Jooish News

Amid the ongoing war and continued rocket alerts, Rav Yitzchok Yosef has released detailed halachic instructions for how to conduct Pesach preparations and the Seder under emergency conditions, addressing scenarios such as sirens during kiddush or achilas matzah, and guidelines for those displaced from their homes.

The guidance was issued with a tefillah that the war should end in a decisive victory before Pesach, allowing families to conduct the Seder without disruption. However, recognizing that hostilities may continue, the Rishon LeTzion outlined practical rulings for those facing these circumstances.

Regarding bedikas chametz, he rules that if a siren sounds after making the brachah, one should quickly check even a small area, such as a drawer, and then proceed immediately to a protected space. In a situation where there is no time at all, one must go straight to safety without speaking. After the danger passes, the search should resume without repeating the brachah.

In shared spaces such as a communal shelter, protected room, or stairwell, there is an obligation to perform bedikas chametz. Residents should appoint a representative, such as a building committee member, to check on behalf of everyone. If some neighbors are not observant, one should have in mind not to acquire any chametz they leave behind.

Someone whose home was damaged by missile strikes and is no longer living there should include any chametz remaining inside in the sale of chametz to a non-Jew. Evacuees staying in hotels are required to perform bedikas chametz with a brachah in their rooms.

If individuals in a shared protected space bring chametz during Pesach while sheltering from a siren, it is proper to gently explain the seriousness of the matter. If they do not listen, one is still permitted to remain there.

Addressing Seder night, the Rishon LeTzion rules that if a siren is heard during kiddush in an area where there are two to three minutes to respond, one should quickly complete kiddush, drink a revi’is while reclining, and then go to a protected area. If there is no time, one must stop immediately—even in the middle of a bracha—and go to safety. Upon returning, the brachah should be restarted from the beginning.

If one needs to relocate during achilas matzah or korech and continue eating in a protected space, no new brachah is required, and the same applies during the meal.

If a brachah was made on matzah or maror and a siren sounds, one should take a small bite and go immediately to safety. Upon returning, one should eat 27 grams while reclining without making another brachah. It is preferable to be stringent and eat two kezaysim while reclining. Speaking during a siren is permitted when necessary—for example, to alert others to go to a protected room—but one should minimize talking, since the brachah on achilas matzah also covers korech, and one should not speak until eating korech.

If a siren interrupts the brachah of “Asher Ge’alanu” and there is no time to delay, one should stop in the middle of the bracha and proceed to a protected space. The brachah may be continued there even without holding the cup, and upon returning, one should drink the second cup while reclining.

If one drinks the second cup or eats a kezayis of matzah in a protected area and cannot recline properly, one should at least tilt slightly to the left while eating or drinking.

If a siren sounds during the reading of the Haggadah, one should stop immediately—even in the middle of a posuk—and go to safety. Upon returning, it is preferable to resume from the beginning of that section.

The Rishon LeTzion concluded his message with a brachah: “With wishes for a kosher and joyous festival, may you merit many pleasant and good years, and with a prayer for the soldiers that they return to their homes for good life and peace for long days and years. With the blessing of the Torah.”

{Matzav.com}

A new communal Rav was officially appointed for the neighborhoods of Ramot Beit Shemesh Daled-3, as Rav Yeshaya Halberstam was named to the position during a l’chaim gathering held on Motzaei Shabbos HaGadol attended by hundreds of residents and local rabbanim.

The appointment followed consultations with leading gedolei Yisroel, culminating in a well-attended and uplifting event marking Rav Halberstam’s new role as Rav of the kehillos in the rapidly growing neighborhood.

The event followed an especially elevated Shabbos, during which Rav Halberstam spent time in the community and delivered drashos in the main batei knesses to large audiences.

After Shabbos, following the mechiras chametz, rabbanim of the city assembled for the celebratory gathering. Among those present were the mara d’asra of Ramot Beit Shemesh Daled, Rav A. Saffner, along with Rav A. Kornfeld and Rav A. Meirovitz. In their remarks, the rabbanim spoke about the significant responsibility resting on the Rav’s shoulders, as well as the privilege granted to the community to be led by a figure of such strong Torah stature.

In recent years, Ramot Beit Shemesh Daled-3 has developed into a vibrant Torah-centered neighborhood, with many bnei Torah and accomplished avreichim relocating there. The area has experienced rapid growth and now hosts prominent yeshivish kehillos that serve as a major center of Torah in the city. With that growth came an increasing need for a Rav of stature to guide the expanding kehillos.

Rav Halberstam serves as rosh kollel of Ateres Shlomo in Modi’in Illit. He is widely recognized in the Torah world for his depth, breadth of knowledge across all areas of Torah, and for his clear and insightful shiurim, as well as his well-known and widely used marei mekomos.

He is also connected to prominent Torah families, as the son-in-law of Rav Avrohom Tzvi Povarsky, son of the rosh yeshiva Rav Berel Povarsky, and the grandson of Rav Yitzchok Halberstam zt”l, who served as Rav of the beis medrash Ahavas Chesed in Givat Yeshivas Ponevezh in Bnei Brak.

Rav Halberstam addressed the crowd, offering words of brachah along with a tefillah that the kehillos should continue to grow and flourish, bringing honor to Torah and strengthening its presence in the neighborhood and throughout the city.

A larger, more formal hachtarah event had been planned in recent days with the participation of leading gedolei Yisroel, but was postponed due to the current situation in the country and safety guidelines. It is expected to take place after Pesach, im yirtzeh Hashem.

{Matzav.com}

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David M. Friedman shared an emotional account from a synagogue in central Israel this past Shabbos, describing a young man who spent an extended period in prayer before leaving to join Israeli forces in Lebanon against Hezbollah.

In a social media post, Friedman said the man stood before the Torah ark, pressing his face against the velvet curtain in intense prayer for what he described as nearly half an hour. When he finished, Friedman said, the congregation stood, applauded, and wished him well.

Friedman urged those outside Israel to “try to imagine” daily life there, describing the rush to shelters with children or elderly relatives, the knowledge that loved ones are serving in harm’s way, and the constant threat of attacks on civilians.

“Try to imagine them nonetheless as you pray and let your feelings drive you to seek God’s mercy with even greater intensity,” Friedman wrote, describing prayer as a meaningful contribution from anywhere in the world.

The post comes amid ongoing regional tensions involving Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

I was in a synagogue last night in the center of Israel. As the prayer service continued, a tall handsome young man stood in front of the Torah Ark, his faced pressed against the velvet curtain, for what seemed like half an hour.

When he finished, I asked why the long and…

— David M Friedman (@DavidM_Friedman) March 29, 2026

The Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) has published a preliminary overview of the war with Iran, outlining the scope of the attacks and their consequences for Israel.

The findings indicate that Iran launched more than 396 separate attack waves against Israel. During the fighting, approximately 570 missiles entered Israeli territory, along with more than 765 drones. From Lebanon, there were about 1,224 additional waves of attacks involving over 3,800 missiles and drones. Yemen also contributed to the assaults, with two missiles and one drone fired toward Israel.

According to the report, 24 people in Israel were killed as a direct result of the strikes, including 19 civilians and foreign nationals and five IDF soldiers. Another seven individuals died indirectly, such as in accidents or while rushing to protected areas. Altogether, 6,009 people were injured, among them 835 children and 68 members of the IDF. The conflict also displaced more than 5,300 residents across 43 municipalities, while over 21,500 claims for compensation have been filed.

On the offensive front, Israeli operations reportedly resulted in the deaths of more than 6,000 members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including upwards of 55 high-ranking officials. In Lebanon, Israeli forces killed more than 850 terrorists.

The report states that Israeli strikes caused extensive damage to Iran’s military infrastructure. Around 90% of its missile launch systems and ballistic capabilities were disabled, 85% of its air defense network was struck, and 92% of its primary naval forces were either damaged or destroyed. The United States military reportedly eliminated 150 Iranian naval vessels, including ships and submarines. In addition, seven major nuclear facilities in Iran were targeted.

In Lebanon, Israeli forces carried out more than 2,100 strikes on targets, flew over 1,000 combat missions, and deployed more than 2,200 munitions throughout the course of the war.

{Matzav.com}

ROCKLAND COUNTY (VINnews) — The U.S. Postal Service confirmed that mail carrier Gabriel Stan remains employed with the agency following his arrest in connection with an incident in which he allegedly shoved a 4-year-old Jewish boy to the ground, according to the New York Post.

Stan, 39, was charged with assault and endangering the welfare of a child after video emerged showing a mail carrier pushing a young boy in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood in Ramapo, New Jersey, the Post reported.

Local residents quoted by the Post described Stan as having a volatile temperament and said he had previously shouted at community members during mail deliveries.

The alleged incident occurred on March 19 near a residential cul-de-sac where children were present, according to footage cited by the Post.

Residents quoted in the report said the child appeared to approach a mailbox near the postal truck before being pushed to the ground, after which he quickly stood up and returned to other children nearby.

The child’s mother declined to comment to the Post.

Police sources told the outlet the incident is not being investigated as a hate crime.

A USPS spokesperson said the agency does not comment on personnel matters beyond confirming employment status, the Post reported.

Stan could not be reached for comment.

Meet the Kaplan family. This year, their youngest, Rivka, is undergoing intensive treatment. Instead of polishing silver and setting their dining room table, the Kaplans are navigating sterile corridors and counting down the minutes between infusions. For them, the four cups of wine are accompanied by the constant hum of medical monitors.

At Darchei Miriam, we believe that cancer should never have the power to steal a family’s joy or their connection to our sacred Pesach tradition.

Darchei Miriam provides funding for treatment, cheer-up events, food cornors and packages, financial aid, and just about anyhing that a family spending Pesach in a hospital may need.

Help Darchei Miriam to be able to continue bringing the Simchas Yom Tov to hundreds of families in desperate need!

$500 – Donate a Pesach Seder
$360 – Donate clothing for Yom Tov
$180 – Donate a Seudah
$100 – Donate a Chol Hamoed trip

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May the zchus of your donation bring you health always, and a Chag Kosher V’Sameach!

Vice President JD Vance said he intends to dig into the government’s most closely guarded UFO records before leaving office, describing his intense interest in the topic and suggesting he believes the phenomenon has a spiritual, rather than extraterrestrial, explanation.

Speaking on a podcast hosted by conservative commentator Benny Johnson, Vance said he has not yet had the opportunity to examine classified materials on unidentified flying objects but plans to prioritize doing so. When asked whether the administration would make such files public, he indicated his own curiosity runs deep.

“Trust me, anybody who’s curious about this, I’m more curious than anybody, and I’ve got three years of the very tippy top of the classification. I’m gonna get to the bottom of it,” Vance said. He added that he had not been able to spend enough time on the issue but was determined to do so. “Trust me, I’m obsessed with this.”

Vance also noted that he had once hoped to visit Area 51, the secretive military site long associated with alien speculation, as well as locations in New Mexico, though those plans never materialized. He then shared his personal interpretation of the unexplained sightings.

“I don’t think they’re aliens, I think they’re demons anyway, but that’s a longer discussion,” Vance said. He connected that belief to his religious worldview, pointing out that many major faith traditions, including Christianity, have historically interpreted mysterious phenomena as involving spiritual forces of both good and evil.

President Donald Trump has recently encouraged federal agencies to release additional information about UAPs, or Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, even as official reviews have repeatedly found no confirmed evidence of extraterrestrial contact or technology.

A 2024 historical review conducted by the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office concluded that there is no evidence that the U.S. government or private industry has successfully reverse-engineered alien technology.

During the same reporting cycle, AARO Director Jon Kosloski said the office had found “no verifiable evidence of extraterrestrial beings, activity or technology,” while noting that many reported sightings were ultimately explained as balloons, birds, drones, satellites, or conventional aircraft.

Similarly, findings from NASA, including its UAP study and public materials, state that there is no confirmed scientific evidence linking such sightings to extraterrestrial origins.

The renewed attention to the topic follows remarks earlier this year by Barack Obama, who during a podcast appearance said aliens were “real” in a rapid-fire segment, before clarifying the following day that he had not seen any evidence of alien contact while in office.

Interest has also been fueled by recent activity from the White House, which registered the domain names Alien.gov and Aliens.gov, sparking speculation about potential future disclosures.

Public WHOIS records show that alien.gov and aliens.gov were created on March 17 and list the registrant organization as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. A report by DefenseScoop noted that the registrations have added to public curiosity about whether additional UAP-related information could be forthcoming.

{Matzav.com}

MONTREAL (VINnews) — Jewish advocacy groups praised Canada’s decision to deny entry to French Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan, who said her previously approved travel authorization was revoked ahead of scheduled speaking engagements in Montreal.

À la suite de renseignements fournis par B’nai Brith Canada à l’ASFC, Rima Hassan s’est vu refuser l’entrée au Canada aujourd’hui. Merci à @CanBorder d’avoir agi avec une telle rapidité et détermination.

Le Canada n’est pas une tribune pour ceux qui justifient le terrorisme,… pic.twitter.com/eQLNXYHazG

— B'nai Brith Canada (@bnaibrithcanada) March 29, 2026

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs said the decision reflects the importance of preventing individuals it described as promoting extremism from entering Canada. B’nai Brith Canada also welcomed the move, saying the country should not provide a platform to individuals who justify violence or incitement.

Hassan, a member of the French political party La France Insoumise, said on social media that Canadian authorities initially approved her entry but later reversed the authorization on the day of her planned departure, informing her by email.

She was scheduled to speak at two conferences in Montreal as part of her role as an elected European Parliament lawmaker. Hassan said the cancellation prevented her from fulfilling her engagements in person.

J’ai été empêchée de me rendre au Canada : une entrave préoccupante à l’action parlementaire et à la liberté d’expression.

J’assurerai malgré tout mes deux conférences à distance lundi et mardi soir, ce qui sera pour moi l’occasion de m’exprimer sur cette tentative de censure. https://t.co/gqhjninP8w

— Rima Hassan (@RimaHas) March 28, 2026

According to Hassan, Canadian authorities cited issues related to her travel history, including a prior entry refusal to another country and questions regarding previous legal complaints that did not result in a conviction. She also noted she had previously been denied entry to Israel during a 2025 visit with a European Parliament delegation.

Supporters of Hassan, including members of La France Insoumise, condemned the decision, calling it a restriction on political expression and criticizing what they described as pressure campaigns aimed at silencing her.

The student group that organized the conferences said it was outraged by the decision and argued it reflected outside pressure on academic and political discourse.

Canadian authorities have not publicly detailed the specific reasons for the entry denial.

Iran’s military and security forces have been ordered to prepare for a potential American ground invasion and to suppress domestic unrest without waiting for orders from central command, according to a new directive circulated by the country’s armed forces leadership, a well-placed source told The Media Line.

The directive, disseminated to military and security units under the General Staff of the Armed Forces, instructs forces to secure sensitive areas, establish defensive deployments, and ready themselves for the “intervention of hostile field elements across different regions.” Crucially, the order authorizes units to engage independently — without direct instructions from higher command — a posture Iranian authorities describe as “Atash be Ekhtiar,” or “fire at will.”

The move signals that Iran’s leadership is preparing for a scenario in which centralized command structures or communications networks could be severely disrupted or destroyed. Analysts and sources draw a pointed comparison to Germany’s World War II-era Operation Valkyrie, which similarly devolved operational authority to field units in anticipation of command breakdown.

The directive reflects mounting concern within the Islamic Republic that the next phase of the war could involve ground combat and urban fighting. Iranian commanders view the threat from armed opposition groups in Tehran, Iranian Kurdistan, and western and southwestern Iran as serious. In eastern Iran, active Baloch armed groups add another dimension to the internal security challenge. Large segments of tribal populations across the country’s west and southwest also possess firearms, primarily hunting rifles obtained illegally.

Regime anxiety has been further heightened by propaganda from the Mojahedin-e Khalq regarding its so-called Liberation Army and “Rebel Units,” as well as rumors of an “Immortal Guard” loyal to monarchist supporters — a claim addressed publicly for the first time by Reza Pahlavi ahead of Chaharshanbe Suri celebrations.

Recent U.S. military moves have sharpened those fears. The deployment of Marines and airborne forces to the region, combined with repeated statements from President Donald Trump and other American officials raising the possibility of a ground operation, have intensified calculations within Iran’s leadership. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf — who holds no formal military authority — has publicly warned Washington against any ground assault on Iranian islands, a statement that itself underscores the regime’s level of concern.

Farzin Nadimi, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute and analyst of Iranian military affairs, told The Media Line that a full-scale ground invasion remains unlikely in the near term, but that more limited operations are plausible.

“What appears more likely is not a full-scale ground invasion, but rather limited, selective, and complementary ground operations — such as special forces missions and efforts to temporarily control certain islands or strategic coastal positions overlooking the Strait of Hormuz,” Nadimi said. “Such a scenario differs fundamentally from an all-out ground war, yet remains costly and high-risk.”

He added that even limited ground engagement would not be decisive on its own. The outcome of the conflict, he said, will ultimately depend on the sustained effectiveness of the air campaign and its ability to destabilize the Islamic Republic.

Iranian state media has offered its own warnings. The Tehran Times, citing an Iranian security analyst, reported Thursday that in the event of a U.S. ground attack, Iran would move to seize the coastlines of the UAE and Bahrain.

A previously published audio recording attributed to a Basij commander in Tehran reinforced the picture of forces being readied for urban combat. In it, the commander instructed Basij units that in the event of a drone strike, they should clear the area, fall back into surrounding alleys, and take up positions to engage any hostile armed force that emerged.

The directive’s issuance also draws attention to the conspicuous absence of Mojtaba Khamenei, the Supreme Leader’s son and a powerful figure within the regime, who has largely vanished from public view in recent weeks. That the leadership is proceeding with major wartime directives amid his absence suggests internal uncertainty at the highest levels of the Islamic Republic, even as it prepares for what it views as an escalating and increasingly direct confrontation.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Emergency teams from Magen David Adom responded Sunday evening to the aftermath of an Iranian missile strike, treating dozens of victims and transporting 31 people to Soroka Medical Center.

According to rescue officials, 11 individuals sustained light injuries from debris and objects thrown by the force of the explosion, while another 20 people were treated for anxiety-related symptoms following the incident.

Residents described scenes of destruction in the impacted neighborhood. “The house is completely destroyed, totally ruined. The ceiling of the second floor collapsed entirely,” said Oleg, who lives in the area that was struck. “It’s a total shock. I still don’t understand. I feel frozen.”

Images from the scene showed a massive plume of dark smoke billowing upward in a mushroom-like shape above the site of the blast.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian is locked in a bitter dispute with Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Ahmad Vahidi over control of wartime decision-making, as the country’s economy spirals toward collapse under the weight of its ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel.

Citing Iranian sources, the London-based opposition outlet Iran International reported Saturday that Pezeshkian has openly criticized the IRGC’s strategy of escalating regional tensions and striking neighboring countries, warning of the long-term damage such actions are inflicting on the Iranian economy. The president has also demanded that executive decisions regarding the war be made by the civilian government rather than the IRGC — a demand Vahidi has rejected.

The IRGC, in turn, has pushed back against Pezeshkian, faulting him for failing to implement structural reforms before the war began.

The power struggle is unfolding against a backdrop of accelerating economic deterioration. Food prices have surged by at least 50 percent compared to pre-war levels, with some staples rising hour by hour. Internet disruptions have crippled services and commerce, factories are facing acute raw material shortages, and the country’s administrative apparatus has been severely compromised.

State-affiliated institutions and independent economists estimate that more than 40 percent of Iranians now live below the absolute poverty line — a figure that exceeds 50 percent in Tehran. Iran International, citing messages from government workers, reported that salaries and benefits for a large portion of public employees have gone unpaid for the past three months.

Iran’s economy was already under severe strain before the war. The current conflict has accelerated what analysts had long described as a slow-motion collapse, compressing years of decline into a matter of weeks.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

NEW YORK (VINnews) – New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani faced an avalanche of criticism over the weekend following a Friday post about an alleged plot targeting Pro-Hamas activist Nerdeen Kiswani, with critics focusing on his language describing the suspect and raising questions about how he framed the incident.

In his post on X, Mamdani said authorities disrupted an alleged plan involving explosive devices and described it as an act of political violence. He also referenced a suspect he said was linked to an offshoot of the Jewish Defense League, which he described as a “known violent extremist organization.”

Critics took issue with Mamdani’s decision to highlight what he called a “Jewish extremist” affiliation, arguing that he has previously used different terminology in describing other incidents involving alleged perpetrators of violence, including cases where critics say he did not emphasize religious or ideological labels.

Others also questioned Mamdani’s statement that the suspect planned to flee to Israel, noting that such a detail was not included in publicly released federal charging documents at the time of the post.

A member of an offshoot of the Jewish Defense League — designated by the FBI as a "known violent extremist organization" — was allegedly building explosive devices to target the home of Nerdeen Kiswani in a chilling act of political violence. The defendant reportedly planned to… https://t.co/OSMIlKysRR

— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) March 27, 2026

Additional critics said the mention of Israel was unnecessary or misleading, with some pointing out that Israeli airspace has been restricted during regional tensions, questioning why the mayor included that detail in his public statement.

Additionally, some critics on social media have circulated past videos and statements attributed to Nerdeen Kiswani, claiming they show her making inflammatory remarks about Israel.

Among those criticizing Mamdani was commentator Laura Loomer, who accused him of bias in his characterization of the incident.

Political commentator Drew Pavlou also said Mamdani had applied inconsistent language in describing extremist incidents in New York.

User CyberBoy argued the mayor’s post failed to use comparable terminology for other attacks, while other users made similar claims across social media.

Account ZDK (online commentator) criticized the post as unfounded and accused Mamdani of selectively framing extremism.

Joel M. Petlin also weighed in, saying he does not condone any alleged violent threat against Nerdeen Kiswani, but arguing that her public rhetoric has at times included language he described as endorsing “resistance, by any means necessary” against Israeli civilians and Jews worldwide. His remarks added to broader accusations from critics that Mamdani’s post failed to provide sufficient context about the activist’s public positions.

Mamdani has not publicly responded to the criticism. His office did not immediately return a request for comment.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Shaquoiya Stewart held one of her 6-month-old twins on her lap while Shanille Bowens held the other. As the women caught up and the babies stared at each other quietly, Bowens came around to the key question she asks all the mothers she works for: “Do you think there’s anything you need more support with?”

Bowens is a doula, a provider of physical and emotional support before, during and after birth — care that used to be seen as a luxury and was available only to those who could afford it. But doulas are becoming mainstream.

The country’s once-reluctant medical establishment is increasingly welcoming the way doulas complement doctors and nurses, and with insurance coverage growing fast, parents from across the economic spectrum can now take advantage.

More than 30 states reimburse doulas through Medicaid or are in the process of implementing such coverage, up from 14 in late 2022, according to the nonprofit National Health Law Program. Private insurers are starting to do the same, with industry giant UnitedHealthcare launching a new benefit this year. Without insurance, costs vary widely but can exceed $2,000.

The changes are being driven by mounting research that shows these trained, non-medical professionals can significantly improve the health of moms and babies. Expanding doula care, experts say, is a relatively inexpensive way to help reduce maternal mortality, which kills Black mothers like Stewart at a rate more than three times higher than white women.

“Doulas can benefit everybody,” said Sierra Hill, maternal care access coordinator for Minnesota’s health department. “And that’s especially true for our communities that are facing a lot of inequities and health disparities.”

Stewart, who has Tennessee Medicaid, said Bowens shepherded her through the jitters of early pregnancy with her twin sons, blood pressure issues during delivery, a C-section and baby blues after birth.

“I felt safe. It didn’t feel like I was just by myself,” said Stewart, a 35-year-old single mother of four. “She was like my homegirl.”

Awareness of doulas has grown
In 2006, 3% of women in the U.S. got care from a doula during labor, according to a survey conducted for the nonprofit Childbirth Connection, now a program of the National Partnership for Women & Families. That figure has doubled or tripled since then, researchers estimate.

When Bowens was pregnant with the first of her six children more than two decades ago, a counselor recommended a doula.

“I’m like, ‘A doula, what is that?’” Bowens recalled.

Bowens was so inspired by the care she received that she ultimately became one herself. In addition to answering moms’ questions and connecting them to community services, Bowens helps her clients navigate the health system and advocates for them.

“Oftentimes, we become friends with our clients – lifelong friends. We help connect them with resources in the community,” said Bowens, founder of Naturally Nurtured Birth Services. “We cater to them … so it looks different for each client.”

That help pays off, especially for moms from underserved communities.

Research comparing two groups of socially disadvantaged mothers found that those who used doulas were four times less likely to have a baby with low birth weight, two times less likely to have a birth complication and much more likely to start breastfeeding. Another study published last year found that Medicaid recipients with doulas had a 47% lower risk of C-sections and a 29% lower risk of preterm birth and were 46% more likely to go to a postpartum checkup.

That postpartum finding is key, said April Falconi, a scientist at Carelon Research who co-authored the recent study. More than half of maternal deaths occur during the postpartum period, she said. Causes include infection and excessive bleeding.

These sorts of results led Minnesota to become one of the first states to cover doulas through Medicaid in 2014. A decade later, the state expanded coverage, allowing Medicaid recipients 18 sessions with a doula without prior authorization, more than double what was allowed before.

“The return on investment is huge,” the health department’s Hill said.

Rising acceptance of doulas by doctors and nurses
There are no mandatory licenses for doulas, but there are state qualification standards to receive Medicaid payments and many doulas seek certification from private entities.

Naturally Nurtured is involved in a pilot project in Memphis in which doula services are paid for under a Tennessee Medicaid program run by UnitedHealthcare. Services are free to members.

UnitedHealthcare commercial clients with a doula benefit, on the other hand, get reimbursed for the care. Doulas are also included in a limited but growing number of other private plans.

“I see doulas becoming more and more integrated and accepted by all within the health care system,” said Dr. Margaret-Mary Wilson, chief medical officer at UnitedHealth Group.

That extends to doctors and nurses in hospitals.

Dana Morrison, principal director of Doulas of Duluth in Minnesota, said there “was definitely” resistance to doulas by birth teams when she began her work 10 years ago. That was also true nationally. One point of friction was when doulas advocated for something different from what the medical professionals wanted. And since doulas weren’t as integrated into care, they didn’t have the time to build trust with doctors and nurses.

Today, Aspirus St. Luke’s hospital contracts with Doulas of Duluth on a grant-funded program, and patients can receive a scholarship to hire a doula through the organization.

Nurse Mallory Cummings, doula coordinator at Aspirus St. Luke’s, said people on the birth team accept and appreciate doulas. “What it really comes down to is everyone’s knowledge of what a doula is,” she said.

Doulas support moms through trying times
On a recent afternoon, Mary Bey settled into a chair in a homey room at the Memphis doula center, cradling her sleeping infant, Ca’Mya. Bowens sat beside her, taking notes on her laptop.

After discussing breastfeeding and sleep, they talked about how Bey, 39, has been crying a lot since the delivery.

“What brings it on?” Bowens asked.

“I’ll be scared and I’ll just be so protective and treat her like she’s just glass,” Bey replied.

Bey is haunted by a past loss. Before giving birth to her daughter last December, she suffered a stillbirth. Bowens helped her through.

“She was there when I had to push him out. She was there after, when I was healing. She came to the house. She brought groceries,” said Bey, a single mother of four who was connected with Bowens through the same pilot program as Stewart.

When Bey got pregnant again, she texted Bowens: “Hey, can you still be my doula?”

As the pregnancy progressed, Bowens answered all of Bey’s questions and kept her calm. She was there for Bey’s scheduled C-section and supported her when doctors monitored Ca’Mya for jaundice and what they briefly thought was a heart problem.

Later, Bey worried her C-section scar might be infected. Bowens advised her to get it checked out. It was.

Without her doula, Bey said she would never have gotten through either pregnancy as well as she did, physically or emotionally.

“She makes you feel like she’s family,” Bey said. “She was a friend — my best friend — a cousin, an auntie, a sister. All of the above.”

Authorities in Melbourne are investigating a disturbing incident in which four women in a stolen vehicle allegedly hurled antisemitic abuse and swerved their car toward a group of Jewish men.

According to The Australian, the suspects shouted expletives as they drove at the group. No injuries were reported.

Footage shared by the Australian Jewish Association captures the aftermath, with a bystander warning, “they’re coming back.”

Police say the same vehicle has been linked to multiple incidents, including throwing eggs and directing offensive remarks at pedestrians.

Your browser does not support the video tag.

“Officers have been told the vehicle, carrying four female occupants, have shouted offensive remarks, thrown eggs and on at least one occasion swerved towards pedestrians,” police said, noting that while some incidents included antisemitic language, others did not target a specific group.

The Herald Sun reported the attack occurred at the same intersection where Jewish boys were targeted in a similar incident earlier this year.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Rav Avraham Yosef delivered a pointed message to smokers ahead of Pesach, stressing that the health dangers of smoking far outweigh the annual debate over cigarette kashrus for the holiday.

Speaking on the Israeli radio program “Shamor V’Zachor,” the rav addressed the recurring question of whether cigarettes are permissible on Pesach, but made clear that the halachic discussion is secondary to a far more serious issue.

“I’m begging all smokers – not because of Pesach, but for the sake of your health,” he said. “A G-d-fearing person takes care of his health and needs to quit. I know it’s difficult; I also used to smoke, and thank G-d, Hakadosh Boruch Hu redeemed me from it.” He went on to describe cigarettes as something “disgusting” that harms not only the smoker but those around him as well, and encouraged listeners to use the Yom Tov period as an opportunity to break the habit.

From a halachic standpoint, Rav Yosef explained why, strictly speaking, regular cigarettes are not prohibited on Pesach. He noted that tobacco is unfit for consumption and is therefore classified as something that imparts a negative taste. In addition, he explained that people do not smoke for food-related enjoyment, but due to nicotine dependence and the challenge of overcoming the urge.

The rav also referenced his father, Rav Ovadia Yosef zt”l, who permitted cigarettes on Pesach for these reasons, and remarked that those who sharply opposed that ruling faced consequences. At the same time, he emphasized that “a G-d-fearing person should refrain as much as possible,” particularly in light of the sanctity of Yom Tov and Shabbos.

When asked about electronic cigarettes that contain flavoring, Rav Yosef criticized those who seek kashrus certification only for Pesach. “Someone who asks for kashrus because of the flavor in an electronic cigarette, why does he only remember on Pesach? If there is a concern of taste, then it requires kashrus supervision all year!”

He suggested that much of the noise surrounding cigarette kashrus on Pesach is sometimes misplaced, stressing that if flavoring ingredients require supervision, that standard should apply consistently throughout the year. He concluded his remarks with a personal appeal to listeners: “Take the message to heart, and you will be blessed—and stop smoking!”

{Matzav.com}

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is intensifying its offensive across multiple fronts and ordered an expansion of the northern security zone during a visit to IDF Northern Command on Sunday.

Speaking alongside senior military leadership, Netanyahu said Israel is dealing heavy blows to Iran and its proxies.

“I have just concluded an assessment at Northern Command with the Defense Minister, the IDF Chief-of-Staff, the Head of Northern Command, and also the division commanders. I met brave commanders, commanders who are determined to strike at our enemies and remove the danger from our borders.

Your browser does not support the video tag.

We are in a multi-arena campaign. We are striking with immense force against Iran and its proxies. We are achieving great accomplishments, achievements that are creating visible cracks in the terrorist regime in Tehran.

Iran is not the same Iran, Hezbollah is not the same Hezbollah, and Hamas is not the same Hamas.

These are no longer terrorist armies that threaten our existence; these are battered enemies fighting for their own survival.

Instead of them surprising us, we are surprising them. We are the ones taking action, we are the ones attacking, we are the ones taking the initiative, and we are deep within their territory.”

Netanyahu said Israel has fundamentally shifted its security doctrine, establishing three security zones inside enemy territory—in Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon—and confirmed new orders to expand operations in the north.

“In Lebanon: I have now instructed to further expand the existing security zone in order to finally thwart the threat of invasion and to push the anti-tank missile fire away from our border.”

He said Hezbollah’s capabilities have been significantly degraded but warned that threats remain.

“It must be understood that Nasrallah created a massive force here. He believed that with this force, he would destroy us. We eliminated Nasrallah. We eliminated thousands of Hezbollah terrorists, and above all, we eliminated the immense threat of 150,000 missiles and rockets that were intended to destroy the cities of Israel.

However, Hezbollah still has a residual capability to launch rockets at us.”

Addressing residents of northern Israel, Netanyahu acknowledged ongoing hardships and urged continued resilience, while praising IDF soldiers and reservists.

“We are determined, we are fighting, and with G-d’s help, we are winning.”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

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BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union is expanding its powers to track, raid and deport migrants to “return hubs ″ in third countries in Africa and elsewhere, quietly adopting tactics of the Trump administration that have drawn public criticism across the 27-nation bloc.

The EU continues to tighten migration policies after right-wing parties took power in some countries in 2024. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, from the center-right European People’s Party coalition, has said the new measures will prevent a repeat of the 2015 crisis caused by Syria’s civil war, when about 1 million people arrived to seek asylum.

“We have learnt the lessons of the past. And today, we are better equipped,” von der Leyen has said. The new policies, known as the Pact on Migration and Asylum, go into effect on June 12.

Far-right parties in Europe have praised the deportation policies of U.S. President Donald Trump and called for the EU to adopt a similar approach. Human rights groups warn that authorities are already illegally pushing back migrants at EU borders and hollowing out their legal protections.

Italy provides a model
The EU already spends millions of dollars to deter migrants before they reach its shores, and has supported tens of thousands of Africans returning home, voluntarily or by force.

What’s envisioned now is an expansion of what Italy has created under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her “tough on migration” stance. It operates two migrant detention centers for rejected asylum-seekers in Albania. One currently holds at least 90 migrants, said lawmaker Rachele Scarpa, who said she found people confused and scared during a recent visit.

In addition, Meloni’s Cabinet has approved an anti-immigration package that would allow the navy to halt vessels in international waters for up to six months if they are deemed a threat to public order; return intercepted migrants to countries of origin or third countries; and speed up the deportation of foreign nationals convicted of crimes.

An “informal group” of EU nations including Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Denmark and Greece are pursuing deportation center agreements, said Bernd Parusel, a researcher at the Swedish Institute for European Policy Studies.

Kenya is one country they are speaking with, said a Dutch member of the European Parliament, Tineke Strik. Whether consciously or not, the plan is similar to Trump’s deals with nations like El Salvador to take in deported migrants, she said.

Other countries are exploring similar ideas. Sweden’s migration minister has said the conservative ruling coalition approves setting up hubs outside Europe, especially for Afghan and Syrian asylum-seekers.

Some in Europe cheer Trump-style tactics
During the Winter Olympics in Italy, protests erupted over the deployment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to provide security to the U.S. delegation. But others in Europe have praised ICE’s actions and called for setting up deportation-focused police units.

The EU border service Frontex began sending officers along on raids with Belgium’s police in 2024 to detain and deport migrants. It is not clear whether it is doing this in other countries.

The European Commission has declined requests to take a position on U.S. federal immigration policies.

In Britain, which left the EU several years ago, the center-left Labour Party government has made curbing unauthorized immigration a key focus.

The Home Office in February said almost 60,000 people had been deported since the government was elected in July 2024. It said 9,000 arrests were made of people working without permission in 2025, up by more than half from the year before.

Pushbacks, raids and surveillance increase
Under the principle of non-refoulement in EU and international law, a person cannot be returned to a country where they would face persecution.

But European immigration enforcement tactics include so-called pushbacks, where people trying to cross into the EU are forced back across a border without access to asylum procedures.

Authorities in Europe carry out an average of 221 pushbacks a day, according to a February report by a group of humanitarian organizations. More than 80,000 pushbacks were recorded in 2025, the report said, mostly in Italy, Poland, Bulgaria and Latvia.

“Men, women and children — including individuals in critical medical condition — are routinely subjected to beatings, attacks by police dogs, forced stripping, forced river crossings and theft of personal belongings,” according to the report.

European agents are brutalizing migrants just like in the U.S., said Flor Didden, migration policy expert at the Belgian human rights group 11.11.11. Some, like in Greece, even wear masks.

“The images are shocking and the outrage is justified,” he said of the U.S. “But where is that same moral clarity when European border authorities abuse, rob and let people die?”

Europe still has more protections for migrants
The groups also have recorded an expansion of surveillance technology like drones, thermal cameras and satellites to monitor people on the move.

Other human rights groups warn of a weakening of legal protections.

The EU’s new migration regulations allow for more police raids in private homes and public spaces and more use of surveillance and racial profiling, said a letter to EU institutions in February from 88 nonprofit groups including the Brussels-based Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants.

“We cannot be outraged by ICE in the United States while also supporting these practices in Europe,” said the platform’s director, Michele LeVoy.

Olivia Sundberg Diez, EU migration advocate for Amnesty International, said Europe retains more protections for vulnerable migrants than the United States but shares much of the political momentum toward harsher policies.

“There’s a level of institutions’ and courts’ independence and human rights compliance in Europe that you can’t disregard,” she said. “But the fundamental political impulse is the same, and I worry that the human consequences will be the same.”

JERUSALEM (AP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Sunday that Israel will widen its invasion of southern Lebanon.

Netanyahu said Israel would expand what he called the “existing security strip” in Lebanon as Israeli forces continue to target the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group.

“We are determined to fundamentally change the situation in the north,” he said on a visit to northern Israel, adding that “Hezbollah still has residual capability to fire rockets at us.”

There were no immediate details.

In Lebanon, officials say more than 1,100 people have been killed in the fighting since the Iran war began.

מהצהרתי מפיקוד צפון:

הנחיתי כעת להרחיב עוד יותר את רצועת הביטחון הקיימת. אנחנו נחושים לשנות את המצב בצפון מיסודו ולהחזיר את הביטחון לתושבי הצפון.

לא נשלים עם מציאות של איום מתמשך על יישובינו ואזרחינו. נמשיך לפעול בעוצמה, בנחישות ובאחריות עד שנשיג את המטרה.

צפו בהצהרה >> pic.twitter.com/4AUUV71ZGa

— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) March 29, 2026

NEW YORK (VINnews) — The daughter of a flight attendant injured in last week’s crash at LaGuardia Airport posted a photo of her mother in a hospital bed and shared details of her condition in an online fundraiser.

Solange Tremblay, a veteran crew member on a regional flight operated by Air Canada, was thrown from the aircraft during the March 22 collision, according to information provided by her daughter on a GoFundMe page set up to assist with medical costs.

Her daughter said Tremblay was found on the runway still strapped into her seat and suffered multiple serious injuries, including severe fractures to both legs requiring surgery and implanted metal supports.

She also sustained a spinal fracture and extensive soft tissue injuries to her legs, and has undergone multiple procedures, including a blood transfusion following complications, the post said.

The crash occurred when the aircraft, arriving from Montreal, collided with an emergency vehicle on the runway, causing heavy damage to the cockpit area and killing both pilots, authorities said.

A special Sheva Brachos celebration for the granddaughter of the Boyaner Rebbe took on added significance as prominent chassidim contributed large sums in honor of the Rebbe’s 67th birthday, supporting a new initiative he is launching.

The final Sheva Brachos for the Rebbe’s granddaughter was held this past week in the Boyaner court after the wedding itself could not take place in the main beis medrash due to damage caused by shrapnel from an Iranian missile strike the previous week.

The event was conducted in a unique format at an elegant venue in the Jewish Quarter, overlooking the Kosel, which has remained largely empty amid the ongoing war with Iran.

During the celebration, 30 leading members of the chassidus each donated 68,000 shekels, corresponding to the Rebbe’s 67th birthday, which falls on the 7th of Nissan.

It has been learned that behind the event and fundraising effort is a personal initiative of the Boyaner Rebbe, who has undertaken to establish specialized programs for bochurim in the chassidus who are struggling with the challenges of the current times.

Following Pesach, these dedicated frameworks are expected to be introduced in Boyaner yeshivos across the country, designed specifically for bochurim who find it difficult to keep up with the standard yeshiva schedule.

The initiative reflects the Rebbe’s desire to provide individualized care and warmth to every bochur in the chassidus, including those who are unable to cope with the demands of a traditional yeshiva setting, ensuring that boys who are struggling are not pushed out of the yeshiva system and into the street.

{Matzav.com}

NE’OT HOVAV, Israel (VINnews) — A missile strike in southern Israel hit an industrial area on Sunday, igniting a fire and prompting concerns about a possible release of hazardous materials, authorities said.

Israel’s Environmental Protection Ministry said it was examining whether any dangerous substances had leaked following the impact at the Ne’ot Hovav industrial zone. Officials said that, at this stage, there was no indication of risk to nearby communities in the Ramat Negev region.

שיגור שביעי מאיראן לדרום הארץ: דיווחים על נפילה במפעל@pozailov1 pic.twitter.com/JMctce1VPm

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) March 29, 2026

As a precaution, authorities declared a hazardous materials incident, and workers in the area were told to remain in protected spaces.

Emergency teams, including firefighters, police and environmental specialists, were operating at the site alongside factory personnel to assess and contain the situation.

עוד מהפגיעה במפעל קרוב לב"ש pic.twitter.com/2t9PFRFClO

— אסף פוזיילוב (@pozailov1) March 29, 2026

The military’s Home Front Command instructed residents nearby to stay indoors, shut windows and turn off ventilation systems as a safety measure.

Police also closed a nearby highway and advised drivers to use alternate routes.

Local media reported that one person was lightly injured by the blast.

The incident comes amid ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, with recent exchanges including missile attacks targeting infrastructure and key sites.

A National Health Service doctor who praised the October 7 massacre and made a series of antisemitic statements on social media has been charged with inviting support for the Hamas terror organization, UK media reported.

Dr. Rahmeh Aladwan was arrested at her home after violating bail conditions stemming from previous arrests. She was set to appear in court Friday.

The charges follow a pattern of inflammatory posts that drew widespread condemnation. On the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023, attack, Aladwan praised the assault as “the day ‘Israel’ was humiliated,” writing that Israeli “supremacy” had been “shattered at the hands of the children they forced out of their homes.” She accompanied the post with a photograph of a bulldozer breaching the Gaza border fence and wrote, “Glory to the breaking of the 17-year-long illegal siege.”

In other posts, Aladwan wrote that “the UK is occupied and controlled by Jewish supremacy — in fact most Christian majority countries are,” and called on rabbis to “reject the Amalek commandment and the notion that non-Jews are lesser than goyim.”

The case has drawn renewed scrutiny to a decision made last year by the British Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service to allow Aladwan to continue practicing medicine despite her posts, a ruling that critics argued sent the wrong signal about the professional consequences of incitement.

The charges against Aladwan come amid a broader British crackdown on expressions of support for proscribed terror organizations following October 7, with prosecutors having pursued a number of cases under laws banning the glorification or encouragement of terrorism.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Yenny/El Ateneo, Argentina’s oldest and largest bookstore chain, publishes weekly charts of the top 10 bestselling books in their retail stores across the country. The Spanish edition of Letters for Life, a new book on the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s Torah-based advice for emotional wellbeing, surprised the country’s publishing wizards and emerged as #5 on the list. As a result, the book is now being sold in airports and malls across Argentina.

The book’s popularity follows the increased interest in the Lubavitcher Rebbe caused by Argentina’s philo-Semite president Javier Milei. Milei has visited the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s Ohel several times on his trips to New York and speaks of the impact the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s teachings have had on his life.

Seeing the book’s international success, BBC journalist Talat-Farooq Awan contacted the author Levi Shmotkin, to discuss the reasons for the book’s wide appeal. The interview played on the BBC’s nationally syndicated Sunday morning radio program.

Prompted by Awan, Shmotkin opened up about how the book came about: 
 
“I was a regular teenager, studying and trying to focus on my academic roles, but my inner world was distracting me. I’d be sitting there with my textbooks, but my brain and my heart weren’t there.” 

“I found myself gravitating toward the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s letters. He was a great Jewish sage who counseled thousands of people through personal correspondence about their emotional and mental lives. As I read letter after letter, the guidance rooted in Jewish wisdom felt like it was coming off the page and speaking directly to me.” 

The conversation continued with questions from Awan:

“The Rebbe’s guidance came decades before today’s widespread mental health awareness. What makes his wisdom so relevant for the modern world and the modern Jewish community?” 

In response, Shmotkin explained that “Its relevance comes precisely from where it differs from popular culture. While there’s a strong focus today on emotional health, The Rebbe consistently emphasized that true emotional wellbeing requires expanding beyond self-absorption and self-obsession.”

Alongside its reach in the secular world, the book has found resonance in the orthodox Jewish community through prominent voices including Rabbi Dr. Dovid Fox, Director of Trauma Response for Chai Lifeline and dayan on the Rabbinical Courts of Jerusalem. Rabbi Dr. Fox shared that “Letters for Life is an extremely well-researched compendium of profound insights and clear guidance. It allows the reader to be immersed in the perceptive wisdom of Toras HaNefesh through the lens of Chabad Chassidus. The volume includes much pure, pragmatic instruction for improving one’s personal and interpersonal functioning, as well as boosting one’s Avodas HaShem. I found Letters for Life inspiring and illuminating.”

Similarly, Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hirsch Weinreb, Executive Vice President Emeritus of the Orthodox Union, Editor-in-Chief of the Koren Talmud Bavli  and renowned expert in psychology, shared the following: “We live in troubled times, and we all feel the need for guidance in many aspects of our daily lives. To whom can we turn for guidance—wise guidance, practical guidance, effective guidance? Letters for Life enables us to consult an immensely valuable source of the guidance we seek. He presents us with the sage advice and helpful encouragement of someone who understood the modern world and had phenomenal insight into the soul and psyche of humanity.”

The full BBC interview can be listened to here

New York-based Bingo Wholesale Supermarket is making a major move into Florida. The company has purchased a large industrial property in the Dania Beach, Hollywood area of South Florida for approximately $16 million, according to property records.

The site, located at 5650 Anglers Avenue, spans roughly 8 acres and includes about 76,000 square feet of industrial space. Previously occupied by a private Budweiser distributor, the facility is expected to undergo significant renovations as part of Bingo’s expansion plans.

The acquisition was made through Sunwise Holdings LLC, a Florida-based entity tied to Bingo partner David Weiss. The seller was listed as Todd Stephens, according to records.

5650 Anglers Avenue

While the company has not officially announced its exact plans, the property will most likely serve as a central distribution hub, for a larger retail expansion across South Florida. Potential markets include growing Jewish communities in Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Tampa, and other areas across the state.

Bingo Wholesale, often described as a “kosher Costco” for its bulk-discount model, has built a strong following in New York. The company is looking to replicate that success in Florida, where demand for affordable kosher options continues to rise, and there are not many other options.

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee on Sunday praised Israeli President Isaac Herzog for what he described as a “conciliatory and gracious” response following an incident in which senior Catholic clergy were temporarily prevented from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City.

The episode occurred during Palm Sunday observances, when Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and other clergy were blocked from accessing the church for prayers amid heightened security measures in the city. The restrictions prompted criticism from Christian leaders, who said the access limitations disrupted a major religious observance.

I'm grateful for the conciliatory & gracious statement by President @Isaac_Herzog regarding the unfortunate Palm Sunday incident at Church of Holy Sepulcher. https://t.co/NMR1B2dFNx

— Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) March 29, 2026

Herzog later contacted Pizzaballa to express regret over the incident and said it was driven by security concerns linked to ongoing regional tensions, including Iranian missile threats targeting Israel in recent days. He reiterated Israel’s commitment to freedom of religion and maintaining the long-standing status quo at Jerusalem’s holy sites.

In a post on X, Huckabee said he welcomed Herzog’s clarification and response, describing it as an important effort to reduce tensions following what he called an unfortunate misunderstanding.

Israeli officials said the decision to restrict access was made by security authorities based on risk assessments in an environment of elevated alert. They cited concerns about potential missile strikes, crowd safety, and limited evacuation capacity in the densely populated Old City.

Officials also noted that restrictions during periods of conflict have affected multiple religious sites, including the Western Wall, where access has at times been limited to small, controlled groups under emergency guidelines.

My statement re Prohibiting the Latin Patriarch of entering Church of Holy Sepulcher on Palm Sunday:
While all Holy sites in the Old City are closed due to safety concerns for mass gatherings including the Western Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulcher and Al Aqsa Mosque, the action…

— Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) March 29, 2026

The Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest prayer site, has periodically been subject to security closures or limitations during periods of heightened conflict, including missile alerts and wartime emergency protocols. Authorities say such steps are intended to protect worshippers and manage crowd safety in areas with limited shelter infrastructure.

Christian leaders in Jerusalem said they continue to seek assurances that access to holy sites will be preserved even during emergencies, warning that restrictions risk damaging interfaith trust in a city sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week in the Christian calendar and typically brings large processions and gatherings across Jerusalem, particularly in the Old City, where multiple faith communities live and worship in close proximity.

The annual discussion surrounding matzah ashirah continues to generate significant halachic debate, particularly regarding how such products can be produced without any contact with water, which would render the dough chometz. Rav Avraham Yosef addressed the issue at length, explaining both the underlying halachic principles and the practical safeguards involved.

Among Sefardim, there is a longstanding practice to permit matzah ashirah, which is made by kneading dough with fruit juices instead of water. Still, many question how industrial production lines can ensure that not even a trace of water enters the process.

Speaking on the radio program Shamor V’Zachor, Rav Yosef responded to a listener who sought to understand the manufacturing process and the associated halachic concerns.

Rav Yosef described the rigorous standards he personally enforces at the factory: “I personally do not rely on anyone. I am present when the wine arrives and make sure it is pure, without any mixture of water.” He explained that he closely supervises the cleaning of the pipes and ensures that large volumes of wine are run through the system to flush out any possible moisture before actual production begins.

“If necessary, I climb up a dangerous rope ladder to the top to see with my own eyes that everything is clean,” the rav said. “There is not a week that goes by that I don’t visit there. The two mashgichim in the factories are talmidei chachamim and yirei Shamayim, and no worker would dare bring even a drop of liquid into the facility—anyone who is thirsty goes outside to drink.”

During the discussion, Rav Yosef shared a personal exchange with his father, Rav Ovadia Yosef zt”l: “I asked my father—why do I need this headache? I gain nothing from it, and I’ve only ‘taken hits’ over this kashrus. My father rebuked me and said: ‘You were born to toil—continue, there is great merit in benefiting the public.’ I continue on this path in order to uphold his sacred legacy.”

The listener also raised a concern about yayin nesech, wine that may have been handled by someone not observing mitzvos. Rav Yosef addressed this by explaining the safeguards in place: exclusive control is maintained by the mashgiach, who alone holds the keys and access to the wine barrels and tanks. In addition, the wine is immediately sweetened with large amounts of sugar upon being transferred, which alters its status and removes the halachic concern of yayin nesech.

Rav Yosef concluded by noting that the same level of supervision extends to all other ingredients, including eggs, which undergo thorough analysis and filtering to ensure that no water comes into contact with the flour, thereby preventing any possibility of chometz during Pesach.

{Matzav.com}

ICYMI – via TLS Communities

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A prominent Jewish researcher in South Africa was kidnapped and murdered in a chilling ransom plot that unfolded over just a few days, shocking the local Jewish community.

The victim, Steven Gruzd, a senior researcher at the South African Institute of International Affairs, was abducted in Johannesburg on the evening of Thursday, March 27, according to local reports.

Authorities believe the kidnapping was part of a fast-moving “express kidnapping” operation, where criminals abduct victims and quickly attempt to extract money or valuables. Shortly after his disappearance, security groups and law enforcement launched an urgent search effort, and as time passed, they began to fear the worst.

By Saturday, just two days later, the situation took a tragic turn. Police located Gruzd’s body after arresting a suspect connected to the case. Investigators said the suspect led authorities directly to the location during questioning.

It is with great sorrow that we announce the untimely passing of Steven Gruzd, Head of the African Governance and Diplomacy Programme at SAIIA.

An integral part of the Institute, Steve was known for his unwavering dedication to his work and his commitment to the policy… pic.twitter.com/QvEhvKSEbL

— South African Institute of International Affairs (@SAIIA_info) March 28, 2026

In total, five suspects were arrested, indicating that the group was involved in both the kidnapping and the killing. Early findings suggest the attack was financially motivated, with no current evidence pointing to antisemitism as a factor.

Gruzd was widely respected in diplomatic and academic circles. He headed the African Governance and Diplomacy Programme at the institute and was known for his work on African political systems and international relations. Colleagues described him as a “leading voice” in his field and someone deeply committed to research and public policy.

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Hundreds of Israeli travelers were stranded at Aqaba’s King Hussein International Airport on Sunday morning, after Arkia abruptly canceled multiple outbound flights following a sudden policy shift by Jordanian authorities.

The airline said Jordan had stopped approving certain flights operated with European aircraft, despite those flights having received prior authorization. The move immediately disrupted routes to destinations including Bangkok, Athens, and Budapest, catching Israeli officials off guard and halting part of the alternative aviation network built during the war.

Conditions at the airport deteriorated rapidly as delays mounted. “There is no Arkia representative here or any other Israeli representation, there is no water or food here. People are in complete despair sitting on the floor and children are crying,” one stranded passenger told N12. Travelers reported missing connecting flights and losing thousands of dollars on hotels and onward travel.

Israeli officials and security authorities are in contact with their Jordanian counterparts in an effort to restore approvals and resume flights. In the meantime, contingency plans are underway, with some passengers being rerouted through Taba in Egypt or transferred to alternative flights, including via Larnaca.

The Aqaba route had become a key workaround as wartime restrictions sharply limited departures from Ben-Gurion Airport. The disruption adds further strain to already fragile travel options, compounded by Egypt’s recent decision to double the Taba crossing fee to $120 per passenger, alongside an additional ₪120 fee on the Israeli side.

The Pentagon is developing plans for a sustained ground operation inside Iran that could last several weeks, marking a significant step up in President Donald Trump’s effort to dismantle what remains of the Iranian regime, according to a new report.

Under the proposals being reviewed, thousands of U.S. Marines could be deployed to the region to carry out targeted missions involving both Special Operations units and traditional infantry forces, The Washington Post reported, citing individuals familiar with the discussions.

Talks about sending American troops into Iranian territory have been underway for several weeks, as military planners evaluate possible next phases of the conflict.

The ongoing U.S. military campaign entered its second month yesterday. The operation began with coordinated U.S.-Israeli strikes on February 28 that hit Iranian military targets and leadership figures, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and dozens of senior officials.

President Trump has not publicly confirmed whether he is considering the Pentagon’s plan or if he intends to authorize any aspect of it.

“It’s the job of the Pentagon to make preparations in order to give the Commander in Chief maximum optionality. It does not mean the President has made a decision,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told the Washington Post.

While the proposed deployment would not amount to a full invasion, it would still expose American forces to potential attacks from Iranian military capabilities.

As part of the planning, approximately 10,000 additional U.S. troops were under consideration for deployment to the Middle East last week. These forces would reinforce the already sizable American presence in the Gulf and provide the administration with a wider range of military options.

If approved, the additional troops would join nearly 5,000 Marines and sailors currently stationed in the region, along with about 2,000 soldiers from the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division.

The 82nd Airborne Division is known for its rapid deployment capabilities and is routinely kept on standby to respond quickly to crises around the world, making it a central component in potential escalation scenarios.

It remains unclear where any incoming forces would be positioned. U.S. and allied airstrikes have already struck targets in Tehran as well as key military sites closer to the Persian Gulf, including Kharg Island.

According to former Pentagon official and Atlantic Council fellow Alex Plitsas, establishing a U.S. presence on Kharg Island — Iran’s main oil export terminal — would deal a serious financial blow to Tehran while also preventing attacks on vital infrastructure.

“It’s like taking a chess piece off Iran’s board and putting another bargaining chip in your pocket,” he said.

President Trump also issued a warning Thursday urging Iranian leaders to move quickly toward a negotiated end to the conflict.

“The Iranian negotiators are very different and ‘strange,’” the president posted on Truth Social. “They are ‘begging’ us to make a deal, which they should be doing since they have been militarily obliterated, with zero chance of a comeback, and yet they publicly state that they are only ‘looking at our proposal.’ WRONG!!!

“They better get serious soon, before it is too late,” Trump added, “because once that happens, there is NO TURNING BACK, and it won’t be pretty!”

President Isaac Herzog has sent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pardon request back to the Justice Ministry for further review, requesting additional clarification as the unprecedented process unfolds.

According to Herzog’s office, the president’s legal adviser, Michal Tzuk, asked for “additional supplementary materials” from the Justice Ministry’s Pardons Department as part of the ongoing evaluation.

“The President’s Residence requested supplementary materials from the department regarding precedents in the exercise of the pardon authority prior to the conclusion of criminal proceedings, including in cases involving diplomatic gestures or hostage-release deals,” the statement said.

“Despite the clear differences between the cases, the requested additions relate to the very exercise of the pardon authority during an ongoing legal process,” the statement continued, stressing that the move “should not be taken to indicate any position whatsoever regarding the request.”

Officials emphasized that the request is part of a professional review process before any recommendation is made to Herzog.

“Following receipt of the requested responses, handling of the request will continue in accordance with established procedures,” the statement added.

The development comes after the Justice Ministry’s Pardons Department completed a legal position paper earlier this month, reportedly raising serious concerns about the request. The department described the move as highly problematic and largely unprecedented, citing Netanyahu’s ongoing trial, the absence of a conviction, and no admission of guilt or remorse.

It further warned that granting such a pardon could undermine the principle of equality before the law, noting that the request leans heavily on arguments tied to diplomacy and national security — areas the department said fall outside its scope to evaluate.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

LONDON (VINnews) — Leaders in London’s Jewish community say they are increasing emergency preparedness measures amid growing concern over antisemitism and security threats in the United Kingdom.

Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said community organizations have begun distributing emergency medical supplies, including trauma kits for severe bleeding and equipment intended for rare chemical exposure scenarios.

He said the steps are precautionary but reflect heightened anxiety following a series of recent security-related incidents involving Jewish institutions.

President @PhilR_R on BBC's Politics London addressing the Golders Green arson attack.

He called for the proscription of the IRGC, action on online hate, and more prevention than reaction in the fight against antisemitism.

Full episode: https://t.co/tMmkklcqNW pic.twitter.com/Rxo9cKiaMi

— Board of Deputies of British Jews (@BoardofDeputies) March 29, 2026

Speaking Sunday on BBC London Politics, Rosenberg said many members of the estimated 150,000-strong Jewish community in London are feeling increasingly uneasy.

He pointed to a recent arson attack targeting Jewish ambulance vehicles in the Golders Green area of north London, along with other incidents that have contributed to concern within the community.

Rosenberg said community communications have increasingly focused on safety planning and emergency readiness, including training and distribution of protective equipment.

The supplies are being funded through a £28.4 million government grant allocated to the Community Security Trust, which provides security support to Jewish institutions across the United Kingdom.

The remarks follow a suspected arson attack on multiple Hatzola ambulances parked near a synagogue in Golders Green. The vehicles were severely damaged, nearby residents were evacuated, and counterterrorism police are investigating. Two suspects have been released on bail.

Rosenberg said the focus must remain on prevention and reducing threats so communities are not forced into worst-case planning.

He said the goal should be a return to normalcy where such preparations are no longer necessary.

MADISON, Wis. — Tony Evers signed a bill on Friday establishing a formal definition of antisemitism in state law, a step supporters say will help address rising anti-Jewish incidents but one that has sparked debate among Democrats and advocacy groups.

The measure adopts a definition developed by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance and will be used by state agencies when evaluating discrimination complaints and potential bias-related crimes.

Supporters, including the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, said the law provides a needed tool to better identify and respond to antisemitism. Opponents argued it could blur the line between antisemitism and criticism of Israel, raising concerns about how it might be applied.

Lawmakers added language stating the measure does not create new penalties and cannot be used to restrict constitutionally protected speech, including at public schools and universities.

Wisconsin joins dozens of states that have adopted similar definitions in recent years.

A video circulating widely in recent days, showing a non-Jew involved in multiple stages of matzah production, has prompted renewed discussion and concern regarding the kashrus standards of certain matzah bakeries as Pesach approaches.

The clip, which has been shared across various platforms, appears to show a goy actively participating in the matzah baking process—from rolling the dough to perforating it and even handling the baking phase in the oven. For many viewers, the footage has raised serious questions about oversight, halachic integrity, and whether proper standards are being maintained in all facilities.

At the heart of the concern is a long-standing and deeply rooted principle in halacha: the preference—and in many cases, requirement—that the preparation of matzah, particularly matzah shemurah, be performed by Shomrei Torah u’mitzvos who are knowledgeable and careful about the halachos involved.

Matzah baking is not a simple baking process. From the moment water comes into contact with flour, a strict time limit—generally understood to be 18 minutes—begins, within which the dough must be fully prepared and baked to avoid any possibility of chametz. This requires constant vigilance, awareness, and adherence to detailed halachic procedures.

Those who are Shomrei Torah u’mitzvos approach this process with the necessary seriousness, recognizing that even a small lapse—delays, improper handling, or lack of attention—can render the matzah invalid for Pesach use.

Additionally, many have the custom to verbalize l’sheim matzas mitzvah—that the matzah is being made for the sake of the mitzvah—particularly when producing matzah intended for the Seder. This intent, according to many authorities, must come from a Jew who is obligated in mitzvos.

It should be noted that reputable matzah bakeries operate under strict rabbinic supervision, with mashgichim present to oversee every aspect of production. In some cases, non-Jewish workers may be involved in peripheral roles, but the critical stages—especially those directly affecting the dough and baking—are typically reserved for Jewish workers who are trained and observant.

The emergence of this video has prompted questions about certifications and the standards upheld by different producers.

WATCH:

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{Matzav.com}

Jerusalem’s major holy sites are shuttered, and families are dejected and exhausted ahead of Pesach as the Iran war enters its fifth week.

The mood stands in stark contrast to a usual spring, when longer days herald a period of family gatherings and an influx of tourists.

Metal shutters are drawn on nearly all stores in the Old City, home to key holy sites, and only scattered footsteps echo on deserted stone alleyways. Vast plazas are missing the typical throngs of faithful and tourists.

Jerusalem has largely escaped past wars, with Israel’s enemies appearing to be hesitant to launch missiles near the city’s Muslim holy sites. But since Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, Jerusalem has repeatedly come under fire.

From his office overlooking the plaza at the Kosel, now also closed to mispallelim, the Rav of the Kosel, HaRav Shmuel Rabinowitz, lamented the empty plaza.

“The heart aches greatly, it bleeds, seeing the Kosel as it looks now,” he said.

The massive Birchas Kohanim for Pesach, which usually draws tens of thousands, will take place with just 50 mispallelim, the Rav said. That’s the maximum allowed to daven together in the enclosed area by the Kosel under wartime safety guidelines — reminiscent of the restrictions imposed during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Kosel plaza in Jerusalem’s Old City stands empty as the area remains closed to visitors amid the war with Iran. Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

Cleaning for Pesach, running for the shelter

Israelis have also grown weary after nearly a month of daily sirens, 16 civilian deaths and dozens of people seriously injured.

Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport has been operating on a severely limited basis throughout the war. Many point out the irony that, ahead of Pesach, Israelis are fleeing the country through the land border crossing with Egypt to the Sinai desert, while the holiday commemorates the story of ancient Israelites leaving Egypt via Sinai to Israel.

Observant Jewish families are frantically cleaning for Pesach to remove traces of leavening, which requires “turning the house upside-down in between running for the shelter,” said Jamie Geller, a cookbook author who works in Jerusalem’s Old City.

From her office at Aish, a Jewish educational institute with headquarters next to the Western Wall plaza, Geller can see where shrapnel dented and smashed rooftops, roads and a parking lot in the area.

“It’s shocking,” she said. “The Old City has always been a bit off limits for international terror and war, but not this time.”

(AP & YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

NEW YORK (VINnews) – Politico removed a political cartoon from its website after backlash from readers who said the image relied on antisemitic themes, with editors stating it “did not meet our standards.”

The illustration, created by Sean Delonas, showed Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu wearing blood-stained Jewish prayer shawls while seated in a small boat moving toward a waterfall marked “Iran.” The image also included the word “Amalek,” a biblical reference that has appeared in political discourse surrounding Israel’s military actions.

Critics said the cartoon echoed long-standing antisemitic imagery. Netanyahu was drawn with an exaggerated nose, and Trump was depicted as heavily overweight, elements observers said reflected historical stereotypes. A blood-stained money bag positioned above the figures was also cited as invoking tropes about Jewish wealth and influence.

NEW: Politico removed a cartoon featuring anti-Semitic imagery in an attempt to criticize the war in Iran following a Free Beacon report. The image depicts President Donald Trump, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Republican members of Congress wearing blood-covered… pic.twitter.com/v4ocwwEYVx

— Washington Free Beacon (@FreeBeacon) March 28, 2026

Other political figures appeared in the image, including Lindsey Graham, along with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance. A banner reading “Ship of Neocons” was shown, language some critics view as coded references in debates about foreign policy.

The cartoon was part of Politico’s weekly collection of syndicated political illustrations. The outlet said it aims to present a range of viewpoints but added that all material must adhere to editorial standards.

“Provocative imagery can be part of political commentary,” the publication said, but added that content drawing on ethnic stereotypes or historically offensive tropes falls outside its guidelines.

The artwork drew on themes from Hieronymus Bosch’s “Ship of Fools,” reinterpreted with modern political figures.

Politico did not explain how the cartoon was approved before publication.

The event will be taking place on Sunday Chol Hamoed.

NEW YORK (VINnews) — Britain’s Daily Telegraph reports that activists from the Green Party, a surging party in local opinion polls, used harsh antisemitic slogans in their Whatsapp messages,  describing Jewish people as “an abomination to this planet”.

One member of the Greens for Palestine group, a Left-wing faction in the Green Party, said that Jews “murder, bomb and starve” children. Another claimed that the arson attack on four ambulances owned by a Jewish charity in Golders Green, north London, on Monday had been a “false flag” operation, suggesting it could have been carried out by Jewish people. A Green council candidate shared posts on social media, making the same claim.

The Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) said its lawyers were investigating the activists’ remarks. It said views expressed in the Greens for Palestine group chat were “straight out of Nazi Germany”.

Labour urged Zack Polanski, the Green Party leader, to take action against those involved, saying the growing evidence of anti-Semitism within the party was “deeply troubling”. The Conservatives said the language was “utterly appalling”.

A briefing document shared with Green activists last month had warned members not to post anti-Semitic comments online. In a “call for self-moderation”, Greens for Palestine told supporters not to “take the bait” and ask themselves “what this would look like on the front page of a newspaper”.

It said: “Those who oppose us will be looking for the opportunity to say that we are a bunch of unpleasant, vengeful anti-Semites. They will seek to bait us into making statements emotionally, and smear us whenever they can. Don’t take the bait!”.

The Greens have surged in the polls since Mr Polanski became leader in September. Last month, the party briefly overtook Labour to sit second, and it has seen its membership grow by 150,000 in six months. However, Jewish groups have accused Green Party members of “entryism” – infiltrating an existing political party with the goal of influencing it from within.

Greens for Palestine, a grassroots group founded 18 months ago, has forced through a motion that, if passed at the Greens’ spring conference this weekend, would see the party treat Zionism as a form of racism. Jewish members said this would give the party the ability to expel them simply for engaging in their religious community.

Discussing a video posted on X by Dr Rahmeh Aladwan, a  National Health Service doctor who was suspended last November over alleged anti-Semitic comments, a member defended her description of protesters in Golders Green as Jews rather than Zionists.

They wrote: “No, she is going to call out the people who have destroyed her and her family. They were Jews and we shouldn’t be afraid to say it. They were Jewish supremacists.

“She is using the correct description. It’s us who have been scared into using the word Zionists because of the fear of being labelled anti-Semites. Enough of being scared of hurting their feelings while they murder, bomb and starve children.”

Steven Dial headed to Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston to stand in security lines Friday afternoon like it was his job. Which, for the day, it was.

“I’ve seen parts of the airport now that I didn’t even know existed,” said Dial, 43, who lives in a suburb of Houston. He started his day waiting on behalf of actual travelers at 6:30 a.m.

By 2 p.m., he was en route to line-sit for his fifth client as Transportation Security Administration staffing shortages led to another day of hours-long waits at the Texas airport.

A partial government shutdown that started Feb. 14 persisted Friday, but TSA agents will start seeing paychecks as early as Monday after President Donald Trump issued an order Friday to pay them using preexisting funds. That should eventually improve wait times, though nearly 500 TSA officers have quit during the shutdown. On recent days, more than 40 percent of security officers called out at some airports.

While the vast majority of travelers have braved lines or missed flights, grimacing at the lemons they were served, some entrepreneurs have set up their own proverbial lemon stands.

Robert Samuel, owner of the New York-based line waiting service Same Ole Line Dudes, said he’s gotten a couple requests for TSA waits since Thursday. The company typically charges $25 per hour, plus a $15 fee if the job starts before 7 a.m., but Samuel said an airport job would run higher.

“Since this line is moving, it’s very different,” he said. “No chair is allowed, and we have to stay on our feet, so the pricing will be $35 per hour.”

No one had locked in a booking as of Friday, but one of the inquiries – from someone who didn’t want their elderly parents to have to trudge through a queue – was pending.

Samuel, who has been waiting in line for paying customers for 13 years, says the lines travelers have been facing are “crazy.”

“They’re missing special occasions, they can’t get to weddings,” he said. “I heard about siblings that couldn’t make it to their dad’s funeral; it’s heartbreaking.”

TSA controls access to secured areas, like ID checkpoints and baggage X-rays, but not waiting areas. That leaves line waiting policies up to airports, which have not endorsed the moves.

“The fact that people are even considering this as an option should serve as a wake-up call to the Democrats in Congress to reopen DHS,” the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement.

On Friday, lines for security at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport stretched outside and wrapped around the building’s exterior. Jonathan Dean, the airport’s director of communications, said BWI does “not have an official airport policy” on hiring someone to wait for you, but they “highly discourage it.”

Houston Airports said on its website that it does not endorse “for-hire” line-standing services, asking people to stay with their belongings and only use official airport queues.

“For your security, passengers should not pay individuals offering to hold their place in line, as they are not authorized and have not been vetted,” the airport said. “Passengers who choose to use unauthorized services do so at their own risk.”

Dial, in Texas, owns a business called Dial Signature Solutions offering “executive household support” and mobile notary services. He’s used to waiting around on behalf of people with packed schedules.

“This just seemed like a perfect extension of what I was already offering,” he said. He’s charging $65 an hour, plus airport parking. Dial said he turned some offers down and talked others out of using him because they were planning to be there early enough and he thought his service was unnecessary.

He said three of his clients used his service as a backup, having him wait until they were sure they could get through priority security lines with their airline status. Once the travelers were through, he got out of line. He did not go through a TSA checkpoint or hold anyone’s bags.

The fourth client checked his bags, then traded places with Dial near the ticketing area. Neighboring passengers were “super understanding,” he said; he had told them someone was going to take his place eventually.

“It’s not like anyone’s cutting because at the end of the day, it’s the same number of people in line,” he said.

Dial said that he hadn’t heard of the airport’s warning about line sitters. His hope is that customers will book his company for future needs.

“Likely today is the last day we’re going to have to deal with this,” he said Friday.

There is an official way for travelers to bypass long TSA waits if they’re willing to spend: hiring concierge services to escort them through security.

Perq Soleil is an airport arrival and departure assistance service that can help travelers through TSA in about a minute flat by accessing alternative lines usually reserved for airport staff and airline personnel. The company – which operates in more than 300 airports and 150 countries – charges a base rate that varies by location.

In Atlanta, the base rate during typical hours for a group of four travelers is $450, and $350 at Washington Dulles International Airport. Additional travelers cost $85 each. That rate includes assistance like meeting travelers at their car and helping with their luggage, arranging airport wheelchairs and shopping for them at duty-free shops.

The company SkySquad also offers expedited TSA services in Baltimore, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Orlando, starting at $79 per group.

(c) 2026, The Washington Post · Hannah Sampson, Natalie B. Compton

The condition of a young girl of about 11 years old — Esther Hadassah bas Chaya Mushka— from a Chabad family in Tzfas in northern Israel, who suffered cardiac arrest last week during a rocket alert siren in the city, remains serious.

On Motzei Shabbos, the Chabad Hebrew-language COL news site reported a deterioration in her condition, and her family is asking the public to continue davening for her full and speedy recovery.

It was initially reported that the girl was injured after she fell from her bunk bed during a siren. However, according to an update by Dr. Hilel Frankenthal, a specialist in Pediatric Intensive Care at Ziv Hospital in Tzfas, the girl suffered cardiac arrest during the siren for unclear reasons.

Medical teams who arrived at the scene found her without a pulse and not breathing. They began prolonged resuscitation efforts, including the use of a defibrillator. After extensive efforts, they were able to restore her pulse, and she was evacuated for further treatment. It was later reported that she regained consciousness, to the joy of her family.

Following reports of the deterioration in her condition, the family is again appealing to the public to continue davening for the refuah sheleimah of Esther Hadassah bas Chaya Mushka b’toch sha’ar cholei Yisrael.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

Israeli travelers heading through the Taba border crossing have been hit with a sharp and unexpected increase in fees, with the cost now reaching $120 per person, a steep jump from pre-war pricing.

Amid ongoing restrictions at Ben Gurion Airport that have made international travel difficult, many Israelis turned to the land crossing near Eilat as a practical alternative. In recent days, however, they were surprised to discover that the entry fee into Taba has surged dramatically. The new rate represents a sixfold increase from the original $20 charge before the war and doubles the more recent $60 fee.

The timing of the hike has added to the frustration, as Israel’s air travel options remain limited due to the security situation and the ongoing conflict with Iran and Hezbollah. For many families, crossing into Sinai had been an accessible and relatively affordable vacation option, but the new pricing structure has turned it into a costly undertaking. According to notices posted at the crossing, the updated fees include $20 for insurance and maintenance, $100 for vehicle passage, and additional charges for each kilometer traveled beyond the first.

The move has sparked strong reactions in Israel. Transportation Minister Miri Regev formally appealed to Egyptian officials, urging them to reconsider the decision and restore the previous pricing. Officials in the Transportation Ministry suggested that the increase appears to take advantage of Israel’s limited air travel capacity rather than reflect any genuine operational need. At the same time, troubling reports have surfaced, including accounts from the Shotzer Rebbe here on Matzav.com, describing harsh treatment and alleged mistreatment of Jewish travelers attempting to cross the border in recent weeks.

There is growing concern that the elevated costs will effectively restrict the crossing to those who can afford it, denying thousands of Israelis the opportunity to take a break from the ongoing tensions at home. The dispute over the fees adds another layer to the already complex regional situation, as Israel’s Foreign Ministry continues to monitor developments and explore possible ways to ease conditions for travelers. Meanwhile, many people attempting to cross report long lines and mounting frustration over the unexpected financial demands imposed upon them at the border.

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Fighters from the IDF’s Alpine Unit, operating under the “Mountains” Brigade (810), completed a targeted operation to thwart attempts by terrorist organizations to establish a presence along the Lebanon border area, according to an Arutz Sheva report.

As part of the operation, the forces operated in complex mountainous terrain, crossing by climbing through snow from the Syrian Hermon area to the Mount Dov region in southern Lebanon. Their mission was to scan the area, gather intelligence, and locate enemy terror infrastructure using the unique capabilities and tools of the specialized mountain commando unit.

IDF Footage of the Alpinist Unit in cross-border activity from the Syrian Hermon to southern Lebanon pic.twitter.com/aSyTsZJHFc

— Documenting Israel (@DocumentIsrael) March 29, 2026

The following pictures were taken by the Alpine Unit as it moved towards southern Lebanon:

A devastating tragedy struck the city of Elad over Shabbos, as a 9-year-old girl died after suffering a severe panic attack triggered by air raid sirens amid the ongoing security situation.

The child, Rochel Mandel a”h, a student at the local Vizhnitzer School and a member of an Erlauer family in the city, collapsed following an acute anxiety episode that ultimately led to total system failure.

According to sources, since the outbreak of the war with Iran approximately four weeks ago, the girl had been experiencing intense fear and shortness of breath each time sirens sounded in the city. Her condition reportedly worsened as the conflict continued and the frequency of alerts increased.

On Friday night, the girl suffered an extreme panic attack and lost consciousness in front of her family. Emergency responders who arrived at the home immediately began advanced resuscitation efforts before transporting her in critical condition to the hospital.

Despite extensive attempts by medical teams in the trauma unit and intensive care ward to save her life, her condition rapidly declined, and she passed away during the night. Her parents, who had rushed out with her in desperation, returned home in the early morning hours without their child.

The levayah and kevurah were held on Motzoei Shabbos at the Lechaim Cemetery in Elad.

News of the tragedy has left the Erlauer community and the entire city of Elad in deep shock. Rabbanim and mental health professionals have been called in to support the grieving family and the girl’s classmates, helping them process the trauma and difficult questions arising in the wake of the incident.

{Matzav.com}

TEHRAN (AP) – Iran’s parliament speaker on Sunday warned the U.S. against a ground invasion, threatening to set the American troops “on fire” and step up attacks on US allies, according to Iranian official media.

Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said Iranian forces “are waiting for the arrival of American troops on the ground to set them on fire and punish their regional partners forever.”

He added: “Our firing continues. Our missiles are in place. Our determination and faith have increased.”

He described the U.S.’s 15-point plan which Pakistan passed to Iran last week as “their wishes” and said the Trump administration is attempting to do through the plan what it has failed to achieve by force.

“As long as the Americans seek Iran’s surrender, our response is clear: Far be it from us to accept humiliation,” he said.

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More details have emerged about an Iranian missile and drone attack on a U.S air base in Saudi Arabia on Friday, which injured 12 US soldiers, two seriously.

The strike on the Prince Sultan Airbase heavily damaged a key US surveillance aircraft and several US refueling planes, the Wall Street Journal reported, quoting US and Arab officials.

In addition, footage of the wreck is circulating on social media and has been shared by a senior Fox News military correspondent. It should be noted that an official US source has not confirmed the authenticity of the images.

The Boeing E‑3 Sentry, an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, is one of the world’s most advanced airborne command, control, and intelligence platforms used to track missiles, drones, and aircraft over long distances. It serves as an airborne command center, enabling commanders to manage the battlefield and detect threats from hundreds of kilometers away.

The US had only 16 operational E‑3 Sentry aircraft remaining before the strike on the Saudi airbase, down from a fleet of roughly 30 several decades ago. According to the report, the aging E‑3 fleet has no easy, ready‑to‑deploy replacement, and the closest successor, the E‑7 Wedgetail, is still years away from full service and carries an estimated price tag of about $700 million per aircraft.

Retired U.S. Air Force Col. John Venable told the WSJ that the damage to the AWACS aircraft is a major blow to US capabilities in the region.

“It’s a huge deal,” he said. “It hurts the U.S.’ s ability to see what’s happening in the Gulf and maintain situational awareness.”

Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia is considered one of the United States’ key strategic installations in the Gulf region. Located near Riyadh, it serves as an advanced hub for air operations and houses some of the most sophisticated defense, command, and control systems in the world.

In recent years, the U.S. has re‑established a significant presence there, largely due to rising tensions with Iran and the need to strengthen regional air defenses.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

LISTEN:

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Divorce, Trauma, and the Communal Obligation to Protect Our Children

By Rabbi Yair Hoffman

A Crisis Hiding in Plain Sight

There is a serious devastation unfolding in many Orthodox homes across America. It is happeningin bedrooms where children lie awake listening to arguments they cannot understand, at Shabbos tables where one seat is suddenly empty, and in school hallways where a child has learned to tell two different versions of the same week depending on which parent is asking.

We are a community that speaks openly about our blessings. Our divorce rate — approximately 10%, according to research by Dr. Yitzchak Schechter, a clinical psychologist based in Monsey — is a fraction of the nearly 50% rate in the general American population. This is cause for real gratitude.

But gratitude does not excuse us from confronting what the data also shows. The July 2025 Nishma Research survey — the most comprehensive study of Orthodox Jewish family life ever conducted, drawing on more than 1,700 respondents including 350 divorcees — reveals that when Orthodox marriages do end, they often end badly. And the people who pay the heaviest price are the ones with the least power to do anything about it: the children.

What the Numbers Tell

Approximately 80% of divorced Orthodox respondents had children under 18 at the time of their divorce. The average Charedi marriage ends after 11 years; Modern Orthodox, after 16. These are not young couples who separated before children arrived. These are families mid-stream — with school-age children fully present and fully absorbing everything around them.

The leading cause of divorce in both communities is untreated or undisclosed mental health conditions and personality disorders — cited by 40% of Modern Orthodox respondents and 51% of Charedim. Emotional and verbal abuse, dishonesty, and addiction were also major factors, with 22% of Charedi respondents naming addiction specifically.

More alarming than the divorce rate itself is how these divorces unfold. Dr. Schechter found that 57% of Orthodox divorces were highly contentious. The Nishma survey corroborates it: 47% of respondents described their divorce as hostile, versus only 28% who called it friendly. The factors driving this are unique to our world — the complexity of the get process, the intense interdependence of Orthodox family systems, and the reality that competing advice from rabbis, mentors, and family members simultaneously pulls each party in different directions.

The result is a prolonged conflict that burns for months and years — with children inside it the entire time.

What Research Knows

For decades, our community’s discussion of divorce and children was largely impressionistic. Today, we have something more. A 2024 systematic review catalogued the documented effects on children caught in parental conflict: behavioral problems, academic decline, social withdrawal, anxiety, depression, and in serious cases, suicidal ideation. Divorce is now formally classified as an Adverse Childhood Experience — a category of early trauma shown to produce measurable increases in long-term mental health risk. A 2022 study found that children from high-conflict divorces may develop post-traumatic stress symptoms indistinguishable from those produced by other forms of childhood trauma.

Research also documents a striking gender-specific effect: boys whose parents separate show a significant drop in time devoted to learning and reading, and a doubling of unstructured screen time. For a community in which Torah learning is a core value and screen exposure a recognized threat, this finding is a communal emergency.

The Malbim explains that the Torah compares itself to the pupil of the eye because it is irreplaceable once damaged. The same is true of a child’s formative years. The window during which a child forms his foundational sense of security and identity does not remain open indefinitely.

Perhaps the most sobering Nishma finding is this: 24% of divorced respondents had themselves experienced childhood trauma. The researchers explicitly called for intervention before marriage — because the data shows a direct line from one generation’s unhealed pain to the next generation’s fractured home. The children inside today’s contentious divorces are at elevated statistical risk of becoming tomorrow’s divorcing parents.

Parental Alienation: When a Child Becomes a Weapon

Among all the harms of a contentious divorce, one stands out for its particular cruelty: the deliberate effort by one parent to turn the child against the other.  It takes many forms. A parent who uses visitation as leverage, leaving a child waiting at the door to punish the ex-spouse. A parent who interrogates the child after every visit — “Did anything bad happen? Are you sure?” — planting anxiety where none existed. A parent who files accusations of abuse not because they believe them but because they understand that such allegations are the most effective legal weapon available. A parent who turns every birthday and graduation into a competition for loyalty.

Parents who do these things often believe they are acting protectively. They are wrong. What they are teaching their child is that love is conditional, that adults cannot be trusted, and that the appropriate response to pain is retaliation. These lessons last. The clinical research is unambiguous: chronic parental conflict produces chronic emotional dysregulation in children. They do not grow accustomed to it. They are harmed by it, repeatedly, and carry those wounds into adulthood.

“Do not open your mouth for evil, to act with deceit” — Tehillim 17:3

A parent who manipulates a child — even with the sincere conviction that they are protecting them — is committing an act of deceit against the most defenseless person in the household. The child has no frame of reference beyond what that parent tells them. What the parent calls reality – becomes their reality.

The Get and the Children

No honest accounting of Orthodox divorce can omit the get. A 2025 survey by Chochmat Nashim of nearly 400 women across 11 countries found that at least 30% experienced get refusal. One-third reported being pressured to surrender financial rights or custody arrangements in order to receive it. On average, 40% waited more than a year; 16% waited more than three years.

These numbers represent years during which children are living inside an unresolved crisis — years in which no parent has the emotional bandwidth to focus on their children, in which sustained hostility poisons every interaction, and in which a child’s need for stability is perpetually deferred. The harm compounds with every passing month.

This is a call to every participant in the get process — dayanim, rabbanim, attorneys, and family members — to weigh the welfare of the children as actively as they weigh anything else before them.

Six Obligations

In an article published some 15 years ago, David Mandel delineated 6 obligations.  These are obligations — drawn from the data, from the clinical literature, and from the values our community already hold.

1. Premarital preparation must address mental health. The Nishma data has given us a diagnosis: the single greatest driver of divorce in our community is untreated mental health conditions. Chassan and kallah classes must evolve to include meaningful education about narcissism, control issues, emotional regulation and relational skills. Rabbis who serve as mesadrei kiddushin should consider making documented participation in such programs a condition of officiating.
2. Mentorship in the first year of marriage. The first year is when habits of communication and conflict resolution are established — for better or worse. A model of pairing young couples with experienced married mentors has shown measurable success in several chasidic communities. It deserves adoption across all of Orthodoxy, with equal attention to young women as to young men.
3. Mandatory child-centered counseling for divorcing parents. When minor children are present, both parents must participate in counseling focused exclusively on the children’s welfare — not the adults’ grievances, not legal positioning, but one question: what do our children need right now? This requirement should come from rabbanim and batei din. The state of Florida already mandates pre-divorce parenting education by law. Our community should not need the state to tell us what our own values already demand.
4. Therapeutic support for the children themselves. Children of divorce need their own therapist — someone whose client is the child, not the parents, not the marriage, not the legal case. A skilled clinician who understands Orthodox life can give a frightened child space to process what is happening, help re-establish structure in a chaotic period, and serve as a bridge to the rebbeim and teachers observing the effects in the classroom. Community rabbis and principals should maintain updated referral lists.
5. The extended family must step back wisely. Grandparents and extended family members who become enmeshed in the conflict — providing financial ammunition, amplifying grievances, coaching on legal strategy — can inadvertently extend the very war they hope to end. The most important thing a grandparent can say to their divorcing child is: I am here for you. And this fight must not be at the expense of your children.
6. The financial cost of divorce must come down. Divorce in our community frequently costs tens of thousands of dollars. That financial devastation transfers directly to children in the form of housing instability, school changes, and lost opportunities. Greater use of mediation, faster beis din resolution, and communal funds for families who cannot afford adequate representation are all part of the answer. A community that has built elaborate support systems for education and basic needs must extend that infrastructure to protect children from the collateral financial damage of their parents’ divorce.

The Assignment Before Us

The 2025 Nishma survey found that 76% of divorced respondents said it was good that they divorced. Their lives improved. The decision to leave a broken marriage — when the marriage is truly broken — can be the right one. We should not pretend otherwise.

But the same survey found deep ambivalence about whether the children were better off. That ambivalence is not a side note. It is the assignment.

The children of these divorces did not make the decisions that led to them. They did not choose the conflict, the instability, or the pain. They are owed something by the adults in their lives — not the preservation of a failed marriage at any cost, but the sustained, self-sacrificing commitment to place their wellbeing ahead of every adult grievance. Every time. Without exception.

The Sfas Emes taught that loving Hashem with all your heart means loving even the parts of your heart that are in pain, even the parts that feel wronged. A parent who truly internalizes this — who loves something greater than their own hurt — is capable of choosing their children over their grievances.

That choice is what protects a child. That choice is what our community must demand.

The author can be reached at [email protected].

This article was inspired by “Divorce: It’s Not About You, It’s About the Children” by David Mandel, published in Hakirah (Vol. 10, 2010). The six recommendations draw from Mr. Mandel’s original framework.

NEW YORK — A former Illinois state representative and current executive director of the political action committee at the Health Care Council of Illinois, as well as a former leader within New York’s Hatzalah Volunteer Ambulance Corps, is urging Jewish organizations to reconsider inviting New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to events following a controversial social media post by the mayor.

Yehiel M. Kalish wrote on X that Jewish organizations should “remember this tweet and all the tweets that weren’t” when deciding whether to invite Mamdani, adding: “Just say no. You can work with his office without giving him your platform.”

Jewish organizations need to remember this tweet and all the tweets that weren’t next time you think about inviting him to your event. His team asked to come to mine and I said no. Just say no. You can work with his office without giving him your platform. https://t.co/KJQzpoQ1Dj

— Yehiel M. Kalish (@ymkalish) March 27, 2026

Kalish also said in his post that his team had previously asked to attend an event connected to the mayor’s circle, but he declined. He did not specify which event he was referring to.

His comments came in response to Mamdani’s post about an individual allegedly linked to an offshoot of the Jewish Defense League, which the FBI has described as a “known violent extremist organization,” who was accused of allegedly building explosive devices targeting the home of activist Nerdeen Kiswani.

🧠 Top Stories

• Houthis officially enter the war, opening a new front with missile launches toward Israel
• Iranian ballistic missile strikes near Jerusalem, injuring 11 after a failed interception
• Cluster bomb attack hits central Israel, leaving one dead and multiple impact sites
• IDF signals it is days away from completing strikes on all of Iran’s critical military targets

⚔️ Battlefield

• Sgt. Moshe Yitzchak Katz, 22, of Chabad of New Haven, was killed in southern Lebanon
• IDF eliminates Hezbollah-linked journalist Ali Shoeib, identified as Radwan Force intelligence operative
• Houthis launch ballistic and cruise missiles from Yemen toward Eilat
• Iranian drones strike Kuwait International Airport

🌍 Global Pressure

• IRGC warns U.S.- and Israel-linked universities across West Asia could become targets
• Trump urges Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords amid regional escalation

🕵️‍♂️ Behind the Scenes

• U.S. military preparing for a longer-term ground phase in Iran, signaling escalation beyond air campaign
• Mark Levin outlines the case for boots on the ground as Trump promotes the message to supporters

✡️ Jewish World

• New Jersey Jewish man arrested for allegedly plotting firebomb attack targeting pro-Palestinian activist

🧨 Wild Story

• Iran threatens to target universities tied to the U.S. and Israel, warning civilians to stay away from academic institutions

My son came home from school on Thursday and shared how impressed he was with his teacher. During class, several students mentioned they were hungry, and the teacher took the initiative to go to the lunchroom and bring back food for them.

This teacher recognized something important. Leading up to Pesach, many children are coming to school with fewer snacks than usual, as their homes are cleaned for Pesach – but not yet stocked for Yom Tov either.

It’s something for all rebbeim and teachers to keep in mind. The hunger can also affect kids’ behavior, making them more irritable or less focused during class.

And to the teacher who stepped in so thoughtfully, Tizku L’mitzvos!

Sincerely,
A grateful mother

TLS welcomes your letters by submitting them to us via  Whatsapp  or via email  [email protected]

Sgt. Moshe Yitzchak HaCohen Katz HY”D, 22, of New Haven, Connecticut, a fighter in the IDF Paratroopers Brigade’s 890th Battalion, was killed in battle in southern Lebanon.

In the same incident in which Sgt. Katz HY”D fell, three additional IDF soldiers were moderately wounded. The injured troops were evacuated to a hospital for medical treatment, and their families have been notified.

Sgt. Katz HY”D, a Lubavitcher Chosid, was described by his father, Mendy Katz, in a heartbreaking message: “With unspeakable tragedy I regret to inform you that my 22 year old son Moshe Yitzchak a*h a sergeant in the idf, fell in battle in Lebanon.”

He added, “My oldest son with a zest for life and jokes… My heart is shattered and the wound is real. May he be a malitz yosher for only good things.”

The levaya is expected to take place in Eretz Yisroel.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observed a test of a high-thrust, solid-fuel engine test and hailed it as a development to boost the country’s strategic military capability, state media reported Sunday.

The test likely indicates Kim is intent on enlarging and modernizing an arsenal of missiles capable of reaching the United States mainland.

The report on Sunday from Korean Central News Agency came days after Kim delivered a speech at North Korea’s Parliament pledging to irreversibly cement his country’s status as a nuclear power and accusing the U.S. of global “state terrorism and aggression,” in an apparent reference to the war in the Middle East.

Kim watched the ground jet test of the newly upgraded engine using a composite carbon fiber material, according to KCNA, which reported the engine’s maximum trust is 2,500 kilotons, up from about 1,971 kilotons reported in a similar solid fuel engine test in September.

A push to increase the engine power is likely associated with efforts to place multiple warheads on a single missile to increase chances of defeating U.S. defenses, observers say.

KCNA did not report exactly when or where the test occurred.

The test was conducted as part of the country’s five-year military escalation program. The plan’s objectives include upgrading “strategic strike means,” KCNA reported.

The reference is understood to mean nuclear-capable, intercontinental ballistic missiles targeting the continental U.S.

Kim said the latest engine test had “great significance in putting the country’s strategic military muscle on the highest level,” KCNA reported.

In recent years, North Korea has test-fired a variety of ICBMs demonstrating the potential range to reach the U.S. mainland, including missiles with solid propellants that make detection prior to liftoff more difficult. The country’s older liquid-fuel missiles must be fueled before liftoffs and cannot last long.

Some foreign experts say North Korea still faces technological hurdles before it has a functioning ICBM, such as ensuring its warheads survive the harsh conditions of atmospheric reentry. But others dispute that assessment given the number of years the country has spent on its nuclear and missile programs.

North Korea has pushed hard to expand its nuclear arsenal since Kim’s high-stakes diplomacy with U.S. President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019. In a ruling Workers’ Party congress in February, Kim left open the door for dialogue with Trump but urged Washington to drop demands for the North’s nuclear disarmament as a precondition for talks.

An emergency lawsuit seeking a temporary injunction to postpone the Town of Surfside’s mayoral runoff election due to a scheduling conflict with Pesach was filed in Miami-Dade County on Friday.

The runoff election between former Mayor Shlomo Danzinger and Vice Mayor Tina Paul, is currently scheduled for April 7. This date coincides with the final day of Chol Hamoed Pesach and Erev Yom Tov.

“The right to vote and the right to religious observance are both fundamental, and the government cannot needlessly force citizens to sacrifice one to exercise the other,” Rabbi Mark Goldfeder, CEO of the National Jewish Advocacy Center (NJAC), told Belaaz. “Moving this election by one week is a minimal burden on the town and a major protection for the rights of every affected voter. This should be an easy call.”

The lawsuit, filed by NJAC and GS2 Law PLLC on behalf of Chabad of Surfside, Rabbi Zalman Lipskar, United Orthodox Synagogues of Surfside, and six registered voters, seeks to move the election to April 14. Surfside has an estimated 2,500 Jewish residents out of a total population of 5,700, with approximately 35 percent of the Jewish population identifying as Orthodox.

“The right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy, and no citizen should ever be forced to choose between their faith and their franchise,” NJAC Litigation Counsel David Benger said. “A one-week postponement costs the Town nothing and guarantees that every eligible voter in Surfside, regardless of religious observance, can participate in choosing their next mayor.”

The complaint alleges violations of the Florida Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the Free Exercise Clause of the First and Fourteenth Amendments, and the Equal Protection Clause.

The petition also cites a public letter from outgoing Mayor Charles Burkett, which the lawsuit argues is evidence that the election date does not operate in a neutral environment and reflects an anti-Jewish bias. According to the complaint, Burkett characterized the Jewish community’s voting bloc as “frightened and misled religious voters” who “vote in lockstep,” framing the election as a contest between the Jewish community’s “25%” and “the remaining 75%,” and urging non-Jewish voters to “overcome the fearmongering.”

Robert Garson of GS2 Law PLLC stated that the lawsuit pushes back against a message that a community’s faith disqualifies it from participating in democracy.

“This is precisely the kind of case lawyers should take pro bono, where a community is effectively being told: your faith disqualifies you from participating in democracy,” Garson said. “That is not just wrong, it is unconstitutional. We are here to make sure that message is rejected, clearly and decisively.”

The petition notes that the neighboring Town of Bay Harbor Islands unanimously moved its own April 2026 municipal election to April 14 to avoid the exact same Pesach conflict, and that Florida, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois have established precedents for accommodating observant Jewish voters.

As the busy time leading into Pesach intensifies, new restrictions at Israel’s land crossings into Jordan have effectively shut down a commonly used travel route, leaving many in the frum community scrambling for clarity and alternative arrangements.

A message from the U.S. Embassy has added to the confusion, noting that officials have not clearly defined what qualifies as a “private vehicle.” With many travelers relying on hired drivers and transportation services to reach the crossings, the lack of a clear definition has created uncertainty about what is actually permitted. Travelers are being strongly advised to verify in advance that any service they book is authorized under the current rules.

At the same time, the Airports Authority has issued an official announcement detailing sweeping operational changes ahead of the Pesach travel surge. The measures, implemented in coordination with Home Front Command guidelines, are aimed at reducing crowding and maintaining safety at border crossings expected to see a sharp increase in traffic.

According to the directive, from March 30 through April 10, travel by private vehicle to Jordan via the Jordan River and Rabin crossings will not be permitted. This restriction effectively blocks a major route frequently used by yeshiva bochurim, seminary students, and families seeking to exit or enter Eretz Yisroel during peak travel periods.

In addition, authorities warn that due to strict limits on how many passengers can be inside the terminals at one time, travelers should expect long waits outside before being allowed entry. Proper preparation, including arriving early and planning for delays, is being strongly recommended.

Entry into the terminal itself will only be granted to those who have prepaid the crossing fee through the Milgam company website, meaning that anyone who arrives without prior payment will not be allowed to proceed.

For many, these changes have created significant concern. The ambiguity surrounding private transportation has left people unsure whether commonly used private drivers—often arranged informally or through community networks—are considered legal under the new guidelines.

Askonim emphasize that assumptions can lead to costly mistakes. Travelers who show up at the crossing with a driver that does not meet the undefined criteria risk being turned away entirely.

With Pesach approaching and thousands trying to travel, the situation remains fluid.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said during a public appearance in Miami that he prefers being around “losers” rather than highly successful individuals, while also making sweeping claims about Iran’s leadership and the state of its military during the ongoing conflict.

Speaking at the Future Investment Initiative conference, Trump told the audience: “I always like to hang around with losers, actually, because it makes me feel better.”

He continued, “I hate guys that are very, very successful, and you have to listen to their success stories. I like people who like to listen to my success.”

Trump: I hang out with losers because it makes be feel better. I hate guys that are very, very successful and you have to listen to their success stories. I like people that like to listen to my success. pic.twitter.com/OYNXspphxo

— Acyn (@Acyn) March 27, 2026

The remarks came during a question-and-answer session following his speech, where Trump invited attendees to ask about any topic.

When asked about what leadership quality is most lacking worldwide, Trump said the key factor is the ability to win. He used sports as an example, contrasting clear victories and losses with the more ambiguous nature of other fields.

“You got a lot of losers, mostly losers, fortunately,” he said, referencing his earlier comments about the type of people he prefers to be around.

He later attempted to soften the remark, saying, “I’m only kidding,” before adding, “Eh, sort of.”

Trump emphasized that success makes leadership easier, stating, “People who win, it’s much easier to lead when you’re successful, and you win.”

During his remarks, Trump also referred to Qasem Soleimani, the Iranian commander killed in a U.S. drone strike in 2020, describing him as a “great leader” and a “mad genius.”

He further claimed that Iran’s current supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is no longer alive.

Trump said, “Their leaders are all dead… Their supreme leader is no longer supreme. He’s dead,”

He went on to describe what he said was the collapse of Iran’s military capabilities following recent operations.

“Iran’s navy is gone… their air force is totally, completely dead,” he said, adding that missile systems, drone factories, and other defense infrastructure had been “totally dismantled.”

Trump also asserted that Iran is now seeking to negotiate an end to the conflict.

“They are begging to make a deal,” he said.

However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that while Iran is reviewing a U.S. proposal, it has “no intention” of entering direct negotiations with Washington, adding that indirect communications “do not mean negotiations with the US.”

{Matzav.com}

A woman who was unable to locate her purse on Friday later discovered it had been mistakenly thrown out.

Fortunately, the purse contained a tracker, allowing it to be tracked. Volunteers from Chaveirim of Central Jersey responded and followed the signal to a local dumpster.

The members sifted through the trash and successfully located the missing purse.

WASHINGTON (AP) — An Iranian missile attack Friday wounded at least 10 U.S. service members and damaged several planes at a military base in Saudi Arabia, according to two U.S. officials familiar with the situation.

Two of the troops were seriously wounded, one of the officials said. The attack on Prince Sultan Air Base damaged several U.S. refueling aircraft, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military matters.

The attack, which involved an Iranian missile as well as drones, comes a day after President Donald Trump said Iran has been “obliterated” and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that “never in recorded history has a nation’s military been so quickly and so effectively neutralized.”

This is not the first time that Prince Sultan Air Base has been targeted by Iran. Army Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, 26, was wounded during a March 1 attack on the base and died days later. He is one of the 13 service members who have been killed in the war.

Satellite imagery that appeared to show the damage to the aircraft in the latest attack had been posted online. The attack was reported earlier by The Wall Street Journal.

U.S. Central Command said earlier Friday that more than 300 service members have been wounded in the monthlong conflict. While most of the wounded have recovered and returned to duty, 30 remained out of action and 10 were considered seriously wounded.

The Trump administration offered a 15-point plan for a possible ceasefire to Iran, with Pakistan as an intermediary.

Iran has denied that negotiations are taking place, while its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz has sent fuel prices skyrocketing and roiled the world economy. Tehran on Friday, however, said it agreed to facilitate humanitarian aid and agricultural shipments through the crucial waterway.

Despite the discussion of talks, the Pentagon is preparing to send at least 1,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division — a unit trained to parachute into hostile or contested territory to secure key territory and airfields — to the Middle East in the coming days.

The military is also in the process of deploying two Marine units that will add about 5,000 Marines and thousands of sailors to the region.

Despite thousands of additional troops heading to the region, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that the United States “can achieve all of our objectives without ground troops.”

In terms of the additional deployments, “we are always going to be prepared to give the president maximum optionality and maximum opportunity to adjust to contingencies should they emerge,” Rubio told reporters after the Group of Seven foreign ministers meeting in France.

For several hours Friday, in the stillness before dawn, the Senate appeared to have finally figured out how to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security before it faced the longest partial shutdown in U.S. history.

Senators handed House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., their deal and headed for the airports, seemingly confident of success.

Then it collapsed. Spectacularly.

An incensed Johnson marched out of his office Friday afternoon. He angrily rebuked the plan that the Senate had unanimously agreed to as a “joke.”

“I have to protect the House, and I have to protect the American people,” Johnson told reporters.

It was a dramatic denunciation of a deal that his counterpart, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., had negotiated after weeks of effort, and was the latest abrupt turn in a funding saga that has bedeviled top Republicans for much of the year.

The collapse of the deal leaves Congress, now on a two-week spring break, with no easy way out of the impasse that has put DHS into a shutdown since mid-February. It also has exposed a rare rupture between the two Republican leaders in Congress, testing their alliances as they labor to move another set of President Donald Trump’s priorities into law before the November elections.

Nothing ahead is likely to be easy.

How the deal collapsed

Thune had negotiated for weeks with Democratic senators on their demands for new restrictions on the department’s immigration enforcement work. Offers were traded several times. The talks moved along at a stop-start pace. Votes failed again and again.

But as Trump made it clear Thursday that he would sign an executive action to pay Transportation Security Administration workers, Thune and Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York settled on a deal: It would not include funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and for U.S. Border Patrol, and would set aside Democratic demands for new limits on the agencies.

Thune pointed out that Congress had allotted money for immigration enforcement and he told reporters that “we can get at least a lot of the government opened up again and then we’ll go from there.”

Asked if he had cleared the compromise with Johnson, Thune said the two had texted.

“I don’t know what the House will do,” the senator said early Friday as the deal came together.

But as House Republicans woke up to the news, their outrage was swift.

Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., said that on a GOP conference call that morning to discuss their path forward, a few dozen members ranging from moderates to hard-line conservatives spoke in opposition to what the Senate had done.

“The Senate chickened out,” he said. “The cowards there, only a few of them in the middle of the night with I think only three to five senators present on the floor, chickened out because they wanted to go home for two weeks. We need to raise the bar.”

What’s next for Republicans?

The bitter split threatens to make the job for Republican leaders more difficult as they try to advance their priorities while they still have guaranteed control of both chambers. Trump has said that legislation to impose strict new proof of citizenship requirements on voting is his top priority, but there is no real path for that plan in the Senate with its 60-vote threshold for advancing legislation.

Some Republicans have pushed instead for a budget package that could potentially put some parts of the voter ID law in place. Republicans are also contemplating how to pass an expected request from the White House to fund the war with Iran that could total more than $200 billion, among other priorities.

Meanwhile, the flop of the funding deal has given Democrats another chance to pin the partial shutdown on House Republicans.

“They know this is a continuation of the shutdown because the Senate is gone,” said Massachusetts Rep. Katherine Clark, the No. 2 Democratic leader. “So they know fully well what they’re doing.”

It is not clear what the Senate will do next. A quick resumption of talks is unlikely. Negotiations ended acrimoniously on both sides, with each blaming the other for moving the goalposts along the way.

Schumer said he was proud of his caucus for “holding the line.” But Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who leads the Senate Appropriations Committee, said Democrats were “intransigent and unreasonable.”

Thune said he believed that Democrats never wanted a deal and would not vote for ICE funding under any circumstances.

“I felt like from the beginning, they just didn’t want to get to ‘yes,’” Thune said after the vote.

The dynamic left senators convinced that the deal was the only way to move past their disagreements and reopen DHS.

But House Republicans on Friday night seemed to revel in the fact they had defied the wishes of the Senate. GOP members said that they work from a perspective that is closer to the will of their constituents.

To Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., the Senate’s proposal was “nothing more than unconditional surrender masquerading as a solution.” She said the House ”will not bend itself into submission by acquiescing.”

Those searching for a way out of the shutdown seemed discouraged.

“This takes two chambers to get the job done,” said Pennsylvania Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, a moderate Republican. “Apparently, there’s not enough communication between those chambers.”

(AP)

Rav Dovid Yosef, the Rishon LeTzion, welcomed the approval of the new arbitration law, declaring that it restores the authority of batei din and corrects what he described as decades of injustice, while urging the public to turn to beis din rather than secular courts.

In his weekly shiur, Rav Yosef spoke with strong satisfaction about the law’s passage, explaining that it grants batei din official legal standing to adjudicate financial disputes as agreed-upon arbitrators. He sharply criticized past rulings of Israel’s High Court that removed this authority, describing them as unjustified.

He said, “For 60 years, the batei din had authority to adjudicate with the consent of the parties. Suddenly, 20 years ago, three Supreme Court justices came and decided there is no authority. Why? Just because. The law did not change, nothing was written—suddenly they ruled there is no authority. This is simply a terrible injustice.”

Rav Yosef added that restrictions were later imposed preventing official dayanim from even volunteering to hear financial cases outside official hours.

He said, “A directive was issued that even on a voluntary basis, any official dayan is forbidden from serving as a dayan in monetary cases. Why? Just because. This was a terrible chillul Hashem that in our own country they forced us to go to secular courts.”

He went on to emphasize the depth of training and expertise required of dayanim, noting that those serving in the rabbinical court system are highly qualified.

He said, “Every dayan in the rabbinical courts must study for 10 years, day and night, Choshen Mishpat, in order to know the material. The most outstanding dayanim are in our batei din. Today, when people go to private batei din, if one side doesn’t like the ruling, he runs to secular court and cancels it by claiming the ruling is correct according to Torah but not according to state law. Now, with the approval of the law, the authority of batei din has full legal force.”

Addressing the halachic severity of turning to secular courts, Rav Yosef warned that doing so constitutes a rejection of Torah law.

He said, “This is about restoring the religion to its proper place. We believe in the Torah and not in their laws. Chazal say that the First Beis Hamikdash was destroyed because judges did not rule according to Torah. We want to save Am Yisrael so that the settlement here should not be destroyed, chas veshalom.”

He further ruled that even participating in certain legal processes carries serious halachic concerns.

He said, “Even in the enforcement office, it is strictly forbidden to purchase from there, because they issue rulings not according to halacha, and this is outright theft.”

Concluding his remarks, Rav Yosef thanked the lawmakers who advanced the legislation and called on the public to bring their disputes before batei din.

He said, “I call on every Torah-observant Jew: do not go to secular courts, do not go to arkaos. ‘They have forsaken Me, the source of living waters, to dig for themselves broken cisterns.’ The gates of the batei din will be open, and we will do everything according to halacha. I will sit with the heads of the batei din and formulate a detailed plan to implement the law.”

He ended with a brocha, expressing hope for a full return to Torah-based justice.

He said, “May it be fulfilled in us, ‘Restore our judges as at first.’ A dayan who judges a true and just ruling becomes a partner with Hakadosh Boruch Hu in the act of creation. In the name of Hashem, we will act and succeed.”

A network of roughly 500 organizations with an estimated $3 billion in combined annual revenue helped organize Saturday’s nationwide “No Kings” protests, according to a Fox News Digital investigation.

The report found that the demonstrations were coordinated by a mix of mainstream progressive groups and more radical socialist and communist organizations, some of which openly promoted a message of “revolution.”

Indivisible, a Democratic-aligned advocacy group, was listed as a lead organizer for the main march in St. Paul, Minnesota. At the same time, investigators identified the involvement of organizations tied to tech billionaire Neville Roy Singham, who has funded a network of activist groups promoting socialist ideology.

These groups – including the radical Party for Socialism and Liberation, the People’s Forum, the ANSWER Coalition and CodePink – mobilized supporters across the country, with some explicitly encouraging participants to use the protests to advance long-term revolutionary goals.

In Minnesota, activists were seen preparing large quantities of protest signs ahead of the demonstrations, many bearing slogans such as “NO KINGS. NO WAR.” Similar organizing efforts took place nationwide, with coordinated messaging encouraging participants to turn the protests into broader political movements.

Some activist communications urged supporters to “get our revolutionary message in front of them” and use the protests to build momentum beyond a single day of demonstrations.

In New York City, a group of protestors were seen parading with communist flags, openly proclaiming “there is only one solution, conmunist revolution.”

The report also noted that these groups often operate within larger protest coalitions, allowing them to reach wider audiences and expand recruitment efforts during high-profile national events.

Demonstrations were held in major cities across the United States, with various factions bringing their own political messaging, ranging from opposition to U.S. foreign policy to broader critiques of capitalism and government authority.

The van will be used to stock items intended for community and special events.

In a dramatic and forceful drashah delivered for Shabbos Hagadol, Rav Moshe Sternbuch warned that the greatest danger facing Klal Yisroel is not external enemies, but internal spiritual decline and government policies.

Thousands streamed Thursday night to the main beis medrash of the Dushinsky chassidus in Yerushalayim to hear divrei Torah from the senior posek. As is customary each year before Pesach, Rav Sternbuch addressed a packed crowd that included senior rabbonim, members of the Badatz Eidah Hachareidis, admorim, and prominent Torah figures, all seated without ceremony as they listened intently.

Opening with profound Torah insights, Rav Sternbuch soon turned to urgent issues confronting the community. Speaking with deep emotion, he addressed the security situation and the broader challenges facing the Torah world.

He said, “The Chazon Ish already said: I am not afraid of the bombs; I am afraid of the desecration of Shabbos, because that is what causes the bombs. And today as well, we say: we are not afraid of the missiles from Iran—we are afraid only of the leaders here who are defiling the people of Hashem and trying to take yeshiva bochurim into an army that is entirely heresy and apostasy.”

Rav Sternbuch also spoke strongly against efforts impacting the yeshivos, including closures and funding cuts, emphasizing the foundational role of Torah learning.

He said, “These criminals here do not understand that the entire world stands on the Torah of tinokos shel beis rabban. This is literally the destruction of the world.”

He then shared a personal and emotional recollection from his family’s past during the war in Russia, when they maintained a hidden yeshiva in Minsk under a regime of terror, sacrificing everything for Torah until they were exiled to Siberia. From this, he issued a call for unwavering resolve.

He said, “One must stand strong with mesirus nefesh, without any compromise.”

In another part of the address, Rav Sternbuch sharply criticized those who ascend the Har Habayis against halachic guidance, warning that such actions provoke danger.

He said, “There are those who provoke the nations and ignite a fire of hatred. About this it is said: ‘Who asked this of you, to trample My courtyards?’ This is unnecessary and dangerous provocation, and it must be protested with full force.”

Following the drashah, a rare and notable moment took place in the beis medrash, as Rav Sternbuch personally distributed financial assistance to rabbonim of the Eidah Hachareidis through his private fund, Kupas Tamchin D’Oraisa.

Amid financial strain and delayed salaries within the Eidah, Rav Sternbuch organized a group of donors—including supporters connected to Satmar and benefactors of his yeshiva in Beit Shemesh and the well-known kollelim of Teshuvos V’Hanhagos—to provide relief ahead of Yom Tov.

He reviewed the checks and personally handed envelopes containing $1,000 grants to each rov and moreh horaah. In total, more than $100,000 was distributed to dayanim and members of the Badatz, in coordination with the leadership of the kollelim and the Vaad Hapoel of the Eidah Hachareidis.

BEIRUT (AP) — An Israeli airstrike on southern Lebanon on Saturday killed three journalists who were covering the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, their TV stations said.

Hezbollah’s al-Manar TV said its longtime correspondent Ali Shoeib was killed in southern Lebanon. Israel’s military said it had targeted Shoeib, accusing him of being a Hezbollah intelligence operative, without providing evidence.

A well-known Lebanese war correspondent, Shoeib had covered southern Lebanon for al-Manar TV for nearly three decades.

Meanwhile, Beirut-based pan-Arab Al-Mayadeen TV said reporter Fatima Ftouni was killed in the same airstrike in the southern district of Jezzine along with her brother Mohammed, a video journalist. She had just been on air with a live report before the strike.

Top officials in Lebanon condemned the strike, with President Joseph Aoun calling it a “flagrant crime that violates all laws and agreements that protect journalists.”

The Israeli army claimed that Shoeib was “operating systematically to expose the locations of (Israeli) soldiers operating in southern Lebanon.” It also accused him of maintaining contact with Hezbollah militants and inciting against Israeli troops and civilians, without elaborating.

Al-Manar TV did not respond to the Israeli allegations but described its correspondent as “distinguished by his professional and credible reporting of events.”

Israel’s claim mirrored past Israeli military allegations against Palestinian journalists that it targeted in its war against Hamas in Gaza, accusing them of being Hamas militants posing as reporters.

The Israeli military did not mention the two others who died in its statement.

Since the last Israel-Hezbollah war began on March 2, Israel’s air force has struck Hezbollah’s civilian targets, including the headquarters of Al-Manar TV and the group’s Al-Nour radio station.

Saturday’s strike came days after an Israeli airstrike on an apartment in central Beirut killed Mohammed Sherri, the head of political programs at Al-Manar TV, along with his wife.

The latest deaths bring the number of journalists and media workers killed this year in Lebanon to five.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah launched about 250 projectiles from Lebanon in the past 24 hours, according to an Israeli military official who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with military guidelines.

The official said most of the projectiles were aimed at Israeli soldiers operating in southern Lebanon and only 23 crossed into Israel.

Vice President JD Vance alleged Friday that Rep. Ilhan Omar committed immigration fraud, claiming she married her brother in order to help him remain legally in the United States, reigniting accusations that have followed the Minnesota lawmaker for years.

Speaking on a podcast hosted by Benny Johnson, Vance said he believes Omar engaged in wrongdoing tied to her immigration history.

“We actually think that Ilhan Omar definitely committed immigration fraud against the United States of America,” Vance said.

Omar’s office quickly rejected the accusation, with her chief of staff issuing a sharp response.

“This is rich coming from someone who literally said they were willing to ‘create stories’ to redirect the media,” said Omar’s chief of staff Connor McNutt. “This is a ridiculous lie and desperate attempt to distract from the pedophile protection party’s unpopular war of choice, increasing gas prices, and rapidly dropping polling numbers.”

The claims referenced by Vance date back to before Omar’s successful run for Congress in 2018 and have been widely circulated but remain unproven.

Omar has been married twice. She first entered into a religious marriage with Ahmed Abdisalan Hirsi in 2002, though the two did not formalize their union under state law until January 2018, according to prior reports.

Before that legal marriage, Omar had wed Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, a British citizen, in February 2009 during a ceremony officiated by a Christian minister in Minnesota. She later dissolved that marriage in December 2017, shortly before legally marrying Hirsi.

Omar has described her relationship with Elmi as brief, noting that they were largely separated during the marriage, aside from a period between 2009 and 2011. There are no records indicating the two had children together.

She and Hirsi, however, have three children, born in 2003, 2005, and 2012. Around the time of the birth of their third child, social media activity reportedly drew attention after a photo appeared to show Elmi holding a newborn, accompanied by a caption referencing “nieces.” The image was later removed.

Allegations that Omar and Elmi were related first surfaced on online forums and blogs, though those posts were also subsequently deleted.

In 2016, while serving as a Minnesota state legislator, Omar addressed the matter, saying her marriage to Elmi was “a difficult part of my personal history that I did not consider relevant in the context of a political campaign.”

Claims about her relationship with Elmi were further amplified in 2020 when Somali community member Abdihakim Osman told a media outlet that Omar had introduced Elmi as her brother during the late 2000s.

Omar, who immigrated from Somalia, became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2000 at age 17.

Marriage fraud is a federal offense that can carry penalties of up to five years in prison and fines of up to $250,000.

Vance said he has been discussing potential legal avenues with White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, raising questions about how such a case could be investigated and pursued.

“How do you go after her? How do you investigate her? How do you actually build the case to actually get some justice for the American people?” Vance said.

He also claimed that Omar has been connected to broader issues within the Somali-American community, suggesting further scrutiny may be warranted.

“I’m worried about the immigration,” Vance said. “I’m also worried about: What did Ilhan Omar know about what was happening in the Somali-American community? And why was nobody looking into it until, frankly, Donald Trump came along?”

President Trump has previously made similar accusations, calling for legal action against Omar over alleged ties to fraud cases involving Somali community networks in Minnesota.

Federal and congressional investigations have since examined alleged misuse of funds in social service, childcare, and Medicaid programs in the state, with potential losses reaching into the billions.

Separate scrutiny has also focused on Omar’s financial disclosures, including her reported net worth alongside her husband, Tim Mynett. Public filings indicated a significant increase in their assets in recent years.

Omar and Mynett married in March 2020 after his prior marriage ended, following a relationship that began while he was working on her political campaign.

{Matzav.com}

Former national security adviser John Bolton said today that he supports President Donald Trump’s goal of bringing about regime change in Iran, while cautioning that success will require sustained effort beyond the battlefield.

Speaking on Newsmax’s “Saturday Agenda,” Bolton said he has long advocated for replacing Iran’s leadership and believes the current U.S. military campaign is a step toward achieving that objective.

“I think it’s a worthwhile objective,” Bolton said. “I think the military side of it seems to be going very well. Other parts of it are not.

“I think he needs to have patience and persistence if he wants regime change, because this is a moment to get it. The regime has never been more unpopular inside Iran than since it took power in 1979.”

Bolton pointed to a January message from Trump encouraging anti-government demonstrators in Iran, arguing that it signaled regime change had been an underlying aim of the operation from the outset.

Looking ahead, Bolton said the immediate focus should be securing the Strait of Hormuz to allow safe passage for international shipping while cutting off Iran’s ability to export oil.

“My impression now is our military is increasingly confident that they can make it safe for tankers to go through,” he said. “And in the meantime, I would make sure Iranian tankers or tankers carrying Iranian oil are not exiting the Strait of Hormuz.

“It’s not a gift to the United States for our enemy to be selling oil and having the purchase price of that oil going into the coffers of the ayatollahs in Tehran to use against us.”

He said he was surprised that U.S. forces had not prioritized the waterway earlier, though he now believes the military is moving toward establishing control over it.

Bolton added that targeting Iran’s Kharg Island oil terminal is not essential at this stage, though he acknowledged there could be other strategic reasons for doing so.

“I don’t think we need to hit Kharg Island. There may be other reasons for that. I think we blockade the strait, make sure no Iranian oil goes in or out,” he said.

Over the longer term, Bolton emphasized the importance of supporting internal opposition within Iran, describing it as widespread but lacking organization. He said external assistance could play a critical role.

“If we’re not going to put boots on the ground in any substantial number, it’s going to be up to the people of Iran working with defectors from the regime, hopefully from the regular army, to pull the regime apart,” Bolton said.

NEW YORK (VINnews) – Scientists have long known that blood type matters when it comes to transfusions. But a sweeping new study suggests your blood type — whether A, B, O, or AB — may quietly influence the risk for a surprising range of diseases, from cancer to COVID-19 to heart problems.

But before anyone rushes to add their blood type to a shidduch resume — don’t. The numbers above, while genuinely interesting to researchers and physicians, represent statistical trends across large populations, not individual destiny. A Type B person may never develop diabetes. A Type O person is not immune to cancer or COVID-19.

Blood type is a far cry from a prediction. It is a statistical association — meaningful in a laboratory or a doctor’s office, but not the kind of information the Rama had in mind, and not something that belongs on a resume alongside height, profession, and which yeshiva someone attended. The shadchanim of the world can rest easy.

But here are the findings. Researchers in one of the most comprehensive reviews ever conducted on this topic, publishing their findings in BMC Medicine, a respected peer-reviewed journal, analyzed 51 separate scientific studies covering 270 different health questions, all asking the same basic thing: does blood type make one more or less likely to get sick?

Their answer: quite possibly — and in some cases, the evidence is strong enough to take seriously.

The Biggest Finding: Blood Type B and Diabetes

The clearest result from the research involved Type 2 diabetes, the form of diabetes closely linked to lifestyle and diet that affects tens of millions of Americans. People with Type B blood were 28% more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes compared to people with any other blood type. The researchers described this finding as “convincing” — their highest level of confidence — meaning the data held up across multiple checks for reliability and bias.

Why might this be? Scientists believe blood type may influence the trillions of bacteria living in the gut, which in turn affects how the body processes sugar and manages inflammation. Blood type also appears to be connected to certain proteins in the body that are known to raise diabetes risk.

Heart Disease and Blood Clots

The research also turned up strong evidence connecting blood type to cardiovascular disease. People with Type A blood, as well as anyone who is not Type O, showed a significantly elevated risk for venous thromboembolism — dangerous blood clots that can form in the legs or lungs. Specifically, Type A individuals were 63% more likely to develop such clots compared to Type O individuals, while non-O blood types overall were a staggering 110% more likely — meaning more than double the risk.

The likely explanation involves a protein called von Willebrand factor, which helps blood clot. People with Type A or Type B blood tend to have higher levels of this protein circulating in their bloodstream, making clots more likely.

Type A blood was also linked to higher rates of myocardial infarction — heart attacks — with Type A individuals facing a 29% greater risk compared to Type O.

Now, a major study adds a troubling new dimension to this cardiovascular picture — one specifically involving COVID-19. Researchers from Cleveland Clinic and the University of Southern California, publishing in late 2024 in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, analyzed data from nearly 228,000 individuals in the UK Biobank. They found that hospitalization for COVID-19 more than doubled the risk of heart attack or stroke among patients with A, B, or AB blood types — but not among those with Type O, which appeared to offer some protection. The risk of heart attack and stroke was roughly 65% higher in adults with non-O blood types compared to those with Type O blood.

The heightened risk persisted for nearly three years after the initial infection — a finding the researchers described as having significant implications for global cardiovascular health, given that over a billion people worldwide have had COVID-19. The authors suggested that physicians should consider a history of COVID-19 — especially severe COVID-19 requiring hospitalization — as a factor in cardiovascular risk assessment, in the same category as established risk conditions like diabetes. The increased risk of adverse cardiac events in severe COVID patients was comparable to the risk seen in patients who already have coronary artery disease or other major cardiovascular risk factors.

Cancer Connections

Across dozens of cancer studies, researchers found several patterns worth noting. People with Type A blood faced a 19% higher risk of stomach cancer compared to Type O, and a striking 33% higher risk of pancreatic cancer. Type B blood was linked to a 20% higher risk of pancreatic cancer and a 20% higher risk of esophageal cancer. Type O blood, often considered the “universal donor” type, appeared to offer some protection against several cancers.

These findings were rated as “highly suggestive” or “suggestive” — not quite as rock-solid as the diabetes finding, but consistent enough across multiple studies to warrant attention.

A New Frontier: Blood Type and Children

Until now, virtually all of the research on blood type and disease has focused on adults. A landmark study published in January 2026 in the journal Translational Pediatrics is the first ever to investigate the relationship between ABO blood groups and disease categories specifically in the pediatric population. Analyzing data from over 36,000 children treated at a major Chinese children’s hospital, the researchers found distinct associations between blood groups and disease distribution across different body systems: blood group A correlated with ear, nose, and throat conditions; group B with neonatal medicine diseases; group AB with neurological diseases; and group O showed an inverse relationship with both ENT and neonatal conditions.

The authors were careful to note that these patterns in children differ meaningfully from the adult data, and that multi-center validation is still needed before clinical conclusions can be drawn. But the study opens a genuinely new chapter. A second 2026 study, published in the European Journal of Haematology and examining blood type distribution among 540 children with leukemia, found no statistically significant association between blood type and leukemia subtype in children — a reassuring null result suggesting that the blood-type/cancer connections documented in adults do not straightforwardly extend to childhood malignancies.

Cognitive Decline: A New Concern for Type AB

More recent research has highlighted a risk not prominently featured in earlier reviews: cognitive decline. Type AB individuals appear to develop memory problems and cognitive decline at higher rates than other blood types, particularly as they age, with higher rates of dementia and memory impairment compared to other groups. The reasons remain under investigation, but one leading hypothesis involves Factor VIII — a clotting protein that tends to be elevated in Type AB individuals and has been associated with cognitive decline in large population-based studies. Type AB is the rarest of the four blood types, but for those who carry it, this finding is worth discussing with a physician, especially as screening tools for early cognitive changes continue to improve.

Infectious Diseases

The research found noteworthy patterns with infections as well. Compared to Type O, people with Type A blood were 25% more likely to contract COVID-19, while Type B individuals were 15% more likely. Type O blood also appeared to offer some protection against malaria caused by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum — non-O blood types were 86% more likely to become infected — a finding consistent with decades of earlier research from tropical regions.

The researchers were careful to note that strong statistical patterns don’t always tell the whole story. Most of the underlying studies they reviewed were observational — meaning scientists tracked people over time rather than running controlled experiments. That makes it harder to prove that blood type directly causes these diseases, as opposed to being connected to them through some other factor.

Blood type is just one of many factors that influence health, alongside diet, exercise, genetics, and environment. Knowing your blood type won’t replace regular checkups or a healthy lifestyle.

Still, the study’s authors believe this kind of research can help doctors identify people who may be at higher risk for certain conditions — and intervene earlier.

If you don’t know your blood type, your doctor can determine it with a simple blood test. If you’re Type B, the research suggests it may be worth paying extra attention to your blood sugar levels and discussing diabetes screening with your physician. If you’re Type A or non-O, staying alert to the signs of blood clots is worth a conversation with your doctor — and if you’ve had a significant COVID-19 illness, the newer evidence suggests your cardiologist should know that too. If you’re Type AB, the emerging connection to cognitive decline is a reminder that brain health screenings deserve attention as you age. And if you’re a parent, the newest pediatric research — still early, but intriguing — suggests that blood type may eventually become a useful tool in children’s medicine as well.

Researchers are still working out exactly why blood type influences disease. But the message from this growing body of research is clear: the letters on your blood type label may mean more than most people ever realized — just not enough to change how we find a shidduch.

President Donald Trump on Friday sharply rebuked NATO member nations, accusing them of failing to back the United States during its recent military campaign against Iran and raising the possibility that Washington could rethink its role in the alliance.

Speaking at an investment conference in Miami Beach sponsored by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, Trump said European allies did not stand with the U.S. when assistance was sought, calling their response a major failure.

“NATO just wasn’t there,” Trump said, describing the lack of support as “a tremendous mistake” by European nations.

“We spend hundreds of billions of dollars a year on NATO, protecting them, and we would have always been there for them,” Trump said. “But now, based on their actions, I guess we don’t have to be.”

He emphasized the significance of his remarks, calling them “breaking news,” and added, “Why would we be there for them? If they’re not there for us.”

Trump’s comments followed a post he made a day earlier on Truth Social, where he wrote that NATO countries had “done absolutely nothing” to assist in confronting Iran, which he described as a “lunatic nation” that has now been “militarily decimated.”

He further stated that while the United States “needs nothing from NATO,” allied nations should “never forget” the situation.

The remarks prompted renewed questions about whether U.S. policy toward NATO could shift, though White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said there has been no formal change, describing Trump as simply being “very vocal and honest about his displeasure with NATO.”

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte responded by defending European allies, noting they were not given advance notice of the U.S. strike on Iran, which limited their ability to respond immediately.

Speaking in Brussels, Rutte said the lack of prior coordination—intended to avoid leaks—delayed any European reaction, though he stressed that efforts to respond were already underway.

At the same time, Rutte voiced support for the U.S. campaign, describing Iran as “an exporter of chaos” and saying American military actions were weakening that threat.

Trump’s latest remarks underscore ongoing friction between Washington and its NATO partners, particularly regarding burden-sharing and coordination in major military operations.

{Matzav.com}

WIGGINS, Miss. (AP) — Five people were killed when a train and van collided in rural Mississippi, authorities said Friday.

All five killed were in the van, Stone County Coroner Wayne Flurry said. The lone surviving van passenger, a 23-year-old woman, was flown to a hospital, Flurry said. No one aboard the train was reported injured.

The crash occurred when a Canadian Pacific Kansas City freight train collided with a vehicle in a crossing, the railroad said in a statement. The location was near the town of Wiggins about 45 miles (72 kilometers) northwest of Biloxi.

The Stone County Sheriff’s Office was investigating the crash, the company said.

“Our most sincere condolences go out to the families of the victims of this tragedy,” the railroad company said.

The driver of the van, Ryan C. Peterson, 26, and the front seat passenger, Kristina Carver, 45, were among those killed, Flurry said. Two of Carver’s daughters also died, 22-year-old Emley Chamblee and 20-year-old Sarabeth Chamblee, as did 23-year-old Demarcus Perkins.

American Marines and Army paratroopers stationed in the Middle East are undergoing preparations for potential chemical or nuclear scenarios as tensions with Iran continue to rise, according to a report published Friday.

As part of those preparations, Marine units are conducting drills focused on chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats, practicing rapid-response procedures in the event of an attack.

“The CBRN unit can also be scaled up in size, but the conventional Marine forces will have their CBRN gear and be drilling on it, with 15 seconds to get mask and MOPP [ on when someone shouts ‘Gas, gas, gas,’ ” Hackett said, referencing the chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear gear and mission-oriented protective posture gear.

Officials and analysts warn that the likelihood of a chemical or nuclear incident could grow if the conflict escalates further or if Iran finds itself under increasing pressure.

Experts say Iran has the technical capability to produce chemical weapons if it chooses to do so.

“Iran has a very well-established chemical and pharmaceutical industry, so if they decide to change to something else it is fairly straightforward to do,” Phillips said. “So, when it comes to the chemical weapons side, I think this is the area of concern.”

There are also concerns that chemical weapons previously located in Syria may have been relocated before the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

“They may well still be on bases somewhere, but it’s stronger than hearsay that some of these chemical weapons actually moved eastwards and are now either in Iraq or Iran,” Phillips told The National.

The report adds that U.S. officials must clearly signal that any use of such weapons would trigger a severe response in order to deter Iran from pursuing that path.

“There needs to be a Trump red line, which means something, which would be the most effective way of stopping these weapons being used,” chemical warfare specialist Hamish de Bretton-Gordon told The National.

Bretton-Gordon also warned that Iran’s past experience in warfare could influence its decisions if the conflict reaches a critical point.

“My concern is that if the Iranians run out of road, what do they do then, because this is in their psyche from the Iran-Iraq War,” Bretton-Gordon said.

The IDF said on Motzoei Shabbos that it is close to completing its campaign targeting Iran’s key military production sites, as waves of airstrikes continued to hit Tehran and other strategic locations across the country.

Military officials assessed that within days, nearly all “critical” components of Iran’s defense industry will have been struck. IDF spokesman Effie Defrin said, “within a few days” the military would finish targeting all of the “critical” assets of Iran’s military production industries.

“This means we will destroy most of the military production capabilities, and it will take the regime a long time to restore them,” he said.
According to the IDF, roughly 70 percent of Iran’s military industry targets have already been hit since the start of the war, with that number now approaching 90 percent of key facilities involved in producing weapons that pose a threat to Israel.

Iran’s defense infrastructure spans a wide network of military bodies and private firms responsible for producing ballistic missiles, air defense systems, naval weaponry, cyber capabilities, and surveillance technology, including satellites.

As part of the latest wave of strikes, the Israeli Air Force targeted the headquarters of Iran’s Marine Industries Organization in Tehran. The facility is responsible for the research, development, and production of naval weapons and vessels, including both manned and unmanned systems.

The IDF said the strike, carried out with intelligence from the Naval Intelligence Division, dealt a significant blow to Iran’s ability to manufacture advanced maritime weaponry.
Additional strikes were reported across Tehran later on Saturday, with the military confirming that dozens of regime infrastructure sites were hit in what it described as an “extensive” operation.

The latest operations come days after the IDF confirmed the killing of IRGC Navy commander Alireza Tangsiri in an earlier airstrike, marking another major setback to Iran’s naval capabilities.

Meanwhile, a report from Saudi outlet Al Arabiya said an Iranian nuclear scientist, Mohammed Reza Kia, was killed in a strike in northern Iran several days ago. According to the report, Kia, who specialized in nuclear physics and atomic engineering, was killed together with his wife in the Kiashahr district. An IRGC commander and a Basij paramilitary commander were also reportedly killed in the same strike.

On the American side, Vice President JD Vance indicated that the conflict may soon begin winding down. Speaking on “The Benny Show,” he said the war would continue for “A little while longer,” emphasizing that the goal is to “neuter” the Islamic Republic “for a very, very long time.”

He added that the U.S. has “accomplished the vast majority of our military projects,” suggesting that many of Washington’s objectives have already been achieved.

“The president’s going to keep at it for a little while longer to ensure that once we leave, we don’t have to do this again for a very, very long time,” Vance said.

Addressing concerns over rising gas prices, Vance described the spike as temporary, saying, “We’re not interested in being in Iran a year down the road or two years down the road. We’re taking care of business. We’re going to be out of there soon, and gas prices are going to come back down.”

As the war enters its second month, Israeli and U.S. officials appear increasingly confident that their military campaign has significantly degraded Iran’s capabilities, even as strikes continue across the country.

Former Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie said today that U.S. military operations against Iran are expected to continue for several more weeks, with airstrikes remaining the primary focus and only limited ground involvement anticipated for specific objectives.

Speaking during an appearance on Newsmax’s “The Count,” Wilkie indicated that the current stage of the conflict is still ongoing and far from complete.

“I think that the air campaign has at least another month to go,” Wilkie said.

“The air campaign is designed to last a couple of months at least,” he said.

Wilkie pointed to Iran’s vast size and dispersed military infrastructure as major factors contributing to the extended timeline.

“This is a country that’s twice the size of Texas,” he said. “It has 90 million people.

“The ayatollahs have scattered their ballistic missile and drone facilities across this massive country.”

He added that U.S. strategy could shift toward securing key positions in the Persian Gulf, including Kharg Island, which he described as crucial to Iran’s economic operations.

“Those Marines and the paratroopers will secure one of the islands in the Gulf, establish a base there, maybe even Kharg,” Wilkie said.

“That cuts off the ability of the Iranians to maintain their economy,” he said.

While public opinion has shown reluctance toward sending U.S. ground forces, Wilkie said such hesitation is understandable but warned that airpower alone is not enough to win a war.

“No war has ever been won from the air in the hundred or so years that we’ve been trying this,” he said.

At the same time, he stressed that any ground involvement would likely remain limited rather than evolve into a large-scale campaign.

“We don’t have enough troops in the area, nor do I think the president has planned to send enough troops to instigate a massive ground campaign,” Wilkie said.

Instead, he described a more focused mission for any deployed forces.

“What those troops are there for is to create a base … destroy those, get out and reestablish control of the straits,” he said, referring to operations aimed at securing critical waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz.

Regarding diplomatic efforts in the region, including talks taking place in Pakistan, Wilkie voiced doubt that meaningful progress would result.

“I don’t expect much to come out of this.

“Not one person in that region would believe anything that the ayatollahs say,” he said.

He suggested that Pakistan’s involvement may be driven by its own strategic interests and desire for U.S. support amid regional tensions.

“I think they want American help,” Wilkie said.

Responding to comments from Secretary of State Marco Rubio that U.S. goals could be achieved without deploying ground troops, Wilkie said military plans must remain adaptable.

“The enemy does get a vote,” he said.

He added that limited ground operations are often part of planning for securing vital maritime routes.

“I’ve never seen a plan or a war game at the Pentagon that didn’t include some sort of ground raids in order to flush out the dangers to that strategic waterway,” Wilkie said.

Wilkie also criticized segments of the media for their portrayal of the conflict.

“There have been a lot in the mainstream media … who’ve been cheering against victory, against success,” he said.

He argued that such coverage fails to account for the broader strategic rationale behind the campaign.

“They don’t see the strategic reasons for doing this that are in the interest of the United States,” Wilkie said.

The war has now entered a new phase, as U.S. officials point to progress in weakening Iran’s military capabilities while continuing to emphasize that all options remain on the table depending on how the situation develops.

{Matzav.com}

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