work.”

He continued with further criticism of the Chareidi community, saying, “You’re too heavy, we can’t carry you on our backs. We can’t work for you and pay taxes for you.”

Golan also drew a comparison between his views on the Chareidi public and the Palestinian issue, stating: “Regarding the Haredim, just as I said regarding the Palestinians—separation or annexation. Regarding the Haredim—segregation or integration.”

The remarks quickly sparked outrage among Chareidi politicians and community leaders, who condemned the comments as inflammatory and divisive, accusing Golan of demonizing an entire sector of Israeli society.

The leaked recording is the latest in a series of controversial statements by Golan that have drawn widespread criticism across Israel’s political spectrum.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

BERLIN (AP) — A descendant of an executed opponent of the Nazis tried to remove a wreath from the far-right Alternative for Germany party at an event in Berlin marking the 82nd anniversary of a failed attempt to kill Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler.

Tobias Korenke, a great-nephew of Protestant pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, attempted to remove the wreath from the parliamentary group of Alternative for Germany, or AfD, at Monday’s event at the site where the main plotters were executed, German news agency dpa reported. Security officers intervened, and the wreath was damaged in the scuffle.

“Many descendants, myself included, feel really great anger when we see AfD laying wreaths here,” Korenke said. “We will not accept this.”

AfD finished second in last year’s German national election and is now the biggest opposition party. It hopes to secure its first-ever state governor when three regions vote in September. The party vehemently rejects accusations of extremism.

AfD’s parliamentary group confirmed that it had provided a wreath for the memorial event, but it wasn’t clear whether any of its members were present, dpa reported. AfD lawmaker Götz Frömming said it is invited to such official events as one of the parties represented in the German parliament.

Col. Claus von Stauffenberg tried to kill Hitler with a briefcase bomb on July 20, 1944, during a meeting at the dictator’s headquarters in what was then the German region of East Prussia. Hitler escaped the full force of the blast when someone moved the briefcase next to a table leg, deflecting much of the explosive force. The plot crumbled when news spread that Hitler had survived.

Von Stauffenberg and his fellow plotters were executed within hours. Bonhoeffer, who was associated with the plotters, was executed in 1945.

Tuesday’s memorial event went ahead as planned with a speech by Education Minister Karin Prien.

A grandson of Stauffenberg, Karl von Stauffenberg, told Welt television that AfD was trying to exploit his grandfather’s memory, but said the party shouldn’t be prevented from laying a wreath. “We are democrats … we must see that we also allow people who think differently to speak,” he said.

FARNBOROUGH, England — Airline executives issued an unusually direct warning to Boeing and Airbus, urging the world’s two largest aircraft manufacturers not to rush the launch of a new generation of commercial jets before the technology is fully proven. The message, delivered during the Airline Leaders Summit at the Farnborough International Airshow, reflects growing concern across the aviation industry that reliability, certification and long-term operating economics should take priority over speed to market as manufacturers plan the successors to today’s best-selling narrow-body aircraft. 

The comments come as Boeing and Airbus face mounting pressure to define the future of commercial aviation. Both manufacturers have spent years studying replacements for the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320neo families, aircraft that dominate short- and medium-haul travel around the world. Yet neither company has committed to launching a completely new narrow-body program, preferring instead to improve existing aircraft while waiting for propulsion technologies to mature. 

Paul Kent, Chief Commercial Officer of aircraft leasing giant BOC Aviation, cautioned that introducing an aircraft before its technology is fully developed can create years of operational and financial challenges.

Executives noted that airlines are still dealing with the consequences of supply-chain disruptions, engine shortages, certification delays and production constraints that have affected aircraft deliveries in recent years. Launching another major aircraft program before those issues are resolved could place additional strain on manufacturers and airline customers alike. 

Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O’Leary echoed those concerns, saying airlines are likely to continue relying on today’s Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320neo families for at least another decade unless a truly transformative technology emerges. Rather than introducing an aircraft offering only modest improvements, airlines indicated they would prefer manufacturers wait until meaningful advances in efficiency, operating costs and environmental performance become commercially viable. 

The discussion highlights a major shift in aviation strategy.

Historically, aircraft manufacturers introduced new generations of airplanes approximately every 15 to 20 years. Today, however, technological development has become increasingly complex. Engine manufacturers continue researching open-fan designs, hybrid-electric propulsion, sustainable aviation fuels and advanced composite materials, but many of those technologies remain years away from large-scale commercial deployment.

For Boeing, the cautious approach also reflects its current priorities.

The company continues focusing on increasing production, completing certification of existing aircraft variants and restoring operational stability following years of manufacturing challenges. Launching a completely new commercial aircraft would require tens of billions of dollars in investment while demanding substantial engineering and production resources at a time when Boeing is still rebuilding manufacturing capacity. 

Airbus faces similar strategic decisions.

Although the European manufacturer has publicly supported development of next-generation engine technologies, it has also emphasized that significant improvements in propulsion efficiency must be available before committing to a new aircraft family. Industry observers expect Airbus to continue refining its A320neo lineup while evaluating future technologies demonstrated by engine manufacturers.

For airlines, the debate carries major financial implications.

Commercial aircraft remain among the largest capital investments made by airlines, with fleets expected to remain in service for decades. Reliability during an aircraft’s early years directly affects maintenance costs, scheduling efficiency, passenger confidence and profitability. Executives therefore argue that introducing immature technology too quickly could ultimately increase costs rather than reduce them.

The discussion also comes as global air travel continues recovering and expanding.

Passenger demand remains strong across many regions, while manufacturers continue working through record order backlogs stretching years into the future. Because airlines already face lengthy delivery waits for existing aircraft, executives argue there is little commercial urgency to accelerate development of entirely new models before the technology is ready.

For investors, Monday’s comments reinforce expectations that Boeing and Airbus are likely to pursue evolutionary improvements over revolutionary product launches during the remainder of this decade. That approach may reduce development risk while allowing manufacturers to focus on improving production efficiency and meeting existing customer demand.

The debate ultimately reflects a broader reality confronting the aerospace industry: technological innovation remains essential, but airlines increasingly value reliability, operational maturity and long-term economics over being first to market. As Boeing and Airbus shape the future of commercial aviation, their largest customers are making clear that the next generation of aircraft should arrive only when it is truly ready. 

JBizNews Desk | Farnborough, England

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

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu is expected to create greater public distance between himself and Israel’s chareidi parties as the next election campaign approaches, according to a report Monday evening by Kan News, even as he seeks to preserve the cohesion of the right-wing coalition.

Senior Likud officials told the broadcaster that Netanyahu intends to emphasize that separation as campaigning intensifies.

“As we get closer to the elections and the campaign begins, Netanyahu plans to deepen the separation from the Chareidim and try to distance himself from them publicly,” one senior party official said.

Another senior Likud figure said the prime minister will have to strike a careful political balance.

“He will have to walk a tightrope so as not to attack the Chareidim directly and damage the bloc,” the official said.

The report comes amid renewed tensions within Israel’s right-wing camp over military service and public support for IDF soldiers. Earlier Monday, Prime Minister Netanyahu weighed in after remarks by the rosh yeshiva, Rav Dov Landau, criticizing elements of the Religious Zionist community sparked widespread controversy.

Although Netanyahu did not mention Rav Landau by name, he wrote that “IDF soldiers deserve deep appreciation, gratitude, and the full backing of every segment of the public, certainly including the Torah world.” He added that Israel’s soldiers—religious, secular, and chareidi alike—risk their lives to defend the country.

Netanyahu adviser Yonatan Urich also entered the debate, writing: “Better late than never: Do not speak disparagingly about IDF soldiers. I repeat and emphasize: Do not speak disparagingly about IDF soldiers. Not perhaps, not indirectly, not because of something else, not at all.”

Urich also responded to a clarification issued by Rav Landau’s office, which stated that “It is unclear what Netanyahu is condemning. The rav did not speak about Religious Zionist soldiers themselves. He was referring to a theoretical halachic discussion about a situation in which the state sends soldiers to war for its own honor rather than for an existential war. Nothing more.”

Rejecting that explanation, Urich wrote: “That is the most distorted clarification I have ever seen. Here’s a suggestion: Let the political operatives keep quiet for 99 days so that we can win the election.”

{Matzav.com}

PARIS (AP) — Two firefighters were killed on Tuesday in a fire in southwest France.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, who announced the deaths to lawmakers in the National Assembly, said the firefighters had been battling a building fire in Mérignac, a suburb of Bordeaux where the city’s airport in located.

Nunez said he was awaiting more details.

The airport said in a statement on its website that a nearby fire was causing delays to some flights.

Israeli authorities have arrested a 29-year-old Nazareth resident on suspicion of plotting a terrorist attack targeting National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.

The Shin Bet and Israel Police identified the suspect as Mohammed Awad, an Israeli citizen who allegedly was preparing an attack against Ben Gvir. Investigators said Awad worked as an unarmed security guard at the central bus station in Afula.

On Tuesday, the Northern District Prosecutor’s Office filed a prosecutor’s declaration with the Nazareth District Court, a procedural step taken ahead of filing a formal indictment.

In a joint statement, the Shin Bet and Israel Police said they view any involvement by Israeli citizens in activities that threaten the security of the State of Israel with the utmost seriousness. They added that security agencies will continue using all legal tools available to investigate and prosecute those suspected of terrorist-related offenses.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

NEW DELHI — Maruti Suzuki is undertaking one of the most significant transformations in its history as India’s largest automaker shifts away from its long-standing focus on budget vehicles to meet rapidly changing consumer demand for premium sport utility vehicles and advanced technology. The strategic pivot comes after the company acknowledged that Indian buyers are increasingly choosing larger, feature-rich vehicles, prompting Maruti to accelerate investment in new models, engineering and product development while defending its leadership in the world’s third-largest automobile market.

For decades, Maruti Suzuki built its dominance by offering reliable, affordable transportation to millions of first-time car buyers. That strategy helped the company command more than half of India’s passenger vehicle market at its peak. Today, however, India’s growing middle class is reshaping the automotive industry as consumers increasingly prioritize comfort, technology and lifestyle features alongside affordability.

Industry data show Maruti’s market share has slipped to roughly 39%, one of its lowest levels in years, as competitors such as Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra gained momentum by introducing SUVs equipped with panoramic sunroofs, larger touchscreen displays, connected technology, advanced safety systems and more upscale interiors.

Company executives have acknowledged that consumer preferences evolved faster than expected. Features once viewed as unnecessary luxuries have become major selling points for younger buyers, particularly in the fast-growing SUV segment. While Maruti remained focused on value and operating efficiency, competitors successfully positioned themselves as premium alternatives for an increasingly affluent customer base.

In response, Maruti is significantly expanding its future product lineup.

The automaker plans to introduce seven additional SUVs by 2030 while strengthening its engineering operations within India and giving local management greater influence over vehicle development decisions. The company is also working to shorten development cycles so new vehicles can reach consumers more quickly as market trends continue changing.

The shift extends beyond simply adding more vehicles.

Maruti is redesigning its strategy to appeal to customers seeking technology, design and driving experience rather than price alone. Premium interiors, larger infotainment systems, connected digital services and improved safety technology are expected to play a much larger role in future product launches.

Despite losing market share, Maruti Suzuki remains financially strong. Revenue has more than doubled over the past five years to approximately $19 billion, while annual profit has climbed to roughly $1.5 billion. India continues to represent Suzuki Motor’s most important global market, generating roughly 60% of worldwide vehicle sales and nearly half of the Japanese automaker’s earnings.

Industry analysts say the transformation illustrates a broader shift occurring across India’s consumer economy. Rising incomes are encouraging households to purchase more premium products across numerous industries, forcing companies that traditionally competed on affordability to rethink their long-term strategies.

For suppliers, dealerships and investors, Maruti’s transition could create new opportunities across India’s automotive supply chain as demand grows for higher-value components, advanced electronics and digital technologies. At the same time, the company faces the challenge of modernizing its brand while maintaining the affordability and reliability that made it India’s market leader.

Whether Maruti successfully balances those two priorities may determine not only its own future, but also the next chapter of India’s rapidly evolving automobile industry.

JBizNews Desk | New Delhi

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

A centuries-old mystery surrounding the burial place of Rashi has reportedly been resolved following the discovery of an ancient manuscript in Oxford University’s library. The newly uncovered document, together with additional historical manuscripts and maps found this year, points to the precise location of Rashi’s burial in the French city of Troyes. The discovery has already prompted efforts to establish a proper monument at the site.

Rashi—Rabbeinu Shlomo Yitzchaki, the greatest commentator on Tanach and the Gemara—was born in Troyes in the Hebrew year 4800. At the age of 20, he traveled to Germany to study Torah, returning to France a decade later to lead a yeshiva and compose the monumental commentaries that became foundational to Torah learning. He passed away on the 29th of Tammuz in the year 4865.

Following the expulsion of the Jews from France during the era of the Rishonim, the tombstones in the Jewish cemetery of Troyes were uprooted, and the city’s Jewish community disappeared for centuries. Although French Jewish tradition consistently maintained that Rashi had been buried in Troyes, later rumors claimed he had instead been buried in Prague or Worms.

Those reports were always viewed with skepticism, particularly since both Prague and Worms maintained continuous Jewish communities that preserved no tradition identifying Rashi’s burial place there. Nevertheless, the conflicting claims created enough uncertainty that many historians eventually concluded that the exact location of Rashi’s grave was unknown.

This year, as talmidim of the Vizhnitz London Yeshiva prepared for a trip to the gravesites of the Rishonim in France under the leadership of Rav Levi Yitzchak Hager, son of the Vizhnitz-London Rebbe, they undertook extensive research into the question. Their investigation led them to an ancient manuscript housed in Oxford’s library that, for the first time, provides what they describe as a clear historical source confirming that Rashi was buried in Troyes.

The manuscript, known as Seder HaYuchasin of the sages of France during the era of the Rishonim, was written in France toward the close of the fifth millennium of the Hebrew calendar. Portions of the work were previously cited by the Maharshal in his Teshuvos (Siman 29), but the complete manuscript has only now come to light. Because of its difficult handwriting, earlier researchers who examined it reportedly overlooked its most significant passage.

In its account of Rashi’s passing, the manuscript states: “In the year 4865, the lamp of Israel was extinguished, the crown of glory fell, and he was laid to rest with his fathers in Troyes!”

The newly discovered source also reinforces a statement by Rabbeinu Tam, Rashi’s grandson, who referred to Troyes in his Sefer HaYashar (Teshuvos, Siman 16) as “the city of my fathers’ graves,” echoing the language of Nechemiah. While that phrase alone did not explicitly identify Rashi’s burial place, the newly discovered manuscript—written in France only a few generations after Rashi, while the Jewish cemetery still existed—states directly that Rashi was buried alongside his ancestors in Troyes.

Following the discovery, researchers contacted historians of the city of Troyes working on behalf of the French government. They were told that, independently, additional medieval Christian writings had recently been uncovered identifying Troyes as Rashi’s burial place. Researchers also located detailed historical maps identifying the precise boundaries of the former Jewish cemetery, with a full report expected to be published later this summer.

Last week, talmidim of the Vizhnitz London Yeshiva traveled to the gravesites of the Rishonim in France as a reward from the yeshiva administration for faithfully maintaining daily written records of their learning throughout the year. After davening at the resting place of the Baalei HaTosafos in Ramerupt, they continued to nearby Troyes, where they davened within the grounds of the historic Jewish cemetery believed to contain Rashi’s kever.

While there, the talmidim completed Maseches Bava Basra, which they had studied throughout the year, timing the siyum to coincide with Rashi’s yoma d’hilula. In doing so, they fulfilled Rashi’s own words in Yevamos (122b): “On the day that a great person dies, it is established in his honor, and every year when that day arrives, Torah scholars gather from all around and come to his grave together with the rest of the people to establish a yeshiva there.”

Rav Yisrael Meir Gabbai, chairman of Oholei Tzaddikim, who participated in the trip, met while in Troyes with local attorneys and representatives of the local Jewish community and French government to begin the legal and logistical process of erecting a permanent monument marking the precise location of Rashi’s burial. The goal, organizers said, is to enable Jews from around the world to visit the site, daven there, and seek yeshuos for both spiritual and material needs.

{Matzav.com}

SAN FRANCISCO (VINnews) – More than three decades after his death, Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach remains one of the most influential figures in modern Jewish life, with his melodies continuing to fill synagogues, weddings and Jewish gatherings around the world. A new documentary premiering this week has renewed debate over his legacy, prompting his two daughters to publicly take opposing positions on the film.

The Darkest Light, scheduled to premiere at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, examines Carlebach’s enduring impact on Jewish prayer, music and outreach while also revisiting allegations of sexual misconduct that surfaced publicly after his death in 1994.

For generations of Jews, Carlebach — widely known as “The Singing Rabbi” — revolutionized contemporary Jewish music. His melodies are among the most recognizable in Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and independent Jewish communities, and his teachings on spirituality, joy and unconditional love continue to inspire followers worldwide.

In an essay published by The Times of Israel, Carlebach’s daughter Neshama said she chose not to attend the film’s premiere but supports the documentary and believes it presents both her father’s contributions and the allegations against him.

She wrote that while her father transformed Jewish life through his music and teachings, the film should also encourage communities to listen to survivors and ensure accountability for spiritual leaders.

Her sister, Dari Carlebach, publicly rejected the documentary’s portrayal and emphasized that her sister’s views do not represent the entire family. In statements published by Israel National News (Arutz 7), Dari said she did not support the film’s direction and would remove her participation if she were able.

Dari said she agreed to be interviewed for the project several years ago before understanding the direction the filmmakers intended to take and would remove her participation if she were able.

While expressing compassion for anyone who has experienced abuse, Dari said she cannot accept the documentary’s conclusions because, in her view, the complete truth can no longer be established now that her father is no longer alive.

She said justice requires evidence, due process and the opportunity for all sides to be heard rather than conclusions reached through public opinion or media narratives.

“I believe in my father, and I stand by his goodness,” Dari wrote.

She described her father as a man whose life was devoted to helping others, recalling his visits to hospitals, prisons, military bases and communities in need. She said she watched him give away his time, money and possessions to people in distress and never saw him seek power or personal gain.

Dari acknowledged that her father, like every person, was imperfect. But she said she believes his life’s work was motivated by a sincere desire to bring love, faith and hope to others, and that his contributions to Jewish life continue to inspire millions.

Director Simon Mendes said he spent years producing the documentary because he believed Carlebach’s story could not be told without addressing both his profound influence on modern Judaism and the allegations made against him. Mendes said he hopes the film encourages honest conversations about leadership, accountability and abuse within religious communities.

Carlebach died in 1994 at age 69 after decades of building a global following through music, storytelling and outreach. Allegations of sexual misconduct involving the rabbi became public after his death and have remained the subject of debate within parts of the Jewish community.

Supporters of Carlebach have questioned why the allegations emerged publicly only after his death, arguing that he was never given the opportunity to respond to the accusations or defend himself. They also note that no criminal charges were ever filed against him and that the allegations were never tested in court.

HONG KONG — Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) confirmed Monday, July 20, that it is reviewing potential changes to trading hours as part of an effort to improve market accessibility and reinforce Hong Kong’s position as a leading international financial center. The review includes proposals to begin equity trading earlier each morning and eliminate the exchange’s long-standing midday lunch break, although officials emphasized that no final decisions have been made and the discussions remain in the early stages. The exchange said its immediate focus is on expanding derivatives trading hours, while possible changes to the cash equity market remain under evaluation. (reuters.com⁠)

The initiative comes as stock exchanges around the world compete more aggressively for trading activity, international listings and institutional investment. As one of Asia’s largest financial centers, Hong Kong serves as the primary financial gateway between mainland China and global investors, making any changes to trading operations significant for banks, investment firms, multinational corporations and pension funds.

According to HKEX, the first proposal under formal review involves extending trading hours for derivatives products. Those discussions are already underway with market participants and regulators. Potential adjustments to the stock market—including opening trading 30 minutes earlier and removing the traditional one-hour lunch break—remain at a preliminary stage and would require additional consultation before any implementation.

If adopted, the changes would represent one of the most significant operational reforms at Hong Kong’s stock exchange in more than a decade. Global financial markets increasingly operate across multiple time zones, with institutional investors trading around the clock. Many competing exchanges—including New York, London and several European markets—already operate continuous trading sessions without lengthy midday interruptions.

Supporters argue that eliminating the lunch break would improve market liquidity, increase trading efficiency and make Hong Kong more attractive to international investors. Longer trading sessions would also provide greater flexibility for global asset managers responding to economic data, geopolitical developments and overnight market movements occurring outside Asia.

The proposal could also strengthen Hong Kong’s competitiveness in attracting new public listings. Companies seeking to raise capital often consider trading volumes, market accessibility and international participation when selecting where to list their shares. More convenient trading hours could improve the exchange’s appeal while supporting higher daily transaction volumes.

Not everyone within the financial industry supports the idea.

Brokerage firms have historically opposed extending trading hours, arguing that longer market sessions increase staffing costs, place additional burdens on smaller firms and require employees to work substantially longer days. Similar concerns surfaced when HKEX shortened its lunch break and adjusted opening hours in 2011, prompting protests from portions of Hong Kong’s brokerage community.

Another important consideration involves Hong Kong’s Stock Connect program with mainland China. Cross-border trading between Hong Kong and the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges has become a major source of market liquidity. Bloomberg reported that southbound Stock Connect transactions represented approximately 23% of Hong Kong’s daily stock-market turnover during 2025, meaning any change to trading hours would likely require coordination with mainland regulators and exchange operators.

The review comes during a period of renewed momentum for Hong Kong’s capital markets. Initial public offerings have recovered, international investment activity has strengthened and policymakers continue working to reinforce the city’s role as a leading global financial center amid growing competition from Singapore and other regional markets.

For businesses, extended trading hours could improve liquidity, enhance access to capital and provide greater flexibility for institutional investors managing international portfolios. Investment banks, brokerage firms, asset managers and trading firms would likely need to adjust staffing, technology and operational schedules if the proposals are ultimately approved.

HKEX stressed that no timetable has been established and that any changes would only proceed following additional consultation with market participants and regulators. Even so, the review signals the exchange’s willingness to modernize its trading structure as competition among the world’s largest financial markets continues intensifying.

JBizNews Desk | Hong Kong

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

WASHINGTON (VINnews) — Laurie Cardoza-Moore, a prominent evangelical Christian Zionist activist and longtime advocate for Israel, on Tuesday called on President Donald Trump to publicly distance himself from recent remarks by Vice President JD Vance about Israel and the Jewish people, saying the comments risk fueling antisemitism and undermining support for the U.S. ally.

Cardoza-Moore is the founder and president of Proclaiming Justice to the Nations (PJTN), a Tennessee-based Christian organization that advocates for Israel and combats antisemitism. She has helped promote anti-BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) legislation in several states, including Tennessee and Florida, serves on Tennessee’s Textbook and Instructional Materials Quality Commission, and has addressed the Israeli parliament. She also serves as a special envoy to the United Nations on human rights and antisemitism on behalf of the World Council of Independent Christian Churches. Her weekly television program, Focus on Israel, is distributed internationally, and The Algemeiner has named her among its annual list of the “Top 100 People Positively Influencing Jewish Life.” According to PJTN, its programming has the potential to reach audiences in more than 200 countries and territories.

“As one of the millions of Evangelical Christians who stand with Israel and our Jewish brethren, I call upon President Trump to immediately distance himself from the vice president’s recent statements on Israel and the Jews,” Cardoza-Moore said in a statement.

She accused Vance of repeating what she described as antisemitic tropes by suggesting Israel exercises undue influence over the U.S. government and by referencing conspiracy theories connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Cardoza-Moore also criticized Vance’s comments regarding the conflict with Iran, arguing that Israel should have been allowed to eliminate Iran’s military threat more decisively. She said the administration missed an opportunity to end the conflict sooner and claimed stronger military action could have prevented American casualties.

The evangelical leader said Vance’s rhetoric echoed accusations frequently leveled by Israel’s adversaries and warned that criticism of Israel by prominent public officials can have real-world consequences as antisemitic incidents continue to rise.

She also objected to comments Vance reportedly made during a White House news conference and on comedian Joe Rogan’s podcast, saying he falsely portrayed Israel as isolated internationally, claimed Israeli officials had personally attacked Trump and suggested Israel sought to prolong the conflict with Iran. She further criticized Vance’s reported remark that those who disagreed with him could “go to hell,” describing it as inflammatory and offensive.

“America cannot be led by those who defame the Jews,” Cardoza-Moore said. “Our nation was established on Judeo-Christian values.”

She concluded by urging Trump to publicly reject the vice president’s comments and called on Vance to apologize.

The White House did not immediately respond to Cardoza-Moore’s statement, and Vance has not publicly addressed her criticism.

A couple who were advised by doctors to reduce a triplet pregnancy have welcomed three healthy baby girls after choosing to continue the pregnancy based on the guidance and blessing of Rav Yigal Cohen. In recent days, they visited the rav together with their daughters to express their gratitude for the support they received throughout the journey.

Nearly a year ago, Rav Yigal Cohen, rosh mosdos Yabia Omer and a member of Israel’s Chief Rabbinate Council, received an urgent request for guidance from a woman who had become pregnant with triplets.

The woman explained that although she had been blessed with the pregnancy, her doctors strongly recommended reducing two of the fetuses because of what they described as serious medical concerns. Unsure how to proceed, she turned to Rav Cohen for hadrachah.

Together with his personal assistant, Shimon Bardi, who remained in close contact with the family throughout the process, Rav Cohen carefully reviewed the case. After consulting with leading physicians and medical specialists, he reached the decision that the pregnancy should continue without any fetal reduction.

The husband and wife accepted the rav‘s ruling wholeheartedly and received his berachah. Throughout the pregnancy, they remained in regular contact with Bardi, who continually updated Rav Cohen on the mother’s condition and the progress of the pregnancy.

B’chasdei Shamayim, the couple welcomed three healthy, complete baby girls, bringing tremendous joy to their family.

In recent days, the parents returned to visit Rav Cohen, bringing the three infants with them to personally thank him and Bardi for their guidance, encouragement, and support throughout the pregnancy. Those present said the emotional reunion moved many to tears.

The story carries special significance for Rav Cohen because of his own family’s experience. Years ago, his daughter was diagnosed during pregnancy with a severe heart defect, and doctors urged the family to terminate the pregnancy. However, after receiving a berachah from the Admor Rav Dovid Abuchatzeira, the pregnancy continued. Today, Rav Cohen says his daughter has become a source of inspiration for him and for many other families facing similar circumstances, encouraging them to preserve pregnancies despite difficult medical predictions.

{Matzav.com}

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal appeals court has rejected a request by Joe Biden to block the release of audio recordings and transcripts of his interviews with a memoir ghostwriter before he was elected president.

A divided three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit suspended its decision until Aug. 3 to allow more time for Biden to consider another appeal.

The panel’s 2-1 ruling late Monday found there is a “substantial” public interest in disclosing the material that Biden wants to keep under wraps. Redactions to the recordings would help protect Biden’s privacy, the majority noted.

“We conclude that any remaining incursion on personal privacy from disclosure of the now-redacted materials likely does not outweigh the public interest in disclosure,” the ruling says.

Judge Florence Pan, who was nominated by Biden, a Democrat, wrote a dissenting opinion in which she said Biden has shown a “substantial privacy interest” in keeping the material hidden.

“The conversations at issue took place in Biden’s home, and the recordings of them were obtained by the government in the course of a criminal investigation that did not lead to an indictment,” she wrote.

The appeal also was heard by D.C. Circuit Chief Judge Sri Srinivasan and Judge Gregory Katsas. Srinivasan was nominated by President Barack Obama, a Democrat who chose Biden as his vice president. Katas was nominated by President Donald Trump, a Republican who lost to Biden in 2020 but was elected again to the White House in 2024.

Mark Zwonitzer, who worked with Biden on two memoirs, interviewed him at his home in 2016 and 2017. Biden’s lawyers say the conversations were candid, personal and intended to remain private.

The recordings were obtained by special counsel Robert Hur, who investigated Biden’s handling of classified documents from his time as a senator from Delaware and as Obama’s vice president. Republicans in Congress demanded the material after Hur declined to file charges against the then-president.

Biden sued and sought an injunction to prevent the Justice Department under Trump from releasing the recordings to Congress and the conservative Heritage Foundation. The department previously argued that the recordings were exempt from disclosure under public records law.

Biden appealed after U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich, who was nominated by Trump, ruled in June that the public interest in the material outweighed whatever privacy rights Biden had.

Pan noted that the majority is effectively ruling in favor of immediately disclosing the material by denying Biden’s request for an injunction pending appeal.

“That, of course, will moot this case,” she wrote.

NEW YORK — Google is developing a new custom artificial intelligence server chip designed to run its Gemini AI models far more efficiently, according to a report published as the company seeks to reduce computing costs, ease internal capacity shortages and strengthen its position in the rapidly expanding AI infrastructure race. The project, internally known as “Frozen v2,” is still under development and has not been officially announced by Google. 

According to people familiar with the project, the new chip would incorporate portions of Google’s Gemini AI architecture directly into the hardware itself rather than relying entirely on software running atop general-purpose AI processors. By embedding parts of the model into the silicon, Google aims to significantly reduce power consumption while increasing the number of AI requests each chip can process.

The reported design could make the processor six to ten times more efficient than Google’s latest custom AI chips when measured by AI tokens processed per unit of electricity, representing a potentially major advance in lowering the cost of operating large language models. Engineers are reportedly still finalizing the design, and deployment is not expected before 2028. 

The project reflects one of the biggest challenges facing artificial intelligence companies today: computing capacity. Demand for AI services has grown so rapidly that even major technology companies have struggled to secure enough processing power. Reports indicate Google’s internal shortages have at times forced Google Cloud to decline potential customer contracts because available AI infrastructure was fully utilized. 

Rather than replacing Google’s existing Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), Frozen v2 is reportedly intended to complement them by handling specific Gemini inference workloads more efficiently. The strategy would allow Google to lower operating costs while expanding the amount of AI computing available across Search, Workspace, Cloud, Android and other Gemini-powered services. 

The development comes as competition among AI infrastructure providers intensifies. Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta and OpenAI continue investing billions of dollars in custom hardware, advanced data centers and semiconductor technologies designed to reduce dependence on third-party processors while improving AI performance.

For businesses, more efficient AI hardware could ultimately reduce cloud computing costs while allowing companies to deploy larger and more sophisticated artificial intelligence applications. Faster, cheaper AI processing may also accelerate adoption across healthcare, finance, manufacturing, cybersecurity and customer service.

The reported project also underscores the increasing importance of vertical integration in artificial intelligence. Instead of relying solely on outside chip manufacturers, technology companies are increasingly designing specialized processors tailored specifically to their own AI models, allowing software and hardware to be optimized together.

Investors welcomed the report, with Alphabet shares rising more than 3% during Monday’s trading session, reflecting optimism that improved AI efficiency could strengthen Google’s competitive position while reducing long-term operating expenses. 

The report follows news last week that Google delayed the release of its latest Gemini AI model while engineers continued improving its coding performance and overall capabilities. Together, the developments illustrate Google’s effort to strengthen both the software and hardware foundations of its AI ecosystem before the next generation of products reaches consumers. 

Although Google has not confirmed specific details of Frozen v2, the reported initiative highlights how the global AI race is increasingly shifting beyond software models toward the specialized infrastructure required to operate them efficiently at massive scale. Companies capable of reducing AI computing costs while improving performance are expected to gain significant competitive advantages as enterprise AI adoption continues accelerating.

JBizNews Desk | New York

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

LONDON (AP) — New U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham gathered his Cabinet for its first meeting on Tuesday and vowed to take a “one-team approach” despite purging allies of predecessor Keir Starmer from the government.

Burnham told his top team that he would lead a “cost-of-living government” focused on easing the economic burden felt by millions of people.

“We need to think every day, what can we do just to take that little bit of pressure off people’s shoulders, to give them that little extra sense that help is coming, so they can have that bit of hope that things are getting better,” Burnham said.

He made a small down payment on that pledge by announcing a tax cut on energy bills that will save the average household about 45 pounds ($60) a year. The cut will take effect Oct. 1, Burnham said, with the funding coming from scrapping a plan for digital ID cards announced by Starmer.

The former mayor of Greater Manchester entered Downing St. on Monday after replacing Starmer as leader of the governing Labour Party, becoming Britain’s seventh prime minister since 2016. Starmer resigned just two years after winning a landslide election victory, forced out by his party after missteps and U-turns.

In his first speech as prime minister, Burnham pledged to ease the cost of living, decentralize political power, revitalize industry and end street sleeping by homeless people — a tall order, especially given Britain’s sluggish economic growth in recent years.

Burnham acknowledged at the Cabinet meeting that the government would have to make difficult financial decisions and “take a really hard look at what our priorities are.”

Starmer loyalists removed from office
After taking office Monday, Burnham set about remaking the government.

Starmer’s finance minister, Rachel Reeves, was ousted, replaced by John Healey, a former defense secretary who resigned in June and accused the Treasury of failing to spend enough on the military at a time of rising threats. In an interview after he quit, Healey called the Treasury “a dead hand on dynamic government” and “in denial.”

Healey has said defense spending, due to be 2.6% of GDP next year, should rise to 3% by 2030. Now he will have to find the money.

Wes Streeting, whose resignation as health secretary in May helped topple Starmer, took over the defense portfolio.

Other key Cabinet appointees include Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, Housing Secretary Angela Rayner and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, who has an expanded brief that includes innovation and science.

Louise Haigh, a key Burnham ally who helped engineer his rise to the top, was named First Secretary of State and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, effectively the deputy prime minister.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who has overseen contentious rules designed to reduce immigration, kept her job.

Burnham has huge support from the party that is desperate for a new leader to reverse its decline in popularity under Starmer. But there is some grumbling after Burnham removed several of Starmer’s senior ministers including ex-Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, former Business Secretary Peter Kyle and Starmer’s chief secretary, Darren Jones.

Foreign policy challenges lie ahead
Burnham has little experience of foreign policy and faces a stack of challenges including wars in Ukraine and the Middle East and managing relations with U.S. President Donald Trump, who first warmed to Starmer before souring on him.

Burnham’s office said he spoke to Trump in one of his first calls as prime minister and “underlined his commitment to defense and security.” Trump posted on social media that the men had “a very good conversation” and would be “meeting in the not too distant future for topics of mutual interest.”

The prime minister also spoke to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and leaders of the European Union and NATO.

Burnham told NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte that putting former defense chief Healey in charge of the nation’s finances “was a signal of his intent.”

In a reminder of the growing international tensions Britain faces, a Russian warship carried out a live-fire weapons exercise in the English Channel on Monday, the day Burnham took office.

The Ministry of Defense said the frigate Neustrashimy was being shadowed by the Royal Navy when it conducted the exercise in international waters about 46 miles (74 kilometers) south of Plymouth, off southwest England. It said the navy “continues to track the vessel’s activity closely and stands ready to protect U.K. national security.”

Streeting, the new defense secretary, said the Russian ship’s actions were “performative and irresponsible.”

“Russia should be in no doubt about the resolve of this government and this prime minister, our resolve to stand against Russian aggression in Ukraine but also Russian aggression against all of our allies,” he said at a news conference.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russian warships always acted “in strict accordance” with international and maritime law.

Asked whether the Russian government felt relations with the U.K. would improve under the new prime minister, Peskov said it had “no such hopes.”

BERLIN (AP) — The suspect in a shooting in northern Germany last month that left six people dead was found dead in his prison cell on Tuesday, authorities said.

The shooting in Stade, west of Hamburg, took place on June 29 at a facility that provides temporary accommodation for pregnant women or young mothers with children. The victims were employees of the shelter and of the regional youth welfare office.

Investigators believe the shooting was related to a custody dispute over the 3-month-old daughter of the suspect, a Turkish national born in Germany. He was under investigation on suspicion of murder.

The man, whom authorities have not named, was found dead early Tuesday in his cell at a prison in Bremervörde, near Stade, the regional justice ministry in Lower Saxony said. A doctor determined that he died by strangulation.

The investigation so far indicates that the suspect killed himself, the ministry said. It added that there was no indication of anyone else being involved.

Hundreds of Gerer chassidim gathered late Monday night outside the Tel Aviv home of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, holding a surprise protest just hours after the Gerer Rebbe led a massive demonstration outside Prison 10 over the arrest of a yeshiva bochur from the chassidus.

The late-night demonstration drew approximately 200 participants, who assembled outside the attorney general’s residence after Gur’s leadership canceled plans for a much larger protest that had originally been expected to attract thousands.

According to organizers, the larger event was called off because of the severe congestion, overcrowding, and disturbances that developed earlier in the evening during the main rally outside Prison 10.

Despite the official cancellation, about 200 chassidim made their way to the site on their own. Wrapped in taleisim, participants recited Selichos, with the shliach tzibbur leading the davening while draped in a tallis. Later, demonstrators cried out together, “She has no share in the World to Come.”

Among those in attendance were young children who stood alongside their fathers carrying protest signs reading, “We do not abandon any Torah learner,” and “Whoever disgraces Torah scholars has no share in the World to Come.” At one point during the protest, several demonstrators became involved in heated verbal exchanges with a passerby.

Earlier in the evening, tens of thousands of Gerer chassidim, led by the Gerer Rebbe, had assembled outside the entrance to Prison 10 in a large-scale protest against the imprisonment of a yeshiva student from the chassidus.

The massive gathering was marked by significant crowding and heavy congestion, eventually leading demonstrators to breach the fence surrounding the prison complex. Although the event had been coordinated in advance with Israel Police, it was suspended for an extended period because of safety concerns.

As the situation intensified, United Torah Judaism chairman MK Yitzchak Goldknopf appealed to the crowd to move back in order to protect those gathered near the stage where the Gerer Rebbe was seated.

הפגנת גור מול ביתה של היועשית (צילום: הילל בן אור)

הפגנת גור מול ביתה של היועשית (צילום: הילל בן אור)

הפגנת גור מול ביתה של היועשית (צילום: הילל בן אור)

הפגנת גור מול ביתה של היועשית (צילום: הילל בן אור)

הפגנת גור מול ביתה של היועשית (צילום: הילל בן אור)

הפגנת גור מול ביתה של היועשית (צילום: הילל בן אור)

הפגנת גור מול ביתה של היועשית (צילום: הילל בן אור)

הפגנת גור מול ביתה של היועשית (צילום: הילל בן אור)

הפגנת גור מול ביתה של היועשית (צילום: הילל בן אור)

הפגנת גור מול ביתה של היועשית (צילום: הילל בן אור)

הפגנת גור מול ביתה של היועשית (צילום: הילל בן אור)

{Matzav.com}

NEW YORK — New York City has launched one of its most significant small-business reform efforts in years, unveiling a package of more than 50 regulatory changes designed to reduce bureaucracy, speed up permits and inspections, and lower compliance costs for approximately 180,000 small businesses across the five boroughs. The initiative, called “OPEN for Small Business” (Overhauling Procedures and Expanding Navigation), was announced Monday by Mayor Zohran Mamdani as the administration’s first major economic initiative focused on neighborhood businesses. 

The reforms are aimed at easing long-standing frustrations voiced by business owners over excessive paperwork, overlapping regulations and lengthy approval processes. City officials said the package eliminates outdated permits, reduces unnecessary fines, simplifies licensing requirements and creates a more coordinated process between city agencies responsible for inspections and business compliance. The changes affect a broad range of industries, including restaurants, bodegas, barbershops, childcare providers, retailers and other neighborhood businesses. 

A central feature of the initiative is expanded support for entrepreneurs opening or growing businesses. Under the new program, many business owners will be assigned dedicated case managers to help guide them through permits, inspections and licensing requirements, replacing what many have described as a confusing maze of city agencies. Officials said the goal is to shorten approval timelines while maintaining health and safety standards. 

Among the reforms are measures intended to eliminate redundant paperwork, modernize outdated rules, streamline permit approvals and improve digital access to city services. City Hall said many of the changes were developed after months of meetings with business owners throughout all five boroughs, who repeatedly cited excessive bureaucracy as one of the biggest barriers to opening and expanding businesses. 

For New York City’s economy, the initiative represents a broader effort to improve the business climate as local merchants continue facing higher labor costs, elevated rents, inflation and changing consumer spending habits. Small businesses remain one of the city’s largest sources of private-sector employment and are widely viewed as essential to neighborhood commercial corridors.

Business advocates have long argued that reducing unnecessary regulations can encourage entrepreneurship, increase hiring and attract additional private investment. By shortening approval times and reducing administrative costs, the city hopes more entrepreneurs will choose to start, expand and retain businesses within New York rather than relocating elsewhere.

The announcement also reflects increasing competition among major cities to attract investment and retain employers. States including Florida, Texas and Tennessee have actively marketed themselves as business-friendly alternatives, placing additional pressure on New York to modernize its regulatory framework while preserving public protections.

Whether the reforms produce measurable economic gains will likely depend on how quickly agencies implement the changes and whether businesses experience meaningful reductions in costs and approval times. City officials indicated implementation will begin immediately, with additional reforms expected over the coming months.

For business owners, the success of the initiative will ultimately be measured not by the number of announced reforms, but by whether opening, operating and expanding a business in New York City becomes significantly faster, less expensive and more predictable.

JBizNews Desk | New York

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

DETROIT (VINnews) – Michigan U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed is scheduled to appear at a campaign fundraiser this weekend co-hosted by Kelly Neumann, a Democratic fundraiser who drew sharp criticism earlier this year for a Veterans Day Facebook post praising her grandfather, who served in the German army during World War II.

Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., who endorsed El-Sayed on Monday, was initially listed as a speaker for the Saturday event but was removed from promotional materials after Jewish Insider inquired about her involvement. An El-Sayed campaign spokesperson called Warren’s inclusion “a clerical error.”

Neumann defended her grandfather in the wake of the controversy. “To be clear, my grandfather was a german soldier, not a nazi,” she wrote in a March response. In a phone interview with Jewish Insider on Monday, she reiterated that position and said a representative from Germany’s Ministry of Defense had confirmed it.

The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum has described the notion that ordinary German soldiers were not part of the Nazi regime as a “myth.”

The event has drawn attention amid ongoing sensitivities surrounding Holocaust remembrance and political associations. Neumann apologized for the original post but stood by her characterization of her grandfather’s service.

El-Sayed, a Democrat seeking the party’s nomination to challenge Republican Sen. Mike Rogers in 2026, has not directly addressed Neumann’s past comments in available statements.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich acknowledged that blaming Chareidim for the burden on reservists is “a lie” and that imposing military conscription on the Chareidi public is not a practical solution.

Speaking at the Katif Conference for National Responsibility in Yad Binyamin, Smotrich rejected the claim that the Chareidi public is responsible for the burden placed on IDF reservists, echoing previous statements made by lawmakers and Rabbanim.

“There is no greater lie than saying that the burden on those serving depends on drafting Chareidim,” Smotrich said. “There are over 100,000 reservists who already served in the army, and the army has not succeeded in bringing them back into reserve duty.”

He also warned that arresting bnei yeshivos will not only fail to bring results but would instead deepen divisions within Israeli society. “Arrests cause Jews to physically fight each other on the roads,” he said. “We must recruit Chareidim, but it has to happen through agreement and through a gradual process.”

Smotrich also directed criticism at figures within the national camp, including members of his own party, whom he blamed for preventing the Chareidi draft law from advancing.

“We were on the verge of a historic breakthrough had the draft law passed,” he said. “Unfortunately, purists who wanted 100 percent instead of 90 percent prevented the law from being passed.”

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

A distressed swimmer was safely rescued off the coast of Surf City after the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office deployed a drone equipped with a flotation device to assist, officials said.

The incident occurred on Sunday after authorities received a report of swimmers in distress. An Ocean County Sheriff’s Office drone operator responded and flew a drone carrying a Restube flotation device to the scene. One of the swimmers was able to grab onto the flotation device and remain afloat until Surf City lifeguards reached the victim and brought them safely to shore.

Officials credited the successful rescue to the coordinated efforts of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office and Surf City lifeguards.

The Sheriff’s Office said it regularly positions drone operators on both the north and south barrier islands during the evening hours to help enhance water safety and support emergency response efforts.

By Rabbi Doniel Neustadt

When Tisha B’Av falls on Thursday, the halachos of the Tenth of Av are different to usual.

The Nine Days begins on Rosh Chodesh Av and ends on the evening of Tishah B’Av. But because the Beis Hamikdash was actually destroyed on the tenth of Av, Ashkenazi custom dictates that many of the Nine Days restrictions continue to be in effect on the tenth of Av as well, until chatzos.

However, when Tishah B’Av falls on a Thursday, as it does this year, many of these restrictions aren’t practiced on Thursday night or Friday, since doing so might be in conflict with the important mitzvah of preparing for Shabbos.

There are many opinions and customs as to exactly which restrictions continue to be in effect on Thursday night and Friday, and which don’t. There are also various opinions as to when exactly these restrictions are lifted.

If you have a specific family custom regarding this issue, then continue to follow it. Otherwise, the list below can serve as a guide for you and your family to follow:

Business / Construction / Gifts                          – Thursday night

Cleaning (house) for Shabbos                            – Thursday after chatzos (if necessary)[1]

Embroidery / Crocheting                                        – Thursday night

Food shopping and preparation                    – Thursday after chatzos[2]

Haircut and Beard Trim                                           – Thursday night

Laundry / Dry Cleaners (all clothes)               – Thursday night

Laundry separation / preparation                     – Thursday after chatzos (if necessary)

Meat[3] and Wine                                                            – Friday after chatzos

Mending / Sewing                                                        – Thursday night

Music / Dancing                                                           – Friday after chatzos

Nail cutting                                                                      – Friday morning (Thursday night, if necessary)

Shaving (for Shabbos[4])                                            – Thursday night

Shaving (not for Shabbos)                                     – Friday after chatzos

Shower (cold / lukewarm, for hygiene)          – Thursday night

Shower / Bath (hot, for pleasure)                      – Friday after chatzos

Shower / Bath (hot, for Shabbos[5])                    – Friday morning

Shehecheyanu                                                              – Friday after chatzos

Shopping (Shabbos clothes)                                – Thursday night

Shopping (weekday clothes)                                – Friday after chatzos

Swimming (adults) / Boating                                – Friday after chatzos[6]

Swimming (small children) / Sprinklers        – Thursday night

Travelling                                                                           – Thursday night

Wearing laundered / new clothes                     – Friday after chatzos[7]

Wearing freshly set / new wig                              – Friday after chatzos[8]

Wig washing and setting                                     – Thursday night

[1] A regularly scheduled cleaning lady may come before chatzos as well.

[2] If necessary, food shopping permitted before chatzos as well.

[3] Clear chicken soup is permitted Thursday night. Meat and wine are permitted at a siyum on Thursday night.

[4] Not planning to shave again for Shabbos.

[5] Not planning to bathe or shower again for Shabbos.

[6] Swimming for exercise permitted Thursday night.

[7] If pre-worn or used is not available, fresh or new may be worn from Thursday night.

[8] If pre-worn or used is not available, fresh or new may be worn from Thursday night.

Apple is engaged in preliminary settlement discussions with the U.S. Department of Justice that could resolve the federal government’s landmark antitrust lawsuit over the iPhone ecosystem before the case reaches trial. The negotiations follow a series of software and platform changes introduced by Apple over the past year that address several of the government’s original allegations, while recent court rulings have also strengthened the company’s legal position. Although discussions remain active, officials familiar with the matter caution that no agreement has been reached and litigation could still proceed.

The Justice Department filed its antitrust complaint in March 2024, alleging Apple violated federal competition laws by maintaining an illegal monopoly in the U.S. smartphone market through restrictions that discouraged consumers from switching devices and limited competition from rival software and hardware developers. The complaint focused on Apple’s treatment of so-called “super apps,” cloud gaming services, messaging interoperability, digital wallets, and wearable devices that compete with Apple products.

Since the lawsuit was filed, Apple has introduced a number of significant platform changes. The company expanded support for Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging, allowing better communication between iPhone and Android users. It also loosened restrictions affecting cloud gaming applications, opened portions of its NFC payment technology to third-party developers in several markets, and continued expanding developer access following regulatory changes overseas. Apple argues these updates demonstrate that innovation—not anticompetitive conduct—drives its platform decisions.

People familiar with the negotiations say Apple has made multiple settlement proposals throughout 2026, seeking to resolve the litigation without admitting wrongdoing while avoiding years of costly courtroom proceedings. The discussions remain confidential, and neither side has publicly outlined specific settlement terms.

Apple’s legal position has improved in recent weeks following an important procedural victory. A federal judge overseeing discovery ruled that Apple may obtain internal documents from numerous federal agencies—including defense and national security departments—that use iPhones extensively within government operations. Apple contends those records could support its argument that many of its security restrictions exist to protect users and sensitive government communications rather than suppress competition.

The broader legal environment has also shifted. The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division has operated for months under acting leadership while awaiting permanent appointments, reducing certainty about the agency’s long-term litigation strategy. Legal analysts note that changes in leadership often create opportunities for negotiated settlements, particularly in complex technology cases that could otherwise require years of discovery and appeals.

For the technology industry, the outcome could influence future government enforcement against dominant digital platforms. If the case ends through negotiated software changes rather than structural remedies, regulators may increasingly rely on behavioral commitments instead of attempting to break up or significantly restructure major technology companies. Conversely, critics argue that a settlement without meaningful structural reforms could leave Apple’s broader ecosystem control largely intact while establishing a less aggressive precedent for future antitrust enforcement.

Investors are closely monitoring the negotiations because removing one of Apple’s largest legal uncertainties could improve visibility for the company’s long-term business strategy. A settlement would eliminate the risk of court-ordered changes to the iPhone ecosystem while allowing Apple to continue emphasizing privacy, security, and integrated hardware-software design as key competitive advantages.

Neither Apple nor the Justice Department has publicly commented on the ongoing settlement discussions. No trial date has been scheduled, and negotiations are expected to continue alongside pretrial proceedings.

JBizNews Desk | New York

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A new U.S. intelligence assessment concludes that Iran is unlikely to significantly soften its negotiating position despite the latest American military strikes, leaving Washington and Tehran locked in an open-ended standoff between renewed diplomacy and further escalation, according to a report in The Washington Post.

The assessment, written primarily by the CIA, says Iran’s leadership still appears capable of absorbing continued attacks, even after losing senior officials and large amounts of military hardware. U.S. analysts believe Tehran’s overriding priority remains the survival of the regime, making it willing to endure severe damage rather than quickly yield to American demands.

Officials see three possible paths ahead. Iran could eventually return to negotiations, the conflict could settle into repeated cycles of attacks and temporary calm, or the United States could consider a ground operation, an option current and former officials view as politically risky and unlikely.

The intelligence report also points to divisions inside Iran. Some officials are believed to support a diplomatic agreement, while hardliners remain opposed. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington has heard directly from Iranian officials who favor negotiations but acknowledged that more powerful factions continue to resist a deal.

Despite the pressure, U.S. officials do not currently see clear evidence that additional strikes alone will force Tehran to change course. One former intelligence official said the administration appears to believe Iran will eventually become more flexible if the attacks continue, but added that such an outcome remains uncertain.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)