Jooish News

Iranian authorities say they have arrested a 37-year-old man for allegedly providing unrestricted internet access using a Starlink satellite device in Fars Province, according to the state-backed Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA).

The arrest comes as Iran enters its third week of a near-total nationwide internet shutdown imposed by the regime since the start of the war. Internet monitoring group NetBlocks reports that connectivity across much of the country remains severely restricted.

According to ISNA, the man had established a network using a Starlink device and “related equipment” that allowed people in several provinces to access the internet without government authorization.

Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk’s company SpaceX, has become one of the few ways some Iranians have been able to communicate with the outside world during government-imposed blackouts. Other methods used by citizens attempting to bypass restrictions include virtual private networks (VPNs).

Despite the sweeping shutdown, the internet ban is not applied equally. Government-approved users, including state-run media outlets and propaganda networks, continue to have access to the internet.

Iranian authorities have previously imposed nationwide internet blackouts during periods of unrest, including during widespread protests and the government’s crackdown on demonstrators earlier this year in January.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Many local stores are now selling clothing made in Turkey, which has a higher likelihood of containing shatnez.

A new men’s suit brand, “Daniel Tissu,” sold in Boro Park and Flatbush, was found to contain linen armhole tapes, which are very difficult to remove.

Consumers are urged to have wool garments checked at a certified shatnez laboratory before wearing.

ATLANTA (VINnews) – Clay Fuller, a veteran and district attorney, is emerging as the likely successor to Marjorie Taylor Greene in Georgia’s 14th Congressional District, potentially replacing one of the House’s most outspoken anti-Israel Republicans with a lawmaker who has voiced strong support for Israel.

Fuller led all Republicans in the all-party primary for the seat, securing about 35% of the vote. Although he narrowly trailed Democrat and military veteran Shawn Harris in the overall tally, political observers expect the Republican vote to consolidate behind Fuller in next month’s runoff election.

If elected, Fuller would succeed Greene, whose tenure in Congress drew frequent criticism from pro-Israel advocates over her positions and rhetoric on Israel-related issues.

Fuller, who previously served in the military and now works as a district attorney, has publicly emphasized his support for Israel and for recent U.S. military strikes targeting Iran.

“President Trump tried the peace route with Iran not once, not twice, but THREE separate times — and they refused. He’s the peace President, but you can’t negotiate with a death cult,” Fuller wrote last month on the social media platform X, referring to Donald Trump.

Fuller added that during his military service he supported operations against Iran and noted that Iran’s regime and its regional proxies have been responsible for the deaths of many Americans.

Georgia’s 14th District, a strongly Republican area in the northwest part of the state, is widely expected to favor the GOP nominee in the general election, giving Fuller a potential path to Congress and positioning him as a new pro-Israel voice on Capitol Hill.

ROCKLAND COUNTY, N.Y. (VINnews) — U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler joined community leaders and law enforcement officials in Rockland County on Thursday for a security briefing ahead of Passover, as Jewish families begin preparations for the upcoming holiday.

Lawler said the meeting focused on ensuring that local communities can celebrate safely during the holiday period. The briefing brought together local leaders and law enforcement agencies to discuss security measures and coordination.

“I’m grateful to everyone working to ensure our communities can gather and celebrate safely,” Lawler said in a statement following the meeting.

The Republican congressman also addressed concerns about rising antisemitism, emphasizing the importance of community unity and vigilance.

“At a time when antisemitism is heightened, it’s more important than ever that we stand together and make clear that hatred has no place in Rockland County or anywhere in our country,” Lawler said.

NEW YORK (VINnews) — Michael R. Bloomberg, the Jewish billionaire and former New York City mayor, plans to spend up to $5 million through a super PAC to support Assemblyman Micah Lasher in the race to succeed retiring Rep. Jerrold Nadler, according to The New York Times.

Lasher, 44, a former aide to Bloomberg and the city’s top Albany lobbyist under his mayoralty, faces a star-studded Democratic field including Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of John F. Kennedy. Bloomberg’s endorsement Thursday and planned ad blitz aim to boost Lasher’s profile in the wealthy Manhattan district, which includes Bloomberg’s Midtown headquarters and Upper East Side home.

The spending, funneled through Stand for New York PAC, could cover mail, TV, and digital advertising, according to sources familiar with the plan. Lasher has said he opposes unchecked political spending but views Bloomberg’s support as different from corporate super PAC efforts.

The primary is shaping up as one of the nation’s most closely watched contests, with multiple candidates yet to break 25 percent in polls. Nadler has endorsed Lasher, while former Rep. Carolyn Maloney backs Assemblyman Alex Bores.

Bloomberg, 84, remains a powerful force in New York politics, having spent billions on his own campaigns and other Democratic candidates nationwide

President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States is currently focused on destroying Iran’s missile and drone capabilities rather than attempting to seize the country’s enriched uranium stockpile, though he suggested that could change in the future.

Speaking on Fox News Radio’s “The Brian Kilmeade Show,” Trump was asked whether the U.S. was considering an operation to take control of Iran’s enriched uranium.

“No, not at all. And we’re not focused on that, but at some point we might be,” Trump said. “Right now we’re focused on knocking the hell out of their missiles and their drones.”

Your browser does not support the video tag.

Trump’s remarks come after U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff revealed new details about early discussions during recent U.S.–Iran nuclear negotiations.

During an interview on “Hannity” earlier this week, Witkoff said Iranian negotiators told U.S. officials they possessed roughly 460 kilograms of uranium enriched to about 60 percent purity.

According to Witkoff, that material could potentially be further enriched to weapons-grade levels within about a week to 10 days.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

The Lebanese army said that an Israeli aircraft scattered leaflets over Beirut that included QR codes which, according to Lebanese officials, connect to online contact channels operated by an Israeli intelligence unit that recruits agents.

In a statement, the Lebanese military said the codes printed on the leaflets direct users to communication platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook. According to the army, the purpose of the material was to reach out to civilians and encourage them to cooperate in intelligence-gathering activities.

The Lebanese army also issued a warning to residents, urging them not to scan the QR codes or follow any links appearing on the leaflets.

The statement further cautioned that interacting with the links could expose civilians to legal and security risks. Officials also claimed the links could potentially compromise mobile phones, including enabling access to devices and personal information.

{Matzav.com}

Starting Monday, March 16, EL AL’s special flights from Tel Aviv to NY for stranded Americans will most likely be at full capacity to accommodate the high demand, the airline announced.

Passengers with canceled flights will be contacted and offered placement at no extra cost, EL AL said in a statement.

EL AL added that it is prepared to expand the Flight Schedule.

NEW YORK (VINnews) — Mount Sinai Health System has become the first health system in New York City to implement biometric identity checks, using technology from Clear Secure Inc., the same company known for speeding travelers through airport security.

The platform uses facial recognition and “liveness” verification to confirm the identity of patients and staff for check-ins and access to digital systems across the health network, which includes seven hospitals and hundreds of outpatient sites.

Mount Sinai said the system is intended to streamline patient verification and improve operational efficiency, though it did not provide specifics on patient enrollment at launch.

Yeshiva University’s men’s basketball team is set to play in the Sweet Sixteen round of March Madness on Friday, for the first time in the program’s history.

If that sentence sounds familiar, that’s because the YU Maccabees have qualified for the Division III tournament’s Sweet Sixteen once before, in 2020. But that tournament was cut short due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and they never got a chance to play the game.

Former YU MACS star Ryan Turrell in 2021

“It’s always like, ‘What could have been,’ and now here they are — they’re back and they have a shot,” said Simmy Cohen, a YU superfan.

The Maccabees, who are 22-8, advanced past the first two rounds with a 71-69 win over Bates College, followed by a 92-69 win against the University of Maine-Farmington. 

To advance to the Elite Eight, the Maccabees will need to defeat Emory University, the second-ranked team in DIII. As the higher seed, Emory gets to host the game at their home gym in Atlanta. But while the Maccabees are entering the game as underdogs, they have one possible advantage on their side: fans flooding in from near and far.

“I don’t think any other Division III basketball team has any national fanbase,” said Rabbi Adam Starr, a YU alum who leads Congregation Ohr HaTorah, a modern Orthodox synagogue in Atlanta. 

“Other places have alumni, that’s one thing, but here it’s much more than alumni,” he said. “Certainly within the Orthodox Jewish world, but even beyond it’s something they’re rallying behind, whether they went to Yeshiva University or not. It’s just a Jewish pride story.”

Starr said Atlanta’s Jewish community will be out in full force to support YU, the private Jewish university in New York City. Some Atlantans are taking the day off work to catch the 1 p.m. tip-off, Starr said. Students from the local Jewish day school between seventh and 12th grade will be bused to Emory’s Woodruff PE Center. 

The game is also expected to draw Jewish fans from around the country, including Cohen’s sister-in-law, who will be driving from the New York metropolitan area. 

“The interesting thing here is that Emory is on spring break, so most of their students are not around,” Starr said. “So I wouldn’t be surprised if it actually feels more like a YU home game than an Emory home game.”

There’s an added wrinkle for visiting fans: Because the game falls on a Friday afternoon, fans who observe Shabbat according to Jewish law will be doing so in Atlanta.

To help those observant supporters, a Google Form that pairs visitors with host families has circulated, titled “YU Mac Fans Shabbat Hospitality in Toco Hills Atlanta,” referring to the heavily Orthodox Jewish Toco Hills neighborhood.

“We’re known for our Southern Jewish hospitality,” Starr said.
The team itself, Starr added, is staying at a hotel, but will be “having meals in the community at one of the shuls.”

On Saturday afternoon, following kiddush, Starr will host a “Meet the Macs” panel discussion at Ohr HaTorah with head coach Elliot Steinmetz; assistant coach and Orthodox Union chief of staff Yoni Cohen; team captains Zevi Samet and Max Zakheim; and senior Tom Beza, who “previously served in a combat role” in the IDF, according to a flier for the event. 

The team’s tournament run has taken place over the backdrop of war breaking out between the U.S. and Israel and Iran, which has hit close to home for YU, whose roster includes seven Israeli-born players.
“While we have your attention,” Steinmetz tweeted on Sunday, the day after their Round of 32 victory, “I’d like to point out that while we are here preparing for a stupid basketball game, our friends and family in Israel are going back and forth to bomb shelters multiple times a day as Iran and Hezbollah fire rockets indiscriminately at civilian populations. Take a minute out of your day and pray for their safety and victory.”

Starr said he views the Maccabees’ tournament run as “something good and positive” that Jewish people can “gather around.”
“And I’ve heard from people in Israel, this is a very welcome distraction for them,” Starr said. He remarked that his brother had to pull over on the way home from a wedding in Israel last week and lie flat on the ground due to a siren going off. “But he was listening to the game while this was going on,” Starr said.

Last week, Israeli guard Yoav Oselka led the way with 27 points in YU’s win against Maine-Farmington; Samet, the team’s leading scorer, put up 27 in their narrow 71-69 win over Bates in the Round of 64.
Emory, as one of the top DIII basketball programs, is the favorite to win Friday’s game. But Cohen said the energy from YU fans may help the Maccabees in their push for an upset.

“I think it’s going to be an electric atmosphere,” he said. 

JTA/ Joseph Strauss

🏀 LIVESTREAM THE HISTORIC GAME TODAY: YU vs Emory

Yeshiva University’s men’s basketball team is set to play in the Sweet Sixteen round of March Madness for the first time in the program’s history.

The Yeshiva University Maccabees will take on Emory today in a huge matchup. Tipoff is at 1 PM.

Watch the game live here: https://www.ncaa.com/game/6538143

Let’s go Macs! GO MACS! 💪🏀

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NEW YORK (AP) — Court documents show less than two years after Mohamed Bailor Jalloh was released from prison for attempting to aid the Islamic State group, he opened fire in a classroom at Virginia’s Old Dominion University on Thursday before ROTC students subdued and killed him.

The shooting that left one person dead and another two injured has raised questions about why Jalloh, who the FBI identified as the gunman, was imprisoned and the conditions of his release — with some elected officials questioning how someone with known ties to the Islamic State group was able to carry out such an attack.

“The horrific tragedy that occurred today on ODU’s campus never should have happened,” U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans, who represents the congressional district neighboring the university, wrote on Facebook.

After Jalloh pleaded guilty in October 2016 to providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization — the Islamic State group — a federal judge sentenced him in 2017 to an 11-year prison term with credit for time served retroactive to his July 2016 arrest.

Jalloh was released from federal custody Dec. 23, 2024. It wasn’t immediately clear why his release from prison was moved up. Inmates can get have their sentences reduced for a variety of reasons, but it isn’t known if that happened in this case.

He was on supervised release, which is comparable to probation, when he carried out the attack on Thursday. Based on his release date, that would’ve run into 2029.

Confessions to undercover agents
Jalloh’s October 2016 plea came after a three-month sting operation in which he, then 26, confessed to an undercover FBI agent that he was thinking about carrying out an attack similar to the 2009 shootings at Fort Hood, which left 13 people dead. Authorities launched the 2016 operation after Jalloh made contact with members of the Islamic State group in Africa earlier that year.

Jalloh later told the informant that the Islamic State group had asked if he wanted to participate in an attack. He tried to donate $500 to the group, but the money actually went to an account controlled by the FBI, according to court documents.

Jalloh then tried to buy an AR-15 assault rifle from a Virginia gun store but was turned away because he lacked the proper paperwork. The affidavit says he returned the next day and bought a different assault rifle. Prosecutors said the rifle was rendered inoperable before Jalloh left the store, unbeknownst to Jalloh. He was arrested the following day.

Debate over sentencing
The Justice Department in 2017 requested a 20-year prison sentence for Jalloh, noting that he had made multiple attempts to join the Islamic State group and had attempted to acquire a gun to carry out a murder plot.

“The defendant was fully aware of what he was doing, and the consequences of those actions. His only misgivings seemed to be a fear that he would waver at the critical moment,” prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memorandum.

They added: “By putting the idea of this murder plot into religious terms, and by suggesting that murdering members of the US military would be a path to heaven, the defendant showed how strongly committed he was to the deadly ideology” of the Islamic State group.

Jalloh’s lawyers asked for a sentence of 6½ years in prison and requested that he be placed in a facility that provides residential drug treatment for inmates with addiction and substance abuse issues.

U.S. District Judge Liam O’Grady, an appointee of former President George W. Bush, sentenced him instead to 11 years in prison.

The judge also ordered Jalloh to participate in a program for substance abuse testing and treatment and mental health treatment, and requested that he be evaluated for the federal prison system’s residential drug program.

Completing the Residential Drug Abuse Program can reduce an inmate’s prison sentence by up to a year, according to the federal Bureau of Prisons. It wasn’t immediately clear if Jalloh qualified for the program. Normally, inmates serving sentences for terrorism-related offenses aren’t eligible.

In addition, some inmates who stay out of trouble in prison can reduce their sentence by earning up to 54 days of good conduct time credit for each year of their sentence. However, under the 2018 prison reform law known as the First Step Act, inmates convicted of terrorism-related offenses are not eligible for such credit.

Troubled shooter lured by radical cleric
Little is publicly known about Jalloh, who was a naturalized citizen from Sierra Leone. But court documents depict him as a troubled man who was radicalized by Anwar al-Awlaki, a well-known American imam who became an al-Qaida propagandist.

The Virginia Army National Guard confirmed he served as a specialist from 2009 until 2015, when he was honorably discharged. Jalloh told a government informant he quit the National Guard after hearing lectures from al-Awlaki, according to a 2016 FBI affidavit filed in his criminal case.

In a letter to the federal judge that presided over his sentencing, Jalloh wrote: “I feel deep regret in having been driven by my emotions rather than my intellect and becoming involved with such an evil organization. … I reject and deplore terrorism and any groups associated with it, especially ISIL.”

He wrote that he started using drugs after his girlfriend ended their six-year relationship.

“The pain I felt internally was unbearable, and drugs and alcohol were the only things that took that pain away,” Jalloh wrote. “I started doing marijuana, coke and mushrooms using one of them at least on a daily basis in order to kill the pain I was in and to fill in the void I felt internally.”

The letter itself remains under seal, but his lawyer included excerpts of it in his sentencing memorandum.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog addressed the controversy surrounding comments by President Donald Trump regarding a possible pardon for former Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, speaking Friday at the site of a strike in the town of Zarzir. Herzog said that while political and legal disagreements can continue for years, statements that he described as attacks on Israel’s governing institutions require a clear response.

During his remarks at the location of the strike, Herzog drew a distinction between routine disputes within the political system and criticism that targets the state’s official symbols and authority. “Political matters may be debated for years, but attacks on the symbols of government demand a response,” he said.

Herzog went on to explain that his concern was not about personal respect but about the dignity of the country itself. “I do not seek my own honor, but the honor of the state. There is a saying in our sources: ‘A king whose honor is forgiven, his honor is not forgiven.’ I am not a king; I am the president of Israel, a sovereign and independent state. Under these circumstances, there is a difference between political and legal debates-even with our allies-and blatant attacks on the symbols of Israel’s government and sovereignty, therefore a statement must be made on this matter.”

He also made clear that any decision regarding a potential pardon for Netanyahu would be made independently and without outside pressure. Herzog emphasized that the process would follow legal and constitutional procedures, regardless of international commentary.

“Ultimately, our honor, independence, and sovereignty are not for sale to anyone. I will handle the pardon request, when it arrives, in the most independent and impartial way, without pressure or interference, with a clear conscience and clean hands.”

{Matzav.com}

JERUSALEM (VINnews) – The Israel Defense Forces is reinforcing its positions in northern Israel as fighting intensifies with Hezbollah in Lebanon, the military announced Thursday.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir ordered a broad reinforcement of troops in the Northern Command following a situational assessment, according to an IDF statement. The move aims to enhance readiness for both offensive and defensive scenarios.

The deployment includes standing army units, notably the 98th Division with two brigade-level combat teams and combat engineering battalions. To facilitate the shift, reservist forces from the 252nd Division are being mobilized for the Gaza Strip to replace the units redeployed north. In the Central Command, several reserve battalions will have their service extended.

The IDF has deepened its ground presence in southern Lebanon over the past week, establishing what it describes as a forward defense to add an extra security layer for northern Israeli residents.

Since hostilities escalated earlier this month with Hezbollah launching attacks on Israel, the IDF has carried out more than 1,100 strikes in Lebanon. Targets included 190 sites linked to Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force, 200 rocket and missile launchers, 35 command centers and 80 multi-story buildings used by the group, the military said.

The IDF reports that over 380 members of Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations have been killed in the operations.

The reinforcements come amid warnings from senior officials that the campaign against Hezbollah will be prolonged, with additional forces potentially deployed based on ongoing assessments.

KLEINFELTERSVILLE, Pa. (AP) — A few dozen birdwatchers gathered in the predawn darkness to wait for the moment when thousands of migrating snow geese stopped honking and preening to suddenly take flight from a Pennsylvania reservoir.

The mesmerizing display, about an hour after sunrise, was over almost as soon as it began. The birds circled a few times and then headed out to neighboring farm fields, seeking unharvested grains and other sustenance on their epic annual spring flight northward into New York state and Quebec.

The Pennsylvania reservoir was built a half-century ago to attract waterfowl and over the years the gaggle has grown. Pennsylvania Game Commission environmental education specialist Payton Miller described it as a raucous bird tornado that lifts off the water.

Snow geese take off from a reservoir at the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, Friday, March 6, 2026, in Kleinfeltersville, Pa. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

“All it takes is for me to come out here on a really nice morning where there’s a huge morning flight and I’m kind of reminded how awesome it is to see such a large number of such a beautiful bird,” Miller said. “I never get sick of it.”

Among those taking it all in was Adrian Binns, a safari guide from Paoli, Pennsylvania, who went to the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area for “the whole enjoyment of seeing something you don’t see every day.”

Snow geese have been arriving in growing numbers at the 6,300-acre (25 square kilometers) Middle Creek property since the late 1990s. At this time of year, they have just spent months along the Atlantic coast, from New Jersey south to the Carolinas, with many of them overwintering on the Delmarva Peninsula that forms the Chesapeake Bay.

They don’t stay long at Middle Creek — it’s just a way station on their journey to summer breeding grounds in the Canadian Arctic and western Greenland. But for a few short weeks they are the main attraction at Middle Creek, which draws about 150,000 visitors annually — including about a thousand hunters.

Tundra swans and other waterfowl gather on a manmade reservoir at the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area for a stopover, Monday, March 9, 2026, in Kleinfeltersville, Pa. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

The Pennsylvania Game Commission, which owns Middle Creek, says about 100,000 snow geese were roosting there on the busiest day last year, on par with recent peak activity but below the single-day record of about 200,000 on Feb. 21, 2018.

Snow geese are doing well, but their large numbers have come with a cost. According to a 2017 study published by Springer Nature, greater snow geese grew in population from about 3,000 in the early 20th century to some 700,000 by the 1990s. By some estimates, there are about a million of the birds now — along with maybe 10 million of lesser snow geese, which are smaller — that also breed in the Arctic.

The number of migrating tundra swans at Middle Creek, while far lower, has also increased over time, from a dozen or so in the mid-1970s to 5,000 or more in recent years. Middle Creek birders have also identified more than 280 bird species on the site, among them bald eagles, northern harriers, ospreys and owls.

As snow geese numbers have boomed in recent decades, wildlife officials in the U.S. and Canada have navigated a balancing act involving hunting regulations, concerns about crop damage, shifts in snow geese migration and changes to overwintering patterns. Environmental damage from overgrazing in the Arctic has led experts to conclude the birds are overabundant.

David M. Bird, a McGill University wildlife biology professor, described the population as “probably one of the biggest conservation problems facing wildlife biologists in North America today.” Snow geese feed by pulling up plants by the roots, which damages habitats for themselves, various birds and other kinds of wildlife.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission reported recently that avian influenza viruses, present in the state since 2022, continue to circulate among the state’s wild birds. The game agency asked for the public’s help in reporting sick or dead wild birds and reported that about 2,000 wild bird carcasses — mostly snow geese — had to be removed from a quarry a few miles north of Bethlehem in December and January.

Bird said that for nature lovers, snow geese can be a delight but for farmers, they’re a pest. For hunters, they’re food but for animal rights advocates, they’re a species that needs protection, he said.

“But if you are a paid professional wildlife manager at a municipal, state or federal level whose challenging job is to try to please all of the aforementioned parties, then you will undoubtedly experience many sleepless nights in the fall when the geese arrive,” Bird said.

President Donald Trump issued a sharp warning to Iran on Friday, signaling that the United States was prepared to escalate its response as fighting across the Middle East intensified. In a series of social media posts, Trump declared that Iran’s military capabilities were being heavily damaged and cautioned that the day could bring further consequences for Tehran.

Posting early Friday on Truth Social, Trump claimed that Iranian forces were suffering severe losses and predicted additional developments.

“We are totally destroying the terrorist regime of Iran, militarily, economically, and otherwise,” Trump wrote in an early morning post on Truth Social. “Iran’s Navy is gone, their Air Force is no longer, missiles, drones and everything else are being decimated, and their leaders have been wiped from the face of the earth.

“They’ve been killing innocent people all over the world for 47 years, and now I, as the 47th President of the United States of America, am killing them,” Trump added. “What a great honor it is to do so!”

Trump also warned that more action could follow, writing in another message that Iran’s forces were being “decimated” and adding, “Watch what happens to these deranged scumbags today.”

Iranian officials quickly dismissed the remarks. Speaking during Quds Day demonstrations, Iranian security official Ali Larijani said the suspected Israeli strike that occurred in Tehran reflected weakness rather than strength.

Larijani told Iranian media that the attack was “a sign of its desperation.”

He also argued that Trump misunderstood the effect of pressure on the Iranian public, saying that “the more pressure he puts on the people, the greater their willpower will be.”

The exchange of threats came as Iran launched a new round of attacks across the Gulf early Friday. Dozens of drones were reportedly sent toward Saudi Arabia, part of a broader escalation that has spread fighting across several countries in the region.

Saudi officials said their air defenses intercepted nearly 50 Iranian drones that arrived in several waves. In neighboring Bahrain, warning sirens sounded after authorities detected incoming aerial threats.

In Dubai, authorities reported a fire in an industrial zone after debris from a missile interception ignited a blaze. Officials also said a structure inside the Dubai International Financial Center sustained damage after fragments from an intercepted missile fell nearby.

In Oman, two individuals were killed when drones crashed in an industrial section of the Sohar area, according to the Oman News Agency.

The attacks came after comments from Iran’s new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who urged Gulf Arab states to close American military bases and promised retaliation for Iranians killed during the conflict.

Khamenei said the idea that the United States could protect regional governments was “nothing more than a lie” and pledged Iran would “not refrain from avenging the blood” of those killed.

The conflict also extended northward into Turkey. Early Friday, NATO defenses intercepted a ballistic missile launched from Iran.

Residents in the southern Turkish city of Adana reported hearing a loud blast and sirens at Incirlik Air Base, which hosts U.S. forces. Turkey’s Defense Ministry later said NATO air defense systems intercepted and destroyed the missile over the eastern Mediterranean.

Inside Iran, an explosion shook Tehran’s Ferdowsi Square during Quds Day demonstrations supporting Palestinians.

Iranian state television acknowledged the blast but said the cause was unclear. Israel had earlier issued a warning telling civilians to leave the area ahead of a planned strike.

Despite the alert and the ongoing war, thousands gathered in Tehran for the annual rally, shouting “death to Israel” and “death to America” while smoke rose from the square.

{Matzav.com}

NEW YORK (VINnews) — Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Friday urged Jewish institutions nationwide to maintain private security, warning that police “cannot be everywhere.” Adams, who served as both a police officer and mayor, said every synagogue and Jewish school is a potential terrorist target.

“This may frighten some people. Good. I would rather you be frightened than dead,” Adams said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Our police are doing everything they can. But as a former police officer and your former mayor, I can tell you the truth: the police cannot be everywhere.”

This may frighten some people. Good. I would rather you be frightened than dead.

Every Jewish institution is a potential terrorist target. If your school or synagogue does not have security, you are putting your community at risk.

Our police are doing everything they can. But… pic.twitter.com/PCLpQOCZqT

— Eric Adams (@ericadamsfornyc) March 13, 2026

Adams called on Jewish communities in New York and across the country to ensure that schools and synagogues have real security plans in place. He stressed that waiting for a tragedy to prompt action could put communities at risk.

The warning comes amid a string of recent attacks targeting Jewish institutions in the U.S., including incidents in Michigan and Pennsylvania. While law enforcement has responded quickly to threats, officials have repeatedly emphasized that private security remains a critical line of defense.

Jewish leaders have acknowledged concerns about safety and said many institutions have been reviewing security protocols and working with local police. Adams’ remarks highlight ongoing fears over targeted attacks and the importance of proactive safety measures.

Ben Shapiro sharply criticized Megyn Kelly on Thursday after she accused him a day earlier of implying that she was anti-Semitic. The dispute erupted after Kelly defended Piers Morgan, whose program Shapiro had recently attacked for hosting what he described as extreme anti-Semitic voices.

Shapiro addressed the controversy while taking questions from viewers during his program. One viewer asked about a pattern Shapiro has encountered in confrontational interviews, suggesting that critics often accuse him of focusing on Israel when they run out of other arguments.

“Josh says, quote, ‘Dear Ben, I’ve been watching a lot of your adversarial interviews lately, and I’ve noticed that once they run out of arguments, they always fall back on the Israel issue.’ Yeah, I noticed that, too,” Shapiro began before reading the remainder of the viewer’s question.

“‘I noticed this especially in Megyn Kelly’s defense of Tucker Carlson, where she claimed that your issue with him and recently her all boiled down to Israel, which I believe is an incorrect characterization. They just find it convenient to blame Israel instead of facing the actual points you are making. My question is: How do you deal with people like this? People who, anytime you disagree with them just say the reason you disagree with them is because of Israel? I like the way Matt Walsh said it: People that are Israel first, but from the opposite direction—meaning the first thing they care about is being anti-Israel. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.”

Shapiro responded bluntly to the suggestion that critics were misrepresenting his arguments.

“So yes, they’re lying. Megyn is lying, and so is Tucker. I mean, period. They’re just lying, OK?” Shapiro replied.

He said his criticism of Tucker Carlson began years earlier and had little to do with Israel.

“I started originally criticizing Tucker Carlson for his economic programs back in 2018. And then in the more modern, post-Fox iteration of Tucker, I started criticizing Tucker over his going to Russia to sniff the bread and kiss Vladimir Putin…”

Shapiro also pointed to Carlson’s decision to interview white nationalist Nick Fuentes as a major reason for his criticism.

“My generalized critique of Tucker in the last few months has been one: he hosted and glossed over a Nazi, Nick Fuentes, which doesn’t have to do with Israel. It has to do with glazing a Nazi, Nick Fuentes. And then I did a speech at Heritage in which I went through the fact that Tucker Carlson is in no way, shape, or form a traditional conservative and he’s a conspiratorial near-anarchist at this point, seeking to tear down the fundamental ideas and institutions of the United States.”

Shapiro referenced a speech he delivered at the Heritage Foundation to emphasize that Israel was not the focus of his critique.

“Go watch the Heritage Speech. I believe Israel is mentioned once in a 35-minute speech that is all about Tucker’s general view of the world and how it does not represent traditional conservatism in any way.”

He then accused Kelly of being even more misleading about the origins of their disagreement.

“Megyn is even more dishonest. I’ve literally never—not once—mentioned Megyn Kelly in the context of Israel. My critique of Megyn Kelly began when—and again, go back and watch the tape because it’s all on tape, gang. Go back and watch the tape. Megyn wanted me to come and do one of her live events, which we did for free, obviously, and came down as a favor to Megyn because Megyn and I were friendly.”

Shapiro said he had also supported Kelly professionally in the past.

“And of course, we’d had a long, longstanding business relationship in which we had really, really helped her launch her business, which she freely admits or admitted at the time. I don’t know if she does anymore. She used to have me on her Fox News show sometimes. Now I see she’s taking credit for my entire career. Well, you know, congrats, Megyn, I suppose. And see if you’re happy about your decisions. I disagree about my career trajectory, but that’s fine. If you want to take credit, sure.”

He said the disagreement between them stemmed from his criticism of Kelly for not confronting other conservative figures over controversial statements.

“In any case, my critique of Megyn on the stage was: Why don’t you call out Candace Owens for implicating Erika Kirk in the murder of Charlie Kirk? That was my critique on the stage. And why don’t you call out Tucker Carlson for glazing Nick Fuentes as the leading enemy of Charlie Kirk? Because Nick Fuentes hated, despised Charlie Kirk, and the feeling was mutual. That was my critique of Megyn,” Shapiro continued.

He said Kelly had defended Owens and disputed his claims.

“And then she went on to claim that I was lying about Candace and that actually Candace was even, quote unquote, ‘defending in her own way, Erika Kirk.’ Well, that didn’t age amazingly, as it turns out,” Shapiro jabbed.

Shapiro also insisted that he has never accused Kelly of anti-Semitism.

“So here’s what’s actually happening: What’s actually happened is that there is a game that has now emerged on this part of the right. The game goes something like this: I don’t accuse you of anti-Semitism. You instead claim that I did. And then you say, “How dare he call me an anti-Semite. He’s trying to cancel me.” It’s the Jussie Smollett of political claims. You attack yourself and then you claim that I attacked you as an anti-Semite. That’s absurd.”

He reiterated that his criticism of Carlson was focused on Carlson’s platforming of anti-Semitic figures.

“I think that Tucker Carlson has fostered anti-Semitism by having on some of the worst anti-Semites in America over and over and then essentially laundering their views. I have never remotely called Megyn Kelly an anti-Semite. Nor, by the way, did I call Piers Morgan an anti-Semite. I said that his show is the Jerry Springer of politics—a clown car of stupidity. And it is. That’s all. That’s literally all. I didn’t say that he should be taken down. I didn’t say that people should stop watching his show if they want to. I said I did not wish to appear in the clown car stupidity, which seems to me an aspect of free speech. I don’t have to associate with Piers’s dumb show. I mean, lots of people like it. Good for him. And Piers measures his morality by clicks.”

Kelly responded to Shapiro’s remarks later Thursday on her own program and defended Morgan, arguing that he challenges controversial guests rather than promoting their views.

“It’s very sad to me as somebody who’s known Ben forever, and made Ben. One hundred percent—he became a star on my show at The Kelly File. I’m very sorry to see this happen. And like, there is absolutely no cause to go run around policing the guests on somebody else’s show and trying to diminish somebody who is as interesting but—and I mean this complimentarily—benign as Piers Morgan,” Kelly said.

She rejected the idea that Morgan represents a harmful force and accused Shapiro of imposing ideological tests on others in conservative media.

“Piers is not a pernicious force. Piers is an interesting guy who’s got an interesting show. Maybe it’s for you, maybe it’s not. It’s up to you. I think he’s really interesting, and I think his interviews are great. But now we have to get rid of Piers Morgan? So obviously, in Ben’s view, Tucker had to go. Clearly, even though he helped build Candace, she had to go,” Kelly continued.

She said their long friendship made the public dispute particularly disappointing.

“Then I had to go, even though I’ve had a 15-year friendship with this guy—publicly attacked me. Same thing. Not even a text in advance, even though we had had a text literally four months or four weeks earlier saying, “No matter what, who we’re friends with”—because he was mad I was friends with Tucker—’our friendship means more to us than it, and we won’t do anything to [mess] it up.’ Next thing I know, I get attacked by him on stage at Turning Point.”

Kelly concluded by questioning how many figures in conservative media Shapiro would criticize.

“Now, Piers Morgan—how many people have to go? Truly, how many people must be called out from the conservative movement in order to make Ben happy? This is ridiculous, and it’s not just Ben. There are others who take his lead once he calls you an anti-Semite or says you need to be kicked out of polite society. There are a couple of others—not a huge amount, I have to say. Ben’s numbers are very bad right now, but he’s got some influence with some crew. This is so wrong. Good for Piers Morgan for fighting back. I’m completely on Team Piers, and I’m sorry to see Ben going in this direction.”

{Matzav.com}

Following on the heels of Iceland’s and the Netherlands’ shameful filing of intervention to join the genocide case against Israel, the United States filed an intervention Thursday to do the opposite: defend Israel. The U.S. is expected to argue that false accusations leading to a ruling against Israel will undermine international law.

South Africa was the first country to bring a case accusing Israel of genocide to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands. Since then, multiple countries, including Spain and Ireland ,have joined the case, with Iceland and the Netherlands following suit this week. The court will consider whether Israel’s actions in Gaza, launched against Hamas in response to the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, constitute genocide.

Israel has denied the allegations, arguing that it has taken extraordinary precautions to minimize harm to civilians and that Hamas deliberately embeds its fighters and military infrastructure in civilian population centers in order to maximize civilian casualties.

In its filing, the U.S. argued that the ICJ genocide case is part of a “broader campaign” to encourage acts of terrorism against Jews and Israel.

In its filing, the Netherlands stated, “The Court should take account of starvation or the deliberate withholding of humanitarian aid for the purpose of establishing specific intent, in particular when this occurs based on a concerted plan of a consistent pattern of conduct.”

Israel withheld humanitarian aid in March 2025 to pressure Hamas to fold, based on a calculation that enough aid remained in the Gaza Strip to sustain the population for six months, and resumed aid about 10 weeks later. While the calculation was correct, Israel failed to account for a “run on the banks” type of effect as Hamas stole the aid and depleted the U.N. stockpiles within a month. At the same time, the international community turned a blind eye to Hamas’ actions and blamed Israel for the ensuing crisis. Defenders of Israel have argued that the very fact that Israel made this calculation — although in hindsight it turned out to be a mistake — proves the opposite of intent to starve the population. In fact, as soon as food prices soared in July 2025, Israel halted its military operations and surged a massive amount of humanitarian into Gaza.

The U.S. reminded the ICJ that it must find “specific intent” and that “lowering the standard” can have international repercussions.

“Civilian casualties, even widespread civilian casualties, are not necessarily probative of genocidal intent, particularly when they occur in the context of an armed conflict involving urban combat,” the U.S. argued in its filing.

By Y.M. Lowy

Today will have a high of 44° and a low of 39°. It will be windy, with some sun early, before clouds slowly move in later in the day.

Shabbos warms up to a high of 53° with a low of 34°. Strong winds continue, and skies will be partly sunny, keeping the day bright but blustery.

Sunday cools slightly with a high of 46° and a low of 43°. Clouds will dominate, and breezy conditions persist, making for a gray, windy close to the weekend.

BINT JBEIL, LEBANON (VINnews) — Three Hezbollah operatives were killed in an Israeli military strike in the Bint Jbeil area of southern Lebanon on Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces said Thursday.

The IDF identified the operatives through intelligence gathered by the 91st “Galilee” Regional Division’s 869th Combat Intelligence Collection Unit. A short time later, forces struck and eliminated them, according to the military.

The 91st Division is deployed in the eastern sector of southern Lebanon as part of the IDF’s enhanced forward defense posture. The deployment follows Hezbollah’s initiation of attacks on Israel earlier this month amid escalating regional tensions.

In its area of operations, the division has focused on dismantling Hezbollah anti-tank missile launch sites and eliminating members of the terror group’s elite Radwan Force.

The strike comes amid ongoing Israeli operations in southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah infrastructure and personnel, which the IDF says are aimed at preventing the group from rebuilding capabilities and violating ceasefire understandings.

Hezbollah has not immediately commented on the reported deaths in Bint Jbeil. Lebanese media and officials have reported various Israeli strikes in the region in recent days, including in nearby areas, with casualties claimed on both sides in the broader conflict.

The incident occurs against the backdrop of renewed hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, which intensified following Hezbollah’s projectile attacks on northern Israel earlier in March in response to developments in the wider Iran-Israel confrontation.

Six U.S. service members were killed after a U.S. Air Force KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq on Thursday, U.S. Central Command confirmed Friday.

In a statement, CENTCOM said, “All six crew members aboard a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft that went down in western Iraq are now confirmed deceased. The aircraft was lost while flying over friendly airspace March 12 during Operation Epic Fury.”

Officials said the circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation, but early indications show the aircraft was not brought down by hostile action.

“The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire,” CENTCOM added.

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The identities of the six service members have not yet been released.

“The identities of the service members are being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified,” the statement said.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth earlier honored those killed in the crash, describing the fallen troops as “American heroes.”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, was “wounded and likely disfigured” during the opening strikes of the U.S.–Israeli military campaign against Iran two weeks ago.

According to Hegseth, Mojtaba Khamenei was targeted in the same wave of strikes that killed his father, former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, at the start of the conflict.

Speaking about a written message attributed to Khamenei that was recently released by Iranian media, Hegseth questioned why no video or audio of the leader has been made public.

“Why a written statement?” Hegseth asked. “I think you know why.”

He also taunted Iran’s leadership, adding, “Who’s in charge?”

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Hegseth emphasized that U.S. military operations against Iranian targets are continuing. “No quarter, no mercy for our enemies,” he said.

President Donald Trump also addressed the reports during an interview on “The Brian Kilmeade Show,” saying he believes the Iranian leader is still alive but may have been seriously injured.

“I think he probably is. I think he’s damaged, but I think he’s probably alive in some form, yeah,” Trump said.

Mojtaba Khamenei was reportedly wounded during the opening days of the war but has not appeared publicly since being named Iran’s new supreme leader.

Questions about his condition intensified after Iranian state media broadcast what was described as his first message on Thursday. Instead of appearing on camera, the message was read by a female news anchor, prompting speculation about why the leader himself was not seen or heard.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is scrambling to replace the revenue the federal government lost when the Supreme Court struck down his biggest and boldest tariffs last month.

If the effort succeeds, congressional Democrats warn in a study out Friday, the administration’s import taxes will cost American households an average of $2,512 in 2026, up 44% from $1,745 in tariff costs last year. And this at a time when U.S. consumers are already angry over the high cost of living and the war with Iran is pushing up energy prices.

“Despite a Supreme Court ruling that much of Trump’s tariff agenda is illegal, the Trump administration refuses to provide relief for families,” said Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, the top Democrat on the Joint Economic Committee. “As American families continue to struggle with high costs, the President keeps choosing to institute new tariffs that will push prices even higher.”

Calling the study “phony,” White House spokesman Kush Desai said “President Trump will continue using tariffs to renegotiate broken trade deals, lower drug prices, and secure trillions in investments for the American people.”

Trump last year invoked the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose double-digit tariffs on almost every country on Earth.

But the Supreme Court ruled Feb. 20 that the law did not give the president the authority to levy tariffs. The government now must provide refunds — expected to come to around $175 billion — to the importers who paid the IEEPA tariffs now declared illegal.

The administration has moved quickly to impose new tariffs, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said that that new levies “will result in virtually unchanged tariff revenue in 2026.″

Trump has already announced a 10% tariff, invoking Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, and may raise it to 15%. But those levies can only last 150 days unless Congress agrees to extend them. And the Section 122 tariffs are also being challenged in court.

A sturdier option is Section 301 of the same 1974 trade law, which authorizes the president to impose tariffs and other sanctions on countries engaged in “unjustifiable,” “unreasonable” or “discriminatory” trade practices. Trump, accusing China of using unfair tactics to gain an advantage in high tech industries, used Section 301 to impose tariffs on Chinese imports in his first term, and they withstood legal challenges.

On Wednesday, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, announced a sweeping Section 301 investigation into whether 16 U.S. trading partners, including China and the European Union, are overproducing goods, flooding the world with their products and hurting American manufacturers.

“The United States will no longer sacrifice its industrial base to other countries that may be exporting their problems with excess capacity and production to us,” Greer said in a statement. The probe is widely expected to end in a new round of hefty tariffs.

“The fact that they launched 301 investigations is not surprising,” said trade lawyer Ryan Majerus, a partner at King & Spalding and a former U.S. trade official. “We all knew that’s what they were going to pivot to. The challenge is that this is way more sprawling than anyone expected.” That is because so many countries were targeted and because the inquiry — whether countries have excess industrial capacity and are overproducing goods — ”can be framed pretty broadly.”

The administration is rolling out another Section 301 investigation into banning imported goods made by forced labor. Greer told reporters Wednesday that additional Section 301 investigations could cover issues such as digital services taxes, pharmaceutical drug pricing and ocean pollution.

The administration is also expected to make more use of Section 232 of Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which allows the president to impose tariffs on goods deemed to be threats to national security after an investigation by the Commerce Department. The U.S. already has Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum, autos and auto parts and other products.

The report from Democrats on the Joint Economic Committee finds that the new tariffs will increase the burden on American households this year. That is partly because the tariff revenue would be collected for the full year; Trump needed time to impose tariffs in 2025 and occasionally suspended them.

The Democrats also assume that American households will absorb 100% of the tariff cost. They cite a Congressional Budget Office report concluding that importers can pass along 70% of the tariff costs to consumers. But the tariffs also allow domestic producers to raise prices — because of less competition from imports and increased demand for their tariff-free products. Combined, passed-along costs from importers and higher prices from domestic companies effectively mean that consumers end up footing the entire U.S. tariff bill, according to CBO.

The Trump administration’s new tariff push comes as the war in Iran pushes up the price of gasoline and other commodities in the runup to November’s midterm elections. Voters are already disgruntled by high prices.

“If the affordability and other political issues really start to become cumbersome, that certainly can impact all this,” Majerus said. “What the world’s going to look like two months from now is going to be very different from what it is now.”

In recent weeks, as our hearts remain focused on the matzav in Eretz Yisroel, many have asked whether the upcoming Shuvu Dinner should be postponed.

After consulting with our Daas Torah, the answer was clear: now more than ever.

When times are difficult, the thousands of Shuvu children learning in our schools need stability, strength, and emunah. Chazal teach that the world stands in the merit of Hevel Pihem Shel Tinokos Shel Beis Rabban. Strengthening their Torah is not a distraction from the moment—it is part of the response.

For this reason, Shuvu will be moving forward with its 35th Annual Dinner, Be’H, on Sunday, March 15 at Bell Works in NJ. Please join our dinner campaign at by visting shuvusa.org/dinner or calling 718-692-3434.

Many members of our team in Eretz Yisroel must remain there with their families and may not be able to travel to assist with fundraising. We therefore turn to you—our friends and supporters—to help ensure that Shuvu’s schools and the thousands of children who depend on them remain strong.

Please join us at the dinner and show the children of Eretz Yisroel that they are not alone. In this zechus, may we be zoche to see yeshuos and nechamos for Klal Yisroel. Please help us at shuvusa.org/dinner

Howell Police are warning residents to stay alert after a local student was recently targeted in a job opportunity scam.

According to police, the student received an email offering a part-time, work-from-home position with an organization identifying itself as “Feed the Children.” The message appeared legitimate and was designed to gain the victim’s trust.

The scammers allegedly instructed the student to deposit a check into their personal bank account using a mobile banking app. After the check was deposited, the victim was then told to send the money to another email address using a digital payment service such as Zelle.

Police say the check later turned out to be fraudulent. Once the bank determined the check was fake, the funds were reversed, leaving the victim responsible for the money that had already been sent.

Authorities are urging residents, especially students and parents, to be cautious when receiving unsolicited job offers and to avoid depositing checks or sending money to people they do not know.

Anyone who may have been targeted or fallen victim to a scam is urged to contact the Howell Township Police Department.

Amid the ongoing war, Rav Dov Landau visited several yeshivos in Bnei Brak whose talmidim are currently learning in protected areas. During a visit to the temporary home of Yeshivas Ner Zerach–Otzem, Rav Landau delivered words of chizuk and emphasized that following the directives of the Home Front Command is not merely practical advice but a Torah-level obligation.

The yeshiva was evacuated by the authorities at the beginning of the war and has temporarily relocated to Bnei Brak until conditions stabilize. Rav Landau delivered a general shiur and then addressed the talmidim about the challenges of the current period. The gathering took place at the Bnei Akiva community center in Bnei Brak and was attended by the roshei yeshiva, Rav Yitzchok Zev Feinstein and Rav Avrohom Aharon Braverman, along with the mashgiach and the rest of the yeshiva’s rabbinic staff.

Following the shiur, Rav Landau spoke about the difficult circumstances facing bnei Torah during this time. He noted that over the past two years, alongside what he described as pressure placed on those who learn Torah in Eretz Yisroel, the Jewish community has also been living under real danger. Emphasizing the central role of Torah learning, he said that those who dedicate themselves to Torah serve as the protectors and guardians of the Jewish people.

He also spoke about the power of tefillah during times of distress and about the importance of strengthening emunah and bitachon. At the same time, he stressed the responsibility to act carefully and follow safety guidelines, stating that observing the official instructions is a Torah obligation.

Rav Landau explained that in recent years many bochurim have been learning Torah under difficult conditions, and now an additional challenge has been added as the war has forced many yeshivos to relocate and continue learning away from their usual batei medrash.

He noted that the Jewish people living in Eretz Yisroel have been in a prolonged period of conflict, facing serious dangers and concerns. Despite this, he emphasized that the protection of the Jewish people ultimately comes from Hashem, often in ways that go beyond natural explanations.

Rav Landau stressed that the responsibility of bnei yeshiva at such a time is to strengthen their dedication to Torah learning even more. He explained that those who devote themselves to Torah sustain the world, and that their learning serves as protection for Klal Yisroel in the most direct and meaningful way.

According to Rav Landau, the response to the current situation must be greater immersion in Torah study — learning continuously, becoming deeply engaged in the sugyos, and developing a genuine excitement for the words of Torah.

He also called on the students to strengthen their tefillah and to be more careful in observing the halachos of tefillah. Rav Landau cited the teaching attributed to the Chazon Ish that during times of danger, the recitation of Yoshev B’Seiser is especially powerful.

At the same time, Rav Landau emphasized the obligation of practical effort to safeguard life, noting that protecting oneself is a clear Torah commandment. He stressed that people must be careful to follow the safety instructions and not take them lightly, explaining that the obligation of v’nishmartem me’od l’nafshoseichem requires strict adherence to these guidelines.

He added that it is said in the name of the Brisker Rav that by fulfilling the mitzvah of safeguarding one’s life, a person merits siyata d’Shmaya and protection from Heaven.

Rav Landau also encouraged the talmidim to maintain calm and a positive atmosphere during this tense time. One practical suggestion he offered was to avoid constantly seeking out additional news and updates, since excessive exposure to information can create unnecessary fear and anxiety.

Looking ahead to the upcoming period of bein hazmanim, he stressed that there is no exemption from Torah learning during that time — especially now, when Klal Yisroel needs the protection of Torah study.

He suggested that the break could be used productively by studying masechtos or other areas of Torah that are not usually focused on during the regular zman.

At the same time, Rav Landau reminded the students to take advantage of the opportunity during bein hazmanim to fulfill the mitzvah of honoring their parents and helping at home when needed.

He concluded with a tefillah that Hashem should have mercy on the Jewish people, protect them from suffering and harsh decrees, allow them to sit peacefully in the ohel haTorah, and bring about a complete redemption speedily.

In addition to this visit, Rav Landau also traveled to Yeshivas Toras Chaim L’Tzeirim in Bnei Brak, headed by Rav Boruch Dov Diskin and Rav Yosef Shraga Turtchin, which has been conducting its learning in a neighborhood shelter during the war.

During the visit, Rav Landau delivered a Torah shiur and additional words of chizuk to the students. The roshei yeshiva — Rav Boruch Dov Diskin, Rav Yosef Shraga Turtchin, Rav Tzvi Turtchin, and the mashgiach Rav Moshe Mordechai Englard — welcomed him upon arrival.

One particularly memorable moment during the visit was a spirited Torah discussion between Rav Landau and Rav Diskin, reflecting the lively style of debate that characterizes Torah learning. In his closing remarks, Rav Landau again encouraged the students to strengthen their learning, listen to the guidance of their rabbonim, and avoid unnecessary risks during air raid sirens. The students left the gathering feeling uplifted and inspired.

{Matzav.com}

WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer visited West Bloomfield Friday to review the investigation into an attack at Temple Israel, where a man drove a vehicle into the building while more than 100 young children were inside.

Whitmer described the incident as a clear act of anti-Semitism. “Parents bring their children to daycare and school, expecting a place of peace, unity, light and life. This attack was hate, plain and simple,” she said.

Joined by Sen. Elissa Slotkin, Whitmer urged residents to speak out against anti-Semitism and reduce divisive rhetoric. “We must lower the rhetoric in our state and across the country, especially now as attacks on the Jewish community are rising,” she said.

Authorities continue to investigate the motives and circumstances of the incident, which prompted a significant police and emergency response at the Reform synagogue.

Kibbutz Kabri in the western Galilee sustained a direct hit from rocket fire Friday that lightly injured two people as Hezbollah resumed firing rockets indiscriminately into civilian population centers, causing Israelis to run for shelter. The attack comes amid Muslim celebrations of al-Quds Day, marking the last Friday of Ramadan. Iran has traditionally promoted Israel’s destruction on al-Quds Day. Observers note the irony that this year, Iran will mark that day amid the destruction perhaps of its own authoritarian regime.

Emergency responders treated a 50-year-old woman who sustained a shrapnel wound and a lightly injured 60-year-old man. Both are in good condition.

Meanwhile, the IDF intercepted a missile from Iran targeting central Israel.

Earlier, the Israeli Air Force conducted widespread strikes across Lebanon and Iran, while the two countries returned fire. An Iranian rocket wounded two people in the Israeli Bedouin village of Zarzir in the lower Galilee during the battle.

Following an IDF strike on Zrariyeh Bridge over the Litani River in southern Lebanon — a strategic military location for Hezbollah, which uses the bridge to move supplies and personnel — Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, conducted a meeting with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and top-ranking military officials.

“This is only the beginning, and the Lebanese government and the Lebanese state will pay an increasing price through damage to Lebanese national infrastructure that is used by Hezbollah terrorists,” Katz warned.

WASHINGTON (VINnews) — Pete Hegseth said Friday that Iran’s leadership is now facing the combined military power of the United States and Israel, praising what he described as an unprecedented partnership between the two allies’ air forces.

Speaking about the ongoing campaign against Iranian targets, Hegseth said the cooperation between the United States and Israel has produced a scale of military operations rarely seen.

BREAKING: “Looking up, the IRGC and Iranian regime see only two things on the side of the aircraft: the Stars and Stripes and the Star of David.”

“The evil regime’s worst nightmare.” – Secretary of War Pete Hegseth pic.twitter.com/vSc8vh3yHy

— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 13, 2026

“The combination of the world’s two most powerful air forces is unprecedented and unbeatable,” Hegseth said.

According to Hegseth, American and Israeli forces have carried out strikes on more than 15,000 enemy targets, averaging over 1,000 attacks a day.

“No other combination of countries in the world could do that,” he said.

Hegseth added that Iranian leadership and fighters from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps now face a stark reality in the skies above them.

“Looking up, the IRGC and Iranian regime only see two things on the side of aircraft: the stars and stripes and the Star of David,” he said.

The remarks come as the United States and Israel continue a sustained military campaign targeting Iranian military infrastructure and leadership.

(AP) – The Trump administration denounced CNN on Thursday for airing a portion of the new Iranian supreme leader’s public statement, the second time in three days that he’s targeted the network for reporting on how the regime is responding to the American attacks.

The attack illustrated the care news outlets must take in reporting during wartime, and the responsibilities of American journalists to report the perspective of countries its government views as enemies. It also exposed inconsistencies. The message of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei during his first public statement since he succeeded his father, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike, was widely available elsewhere.

The White House said on social media that “fake news CNN just aired four straight minutes of uninterrupted Iranian state TV, run by the same psychotic and murderous regime that prided itself on brutally slaughtering Americans for 47 years.”

Earlier CNN interview criticized by Trump’s communications leader
Two days earlier, White House communications director Steven Cheung took issue with CNN anchor Erin Burnett’s interview with Hossein Mousavian, a former Iranian nuclear negotiator. Burnett asked Mousavian what he had been hearing about the Iranian government’s interest in having talks with the United States. There wasn’t much, he said.

“Ever notice how CNN just regurgitates quotes and unverified information from Iranian terrorists?” Cheung wrote on X. “Total disgrace. They have become the murderous Iranian Regime’s version of Pravda,” he said, referring to the official newspaper of the former Soviet Union.

CNN did not address Cheung’s statement but did respond to the White House attack on Thursday. It noted that CNN, Sky News and Al Jazeera also showed portions of the ayatollah’s statement live.

“The world is watching with anticipation which direction this war will take,” CNN said. “Purported remarks from Iran’s new supreme leader are a critical component in helping audiences understand where this conflict is heading and were aired for their obvious news value.”

Other news outlets, including The Associated Press, sent out alerts on what Khamenei said. His vow to keep up attacks on other Arab countries in the region and plans to choke off the world’s oil supply were headlines. The New York Times led its website with a story on the speech in its immediate aftermath, later writing that the speech “was an early indication of how the new supreme leader would approach the war, as well as how he would lead the country.”

CNN has long been a favored target of President Donald Trump, dating back to his first term. It’s a particularly vulnerable time for the network with Paramount Global’s agreement to purchase CNN’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, raising questions about its future editorial independence.

CNN showed a news anchor reading a portion of Khameini’s remarks in Farsi, with an English translation. It did not air them in full. After the speech, correspondent Nick Paton Walsh gave a debrief to anchor Kate Bolduan, noting how the non-appearance of the leader — reportedly injured in an air attack — was as important as what he said.

“We were waiting to see the face of the man to have proof of his health and survival,” Walsh said, “and they’ve not met that moment. Instead, a handwritten message, it seems, that mostly reiterates things we kind of already knew.”

A social media message board for Iran’s point of view
The Tech Transparency Project has reported that several Iranian leaders and institutions maintain verified accounts on X, formerly Twitter, owned by Trump ally Elon Musk. CNBC said Thursday that Khamenei has one of them, and an X account with his portrait posted the text of his remarks, available in Farsi and in an English translation.

Even though Khamenei’s father is dead, an account with his portrait was active on Thursday, mainly reposting messages from his son. “The revenge we have in mind is not just because of the martyrdom of the illustrious Leader of the Revolution,” read one message posted Thursday. “Every member of the nation martyred by the enemy is a separate case that demands we seek revenge.”

X is officially blocked in Iran, though many use a virtual private network to bypass restrictions. A message sent to the platform on Thursday was not immediately returned.

There’s a long history of journalists seeking interviews with world leaders, even when they are regarded as enemies of the United States. Most notable was “60 Minutes” correspondent Mike Wallace’s interview with Iran’s Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1979, when that country was holding Americans hostage.

Thursday’s remarks by Iran’s new supreme leader were absolutely newsworthy and legitimate for CNN to air them, said Jane Ferguson, a veteran international correspondent and founder of the journalism platform Noosphere. It’s not the job of government leaders to pick apart what CNN is reporting, she said.

“We’ve always faced this,” she said, about when reporters interview leaders or other figures hostile to American interests. “This has been a bit of low-hanging fruit for awhile.”

Historian Douglas Brinkley of Rice University said that it’s unfair for CNN to be singled out in this instance. He, too, believes it is newsworthy to learn what leaders of an adversary are thinking, but it’s important to make sure that journalists are careful.

“You have to be leery of being used as a propaganda tool by the Iranian regime,” he said. “On the other hand, knowing what the enemy is saying and looking for a sign of a peace offering or a nuance is important … It’s a difficult balance.”

Authorities announced new restrictions on access to the Kosel ahead of the upcoming Shabbos, with several key routes leading to the plaza expected to be temporarily closed beginning Friday afternoon.

The Western Wall Heritage Foundation informed the public that, due to the current security situation and directives from the Home Front Command, new limitations have been imposed on entry to the Kosel plaza in Yerushalayim. The measures are intended to ensure that the number of people present does not exceed the available protected areas in case of an emergency.

Under the updated guidelines, the number of people allowed to remain in the Kosel plaza at any given time will be limited to no more than 50 individuals. Officials said the decision was made in accordance with Home Front Command safety instructions aimed at minimizing potential risks.

At the same time, Israel Police announced that on Friday the pedestrian routes leading to the Kosel plaza will be closed between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. The closure is expected to affect visitors and mispallelim planning to arrive ahead of Shabbos.

{Matzav.com}

YS GOLD 

We regret to inform you of the passing of Reb Moshe Meir Einhorn, one of the most prominent Bobover chassidim in America, and a legend of chassidus and yiras shomayim. He was 100 years of age. 

The niftar hailed from the Galician town of Kshanov, a town permeated with Torah and chassidus, and was raised as a loyal chossid of the Bobover Admorim. 

As a young boy, he made his way to Bobov by train, and merited for the Kedushas Zion of Bobov to place tefillin on him Erev Sukkahs 1939. 

Following the war, Reb Moshe Meir tethered himself with heart and soul to the Divrei Shloime of Bobov, and raised a beautiful family of chassidim and yirei Shomayim within the chassidus. He became an eidem by Reb Chaim Leser a"h.

He was among the most prominent chassidim in the kehillah and held an important leadership position in the Bobover Bais Medrash.

He was known for his chassidishkeit and yiras Shomayim, and served as a living role model to Bobover chassidim, young and old.  With his passing, an important link to Bobov of yore has been extinguished. 

The levaya will take place in front of the Bobover beis medrash today, and kevurah will be in the Bobover Chelkah in Deans, New Jersey. 

Yehi zichro baruch.

Israel has confirmed that its air force carried out strikes against Basij checkpoints and personnel in several locations across Tehran. Footage released from the skies over the Iranian capital showed the attacks targeting positions recently established by members of the Basij militia.

According to Israeli military officials, the strikes followed intelligence assessments indicating that Basij fighters had begun setting up checkpoints throughout parts of Tehran in recent days. After identifying the deployment, the Israeli Air Force carried out attacks over the past 24 hours, guided by intelligence from the IDF Intelligence Directorate.

The Basij forces are part of Iran’s internal security apparatus and operate under the regime’s broader security structure. For years, these armed units have been responsible for implementing terror operations as well as enforcing the regime’s internal control.

In addition to their security role, the Basij have been heavily involved in suppressing domestic protests inside Iran. In recent months, they have been central to the regime’s crackdown on demonstrations, using violence, conducting large-scale arrests, and deploying force against civilian protesters.

Iran’s Fars news agency claimed that the incidents were connected to sabotage operations carried out inside the country by forces linked to Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency together with groups loyal to Iran’s former royalist movement.

The Israeli military said the strikes are part of a broader effort targeting the Iranian regime’s core security infrastructure. An IDF spokesperson said the operations will continue wherever Iranian regime forces operate.

“The IDF will continue to strike the systems and operatives of the Iranian terror regime wherever they operate. The strikes that were completed are part of the phase of deepening the damage to the core systems of the Iranian terror regime and its foundations,” the spokesperson said.

{Matzav.com}

HAVANA (AP) — Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said Friday that his government has held recent talks with the U.S., marking the first time the Caribbean country confirms such speculation.

He said the talks “were aimed at finding solutions through dialogue to the bilateral differences between our two nations. International factors facilitated these exchanges.”

He did not elaborate on those factors, or provide any details about the talks.

Díaz-Canel said no petroleum shipments have arrived on the island in the past three months, which he blamed on a U.S. energy blockade.

Cuba’s western region was hit by a massive blackout last week, leaving millions without power.

He said that Cuba, which produces 40% of its petroleum, has been generating its own power but that it hasn’t been sufficient to meet demand.

He said the lack of power has affected communications, education and transportation, and that the government has had to postpone surgeries for tens of thousands of people as a result.

“The impact is tremendous,” he said.

Díaz-Canel said more than 115 bakeries across the island have been converted to run on firewood or coal.

He added that 955 solar panels have been installed in rural homes and social centers, and that more solar systems will come online before the end of March that will add 100 megawatts to Cuba’s crumbling electric grid.

“Even with everything we’re putting together, we still need oil,” he said.

Díaz-Canel noted that production output also has dropped: “Without energy, no country can produce at normal levels. All of this has meant making adjustments to employment.”

Last month, Cuba implemented austere fuel-saving measures.

Díaz-Canel said that the purpose of the talks was to identify “bilateral problems that require solutions based on their severity and impact” and find solutions to them.

The president added that the aim was “to determine the willingness of both parties to take concrete actions for the benefit of the people of both countries. And in addition, to identify areas of cooperation to confront threats and guarantee the security and peace of both nations, as well as in the region.”

He noted that Cuba is willing to carry out the process on the basis of equality and respect for the countries’ political systems and for Cuba’s “sovereignty and self-determination.”

Critical oil shipments from Venezuela were halted after the U.S. attacked the South American country and arrested its leader.

The most recent blackout was blamed on a broken boiler at a thermoelectric plant that forced the shutdown of Cuba’s power grid.

Authorities have noted that some thermoelectric plants have been operating for over 30 years and receive little maintenance given the high cost. U.S. sanctions also have prevented the government from buying new equipment and specialized parts, officials say.

WASHINGTON (AP) — An inflation gauge closely monitored by the Federal Reserve moved higher in January in the latest sign that prices were persistently elevated even before the Iran war caused spikes in oil and gas costs.

Prices rose 2.8% in January compared with a year earlier, the Commerce Department said Friday, slightly below December’s increase in a report that was delayed by last fall’s six-week government shutdown. The shutdown created a backlog of data that is nearly cleared.

Yet excluding the volatile food and energy categories — which the Fed pays closer attention to — core prices rose 3.1%, up from 3% in the prior month and the highest in nearly two years.

On a monthly basis, prices rose 0.3% in January, while core prices jumped 0.4% for the second straight month, a pace that if sustained would lift inflation far above the 2% annual target set by the Fed.

The data has since been overtaken by the war with Iran, which began Feb. 28 and has shut down the Strait of Hormuz, cutting off one-fifth of the world’s oil supply. Oil prices have soared more than 40% since the war began and gas prices have jumped to $3.60 a gallon from just under $3 a month earlier, according to AAA. Those figures will likely cause inflation to spike in March and potentially April, economists forecast.

The inflation-fighters at the Fed have kept their key interest rate elevated to slow borrowing, spending, and growth in an effort to cool inflation further. Fed policymakers meet next week and are widely expected to keep their rate unchanged given that the conflict in the Middle East will raise inflation, at least in the short run.

The report also showed that consumers lifted their spending at a solid 0.4% pace in January, matching December’s rise and a sign that Americans are still able to drive steady growth. Consumer spending powers about two-thirds of the economy.

Incomes also rose 0.4%, a positive sign that consumers didn’t have to dip into savings to propel spending in January. After-tax incomes jumped 0.9%, fueled by a large increase in Social Security benefit payments after a large cost of living adjustment took effect at the start of the year.

Friday’s report includes the personal consumption expenditures price index, which is separate from the more widely-followed consumer price index, which was reported on Wednesday. The PCE index is running hotter than the CPI, largely because it puts much less weight on rental costs, which have been cooling steadily in recent months.

The PCE index typically runs below the CPI, but has pulled ahead of it just in the past few months.

WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. (AP) — A man with a rifle who crashed into a large Michigan synagogue in what federal officials are saying was an attack had lost four family members in an Israeli airstrike in his native Lebanon last week, an official said Friday.

Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, 41, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Lebanon, was killed by security after ramming into Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township near Detroit and driving down a hallway in a vehicle that then caught fire, according to authorities.

The FBI, which is leading the investigation, described the attack on one of the nation’s largest Reform synagogues as an act of violence targeting the Jewish community.

The synagogue’s staff, teachers and 140 children at its early childhood center were not injured, according to Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard.

Ghazali came to the U.S. in 2011 on an immediate relative visa as the spouse of a U.S. citizen and was granted U.S. citizenship in 2016, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

An Israeli airstrike killed four people in the eastern Lebanon town of Mashgharah on March 5, Lebanon’s state agency and the Lebanese Health Ministry reported. A woman was also wounded.

The ripple effects of the Iran war have spread across the Middle East. Israel has stepped up its attacks on Lebanon following renewed strikes with the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah.

A local official in Mashgharah told The Associated Press that Ghazali’s two brothers and a niece and nephew were killed at their home in the airstrike just after sunset as they were having their fast-breaking meal during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

The official, who requested anonymity because he could not publicly discuss details of the airstrike, told the AP that Kassim and Ibrahim Ghazali were killed, along with Ibrahim Ghazali’s children, Ali and Fatima. Ibrahim Ghazali’s wife was seriously wounded and remains in the hospital, the official said.

The official said that Kassim Ghazali was a well-known soccer coach and personal trainer while Ibrahim was a school bus driver in the village.

The official said that Ayman Ghazali’s father was in the U.S. and returned to Lebanon recently.

In the minutes after the attack, smoke billowed from the synagogue. One security officer was hit by the vehicle and knocked unconscious but did not suffer life-threatening injuries, Bouchard said. And 30 law enforcement officers were treated for smoke inhalation.

Cassi Cohen, director of strategic development at Temple Israel, was in the hallway where the crash happened. She described hearing a loud bang and said she grabbed a few staff members, ran into her office and locked the door.

“When I heard the crash, I knew it was bad,” Cohen said.

She said the crash happened near a classroom and, in addition to the children, there were also more than 30 staff members in the synagogue.

Rabbi Arianna Gordon, from Temple Israel, thanked the security team, law enforcement and early childhood teachers for getting the children out safely and reunited with their parents.

About a dozen parents sprinted to get their children soon after authorities cleared the building. Other families were reunited at a nearby Jewish Community Center.

Allison Jacobs, whose 18-month-old daughter is enrolled in Temple Israel’s day care, said she got a message from a teacher saying the children were OK even before she knew what happened.

“There are no words. I was in complete and utter shock,” she said.

Synagogues around the world have been on edge and ramping up security since the U.S. and Israel launched a war with Iran with missile strikes on Feb. 28.

The FBI has warned that Iranian operatives may be planning drone attacks on targets in California. Two men brought explosives to a far-right protest outside the New York mayoral mansion on Saturday. Investigators allege they were inspired by the Islamic State extremist group.

And an assailant drove a car into people outside an Orthodox synagogue in Manchester, England, on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. He stabbed two people to death before officers shot and killed him.

President Donald Trump said he had been fully briefed on the attack, calling it a “terrible thing.”

Steven Ingber, the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Detroit, said Thursday: “I’d love to say that I’m shocked, that I’m surprised, but I’m not.”

The attack was the second at a house of worship in Michigan within the past year. Last September, a former Marine fatally shot four people at a church north of Detroit and set it ablaze. The FBI later said he was motivated by “anti-religious beliefs” against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Oakland County is Michigan’s second-largest county with roughly 1.3 million people. The majority of Detroit-area Jewish residents live there. Temple Israel has 12,000 members, according to its website.

The United States has given Israel one week to wrap up its operations in Iran, according to an Israel Hayom source. The source said that Washington has determined that the military campaign is unlikely to topple the regime without a ground invasion and would like to put an end to the operation.

“Regime change would require either a ground invasion by troops or the renewal of large-scale protests inside Iran,” the source said. The U.S. views each scenario as improbable.

The military campaign — called Operation Epic Fury by the U.S. and Operation Roaring Lion by Israel — is seen differently by the respective countries. Whereas Jerusalem views the operation mostly as a strategic success, Washington is concerned about rising oil prices.

The source pointed out that despite Israel’s assassination of the leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, and the decimation of much of its highest-ranking officials, Hezbollah remains a threat. The same is true of Hamas, he said.

The source criticized Israel on two grounds. The first was not pursuing with greater urgency the establishment of diplomatic ties with Arab states following Israel’s astounding military successes. The second was Israel’s actions in Judea and Samaria: The source accused Israel of using the operation in Iran as cover for the extremist elements in the government to evict Arabs from their homes and take over their land and of missing the opportunity to pursue peace-building efforts in the region.

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu said that while Israel and the United States are taking steps intended to weaken Iran’s ruling regime and create conditions for change, it remains uncertain whether the Iranian public will ultimately overthrow the Islamic Republic. “You can lead someone to water; you cannot make him drink,” Netanyahu said during a press conference, his first since Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran on February 28, triggering an expanding regional war.

Addressing mounting anger in Israel’s northern communities after renewed attacks from Hezbollah, Netanyahu also delivered a warning to Lebanon’s leadership. He said the Lebanese government must “take your fate into your own hands” and dismantle the Iranian-backed terror organization itself, or Israel may be forced to act.

The prime minister also turned to the issue of his ongoing corruption trial, urging President Isaac Herzog to intervene. Netanyahu said US President Donald Trump “speaks from the heart” when criticizing Herzog for not granting him a pardon.

Speaking about the possibility that Iran’s regime could collapse, Netanyahu told reporters during the televised briefing that Israel and the United States are working to weaken Tehran’s leadership and give the Iranian population the opportunity to challenge it. “We will create optimal conditions to do this, including airstrikes as we did yesterday, as we are doing these days, to try to give [the Iranian people] the space needed to take to the streets.

“We are delivering crushing blows to the Revolutionary Guards and the Basij, their street forces, their checkpoints – and more is yet to come,” he went on.

Even so, Netanyahu acknowledged that outside forces cannot guarantee such an outcome. “I do not deny it: I cannot say for certain that the Iranian people will bring down the regime.”

Directly addressing citizens of Iran, he added: “We told you, ‘Help is on the way,’” he said, addressing the Iranian public. “Well, the help has come and more will follow.”

Netanyahu said many people hope the regime will ultimately collapse but emphasized that such a development must come from within Iran itself. “We all are hoping for the result of this regime falling,” said Netanyahu, but “ultimately, a regime is ousted from within.”

Regardless of how the war concludes, Netanyahu argued that Iran has already suffered significant damage. “It’s simply a different Iran — it no longer threatens as it did before,” he said. “It is not the same power. It’s not the giant bully that nothing can be done against and that no one can unite against.”

Because of security concerns surrounding the ongoing conflict, Netanyahu addressed reporters over Zoom. During the call, he repeated his assertion that the military campaign became necessary after Iran resumed work on nuclear weapons and ballistic missile capabilities following the 12-day Israel-Iran war last June.

Netanyahu said Iran’s previous supreme leader, Ali Khamenei — killed during the opening stage of the joint US-Israeli offensive nearly two weeks earlier — had been warned not to rebuild what he described as Iran’s dangerous weapons infrastructure. Instead, Netanyahu said Khamenei pushed ahead with those efforts and moved them deeper underground, ultimately prompting the strike that killed him.

“If we had not acted immediately, within a few months Iran’s industries of death would have become immune to any strike. Therefore, we went out together to battle — the United States and Israel — to continue what we began and to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. To prevent Iran from developing ballistic missiles that threaten Israel, the United States, and the entire world. That is our objective,” he said.

Netanyahu said that since the start of the current war, Israeli forces have struck Iran’s nuclear facilities and eliminated what he described as a key nuclear scientist. He also said the campaign has additional elements yet to be revealed.

Israel and the United States, he said, are acting together to prevent a regime that openly seeks Israel’s destruction from achieving that goal. “Our enemies are not disappearing in an instant, but look at our amazing successes.”

When asked whether Israel might target Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Ali Khamenei who has been named the new supreme leader, Netanyahu responded: “I wouldn’t take out a life insurance policy on any of the leaders of the terror organizations.”

He dismissed Mojtaba Khamenei as a “puppet” controlled by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps who “cannot show his face in public.”

The newly installed leader has not appeared publicly since the war began and is believed to have been injured in an airstrike. Iranian state media broadcast a defiant statement attributed to him on Thursday — believed to be his first message since becoming supreme leader on Sunday — but he has not been seen or heard directly since the fighting started.

Netanyahu also said that Israel is receiving support from a number of countries in its confrontation with Iran, though some of that cooperation remains undisclosed.

“In these days, my team and I are weaving additional alliances with countries in the region – alliances that only a few weeks ago would have seemed unimaginable,” said Netanyahu, without elaborating.

The prime minister argued that Israel has emerged stronger despite the devastating Hamas-led attack of October 7, 2023. According to Netanyahu, the country is now at least a regional power and has eliminated a dangerous adversary in Ali Khamenei. He described the Iranian leader as “a kind of Hitler” who had pursued Israel’s destruction for decades.

“We are crushing the terror regime in Iran. We are striking and defeating its proxies – Hezbollah in Lebanon,” he said. “Hezbollah is feeling our force, and it will feel it even more so. It will pay a very heavy price for its aggression.”

Earlier this month Hezbollah resumed firing rockets toward Israel, marking its first such attacks since a November 2024 ceasefire agreement between Israel and the group. That agreement required Lebanon’s government to dismantle Hezbollah’s military infrastructure in southern Lebanon.

On Wednesday night, Hezbollah fired roughly 200 rockets toward northern Israel, renewing concerns about how much of its arsenal remains intact and whether its supply networks are still functioning.

Israel has responded by sending troops deeper into Lebanese territory and carrying out large-scale airstrikes targeting Hezbollah-controlled areas. Those attacks have killed hundreds of people and forced large numbers of residents to flee neighborhoods in southern Beirut as well as parts of southern and eastern Lebanon.

While Netanyahu did not rule out a major ground operation in Lebanon, he indicated that Israel might avoid such a move if Beirut acts against Hezbollah. However, he warned that a significant offensive could become unavoidable if Lebanon’s government “continues to let Hezbollah act in violation of your commitment to disarm it.”

The November 2024 ceasefire ended more than a year of fighting that began when Hezbollah started attacking Israel on October 8, 2023 — one day after the Hamas invasion of southern Israel that ignited the war in Gaza.

Those attacks forced roughly 60,000 residents of northern Israel to evacuate their homes. In an effort to enable their return, Israel escalated its military operations against Hezbollah in September 2024, severely damaging the group’s leadership structure.

When asked whether he had overstated Hezbollah’s weakness at the time, Netanyahu acknowledged that the organization still retains some capabilities but maintained that it has suffered heavy losses.

“They have certain remaining capacities,” he said, but insisted the group had been greatly diminished.

“We’ll deal with it,” he said, promising not to “abandon the residents of the north.”

Netanyahu added that before Israel’s intensified operations in Lebanon in 2024, Hezbollah possessed around 150,000 rockets and missiles and had the potential to inflict catastrophic damage across Israel.

He said the arsenal could have been capable of destroying buildings in Tel Aviv and causing mass casualties. “bring down the skyscrapers of Tel Aviv and cause devastation in central Israel and beyond, with 15,000-20,000 fatalities.”

“That did not happen, because we hit them with a massive blow,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s Knesset Health Committee has approved a major piece of legislation intended to reduce the burden on hospitals and improve services throughout the healthcare system. The committee approved the so-called “Cap Law,” which regulates financial arrangements between the health maintenance organizations and hospitals for the next five years, covering roughly 20 billion shekels annually.

The bill was approved Thursday evening for its second and third readings by the Health Committee chaired by MK Yoni Mashriki. The legislation establishes a framework governing how hospitals and health funds settle payments with one another, an arrangement that affects a significant portion of the country’s healthcare budget.

Committee chairman MK Yoni Mashriki said the measure represents an important step forward for the Israeli healthcare system. “I would like to thank Shas chairman Aryeh Deri for pushing and closely accompanying this effort every step of the way until the law was approved. The Cap Law that we approved today is a major and meaningful development for Israel’s healthcare system that will reduce hospitalization overload and expand services in the community, allowing the healthcare system to operate in a more stable, balanced, and planned manner in the coming years.”

Mashriki explained that the new financial framework will be accompanied by additional measures designed to strengthen the healthcare system and reduce pressure on hospitals. “This important economic arrangement will join a series of additional steps — including the addition of tens of millions of shekels for home hospitalization, reducing overcrowding in internal medicine departments, increased funding to strengthen public hospitals, providing solutions for patients awaiting transfer to geriatric institutions, and protecting hospitals that were harmed during the war.”

He added that maintaining a strong public healthcare system is one of the government’s most important responsibilities. “The public healthcare system is one of the most important social services the state must provide to its citizens, and the law we passed today is a dramatic step designed to ensure that it will be stronger, more stable, and more accessible.”

{Matzav.com}

Shas chairman MK Aryeh Deri visited Ichilov Hospital on Thursday evening together with Religious Affairs Ministry Director-General Yehuda Avidan to see Gedalyahu Ben Shimon, chairman of the Religious Council in Ramat Gan and Ra’anana, who remains hospitalized in serious condition after being severely wounded in a stabbing attack in Ramat Gan. They were accompanied by the hospital’s director-general, Dr. Eli Sprecher.

Speaking outside the patient’s room, Deri said, “There was a very great miracle here. Reb Gedalyahu comes from a family of great righteous people. I heard from the doctors about his severe condition when he was brought into surgery, and by the grace of Heaven they succeeded in saving his life.”

Deri added that prayers must continue for Ben Shimon’s recovery. “We must continue to pray for his complete recovery. Let us pray that with Hashem’s help the hand of Israel will prevail and that we will no longer know such acts of terror.”

Earlier in the day, Deri released a statement expressing shock over the attack. “I am shaken to the depths of my soul by the despicable attack carried out by a vile individual against the chairman of the Ramat Gan Religious Council, attorney Gedalyahu Ben Shimon, who was wounded and is in serious condition. I call on the public to increase prayers for the complete recovery of Gedalyahu ben Yeshuah.”

Israel’s Sephardic Chief Rabbi, the Rishon LeTzion, Rav Dovid Yosef, also called on the public to daven for the injured official. “I call on every Jew to intensify prayers and arouse abundant Heavenly mercy for the emissary of the rabbinate, the highly active Gedalyahu ben Yeshuah, may he live long, and to recite Chapter 20 of Tehillim, ‘Ya’ancha b’yom tzarah,’ for his recovery.”

As previously reported, Gedalyahu Ben Shimon, chairman of the Ramat Gan Religious Council and a member of the Shas party, was stabbed earlier in the day on a street in Ramat Gan. He was evacuated to the hospital with multiple stab wounds and is listed in serious condition.

The attack occurred at approximately 3:15 p.m., when an Arab teenager, reportedly about 15 years old, approached the chareidi official and stabbed him several times. Reports indicate that the assailant shouted “Allahu Akbar” during the attack, strengthening suspicions that the incident was a terrorist assault.

{Matzav.com}

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands (VINnews) — Dutch police arrested four young men suspected of involvement in an explosion and fire outside a synagogue in Rotterdam that damaged the entrance of the building and briefly ignited flames, authorities said.

The blast occurred around 3:40 a.m. at a synagogue on A.B.N. Davidsplein in the Blijdorp neighborhood, police said. Authorities reported that a fire was started at the site but burned only briefly before extinguishing on its own. No injuries were reported.

Police said the suspects include two 19-year-olds, an 18-year-old and a 17-year-old. Investigators have not yet identified a motive and said a large-scale probe is underway.

After the explosion, officers increased patrols around synagogues and Jewish institutions across the city as a precaution. Police also stopped a vehicle near another synagogue after the driver matched the description of one of the suspects. Authorities said it remains unclear whether additional attacks had been planned.

Investigators are reviewing video circulating on social media that appears to show an explosion near the building.

Justice Minister David van Weel condemned the attack, saying the government would not tolerate antisemitism, intimidation or violence and that authorities were working to ensure the safety of Jewish institutions.

Rotterdam Mayor Carola Schouten said the incident caused significant anxiety among members of the Jewish community and stressed that hatred or violence targeting religious groups has no place in the city.

A representative of the synagogue said the physical damage — including scorched doors at the entrance — could be repaired, but the emotional impact on the Jewish community would likely last much longer.

The attack comes amid heightened tensions and a reported rise in antisemitic incidents following the outbreak of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, which began Feb. 28 when the United States and Israel launched large-scale strikes on Iranian targets. Authorities across Europe have reported increased security concerns at Jewish institutions in recent weeks.

Earlier this week, an explosion also struck a synagogue in Liège, Belgium, in an incident authorities there described as antisemitic. Dutch police said the Rotterdam investigation remains ongoing and urged witnesses to come forward with information.

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ZARZIR (VINnews)  An Iranian ballistic missile struck the Arab-Israeli town of Zarzir in northern Israel overnight, injuring more than 50 people, mostly lightly, Israeli emergency services said Friday.

Magen David Adom reported treating over 50 residents for injuries caused by shattered glass, shrapnel and shock following the impact in a residential area. Most injuries were classified as light, though one woman was hospitalized in moderate condition after being hit by shrapnel.

The strike occurred amid an ongoing barrage of Iranian missiles targeting Israel, part of escalating retaliatory exchanges in the widening conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States. Israel’s multi-layered air defense systems intercepted many incoming projectiles, but some fragments or direct hits caused damage and casualties in several locations.

Footage from the scene showed damaged homes, destroyed vehicles and scattered debris in the community, located near Nazareth. Israel Fire and Rescue Services described “extensive destruction” at the impact site, which affected a cluster of private homes.

The Israel Defense Forces said it was investigating the circumstances of the missile impact in Zarzir. No fatalities were immediately reported from the strike.

The attack came as sirens sounded across northern Israel, with additional Iranian projectiles and related fire from proxies like Hezbollah prompting widespread sheltering. The broader conflict, now in its second week, has seen joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets, including missile infrastructure and leadership sites, prompting ongoing Iranian counterstrikes.

Israeli authorities urged residents to remain vigilant as military operations continue.

The Israeli Air Force carried out extensive strike missions over the past 24 hours targeting more than 200 sites belonging to Iran’s terror regime in western and central Iran.

According to the IDF, dozens of fighter jets operated with intelligence guidance, dropping large quantities of munitions on a wide range of military targets. Among the sites struck were ballistic missile launchers, air defense systems, and weapons production facilities.

The strikes are part of the ongoing Operation “Roaring Lion,” which aims to significantly reduce Iran’s ability to launch attacks against Israel.

Since the beginning of the operation, the Israeli Air Force has conducted thousands of strike missions targeting numerous infrastructure sites connected to Iran’s terror regime in an effort to limit the volume of fire directed toward Israeli territory.

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The United States moved Thursday to temporarily loosen sanctions on Russian oil shipments already at sea, allowing them to reach international buyers as the Trump administration seeks to bring down global energy prices that have surged during the war in Iran.

The Treasury Department issued the temporary waivers, which will remain in effect until April 11. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that releasing Russian oil currently stranded on tankers could inject hundreds of millions of barrels of crude into global supply, helping ease prices that have climbed close to $100 per barrel amid the conflict involving Iran.

The policy shift marked a notable change in Washington’s approach to punishing Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, the United States and other members of the Group of 7 have imposed sweeping sanctions aimed at restricting the Kremlin’s energy revenues. Those measures included placing a price ceiling on Russian crude and targeting a so-called “shadow fleet” of ships that exporters have used to transport oil while avoiding sanctions.

As the war with Iran has intensified, the Trump administration has been exploring ways to reduce economic strain tied to rising fuel costs. Last week, officials already allowed Russian oil that had been sitting offshore to proceed to India. At the same time, the administration has been working on a $20 billion maritime insurance guarantee through the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, which typically provides financing and investment support for international businesses and projects.

Bessent said Thursday that the limited sanctions relief would not meaningfully strengthen Russia financially, though he acknowledged that Moscow could see some benefit.

“To increase the global reach of existing supply, Treasury is providing a temporary authorization to permit countries to purchase Russian oil currently stranded at sea,” he wrote in a social media post. “This narrowly tailored, short-term measure applies only to oil already in transit and will not provide significant financial benefit to the Russian government, which derives the majority of its energy revenue from taxes assessed at the point of extraction.”

Speaking on a podcast Thursday, Bessent said it was “unfortunate” that Russia might receive any financial upside from the situation created by the Iran conflict, but he expressed hope that the benefit would last only a “micro period.”

Senior Democrats in the Senate sharply criticized the administration’s decision to loosen the sanctions, arguing that the move was meant to blunt the economic fallout from a war they blame on President Trump.

“This war has resulted in huge spikes in gas prices for Americans, who are now paying more at the pump than at any point in either of President Trump’s two terms,” they wrote in a joint statement.

The decision also represents a reversal from policies adopted last summer, when the administration imposed steep tariffs on India in response to its purchases of Russian oil.

“In one fell swoop we’ve undone a huge amount of pressure on Russia,” said Edward Fishman, a senior fellow and director of the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.

According to the commodities analytics firm Kpler, roughly 130 million barrels of Russian crude are currently being transported at sea.

The administration’s move may also widen differences between Washington and European governments. Several European leaders have voiced concern over Trump’s military action against Iran and remain committed to maintaining strict economic pressure on Russia.

Fishman said he doubts the policy will succeed in lowering oil prices, pointing out that a similar decision last week allowing shipments to India did not produce a noticeable impact on the market. He also observed that Russian oil prices have been climbing since the conflict with Iran began and suggested that the temporary relief could eventually become permanent.

“I do worry that this is effectively the destruction of the oil sanctions on Russia,” said Mr. Fishman, the author of “Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare.”

{Matzav.com}

Dr. Mike Evans, founder of the Friends of Zion Heritage Center in Yerushalayim and a longtime evangelical supporter of President Donald Trump, has launched a new billboard campaign across Israel displaying the message: “Thank You God & Donald Trump!”

Evans said the nationwide initiative was created to express appreciation for what he views as a pivotal moment in the region during the ongoing war involving Israel, the United States, and Iran.

Large billboards featuring an image of President Trump have been installed along major roadways and busy intersections in Yerushalayim and Tel Aviv.

“This is nothing less than a Purim miracle,” Evans said. “The courage and leadership shown by President Trump, combined with the faith of millions who believe in God’s protection over Israel, are changing the course of history in the Middle East. Many believe the events unfolding in Iran could ultimately bring freedom to the Persian people and greater security for the Jewish people in Israel.”

Evans traveled to Israel on Thursday, February 26, arriving just two days before hostilities began. He said he was the only prominent evangelical leader to enter the country before the conflict erupted, explaining that he wanted to demonstrate solidarity with Israelis and report developments to the large evangelical community worldwide that strongly supports Israel.

While in Israel, Evans toured several parts of the country with a professional film crew. The group visited sites where missiles had struck, as well as communities affected by the fighting. Evans also met with Israeli soldiers, visited wounded civilians in hospitals, attended funerals, and spent time speaking with Holocaust survivors. His team documented how Israelis were continuing daily life during wartime and looked for ways to provide practical assistance.

After completing his visit in Israel, Evans left the country through Egypt and then traveled directly to Washington, D.C., where he is continuing advocacy and diplomatic outreach on behalf of Israel.

The new billboard effort follows a number of similar campaigns Evans and the Friends of Zion movement have organized across Israel in recent years. One previous initiative featured the slogan “Cyrus the Great is Alive,” referencing the biblical Persian ruler who allowed the Jewish people to return to Yerushalayim, along with other campaigns emphasizing the relationship between the United States and Israel.

Evans has also been involved in several pro-Israel initiatives connected to the Trump administration. On December 11, 2017, he presented President Trump with the prestigious Friends of Zion Award in the Oval Office for his support of Israel. The award, commissioned by Israel’s ninth president, Shimon Peres, has been presented to 28 world leaders recognized for their friendship with the Jewish people and the State of Israel.

{Matzav.com}

British Defense Secretary John Healey said Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin may be helping Iran develop drone tactics used in attacks against Western positions in the Middle East.

Speaking at a press conference, Healey said the United Kingdom is currently analyzing a drone that struck a hangar at the Akrotiri airbase in Cyprus to determine whether it contains Russian or other foreign components.

“At the moment, we’re taking part in analyzing the drone that struck the hangar at Akrotiri for any evidence of Russian or any other foreign components and parts,” Healey said.

Officials are examining the wreckage to determine whether Moscow played a role in supplying technology or tactical guidance.

“We will update you and appropriately publish any findings from that when we’ve got them,” Healey added.

The British defense chief said it would not be surprising if Russia was involved.

“I think no one will be surprised to believe that Putin’s hidden hand is behind some of the Iranian tactics, potentially some of their capabilities as well,” he said.

Healey noted that Russia may also be benefiting financially from the conflict through soaring global oil prices.

“One world leader that is benefiting from the sky high oil prices at the moment is Putin,” he said. “It helps him with a fresh supply of funds for his brutal war in Ukraine.”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Local government leaders from across Israel said Thursday evening that schools are likely to remain closed for another week due to the ongoing security situation.

Approximately 150 heads of municipal and regional authorities participated in a special situation assessment meeting with Home Front Command chief Maj. Gen. Shay Kalper to discuss the security developments and their impact on the possible reopening of the education system.

During the meeting, officials discussed coordination between the Home Front Command and local authorities, public guidance for residents, and the possibility of a gradual return to normal operations in educational institutions.

Chaim Bibas, chairman of the Federation of Local Authorities, said the current assessment indicates that schools in most parts of the country will probably not reopen next week. He explained that if the Home Front Command’s situation assessment scheduled for Saturday night leads to a decision to exempt certain areas, an official announcement will be issued.

Bibas stressed that the primary responsibility of local leaders is to ensure the safety of residents and children. He said municipalities are prepared to reopen schools as soon as the Home Front Command determines that it is safe to do so, but they will not take any steps that could endanger students.

Home Front Command chief Maj. Gen. Shay Kalper praised the efforts of local authorities, saying their cooperation with the military plays a key role in maintaining national resilience.

Kalper added that the security situation is being reviewed continuously and that only when it is deemed safe will officials consider a gradual and region-specific reopening of the education system.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the local officials said that based on the current assessment, classes are not expected to resume next week, though it is possible that several communities could be exempted depending on the updated evaluation expected on Motzoei Shabbos.

{Matzav.com}

The United States is facing a surge of extremist violence after two separate terror attacks struck Michigan and Virginia on Thursday, marking four that have taken place in the month of March alone.

In West Bloomfield, Michigan, a gunman driving a truck rammed through the front doors of Temple Israel on Thursday, one of the largest Reform synagogues in the United States. Authorities say the suspect drove into the building and down a hallway while children were attending preschool inside the complex. Security personnel quickly engaged the attacker. The suspect’s vehicle later caught fire, and he was found dead inside the truck.

The attacker was identified as Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, a native of Lebanon with suspected ties to Hezbollah.

Just hours earlier, a gunman opened fire inside a classroom at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, killing one person.  The suspect, identified as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, 36, reportedly entered a classroom in the university’s business school building, Constant Hall, and shouted “Allahu Akbar” before opening fire. Jalloh had previously served in the U.S. Army National Guard and had a prior federal conviction for attempting to provide material support to the terrorist group ISIS. He was released from federal prison in 2024.

The attack killed retired Army Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, who was teaching the class. Several ROTC students in the classroom confronted and subdued the gunman, preventing further bloodshed. Jalloh was killed during the struggle.

Thursday’s attacks follow two other radical Islamist incidents earlier this month.

Last weekend, two teenagers — Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19 — were arrested for plotting to detonate explosive devices near Gracie Mansion in New York City. Investigators say the suspects pledged allegiance to ISIS and hoped to cause mass casualties.

Days earlier, on March 1, a gunman identified as Ndiaga Diagne, 53, opened fire outside a bar in Austin’s Sixth Street entertainment district. Diagne, who was wearing clothing bearing Islamic and Iranian imagery, killed three people and wounded 15 others before police shot and killed him.

And what are officials doing? Well, let’s take a look at New York City. A day before Thursday’s attacks, Ugandan-born NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani hosted an iftar dinner – a traditional dinner in which Muslims break their Ramadan fast. And who did he host? At least one guy who was captured on film making an ISIS salute.

Sleep tight.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

An overturn accident in Toms River this evening has resulted in power outages after a car struck a utility pole in the area of Whitesville Road and Cox Cro Road.

Emergency responders are currently on scene, where the driver is reported to be heavily entrapped in the wreckage.

The single-vehicle collision brought down a utility pole and power lines, leading to outages affecting over 500 JCP&L customers in the surrounding area.

The name of habochur Yehuda Chayon drew widespread attention this past week after it became known that prison authorities prevented him from hearing the laining of Parshas Zachor.

Tonight, following his release, dozens of bnei yeshiva gathered in Bnei Brak to welcome him home with a spirited reception combined with a delayed Purim celebration.

Two weeks after he had been imprisoned — and a week after Purim had already passed — the bnei yeshiva refused to allow their friend to miss the joy of the day. They organized an evening of dancing, singing, wine, and costumes in honor of the bochur who had just been released from the military prison.

As previously reported, Yehuda’s case became a major topic of discussion when it was revealed that prison authorities barred him from hearing Parshas Zachor. The incident sparked strong reactions among representatives of the tzibbur hachareidi, who voiced sharp criticism over the decision.

Following his release Thursday evening, his friends in the yeshiva resolved that he should still experience the simcha of Purim properly.

The celebration took place in the bais medrash Hameir La’aretz on Jabotinsky Street in Bnei Brak. The gathering began with words of bracha delivered by the mashpia, Rav Nota Paneth. After his heartfelt remarks stirred the assembled crowd, the participants broke out into lively dancing.

Costumes appeared, bottles of wine were opened, and the hall filled with spirited singing of Purim songs.

During the height of the celebration, the bochur publicly burned his draft order. Prior to the event, he had visited the homes of several Gedolei Yisroel to receive their brachos following his release.

{Matzav.com}

A statewide coalition of Chaveirim volunteer organizations is voicing support for Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposal to reduce auto insurance premiums in New York, saying the reforms could provide much-needed relief for both nonprofit emergency services and everyday drivers.

In a letter dated March 11 to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the New York State Chaveirim Coalition endorsed the governor’s “Money in Your Pockets” initiative — a sweeping effort aimed at lowering insurance costs in a state where premiums are among the highest in the nation.

The coalition represents Chaveirim groups from communities across New York, including Queens & Great Neck, Five Towns & Far Rockaway, Crown Heights, Seagate, Brooklyn & Catskills, Orange County, Fleischmanns, Rockland, and Staten Island.

In the letter, the coalition warned that rapidly rising auto insurance costs are placing a growing strain on volunteer organizations that rely on fleets of vehicles to assist motorists and respond to emergencies.

Chaveirim organizations collectively operate more than 100 service vehicles statewide, providing roadside assistance, emergency help, and other critical services around the clock.

“Rising auto insurance premiums have created a substantial and growing financial burden on our organizations, limiting our ability to dedicate scarce nonprofit resources directly toward lifesaving and community-based services,” the coalition wrote.

The group noted that the crisis extends far beyond nonprofit organizations, saying it regularly hears from the thousands of motorists it assists about the financial hardship caused by high insurance costs.

“For many New Yorkers, vehicle ownership is not a luxury but a necessity for work, school, and daily responsibilities,” the coalition wrote. “When insurance premiums become unaffordable, it creates real hardship for families and working individuals across the state.”

Governor Hochul’s proposal aims to tackle what state officials say are key drivers behind high insurance premiums: widespread fraud and costly litigation.

New York currently ranks among the leading states for staged auto accidents, which often involve organized fraud rings designed to generate fraudulent insurance claims.

Under Hochul’s plan, prosecutors would be given new authority to target the organizers of staged crashes, rather than just the drivers involved. The proposal also strengthens enforcement by expanding resources for the State Police and reinvigorating the state’s Motor Vehicle Theft and Insurance Fraud Prevention Board.

The governor is also proposing to give insurance companies more time to investigate suspected fraud before being required to pay claims, increasing the current 30-day limit that insurers say often forces them to pay fraudulent claims before investigations are complete.

Another major part of the proposal focuses on changes to liability rules that critics say encourage excessive lawsuits and large payouts.

Currently, New York follows a “pure comparative liability” system that allows drivers who were mostly at fault for an accident to still recover damages. Hochul is proposing a shift to a “modified comparative liability” standard that would prevent drivers who are more than 50 percent responsible for an accident from recovering non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.

Her plan would also tighten the state’s “serious injury” standard — which critics say currently allows minor injuries to generate large lawsuits — by establishing clearer medical criteria.

Additional reforms would cap certain payouts for drivers who were committing crimes at the time of an accident, such as driving while intoxicated or without insurance.

The governor’s plan also includes several consumer-focused provisions.

The Department of Financial Services has been directed to re-examine the state’s “Excess Profit Law,” which requires insurance companies to return profits above a certain threshold to policyholders.

The proposal would also require insurers to offer discounts to drivers who participate in technology-based safe driving programs and increase transparency by requiring clearer explanations when insurance companies raise rates.

Experts estimate the reforms could save New York drivers between $200 and $300 per vehicle each year, though the plan must still be negotiated with the Legislature as part of the 2026 Executive Budget.

In their letter, Chaveirim leaders commended Hochul for recognizing the seriousness of the problem and working to address it.

“We commend Governor Hochul for recognizing this challenge and for taking steps to address the rising cost of auto insurance,” the coalition wrote. “Efforts to bring relief to New Yorkers while maintaining appropriate protections for motorists are both timely and necessary.”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

A joyous engagement was celebrated this evening in Tzefas for the youngest son of the renowned mashpia, Rav Elimelech Biderman. The chosson, Shlomo Biderman, a distinguished talmid in Yeshivas Tchernobyl in Elad, became engaged to a granddaughter of the Lelov and Dzhikov Vizhnitz dynasties.

The kallah is a granddaughter of the Lelover Rebbe and the daughter of his son, Rav Michael Eliezer Biderman, who is a son-in-law of the Dzhikov Vizhnitz Rebbe.

This engagement marks the third time that Reb Meilech has become related through marriage with the Dzhikov Vizhnitz Rebbe. The first time occurred when the Rebbe’s son, Rav Levi Yitzchok Adler — who serves as rav of the Dzhikov Vizhnitz community in Bnei Brak and leads the Imrei Naftali bais medrash — married a daughter of Reb Meilech. The second time was when the Rebbe’s grandson, the son of his son-in-law Rav Yisroel Lemberger of Makava, married another daughter of Reb Meilech.

In addition, this engagement represents a second marriage connection between the grandchildren of the Lelover brothers, the Rebbes Rav Shimon of Lelov and Rav Alter of Lelov. The mechutan, Rav Michael Biderman, is also related by marriage to Rav Sholom Sofer, who is a brother-in-law of Reb Meilech.

The l’chaim celebration was held this evening in Tzefas at the home of the mechutan, Rav Michael Eliezer Biderman.

{Matzav.com}

Polish authorities say they have thwarted a cyberattack targeting the country’s National Centre for Nuclear Research and are investigating indications that Iran may be behind the attempt.

According to Reuters, Poland’s Minister of Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski said the attack occurred in recent days but was successfully stopped before any damage was done.

“The attack may not have been on a huge scale, but there was an attempt to break through the security that was stopped. Appropriate services are already working,” Gawkowski told broadcaster TVN24+.

Officials say early findings suggest the attack may have originated from Iran.

“The first identifications of the entry vectors, meaning the places from which the center was attacked, are related to Iran,” Gawkowski said.

He added that investigators are continuing to analyze the evidence.

“When there is final information and the services will check it, we will verify it, but there are many indications that it took place on the territory of Iran,” he said.

The National Centre for Nuclear Research conducts research in nuclear energy, subatomic physics, and other advanced scientific fields.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

For many years, the Va’ad Hakashrus of Badatz Eidah HaChareidis Badatz has been grappling with the issue of the well-known kugel pots used to prepare Yerushalmi kugels for kiddushim and simchos in the Chareidi community.

These pots, which are regularly sent out on Shabbosim, often end up being moved from place to place with no oversight until they are eventually returned, raising concerns that they were used in kitchens that are not under supervision.

Recently, the Eidah’s Va’ad Hakashrus announced that it will soon no longer allow the use of aluminum kugel pots. A kugel manufacturer has developed a solution by producing disposable pots specifically designed for kugels. Kugel manufacturers have welcomed the move since it saves them the logistical challenge of collecting the pots from shuls and employing workers to wash them.

B”Chadrei Chareidim quoted a letter sent to manufacturers in Kislev by the Eidah’s Va’ad HaKashrus: “To all manufacturers and distributors of Yerushalmi kugel (lokshen kugel): Shalom U’Bracha. Subject: Noodle kugel pots left behind at event locations.”

“For several years now, the issue of the kashrus of kugel pots has been discussed by the Rabbanim. After use, the pots are left lying around in various places, and the problems are well known to all of us and require no further elaboration. Over the years, the Rabbanim, together with the administrators of the Va’ad HaKashrus, tried many solutions that ultimately proved impractical.”

“In recent years, at our request, R’ Aharon Moshe Kovitchek of the Maadan’chik company agreed to join the effort. After tremendous investment, he succeeded in developing a solution: a disposable pot that is suitable for a full kugel, and after several trials, it appears to be an appropriate solution.”

The new disposable pots.

The letter further states, “After reviewing and evaluating the costs of development, production, and import, an agreement was reached to sell the pot to all kugel manufacturers at a price of 10.5 shekels for a full kugel (with the hope that in the future, as order quantities increase, the cost can be reduced). Therefore, the Rabbanim decided to require all kugel manufacturers to stop purchasing reusable pots and to order only disposable pots from now on. Reusable pots that are still in your possession may be used b’di’eved until Shavuos 2026, but from that date onward no kugels may be sold in reusable pots.”

Regarding the transition period, the letter clarifies: “When using the remaining reusable pots, the previous guidelines must continue to be followed: (a) Make every effort to collect the pots immediately after use; (b) Check the returned pots to ensure they were not used for other purposes and were not washed.”

The letter emphasizes that the directive is absolute: “There is no difference whether the kugels are being delivered to a shul, a simcha hall, a public venue, or a private home. Any deviation from this instruction—even if it occurred unintentionally—must be reported to the mashgiach, who will issue instructions.”

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani responded sharply after facing a wave of criticism and hostile comments following his decision to host an “iftar dinner” at City Hall, pushing back against remarks from a U.S. senator who referred to him as “the enemy inside.”

Mamdani, who earlier this year became the first Muslim mayor of New York City, organized the iftar gathering as part of the Muslim month of Ramadan. The evening meal, which marks the daily breaking of the fast at sunset, brought together community members and local leaders at City Hall for what the mayor described as a celebration of the city’s diversity.

The event quickly became the subject of controversy online and in political circles after critics attacked the mayor for hosting the Ramadan gathering in a government building. The backlash intensified when Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville posted on social media, “The enemy is inside the gates,” a remark widely understood as referring to Mamdani.

The mayor responded publicly to the criticism, arguing that political leaders should direct their outrage toward more pressing problems rather than a communal meal during Ramadan.

“Let there be as much outrage from politicians in Washington when kids go hungry as there is when I break bread with New Yorkers,” Mamdani wrote.

Some critics objected to the symbolism of the event or mocked images of the mayor sitting on the floor while eating with guests, while supporters defended the gathering as a normal expression of religious and cultural tradition in a city known for its diversity.

The controversy surrounding the iftar comes amid a series of political disputes involving Mamdani since he assumed office. His tenure has already drawn national attention due to his progressive agenda and his outspoken positions on international and domestic issues.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

Jet fuel prices are climbing sharply as the conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate, raising concerns for airlines and travelers heading into the busy summer travel season.

In the United States, the Argus U.S. Jet Fuel Index — a daily benchmark averaging prices in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and New York — rose to $3.95 per gallon on Thursday. Before the war began, prices had been hovering mostly in the low-to-mid $2 range for several weeks.

Jet fuel markets are particularly vulnerable to supply disruptions because inventories are typically lower than those for gasoline or diesel, and storing jet fuel requires specialized tanks. That limits flexibility when supply chains are strained.

In addition, the jet fuel market has significantly less spot-market trading compared to other fuels, meaning price swings can be amplified when supply tightens.

If the higher prices persist, the impact could ripple through the airline industry, affecting operating budgets, route planning, and eventually ticket prices for passengers.

Airlines are already preparing for peak summer travel demand, and sustained fuel price increases could lead carriers to adjust schedules or raise fares in the coming weeks.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

A proposed new tax in New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill’s Fiscal Year 2027 state budget could impose significant new costs on organizations and nonpublic schools across the state, including dozens of Mosdos in Lakewood, TLS has learned.

Under the plan, companies with 50 or more employees would pay a per-employee fee of $725 if workers are enrolled in Medicaid and the employer does not provide health insurance coverage. The Sherrill administration estimates the policy could raise about $145 million annually to help offset rising Medicaid costs.

The proposal is aimed largely at major national employers such as Amazon and Walmart – both of whom she mentioned by name during her budget address. But critics are pointing out the proposal will also negatively affect schools, nonprofits and other employers with large numbers of modest-income workers.

Such a move would potentially have an outsized impact on Lakewood, where dozens of schools combine for thousands of employees and their dependents, according to data from the state Department of Human Services.

For example, the Lakewood Cheder School, 293 employees are enrolled in NJ FamilyCare, New Jersey’s Medicaid program. Those workers represent an additional 2,236 spouses and dependents receiving coverage through the program.

Because many teachers and support staff work part-time or earn modest salaries, many qualify for NJ FamilyCare coverage. If such a tax is enacted, it could force institutions to absorb new costs or consider raising tuition and cutting expenses.

Supporters of the proposal say it ensures that large employers contribute toward the cost of health care when their workers rely on taxpayer-funded programs.

The plan is part of Sherrill’s broader effort to help stabilize Medicaid spending as the state faces rising health care costs and growing budget pressures. Lawmakers will review the record $60.7 billion proposal as part of negotiations over the final budget, which must be adopted by July 1.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir apologized to the Israeli public after the military failed to notify civilians in advance of a large Hezbollah rocket and drone barrage on northern Israel last night.

In a video statement released following a visit to the IDF Northern Command, Zamir acknowledged that the public received unclear guidance despite intelligence indicating the attack was being prepared.

“Yesterday, an intelligence warning emerged. Following it, we prepared for incoming fire, carried out strikes, disrupted Hezbollah’s intentions, reinforced the air defenses, and thwarted most of the threat. Most of the launchers were neutralized within minutes,” Zamir said.

Your browser does not support the video tag.

The IDF chief said that confusion developed among the public regarding the Home Front Command’s defensive instructions.

“Yesterday evening, a sense of lack of clarity arose among the public regarding the defensive guidelines. If there was a mistake, and my starting point is that there was, I, as chief of staff, am responsible for everything,” he said.

Zamir emphasized the importance of public trust in the military.

“Public trust is the most important asset of the IDF, and if it has been harmed, I regret it; we will investigate and learn,” he added.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

A new analysis by researchers at the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) concludes that media outlets connected to Qatar have overwhelmingly portrayed the war with Iran in a negative light, frequently criticizing U.S. policy and the Trump administration despite Qatar’s close military cooperation with Washington.

The study focused on Qatar, a major strategic player in the Middle East that hosts the largest American military installation in the region, Al-Udeid Air Base. The United States relies on the base as a central hub for its operations against Iran.

Although the Qatari government publicly positions itself as a partner of the United States, the English-language broadcaster Al Jazeera — widely seen as aligned with the Qatari regime — has aired repeated anti-war messaging. Its digital platform AJ+, which attracts a global audience of millions, has similarly promoted content critical of the conflict while directly and indirectly targeting President Donald Trump and members of his administration.

Researchers reviewed dozens of English-language opinion pieces, news analyses, and videos published between January 28 and March 8, 2026, both before and after the war began. According to the findings, the content consistently delivered harsh criticism of the military campaign while largely ignoring the role played by Gulf states, including Qatar itself, in hosting and protecting American military installations.

Some of the material went further, suggesting that the conflict was being used to divert attention from domestic controversies in the United States, including the Jeffrey Epstein case. Other commentary characterized the war as illegitimate or unlawful, while several pieces connected the campaign to broader ideological themes such as “white supremacy and capitalism.”

To conduct the study, analysts examined Al Jazeera’s English-language articles and opinion columns using artificial intelligence tools designed to measure sentiment in media coverage. The researchers compared two separate periods — the weeks leading up to the war, when discussions centered on the possibility of conflict, and the weeks following the outbreak of hostilities.

During the period before the war began, roughly one month of publications were analyzed. The study found that 77.8 percent of the content was categorized as strongly negative toward the war, while another 5.6 percent was considered moderately negative. In total, 89 percent of the coverage reflected an unfavorable stance toward the conflict.

After the fighting started, the tone of the coverage became even more critical. The analysis found that 85.3 percent of the articles and commentaries were rated as very negative, with an additional 5.9 percent classified as negative. Altogether, 91.2 percent of the material published during the war expressed a negative view of the campaign, with most of it sharply critical.

The results were even more striking on AJ+, Al Jazeera’s digital platform aimed at younger audiences and social media users. According to the study, 95.2 percent of the content examined there was labeled “very negative” toward the war and included direct personal criticism of President Trump. Researchers also noted that none of the sampled videos portrayed the war positively or attempted to justify it, while only limited mention was made of Iranian attacks targeting Gulf countries.

Lt. Col. (res.) Or Hurwitz, a Senior Fellow at JPPI and a former senior officer in Israeli Military Intelligence, commented on the findings and the broader regional implications.

“Qatar has experienced firsthand the Iranian threat during the current war. Its longstanding strategy of attempting to ‘live alongside tigers’-pursuing reconciliation while maintaining strategic relationships with terrorist organizations and extremist actors-has not protected it. At the moment of truth, this approach failed to prevent Iran from harming Qatar itself and directly threatening its sovereignty. This development joins the Israeli strike in Doha several months ago, which also demonstrated the limits of Qatar’s attempt to ‘dance at two weddings.’”

Hurwitz suggested that the conflict may nevertheless open the door to potential changes in Qatar’s regional policies.

“Qatar is an actor driven primarily by survival in a complex regional environment rather than by ideology. The current war may therefore create a unique window of opportunity for a strategic shift in Qatari policy after the conflict. Such a shift could include a harder stance toward Iran and Sunni terrorist organizations, a reassessment of Al Jazeera’s editorial guidelines, and perhaps even gradual changes in Qatar’s posture toward Israel. The path forward is uncertain and complex, but the possibility for change now exists-particularly if it is supported by American engagement and strategic assistance.”

{Matzav.com}

Join the massive Pesach distribution THIS Sunday and show true Hakaras Hatov to the mechanchim who shape Klal Yisroel!

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Bring family & friends to volunteer!

Lakewood, Far Rockaway, Williamsburg

Sign up and VOLUNTEER TODAY!
💬 wa.link/4h8gcl   👉  chasdeilev.org

Until the Hatzolah member used his air horn to warn him.

The United States is responding forcefully to anyone assisting Iran in targeting American troops, the top U.S. military commander in Europe said Thursday.

Gen. Alex Grynkewich, commander of U.S. European Command and NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, made the remarks during a Senate hearing while responding to questions about Russia’s alleged assistance to Iran during the ongoing conflict.

Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal asked Grynkewich about reports that Russia has helped Iran target U.S. service members.

Grynkewich responded that any such actions would trigger a strong American response.

“Anytime anyone puts American service members in harm’s way in any manner whatsoever, I believe we should respond robustly,” Grynkewich said.

Blumenthal pressed the issue further, asking why the United States had not yet taken visible action.

“Why haven’t we done it?” the senator asked.

Grynkewich replied that the United States is already responding.

“Senator, I am confident that we are responding robustly to anyone who is assisting the Iranians with targeting US forces,” he said.

The general added that further details about the response would be discussed in a classified session.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

KOA Kosher Supervision has issued a kashrus alert informing the public that several Krispy Kreme locations in New York and New Jersey are no longer under its kosher certification.

The locations listed in the alert include four stores in New York and three in New Jersey.

The New York locations are:

994 6th Ave., New York, NY
Fulton Center – 200 Broadway, New York, NY
371 E. Fordham Rd., Bronx, NY
22-02 31st St., Queens, NY

The New Jersey locations are:

96 Christopher Columbus Dr., Jersey City, NJ
1900 Shorrock St., Lakewood, NJ 08701
Liberty Commons – 51 NJ-17, East Rutherford, NJ 07073

KOA emphasized in the notice that the change in certification status was not the result of any kashrus-related concerns.

“NOTE: This decision was NOT based on any Kashrus issues,” the alert stated.

Rabbi Isamar Isaacson of KOA Kosher Supervision can be contacted for further information at 732-556-7576.

{Matzav.com}