JERUSALEM (VINnews) – The Israel Defense Forces eliminated a senior Hamas terrorist responsible for abducting four Israeli hostages from a roadside bomb shelter during the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre, the military announced Tuesday.

Yousef Ayesh Awad Ramadan, a deputy commander in Hamas’ Nukhba forces, was killed in an airstrike Monday in the central Gaza Strip, the IDF said.

Ramadan infiltrated Israeli territory near the Gaza border community of Re’im on Oct. 7 and participated in the abduction of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eliya Cohen, Alon Ohel and Or Levy from the bomb shelter at the Re’im Junction, according to the military.

In addition to his role in the initial attack, Ramadan continued to plan assaults against IDF troops and Israeli civilians in recent weeks and posed an immediate threat to forces operating in Gaza, the IDF said.

The military said it took extensive measures prior to the strike to reduce the risk of harm to civilians, including the use of precise munitions and aerial surveillance.

IDF troops under Southern Command remain deployed in the area in accordance with the current agreement and will continue operations to neutralize ongoing threats, the statement added.

No further details on the strike were immediately released.

A senior Shas official says the party is abandoning its previous approach to the draft crisis and preparing for a much more aggressive campaign on behalf of bnei yeshiva, following what he described as a breakdown in efforts to reach an agreement with coalition partners.

Speaking after a Shas faction meeting that lasted nearly four hours, MK Chaim Biton said party leaders concluded that existing strategies had run their course amid mounting arrests of yeshiva students and growing pressure on the Torah world.

“I don’t remember such a long faction meeting,” Biton said, explaining that the discussion focused almost entirely on the challenges facing the chareidi community and the detention of bnei yeshiva.

According to Biton, Shas chairman Aryeh Deri spent years attempting to resolve the issue from within the government and the right-wing coalition framework. However, he said recent developments have convinced party leaders that a new approach is necessary.

“I think this is where the realization finally came that this is no longer possible, and that we need to go out and pursue new courses of action,” he said.

Biton stressed that the effort to advance a Basic Law protecting Torah study is not merely symbolic but part of what he described as a comprehensive strategy designed to strengthen the status of lomdei Torah in Israeli society.

He acknowledged that many within the chareidi public feel frustrated with political leadership, but argued that much of the struggle has taken place behind closed doors and therefore remained invisible to the public.

“The most frustrating thing is when something is happening in a closed room and you want to scream about it, but you can’t,” Biton said.

According to him, concerns over legal intervention and actions by the Attorney General frequently prevented public disclosure of efforts being made to find solutions.

“Only a few days ago it was decided that there will be no draft law, period.”

One of the most significant announcements during the interview involved plans for a broader and more coordinated public campaign.

Biton revealed that Shas is working with United Torah Judaism to establish a joint command center that would coordinate future responses to the crisis.

“We want to establish a joint command center together, and that command center will deal with all of these issues,” he said.

He indicated that the public should expect concrete action in the coming days rather than additional statements or declarations.

“From now on, you are going to see a determined, tough struggle here that, with Hashem’s help, will also produce results.”

Biton also leveled sharp criticism at law-enforcement authorities over the handling of arrests involving yeshiva students.

He described a reality in which avreichim fear even routine interactions with police officers because of concerns that such encounters could lead to detention.

“He is afraid that a police officer will stop him for a traffic violation, because then he will arrest him for learning Torah,” Biton claimed.

At the same time, he praised several Likud lawmakers—including Dudi Amsalem, Tally Gotliv, Galit Distel, and Avichai Boaron—for what he said has been their consistent support for lomdei Torah and their willingness to defend the Torah world publicly.

Concluding the interview, Biton delivered a direct message both to the chareidi public and to coalition partners.

While acknowledging that the chareidi parties have thus far failed to achieve their objectives regarding the draft issue, he insisted that a new phase has now begun.

“There will never be a situation in which we abandon our bochurim,” he declared.

“We tried everything. It’s over. Now we are working with a new method, a new path.”

Biton said the decisions reached during the lengthy faction meeting mark the beginning of a broader campaign aimed at restoring what he described as the dignity and sense of security of lomdei Torah, which he believes have been severely damaged in recent months.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s minister of diaspora affairs, Amichai Chikli, has barred Linda Sarsour from entry into Israel.

Sarsour, a well-known anti-Israel activist, has been accused of inflammatory antisemitic rhetoric by mainstream Jewish groups, including the Anti-Defamation League, and the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law.

Anti-Israel activist Linda Sarsour warns her listeners not to humanize the “oppressor.” (From a post on X)

For example, Sarsour banned Jewish women from the Women’s March in 2017, contending that Zionism is incompatible with feminism. She has called Zionism “creepy.” And she supports the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement, whose goal is to eliminate the State of Israel.

Sarsour has also said that the strategy Muslims should take against Israel must avoid “humanizing” Israelis (the “oppressors”). She has led anti-Israel protests in which she led chants to block weapons sales to Israel. She has also said she would be proud to die a martyr.

Sarsour says she would be honored to die as a martyr. (From a post on X)

Recently, Israel blocked Tyler Oliveira, an YouTuber whose antisemitic “exposé” of the “invasion” of Jews into Lakewood shocked the Jewish community.

By JBizNews Desk

June 2, 2026

NEW YORK — A Swedish automaker with Chinese ownership has secured a major victory in Washington, clearing one of the most significant regulatory hurdles facing the global automotive industry.

Volvo Cars announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce has granted the company authorization to continue importing and selling its connected vehicles in the United States despite new restrictions targeting Chinese-linked automotive technology.

The decision allows Volvo to move forward with its U.S. expansion plans and preserves access to one of the world’s most important automobile markets at a time when regulators are increasingly scrutinizing foreign technology embedded in vehicles.

The ruling comes amid growing national-security concerns surrounding connected cars, which now function as rolling computers capable of collecting and transmitting vast amounts of data through cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, satellite, and cloud-based systems.

For Volvo, the stakes were enormous.

The company is majority-owned by Geely Holding Group, the Chinese automotive giant that acquired Volvo from Ford Motor Co. in 2010. While Volvo designs much of its technology in Europe and maintains Swedish headquarters, its Chinese ownership structure placed it squarely within the scope of new U.S. restrictions targeting foreign-connected vehicle technologies.

The Commerce Department’s rules were designed to address concerns that vehicles containing Chinese software or hardware could potentially collect sensitive information on American drivers or critical infrastructure.

Under the regulations, restrictions began taking effect for certain model years and vehicle systems, creating uncertainty for manufacturers with Chinese ownership, suppliers, or technology partnerships.

Volvo’s approval effectively removes a cloud that had been hanging over its American operations.

The company said the authorization followed extensive discussions with federal officials regarding its corporate governance, cybersecurity protections, technology architecture, and data-management practices.

According to Volvo, regulators were satisfied that the company had demonstrated appropriate safeguards to protect U.S. consumers and national-security interests.

The outcome represents a significant win not only for Volvo but also for thousands of American workers tied to its domestic operations.

Volvo’s manufacturing facility in Charleston, South Carolina, employs more than 2,000 workers and has attracted more than $1.3 billion in investment since opening.

The plant currently produces the EX90 electric SUV and the Polestar 3, and Volvo has announced plans to begin manufacturing its popular XC60 SUV in South Carolina later this year.

Had the company been denied authorization, those expansion plans could have faced substantial disruption.

Investors quickly recognized the importance of the decision.

Volvo shares surged nearly 10% following the announcement, reflecting relief that the automaker would retain uninterrupted access to the U.S. market.

While the company continues to face broader challenges affecting the global automotive industry, the regulatory clearance removes a major source of uncertainty that had weighed on investor sentiment.

The decision also highlights the increasingly complex nature of the modern automobile business.

Today’s vehicles rely on software as much as mechanical engineering. Navigation systems, driver-assistance features, wireless updates, mobile applications, remote diagnostics, and vehicle-to-cloud communication have transformed automobiles into connected digital platforms.

That transformation has elevated cybersecurity and data protection from secondary concerns to central policy issues.

For Washington, the challenge is balancing national-security priorities with economic realities.

Modern automotive supply chains span continents. Components may be designed in Europe, manufactured in Asia, assembled in North America, and sold globally.

Attempting to separate those interconnected systems without disrupting production presents enormous difficulties for policymakers.

Volvo’s approval suggests regulators are willing to evaluate companies individually rather than apply blanket restrictions solely based on ownership structures.

That distinction could prove important for other manufacturers seeking similar treatment.

Several global automakers maintain relationships with Chinese suppliers, investors, or technology partners. Many will be closely watching Volvo’s experience to determine whether they may qualify for comparable exemptions or approvals.

The ruling may also provide a framework for future regulatory reviews.

Companies capable of demonstrating strong governance controls, independent operational structures, robust cybersecurity measures, and transparent data-handling practices may find pathways to continued participation in the U.S. market despite broader geopolitical tensions.

For consumers, the immediate impact is straightforward.

Volvo vehicles will remain available in American dealerships, preserving consumer choice in a highly competitive market. Dealers can continue selling the brand’s growing lineup of electric and hybrid vehicles, while customers retain access to one of the industry’s strongest reputations for safety and engineering.

More broadly, the case underscores how deeply interconnected the global economy has become.

A vehicle marketed as Swedish can be owned by a Chinese parent company, assembled by American workers, sold through U.S. dealerships, financed by American banks, and purchased by families across the country.

Those relationships create economic benefits but also introduce regulatory challenges that governments are increasingly attempting to address.

The broader debate over connected vehicles is far from over.

Congress, federal regulators, and national-security agencies continue to examine how foreign technology should be governed as automobiles become more connected and autonomous.

Additional rules, oversight requirements, and security standards are likely in the years ahead.

For now, however, Volvo has achieved something many competitors are still seeking: regulatory certainty.

The approval allows the company to continue investing in American manufacturing, expanding its product lineup, and competing in one of the world’s most lucrative automotive markets.

In an era of rising geopolitical tensions and growing scrutiny of foreign technology, that certainty may prove almost as valuable as the vehicles themselves.

JBizNews Desk — New York

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

Russia attacked Ukraine with a barrage of missiles and drones overnight, killing at least 16 people, injuring over 100 and trapping others, authorities said on Tuesday.

Russia unleashed 73 missiles and 656 drones across Ukraine, according to the country’s air force, with the main targets including Kyiv, the central city of Dnipro, and the eastern cities of Poltava, Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia. Ukrainian air defense forces destroyed and suppressed 40 missiles and 602 drones.

The damage trapped some people under the rubble of apartment buildings. Emergency crews digging through the wreckage pulled out the body of a 3-year-old child and the bodies of a mother and her 8-year-old son in the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro, officials said.

At least four people were killed in Kyiv and 63 people were injured, including three children, Ukraine’s state emergency service said. Residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were damaged in eight Kyiv districts.

At least 64 people were wounded in the capital, emergency services said.

The boom of explosions echoed through most of the night and into the early morning. Kyiv had been bracing for another mass attack for days, after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russia was preparing a renewed assault and urged people to remain cautious and seek shelter during air raid alerts.

In the Podilskyi district, there was partial damage to the upper floors of a nine-story building, trapping people under the rubble. Rescue operations were still underway in the early hours of the morning, even as the air raid alert remained in effect.

In the Solomianskyi district, a 20-story building and a 24-story building were damaged.

Olena Dniprovska, 65, and her husband Yevhen, 64, were injured in their apartment in Kyiv’s Podilskyi district during the attack.

“I went out into the corridor with the phone, and before I understood what happened, everything fell on my head, the glass, and the door blew off,” said Dniprovska, dried blood streaked across her face and a bandage wrapped around her chin. “I ran out into the front door and started calling my husband from the room, but he was also blown out by the blast wave.”

“Now I have nowhere to live, the apartment is completely destroyed, no doors, no windows, no balcony. You can step straight from the room out onto the street,” she said.

Ukrainian officials have been pressing allies for more air defense missiles to counter Russia’s ballistic missile attacks. While Ukraine continues to intercept a high percentage of drones, ballistic missiles remain a major vulnerability for the country’s air defenses.

Putin is keen to generate some positive news from the conflict that began with Russia’s February 2022 invasion of its neighbor and hasn’t gone according to plan.

Western officials and analysts say Ukrainian drones are pinning down Russian troops on the front line, choking Russian supply lines in occupied regions of Ukraine and disrupting oil facilities deep inside Russia that provide vital revenue for Moscow. That has made the war, which Moscow refers to as a “special military operation,” more visible to Russians and increased pressure on Putin.

U.S.-led peace efforts have fizzled out as the sides made no progress on key differences and after the Gulf and Middle East grabbed Washington’s attention. Zelenskyy accepted an unconditional ceasefire demanded by U.S. President Donald Trump but Putin refused.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said in a statement that the military launched a “massive” strike with long-range precision weapons on military-industrial facilities in the Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, Khmelnytsk and Sumy regions.

Putin signaled that Russia won’t let up its attacks. He said Tuesday that Ukraine’s May 22 drone attack on a college dormitory in Starobilsk in the Russia-controlled Luhansk region of Ukraine that killed 21 had given the war “a whole new dimension.”

Ukraine said it hit a Russian drone pilot training center in Starobilsk.

(AP)

SHELBY, N.C. (AP) — A former North Carolina police officer caught on a doorbell camera repeatedly punching a woman in the face was charged Monday with assault.

The video of Shelby Officer Karson Hyder pummeling Cherrie Moore on Friday has circulated widely on social media.

Hyder, 22, turned himself in to the Cleveland County Detention Center Monday morning and was released on a $10,000 secured bond. Court records do not list an attorney for him, and a phone number associated with his name was out of service.

Hyder, who was suspended Friday and fired on Saturday, was responding to a breaking-and-entering call when the scuffle ensued.

According to a warrant, Moore, 34, fled the residence on foot and resisted arrest, assaulting Hyder by “grabbing and ripping (his) uniform.”

A separate warrant filed Monday alleged Hyder “unlawfully and willfully did assault and strike Cherrie Moore” by grabbing Moore “by the arm, pushing her to the ground and striking her in the face with a closed fist, thereby inflicting serious injury possible broken nose and busted lip.”

The State Bureau of Investigation had announced Saturday it had opened an investigation into Hyder.

Moore was initially charged with breaking and entering, resisting arrest and assault on a public officer, but the latter two charges have since been dismissed. She was freed on an unsecured bond. A phone number associated with Moore was disconnected.

Her attorney, Ronald Haynes, told The Associated Press in an email that Moore “is recovering and receiving treatment for her mental health.”

“The heinous actions of former Officer Karson Hyder will forever negatively impact Ms. Cherrie Moore and her family,” Haynes continued. “It’s a small relief that city officials responded so promptly to terminate and charge Mr. Hyder.”

The father of a yeshiva bochur who has been held in military prison for more than a week says his family continues to live with uncertainty and anxiety as they await news of when their son will finally appear before a military court.

Meir Levy, whose son Yosef Levy remains incarcerated, spoke Monday night in an interview with Kol Chai Radio, describing the emotional toll the detention has taken on the family and recounting a recent visit with his son inside the prison.

According to Levy, family members have maintained regular contact with Yosef since his arrest and were recently granted an in-person visit after eight days in custody.

“We met with him, spoke with him, talked together, and strengthened one another. His nephew also came to cheer him up,” Levy said.

The father described the difficult conditions faced by many bnei yeshiva in military detention, saying the environment is far removed from the atmosphere to which they are accustomed.

“There is a lot of shouting, a style that is not suitable for a ben Torah,” he said.

Levy explained that after the initial shock of imprisonment wore off, the detainees have been trying to adapt by maintaining learning schedules and preserving as much normalcy as possible.

“After the initial shock, they try to adjust, learn, and continue their routine as much as they can,” he said, adding that “it is not easy at all.”

Discussing the circumstances of the arrest, Levy said military authorities arrived at the family home with a formal arrest warrant and took his son into custody there.

“They came to him with a proper arrest warrant,” he said.

News of the arrest spread quickly through the community, and within a short time hundreds of bnei yeshiva and avreichim reportedly gathered outside the police station where Yosef was initially being held.

“Within 20 minutes, 500 bochurim and avreichim arrived,” Levy recalled.

The father said he has been spending much of his time near the prison and has become acquainted with the families of other detainees being held there.

According to Levy, the prison population includes Sephardic, Chassidic, and Litvish yeshiva students, all facing similar uncertainty regarding their legal proceedings.

He said the lack of information about when Yosef will appear before a judge has been among the most difficult aspects of the ordeal.

“We are simply waiting,” Levy said, noting that the family still has not been informed when a hearing will take place.

Toward the end of the interview, Levy described the atmosphere of anxiety that now hangs over his household.

He said his wife recently told him, “Every knock on the door makes my heart tremble.”

Levy also called for unity within the chareidi community and expressed gratitude to the organizations, activists, and public officials who have been assisting families of detained bnei yeshiva.

He singled out MK Moshe Abutbul for special appreciation after the Knesset member visited him near the prison to offer support and encouragement.

“It really lifted my spirits,” Levy said.

Abutbul later raised the family’s situation during remarks in the Knesset, where he publicly shared Yosef Levy’s story and offered words of support to the family as they continue waiting for his release.

{Matzav.com}

This post was originally published on this site.

Israel’s real estate crisis has a new pressure point, and it is not just prices, interest rates or demand—it is manpower, as the construction industry remains short tens of thousands of workers, with one industry estimate putting the gap at around 30,000. The shortage began after Israel shut the door on most Palestinian construction workers from Judea & Samaria and Gaza for security reasons following the October 7 massacre, causing the old labor model to collapse almost overnight. Israel has tried to replace it with foreign workers from countries including Sri Lanka, China, India and others, but the flow has not caught up with the country’s building needs.

For Anglos buying in Israel, making aliyah, investing from abroad or trying to understand why a promised apartment is taking longer than expected, this is one of the biggest hidden forces in the market. A delayed crew does not just slow a crane. It delays delivery, pushes up labor costs, complicates financing and can leave buyers paying rent, mortgages and contractor-linked payments longer than planned.

The official data tells the same story. Before the war, Israel’s construction sector depended heavily on non-Israeli labor, including more than 100,000 Palestinians and tens of thousands of foreign workers. When that workforce disappeared, the industry lost more than a third of its manpower. The government raised foreign-worker quotas, opened new recruitment tracks and tried to push more Israelis into construction, but the replacement has been partial, uneven and slow.

The result is a strange market as Israel is building more, but not always faster. CBS figures show construction starts jumped sharply, with more than 80,000 apartments begun in 2025. Completions also rose, reaching nearly 60,000 units. But the average weighted construction time also stretched to almost 38 months, meaning the headline number of new projects does not automatically translate into keys in buyers’ hands.

For overseas buyers, this is the detail that gets missed in glossy project brochures. A tower in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Netanya or Ashdod may be marketed as part of Israel’s next housing wave. But the real question is whether the developer has enough workers, enough cash flow and enough operational strength to deliver on schedule. In Israel’s current market, manpower is becoming a due-diligence issue.

The shortage is also feeding directly into prices. Labor costs have climbed, construction-input costs have risen, and developers are already under pressure from financing expenses. Even after recent interest-rate relief, many builders are carrying expensive debt on land they bought years ago. Some are forced to keep building despite weaker demand because sitting on land is too costly and government land contracts often require progress within set timelines.

That pressure can cut both ways for buyers. In some projects, developers may offer aggressive financing terms to move inventory. In others, higher labor and input costs can be pushed into prices, payment schedules or index-linked balances. For buyers purchasing “on paper,” the risk is not only whether prices rise or fall. It is whether delays quietly add tens or hundreds of thousands of shekels through rent overlap, financing costs and construction-index exposure.

Israel does not just need new apartments for population growth. It needs reconstruction in the north and south, urban renewal in older neighborhoods, stronger buildings, protected spaces and faster infrastructure. The Tel Aviv Metro alone is expected to put new pressure on trucking, materials movement and heavy construction logistics. If Israel cannot staff the building sector properly, the bottleneck becomes a civilian resilience problem.

Industry voices are now pushing two solutions at once: bring in more foreign workers, and modernize how Israel builds. That second point may be the more important long-term story. Israel still builds too much on-site, by hand, under difficult conditions, instead of shifting more work into industrialized, factory-based production. As one construction-tech executive put it, Israel has to stop building like the last century and start manufacturing buildings.

This post was originally published on this site.

A suspected shoplifting incident in Lakewood this week is under investigation after a woman allegedly fled a store without paying for merchandise and nearly struck the store owner with her vehicle while leaving the scene.

According to information provided to TLS, the woman was observed on store surveillance cameras allegedly shoplifting items from a local business. When confronted about payment, she reportedly told the store owner she was going to retrieve money from her vehicle.

Instead, the woman entered her car and fled the area. During the incident, she came close to striking the store owner with her vehicle as she drove away.

The Lakewood Police Department is investigating.

Speaking at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, Herzog called for the Farhud—and the broader history of Jews from Arab lands—to receive greater recognition in Israeli memory, education and public discourse.

The commemoration, hosted by the president and his wife, Michal, brought together members of Israel’s Iraqi-Jewish community alongside Farhud survivors, descendants and scholars.

A pogrom during Shavuot

The Farhud—an Arabic term meaning “violent dispossession”—erupted in Baghdad on June 1–2, 1941, during the Jewish festival of Shavuot. Jewish homes and businesses were looted, synagogues were desecrated, women were raped, and Jews were beaten, wounded and murdered.

Herzog placed the pogrom within the longer story of Iraqi Jewry, tracing its roots to the Babylonian exile and describing it as one of the oldest and most significant Jewish communities in the Diaspora.

“On that terrible night, between June 1 and 2, 1941, the writing and the slogans turned into terrible violence,” Herzog said.

Rioters stormed Jewish homes throughout Baghdad, beating, wounding and killing Jews solely because they were Jewish.

“In those terrible hours, 179 Jews were slaughtered—women, children, adults, men—and for one reason alone: their Judaism,” he said.

Most of the roughly 180,000 Jews who had lived for generations in Iraq eventually left, many finding refuge in the young State of Israel. Herzog said Iraqi immigrants became a pioneering force in Israeli society and played a decisive role in helping build the state.

Remembering the Farhud, he said, is not only an act of historical justice but also part of Israel’s responsibility to confront antisemitism and pass the story of Babylonian Jewry to future generations through education, culture and public discourse. “We must teach not only about the Farhud,” Herzog said, “but also about the heritage of Babylonian Jewry.”

Referring to the battle against antisemitism, he said, “Eighty-five years have passed since those harrowing events, yet the waves of antisemitic hatred continue to rise, and even to intensify, threatening the safety of Jews across the world. We are witnessing mounting antisemitic attacks, including in democratic countries, and even among longtime friends of the State of Israel.”

He added, “When we give voice to what our sisters and brothers in Iraq endured 85 years ago … we remind the world, again and again, of the dangers contained in antisemitic incitement, and of where that racist hatred led us in the past.”

‘Faces of the Farhud’

Organized by documentary filmmaker David Kahtan, the commemoration included a memorial candle-lighting, an excerpt from his documentary series, The Long Journey Home: The Untold Story of Iraq’s Jews, a panel discussion moderated by Rabbi Elhanan Miller and a portrait exhibition, “Faces of the Farhud,” featuring photographs by Rona Olshevsky.

Herzog singled out Kahtan, who has spent more than two decades documenting the stories of Iraqi Jews.

“There is one person for whom this event is his life’s work,” Herzog said. “That is David Kahtan.”

“You are doing a great mitzvah,” he added.

Kahtan said preserving testimony has become increasingly urgent as the last generation of eyewitnesses fades.

“As the sun sets on my father’s generation, the last witnesses of the Farhud, I have begun recording the testimonies of the remaining survivors before their voices are lost to time,” he told the audience.

“Memory is an act of resistance,” he said.

A melody that needed no translation

The program also included a musical tribute by Israeli pianist, composer and conductor Gil Shohat, who performed the third movement of Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 17, known as the “Tempest.” In the middle of the restless finale, Shohat wove in “Enta Omri,” the classic Arabic song made famous by Umm Kulthum; within a few notes, many in the audience were clapping in rhythm.

Shohat later told JNS that while the melody was not Iraqi, it belonged to the classical Arabic music through which his late father, Yehuda Shohat, preserved and passed on his Iraqi Jewish identity. He recalled his father listening every day between 5 and 6 p.m., often holding a white jasmine flower from their balcony. “My father was not an emotional man,” Shohat said, “but in this hour he was emotional.”

From integration to rupture

Prof. Emerita Esther Meir-Glitzenstein of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev traced the Farhud to the political and ideological changes that transformed Iraq in the decade before the pogrom.

In the early 1920s, she said, Iraq was established as a constitutional monarchy in which Muslims, Christians and Jews were citizens. Jews held public office and played prominent roles in government, commerce, culture and the arts. Among them was finance minister Sassoon Eskell, widely regarded as one of the architects of the modern Iraqi state.

King Faisal, she noted, spoke of Iraq’s citizens as “children of Abraham.”

“That was the foundation meant to gather the Iraqi people together,” Meir-Glitzenstein said. “It was a liberal monarchy.”

That vision began to unravel following Iraq’s independence in 1932 and Faisal’s death the following year. Iraqi nationalism increasingly adopted a more exclusionary character, while Nazi influence spread through the country.

According to Meir-Glitzenstein, Nazi propaganda entered Iraq through the German legation in Baghdad and expanded steadily throughout the 1930s. Palestinian Arab activists who arrived after the Arab Revolt established youth movements modeled on the Hitler Youth, while Haj Amin al-Husseini, the Mufti of Jerusalem, arrived in Iraq in 1938 and later played a central role in the 1941 revolt of Rashid Ali al-Gaylani.

“All of this happened within 10 years,” she said.

The significance of the Farhud, she argued, extended well beyond Baghdad. Similar outbreaks of anti-Jewish violence would follow elsewhere in the Arab world, including Libya, Aden, Egypt and Syria.

“What these events said was that there is no place for Jews in the national movements of the Arab countries, and no place for them in the nations being created,” she said.

The question many Jews began asking, she added, was not only what future they had, but “what future is there for our children?”

A child survivor remembers the Farhud

Edi “Edmond” Mor was 5 years old when the Farhud erupted.

Speaking on the panel and later with JNS, Mor recalled how organized the violence appeared even before it began.

“It was organized,” he said. “They went through with brushes and marked every Jewish house. When they passed a house that was not Jewish, they wrote that too, so it would not be attacked.”

Mor had been visiting relatives in Baghdad with his older brother when the violence broke out. On the way home, their minibus passed through a Shi’ite neighborhood where riots were already underway.

The vehicle ahead of them was stopped by a mob and the Jewish passengers were dragged out and murdered.

Their driver managed to reach a police station, where the family sheltered overnight.

Back home, Mor’s father looked out onto the streets and saw bodies being carried through Baghdad. Fearing relatives were among the dead, he began mourning before knowing their fate.

The following day, when the family attempted to return home, a crowd armed with knives, iron bars and other weapons waited outside. A Muslim neighbor tried to intervene and was attacked.

Mor’s father produced a pistol and fired into the air.

“I don’t know where he got it,” Mor said.

The family escaped through the neighbor’s house and across the rooftops.

“When we returned home in the evening, there was no home,” Mor said. “The flowerpots were smashed. The doors and windows had been broken. Anything that had not been looted had been destroyed. It was a pogrom.”

The family’s fabric store, which he said his father “rebuilt from nothing,” was looted as well. Mor said the Farhud ultimately convinced many Iraqi Jews that their future no longer lay in Iraq.

“From this moment,” he said, “I think the entire community understood this was not its place.”

From Baghdad to Kissufim

For another panelist, the Farhud was not simply history. Hadassah Lazar drew a direct line between the violence in Baghdad and the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas massacre through the life of her brother, Shlomo Mantzur.

Born in Iraq, Mantzur survived the Farhud as a child before immigrating to Israel. More than eight decades later, he was abducted from Kibbutz Kissufim during the Hamas attack. At 86, he was the oldest hostage taken that day. He was murdered in captivity and his body was held in Gaza for 509 days before being returned for burial.

Herzog, who eulogized Mantzur at his funeral, described his life as a journey “from the rivers of Babylon to Zion.”

“The writing was on the wall in Iraq,” Lazar said. “And the writing was on the wall here, in our country, in our sovereign state. We thought ‘never again.’”

Her brother repeatedly warned that danger was building near the Gaza border, she said.

“He told me: until there is a disaster here, no one will wake up.”

Lazar also drew a comparison between the Farhud and the delayed military response on Oct. 7.

“The British army sat at the fence and did not enter to help them during those two days,” she said. “Our army, which is supposed to protect us, sat at the fence for seven or eight hours. No one came in to help them.”

The lesson, she said, remains unchanged.

“We need to believe our enemy that he intends to do something,” she said, “and not say that he is deterred.”

‘They did not want to listen’

Nadia Cohen, a young child in Baghdad during the 1941 pogrom and the widow of Israeli spy Eli Cohen, who was executed in Damascus on May 18, 1965, asked to add one final thought before the panel ended.

“Every person from Iraqi Jewry carries the wound of the silence here in Israel about what happened in Iraq—and also in Libya,” she said. “For years, they did not want to listen. They did not want to know. They did not dare to tell.”

She expressed hope that growing efforts to document the experiences of Jews from Arab lands would finally bring broader recognition to a largely overlooked chapter of Jewish history.

“That was a Holocaust too,” she said.

Then she returned to the theme that had defined the evening.

“I hope this evening will become a yearly reminder,” she said. “We Jews forget. But an Arab from 200 or 300 years ago remembers his house, his key, and what was done to him. Here too, there must be memory, of what happened to us, of what happened to Iraqi Jewry.”

Cohen added, “Our fate depends on learning and remembering—not on forgetting.”

By JBizNews Desk

June 2, 2026

NEW YORK — California is rewriting two of its most influential environmental rulebooks at the same time, a move that could affect fuel prices, packaging costs, manufacturers, and consumers far beyond the state’s borders.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has approved significant updates to the state’s flagship carbon-emissions program while simultaneously advancing new regulations aimed at reducing plastic waste. Together, the actions highlight California’s ongoing effort to balance aggressive climate goals with growing concerns about affordability and economic competitiveness.

Because California remains the largest state economy in the nation, changes adopted in Sacramento often ripple across industries nationwide.

At the center of the debate is California’s cap-and-trade system, now rebranded as Cap-and-Invest following legislation signed by Governor Gavin Newsom.

The program places limits on carbon emissions and requires companies to purchase allowances that permit them to emit greenhouse gases. Revenue generated from those auctions is then directed toward state initiatives ranging from clean-energy projects to transportation infrastructure.

The latest revisions stem from legislation passed by California lawmakers last year that extended and reshaped the program.

Supporters argue the changes will help California continue reducing emissions while limiting some of the cost burdens that have increasingly drawn criticism from businesses and consumers.

The revisions include measures designed to reduce pressure on refiners and energy producers that warned earlier proposals could accelerate fuel-price increases or encourage companies to move operations outside the state.

That balancing act has become increasingly difficult.

California has some of the nation’s most ambitious climate targets. State law requires emissions to fall 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 and approximately 85% below 1990 levels by 2045.

Achieving those goals requires continued reductions in emissions from transportation, energy production, manufacturing, and other sectors.

At the same time, policymakers face pressure from voters concerned about rising living costs.

Fuel prices remain among the highest in the country, housing affordability continues to challenge households, and businesses have repeatedly warned that additional regulatory burdens could make operating in California more expensive.

CARB Chair Lauren Sanchez defended the updated approach, arguing that California can continue pursuing climate leadership while recognizing affordability concerns.

The agency says the revised rules maintain the state’s long-term emissions goals while providing greater flexibility for affected industries during the transition.

Not everyone agrees.

Environmental groups have criticized portions of the revisions, arguing that the state is providing too many concessions to oil refiners and large emitters.

Some advocates contend that easing compliance requirements could slow emissions reductions and reduce funding available for climate-related programs.

That funding matters.

Revenue generated through California’s carbon auctions has helped finance a wide range of state initiatives in recent years, including public transit projects, clean-energy investments, wildfire resilience efforts, and other environmental programs.

Analysts expect the revised structure could generate less auction revenue than previous proposals, creating potential funding challenges in future years.

At the same time California is revising carbon regulations, it is also moving forward with sweeping changes to packaging rules.

Under Senate Bill 54, California established one of the most ambitious plastic-reduction laws in the country.

The legislation requires that plastic packaging sold in California become recyclable or compostable by 2032, placing substantial pressure on manufacturers, consumer-goods companies, retailers, and packaging suppliers.

Implementation, however, has proven contentious.

The latest version of the regulations includes exemptions covering portions of the food and agricultural supply chain, including certain packaging used for produce and related products.

Supporters argue the exemptions are necessary to avoid disruptions to food distribution and supply chains.

Critics argue they weaken the law.

Several environmental organizations, including the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Californians Against Waste, have indicated they intend to challenge portions of the regulations in court.

The groups argue that some approved recycling methods may create additional environmental concerns and that the exemptions could allow significant amounts of plastic waste to remain outside the program’s intended scope.

The legal battle could reshape the regulations once again before full implementation occurs.

For businesses outside California, the developments remain highly relevant.

Many national manufacturers choose to design products and packaging to meet California standards rather than maintain separate production lines for different states.

As a result, regulations adopted in Sacramento often become de facto national standards.

The same dynamic exists in energy markets.

Fuel producers operating throughout the western United States frequently adjust pricing and supply decisions based on California’s regulatory framework, meaning changes to emissions policies can influence costs beyond state boundaries.

Together, the carbon and plastic initiatives reveal a broader tension facing policymakers.

California continues to position itself as a leader in environmental regulation and climate policy, yet it must increasingly account for concerns about economic competitiveness, consumer affordability, and business investment.

The state is attempting to reduce emissions, limit plastic waste, support clean-energy development, and maintain industrial activity simultaneously.

Whether that balance proves sustainable remains an open question.

Environmental groups argue California is moving too slowly.

Industry groups argue it is moving too aggressively.

The coming months are likely to bring additional legal challenges, political debate, and regulatory revisions as both sides continue pushing for changes.

For now, California has signaled that it intends to continue pursuing ambitious environmental goals while attempting to soften some of the economic consequences.

Given the state’s economic influence, businesses and consumers across the country will be watching closely.

The costs and benefits of California’s decisions rarely remain confined to California.

JBizNews Desk — New York

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

As the wave of arrests involving yeshiva bochurim continues to stir concern throughout the Torah world, Rav Avraham Salim, a member of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas, personally reached out to the mother of a bochur currently being held in military prison, offering words of encouragement and support during a difficult time.

The phone call was made to the mother of Meir Sabag, a talmid of Yeshivas Darchei Ish in Moshav Tirosh, who is presently incarcerated in a military detention facility. According to reports, the conversation was arranged through the Chayei Olam organization.

During the call, Rav Salim sought not only to be mechazeik the family, but also to convey what he described as the importance of the sacrifices being made by lomdei Torah in the current climate.

Earlier, speaking at a gathering focused on the challenges facing the Torah world, Rav Salim sharply criticized government policy regarding the draft issue.

“Israel’s government has surrendered to the left because of political considerations and is persecuting Torah learners in every possible way. Haba litamei poschin lo—they have chosen to descend to the point of causing others to sin.”

He continued with an emotional appeal directed at government and law-enforcement leaders.

“I say from here to the leaders of the government and the police: It shall not be. Chas v’shalom, not a single hair from the head of a Torah learner should fall to the ground.”

Rav Salim also emphasized what he sees as the unique role of Torah learners within Klal Yisroel.

“Although we are citizens living in the State of Israel, we are not the property of the State of Israel. Those who learn the holy Torah are the spiritual treasure of all of Klal Yisroel throughout the world. From this wellspring people draw Torah, yiras Shamayim, and the mesorah of Israel. The Torah is our life. It preserved us and accompanied us throughout the long years of exile, and through its light we continue forward. Torah learners are a permanent possession of Klal Yisroel everywhere, and this has been demonstrated by the generosity of Jews throughout the world who have dedicated their resources to support the holy Torah in Eretz Yisroel so that it should never, chas v’shalom, fall.”

During his conversation with Sabag’s mother, Rav Salim stressed that her son’s imprisonment should be viewed within the broader context of what he called the struggle of Torah learners throughout the country.

“Your son and all the Torah learners who have been arrested are making a great Kiddush Hashem.”

The rav added that at a recent gathering dedicated to strengthening the Torah world, he spoke at length about what he described as the extraordinary mesirus nefesh being displayed by Sephardic yeshiva bochurim.

He said that rather than weakening their resolve, the current pressures have only strengthened their commitment.

“Even when they are arrested and all these decrees are directed against them, nothing moves them. They are giving up of themselves so that Torah can continue and endure.”

Rav Salim concluded the conversation with words of encouragement and a heartfelt tefillah for Meir Sabag and other detained yeshiva students.

“The entire Torah world is davening for him and for all the yeshiva bochurim who have been arrested. B’ezras Hashem, Meir will be released soon. May you merit a complete recovery, much nachas, and may the salvation come במהרה.”

Sabag was arrested last week during what supporters described as a planned police operation on the road between Beit Shemesh and Moshav Tirosh. According to accounts from those involved, officers initially told the bochurim that no arrests would take place and that only summonses would be issued. Approximately fifteen minutes later, detectives reportedly arrived, placed Sabag in handcuffs, and transferred him to military custody.

Rav Salim’s phone call joins a series of recent efforts by senior Torah leaders to support arrested yeshiva bochurim and their families.

Several months ago, Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch and members of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah visited Military Prison 10 to encourage imprisoned bnei Torah, a visit that left a strong impression on many participants.

More recently, Rav Moshe Sternbuch warmly received a bochur who had been released after serving twenty days in military prison, referring to him as a “partner of the Ribbono Shel Olam” and offering him special words of blessing.

Within the yeshiva world, many viewed Rav Salim’s personal outreach as a powerful expression of leadership and responsibility toward the families of detained bnei yeshiva. Community leaders said the conversation provided significant encouragement not only to the Sabag family, but also to many others facing similar challenges.

The call comes amid a noticeable increase in arrests involving yeshiva students. Last Friday, two talmidim from Yeshivas Maalos HaTorah were detained on Route 6, an incident that sparked widespread concern throughout the chareidi community and led to calls for emergency gatherings and additional public action.

By JBizNews Desk

June 2, 2026

JERUSALEM — More than $121 million has been wagered on Benjamin Netanyahu’s political future, and despite a reported confrontation with President Donald Trump this week, traders overwhelmingly believe Israel’s prime minister will remain in office through 2026.

That is the message emerging from Polymarket, the crypto-based prediction platform that has become one of the world’s most closely watched gauges of political sentiment. As of June 1, bettors were assigning just a 4% chance that Netanyahu would leave office by the end of June and only a 9% chance that he would abandon a reelection bid before the end of July.

The odds become more competitive later in the year. By the end of December, traders place the probability of Netanyahu leaving office at approximately 44%.

In other words, the market is not betting on an immediate collapse.

It is betting on an election.

That distinction is critical because Israel’s political calendar already points toward a major test later this year. The Knesset recently advanced legislation that could dissolve parliament after an ultra-Orthodox coalition partner withdrew support over military draft exemptions. Under Israeli law, national elections would need to be held no later than October.

For prediction-market traders, that election appears far more important than the latest diplomatic dispute between Washington and Jerusalem.

The dispute itself was significant.

According to Axios, Trump delivered a blunt and reportedly expletive-filled message to Netanyahu during a phone call Monday after learning of Israeli plans to strike Hezbollah targets in Beirut. U.S. officials cited by the publication said Trump warned that further escalation could isolate Israel internationally and potentially derail ongoing diplomatic efforts involving Iran.

The timing was especially sensitive.

The Trump administration continues pursuing negotiations with Tehran, and earlier Monday Iranian officials signaled they could reconsider participation in talks following Israel’s military actions in Lebanon. Within hours of the reported call, Israel shelved plans for the Beirut operation, a move widely interpreted as an effort to avoid further tension with Washington.

Yet despite the dramatic headlines, betting markets barely moved.

Political-risk analysts note that prediction markets often focus less on daily news cycles and more on structural political realities. Netanyahu has survived wars, protests, coalition crises, corruption charges, and repeated election battles during his record tenure as Israel’s longest-serving prime minister.

From a trader’s perspective, one heated conversation with Trump does not fundamentally alter the political landscape.

Netanyahu himself appeared determined to project stability afterward, stating publicly that Israel’s position remained unchanged and that military operations in southern Lebanon would continue.

The story reaches beyond politics and into financial markets.

Prediction platforms such as Polymarket have evolved into major information hubs where participants risk real money on political, economic, and geopolitical outcomes. The size of the Netanyahu market—more than $121 million in trading volume—reflects growing interest among investors, analysts, and institutions seeking real-time measures of political risk.

The broader financial implications are even larger.

At the center of the Trump-Netanyahu dispute sits Iran and the future of negotiations that could affect energy markets worldwide. Any breakdown in diplomacy raises concerns about the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow shipping corridor through which a substantial portion of global oil supplies passes.

That matters directly to consumers.

Oil prices influence gasoline costs, transportation expenses, airline fares, and inflation across the global economy. While U.S. gasoline prices recently touched some of their lowest levels in weeks, energy analysts continue warning that renewed Middle East tensions could quickly reverse that trend.

Cryptocurrency markets also reacted, albeit modestly.

Bitcoin slipped to roughly $70,871 during Monday’s trading as investors digested headlines involving Lebanon, Iran, and the Trump-Netanyahu dispute. The decline was relatively small, but it underscored how quickly geopolitical developments now ripple through digital assets held by millions of investors worldwide.

So why are traders remaining so calm about Netanyahu’s immediate future?

Part of the answer lies in timing. With elections potentially approaching within months, markets increasingly view Netanyahu’s political fate as a question voters will answer rather than coalition partners.

Part of it lies in incentives. Leaving office before an election would do little to improve Netanyahu’s legal or political position. Remaining prime minister preserves leverage, influence, and options heading into a campaign.

And part of it lies in experience. Traders have seen Netanyahu survive seemingly impossible political moments before.

For now, the market’s verdict is clear.

The real test for Netanyahu appears more likely to arrive at the ballot box than in a phone call. Until Israel’s election campaign moves into full gear, prediction markets seem far more focused on October than on the headlines of June.

Middle East & Markets — JBizNews Desk

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

Corporate leadership across America has seemingly lost faith in the current trajectory of the U.S. economy, swinging sharply from optimism to pessimism in just three months.

The Conference Board Measure of CEO Confidence, in collaboration with The Business Council, conducted its quarterly survey of 141 CEOs and found that the overall score fell to 47 in Q2 from 59 in Q1. Any reading below 50 means negative outlooks outnumber positive ones.

Only 15% of CEOs say the economy is better than six months ago, down from 39% in Q1, while 47% say it’s worse, up from 8%.

Additionally, 40% of respondents expect economic conditions to worsen over the next six months, compared to 13% who felt that way last quarter.

TOP ECONOMIST SOUNDS ALARM ON AMERICA’S 40% RECESSION RISK, WARNS STOCKS ARE DISCONNECTED FROM REALITY

“CEO confidence fell back into negative territory in Q2 2026, reversing the surge in optimism in the first quarter,” Conference Board Chief Economist Dana M Peterson said in a press release. “CEOs reported that the economy is materially worse now than it was six months ago and expected economic conditions to weaken further over the next six months.

“Regarding their own industries, CEO assessments about current conditions and expectations in six months deteriorated since last quarter,” she continued.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released its final reading of fourth-quarter GDP less than one month ago, which showed the economy grew at an annualized rate of 0.5% in the three-month period covering October, November and December.

That figure was lower than the expectations of economists polled by LSEG, who had estimated GDP growth of 0.7%

“Despite a solid 2.1% expansion for the full year, 2025 will likely be remembered as the year that ‘could have been,’” EY-Parthenon chief economist Gregory Daco previously told FOX Business. “The outlook for 2026 appears even less favorable. The Middle East conflict is set to exacerbate existing headwinds, with higher inflation, weaker real disposable income growth, and tighter financial conditions further weighing on economic momentum.”

The business slowdown is hitting CEOs’ future plans as well, with corporations signaling belt-tightening, shrinking hiring plans and preparing for potential layoffs..

Thirty-one percent of respondents expect to reduce their workforce over the next six months, now outpacing the 28% who plan to expand hiring; planned wage hikes are losing steam, concentrating in the 3% to 4% range; and 53% of CEOs reported “some problems in some areas” when hiring.

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“The ‘low-hire, low-fire’ economy remains in place,” Vice Chairman of The Business Council and Chair Emeritus of The Conference Board Roger W. Ferguson, Jr. also said. “The share of CEOs planning to increase the size of their workforce over the next 12 months edged down, while those expecting job cuts rose slightly.”

“Among top business risks impacting their industries, CEOs became more worried about cyber risks, with nearly two-thirds ranking it a top risk in Q2. Geopolitical and AI & new technology risks also remained top concerns,” he added. “Risks associated with supply chains and energy rose in importance and intensity in Q2.”

READ MORE FROM FOX BUSINESS

FOX Business’ Eric Revell contributed to this report.

JERUSALEM (VINnews)-Roman Gofman has taken over as director of Israel’s Mossad spy agency, succeeding David Barnea and becoming the country’s 14th person to lead the agency.

Gofman, who previously served as military secretary to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addressed Mossad personnel in remarks released Tuesday.

“I enter this holy place with humility, relying on your knowledge and experience that will not be wasted,” Gofman said.

He highlighted recent Israeli actions against Iran and its proxies.

“The strategic reversal that we have brought on the Iranian axis and the ‘plan to destroy Israel’ has changed the equation of power in the entire region,” Gofman said. “The Shi’ite axis, which has inscribed on its flag the destruction of our state — has been severely struck. But the work is not over. … The heart of the Mossad is in covert activity aimed at the target. We will guard it with all our might, we will continue to refine and develop capabilities to surprise and influence.”

Netanyahu has not yet named a successor for Gofman as military secretary to the prime minister, though an announcement is expected soon.

ITV News filmed Baruch and his wife Daniella in Golders Green on June 1 as they prepared to leave Britain for Israel.

Baruch, an NHS doctor, says his Jewish family has lived in England since the time of Oliver Cromwell. His parents and five sisters have already made aliyah. He is now the last one left, ending a family line in Britain that lasted roughly 400 years.

Baruch says he is regularly shouted at in the street while wearing a kippah, told to “go back to where he came from,” and was once threatened from a passing car by someone who said they would throw acid in his face simply because he was visibly Jewish.

Golders Green is supposed to be one of London’s safest places for Jews to live openly. Instead, after stabbings, arson attacks, Nazi salutes, public abuse and assaults on Hebrew speakers, Jewish families are asking whether Britain still has a future for them.

A society does not lose its Jews overnight. It loses them when Jews start believing nobody will protect them.

(AP) – A federal grand jury in California has convicted short seller Andrew Left of securities fraud.

Left, who was a securities analyst, trader, and guest commentator on television channels including CNBC and Fox Business, was charged in July 2024 with one count of engaging in a securities fraud scheme, 17 counts of securities fraud, and one count of making false statements to federal investigators. As a short seller, Left would make money betting that stocks would fall.

The Justice Department said Tuesday that Left was convicted of one count of participating in a securities fraud scheme and 12 counts of securities fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 31. He faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison.

“Andrew Left used his expertise to profit at the expense of retail investors, ordinary people who owned the stocks he targeted. He callously boasted that it was like ‘taking candy from a baby,’” Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, said in a statement. “Egregious schemes like this strike at the heart of free, fair and open markets, and warrant prosecution when they involve criminal manipulation. Investors should have confidence that U.S. markets are safe and free from the type of deliberate manipulation that Left engaged in to enrich himself at the expense of American investors.”

The Justice Department previously said that Left conducted business under the name Citron Research, which had a website that published investment recommendations. He published research on companies ranging from Tesla and GameStop to Grand Canyon Education and Peloton.

According to the indictment, Left would comment on publicly traded companies and make recommendations on the shares. The commentary often included sensationalized headlines (“Investors Peddling Themselves into Frenzy”) and exaggerated language to maximize the reaction it would get from the stock market. As alleged, Left knowingly exploited his ability to move stock prices by targeting stocks popular with retail investors and posting recommendations on social media to manipulate the market and make fast, easy money.

The indictment further alleged that before Citron would publish its commentary, Left would create long or short positions in a public company on which he was commenting in his trading accounts and prepared to quickly close those positions after Citron’s publication and take profits on the short-term price movement caused by his commentary.

In a post on social media platform X under the Citron Research handle, Left expressed his opposition to the conviction.

“We disagree with the jury and this does not stop here,” the post said. “We will keep fighting for free, honest speech and opportunity, the backbone of this country. This is not over.”

SUVA, Fiji (VINnews) — Israel formally opened a new embassy in Fiji on Tuesday, reestablishing a diplomatic mission in the Pacific island nation for the first time in about 30 years.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar attended the opening ceremony in the Fijian capital and held meetings with senior government officials to discuss cooperation and bilateral relations.

Israeli and Fijian officials also signed agreements covering areas including security cooperation and diplomatic training, according to statements released after the meetings.

The embassy in Suva is expected to serve as a regional hub for Israel’s diplomatic outreach across several Pacific island nations.

The opening comes as Israel seeks to strengthen ties with countries in the Pacific region and follows Fiji’s recent decision to establish a diplomatic mission in Jerusalem.

Great meeting with Fiji’s FM Sakiasi Ditoka, during my visit to open Israel’s embassy in Suva.
I expressed our appreciation for Fiji’s support in multilateral forums.
Together with Minister Ioane Naivalurua, we signed agreements on national security cooperation and diplomatic… pic.twitter.com/nqOrnpjdRu

— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) June 2, 2026

A Utah judge on Monday rejected a defense bid to close portions of next month’s preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, the man accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk, clearing the way for the public release of the most significant body of evidence in the case to date.

Fourth District Judge Tony Graf ruled that reporters and members of the public may attend the five-day hearing scheduled for July 6 through July 10, when prosecutors must demonstrate they have sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to trial. Robinson’s defense team had asked the court to restrict access, arguing that media coverage has sometimes misrepresented their client.

“The public and the media enjoy a presumptive right to access court proceedings, including preliminary hearings,” Graf said from the bench. He said the defense had not shown that presenting the evidence publicly would deny Robinson a fair trial.

Robinson, 23, of southwestern Utah, is charged with aggravated murder in the Sept. 10, 2025 shooting of Kirk at Utah Valley University in Orem. Kirk, the founder and president of Turning Point USA and a close ally of President Donald Trump, was killed by a single rifle shot fired from a rooftop while he addressed a crowd on campus. Robinson turned himself in at his hometown sheriff’s office after a 33-hour manhunt. He has been jailed without bond.

Prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty if Robinson is convicted. He has not yet entered a plea, as Utah law does not require defendants to do so until after the preliminary hearing.

At next month’s hearing, prosecutors plan to introduce forensic analyses, surveillance video, recordings of witness statements, autopsy findings and alleged messages from Robinson admitting to the killing, according to court filings. Authorities have previously said DNA consistent with Robinson’s was recovered from the trigger of the rifle used in the shooting, a fired cartridge casing, two unfired cartridges and a towel used to wrap the weapon.

Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray has said Robinson left a note for his partner before the shooting that read, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.” Gray also said Robinson sent a text message about Kirk to the same partner stating, “I had enough of his hatred.”

While ruling against the defense on public access, Graf agreed with prosecutors that media will be limited from viewing or copying certain exhibits that could be used at a future trial.The judge also took up a separate defense motion alleging that Gray and Deputy County Attorney Chris Ballard violated a court-ordered gag order through comments to Fox News, TMZ and other outlets. Graf said the defense had “made a sufficient preliminary showing under Utah law to warrant further proceedings,” but stopped short of finding either prosecutor in contempt. He scheduled an evidentiary hearing on the matter for June 12 and gave each side 90 minutes to present arguments.

The preliminary hearing was originally scheduled for May but was pushed back after Robinson’s defense team, led by court-appointed attorney Kathryn Nester, said it needed additional time to review what both sides have described as a “voluminous” body of evidence.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

By JBizNews Desk

June 2, 2026

WASHINGTON — A federal judge has temporarily halted a Trump administration effort to transfer control of one of America’s most important weather and climate supercomputing facilities, delivering the first significant legal setback to a broader plan targeting the nation’s premier atmospheric research center.

In a ruling issued Monday, Senior U.S. District Judge R. Brooke Jackson granted a preliminary injunction preventing federal agencies from removing control of the NCAR-Wyoming Supercomputing Center from the nonprofit organization that currently operates it.

The judge sharply criticized the government’s actions, writing that the decision appeared “arbitrary, capricious, and an abuse of discretion” under federal administrative law.

The dispute centers on the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), a Boulder, Colorado-based institution widely regarded as one of the world’s leading weather, climate, and atmospheric science organizations.

Founded in 1960, NCAR is operated by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), a nonprofit consortium representing approximately 130 universities and research institutions across the United States.

The conflict began late last year when the administration announced plans to restructure and significantly reduce NCAR’s role. Supporters of the move argued that federal research programs needed reform, while critics warned the changes could disrupt weather forecasting, climate research, and critical scientific infrastructure relied upon by both government agencies and private industry.

Monday’s ruling does not end the case.

Instead, it freezes one of the administration’s most immediate actions—the planned transfer of the supercomputing center in Cheyenne, Wyoming—while litigation continues.

Judge Jackson found that the National Science Foundation (NSF) failed to adequately explain its decision and did not follow procedures typically required before implementing such a significant change.

“NSF’s failure to provide any explanation for its decision renders the challenged action arbitrary and capricious,” the judge wrote.

The case may appear technical, but its implications extend well beyond the scientific community.

NCAR’s supercomputing systems perform some of the most sophisticated weather and climate calculations in the country.

Its flagship systems, including the Derecho supercomputer and the Casper artificial-intelligence computing platform, process enormous amounts of atmospheric data used in hurricane forecasting, wildfire prediction, severe-weather modeling, climate analysis, aviation planning, and disaster preparedness.

The organization employs more than 800 scientists, engineers, and support staff and supports thousands of researchers annually.

According to court filings, approximately 3,700 researchers used NCAR resources during the past year, including scientists from more than 500 universities and institutions.

The reach of that research extends into virtually every major sector of the economy.

Insurance companies rely on severe-weather models to price risk.

Agricultural businesses use seasonal forecasting data to guide planting and harvesting decisions.

Airlines depend on atmospheric modeling to improve flight planning and safety.

Electric utilities use weather projections to prepare for extreme heat, storms, and power-demand fluctuations.

Federal agencies—including NOAA, NASA, the Department of Defense, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Department of Energy—also depend on NCAR-generated research and forecasting tools.

The economic stakes are substantial.

According to federal disaster data, extreme-weather events caused more than $100 billion in damages during the first half of 2025 alone.

Accurate forecasting is widely viewed as one of the most cost-effective tools available for reducing those losses by giving businesses, governments, and households additional time to prepare.

Judge Jackson’s ruling also highlighted concerns about damage already occurring within the organization.

Court records indicate that dozens of employees have departed NCAR and related programs in recent months, with many citing uncertainty about the institution’s future.

The judge found that the loss of specialized scientific expertise, potential damage to UCAR’s credit profile, and risks to active maintenance and service contracts constituted irreparable harm warranting judicial intervention.

The ruling contained another notable element.

Jackson suggested that political considerations may have influenced aspects of the government’s actions, pointing to ongoing tensions between the administration and Colorado officials over unrelated policy disputes.

The judge also referenced internal documents indicating concerns about diversity-related programs within the organization and raised questions about restrictions placed on UCAR’s public communications.

Federal officials had argued that the transfer remained under consideration and therefore was not subject to court review.

Jackson rejected that argument, concluding that agency communications demonstrated a final decision had effectively already been made.

For now, the injunction preserves the status quo.

UCAR retains control of the supercomputing center, ongoing contracts remain in place, and researchers can continue accessing critical computing resources while the broader lawsuit proceeds.

The larger battle over NCAR’s future, however, remains unresolved.

The case could ultimately determine the future structure of one of America’s most important scientific institutions and influence how federal agencies manage research infrastructure that supports weather forecasting, climate analysis, national security, and economic planning.

For businesses that depend on accurate weather predictions—from insurers and utilities to farmers and airlines—the outcome could carry consequences far beyond the courtroom.

Washington — JBizNews Desk

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

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, defended Israel at an emergency session called by France Monday regarding Israel’s decision to push deeper into Lebanon.

China, Russia and the United Kingdom joined France in harshly condemning Israel.

Jérôme Bonnafont, France’s U.N. envoy, called Israel’s move a “strategic mistake” and that “nothing can justify the continuation and scale of its military operations in Lebanon,” despite acknowledging Israel’s right to defend itself.

U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon tells off his counterparts at an emergency session of the U.N. (Credit: Danny Danon)

The U.K. ambassador, James Kariuki, said Israel’s actions were a “reckless and disproportionate escalation” that added “further strain” to the Lebanese government.

Only the United States stood by Israel, with U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz lauding Israel’s demonstration “of real courage and leadership” as it fights to free Israel from the threat of a terrorist Iranian proxy that is strangling Lebanon.

Danny Danon fired back at Israel’s critics.

Israel “did not wake up one morning and decide to enter Lebanon,” Danon said, adding that Israel “had no choice” in the face of relentless rocket and drone attacks against civilians in Israel’s north despite the ceasefire. He pointedly asked the French envoy what France would do if attacked by Spain.

“Would you wait until the drones were buzzing over Paris?” he demanded.

During the past weeks of negotiations between Beirut and Jerusalem, Hezbollah increased its attacks on Israel. While the Lebanese government has done nothing to deter Hezbollah, Israel has pushed deeper into Lebanon, capturing the Hezbollah stronghold at Beaufort Castle Sunday. Trump demanded a complete cessation of hostilities from all sides Monday, but so far Hezbollah has resisted the call to cease fire.

Meanwhile, Israel said that if Hezbollah continues attacking, the IDF will continue to ramp up its operations against Hezbollah, even going so far as to strike in Beirut, Trump’s demands notwithstanding.

Today, the 17th of Sivan, marks the second Yahrtzeit of Rav Moshe Wolfson ZT”L (Moshe Ben Shmuel Yehuda (Leib), the Mashgiach of Yehsiva Torah Vodaath, and Rav of Emunas Yisroel.

He was Niftar at the age of 99 and is buried in Teveria.

Conservative commentator Mark Levin is calling for a federal investigation into the leak of details from a reported phone conversation between President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu, arguing that the disclosure harmed U.S. and Israeli interests while benefiting Iran and Hezbollah.

The controversy erupted after Axios reported Monday that Trump had a heated phone exchange with Netanyahu. According to the report, which cited anonymous sources, the president expressed anger over Israel’s actions in Lebanon and reportedly accused Netanyahu of acting recklessly and showing a lack of appreciation. The report claimed Trump demanded to know, “What …. are you doing?” during the conversation.

The article appeared shortly after Iranian state media reported that Tehran had suspended negotiations with the United States, blaming Israel’s military activity in Lebanon following Hezbollah rocket attacks against Israel.

Levin responded forcefully on X, directing his criticism at the leak itself and the individuals who provided information to Axios reporter Barak Ravid.

“THE LEAK IN AXIOS WAS A VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAW AND PROVIDED SUPPORT TO THE IRANIAN REGIME AND ITS HEZBOLLAH PROXY,” he wrote. “Whomever leaked that story to [Barak] Ravid at Axios did a grave disservice to our country, to our president, to Israel, and to Israel’s prime minister. The Iranian regime will benefit from that leak, viewing us as weak and desperate for a deal — even coming to Hezbollah’s defense. The Israeli people will also be furious. The missiles are aimed at them, not Washington.”

Levin further argued that the publication of details from a private discussion between world leaders could undermine both military and diplomatic objectives. He maintained that the fallout extends beyond Israel and could negatively affect American strategic interests as well.

“And for 100 other reasons, what was thought to be a devastating political hit on Netanyahu by the leakers about a private call between heads of state has done much damage to us and our military and our diplomatic strategy,” Levin continued. “And if the leakers or others believe Israel should abandon its survival for some deal, they will have a very hard lesson to learn. If the substance of the call is accurate, it is bad enough in my view. Will there be an FBI investigation to determine who leaked? If not, why not?”

The Iranian regime planned to assassinate Volker Beck, president of the German‑Israeli Society (and former member of the German Parliament), and Josef Schuster, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, the Der Spiegel media outlet revealed last week.

The report comes after Germany indicted two men last month for plotting to kill two prominent leaders of Jewish and Israeli communities in Germany on behalf of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.

Beck described in an interview with the Jewish‑German newspaper Juedische Allgemeine how his life changed after learning of the threat, and how he believes Germany should respond to Iran.

Beck said that in late May or early June 2025, he received a phone call from Germany’s state security service requesting an urgent meeting. At the meeting, he was told that there was a concrete threat against him personally. In the hours and days that followed, security measures around him were increasingly tightened.

From that moment, his life changed completely. Security officials advised him not to leave his home, even to walk his dog, without a police escort. His meetings outside his home were drastically reduced, and his daily life became a complex security operation. “When you need six to ten security personnel for every leisure activity, you think twice,” Beck said. He added that the period still affects him, saying, “Nothing is normal anymore.”

Beck sharply criticized German intelligence services, saying that without information received from “friendly services,” German authorities would not have been aware of the threat at all. “Without the Mossad, I would apparently already be dead,” he said, adding that German intelligence services were “blind once again.”

In the interview, Beck called on Germany to change its approach toward Iran, stressing that it has been clear for years that Tehran plans attacks abroad against Jewish targets, regime opponents, and friends of Israel. He mentioned the 1992 shooting attack at the Mykonos restaurant in Berlin, in which four Iranian dissidents were murdered, saying that Germany has failed to draw the necessary conclusions since then.

He believes that the first step should be a drastic reduction of the Iranian embassy’s activity in Berlin. “The fewer people they have there, the fewer resources the Iranian regime has on the ground to plan attacks,” he said. Beck acknowledged that reducing the diplomatic staff would not completely stop Iran, but would force it to operate in more complex and more easily monitored ways.

Beck also criticized the public silence in Germany surrounding the affair, asserting that there was no broad public outcry from the media or political system due to the fact that the targets were Jewish and Zionist.

According to German reports, the main suspect — a Danish citizen of Afghan origin — allegedly acted on behalf of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and maintained contact with the Quds Force, its foreign operations unit. According to the indictment, he was asked in early 2025 to gather information on Schuster and Beck, as well as other Jewish figures in Berlin. Another suspect is accused of agreeing to help obtain weapons and recruit an assassin.

Beck concluded that from his perspective, the question of Jewish security in Germany is not only about physical protection. The greater challenge, he said, is whether German society can make Jews feel they are not alone.

“Germany has a choice,” he said.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

Nearly 18 months after the body of IDF Staff Sgt. Oron Shaul was recovered from Gaza and returned to Israel for burial, prosecutors filed a declaration against Hamas terrorist Ibrahim Hilo, who allegedly concealed Shaul’s body for nearly 10 years following the soldier’s death during Operation Protective Edge in 2014.

According to newly released information, the breakthrough came after Israeli security forces arrested Hilo, a member of the terror group’s Shati Battalion. Hilo had previously served as a platoon commander in Hamas and, in recent years, reportedly operated under the guise of a civilian merchant.

During a joint investigation conducted by the Shin Bet, the IDF Military Intelligence Directorate, and Israel Police, Hilo was identified as a key figure connected to the case of Shaul’s remains.

Israeli forces later carried out a covert operation to capture him. During intensive interrogations by Shin Bet and police investigators, Hilo eventually admitted that he had personally hidden Shaul’s body and disclosed the exact location where it had been concealed.

Investigators said the body had been buried inside a shop located within a civilian building in Gaza City, which Hamas allegedly used as cover.

Armed with the intelligence provided during the interrogation, Israeli security forces quickly launched a complex recovery mission. Personnel from the Shin Bet, Military Intelligence, and special operations units raided the site under significant time pressure.

The operation succeeded just minutes before an official ceasefire took effect, allowing troops to recover Shaul’s body and bring him home to Israel.

On Thursday, the Southern District Prosecutor’s Office is expected to file a formal indictment against Hilo in the Beersheba District Court, charging him with numerous serious security-related offenses.

TOKYO (AP) — A bear injured four people in a Japanese residential area on Tuesday in the latest attack in an area of the country where the animals have increasingly encroached on the human population in recent years.

Japan’s Environment Ministry said a record 13 people were killed in more than 230 attacks by bears in 2025.

Police and fire department officials rushed to the Sasakino district of Fukushima in northeastern Japan after receiving an emergency call from the Fukushima Steel Works reporting bear attacks on two employees.

Security camera footage shows a black bear appearing and chasing an employee near the entrance. As the man in his 20s tries to flee, the bear throws him to the ground. It then moves into the compound and injures a second male employee in his 60s.

The bear later injured a third person, a male employee in his 60s at separate company. A woman in her 80s who lives in the neighborhood also was attacked and injured, the Fukushima City Fire Department said.

The three men sustained minor injuries and the woman had moderate injuries but none were considered life-threatening, the fire department said.

The bear had not been caught as of Tuesday afternoon and was believed to be inside the second company compound, which was surrounded by uniformed police carrying long sticks.

Two nearby schools were closed, including Noda Elementary School, which held classes online and put a warning on its website to “avoid non-essential outings and stay safe.”

The bear attack has rekindled last year’s nationwide fear that led to Japan’s army being dispatched to the northern prefecture of Akita where more than 60 people were attacked by bears, with four killed.

The encroachment by a growing bear population has occurred in a region with a rapidly aging and declining human population that has few people trained to hunt the animals, experts say.

The Japanese government in March estimated the overall bear population at around 57,800. Officials have adopted a road map of bear population management, calling for systematic culling. Under the plan, the number of municipal bear control staff will triple to 2,500 within five years, while the number of bear traps will double.

Bear sightings were reported recently in Tokyo’s western suburbs, including the hiking area of Okutama. Park officials have set up additional traps and launched bear alerts on social media.

The government has stepped up a public awareness campaign, urging hikers and mushroom hunters to check notifications about bear sightings and avoid outdoor activity in the early morning and evening when bears are active.

An environment ministry manual advises that anyone encountering a bear should not panic, move slowly and avoid turning around and running. As a last resort, the manual says anyone attacked should turn face down, ball up and cover their neck.

“The point is to save yourself from a fatal wound,” according to the manual.

By JBizNews Desk

June 2, 2026

NEW YORK — For much of the past decade, workers looking for a meaningful raise often followed a simple rule: leave your current employer.

That strategy is becoming far less effective.

New data from the Bank of America Institute shows the wage advantage enjoyed by workers who switch jobs has fallen to its lowest level in seven years, reflecting a labor market that is cooling from the hiring frenzy that defined the post-pandemic economy.

According to the report, employees who changed jobs during the first quarter of 2026 experienced average after-tax wage growth of approximately 8% year over year, compared with roughly 5% for workers who remained with their current employer.

While job changers still earned larger increases, the gap has narrowed to just three percentage points, the smallest advantage recorded since 2019.

The shift marks a dramatic reversal from the peak of the labor shortage era.

During the height of the Great Resignation in 2022, employers were competing aggressively for talent, often offering substantial salary increases to attract workers away from rival firms.

At the time, employees who switched jobs frequently secured raises approaching 18%, while workers who stayed put generally received increases closer to 7%.

The result was an unprecedented wage premium for mobility.

Today, that premium has largely evaporated.

The findings suggest the labor market has entered a new phase—one that economists increasingly describe as a “low-hire, low-fire” environment.

Companies are no longer aggressively recruiting at the same pace, but they are also not conducting widespread layoffs. Instead, employers appear focused on maintaining existing workforces while hiring selectively when needed.

That balance is reshaping compensation dynamics.

A separate report from ADP Research reinforces the trend.

ADP’s data shows the wage-growth advantage for job switchers fell to approximately 2 percentage points earlier this year, the smallest differential since the payroll processor began tracking the metric.

By April, wage growth for employees who remained with their current company averaged 4.4%, while workers changing jobs earned roughly 6.6%.

The difference remains meaningful, but it is far smaller than workers became accustomed to during recent years.

Nela Richardson, Chief Economist at ADP, summarized the labor market’s changing character succinctly.

“Small and large employers are hiring, but we’re seeing softness in the middle,” Richardson said.

That softness is affecting employee leverage.

When businesses are competing aggressively for workers, salaries tend to rise quickly as employers bid against one another. When hiring slows, the pressure to offer outsized compensation packages diminishes.

Employers simply have less reason to pay a premium to lure workers away from existing jobs.

For many Americans, the data reveals an even more sobering reality.

According to Bank of America Institute researchers, approximately half of workers who stayed with their employers received little or no pay increase during the quarter. A significant portion of workers who changed jobs also saw minimal gains, and some even experienced lower compensation.

In other words, the question increasingly is not whether changing jobs guarantees a larger raise.

For many workers, the challenge is securing a raise at all.

The trend carries important implications for younger employees who entered the workforce during one of the hottest labor markets in modern history.

For years, career advisers, recruiters, and social-media influencers frequently promoted job-hopping as the fastest path to higher earnings.

The advice was largely supported by data.

In a labor market characterized by worker shortages, changing employers often produced larger salary gains than remaining loyal to a single company.

That formula may no longer apply as broadly.

Today’s environment rewards a more nuanced approach.

Career advancement, internal promotions, skills development, and long-term opportunities increasingly matter alongside immediate salary gains.

In some sectors, remaining with an employer may now offer compensation growth comparable to changing jobs.

The shift is not uniform across the economy.

Industries facing persistent worker shortages—including portions of construction, engineering, healthcare, and specialized technical fields—continue to offer substantial incentives to attract talent.

In those sectors, switching employers can still produce significant pay increases.

Other industries tell a different story.

Technology, professional services, media, and certain white-collar occupations have experienced slower hiring activity, reducing the bargaining power of employees seeking new opportunities.

For employers, the trend brings welcome relief.

Labor costs remain one of the largest expenses for most businesses. During the peak hiring years, companies frequently found themselves matching competing offers simply to retain experienced workers.

As the wage gap narrows, businesses face less pressure to continually increase compensation to prevent turnover.

That dynamic may also help ease inflationary pressures across the broader economy.

The Federal Reserve closely monitors wage growth because rapid increases in labor costs can eventually contribute to higher prices throughout the economy.

A more balanced labor market could support the Fed’s efforts to keep inflation under control without triggering a significant rise in unemployment.

Still, economists caution against viewing the trend as entirely positive.

Worker mobility has historically played an important role in economic growth by helping employees move into positions where they can be more productive and earn higher wages.

If fewer workers pursue better opportunities, overall economic dynamism may weaken over time.

For now, however, the numbers tell a clear story.

The era when workers could reliably secure double-digit raises simply by updating their résumé and changing employers appears to be fading.

Job-hopping still pays.

It just doesn’t pay nearly as much as it used to.

As new labor-market data arrives throughout the summer, economists will be watching closely to see whether the gap continues narrowing—or whether employers once again find themselves competing aggressively for talent.

For workers navigating career decisions in 2026, the lesson may be simple: the quickest path to higher pay is no longer as obvious as it once was.

JBizNews Desk — New York

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

JERUSALEM (VINnews)-A source in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s inner circle on Tuesday disputed key elements of an Axios report about his late-night phone conversation with President Trump, insisting no personal warnings were issued.

Contrary to the Axios account, Trump did not warn Netanyahu about potential jail time or claim he is hated worldwide, the source said.

The discussion was tense and centered on mutual grievances regarding the leaders’ social media posts that summarized their previous lengthy call.

Trump objected to Netanyahu’s tweet, which he said implied the war was continuing at full strength except for attacks in Beirut. Netanyahu complained that Trump’s post suggested Israel had implemented a full ceasefire across all fronts.

Trump did tell Netanyahu that presenting Israel’s position to the world is difficult and has fueled hatred toward the country, according to the source.

The call concluded with an agreement that Israel would refrain from striking Beirut’s suburbs provided it faces no attacks originating from within Lebanon’s borders.

The pushback from Netanyahu’s team highlights ongoing efforts to coordinate public statements as the incoming Trump administration prepares to engage more deeply with the Israel-Hamas and Israel-Hezbollah conflicts.

Yossi Levy, the head of the Netzach Yehuda organization, which works to integrate Chareidim into the IDF, sent an urgent letter to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, Arutz Sheva reported.

In his letter, Levy demanded an immediate halt to the wave of arrests of bnei yeshivos that has taken place in recent weeks. Levy, who has worked for many years to integrate Chareidi youth into meaningful combat service, warned that the escalation of measures — using sanctions and arrests — is achieving the opposite result and pushing a solution to the draft crisis further away.

He emphasized that thousands of young Chareidim are not learning in yeshivos but are not serving in the army, and that integration efforts should be focused on them, while preserving the status of Lomdei Torah.

He stressed that continued arrests will lead Chareidi youth who currently wish to enlist in combat roles to change their minds. He noted that he has received many inquiries from Chareidi youth who expressed interest in being recruited, but indicated that they will not enlist if the current situation continues.

“I am writing to you out of deep concern in light of the severe escalation in the treatment of the Olam HaTorah and bnei yeshivos in recent weeks,” Levy wrote.

“As someone who has worked for many years to integrate Chareidi youth into meaningful IDF service, I know from experience that uniting the different parts of the nation and expanding the circle of those who serve cannot be achieved through threats, sanctions, arrests, and confrontational rhetoric. These steps do not bring a solution closer — they push it further away.”

Levy stressed that bnei yeshivos are not enemies of the state but rather carry the spiritual continuity of the nation on their shoulders and preserve the Jewish flame.

He noted that there is no practical need to draft bnei yeshivos when there are thousands of Chareidi youth who are not learning full-time and who are not serving in the IDF.

He concluded by calling on Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisrael Katz to calm the situation, stop the harm to the Olam HaTorah, and halt the wave of arrests of bnei yeshivos.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he has selected Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte to serve as acting director of national intelligence, succeeding Tulsi Gabbard after her departure later this month.

Revealing the appointment on Truth Social, Trump praised Pulte’s financial and management experience.

“William has deep experience managing the most sensitive matters in America, the safety and soundness of the Markets, and over 10 Trillion Dollars at Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, a substantial increase from where it was just 12 months ago,” Trump wrote.

“During this period, he will remain Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and Chairman of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac. Congratulations to Director Pulte!”

Pulte, who founded Twitter Philanthropy and serves as CEO of Pulte Capital, is also the grandson of homebuilding and real estate entrepreneur William J. Pulte. If Trump chooses to nominate him for the intelligence post on a permanent basis, Senate confirmation would be required.

Gabbard is scheduled to leave her position as director of national intelligence on June 30. She announced her resignation last month, citing her husband Abraham’s recent diagnosis of bone cancer.

The 38-year-old Pulte has drawn attention during his tenure at the Federal Housing Finance Agency for targeting several of Trump’s political opponents. He previously issued criminal referrals involving New York Attorney General Letitia James and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook over allegations of mortgage fraud.

Today, the Orthodox Union Advocacy Center (OUA), the federal policy arm of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, urged Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to address the need for increased funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) in his testimony before congressional committees today and tomorrow.

NSGP is administered by DHS and has been underfunded in recent years, while demand for funds in the face of rising antisemitism has skyrocketed. NSGP grants are awarded to synagogues, Jewish schools, and other at-risk nonprofit institutions to support critical security measures, including cameras, access controls, reinforced entryways, and contract security personnel.

NSGP received $274.5 million in fiscal year 2025 and $300 million in fiscal year 2026—a far cry from meeting the flood of applications. A coalition of Jewish and interfaith groups—including OU Advocacy—recently urged Congress to budget $1 billion for NSGP in 2027.

“We appreciate Secretary Mullin’s positive words about funding NSGP during his confirmation hearing, but now it’s time to deliver,” said Nathan Diament, Executive Director of OU Advocacy. “Thousands of Jewish synagogues, schools, and the communal institutions of other faith communities need help protecting their constituents from threats. And the Jewish community should not bear the cost of surging antisemitism alone. Government’s first job is the safety of its citizens, and we hope Sec. Mullin will be our partner in that mission.”

New York congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier, who is backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, is facing scrutiny after a series of resurfaced social media posts showed her advocating the abolition of all police and prisons, the elimination of national borders, the seizure of property from all landlords and even claiming that “Israel doesn’t exist,” the New York Post reported Sunday.

Chevalier, who is challenging Rep. Adriano Espaillat in the Democratic primary for New York’s 13th Congressional District, has also come under fire for past posts in which she called Joe Biden a “war criminal,” described the United States as a an “[expletive] disgrace,” boasted about wiping dirty hands on the American flag, and made inflammatory comments about interracial relationships involving white women and black men.

Additional posts uncovered by CNN through the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine from Chevalier’s since-deleted X account, spanning 2018 through 2022, revealed further controversial statements.

In August 2020, Chevalier reposted a message reading, “Israel suddenly disappears, your third emoji is your reaction,” and replied, “Trick question — Israel doesn’t exist!”

During a string of pro-illegal immigration posts in September 2021, she wrote, “A world without borders—just like a world without prisons or police—is possible, necessary, and the only moral way forward.”

After some questioned whether she was joking, Chevalier later clarified her position, writing, “Yes, literally, abolish the border. All deportation is wrong.”

Chevalier has also attacked prominent figures on the political left, accusing Sen. Bernie Sanders of promoting “liberal Zionism” and criticizing Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for voting “present” on Israeli military funding legislation.

Several of the resurfaced posts also promoted explicitly socialist and communist policies.

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, she reposted a message calling for the nationalization of hospitals, utilities, and pharmaceutical companies, the suspension of rent and mortgage payments, the dismantling of insurance companies, and “seiz[ing] all properties from landlords,” according to the report.

In another deleted post from 2019, Chevalier wrote, “Seize the means of production,” a slogan commonly associated with communist ideology.

During the anti-police protests that followed the killing of George Floyd in 2020, Chevalier forcefully defended calls to abolish law enforcement.

Two days later, she rejected the notion that activists merely sought to reform policing.

“No. It means ending policing full stop. Period. No more police at all ever,” she wrote.

Responding to the report, Chevalier accused Espaillat of focusing on years-old social media posts rather than current issues facing voters.

“My opponent wants to live in the past. He is re-litigating social media posts from half a decade ago, and continuing to champion an outdated politics that fails to serve our people,” she told CNN.

“I have grown considerably since in the years since these tweets, and I am focused on our community and our community’s future.”

Mamdani defended his endorsement in a separate statement.

“In Congress, she’ll take on corporate greed, bad landlords, and D.C.’s broken political system. At a time when power is concentrated in fewer and fewer hands, Darializa will fight in Congress for New York City’s working families. She’s the champion we need for a city New Yorkers can actually afford.”

KORAZIM, Israel (VINnews) — A sixth-grade student participating in an archaeological excavation in northern Israel on Sunday discovered a rare 1,500-year-old gemstone, archaeologists said.

Alon Horavitz made the find near the end of a three-day educational dig at an ancient site in the Galilee. Experts identified the artifact as a nicolo gem, a valuable variety of agate that was commonly set into jewelry and signet rings during the Roman and Byzantine eras.

Archaeologists said such gemstones were considered luxury items and often reflected wealth and high social standing.

The excavation was part of a joint project between the Israel Nature and Parks Authority and Ariel University aimed at engaging students in archaeological research while helping preserve and study Israel’s historical heritage.

Researchers said the discovery provides additional evidence of commercial and cultural activity in the region some 1,500 years ago.

With the second high-profile Jew to flee Montreal, the exodus of Jews from hostile cities continues apace.

An exclusive report in the Montreal Gazette revealed that the chief of cardiac surgery at the Jewish General Hospital, Emmanuel Moss, has resigned and plans to move to Atlanta amid rising anti-Jewish violence in Montreal, the second high-profile Montreal Jew to skip town on account of antisemitism.

Gad Saad, a professor at Concordia University, announced during an appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast that he would be transferring to the University of Mississippi after receiving death threats for supporting the right of the Jewish state to exist.

“I’m now leaving in large part because it became difficult for me, if not impossible, to be a high-profile Jewish professor who supports the right of Israel to exist,” he told Rogan.

Professor Gad Saad. (Credit: Northwood University)

Moss served at the Montreal hospital as a surgeon for 10 years before telling his patients and hospital staff he was leaving. While he didn’t publicly give the reasons for his departure, sources close to him cite the rise in antisemitism as the deciding factor.

Antisemitic attacks included firebombing synagogues, firing bullets at a yeshiva, physical assaults and vandalism, and Moss grew increasingly concerned by the failure of authorities to crack down on the incidents. He was particularly outraged by a protest at which Israeli politicians were hanged in effigy, sources said.

While other factors contributed to Moss’s decision to leave, such as the lack of resources for heart patients in Quebec, a source said that the sharp spike in antisemitic attacks was the final straw.

“The health system issues that may have played a role in Manny Moss deciding to leave, they didn’t just arise last week or last month or last year,” the source explained. “The problems with the health system have existed for years, and he could have left at any time before. So what it comes down to is the antisemitism and the feeling that this [city] has become an increasingly dangerous or unrecognizable place to live.”

The departure of Moss, who pioneered robotic cardiac surgery at the hospital, is a blow to an institution where medical resources are already scarce. The website of McGill University, where he served as director of its cardiac surgery residency training program, noted that Moss “is one of the only surgeons in Canada routinely performing both robotic mitral valve and coronary bypass surgeries.”

Year-on-year inflation in Iran reached a level in May unseen since World War II, underlining the economic pain average Iranians face as the Islamic Republic worries about the war with Israel and the United States restarting.

A report Monday by Iran’s Central Bank represents the first official acknowledgment of what Iranians shopping, paying for a taxi or visiting a medical clinic already know: The rial currency is battered by the war and uncertainty around it resuming.

Meanwhile, longtime problems of economic mismanagement and government corruption also appear to be dragging down Iran’s oil-backed economy as it remains under a U.S. naval blockade.

Economic pressure in the past has sparked nationwide protests, something Iran’s theocracy has been trying to avoid since a crackdown on demonstrators in January killed over 7,000 people, according to activists’ estimates.

But even as hard-liners hold gun-handling workshops and organize marriages under the shadow of a ballistic missile to bolster spirits, experts note that new demonstrations could emerge if people find themselves priced out of feeding their families.

“I have no doubt that if Trump leaves (Iran without a formal peace deal) … most probably, we will see something like January by the end of summer because of the economic and social situations,” analyst Mohsen Jalilvand said in a video published by Iran’s Fararu news website.

‘We will definitely have higher prices’

Iran’s Central Bank said the consumer price index, which measures a basket of goods and services, reached 77.2% in May compared to the year before. It added the rate is 8.5% higher than in April. Inflation in daily and general needs — like medicine, taxi fares, tobacco and communication fees — rose 113.8% from the year before.

Iran only saw worse inflation in 1942 during World War II, sparked by the British and Soviets invading the country and taking over its railway, disrupting food supplies. The lack of food, worsened by a poor harvest, sparked hyperinflation and a famine. Hunger and a typhus outbreak killed many.

A private economic think tank in Iran, the Bamdad Institute of Economic Studies, described the current figures as “an unprecedented rate since World War II.” Iran’s Central Bank did not acknowledge the significance of the figures.

Airstrikes this year have greatly damaged Iranian businesses and its oil industry, Meanwhile, the U.S. blockade has been targeting Iranian crude oil shipments trying to reach the international market, a key source of hard revenue. Tax revenues have been depressed by businesses struggling even after the fighting paused.

The rial, which traded at 32,000 to $1 in 2015, now trades at over 1.7 million to $1.

“We will definitely have higher prices,” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned in May. “We are fighting and we must accept this hardship.”

Past economic woes have led to protests

In 2017 into 2018, rising food prices sparked demonstrations that killed over 20 people and saw hundreds arrested. An increase in government-subsidized gasoline prices caused protests that saw over 300 people reportedly killed.

Then came the protests over the rial at the start of this year, the most intense demonstrations to shake the Islamic Republic since its 1979 revolution and chaotic years that followed.

Tehran-based economist Saeed Leilaz, speaking to The Associated Press, warned that annual inflation in Iran could reach 80%.

“Iran’s society cannot tolerate above 25%” annual inflation, he said.

(AP)

By JBizNews Desk

June 2, 2026

NEW YORK — Savers willing to lock up their cash can still earn yields that would have seemed attractive only a few years ago. The catch is that many Americans are leaving money on the table because the highest rates are often found far from the bank branch they use every day.

As of June 1, several of the nation’s largest banks were advertising certificate-of-deposit yields approaching 4%, while the national average for a one-year CD remained below 2%, according to industry data. The gap highlights a growing divide between headline rates available to shoppers willing to compare offers and the much lower returns many depositors continue to receive.

For consumers looking to protect savings without taking stock-market risk, the difference can be meaningful.

A saver placing $100,000 into a one-year CD earning 4% would collect roughly $4,000 in interest over twelve months. The same deposit earning the national average near 2% would generate only about $2,000. Over time, that gap compounds into a significant difference in returns.

The disparity has emerged as the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate outlook continues to evolve.

After cutting benchmark rates multiple times during 2025, policymakers have adopted a more cautious stance in 2026 as inflation remains stubbornly above target. That uncertainty has created an environment where banks are competing aggressively for deposits in some areas while allowing rates to drift lower in others.

The result is a marketplace where informed shoppers can often earn double what less-active savers receive.

Among major banks, promotional CD rates have remained relatively attractive, particularly for shorter-term deposits ranging from four months to fourteen months. Several institutions continue offering yields around 4%, reflecting their desire to attract stable funding without significantly increasing borrowing costs elsewhere.

Online banks remain among the industry’s most aggressive competitors.

Without the expense of maintaining extensive branch networks, many digital-first institutions have been able to offer yields exceeding those available at traditional banks. Some one-year CDs continue to pay above 4.2%, while select longer-term products remain competitive despite expectations that rates may gradually decline in the coming years.

The trend is prompting many financial advisers to encourage clients to review cash-management strategies.

For much of the past decade, low interest rates made the decision relatively simple. Savings accounts, money-market funds, and CDs often paid similarly modest returns, leaving little incentive to move money.

That environment has changed.

Today’s rate differences can significantly affect household income, particularly for retirees and conservative investors who rely on interest earnings.

The renewed popularity of CDs also reflects uncertainty about the direction of future rates.

A certificate of deposit guarantees a fixed return for a specified period. If rates decline after the CD is opened, the saver continues receiving the higher locked-in yield until maturity.

That feature has become increasingly attractive as markets debate whether the Federal Reserve will eventually resume cutting rates.

Many consumers appear to be acting accordingly.

Banks report growing interest in CDs as households seek ways to preserve purchasing power while avoiding the volatility that can accompany stocks and other investments.

Still, financial professionals caution that CDs are not appropriate for every dollar a family saves.

Unlike traditional savings accounts, certificates of deposit generally impose penalties for early withdrawals. Money committed to a CD may be difficult or costly to access before maturity.

As a result, many advisers recommend maintaining emergency funds in more liquid accounts while using CDs for cash that is unlikely to be needed immediately.

Safety remains another key selling point.

Deposits held at FDIC-insured banks are protected up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category, per institution. Credit-union deposits receive similar protection through the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).

That federal backing makes CDs one of the lowest-risk financial products available to consumers.

Historical perspective also helps explain why current rates are drawing attention.

During the early 1980s, CD yields climbed into double digits as the Federal Reserve battled runaway inflation. By contrast, rates spent much of the 2010s hovering near historic lows, with many savers earning less than 1%.

The inflation surge of the early 2020s pushed yields sharply higher before recent rate cuts caused them to moderate.

Today’s rates near 4% sit somewhere between those extremes.

They are below the peaks reached during the inflation-fighting period but remain substantially higher than what savers became accustomed to during much of the previous decade.

For banks, the competition reflects a broader battle for deposits.

Higher funding costs can pressure profitability, but attracting deposits remains essential for supporting lending activity and maintaining liquidity. Institutions must balance the desire to gather deposits with the cost of paying higher rates.

Consumers ultimately benefit from that competition.

The challenge is knowing where to look.

Many depositors continue keeping large cash balances in low-yield accounts simply because of convenience or familiarity. Others actively compare rates and move money to institutions offering stronger returns.

The difference between those approaches can be substantial.

With some CDs paying around 4% while average rates remain below 2%, the simple act of comparing offers may be one of the easiest financial decisions available to savers in 2026.

For households focused on preserving capital while earning a predictable return, certificates of deposit remain one of the few places where patience is still being rewarded.

JBizNews Desk — New York

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ICYMI: Album 1 and Album 2.

By JBizNews Desk

Tuesday, June 2, 2026

U.S. stocks opened lower Tuesday, pulling back from Monday’s record close after renewed tensions involving Iran pushed oil prices higher and gave investors a reason to pause following Wall Street’s strongest run in more than a year.

Futures tied to the S&P 500 fell about 0.2% before the opening bell after the index closed Monday at a record 7,599.96, while the Nasdaq Composite also finished at a fresh all-time high. The market’s advance has been fueled largely by relentless investor demand for companies tied to artificial intelligence, data centers, networking infrastructure, and cloud computing.

The overnight catalyst came from the Middle East.

Iranian state-linked media reported that Tehran had suspended communications with Washington unless Israel halted its expanding military operations in southern Lebanon. Additional reports indicated Iran and regional allies were discussing responses that could affect key global shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, two of the most important energy chokepoints in the world.

The developments immediately rattled energy markets.

West Texas Intermediate crude jumped sharply Monday and remained near $92 per barrel Tuesday morning after briefly surging more than 8% during the previous session. Brent crude traded around $95, keeping oil prices roughly 30% above levels seen before the conflict escalated earlier this year.

President Donald Trump sought to calm markets, telling reporters that discussions remained on track despite what he described as a temporary setback. Trump referred to the issue as a “small glitch” that had already been addressed and also pointed to signs of reduced hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, helping oil retreat from its overnight highs.

For investors, however, oil remains the most important variable to watch. Sustained prices near $100 per barrel could reignite inflation concerns and complicate the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook.

While geopolitical tensions dominated headlines, corporate earnings continued to reinforce Wall Street’s bullish AI narrative.

The biggest winner of the morning was Hewlett Packard Enterprise, whose shares surged more than 25% after reporting results that significantly exceeded expectations and raising its outlook for the year.

The company increased its fiscal 2026 adjusted earnings forecast to $3.35 to $3.45 per share, up sharply from its prior guidance range of $2.30 to $2.50 and well above analyst expectations. HPE also raised free cash flow guidance to approximately $3.5 billion, compared with a prior forecast of roughly $2 billion.

The strength was driven largely by AI-related demand. HPE reported that networking revenue surged 148%, while revenue from its Cloud and AI segment increased 23%, underscoring the continued spending wave flowing into enterprise AI infrastructure.

The company also announced that a representative from Elliott Investment Management will join its board, a move welcomed by investors.

Another major beneficiary of the AI boom was Marvell Technology, whose shares jumped roughly 19% in premarket trading.

Marvell unveiled its new Teralynx T100, which the company described as the industry’s first 102.4 terabits-per-second AI-optimized switch silicon platform. The chip is specifically designed for hyperscale AI data centers and uses up to 25% less power than competing products, addressing one of the industry’s biggest challenges as power demand surges alongside AI workloads.

The announcement reinforced a trend that continues to drive markets higher: demand for AI infrastructure is growing faster than supply.

The momentum extended across the sector.

Broadcom climbed nearly 6% before the open after receiving a bullish analyst call from HSBC, while investors continued piling into companies viewed as essential suppliers to the AI buildout.

Lumentum Holdings gained nearly 7% after announcing a new $2 billion investment from Nvidia, further highlighting how capital continues to flow toward the infrastructure powering artificial intelligence.

The optimism surrounding AI remains so strong that many technology executives now describe demand as exceeding available capacity, creating substantial investment opportunities across semiconductors, networking equipment, cloud services, and supporting energy infrastructure.

Still, some of Wall Street’s most influential voices are urging caution.

The benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury yield traded around 4.43% Tuesday morning, while the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) climbed toward 16, suggesting investors are beginning to price in higher uncertainty.

Speaking recently at the Reagan National Economic Forum, JPMorgan Chase Chief Executive Jamie Dimon warned that financial markets may be underestimating economic and geopolitical risks. Dimon cautioned that investor enthusiasm remains high despite a growing list of potential disruptions ranging from inflation and interest rates to international conflicts.

For now, however, earnings continue to overpower those concerns.

The market remains caught between two powerful forces: a historic wave of AI-driven investment and a volatile geopolitical backdrop centered on the Middle East and global energy supplies.

Tuesday’s session will test which narrative carries more weight. So far in 2026, investors have consistently chosen artificial intelligence. But with oil approaching $100 a barrel and tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz remaining unresolved, that confidence could face a much tougher test in the days ahead.

Wall Street — JBizNews Desk

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A newly released national survey points to a significant transformation in how Israelis view themselves, with a growing majority now identifying first and foremost as Jews rather than simply as Israelis.

The findings, contained in the 2026 Diaspora Index presented this week to President Isaac Herzog, indicate a sharp strengthening of Jewish identity across Israeli society. According to the survey, 57 percent of Israelis now say they view themselves as Jewish before they view themselves as Israeli, a substantial increase from 34 percent who gave that answer just one year ago.

The report also found widespread pride in Jewish identity among the Israeli public. Eighty-seven percent of respondents said they are proud of their Jewish identity, while 85 percent said they view Judaism as belonging to a people united by a shared history and collective heritage.

Perhaps most notably, the trend extends well beyond the traditionally religious sectors. According to the survey, 82 percent of secular Israelis view Judaism as an important source of identity and values.

Researchers behind the study described the phenomenon as a process of “identity convergence,” arguing that many Israelis are reconnecting with their historical and national roots while simultaneously feeling a stronger bond with Jewish communities around the world.

Presenting the report, President Isaac Herzog emphasized the importance of maintaining strong ties between Israel and Diaspora Jewry.

He described the relationship with Jewish communities abroad as “a value of the highest order” and an inseparable part of the Jewish people’s collective future.

In an effort to strengthen those connections, the Israeli government has already approved programs totaling more than 100 million shekels aimed at expanding Jewish education and deepening engagement with Jewish communities throughout the world.

Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli said the survey’s findings underscore the importance of investing in Jewish identity for future generations.

“The most important investment is in Jewish education—the foundation of identity and the future of the Jewish people,” Shikli said.

{Matzav.com}

By JBizNews Desk

June 2, 2026

PARIS — Europe landed one of the largest artificial-intelligence infrastructure commitments in its history Monday as SoftBank Group founder and CEO Masayoshi Son joined French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris to announce plans to invest up to €75 billion ($87 billion) in AI data centers across France.

The commitment, one of the largest technology infrastructure investments ever announced on the continent, is designed to establish France as a leading European hub for artificial intelligence computing power at a time when governments and corporations worldwide are racing to secure the infrastructure needed to support next-generation AI systems.

According to details released Monday, the project will ultimately create approximately 5 gigawatts of AI-focused data-center capacity, a scale that rivals some of the largest computing developments currently underway in the United States.

The first phase alone will involve roughly €45 billion in investment and deliver approximately 3.1 gigawatts of capacity by 2031.

The initial buildout will focus on the Hauts-de-France region in northern France, with major facilities planned in Dunkirk, Bosquel, and Bouchain.

The announcement marks SoftBank’s largest AI infrastructure investment in Europe and further expands the Japanese technology giant’s increasingly aggressive commitment to artificial intelligence.

Speaking alongside Macron, Son described the project as part of a broader transformation that he believes will fundamentally reshape the global economy.

The SoftBank founder has repeatedly argued that artificial intelligence represents a technological revolution far larger than previous computing cycles, including the internet boom that transformed global markets during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

The French project reflects that conviction.

Beyond constructing data centers, the investment will include manufacturing facilities, industrial infrastructure, and partnerships designed to create an integrated AI ecosystem capable of supporting cloud providers, AI developers, businesses, researchers, and public institutions.

One of the centerpiece components involves a strategic partnership with Schneider Electric, the French industrial technology company.

The two firms plan to establish a major industrial hub in Dunkirk where equipment essential to AI data centers—including power systems and infrastructure components—will be manufactured and assembled.

The project is expected to create thousands of construction jobs during the development phase and support long-term employment in engineering, operations, maintenance, manufacturing, and related industries.

For France, the announcement represents a major validation of President Macron’s effort to position the country as Europe’s leading destination for advanced technology investment.

The commitment was unveiled during the government’s annual “Choose France” investment summit, where Macron said the country expects approximately €93 billion in foreign investment commitments spanning technology, healthcare, transportation, semiconductors, critical minerals, and industrial manufacturing.

The timing is significant.

While the United States and China have dominated much of the global AI infrastructure race, European policymakers have increasingly expressed concern that the continent risks falling behind in the competition for computing capacity, talent, and investment.

Artificial intelligence requires enormous amounts of computing power, and that computing power depends on access to land, electricity, networking infrastructure, and capital.

France believes it possesses several advantages.

The country maintains one of Europe’s largest nuclear-power fleets, providing relatively stable and low-carbon electricity supplies. That matters because AI data centers have become some of the largest consumers of power in the modern economy.

Electricity costs have emerged as a major constraint on AI expansion across Europe.

Large AI facilities consume vast amounts of energy around the clock, making access to reliable power one of the industry’s most valuable strategic assets.

By locating major facilities in northern France, SoftBank is effectively betting that the country’s energy infrastructure can support long-term growth in AI computing demand.

Investors appeared encouraged by the announcement.

SoftBank shares rose approximately 14% Monday and have gained more than 70% during 2026, reflecting growing enthusiasm around the company’s AI-related investments.

The company has become deeply intertwined with the AI ecosystem through its ownership of Arm Holdings, its substantial investment in OpenAI, and a growing portfolio of AI-related infrastructure and technology assets.

Industry analysts view the French investment as part of a larger trend.

Around the world, countries are increasingly competing to attract AI infrastructure projects in much the same way they once competed for factories, ports, and industrial facilities.

Computing power is becoming a strategic resource.

Data centers, electrical capacity, semiconductor access, and AI talent are increasingly viewed as critical national assets capable of influencing future economic growth.

For France, the project offers the possibility of becoming Europe’s answer to the massive AI infrastructure expansion currently underway in the United States.

For SoftBank, it represents another major wager that demand for artificial intelligence will continue growing for years to come.

And for Europe as a whole, it sends a powerful signal that the continent intends to play a far larger role in the next phase of the global AI economy.

The competition for AI leadership is no longer taking place only between companies.

It is increasingly a competition between nations.

With €75 billion now committed to French AI infrastructure, Europe has made one of its biggest moves yet.

JBizNews Desk — Europe

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Reuven Lamnatzeach, a talmid of Yeshivas Kibbutz Givat Ze’ev, was detained late last week while traveling to yeshiva on Route 1. After being stopped by police, he was transferred to military authorities and held in military prison until his release on Sunday.

Immediately after leaving custody, Lamnatzeach traveled to Bnei Brak together with his rosh yeshiva, Rav Dovid Boaron, to seek the blessings of senior Torah leaders.

Their first stop was the home of Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, where the rosh yeshiva listened carefully as Lamnatzeach described the details of his arrest.

During a conversation that was recorded and later circulated widely, Rav Hirsch sought to understand exactly how the incident unfolded.

“Where did they catch you?” the rosh yeshiva asked.

“On the way to yeshiva,” Lamnatzeach replied.

Rav Boaron added that the arrest occurred on Route 1 and involved an unmarked vehicle.

“On Route 1, an undercover car—you couldn’t tell it was police,” he explained.

Lamnatzeach then described the arrest itself.

“I was in a car with a friend. Suddenly they stopped us and then they took me away in handcuffs.”

Rav Hirsch immediately asked what had happened to the other passenger.

“And what about your friend?”

“No, they released my friend,” the bochur responded.

The exchange then took an unexpected turn.

“Is your friend Ashkenazi?” Rav Hirsch asked.

The bochur answered: “No, he looks Ashkenazi, and because of that they released him.”

Rav Boaron responded with a sigh, saying, “Unfortunately, that’s what is happening. When will this end?”

Rav Hirsch continued asking about the arrest and sought additional details regarding the officer involved.

“The police officer who arrested you, was he Sephardi or Ashkenazi?”

“I think Sephardi,” the bochur replied.

Rav Boaron again asked emotionally, “Until when, Rosh Yeshiva? When will this end?”

Rav Hirsch’s answer was brief but striking.

“It has not even begun yet.”

The conversation took place amid a series of recent arrests involving yeshiva students. Last week, two talmidim from Yeshivas Maalos HaTorah were detained on Route 6, including Michoel Petrov, the son of the yeshiva’s rosh yeshiva, Rav Yosef Petrov.

In a separate incident, two additional yeshiva bochurim from Yeshivas Mishkan Dovid were reportedly transferred to military authorities after being detained by officers from the Shaar Binyamin police station.

After meeting with Rav Hirsch, Lamnatzeach and Rav Boaron continued their visits to other leading Torah figures, including the Belzer Rebbe, to receive additional brachos.

The arrests have prompted increasingly forceful responses from rabbinic leaders. Rav Ezriel Auerbach, leader of the Yerushalmi faction, recently issued a public call urging protests against the arrests.

“It is not a time to remain silent, and every ben Torah has a doubled and redoubled obligation to protest the humiliation of Torah and its learners,” Rav Auerbach wrote.

Large demonstrations organized by the Yerushalmi faction were held Sunday in Yerushalayim, Bnei Brak, and other locations across the country in protest of the recent arrests.

At the same time, reports have emerged that the Military Police are preparing for another large-scale arrest operation in the Gush Dan area in the coming days. According to reports, Israel Police requested that the operation be delayed because of operational demands and ongoing security concerns in northern Israel.

Rav Boaron previously delivered an emotional address in which he described learning of his talmid’s arrest only hours after parting from him at the end of the evening seder.

“I said goodbye to him at the end of third seder around 11:00 at night,” the rosh yeshiva recalled. “The next morning I woke up to a phone call from activists informing me that my student had been arrested.”

“We are living through the darkest of times, like the period of the Romans,” he declared in remarks that generated significant discussion throughout the yeshiva world.

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — The “Regavim” movement (for protection of State lands in Israel) sent an urgent letter to the authorities demanding an immediate halt to large-scale agricultural encroachments taking place at the ancient archaeological site “Khirbet Parsin,” on state land about one kilometer from the settlement of Hermesh in northern Samaria.

According to data and field observations compiled by Regavim’s field coordinators, the takeover involves four adjacent plots at the historic site, which contains antiquities and remains estimated to be about 2,000 years old and attributed to the Second Temple period. The site preserves the biblical name “Parash” (associated with descendants of Manasseh) and the Talmudic name “Kfar Parshai.” Findings there include a ritual bath (mikveh), burial caves, underground systems, and impressive Ottoman-era structures.

Regavim attached aerial photographs to the letter showing that development work, including land excavation and road opening,began in 2021. However, in the past two years the scale of the takeover has increased significantly, and the entire area has been subjected to extensive agricultural cultivation, including plowing, planting, and heavy fencing. At the same time, illegal structures were built in the nearby area. The work is being carried out using heavy mechanical equipment, without archaeological supervision, causing irreversible damage to historical soil layers and deliberately destroying national heritage assets.

Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, said: “The heritage and archaeological sites in Samaria are a national treasure that tell the story of the Jewish people in the Land of Israel over thousands of years. Khirbet Parsin is a site of exceptional historical and archaeological importance, and therefore must be preserved and protected. I call on all responsible authorities to mobilize to preserve the site, protect the antiquities and state lands, and ensure that future generations can learn and connect with the rich heritage embedded in the soil of Samaria. A living history book is being erased. The authorities must turn the table!”

Roi Druker, director of Regavim’s Judea and Samaria region, said: “We are witnessing a widespread and destructive phenomenon of brutal destruction of historical heritage sites in Judea and Samaria. Enforcement authorities must act immediately against the erasure of history and attempts to take over tens of dunams in the area. They are obligated to stop the lawlessness in the region.”

The Regavim movement was recently sanctioned by the EU after it revealed that the EU had built an illegal structure in a nature reserve near Herodium and a professional engineering assessment found it posed a safety hazard to the children and staff inside.

By JBizNews Desk

June 2, 2026

WASHINGTON — A Trump administration effort to reshape how certain immigrants obtain permanent residency has created uncertainty for employers, foreign workers, immigration attorneys, and families navigating the U.S. immigration system.

The confusion began after U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a policy memorandum on May 21, 2026, addressing green-card applications filed from within the United States. Days later, agency statements suggested that some foreign nationals seeking permanent residency could be required to leave the country and complete the process through U.S. consulates abroad rather than finishing it inside the United States.

The announcement immediately sparked concern because it appeared to challenge a process that has been a central feature of U.S. immigration law for decades.

For more than fifty years, many immigrants legally present in the United States have been permitted to obtain permanent residency through a process known as adjustment of status, which allows applicants to complete their green-card process without leaving the country. The pathway is commonly used by spouses of U.S. citizens, employment-based visa holders, students transitioning to permanent residency, refugees, and asylum recipients.

The administration argues the policy represents a return to what officials describe as the original intent of immigration law.

USCIS has characterized the move as closing what it views as a loophole that expanded beyond its intended scope over time. The Department of Homeland Security subsequently stated that individuals who properly qualify for permanent residency would still be able to receive green cards, although some applicants could be directed toward overseas consular processing rather than domestic adjustment procedures.

What remains unclear is exactly who will be affected.

After initially suggesting the policy could apply broadly, USCIS later indicated implementation would occur on a case-by-case basis. The agency has not fully detailed which applicants may be required to leave the country, how pending applications will be handled, or whether specific visa categories will face greater scrutiny.

That uncertainty has become the central issue.

Immigration attorneys report being flooded with calls and emails from concerned clients seeking clarification. Many legal professionals say employers and applicants are struggling to understand how the changes could affect long-term immigration plans already years in the making.

Shev Dalal-Dheini, Senior Director of Government Relations for the American Immigration Lawyers Association, warned that the policy could fundamentally alter a process that Congress has repeatedly reaffirmed through legislation over many decades.

Other immigration attorneys argue that adjustment of status is not an administrative loophole but a statutory process explicitly created and maintained by Congress.

The business implications extend far beyond immigration law.

Many U.S. companies rely heavily on foreign-born talent in sectors including technology, healthcare, engineering, finance, research, manufacturing, and higher education.

For employers sponsoring workers for permanent residency, uncertainty surrounding green-card processing creates operational challenges.

A company may spend years recruiting specialized talent, investing in visa sponsorship, and planning long-term staffing needs. If key employees are suddenly required to leave the country for consular processing, businesses could face disruptions ranging from delayed projects to staffing shortages.

Technology companies are viewed as particularly vulnerable.

Many engineers, software developers, data scientists, and artificial-intelligence specialists working in the United States initially arrive on temporary visas before pursuing permanent residency. Any process that increases uncertainty surrounding that transition may affect both recruitment and retention.

Healthcare providers face similar concerns.

Hospitals and medical systems already experiencing physician and nursing shortages often rely on foreign-born professionals who eventually pursue green cards through employment-based immigration pathways.

Business leaders also worry about America’s broader competitiveness.

The United States has historically attracted highly skilled workers from around the world in part because it offered a predictable path to permanent residency and eventual citizenship. Critics of the policy argue that increased uncertainty may encourage talented workers to consider alternative destinations including Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and parts of Europe.

Complicating matters further are applicants from countries where U.S. consular operations are limited or unavailable.

In certain cases, requiring overseas processing could create logistical obstacles for individuals who may have difficulty accessing functioning U.S. embassies or consulates.

Attorneys also report increased scrutiny in immigration cases more broadly.

Requests for additional evidence appear to be rising, and lawyers say applications that previously moved through the system with relative predictability are increasingly encountering delays and requests for further documentation.

For families and employers alike, the most immediate challenge is not necessarily the policy itself but the lack of clarity surrounding its implementation.

Immigration law often depends on predictability. Businesses make hiring decisions, families make life plans, and foreign workers make career choices based on expectations about how government procedures will operate.

When those expectations suddenly become uncertain, the economic consequences can spread quickly.

The Trump administration maintains it is enforcing immigration law as intended and restoring integrity to the green-card process.

Immigration attorneys argue the rollout has created confusion around one of the most important pathways to permanent residency in the United States.

Until federal officials provide clearer guidance regarding who is affected, how applications will be evaluated, and when new procedures will take effect, employers and applicants will remain caught between competing interpretations of a policy that could affect millions of future green-card seekers.

Washington — JBizNews Desk

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A group of elderly men and women got in on the game of anti-Israel protests, blocking the entrance to Zara in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and forcing the store’s closure for a day. Zara is one of the largest fast-fashion retailers in the world.

It remains unclear how harassing a clothing shop will help Arabs in Gaza.

Despite the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas that was established in October 2025, anti-Israel protesters maintain that the alleged “genocide” of Gazans is still ongoing. Recently, Israel intercepted and turned back a flotilla sailing from Spain, Italy and Turkey multiple times as it attempted to breach Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza. Earlier this week, protesters raised eyebrows as they gathered outside an old-age home in Toronto, Canada. And college students graduating from the law school of the City University of New York last month used their graduation ceremony to stage protests by unfurling Palestinian flags and holding up signs bearing anti-Israel slogans as they were called onstage to receive their diplomas.

This post was originally published on this site.

Pictured at his host after Shachris.

By JBizNews Desk

June 2, 2026

SAN FRANCISCO — The artificial-intelligence boom moved one step closer to Wall Street on Monday as Anthropic, the developer behind the rapidly growing Claude family of AI models, announced that it has confidentially filed paperwork with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to pursue an initial public offering.

The company disclosed in a blog post that it submitted a draft registration statement under the SEC’s confidential filing process, allowing it to begin the regulatory review process without immediately disclosing detailed financial information to the public.

While the filing does not guarantee an IPO will occur, it marks the first formal step toward a public listing and positions Anthropic to become one of the most closely watched technology offerings in recent years.

The announcement arrives at a remarkable moment for the company.

Just days before the filing, Anthropic disclosed a massive Series H funding round that valued the company at approximately $965 billion post-money, placing it among the most highly valued private technology companies in the world and bringing it within striking distance of the trillion-dollar threshold.

The financing round was reportedly led by a group of major institutional investors including Altimeter Capital, Dragoneer, Greenoaks, Sequoia Capital, Capital Group, Coatue Management, and D1 Capital Partners.

The valuation increase has been staggering.

Earlier this year, Anthropic was valued at roughly $380 billion. Within months, investor demand and rapid growth pushed that figure toward nearly one trillion dollars.

The filing highlights how dramatically the economics of artificial intelligence have evolved.

Founded by former OpenAI executives, Anthropic built its reputation around AI safety, governance, and its “constitutional AI” approach to model training. Initially viewed as a smaller competitor in the race to build advanced AI systems, the company has emerged as one of the industry’s most influential players.

Its flagship Claude models have gained traction across both enterprise and consumer markets, helping fuel explosive growth.

According to company disclosures, Anthropic’s annualized revenue run rate surpassed $47 billion earlier this year, driven largely by enterprise adoption and increasing use of its AI tools for software development, research, customer service, content generation, and workflow automation.

One of the strongest growth drivers has been Claude Code, the company’s software-development platform, which has rapidly gained popularity among engineers and enterprise customers looking to automate programming tasks.

Chief Financial Officer Krishna Rao said the recent funding would help Anthropic meet what he described as historic levels of customer demand.

The challenge facing Anthropic is one confronting nearly every major AI developer: infrastructure.

Building and operating advanced AI systems requires enormous amounts of computing power, and the costs continue to rise as models become larger and more capable.

Anthropic has committed substantial resources toward securing access to those systems.

The company announced earlier this year that it plans to invest more than $100 billion through Amazon Web Services to support training and inference operations. Additional agreements with Google Cloud and Broadcom have further expanded its access to advanced computing resources.

Those partnerships underscore one of the defining characteristics of the AI industry.

Revenue is growing rapidly, but so are expenses.

The next generation of AI models requires unprecedented investments in data centers, processors, networking equipment, electricity, and specialized talent. Even highly profitable AI companies face enormous capital requirements simply to remain competitive.

A public listing could provide Anthropic with another major source of funding while offering liquidity to employees and early investors.

The company would also gain broader access to capital markets at a time when AI spending continues to accelerate globally.

Anthropic is not alone.

The broader AI sector appears increasingly poised for a wave of public offerings.

Reports indicate that rival OpenAI has also taken steps toward a potential public-market debut, while several high-profile technology companies continue exploring IPO opportunities as investor demand for AI exposure remains strong.

For Wall Street, Anthropic’s eventual filing could provide something investors have been waiting for: transparency.

Despite the extraordinary valuations attached to many AI startups, limited public financial information has made it difficult for investors to evaluate profitability, operating costs, customer concentration, and long-term economics.

A public filing would offer the first detailed look inside one of the industry’s most influential companies.

Supporters argue that Anthropic’s growth validates the enormous investments flowing into artificial intelligence.

Critics continue to question whether valuations have outpaced reality and whether AI demand can ultimately justify the hundreds of billions of dollars now being deployed across the industry.

That debate is likely to intensify once financial disclosures become public.

For now, however, the facts remain straightforward.

Anthropic has confidentially filed for an IPO, investors have assigned it a valuation approaching $1 trillion, and one of the most important companies in artificial intelligence is preparing for the possibility of entering public markets.

Whether the company ultimately proceeds will depend on regulatory review, market conditions, and investor appetite.

But the filing itself serves as another powerful reminder that artificial intelligence is no longer a niche technology story.

It has become one of the largest capital markets stories in the world.

JBizNews Desk — San Francisco

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The largest delegation of gedolei Yisroel ever to travel on behalf of Keren Olam HaTorah will embark on a trip to the United States next week on a seven-city mission to be mechazek the olam haTorah and rally Klal Yisroel on behalf of the lomdei Torah in Eretz Yisroel.

The delegation traveling for the mission will include the Roshei Yeshiva of Slabodka,  Harav Dov Landau shlit”a and Harav Moshe Hillel Hirsch shlit”a; Harav Yaakov Hillel shlit”a, Rosh Yeshiva, Ahavat Shalom; the Mashgiach Harav Don Segal shlit”a; Harav Shimon Galai shlit”a; Harav Avraham Salim shlit”a, Rosh Yeshivas Maor HaTorah, ; Harav Asher Weiss shlit”a, Rosh Yeshivas Darchei Torah; Harav Yosef Chevroni shlit”a, Rosh Yeshivas Chevron; Harav Yisroel Bunim Schreiber shlit”a, Rosh Yeshivas Nesiv Hadaas; the Rachmastrivka Rebbe shlit”a, and Harav Chaim Mordechai Ausband shlit”a, Rosh Yeshivas Ateres Shlomo. 

The trip comes as the olam haTorah continues to be assailed from two directions: the sweeping government funding freeze that has crippled yeshivos and kollelim for more than two years, and the intensifying gezeiras hagiyus, with bochurim now being arrested for refusing to enlist. The gedolim convened earlier this week in Bnei Brak to deliberate next steps, and the consensus was that the time for action had come.

The current itinerary is scheduled as follows:

• Sunday, June 7: Baltimore
• Monday, June 8: Lakewood
• Tuesday, June 9: Chicago
• Wednesday, June 10: Brooklyn
• Thursday, June 11: Lakewood
• Friday, June 12: Monsey
• Sunday, June 14: Florida

Specific details for each stop, including event locations and times, are expected to be released in the coming days. Additional information about the gedolim’s plans after Sunday, June 14, are also set to be released in the near future, with the delegation expected to remain in the US until Sunday, June 21.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Former prime minister Ehud Barak criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over his handling of the war in Lebanon in an interview with 103FM on Tuesday.

“This government is misleading the public, Netanyahu is just counting bodies,” Barak said.

“They didn’t kill 800 terrorists, nor 400 terrorists – it’s all nonsense. While funerals were being held, Netanyahu claimed we were dealing Hezbollah a crushing blow and pushing the terror organization back decades. It’s pathetic, an illusion,” he added.

The former PM addressed an array of burning issues in Israeli politics, especially concerning Hezbollah, in light of directives coming from the White House and US President Donald Trump.

According to Barak, “The Israeli public is being deceived when told that if we were just freed from the constraints of ‘this strange Trump,’ we could rise up once and for all and destroy Hezbollah. There is no such thing.”

Concerns that IDF Lebanon entry has little effect on defeating Hezbollah

In Barak’s view, Israel cannot destroy Hezbollah without occupying Lebanon – an idea he deems impractical. He further claimed that Israel is squandering the current opportunity in Lebanon. “We are flattening villages and signaling that we intend to stay there permanently.”

“Through this move, we think we are weakening Hezbollah, but the exact opposite is true, because they suddenly gain a major, legitimate role within Lebanon,” he said.

Iran-Hezbollah building axis across Middle East, Barak says

Barak added that Iran and Hezbollah are backed by “a very strong axis, including Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, who have formed an alliance with Qatar and are pressuring Trump far more effectively than we are.”

“This government has dragged us into the gravest diplomatic and security situation in the country’s history and is gaslighting the public while the IDF is stretched to its absolute limit,” he continued.

Regarding ground operations in Lebanon, Barak said: “There is a deep concern that entering there has nothing to do with practical objectives.”

“The real question about the withdrawal from Lebanon is not why it happened in 2000, but why it didn’t happen 15 years earlier. Hezbollah grew and expanded precisely because we stayed inside Lebanon,” he added.

‘Bennett, Eisenkot incomparably better than Netanyahu,’ Barak says

Barak concluded by naming the candidates he believes should replace Netanyahu in the upcoming elections, pointing to Naftali Bennett and Gadi Eisenkot as those who can finally step into the shoes of the incumbent prime minister.

“This government doesn’t understand that wars always have to end; war is just a means to achieve a diplomatic, political solution. That is why either Bennett or Eisenkot, both of them, are incomparably better than Netanyahu,” he stated.

This post was originally published on here.

According to Goldhaber, the incident occurred while he was traveling to central Israel in uniform.

“I was sitting in my uniform on the way to the center of the country, and he spat on me. Literally.”

Despite the encounter, Goldhaber said he did not view the individual who spat on him as an extremist and expressed sympathy for the environment that may have shaped his views.

“The truth is that I have no complaints against him. He didn’t seem like one of the extremists,” Goldhaber wrote.

He argued that many people have come to view soldiers negatively because of the broader conflict surrounding the enlistment of bnei yeshiva.

“Still, he spat on me because we, as a country, as an army, and as citizens, have caused him to hate every type of soldier.”

Goldhaber said that in the eyes of some within the community, every chareidi soldier is automatically labeled a Chardak and viewed as part of a system perceived as hostile to lomdei Torah.

“Every soldier to him is a Chardak (chareidi kal daas),” he wrote.

He continued by explaining what he believes motivates such hostility.

“He thinks that we are persecuting Torah learners, chas v’shalom, sending some of them to detention and prison, so is it any wonder that they hate us?”

Addressing the broader debate over the enlistment of chareidim, Goldhaber said the issue is complex but stressed that the animosity he witnessed was rooted in larger societal tensions rather than personal hatred.

“Should a solution be found for the enlistment of chareidim? Maybe yes and maybe not, but the hatred that I saw in his eyes was definitely not personal hatred. It’s only because a tango requires two sides.”

Goldhaber concluded by calling for an end to hostility and emphasizing that violence will not resolve the dispute.

“Let’s just say that nothing will be accomplished through violence. I promise!”

{Matzav.com}

The far-right antisemitic streamer Sneako was caught off guard when an Israeli Arab Christian told him that living in Tel Aviv is “super fun” and answered the streamer’s question about how he’s treated in Israel in a way Sneako did not expect.

“What’s it like living as a Christian in Israel?” Sneako asked.

“Super fun,” the Israeli responded.

“They don’t spit on you?” Sneako asked.

“No, they don’t,” the Arab Christian said bluntly.

Then came the kicker.

An Arab Israeli Christian schools Sneako. (From a post on X)

“Are you treated well, or do they see you as different? Because, you know, they believe that they’re chosen and you’re not.”

Sneako’s interlocutor then taught him a life lesson that one hopes the streamer will take to heart.

“I’ve lived my whole life around Jews,” the Arab Israeli said. “And, Sneako, I believe life happens from you. If your heart is full of hate and racism, you’ll always find hate.”

Sneako, whose real name is Nicolas Kenn De Balinthazy, has faced international consequences amid backlash to his inflammatory, antisemitic and racist rhetoric and hate speech. For example, Australia imposed a lifetime ban on visiting the country, and major digital platforms and entertainment venues have also barred him.

Sneako has also been known to associate with other well-known antisemites such as Nick Fuentes and participated in an event with other influencers at a nightclub where Kanye West’s “Heil Hitler” song was played.

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli weapons exports reached a record high of more than $19 billion last year, a 30% increase from 2024, Israel’s Defense Ministry said Tuesday.

More than half of 2025’s sales were “mega-deals” valued at $100 million or more, the ministry said, adding that sales have more than doubled in the last five years, despite widespread criticism of Israel’s conduct in its wars in Gaza, with Hezbollah and with Iran.

It did not identify any of the buyers.

Countries that have vowed to shun Israeli weapons makers are nonetheless quietly placing orders, according to industry officials. Experts say governments look to Israel because its weapons are battle-tested and they’re able to see in real time that the munitions and systems work.

“There is a clear and unmistakable thread connecting the (army’s) battlefield achievements across all fronts, the extraordinary capabilities of Israel’s defense industries, and the success of Israeli defense exports around the world,” said Defense Minister Israel Katz. He said the growing figures reinforce Israel’s position as a leading defense technology power and carry a responsibility to keep innovating.

One area Israel’s Defense Ministry says will be a future priority for innovation is taking down drones, which has proven challenging during the war with Iran. Drones are hard to pinpoint on radar systems calibrated for spotting high-speed missiles and can be mistaken for birds or planes.

This year’s Defense Tech Expo in Tel Aviv reflected the growing international interest in Israeli weapons, with manufacturers promoting arms and other equipment shaped by the country’s recent conflicts. But it also highlighted the tension between showcasing the military technology and the political debate surrounding its use, with event protesters decrying the widespread destruction of Gaza as a testing lab for Israeli weapons.

Israel’s Defense Ministry says it uses its equipment to defend the country and its people, and denies that it uses battlefields as testing grounds.

More than a quarter of the sales last year were missile, rocket, and air defense systems, as in the year prior, said the defense ministry. There was also a surge in observation and optronics systems, it said. Optronics is a branch of electronics dealing with optical, infrared or ultraviolet radiation, and is used in applications such as rifle sights.

A March report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute said that for the first time, Israel has surpassed the United Kingdom in its share of global arms exports, making it the world’s seventh-biggest supplier.

JERUSALEM (VINnews) – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Monday night that the foundations of Iran’s regime “have cracked” and that it is “doomed to fall,” citing the heavy price Tehran has already paid amid ongoing regional conflicts.

“The price that Iran has already paid is very heavy. The foundations of this regime of terror in Iran have cracked. It will never return to what it once was, and I tell you — it is doomed to fall,” Netanyahu said in a speech at a farewell ceremony for outgoing Mossad chief David Barnea.

Netanyahu also issued a stern warning to Israel’s adversaries.

“Let every enemy plotting harm against Israel know that their schemes will fail. The price they will pay will be extremely heavy,” he said.

The remarks came a day after Netanyahu appeared to back down from a planned Israeli strike on Hezbollah targets in Beirut following intervention by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Addressing Barnea directly, Netanyahu praised the Mossad director’s leadership during a critical period.

“Great things were accomplished during your watch,” Netanyahu said, describing Barnea’s five years as Mossad chief as “among the most fateful in our history.”

He added: “Thank you for 30 years of dedicated service in the Mossad; and special thanks for the past few years, which yielded significant successes and remarkable achievements for Israel’s security.”

Barnea is stepping down after leading the agency through intense operations tied to Israel’s multi-front conflicts, including the war against Hamas in Gaza and escalating tensions with Iran and its proxies.

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Donald Trump’s announcement (made after speaking for an hour with Netanyahu) that Israel and Hezbollah would cease firing at one another, and his mention of the embarrassing fact that the United States had communicated with the Shiite terrorist organization in order to reach that understanding, is another in a series of Trump’s public statements that create the impression that Israel is little more than a puppet state and that the real authority is the President of the United States.

Beyond the obvious humiliation arising not only from the tone but also from the substance of the announcement – a forced ceasefire and the cancellation of a planned strike in Beirut after explicit commitments by the Prime Minister and Defense Minister, after the IDF Arabic-language spokesperson’s warning, and after images of a mass evacuation from an area that was expected to become an active battlefield – it is difficult to ignore the genuine danger of the move.

The current situation, according to Maariv’s political commentator Mati Tuchfeld, represents a return to the old concept that “quiet will be answered with quiet,” handing the initiative back to Hezbollah and further restricting the IDF’s freedom of action at a time when residents of northern Israel continue to face attacks and are demanding stronger responses.

The political consequences could also be significant, especially with elections approaching.

For a long time Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has tried to align the timing of elections with security and diplomatic developments. According to Tuchfeld, Netanyahu’s long-term plan had envisioned a very different regional reality by now: a different regime in Iran and Israel preparing to sign a historic peace agreement with the Iranian people, similar to relations before the Islamic Revolution.

Not only has that not happened, but even less ambitious diplomatic achievementssuch as a peace agreement with Saudi Arabia appear distant despite pressure from President Donald Trump on Saudi leadership.

By the fourth week of Operation “Roaring Lion”, Netanyahu understood that regime change in Iran would not occur. Nevertheless, he believed he could still claim a clear victory. Trump’s sudden ceasefire announcement undermined that message as well.

While Netanyahu may still be able to point to achievements against Iran’s nuclear program, even if not permanently eliminating it, the central test by which he will now be judged is Lebanon. The announcement of a forced ceasefire casts a heavy shadow over his ability to present the campaign there as a success.

Many within the Likud party have long believed that the decisive political battle would be fought over Lebanon. Gaza, it argues, is largely a settled issue; Iran has been weakened; but Lebanon remains an active challenge.

Although Israel’s territorial gains remain in place and are not insignificant, they fall far short of earlier expectations. Netanyahu will not be able to present the end of the campaign as the promised strategic transformation if the current round, like previous rounds, ends with another ceasefire.

This is not what was promised to the residents of the north, who were encouraged to return to their homes after months of displacement. It is not what was promised to the Israeli public when Hezbollah launched its first rockets in solidarity with Iran during the Israeli and American strikes.

Netanyahu, who continually seeks to synchronize political and security timetables and therefore insists on elections in October rather than an earlier date favored by charedi parties and some of his advisers, understands that the upcoming election campaign may be decided in part by developments in Lebanon.

By JBizNews Desk

June 2, 2026

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is abandoning plans for a proposed $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund after lawmakers from both parties criticized the initiative as an unnecessary political vehicle that could have directed taxpayer money toward organizations aligned with the administration.

The proposal, which had been under consideration as part of broader efforts to address what President Donald Trump and his allies describe as the political weaponization of government agencies against conservatives, quickly ran into resistance on Capitol Hill. Critics argued the fund lacked sufficient oversight, clear operational guidelines, and protections against political favoritism.

According to congressional officials familiar with the discussions, opposition emerged not only from Democrats but also from a number of Republicans concerned about creating a large federal fund with broad discretionary powers.

Several lawmakers reportedly described the proposal as a potential “slush fund,” arguing that future administrations could use similar mechanisms to reward political allies or favored organizations.

The retreat represents a rare instance in which bipartisan criticism forced the administration to reconsider a high-profile initiative tied directly to one of Trump’s central political themes.

Since returning to office, Trump has repeatedly argued that federal institutions, including law-enforcement and intelligence agencies, were used improperly against political opponents. The administration has pursued multiple reforms aimed at increasing accountability and limiting what it views as politically motivated government actions.

Supporters of the fund argued it would provide resources for investigations, legal challenges, and oversight efforts related to alleged government misconduct and abuses of power.

Opponents countered that existing agencies, inspectors general, congressional committees, and the judicial system already possess authority to investigate misconduct, making the proposed fund unnecessary.

The controversy quickly drew attention because of the fund’s size.

At $1.8 billion, the proposal would have represented a substantial federal commitment at a time when both parties continue debating government spending levels, budget deficits, and the national debt.

Fiscal conservatives questioned whether the money would produce measurable results, while Democrats argued it risked politicizing oversight activities that traditionally operate independently from the White House.

The decision to abandon the proposal may also reflect broader political calculations.

With Congress focused on budget negotiations and several major legislative priorities, administration officials appear eager to avoid a prolonged battle over a program that lacked strong support even among portions of the Republican caucus.

Political analysts noted that bipartisan opposition can be particularly difficult for any White House to overcome because it removes the possibility of framing criticism as purely partisan.

For the administration, dropping the proposal allows officials to continue pursuing anti-weaponization reforms through existing agencies and executive actions without becoming bogged down in a contentious funding fight.

The episode also highlights the continuing debate over how government accountability should be enforced.

Trump supporters argue that stronger mechanisms are needed to investigate alleged abuses by federal institutions, particularly following years of disputes involving law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and politically sensitive investigations.

Critics maintain that creating new politically directed funding structures risks undermining public confidence in independent oversight.

The White House has not indicated whether portions of the proposal may be restructured and reintroduced in a different form.

For now, however, the $1.8 billion fund appears effectively shelved.

The outcome serves as a reminder that even in Washington’s deeply polarized environment, certain proposals can still generate opposition from both sides of the aisle when concerns about transparency, accountability, and political influence converge.

JBizNews Desk — Washington

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

A 25-year-old yeshiva bochur was seriously injured Monday evening after being struck by a motorcycle during a Peleg Yerushalmi protest on Route 4 near the Ganot Interchange in central Israel. He was transported to the hospital in serious condition.

The incident occurred during one of several anti-draft demonstrations held across the country. Emergency responders treated the injured protester at the scene before evacuating him to Sheba Medical Center.

Magen David Adom volunteers Avi Raymond, Naftali Halberstadt, and Moshe Weinman described the scene upon their arrival.

“We saw the pedestrian lying on the side of the road in a semi-conscious state and suffering from severe injuries after being struck by a motorcycle at the protest site. We provided lifesaving medical treatment and evacuated him to the hospital in serious condition.”

According to MDA, the initial report was received by its 101 emergency dispatch center at 6:46 p.m. Medics and paramedics quickly arrived and administered emergency treatment before transporting the victim to the hospital. He remained conscious but suffered injuries to his head and limbs.

The demonstration at the Ganot Interchange took place simultaneously with large anti-draft protests in several areas of Yerushalayim. Police officers moved in to clear demonstrators from the roadway, and the protest caused major traffic congestion along one of Israel’s busiest highways.

As a result of the demonstration, Route 4 was shut down in both directions.

In a statement, police said officers were operating “to clear the roadway, as the protesters are not complying with police instructions. A police officer declared the gathering an unlawful demonstration prior to the use of force and crowd-control measures.”

At the same time, police implemented traffic diversions and attempted to redirect motorists to alternate routes while urging drivers to follow instructions from officers on the scene.

Responding to the broader demonstrations, police emphasized that while the right to protest is respected, public safety remains a priority.

“Israel Police views the right to protest as a cornerstone of a democratic state and permits demonstrations as long as they are conducted within the framework of the law. At the same time, police will not allow disturbances of public order of any kind, violations of freedom of movement, or any conduct that could endanger public safety.”

JERUSALEM (VINnews) – Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that attacks on northern Israeli communities will be met with strikes on Hezbollah strongholds in Beirut’s southern suburbs, establishing a new “equation” of deterrence with U.S. approval.

“Dahiyeh in Beirut is no different from the communities in northern Israel,” Katz said. “If there is no calm in the north, there will be no calm in Beirut.”

Katz stated that Washington has endorsed the policy and informed the Lebanese government that continued attacks on northern Israel would trigger Israeli strikes on Dahiyeh, the Hezbollah-dominated southern suburbs of Beirut. He added that the Israeli army is weighing additional operations in Lebanon.

“The test will be simple and will become clear in the coming days,” he said.

The comments came as Israeli forces have pushed deeper into southern Lebanon amid repeated ceasefire violations by Hezbollah. Katz outlined Israel’s objectives: the immediate goal is to dismantle Hezbollah weapons south of the Litani River under Israeli control, while the long-term aim is to fully disarm the Iran-backed group.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Katz jointly ordered strikes on “terror targets” in Dahiyeh following what Israel described as ongoing Hezbollah rocket and drone attacks on northern communities, despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire announced in April.

The new policy equates the security of Israeli border towns with that of Beirut’s southern suburbs, signaling a significant escalation if Hezbollah does not cease fire.

By JBizNews Desk

June 2, 2026

TAIPEI — After dominating the artificial-intelligence boom from inside the world’s largest data centers, Nvidia is making its boldest move yet into personal computing.

At the opening keynote of Computex 2026 in Taipei on Monday, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang unveiled the company’s new RTX Spark Superchip, also known as the N1X, marking Nvidia’s first serious attempt to power mainstream Windows laptops and desktop systems with the same AI-focused architecture that helped transform it into one of the world’s most valuable companies.

The launch represents far more than a new processor.

It is Nvidia’s direct challenge to the companies that have controlled personal computing for decades, including Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, and even Apple, while extending Nvidia’s influence from cloud data centers into the devices consumers and businesses use every day.

Huang framed the announcement as a major platform transition rather than a routine hardware upgrade.

Speaking before thousands of developers, manufacturers, and technology executives, he argued that artificial intelligence is fundamentally changing what computers can do and that the next generation of personal devices will be defined by AI assistants capable of operating directly on the machine rather than relying entirely on cloud services.

According to Nvidia, the new processor combines a high-performance CPU architecture with an integrated RTX 5070-class graphics engine, bringing the company’s AI acceleration capabilities directly into Windows laptops.

The chip was developed in partnership with Microsoft and leverages Nvidia’s extensive CUDA software ecosystem, which remains one of the company’s most powerful competitive advantages.

For years, CUDA has served as the foundation for AI development across research labs, universities, startups, and enterprise customers.

Now Nvidia is bringing that ecosystem to consumer hardware.

The company says systems powered by the new chip will begin arriving this fall from major manufacturers including Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS, MSI, and Microsoft’s own Surface lineup.

The devices will run Windows on Arm, Microsoft’s increasingly important operating system architecture designed to compete with Apple’s highly successful silicon strategy.

Industry analysts view the launch as one of the most significant shifts in personal computing in years.

For decades, the laptop market has largely been dominated by processors from Intel and AMD. More recently, Apple disrupted the industry through its internally developed M-series chips.

Now Nvidia is entering the battle with a unique advantage: unmatched leadership in artificial intelligence.

The company’s goal is clear.

Rather than forcing AI applications to run through remote cloud servers, Nvidia wants users to execute increasingly sophisticated AI tasks directly on their devices.

That approach offers several benefits.

Applications can respond faster because requests do not need to travel across the internet. Sensitive information can remain on the device rather than being transmitted to external servers. Battery efficiency may improve for certain workloads, and businesses can maintain greater control over proprietary data.

Those advantages could become increasingly important as AI adoption expands.

The timing is notable.

Technology companies across the industry are racing to position themselves for what many believe will be the next major computing cycle.

Apple recently introduced new M5-powered MacBooks. Arm Holdings has unveiled its own processor initiatives. Reports indicate AMD is developing Arm-based alternatives. Meanwhile, Qualcomm continues pushing aggressively into AI-enabled PCs.

Nvidia’s entry intensifies what is becoming one of the most competitive technology battles in years.

Huang used the event to highlight Nvidia’s broader ambitions beyond personal computing.

He announced that Nvidia’s Vera CPU platform for data centers has entered full production and identified major customers including Anthropic, OpenAI, xAI, Oracle, Dell Technologies, and CoreWeave.

The company also showcased a new humanoid robotics reference platform known as Isaac GR00T, designed to accelerate development of AI-powered robots capable of operating in industrial and commercial environments.

Taken together, the announcements illustrate Nvidia’s broader strategy.

The company is no longer positioning itself simply as a chipmaker.

Instead, it is building an ecosystem that stretches from cloud infrastructure to enterprise systems, personal computers, robotics, autonomous systems, and AI software platforms.

For investors, the significance extends beyond hardware sales.

Historically, major platform shifts create waves of spending throughout the technology industry.

Businesses upgrade equipment. Consumers replace aging devices. Software developers build applications tailored to new capabilities. Service providers expand infrastructure to support emerging workloads.

If AI-powered personal computing gains widespread adoption, Nvidia could benefit not only from chip sales but from increased demand across its broader software and ecosystem offerings.

The company is effectively betting that the next generation of computing will be built around artificial intelligence at every level.

The hardware unveiled in Taipei is merely the first step.

The larger opportunity lies in the software, services, and AI applications that follow.

For now, Nvidia has taken a decisive step beyond the data center and into the devices millions of people use every day.

Whether consumers embrace AI-first computing on the scale Huang predicts remains to be seen.

But one thing is already clear: the battle for the future of personal computing has entered a new phase, and Nvidia intends to be at the center of it.

JBizNews Desk — Asia

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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney issued a stark warning Monday that antisemitism has reached unprecedented levels in Canada, declaring that the country is failing its Jewish community and unveiling a new federal initiative aimed at confronting anti-Jewish hatred and extremism.

Addressing an audience at Holy Blossom Temple, a Reform synagogue, Carney described the surge in antisemitic incidents as a national emergency that requires direct and focused action from the government.

“The crisis of antisemitism in Canada today is specific, it’s severe and it demands a targeted response,” Carney said. “Canada’s civic compact is failing Jewish Canadians.”

Government figures underscore the severity of the problem. Of the 1,342 religion-based hate crimes reported across Canada in 2024, nearly 70 percent were directed against Jews, despite Jewish Canadians comprising only about 1 percent of the nation’s population.

In response, Carney announced the formation of a new body known as the Ministerial Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion, which will study antisemitism alongside other forms of hatred and extremism. The council will be led by Canadian Identity and Culture Minister Marc Miller.

According to Carney, the new council has been tasked with evaluating the causes and scope of antisemitism in Canada, improving the tracking and reporting of hate-related incidents, and reviewing whether current government investments in education, prevention programs, and security measures are producing meaningful results.

The prime minister pointed to a series of attacks targeting Jewish institutions and individuals across the country, including shootings directed at Jewish schools, firebomb attacks on shuls, assaults on Jewish community facilities, vandalism targeting Jewish-owned businesses, and intimidation of Jewish students on university campuses.

“The horror and shame are global. Our actions must be local,” Carney said.

Canada has experienced a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the war that followed in Gaza, mirroring trends seen throughout much of the Western world.

While acknowledging similar developments in Europe, Australia, and the United States, Carney argued that Canada must develop its own strategy to confront the problem at home.

The prime minister also outlined six anti-hate and public-safety initiatives his government has advanced. Among them is legislation designed to strengthen protections for houses of worship, schools, and community centers while creating a specific criminal offense for hate-motivated crimes. The measure passed the House of Commons in March and is currently awaiting action in the Senate.

Carney also highlighted a previously announced commitment of C$75 million to improve security at religious institutions, including synagogues and Jewish day schools. The funding is intended to support enhanced physical security infrastructure and additional protective personnel.

“It pains me that we had to commit $75 million to this, any dollar to this,” he said.

In addition, the federal government directed more than C$36 million last year toward programs aimed at combating violent extremism.

Carney emphasized that efforts to combat antisemitism must not come at the expense of legitimate political debate or free speech.

“I want to be clear about what these potential measures are, and what they are not,” he said. “They are not curtailments of freedom of expression. They are not constraints on legitimate criticism of any government on any subject anywhere.”

He added that the goal is to ensure that all Canadians can participate safely in public life without fear of harassment or exclusion.

“They are the basic standards we owe one another, in our shared public institutions, to ensure that no Canadian community is driven from those institutions by hatred.”

Among those welcoming the speech was Harley Finkelstein, president of Shopify and one of Canada’s most prominent Jewish business leaders, who praised the prime minister’s remarks on social media.

“Canada finally said the quiet part out loud.”

Before Carney delivered his address, Noah Shack, chief executive of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, said government leaders must continue strengthening security measures and intensify efforts to combat antisemitism nationwide.

{Matzav.com}

By JBizNews Desk

June 2, 2026

WASHINGTON — When Canadian officials arrived in Washington this week for trade talks with the Trump administration, they led with a message that sounded almost backwards: the United States needs Canada just as much as Canada needs the United States.

At first glance, that seems like a difficult argument for Ottawa to make. Canada depends heavily on access to the U.S. market, and Washington holds far more economic leverage in any trade negotiation. Yet Canada’s negotiators arrived carrying one asset that remains critically important to the American economy: oil.

Ahead of Monday’s meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc emphasized the importance of protecting the deeply integrated North American energy market. The message, delivered through spokesperson Gabriel Brunet, came just hours before LeBlanc and Canada’s chief negotiator, Janice Charette, sat down with U.S. officials.

The focus on energy was no coincidence.

It reflects a reality that often gets lost amid political debates over tariffs, trade deficits, and manufacturing jobs. While Canada depends heavily on American consumers, the United States also depends heavily on Canadian energy.

According to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the United States purchases approximately $124 billion worth of Canadian energy annually. More importantly, Canada supplies roughly 4.1 million barrels of crude oil per day to the United States, accounting for more than half of all U.S. crude imports.

No other foreign supplier comes close.

Mexico, America’s second-largest source of imported crude, shipped less than 460,000 barrels per day during portions of early 2025. The gap highlights just how dominant Canada has become in the North American energy system.

The relationship goes beyond simple trade volumes.

Many American refineries, particularly in the Midwest and Gulf Coast regions, were specifically designed to process the heavy crude oil produced in Alberta’s oil sands. Replacing that supply would not be as simple as purchasing oil from another country.

The infrastructure, refining systems, transportation networks, and investment decisions built over decades have created a deeply interconnected market that neither country can easily unwind.

That reality gives Canada leverage.

It may not be enough to dictate terms in a broader trade negotiation, but it provides Ottawa with a powerful reminder that economic dependence runs both ways.

The timing is significant.

The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) — known in the United States as the USMCA — faces a mandatory review process beginning this summer. The review will determine whether the agreement continues unchanged, is renegotiated, or becomes the subject of more extensive discussions.

For Canada, the stakes are enormous.

The agreement protects most Canadian exports from tariffs and provides the framework governing one of the largest trading relationships in the world. Any disruption could affect industries ranging from manufacturing and agriculture to energy and technology.

There is also growing pressure on Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to demonstrate progress.

Mexico has already moved more aggressively in its discussions with Washington, while Canada’s formal negotiating track has advanced more slowly. That has fueled criticism from business groups and political opponents concerned about the country’s position heading into the review process.

LeBlanc’s trip to Washington was designed in part to address those concerns.

The one-day visit signaled urgency and an effort to demonstrate active engagement with the administration.

By emphasizing energy before discussions even began, Canadian officials effectively highlighted the area where Ottawa holds its strongest negotiating hand.

The message was straightforward: North America’s energy system functions because both countries benefit from it.

Disrupting that relationship would impose costs on consumers, refiners, producers, and businesses on both sides of the border.

Whether that argument gains traction remains uncertain.

Greer has publicly suggested that Canada has been slower than other trading partners in engaging with the administration’s trade agenda. He has also indicated that Washington intends to conduct a serious review of the agreement rather than automatically extending existing arrangements.

At the same time, industry participants describe a more nuanced picture behind closed doors.

Executives who attended recent meetings with administration officials have said the White House appears interested in preserving the core energy relationship even as it pushes for broader trade changes.

That distinction matters.

While trade negotiations often focus on political disagreements, the North American energy market operates according to economic realities that cannot easily be altered by policy alone.

Canada needs American buyers because most of its oil infrastructure is built to serve the U.S. market. The United States needs Canadian crude because much of its refining system was designed around those supplies.

Both sides understand that reality.

The result is a negotiation in which oil serves not only as a commodity but also as a strategic reminder of how deeply intertwined the two economies have become.

The immediate story is about one meeting and one round of trade discussions.

The larger story is about a North American energy partnership worth more than $124 billion annually that neither side can afford to ignore.

As the CUSMA review approaches, Canada is making a simple argument: trade relationships may be negotiable, but energy interdependence is much harder to replace.

Washington — JBizNews Desk

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After a delay request, the hearing in the criminal trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on Tuesday. 

At the start of the hearing on Tuesday, Netanyahu told the judges he would need to leave at 11:15 a.m. The judges said they would try, and the hearing began.

The prime minister’s defense team requested on Monday that Tuesdays be significantly delayed due to the transition of Netanyahu’s military secretary, IDF Maj.-Gen. Roman Gofman, as he steps into the role of chief of the Mossad.

After a lengthy legal battle, the High Court of Justice cleared Gofman’s appointment on Sunday. 

The cross-examination section of the trial is in its final stretch. The hearings come on the backdrop of the fragile developments with Iran, and as the offer from President Isaac Herzog to sit for negotiations surrounding a plea bargain still stands. 

Netanyahu was indicted in 2019 in three cases on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. He denies all wrongdoing.

The prosecution’s questions are focusing on Case 2000, which centers on Netanyahu’s conversations with Yediot Aharonot publisher Arnon “Noni” Mozes ahead of the 2015 election.

Netanyahu allegedly exploited his power to gain favorable coverage

Prosecutors allege that Netanyahu and Mozes discussed a corrupt deal: Netanyahu would help advance or support steps to weaken Israel Hayom, Yediot’s main competitor, and in exchange, Mozes would provide Netanyahu with more favorable coverage in Yediot Aharonot and on Ynet.

Netanyahu is charged in Case 2000 with fraud and breach of trust. Mozes is charged with offering and promising a bribe.

The case is based heavily on recorded conversations from December 2014, made by Netanyahu’s then-chief of staff Ari Harow, who later became a state’s witness. In the recordings, Netanyahu and Mozes discussed the possibility of legislation that would limit Israel Hayom’s circulation or business model, while also discussing the tone and extent of Yediot’s coverage of Netanyahu.

The prosecution’s argument is that even if the deal was never completed, the discussions themselves crossed a criminal line because Netanyahu, as prime minister, allegedly entertained using his political power to benefit a media owner in exchange for personal political benefit through coverage.

Netanyahu denies wrongdoing. His defense argues that he never intended to carry out any deal with Mozes, that he was trying to expose or neutralize Mozes, and that he ultimately worked against the Israel Hayom bill by dissolving the government and going to elections.

The defense also argues that politicians routinely speak with media figures and that the conversations did not amount to a criminal agreement.

Mozes also denies wrongdoing, arguing that the conversations did not constitute a real bribery proposal and were part of the normal, if tense, relationship between politicians and media owners.

This post was originally published on here.

FLENSBURG, Germany (VINnews) — A Jewish woman attending a court hearing in northern Germany involving a shop owner accused of inciting hatred against Jews said she was required to remove her Star of David necklace before being allowed to enter the courtroom, according to Israeli media reports.

Karen Stopka said court security officers ordered her to remove and surrender the necklace while attending proceedings against a Flensburg shop owner who displayed a sign barring Jews from entering his store. The sign sparked widespread outrage in Germany and prompted legal action.

“I don’t know when I last took off the necklace,” Stopka was quoted as saying. “It is part of my identity.”

A spokesperson for the court confirmed that Stopka was asked to remove the necklace during security screening. According to court officials, a security order issued before the hearing prohibited items that could disrupt proceedings, and security personnel interpreted the directive as applying to religious symbols.

The hearing concerned Hans Velten Reisch, a Flensburg shop owner who drew national condemnation after displaying a sign that read, “Jews are banned from entering here.” German officials and Jewish organizations denounced the message as antisemitic and reminiscent of Nazi-era discrimination.

The incident involving the necklace drew criticism because it occurred during court proceedings related to alleged anti-Jewish discrimination. Israeli media reports said the woman was not permitted to wear the necklace under her clothing or keep it in her pocket while attending the hearing.

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — The Israel Defense Forces said it killed five terror operatives in the Gaza Strip over the past several days in strikes aimed at removing an immediate threat to Israeli troops.

The military said the operatives were actively planning attacks against forces stationed in Gaza “in the immediate timeframe.”

The IDF identified the dead as:

Salem Qariqa, a member of Hamas’ Shejaiya Battalion who was involved in building explosives and advancing sniper attacks on troops.

Saeed Shamali, a Nukhba Force team commander.

Ahmad Khallas, a sniper platoon commander in Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

Two additional Hamas commanders who planted bombs targeting Israeli troops.

The strikes were carried out as part of ongoing operations to dismantle terror infrastructure and prevent attacks on Israeli forces operating in the coastal enclave.

No further details on the timing or method of the strikes were immediately released.

British authorities have denied entry to left-wing media figures Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker, preventing both men from traveling to the United Kingdom for scheduled speaking engagements, according to statements they made Monday.

Uygur, the Turkish-American founder and co-host of the popular online program “The Young Turks,” and his nephew, political commentator and livestream personality Hasan Piker, both claimed the decision was tied to their criticism of Israel.

Britain’s Home Office confirmed that travel authorization for the two individuals had been revoked, saying only that “their presence in the UK may not be conducive to the public good.” The government’s statement did not reference Israel or provide additional details regarding the decision.

Both men had been scheduled to appear at the SXSW London festival later this week and were also expected to participate in events at the University of Oxford over the weekend.

After being prevented from traveling, Uygur publicly blamed the decision on his views regarding Israel.

“I’ve been banned for criticizing Israel. Are we free ⁠anymore?” Uygur posted, after he said he tried to board a flight.

Piker likewise accused British authorities of acting on behalf of Israeli interests.

“The UK has revoked my visa as well. All at the behest of Israel.”

According to festival organizers, Piker was slated to participate in a discussion titled “How the American Left Learned to Speak the Internet.”

Uygur, meanwhile, had been scheduled to speak on a panel called “Techno-Feudalism is Here. Who Are the Lords?”

Neither speaker’s event description on the SXSW London website referenced Israel. The festival describes itself as a gathering focused on business, technology, and creativity.

The controversy comes amid ongoing debate over free speech policies in Britain. Over the past year, President Trump and Vice President JD Vance have repeatedly expressed concern about what they characterize as restrictions on freedom of expression in the United Kingdom.

The British government has previously taken similar actions against foreign speakers. In May, authorities barred 11 individuals described as “foreign far-right agitators” from entering the country to participate in an event organized by anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson.

Uygur, 56, commands a substantial online audience through “The Young Turks,” which the SXSW London website says generates more than 200 million views each month.

He also briefly sought the Democratic presidential nomination during the 2024 election cycle.

Piker, 34, has become one of the most prominent political personalities on the livestreaming platform Twitch, where, according to SXSW organizers, he regularly draws an audience of approximately 30,000 viewers per day.

By JBizNews Desk

June 2, 2026

NEW YORK — Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, announced plans Monday to raise as much as $80 billion in fresh capital to fund an aggressive expansion of its artificial intelligence infrastructure, with Berkshire Hathaway committing $10 billion through a private placement in a move that signals significant institutional confidence in the company’s long-term AI strategy.

The planned financing package would rank among the largest capital raises ever undertaken by a major technology company and reflects the extraordinary scale of investment now required to compete in the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence race.

According to the company, the capital plan includes a $40 billion at-the-market equity program beginning in the third quarter, $30 billion in underwritten offerings of common stock and mandatory convertible preferred securities, and a $10 billion private placement investment from Berkshire Hathaway.

The announcement underscores how dramatically the economics of artificial intelligence have shifted. As technology companies race to develop larger models, faster computing capabilities, and global cloud infrastructure, access to capital has become a strategic advantage alongside technological innovation.

Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai has repeatedly described artificial intelligence as one of the most significant technological transitions in the company’s history, comparable to the emergence of the internet, mobile computing, and cloud services.

The new funding is expected to support the construction of additional data centers, the acquisition of advanced computing hardware, expanded networking infrastructure, and the continued development of next-generation AI systems that power products across Google’s ecosystem.

The commitment from Berkshire Hathaway is likely to attract particular attention from investors.

The conglomerate built by legendary investor Warren Buffett has historically maintained a disciplined approach toward technology investments, favoring businesses with durable competitive advantages and predictable long-term cash flows. Berkshire’s participation is therefore being viewed by many market observers as a strong endorsement of Alphabet’s ability to convert AI investments into future earnings growth.

The investment also reflects the growing belief among institutional investors that artificial intelligence is not simply a temporary technology trend but a foundational shift likely to reshape industries ranging from healthcare and finance to manufacturing, education, and logistics.

The funding arrives as demand for AI services continues to surge.

Google Cloud, one of Alphabet’s fastest-growing businesses, has benefited from increasing enterprise adoption of AI-powered tools, machine-learning services, and advanced data analytics platforms. Businesses across industries are investing heavily in AI capabilities to improve productivity, automate operations, and create new products and services.

That demand has placed enormous pressure on cloud providers to expand capacity.

Industry analysts estimate that major technology companies collectively could spend hundreds of billions of dollars annually on data centers, advanced processors, energy infrastructure, and networking equipment over the coming years as AI workloads become increasingly computationally intensive.

Alphabet has already significantly increased its capital spending in recent quarters as it works to maintain competitiveness against rivals including Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta Platforms, all of which are investing aggressively in artificial intelligence.

Executives have argued that maintaining leadership in AI requires unprecedented infrastructure investment. The company’s Gemini family of AI models, along with AI-powered enhancements to Search, YouTube, Workspace, and Google Cloud, depend on large-scale computing resources that continue to expand as usage grows.

Investors appeared encouraged by the announcement, viewing the capital raise as a proactive effort to secure resources before infrastructure constraints become a bottleneck to growth.

While issuing new equity can dilute existing shareholders, many analysts noted that the move strengthens Alphabet’s balance sheet and provides flexibility without materially increasing debt obligations. The company is expected to use portions of the proceeds for global infrastructure projects, strategic investments, and obligations related to employee stock compensation programs.

The broader technology industry is increasingly being defined by a race to build the physical backbone of artificial intelligence.

Data centers, high-performance chips, power generation resources, and networking systems have emerged as critical assets in determining which companies will lead the next phase of technological development. As a result, AI infrastructure spending has become one of the most closely watched metrics among investors.

At the same time, regulatory challenges remain. Governments in the United States, Europe, and elsewhere continue to evaluate issues ranging from AI safety and transparency to antitrust concerns and data privacy requirements. Alphabet’s enhanced capital position could provide additional flexibility as it navigates evolving regulatory frameworks while continuing to invest in responsible AI development.

For Berkshire Hathaway, the investment represents a notable expansion into one of the defining growth themes of the decade. For Alphabet, it provides substantial resources to continue scaling its AI ambitions.

The success of the strategy will ultimately depend on whether the company can generate sufficient returns from its massive infrastructure investments. Investors will be watching upcoming earnings reports closely for evidence that growing AI adoption translates into stronger revenue, expanding margins, and sustainable long-term growth.

For now, the announcement reinforces Alphabet’s position as one of the leading builders of the AI era—and suggests that some of the world’s most respected investors believe the company’s biggest opportunities may still lie ahead.

JBizNews Desk — New York

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

A senior police official warned in a closed‑door meeting that continued arrests of Lomdei Torah could lead to the collapse of the police system due to manpower shortages, Kikar H’Shabbat reported.

The report comes after the recent protests across the country following a wave of arrests of Lomdei Torah.

“We don’t have enough officers to handle the protests, the arrests, and routine work,” the senior official said. “Officers who are supposed to deal with violent incidents and ongoing emergencies have spent the past few days almost exclusively on protests and events related to the arrests.”

“If the Military Police continue making arrests, or if the Attorney General continues ordering the police to carry them out, we’ll collapse under the manpower shortage,” he warned.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

By JBizNews Desk

June 2, 2026

BOGOTÁ — Colombian financial markets surged Monday after businessman and political outsider Abelardo de la Espriella delivered a stronger-than-expected performance in the first round of the country’s presidential election, reshaping expectations for the June 21 runoff and fueling hopes of a more market-friendly economic agenda.

Official election results showed de la Espriella capturing 43.74% of the vote, narrowly ahead of left-wing Senator Iván Cepeda, who received 40.90%. Neither candidate secured the majority required for an outright victory, sending Colombia to a runoff election that will determine who succeeds President Gustavo Petro.

The result surprised many political observers and investors alike.

For months, Cepeda had been viewed as the favorite to finish first in the opening round. Instead, de la Espriella emerged with a narrow lead, immediately triggering a rally across Colombian assets as investors reassessed the country’s political and economic outlook.

The Colombian peso strengthened sharply following the vote, while shares of Ecopetrol, the country’s state-controlled energy giant and largest publicly traded company, climbed as traders bet that a potential de la Espriella presidency could usher in a more supportive environment for oil and gas investment.

Government bonds also attracted renewed interest as markets priced in the possibility of a significant policy shift after years of uncertainty under Petro’s administration.

The reaction highlights how closely Colombia’s economic future has become tied to the election.

De la Espriella, a 47-year-old attorney often known by supporters as “El Tigre,” has never held elected office. His campaign has centered on promises to reduce government spending, lower taxes, strengthen security, attract foreign investment, and restore confidence among businesses that have grown cautious during recent years.

Perhaps most important to investors, he has advocated expanding energy development and has expressed support for new oil exploration projects.

That position marks a sharp contrast with Petro’s administration, which pursued aggressive environmental goals and restricted new oil and gas exploration initiatives in an effort to accelerate Colombia’s transition away from fossil fuels.

Those policies generated concern among investors because oil remains one of Colombia’s most important sources of export revenue, foreign exchange, and government income.

As a result, few companies are more politically sensitive than Ecopetrol.

Any shift toward increased drilling activity, expanded exploration, or a more favorable regulatory environment could significantly affect the company’s long-term outlook and Colombia’s broader fiscal position.

Market participants largely interpreted Monday’s rally as a relief trade rather than a declaration of victory.

Analysts noted that investors are responding to increased odds of a government viewed as more supportive of private-sector growth, but they cautioned that the runoff remains highly competitive and policy implementation could prove far more challenging than campaign promises.

The election arrives at a difficult moment for Colombia’s economy.

The country’s benchmark COLCAP stock index has lagged many regional peers during much of 2026, weighed down by political uncertainty, concerns over public finances, and questions about future economic policy.

Meanwhile, Colombia’s central bank has maintained relatively high interest rates as it works to contain inflation and stabilize financial conditions.

While elevated rates help support the peso and attract foreign investment, they also increase borrowing costs for consumers and businesses, creating additional pressure on economic growth.

The country’s next president will inherit those challenges.

Investors will be watching closely for proposals related to fiscal discipline, tax policy, energy development, infrastructure investment, and security.

Security remains a major theme in the campaign.

De la Espriella has pointed to the policies of El Salvador President Nayib Bukele as a model for combating organized crime and strengthening public order. Supporters argue tougher security measures could improve economic confidence and attract investment, while critics have raised concerns about civil liberties and human rights implications.

The political dynamics heading into the runoff remain fluid.

Former President Álvaro Uribe, one of the most influential figures on Colombia’s political right, has encouraged supporters of eliminated center-right candidates to unite behind de la Espriella. That consolidation could prove important as both campaigns seek to expand beyond their first-round bases.

For ordinary Colombians, the outcome carries tangible consequences.

A stronger peso can lower the cost of imported goods and reduce inflationary pressures. Expanded energy investment could generate jobs and increase government revenue. At the same time, voters will weigh competing visions for public spending, social programs, environmental policy, and economic development.

The runoff on June 21 is now shaping up as one of the most consequential elections Colombia has faced in years.

Monday’s market rally revealed where investors currently see opportunity.

Whether that optimism survives the final campaign, the runoff vote, and the realities of governing remains the question that will dominate Colombia’s financial markets throughout the summer.

Latin America — JBizNews Desk

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

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