Israel’s Shin Bet security agency has extended its ban on Israeli airlines operating flights to Dubai through the end of October, citing ongoing regional security tensions and concerns over a possible escalation with Iran.

According to a report by Channel 12 News, the decision means tens of thousands of Israelis who have already booked flights to Dubai are expected to begin receiving cancellation notices in the coming hours.

The directive applies to Israel’s three carriers serving the route — El Al, Arkia, and Israir. The restriction had been scheduled to expire at the beginning of September but has now been extended for nearly two additional months.

The security restriction does not apply to foreign airlines. As a result, Flydubai is expected to continue operating its 10 daily flights between Tel Aviv and Dubai, while Etihad Airways will continue its regular service between Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi.

No timetable has been announced for when Israeli carriers will be permitted to resume flights to Dubai, with security officials expected to continue monitoring developments in the region.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Senior officials at U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) have reportedly expressed frustration over Israel’s decision to halt additional landings of American aerial refueling aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport, warning that the move could affect U.S. military operations amid the escalating conflict with Iran.

According to the report, senior CENTCOM officials contacted top IDF and Israeli defense officials after Transportation Minister Miri Regev ordered that no additional U.S. refueling aircraft be permitted to remain at Ben Gurion beyond those already in the country.

American officials reportedly argued that the aircraft are a critical component of the U.S. military’s regional deterrence and operational capabilities, particularly as American forces continue operations against Iran.

Sources familiar with the matter said U.S. officials were especially upset that one refueling aircraft already in Israel was required to depart instead of remaining on the ground.

A senior Israeli military official told *Ynet* that the American request is justified, saying, “The refueling aircraft are a strategic asset of the United States in the region, and they are an integral part of the joint preparations against Iran. Operationally, it is important that they be able to operate under the conditions determined by the Americans.”

The dispute began after Israeli officials sought to reduce the number of U.S. refueling aircraft parked at Ben Gurion in order to free parking stands for civilian aviation during the busy summer travel season. Four additional U.S. aircraft landed overnight, bringing the total number of American refueling aircraft at the airport to 33.

Following a security assessment on Tuesday, Regev instructed her ministry not to approve additional refueling aircraft beyond those already in Israel. The Transportation Ministry said the decision was intended to minimize disruptions to civilian air travel and prevent the cancellation of tens of thousands of airline tickets during August.

An Israeli official told the outlet that while the request to relocate some aircraft may have been reasonable before the United States became directly involved in the fighting against Iran, the situation has now changed.

Military officials also stressed that this is a particularly sensitive period in U.S.-Israel relations, with one saying, “They changed their offensive operations against Iran, and full cooperation with our partner was expected.”

The Transportation Ministry later clarified that an additional American refueling aircraft that landed Tuesday did so only for refueling purposes and not to remain parked at the airport. The ministry added that the decision to limit the number of refueling aircraft stationed at Ben Gurion to 20 had been approved by Israel’s Security Cabinet to preserve airport capacity for civilian travel.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Most business owners have a CPA. Far fewer are getting as much value from that relationship as they could be.

The dynamic is understandable: CPAs are busy, particularly during tax season. Clients often do not know what questions to ask. And the annual or semi-annual meeting can feel more like a transaction than a strategic conversation. You hand over documents, you get back a tax return, and you go back to running your business.

But the relationship can be significantly more valuable than that — if you approach it the right way.

Come Prepared With More Than Just Documents

The standard approach is to send over your financial records and let the CPA do their work. That is the minimum. If you want more value, come to your meetings with questions and context.

What is happening in your business this year that is different from last year? Are you planning to hire, make a significant purchase, take on a partner, or change your business structure? Are you considering a major contract that would significantly change your revenue profile?

Your CPA can only advise you on what they know. When you share more context, you create the conditions for more useful guidance. Tax planning works best when it is proactive, not reactive — and proactive requires conversation throughout the year, not just at filing time.

Ask Specifically About Tax Planning Opportunities

There is a difference between tax preparation and tax planning. Preparation is documenting what happened. Planning is structuring what will happen in a way that minimizes your liability.

Ask your CPA directly: Are there strategies I should be considering given my current situation? Are there deductions I am likely missing? Is my business structured optimally from a tax perspective? Should I be making retirement contributions, accelerating or deferring income, or timing capital expenditures in a particular way?

These conversations are most valuable when they happen mid-year, when you still have time to act. An October strategy conversation can meaningfully affect your tax bill. A February conversation cannot.

Make Sure They Have Clean Data to Work From

One of the most common complaints I hear from CPAs about small business clients is that they receive disorganized, incomplete, or inaccurate financial records at tax time. This creates extra work for the CPA — which you are paying for — and increases the risk of errors on your return.

When your books are clean, current, and well-reconciled throughout the year, your CPA can spend their time with you doing higher-value work rather than cleaning up records. You also give them the confidence that the numbers they are working from are accurate.

Treat It as an Ongoing Relationship, Not a Transaction

The business owners I see getting the most from their CPA relationships are the ones who reach out periodically throughout the year — not just when documents are due. A quick call or email when you are facing a significant financial decision can be worth far more than any single tax return.

Your CPA has a full picture of your financial history and a deep understanding of the tax implications of various choices. That knowledge is available to you year-round, not just in March. Use it.

The Broader Point

A great CPA relationship — like any great professional relationship — is collaborative and ongoing. You bring the context of your business. They bring the expertise. When those two things meet consistently and proactively, the results are almost always better than what a once-a-year transaction can produce.

If your current CPA relationship does not feel that way, it is worth having a direct conversation about what you need and whether they are set up to provide it. You deserve advisors who are genuinely invested in your success — not just your compliance.

—

About the Author:

Joe Herskowitz, EA, is the President and CEO of Lionstone Bookkeeping+, where he helps small and medium-sized businesses take control of their finances with expert bookkeeping and financial insights. With years of experience in business finance, Joe is passionate about making numbers work for business owners—not against them.

Have a bookkeeping or business finance question?

Reach out to Joe at [email protected] or call/text 732-803-7793 (no WhatsApp).

45Kearny, NJ — Bloom’s Kosher is proud to announce the launch of the Bloom’s Kosher International Teachers’ Grant, a new initiative created to recognize and support the extraordinary dedication of Morahs and Rabbeim who regularly spend their own money on classroom rewards, snacks, celebrations, educational activities, and supplies.

Every year, educators invest hundreds of dollars out of their own pockets to create memorable classroom experiences, encourage good behavior, celebrate accomplishments, and make learning more enjoyable. Rather than investing solely in traditional advertising with uncertain results, Bloom’s Kosher has chosen to invest directly in the people who invest in our children every day.

“Morahs and Rabbeim dedicate themselves to their students every day, often purchasing classroom rewards and supplies with their own money,” said Sholom Rabin, CEO of Bloom’s Kosher. “We wanted to create a program that recognizes their commitment while strengthening Torah learning, supporting the supermarkets that carry our products, and investing directly in the communities we serve. We hope this is just the beginning of a program that will grow year after year and positively impact thousands of educators around the world.”

Applicants will complete an online application and be verified as Morahs or Rabbeim actively teaching in Jewish schools. Approved applicants will receive an email notifying them of their grant amount, along with detailed instructions for the next steps.

Recipients may then purchase any products from the Bloom’s, Oneg, or Sizgit family of brands at the supermarket of their choice. After submitting their receipt and any required documentation, they will receive reimbursement in accordance with the program guidelines.

By reimbursing purchases after they are made, the program directs grant funding through the supermarkets that invest in exceptional shopping experiences, maintain strong inventory, and proudly carry the Bloom’s, Oneg, and Sizgit family of brands. The initiative supports educators while also driving customers to the retailers that make these products available in their communities.

The Bloom’s Kosher International Teachers’ Grant is launching as a pilot program, with funding available for hundreds of grants during its inaugural year. While Bloom’s Kosher would love to support every Morah and Rebbi who applies, funding for the pilot program is limited. Applicants who are not selected may be placed on a waiting list and considered for future funding opportunities as the program expands.

Looking ahead, Bloom’s Kosher envisions the grant becoming much more than a reimbursement program. Future initiatives may include Torah learning campaigns, educational challenges, classroom contests, raffles, and exclusive classroom resources designed to encourage participation while creating memorable learning experiences.

The long-term vision is to expand the Bloom’s Kosher International Teachers’ Grant one school at a time, ultimately supporting thousands of Morahs and Rabbeim throughout the world. As the program grows, Bloom’s Kosher hopes to establish a charitable funding model that will enable the grant to reach even more educators and continue making a meaningful impact for generations to come.

Applications are now open.

Learn more and apply at: https://bloomskosher.com/grant

{Matzav.com}

California Attorney General Rob Bonta believes Paramount’s planned takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is simply “an illegal merger,” as he appears to be on a crusade to prevent it from happening. 

Paramount CEO David Ellison is seeking to acquire WBD in a $111 billion deal expected to close during the third quarter of this year. But the mega-merger has irked critics who fear combining two major Hollywood studios would hurt the industry while giving too much power to Ellison’s Paramount.

Bonta on Monday led a group of 12 state attorneys general in filing a lawsuit challenging the merger, claiming it would “lead to higher prices, lower quality, and less content for film and television, harming movie theaters, basic cable distributors, and ultimately, audiences on every sofa and movie theater seat in the U.S.” 

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District for the Northern District of California, claims that the merger violates Section 7 of the Clayton Act, which holds that mergers that may substantially lessen competition or tend to create a monopoly are illegal. 

“We determined that law was being broken with respect to the three markets, when it comes to wide-release theatrical films, their distribution, the distribution of top-grossing films, blockbusters … and also with respect to the licensing of cable channels to cable distributors,” Bonta said on Matthew Belloni’s “The Town” podcast. 

“It’s our duty to analyze the different markets and make a decision based on each about whether antitrust law is violated or not,” he continued.

Bonta said he feels there is a very “strong case” in the three markets defined in the lawsuit. He said consolidation in those areas gives a small number of people too power when it comes to dictating terms to movie theaters and cable providers, which could drive up prices while reducing quality.  

“This is about affordability and this is about everyday people’s ability to enjoy and experience some of the joys of life, a movie, a TV series, at home, through cable or satellite … at a movie theater for a night out. This merger will make that experience — the quality — less. Make it eroded, make the price higher,” Bonta said. 

Belloni asked why streaming giants that also produce movies and television shows, such as Netflix, Apple and Amazon weren’t mentioned in the lawsuit, as Paramount has suggested the merger would put the company in a better position to compete with streaming giants. Belloni noted that 48 percent of viewing in America occurred on streaming services last month compared to 22 percent for cable channels. 

“We looked at all the impacts … and the streaming market is different, and the cable market is different than the theatrical release market, and each one has its own independent analysis and where we landed was three clean markets where the impact of the merger is presumptively illegal based on a clear threshold that the law has defined,” Bonta said. 

Paramount stated in a Monday press release that the “practical effect of this lawsuit is to shield those dominant streaming platforms like Netflix and technology companies from much-needed competition while preventing the significant benefits this transaction will deliver for consumers, creators, workers, and the broader Hollywood economy.”

After Belloni read the statement aloud, Bonta said it was “painful to hear,” and dismissed the notion that Paramount is “helping” consumers or workers. 

“It’s self-serving, and it’s just not true,” Bonta said, adding that he will not allow a company to do “illegal things” from an antitrust perspective just to compete with streaming giants. 

Bonta was then asked about a Semafor report that Ellison could potentially move Paramount of California if the state continues to hold up the merger. 

“To threaten a state that is simply doing its job in enforcing the law here, it felt like a somewhat desperate, last-ditch effort to blackmail the states into allowing an illegal merger to go through. And that’s just not going to happen,” Bonta said. 

Paramount fired back shortly after the complaint was filed, saying the lawsuit “reflects a fundamentally flawed application of the antitrust laws and is wrong on both the facts and the law.”

“We will vigorously defend the transaction and demonstrate that this challenge is inconsistent with sound competition policy and the competitive realities of the media marketplace. Delaying this transaction will only harm entertainment workers who have already suffered over recent years as technology has disrupted their livelihood and cost California tens of thousands of entertainment jobs,” a Paramount spokesperson said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

“The combination of Paramount and WBD will create a stronger, well-capitalized, creative-first media company that is better positioned to compete with companies like Netflix that have come to dominate the industry for audiences, premium content, and creative talent,” the spokesperson continued. “Put simply, any attempt to block this transaction undermines the very principles antitrust law is designed to promote: more competition, more choice for consumers, and more opportunities for creators and workers.”

The Paramount spokesperson said the company will “continue to fight against any attempt to derail” the historic deal.  

Ellison, the son of billionaire Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, took control of Paramount last year when Skydance Media and Paramount Global completed an $8 billion merger. Adding WBD to his portfolio would make the younger Ellison one of Hollywood’s most powerful people.

The Justice Department (DOJ) on Friday announced it has closed its antitrust investigation into Paramount Skydance’s proposed acquisition of WBD, concluding the transaction is not likely to harm competition or American consumers. However, state attorneys general retain independent authority under antitrust laws, and the DOJ’s decision does not itself prevent additional legal challenges to the proposed transaction.

The Israeli government on Tuesday approved a proposal by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Transportation Minister Miri Regev to rename Highway 443 in memory of former Deputy Prime Minister and Cabinet Minister David Levy.

Under the decision, the section of Highway 443 stretching from the Ben Shemen Interchange to the Beitunia-Givat Ze’ev Junction will officially be named “Derech HaLevi’im – In Memory of Minister David Levy.”

In addition to commemorating Levy, the government approved the name “Derech HaLevi’im” (“Way of the Levites”), reflecting the area’s historical connection to the Shevet Levi and the Kohanim, as well as the nearby Modiin region, which is associated with the Chashmonaim.

Highway 443 is one of Israel’s busiest transportation routes, connecting Yerushalayim with Modiin, Yehuda and Shomron, the Shefelah, and central Israel. Hundreds of thousands of motorists travel the highway each day.

Under the government decision, the Transportation Ministry, in coordination with the Defense Ministry, will update road signage along the highway, while the Government Secretariat will officially publish the new name.

Netanyahu said David Levy “was a devoted public servant who contributed greatly to the State of Israel,” adding that naming the highway connecting Yerushalayim and central Israel in his memory symbolizes his lifelong commitment to national unity, the country’s periphery, and Israeli society.

Regev said Levy was “one of Israel’s most prominent leaders,” who dedicated his life to strengthening national unity, advancing the country’s periphery, and promoting social justice. She said naming one of Israel’s central highways in his honor is a fitting tribute that will ensure his legacy endures for generations.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

A federal appeals court on Monday revived more than 500 lawsuits against Kenvue, the maker of Tylenol, ruling that a lower court improperly excluded expert testimony offered by families who allege the pain reliever, when taken during pregnancy, contributed to autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in their children.

The decision by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan overturns a December 2024 ruling by U.S. District Judge Denise Cote, who had dismissed the cases after finding the plaintiffs’ scientific experts failed to meet the legal standard for admissible testimony. The appellate court ruled that portions of that testimony should instead be heard by a jury, reopening litigation that had appeared effectively over.

Importantly, the appeals court did not conclude that Tylenol causes autism or ADHD. Instead, the judges ruled only that several expert witnesses used sufficiently accepted scientific methods to allow their opinions to be presented in court.

Writing for the three-judge panel, Circuit Judge Guido Calabresi said three of the plaintiffs’ experts relied on methodologies accepted within the scientific community and offered “acceptable interpretations of scientific evidence where scientists may, and in fact do, disagree.” The panel agreed with the district court’s exclusion of two additional experts but concluded that excluding all five went too far.

The lawsuits allege that prolonged prenatal exposure to acetaminophen—the active ingredient in Tylenol—increases the likelihood that children later develop autism or ADHD. Plaintiffs contend consumers should have received stronger warning labels advising pregnant women of the alleged risks.

Kenvue strongly disputed those claims following Monday’s ruling.

“The overwhelming weight of credible scientific evidence continues to support the safety of acetaminophen when used as directed,” the company said in a statement. It added that the appellate ruling “does not change the science” and that it intends to continue defending the litigation.

Johnson & Johnson, which manufactured Tylenol for decades before spinning off Kenvue in 2023, has consistently maintained that extensive medical research has not established a causal relationship between appropriate acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism or ADHD.

The financial implications are significant.

The revived litigation potentially exposes Kenvue to hundreds—and possibly thousands—of additional lawsuits nationwide. Investors reacted cautiously, sending the company’s shares modestly lower Monday as analysts reassessed potential legal liabilities.

The ruling also introduces new uncertainty for Kimberly-Clark, which announced plans to acquire Kenvue in a transaction valued at more than $40 billion. While Kimberly-Clark previously indicated it had evaluated outstanding litigation risks during its due diligence, the revived lawsuits may complicate that assessment as the acquisition moves toward completion.

The underlying scientific debate remains highly contested.

Several observational studies have suggested an association between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and developmental disorders. However, many medical organizations and researchers emphasize that association does not prove causation, noting that factors such as genetics, maternal illness, fever during pregnancy, environmental influences, and study limitations make it difficult to establish direct cause and effect.

Major health organizations continue advising pregnant women to consult their physicians before taking any medication, including acetaminophen, and generally recommend using the lowest effective dose for the shortest necessary period when treatment is medically appropriate.

The appellate ruling now returns the cases to Judge Denise Cote for additional proceedings. The district court will determine how the litigation moves forward, including renewed challenges to expert testimony and whether representative cases proceed toward trial.

Legal experts say Monday’s decision highlights the critical role expert scientific testimony plays in pharmaceutical litigation. Rather than resolving the underlying medical dispute, the appeals court determined that competing scientific opinions deserve to be weighed by juries instead of being dismissed before trial.

For Kenvue, the decision revives one of the company’s largest remaining legal challenges just as it seeks to complete a transformational merger. For the families bringing the lawsuits, it represents another opportunity to present their claims in court.

The litigation is expected to continue for years before any final resolution is reached.

This article discusses ongoing litigation. The court did not determine that acetaminophen causes autism or ADHD. Individuals with questions regarding medication use during pregnancy should consult their healthcare provider.

JBizNews Desk | New York
© JBizNews.com All Rights Reserved. Reproduction or distribution without written permission is prohibited.

Nearly 80% of Americans believe the United States will be engaged in a prolonged military conflict with Iran, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll released as U.S. military operations against the Islamic Republic continue to expand.

The three-day survey, which concluded Sunday, found that 79% of respondents expect the conflict to last for an extended period, a sharp increase from 65% who held that view in late March.

Only 18% of those surveyed said they believe the conflict will end quickly, within a few weeks. The poll also found that 37% of respondents support the U.S. military strikes against Iran, which Washington resumed in response to what it says were Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Reuters/Ipsos survey included 1,019 adults nationwide and has a margin of error of approximately four percentage points.

Meanwhile, U.S. military operations against Iran continued overnight. U.S. Central Command announced it carried out another five-hour wave of strikes targeting Iranian military sites across the country.

According to CENTCOM, the strikes hit military targets in Bushehr, Chabahar, Jask, Konarak, Abu Musa, and Bandar Abbas. The targets included coastal defense systems, missile sites, drone facilities, and other military infrastructure.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Darline Graham Nordone was officially sworn into the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, stepping into the seat once held by her late brother, Lindsey Graham, and pledging to continue the work he championed on behalf of South Carolina and the nation.

Nordone took the oath of office just one day after being appointed by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, who selected her Monday to fill the vacancy created by Graham’s unexpected death two days earlier. Senate President Pro Tempore Chuck Grassley of Iowa administered the oath during Tuesday’s ceremony.

At 62, Nordone becomes the first woman ever to represent South Carolina in the U.S. Senate. Her temporary appointment will last until Jan. 3, 2027, when the winner of the special election officially takes office.

Speaking after her appointment was announced Monday, Nordone reflected on the opportunity before her.

“It is such a privilege to get to finish some of his important work, and I promise to work hard over the next several months to support the president and carry forward the efforts of my brother on behalf of the citizens of South Carolina and the United States,” Nordone said at a press conference Monday after her appointment was announced.

Although she has never previously served in elected office, Gov. McMaster’s office emphasized that Nordone brings decades of experience in public service.

Since 2019, she has led the South Carolina Commission for the Blind as commissioner, where, according to the governor’s office, she “has worked to expand opportunities for South Carolinians who are blind or have low vision to achieve employment and independence.”

State employment records identify Nordone as the agency’s chief executive, with an annual salary of approximately $138,000. As a U.S. senator, her prorated annual salary will be about $174,000.

Before taking over the Commission for the Blind, Nordone spent nearly three decades serving in various public-sector positions, including roles with Clemson University, the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce, and the South Carolina Department of Vocational Rehabilitation.

McMaster’s office also highlighted her additional leadership positions, stating, “In addition to her full-time role as SCCB Commissioner, Ms. Graham currently serves on the South Carolina State Workforce Development Board and is president-elect of the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind,” the McMaster statement continued.

Nordone earned a bachelor’s degree from the College of Charleston and a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling. She is also a Certified Public Manager.

Before McMaster made his decision, President Donald Trump and several South Carolina Republican lawmakers publicly endorsed Nordone as the best choice to temporarily succeed her brother.

“I recommended, to Governor Henry McMaster, Lindsey Graham’s wonderful sister, Darline, to serve as interim Senator from the Great State of South Carolina,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “This would be a fabulous tribute to Lindsey, who loved her dearly!”

Her appointment follows a well-established pattern in American politics, where close relatives have occasionally been chosen to fill congressional vacancies after the deaths of family members.

According to the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University, eight widows have been appointed to replace their late husbands in the U.S. Senate, while the House of Representatives has seen 39 similar successions.

One of the most notable examples occurred in 2001, when Jean Carnahan was appointed to Missouri’s Senate seat after her husband, Democratic Gov. Mel Carnahan, won election posthumously three weeks after he was killed in a plane crash.

Jean Carnahan later lost the seat in a 2002 special election to Republican Jim Talent.

South Carolina Republicans are scheduled to hold a special primary on Aug. 11 to determine the party’s nominee for the November election to permanently fill Graham’s Senate seat.

Lindsey Graham, who never married and had no children, died suddenly Saturday evening after suffering a tear in his aorta. He was 71.

Preliminary findings from the Washington, D.C., medical examiner concluded that the fatal rupture resulted from chronic heart disease.

WASHINGTON (AP) — An experimental drug might help slow early Alzheimer’s disease in a markedly different way than today’s treatments — by lowering levels of a brain protein called tau, researchers reported Tuesday.

Tau is one part of a toxic duo fueling Alzheimer’s but prior attempts to develop drugs that can target the protein have failed. Two Alzheimer’s drugs, lecanemab and donanemab, try to clear buildup of the better-known amyloid protein and can modestly slow cognitive decline.

The new findings suggest Biogen’s diranersen did more than lower tau levels. The study of about 400 people found signs that it also slowed cognitive decline, in one small subset enough to be comparable to amyloid therapy, according to results presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in London. Biogen is planning a larger study to try to prove the drug’s benefit.

“This is really quite promising if it were to hold up” in that next-step testing, said Jessica Langbaum of the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute in Phoenix, who wasn’t involved with Biogen’s study.

“This is early days,” cautioned Dr. Reisa Sperling of Mass General Brigham, who also wasn’t involved in the study. But “I think it will reinvigorate interest and investment in lots of tau mechanisms, and the field needs that.”

It’s one of multiple novel attempts to fight the mind-destroying disease, including a possible tau vaccine, an experimental heart drug that might do double-duty for some people at high risk of Alzheimer’s, and ways to help medicines more easily get across the so-called blood-brain barrier.

New approaches are needed to fight the leading cause of dementia
It’s not clear exactly what causes Alzheimer’s, which affects more than 7 million Americans and tens of millions worldwide. That sticky amyloid protein starts building up to form plaques in the brain about two decades before symptoms appear. But amyloid alone isn’t enough to cause Alzheimer’s. Many scientists believe that amyloid buildup eventually triggers an abnormal form of tau to form tangles in neurons, setting off symptoms.

Diranersen is what’s called an antisense oligonucleotide that doesn’t attack tau buildup but instead instructs a tau-producing gene to produce less.

“If you lower tau production, you are lowering the amount of the abnormal tau that needs to be cleared by the microglia, by the clearance mechanism in the brain. And so you are enabling the normal clearance mechanism to have more capacity to clear the tau,” said Dr. Cath Mummery of University College London, who led the new study.

Today’s anti-amyloid drugs are given through the bloodstream via infusions or injections. Diranersen is injected into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord, a straighter path to the brain.

Biogen’s tau drug missed a key study goal — but was still encouraging
Biogen’s study included people with mild cognitive impairment or mild Alzheimer’s, randomly assigning them to different doses of diranersen or a placebo. Back in May, Biogen and partner Ionis Pharmaceuticals announced that the lowest dose — given every six months — had the strongest effect. That was a counterintuitive surprise and meant the study didn’t meet its planned goal of showing that higher doses brought greater benefits.

Still, scientists had been anxiously awaiting details about how much that twice-a-year spinal shot really helped. Five of six different brain tests showed diranersen recipients’ memory and other cognitive abilities still worsened but more slowly than those given dummy shots, Mummery said. In one test of the lowest dose, that translated to a 26% reduction in cognitive decline — “approximately the same” change seen in earlier tests of amyloid drugs, she said.

Side effects included injection site pain and a temporary state of confusion that could appear a few days after the shot and last about a week, she said. But there were no signs of brain inflammation, which can affect recipients of anti-amyloid drugs.

Alzheimer’s researchers also target tau in a broad new study
The University of California, San Francisco, last week opened a first-of-its-kind study known as the Alzheimer’s Tau Platform. Funded by the National Institutes of Health, it will test a variety of experimental anti-tau therapies against and in combination with today’s amyloid treatments. First up is a vaccine called AADvac1 designed to train the immune system to recognize and fight a specific worrisome portion of the tau protein, said UCSF’s Dr. Adam Boxer.

The “platform” approach will expand to locations around the country, allow addition of other tau drugs to test and include people with Alzheimer’s-related protein buildup who aren’t yet showing symptoms, he said.

Other studies hint at new ways of attacking Alzheimer’s
Researchers told the Alzheimer’s meeting that an experimental cholesterol-lowering drug called obicetrapib might do more than help heart health. They’re exploring if it also might lower buildup of Alzheimer’s-related proteins in people who carry a genetic risk for the disease.

Why? That gene, called APOE4, also affects how the body processes cholesterol. Obicetrapib maker NewAmsterdam Pharma plans to begin a study soon to test if the drug’s cholesterol effects also can mitigate the Alzheimer’s risk in people carrying one or two copies of that gene.

Companies also are trying to get Alzheimer’s drugs into the brain faster and at higher volumes, by penetrating the protective lining meant to protect the brain from harm. Denali Therapeutics’ CEO Ryan Watts describes it as “hitching a ride” with iron that naturally gets into the brain. His company is pursuing drugs that target tau and amyloid using that “transport vehicle” technology.

International Business Machines Corporation stunned investors on Tuesday, July 14, after releasing preliminary second-quarter results that fell short of Wall Street expectations, triggering one of the company’s steepest single-day stock declines in decades and raising new questions about how the artificial intelligence boom is reshaping corporate technology spending.

According to IBM’s preliminary second-quarter financial update, the company expects revenue of approximately $17.2 billion, representing about 1% year-over-year growth, with adjusted earnings of roughly $2.93 per share. Both figures fell below Wall Street expectations, where analysts had forecast revenue of approximately $17.86 billion and adjusted earnings of $3.01 per share.

The disappointing update sent IBM shares down approximately 25%, making it one of the biggest drags on the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Because the Dow is price-weighted, IBM’s large share price amplified its impact on the broader index.

While investors initially focused on the weaker-than-expected numbers, executives pointed to a more significant trend affecting the entire technology sector.

Chief Executive Officer Arvind Krishna said many corporate customers have redirected technology budgets toward building artificial intelligence infrastructure, delaying purchases of traditional software, consulting services and some infrastructure projects.

Companies worldwide are investing billions of dollars to build AI capabilities. Those investments include advanced processors, high-speed networking equipment, memory, storage systems, power infrastructure and data centers capable of supporting increasingly complex AI models.

That spending is creating winners and losers throughout the technology industry.

Manufacturers of AI chips, servers and networking equipment continue benefiting from unprecedented demand. At the same time, businesses with finite technology budgets are delaying or scaling back other projects to finance those investments.

IBM said that shift contributed to weaker-than-expected performance in parts of its software and infrastructure businesses.

The company also acknowledged that several large customer transactions expected to close during the quarter were delayed, reducing reported revenue.

IBM’s infrastructure division is expected to decline approximately 7% from a year earlier, reflecting slower demand for certain legacy technology products and delayed enterprise spending.

The results highlight how quickly artificial intelligence is changing corporate priorities.

Many businesses now view AI infrastructure as a strategic necessity rather than an optional investment. Instead of spreading technology spending evenly across software, consulting and hardware, companies are concentrating capital on the computing power needed to develop and deploy AI systems.

That shift can temporarily pressure companies whose products are purchased later in the technology investment cycle.

IBM has spent years repositioning itself around hybrid cloud computing, artificial intelligence and enterprise software following its acquisition of Red Hat. The company’s strategy centers on helping businesses integrate AI into existing operations while managing complex information technology environments.

Krishna maintained that long-term demand for IBM’s software and consulting capabilities remains strong, arguing that customers will ultimately require those services once foundational AI infrastructure is in place.

Investors, however, remain focused on near-term execution.

Analysts will closely examine IBM’s full earnings report later this month for updated guidance, detailed segment performance and management’s outlook for the remainder of 2026.

They will also watch whether delayed customer transactions close during future quarters or reflect deeper weakness in corporate technology spending.

The implications extend well beyond IBM.

The technology sector has become increasingly dependent on artificial intelligence investment as a driver of growth. If businesses continue redirecting budgets toward hardware, data centers and computing infrastructure, software companies throughout the industry could experience similar near-term pressure.

Conversely, companies supplying processors, networking equipment, memory, electrical infrastructure and data-center construction may continue benefiting from elevated demand.

For business leaders, IBM’s announcement illustrates a broader reality.

Artificial intelligence is not simply another software upgrade. Organizations are making substantial investments in physical infrastructure, specialized hardware, cybersecurity, cloud capacity and skilled personnel before realizing the productivity gains AI promises to deliver.

Those investments can delay other technology initiatives, even within financially healthy companies.

IBM’s preliminary results therefore represent more than an earnings disappointment.

They provide one of the clearest indications yet that the artificial intelligence revolution is fundamentally changing how corporations allocate technology budgets, rewarding businesses positioned to build AI infrastructure while challenging those waiting for the next phase of enterprise adoption.

JBizNews Desk | Armonk, New York

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NEW YORK (AP) — Mahmoud Khalil is suing the federal government and several private groups, alleging they were part of a conspiracy to suppress criticism of Israel by doxing, jailing and attempting to deport supporters of the pro-Palestinian movement.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court Tuesday, alleges a coordinated campaign among senior officials of President Donald Trump’s administration, leaders of the Heritage Foundation and two online surveillance groups, Canary Mission and Betar.

According to Khalil’s lawyers, that “public-private partnership” — first brought to light in a separate trial last year — may violate the Ku Klux Klan Act, a Reconstruction-era law that sought to restrict government coordination with vigilante groups.

Inquiries to the Heritage Foundation, Canary Mission and Betar were not immediately returned on Tuesday.

A former graduate student at Columbia University, Khalil, 31, gained prominence as a spokesperson and leader for student activists protesting against Israel and its actions in Gaza.

Khalil, a legal permanent resident who is married to a U.S. citizen, was arrested in March 2025 by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in his campus apartment. He quickly became the face of the Trump administration crackdown on pro-Palestinian demonstrators.

He then spent 104 days in a Louisiana immigration jail, missing the birth of his first child, before a federal judge in New Jersey ordered his release.

Khalil’s deportation case, a priority for the Trump administration, has moved with unusual speed through executive-branch-controlled immigration courts, and may soon wind up before the U.S. Supreme Court.

He has forcefully denied that his role in pro-Palestinian protests amounts to antisemitism.

“My beliefs are not wanting my tax money or tuition going toward investments in weapons manufacturers for a genocide,” he previously told The Associated Press. “It’s as simple as that.”

The U.S. military’s latest strike on Iran marked a historic first with the operational combat debut of an unmanned surface vessel, as three autonomous “Corsair” boats were used in the attack on Iran’s naval base in Bandar Abbas.

According to U.S. Central Command, the unmanned vessels targeted a submarine and ship maintenance facility at the Iranian naval base, striking port infrastructure used to support Iran’s maritime operations. U.S. officials said the attack further degraded Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Corsair vessels are manufactured in Texas by defense company Saronic, which was founded in 2022 by a former U.S. Navy SEAL. Measuring approximately 23 feet (7 meters) in length, the autonomous boats can travel more than 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) without a crew, reach speeds of roughly 40 mph (65 km/h), and carry payloads of up to 1,000 pounds (450 kilograms).

According to The Washington Post, each vessel costs less than $1 million to produce. A U.S. official said the boats were deployed to the Middle East at the end of March.

The report also noted that a Saronic unmanned vessel was used in June to rescue two crew members from a downed U.S. Army Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz.

The successful operational use of the Corsair highlights the Pentagon’s growing emphasis on unmanned naval systems as part of its future force structure. U.S. defense officials have signaled plans to rapidly expand the fleet of autonomous surface vessels as the military prepares for potential conflicts with near-peer adversaries such as China, while incorporating lessons learned from the war in Ukraine.

Ukraine has become one of the world’s leading users of unmanned surface vessels during its war with Russia, employing them to strike Russian naval assets and other maritime targets. Ukrainian officials have also claimed the systems have been adapted with air defense capabilities and have been used to engage Russian aircraft and helicopters.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Meta Platforms is bringing more artificial intelligence directly into the photos billions of people share every day. The company announced an expanded rollout of AI-powered image editing and generation tools across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, allowing users to transform backgrounds, modify images with text prompts, and create new visual content without leaving Meta’s apps.

The move represents another major step in Meta’s effort to weave generative AI into its family of social platforms. Rather than requiring separate editing software, users can now make sophisticated changes to photos using simple written instructions, such as replacing backgrounds, changing artistic styles, removing objects, or enhancing images with a few taps.

Meta says the features are designed to make creative editing accessible to everyday users rather than professional designers. The AI tools leverage the company’s latest Llama models and are being integrated directly into existing sharing workflows so edited images can be posted immediately across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

The rollout comes as competition among technology giants intensifies. OpenAI, Google, Adobe, and Microsoft have all expanded AI-powered creative tools over the past year, turning image generation into one of the fastest-growing areas of consumer artificial intelligence. Meta’s advantage lies in distribution: more than three billion people already use at least one of its apps every day.

For content creators and small businesses, the new tools could reduce both cost and production time. Marketing graphics, product photos, promotional images, and social media posts that once required design software or outside contractors can increasingly be created within a smartphone app in minutes.

The expansion also reflects Meta’s broader AI strategy. Rather than positioning artificial intelligence as a standalone product, the company is embedding AI throughout its ecosystem—from search and messaging to advertising, recommendations, and creative tools. Executives believe seamless integration will encourage wider adoption than requiring users to download separate AI applications.

Businesses stand to benefit as well. Small companies using Facebook and Instagram to market products can quickly generate seasonal promotions, customize images for different audiences, and create multiple advertising variations without specialized design expertise. That capability could prove particularly valuable for entrepreneurs and local businesses operating with limited marketing budgets.

The growing sophistication of AI-generated imagery also raises new questions around transparency and authenticity. Meta has expanded its labeling efforts for AI-generated content while continuing to invest in systems designed to identify manipulated media. The company says balancing creative freedom with transparency remains a priority as generative AI becomes more widely available.

Industry analysts view AI-powered creative tools as another important battleground in the race to attract and retain users. As social media platforms evolve beyond simple communication into full creative ecosystems, companies increasingly compete on how quickly users can create, edit, and share content.

For consumers, the appeal is convenience. Complex photo editing that once required professional software can now be accomplished through natural-language prompts on a mobile device. Whether creating vacation memories, family photos, business promotions, or artistic images, AI is rapidly lowering the technical barriers to producing polished visual content.

As generative AI becomes a standard feature across major technology platforms, the distinction between capturing a photo and creating one continues to blur. Meta’s latest rollout signals that AI-powered creativity is no longer an experimental feature—it is becoming part of everyday digital communication for billions of users.

JBizNews Desk | New York
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A heated confrontation erupted Monday night in the Knesset plenum during debate ahead of the second and third readings of the Basic Law: Torah Study, as MK Simon Davidson sharply criticized the exemption of bnei yeshivah from military service and directly confronted a group of chareidi youths seated in the visitors’ gallery.

Addressing the young men during his speech, Davidson questioned whether they intended to serve in the IDF.

“Have you heard of this thing called enlisting? Are you enlisting? I’m asking you, yes or no? While you’re sitting here looking at us like monkeys in a zoo, people your age are serving in the army, carrying weapons and wearing helmets and fighting.”

Davidson went on to contrast the youths in the gallery with IDF soldiers and reservists currently serving in combat.

“Every day I see dozens like you who come here to enjoy the Knesset, while my children and his children are serving in the army, fighting and losing their friends. I’m tired of seeing you here already. Walking around like it’s a circus. Go serve in the army.”

The lawmaker also spoke about what he described as the tremendous sacrifices made by reservists and their families.

“The price they pay is so heavy. Another 100 days of reserve duty. Do you know how many reservists lose their businesses, their families? Do you know what it’s like for a mother and father who can’t sleep at night because their son is in Lebanon?”

To illustrate his point, Davidson recounted a story involving a friend whose son is currently serving in Lebanon.

“Yesterday I spoke with my friend, Eli Orgad. His son is in Lebanon. They called at two in the morning—it was apparently a mistake. He suffered paralysis on one side of his face. The man is paralyzed on one side of his face because of a mistaken phone call,” he claimed.

Davidson also criticized the coalition’s efforts to advance draft legislation, arguing that it would only increase the number of young chareidim who avoid military service.

“The moment this law passes, the moment they are no longer pursued and there is no military police, they’ll say, ‘Fine,’ another one and another one and another one. Why should we care? Why should we care that we’re ‘having a good time’ while our children of the same age are risking their lives? Why should they care? They don’t care.”

Despite the sharp tone of his remarks, Davidson concluded by telling the youths that his outburst stemmed from deep emotion rather than personal animosity.

“I’m sorry I yelled at you—it came from the bottom of my heart. Truly, it makes me terribly angry. I just want to tell you one thing: You must be part of the State of Israel, part of carrying the burden. Enlist in the army. It won’t make you less religious. It will make you better citizens—for the country, for your brothers, and for your family.”

{Matzav.com}

Submitted: “Be’rshus Moreinu Harav Reuven Feinstein Shlit”a, this notice was posted around the Yeshiva of Staten Island’s summer campus in Kerhonkson, NY.”

U.S. inflation slowed significantly in June, offering welcome relief to American households and reducing immediate pressure on the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates. According to consumer-price data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Tuesday, July 14, the Consumer Price Index increased 3.5% from a year earlier, down sharply from the 4.2% annual rate recorded in May.

Consumer prices declined 0.4% from the previous month, marking the largest monthly decrease since the early months of the pandemic.

Core inflation, which excludes the frequently volatile categories of food and energy, was unchanged during June and increased 2.6% from a year earlier. The core reading provided evidence that the improvement extended beyond gasoline, although inflation remains above the Federal Reserve’s longer-term objective.

The report was considerably better than economists had expected.

Forecasters had generally anticipated that annual inflation would remain closer to 3.8%, while core prices were expected to rise during the month. Instead, the data showed a broader easing of inflationary pressure across several consumer categories.

Falling energy prices played the largest role.

The energy index declined approximately 5.7% in June, reversing a substantial increase during May. Gasoline prices fell as a temporary easing of hostilities involving the United States and Iran reduced fears of severe disruptions to global energy supplies.

Consumers also experienced lower prices in several other categories, including used vehicles, apparel, medical care, hotels and automobile insurance.

Shelter costs continued rising, but the pace reportedly slowed to its weakest level in several years. Housing remains one of the most important components of consumer inflation because rent and homeowners’ equivalent rent account for a large share of the Consumer Price Index.

The June figures immediately affected financial markets.

Investors substantially reduced expectations that the Federal Reserve would raise interest rates at its upcoming July policy meeting. Before the report, futures markets had assigned a meaningful possibility to another increase. Following the release, the perceived likelihood of an immediate move fell sharply.

Treasury yields declined as investors anticipated that the central bank could afford to wait for additional economic data before tightening policy again.

The improved inflation report, however, came with a major warning.

June’s decline reflected a period when oil and gasoline prices were falling. Since then, renewed military hostilities involving the United States and Iran have pushed crude-oil prices higher again, with oil trading above $80 per barrel during Tuesday’s session.

The renewed increase threatens to reverse part of the relief captured in the June report.

Higher crude prices generally take time to reach consumers. Refineries, distributors and gasoline stations must work through inventories purchased at earlier prices before the full effect appears at the pump.

If oil remains elevated, households could face higher gasoline prices during the second half of July and into August.

The impact could eventually extend far beyond motorists.

Airlines purchase enormous quantities of jet fuel. Trucking companies depend on diesel. Manufacturers use petroleum in chemicals, plastics, packaging and industrial processes. Farmers rely on fuel to operate equipment and transport agricultural products.

As those expenses rise, businesses often attempt to pass at least part of the additional cost to customers.

That means an energy shock can increase the price of airfare, groceries, deliveries, building materials and manufactured products, even when the underlying demand for those goods has not changed.

The inflation report therefore offers a picture of what the economy looked like during a temporary period of falling energy prices—not necessarily what consumers will experience during the months ahead.

Federal Reserve officials must now decide how much weight to place on the June improvement.

The central bank generally focuses more heavily on persistent inflation than on temporary changes in gasoline prices. The unchanged monthly core reading is therefore encouraging because it suggests underlying pressures also moderated.

Nevertheless, annual core inflation of 2.6% remains above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target, and policymakers may want to see several additional months of favorable data before concluding that inflation is under control.

The Fed must also consider the continuing strength of the broader economy.

Major banks reported robust consumer activity, expanding loans and renewed corporate dealmaking during the second quarter. Businesses continue investing heavily in artificial-intelligence infrastructure, data centers and advanced technology.

A strong economy is generally positive, but continued demand can make inflation more difficult to eliminate. Companies may retain greater pricing power when customers continue spending, while strong investment can increase competition for workers, equipment, electricity and construction materials.

The Federal Reserve therefore faces two opposing risks.

Raising interest rates too aggressively could increase borrowing costs for homeowners, consumers and small businesses and eventually weaken employment. Waiting too long could allow renewed energy inflation to spread throughout the economy and become more persistent.

For consumers, the June report provides genuine relief, but it does not mean that prices have returned to their previous levels.

A lower inflation rate means prices are rising more slowly. It does not reverse the large cumulative increases households have absorbed over recent years.

Many families continue paying substantially more for housing, food, insurance, healthcare and other necessities than they did before the recent inflation surge.

Businesses face similar pressure.

Companies must determine whether June’s lower costs represent a lasting trend or a brief pause before another increase in transportation and energy expenses. That uncertainty makes pricing, hiring and investment decisions more difficult.

The next several weeks will be critical.

Consumers and policymakers will watch gasoline prices, crude-oil markets, shipping conditions near the Strait of Hormuz and future government inflation reports for evidence of whether June marked the beginning of sustained improvement.

For now, the economic message is mixed but important.

Inflation cooled much faster than expected during June, but renewed instability in global energy markets could quickly test whether that progress can endure.

JBizNews Desk | Washington

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President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced that he will replace a 20% fee on commercial shipping moving through the Strait of Hormuz with “Trade and Investment Deals” that Gulf nations will be making in the United States.

Trump said the move came as the movement of oil and natural gas supplies has eased along the waterway, a vital, narrow commercial shipping point currently being contested by Washington and Tehran.

“Oil is flowing like never before, thanks to the awesome Power of the United States Military,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “The Strait of Hormuz is open to ALL Ship traffic except for Iran — and that is because of their lying, violent, malicious leadership, which is taking them down the path of TOTAL DESTRUCTION.”

However, Trump said he would reinstate a blockade on Iran.

“We will therefore have a FULL Blockade, but only on Ships coming to and from Iranian ports, or carrying anything have to do with Iranian cargo,” he added. “Based on highly productive conversations with Middle East leadership, I have decided to replace the 20% United States Reimbursement Fee with Trade and Investment Deals that the various Gulf States will be making into the United States.”

Trump’s announcement comes amid Iran’s push to assert control over the strait. Tehran has claimed sovereign authority over the territory, despite the strait historically being considered a free-to-use international waterway.

During Tuesday’s meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, Trump said he spoke with Gulf state leaders, who all said they would like to invest in the U.S. “at record amounts.”

“And this way there’s no fee,” he told reporters in the Oval Office. “I don’t like the concept of a fee, but at the same time, it’s not fair that we’re protecting this strait for the entire world, for China and everyone.”

“I don’t mind protecting it for anybody. But it’s unfair that we’re not in somehow compensated. And we’ve been doing this for many years,” he added. “They’re investing and they’re getting a return on their money, and it’s good, but they’re going to be making massive investments into the United States and I like that much better.”

Over the weekend, U.S. and Iranian forces exchanged missile and drone attacks as Tehran again claimed to have control over the strait.

On Monday, the U.S. launched strikes against Iranian military sites. By Tuesday, Trump said Iran had been “very much destabilized.”

“I think what we’ve done to Iran is we’ve taken away almost all of their military capability.”

“I gave them a chance. I wanted to give them a chance at making a deal. You know, we had a deal two days ago. It was done. And then all of a sudden, they couldn’t do it,” he said. “They didn’t like something about the deal. They couldn’t do it. And they shot first. And that was a big mistake that they shot first because we have been knocking the hell out of them.”

A growing number of Israeli motorists who use kosher phones are finding themselves unable to obtain receipts after filling up at Israeli self-service gas stations, prompting renewed calls for fuel companies and lawmakers to provide alternatives for consumers who do not use smartphones or SMS services.

The issue was raised by a listener named Dudi during the Osim Seder program hosted by Hillel Kessler on Kol Chai. He said that at many gas stations—particularly self-service pumps—the only receipt option offered after payment is a digital receipt sent via SMS. For customers who use kosher phones or do not utilize text messaging, that often means leaving without any proof of payment.

Dudi said he has encountered the problem repeatedly. In one instance, even the convenience store at the gas station was unable to print a receipt because it had run out of printer paper.

Because he needs receipts for expense reimbursements, he said he was forced to write the transaction details down by hand, leaving him without an official document that could serve as proof of payment. According to Dudi, the problem creates an ongoing financial burden for many drivers, particularly self-employed individuals and employees who rely on receipts to receive reimbursement for business travel.

Joining the discussion was Itcheh Dzialovsky, a longtime advocate for chareidi consumer rights, who agreed that the issue represents a genuine consumer concern. He noted that, to the best of his knowledge, there is currently no explicit legal requirement obligating fuel companies to provide printed receipts at self-service pumps.

Dzialovsky said that government agencies have already developed accommodations for members of the public who do not use smartphones, and argued that gas station operators should adopt similar solutions. He added that while fleet fuel cards (delekan) may offer a practical solution for drivers who regularly use the same vehicle, they are not suitable for the broader public.

During the program, Dzialovsky pledged to contact the major fuel companies directly to raise the issue. He also announced that he would publicly recognize, at no cost, any company that introduces a receipt option that does not require a smartphone or SMS capability.

Kessler noted that the problem extends well beyond gas stations, describing it as part of a broader shift toward digital-only services that increasingly excludes large segments of the population who deliberately choose to use kosher phones.

The Osim Seder program regularly invites listeners to submit questions and concerns involving consumer rights and public services, with the goal of helping listeners navigate issues affecting their daily lives and ensuring they receive the rights and services to which they are entitled.

{Matzav.com}

JERUSALEM (VINnews)-Defense Minister Israel Katz has submitted a request to President Isaac Herzog to pardon former Israeli soldier Elor Azaria, convicted of manslaughter for killing an incapacitated Palestinian attacker in Hebron in 2016, citing the passage of time and the message it sends to IDF troops.

Katz made the request ahead of the Likud party’s primaries and Israel’s upcoming election. In a statement, he described Azaria as an “outstanding soldier” who should not continue to pay a heavy price nearly a decade after the incident.

“It is unreasonable that after a decade, an outstanding soldier who was convicted of an offense committed during his operational service should continue to pay such a heavy price,” Katz said. “Azaria’s conviction sends a negative message to our sons and daughters who are sent to face danger and serve in combat units and dangerous places.”

He added: “There is room to allow Elor to rehabilitate himself and begin a new life.”

The pardon request seeks to shorten the period before Azaria’s criminal record is automatically cleared. Azaria has always maintained he acted correctly when he shot Abdel Fattah al-Sharif, a Palestinian who had stabbed an Israeli soldier and was already subdued, on March 24, 2016.

Azaria served nine months of an 18-month prison sentence.

The Israel Defense Forces opposes shortening the duration of Azaria’s criminal record, noting that he has never expressed remorse for his actions.

In a letter to the Defense Ministry, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and Personnel Directorate chief Maj. Gen. Dado Bar Kalifa stated that “the request should not be granted.”

“By law, the general rule is that a criminal record shall accompany the convicted individual in accordance with the prescribed timeframes, whereas granting a pardon is the exception, to be applied only under exceptional and weighty circumstances,” the letter, signed by Zamir’s assistant Col. Alon Laniado, reads.

The military position, based on the opinion of the deputy military advocate general, cites Azaria’s lack of remorse and responsibility nearly a decade after his military court conviction, the absence of new circumstances, and no significant personal factors warranting a change.

A formal military opinion has not yet reached President Herzog’s office. There was no immediate comment from Herzog.

The case has remained a flashpoint in Israeli society, with supporters viewing Azaria as a soldier unfairly punished for acting in a dangerous combat environment, while critics argue it upholds military discipline and ethical standards.

Why do some Pepsi products have a K, some a Kof-K, and some no hechsher at all? Can you drink them? Rabbi Alexander Charlop, Rav Hamachshir for Pepsi, takes us behind the scenes to explain the surprising answers—including how Pepsi’s secret formula stays secret while remaining kosher.

WATCH:

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Transcription

Hello everyone and welcome back to Let’s Talk Kashrus presented by the Kashrus Awareness Project in conjunction with the CRC of Chicago. Today I am honored to be joined by Rabbi Alexander Charlop, the Rov of Zichron Chaim in Cleveland and the Rav Hamachshir on Pepsi products. Thank you Rabbi Charlop for being here. Pleasure. 

Yasher koach. It’s a zchus we’ve been trying to get you here for a while so we finally made it happen, Baruch Hashem. Now it’s interesting, you are a rov in Cleveland, but you are involved in kashrus unrelated to your rabbinical duties. This is something that as I would want to hear you speak about, this is actually a position as the Rav Hamachshir on Pepsi that you yarshened, you inherited from your father who inherited it from his father. 

So this is something that’s been in the Charlop family for years. Just take us down that road of history how that developed. Okay so my grandfather came to America in 1920 be’erech. He came from Yerushalayim. 

In around 1930 or so he started to realize that in America with food being made commercially, you really needed to have kashrus commercially. He was one of the founders of the OU kashrus department. That’s your zeida. Yes. 

Rabbi Yechiel Michel Charlop. Then he went on his own, he went away from it. He actually, I believe, was the one that got them Heinz, which was like the first big commercial hashgacha that was gotten. And then he went away from the OU, he went on his own. 

He gave the hashgacha I believe since 1934 on Pepsi. Now there are a number of questions that come up and maybe we’ll get into them. How do you give hashgacha on Pepsi if Pepsi tries to maintain a secret? We’ll get to that. But and he developed, and he had a relationship with them until he was nifter in 1974. 

My father took over 1974 and gave the hashgacha till 2014. I worked with him for a number of years beforehand, but I took over the hashgacha since 2014. Now the Charlop family, are you related to the famous Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Charlop, is that same mishpacha? Yes, Rabbi Chiel Michel was a ben bechor of Rabbi Yaakov Moshe. Oh really? Wow. 

Okay. So mishpacha meyuchases. He was a rov in the Bronx and yeah. Very interesting. 

So it is a unique thing that this has carried over from generation to generation. It’s besides for fulfilling your duties as a Rav Hamachshir, you’re literally carrying on the legacy of your zeida and now your father which makes it extra special. How would you describe the yeoman’s task of giving the hashgacha on Pepsi and what are some of the challenges that you encounter? Okay, so the fact that they’re so large really makes the hashgacha much easier. 99 percent of our work is very boring. 

Because they have systems in place. Good hashgachas have good systems. The OU developed many systems that many of us mimic or take part, add, subtract, and they work very well with systems. So for example, just as a mashal, if you’re giving hashgacha on a local restaurant that might only be doing $75,000 of sales a year, the owner of that restaurant could be short on oil and he could go out to a store and get oil which is a major sakana maybe he’ll get oil that’s not kosher. 

At a Pepsi plant where they’re producing Pepsi, there’s nobody in that building that has the ability to order anything for Pepsi. He can put in a request and most of it is not even by his request. He’s just given the task to actually produce it. There’s the team that does procurement, there’s a team that’s involved in regulatory, and the way Pepsi is set up now is that part of regulatory’s jobs, part of what they’re doing is making sure that it is compliant with kosher. 

In fact… You mean that’s actually included in their responsibility? Correct. Just as they have allergen compliance and FDA compliance, all these different compliance, one of the compliance that they need to check before they run any product, because right now everything they run, we’ll get into detail of certain ones that are a little trickier, but everyone that they run, anything that’s in a Pepsi concentrate facility is kosher right now. You could have 700 ingredients, every one of them is kosher. 

How many such Pepsi producing facilities are there around the United States? Okay, so now… This is the part that makes it much easier again from a Kashrus vantage point. I don’t know if I’m allowed to say the exact number, but I can tell you that a Pepsi concentrate has something called global procurement. They are concerned about always being able to deal with any issue that could come up. 

So if the Strait of Hormuz is closed, they have another option. If COVID hit, they have another option. And therefore they’re really biktzei haaretz, they’re at totally different ends of the world. But they have a handful, literally five different plants that are supplying different parts. 

Most of it is supplied from one or two concentrate facilities, but there are five concentrate facilities that are part of… around the world? Around the world. That provide to the smaller Pepsi facilities, would you say, or…? They are providing all the concentrate of anything in America for sure. Anything in America is provided by these concentrate facilities. 

Are all Pepsi beverages under your supervision? So all the what is called the cold fill, all the regular carbonated drinks, the concentrate for all of them is kosher. Now some of them are a little trickier than others, meaning about ten fifteen years ago they started introducing certain energy drinks such as Kickstart. Now Kickstart, all the concentrate… which is a Mountain Dew brand? Mountain Dew Kickstart, yes, thank you. 

Mountain Dew Kickstart is getting the concentrate from a concentrate facility. The concentrate facility is totally kosher. Anything coming out of the concentrate facility is kosher. But they have also direct drop. 

Meaning what does that mean in layman’s terms? They have certain ingredients that are directly sent to the bottler or through a DC, a distribution center, which the distribution center sends it to many bottlers. When it comes to Kickstart, so Kickstart has a grape juice component. It advertises ten percent juice. Almost always when they’re advertising ten percent fruit juice, what they’re referring to is white grape juice. 

White grape juice is the cheapest, sweetest juice that they use. That is being sent directly to the bottler. Now they do order kosher grape juice, but grape juice is a very sensitive product. You can’t just rely on the bottler getting it and assume that it’s okay. 

And therefore we strongly recommend we would not take any responsibility and would say that you should only drink Mountain Dew Kickstart if the bottler has hashgacha. Okay, and how would you know that? Okay, so now the bottlers are at their own discretion can decide if or if not they will have hashgacha and they can decide which hashgacha. Many of them are independently owned and they can decide which hashgacha. For example, the New York area bottler is under Kaf-K. 

There are another couple bottlers as well that are under Kaf-K. They, because of marketing, they put a Kaf-K on the cans, on the bottle. There are many other bottlers that also have hashgacha will only put a K because it gets too complicated, they don’t want to order a million cans with their emblem. So collectively all of them will just order with a K. 

You might have one or two might be under the Star-K, you might have one or two under the CRC, you might have one or two Northeast Vaad of Philadelphia… but the K is representing all of them? And K is for any kosher. As of now, I can’t always guarantee it, as of now they always run by us who they want to use for a specific bottler and they will only use somebody that we say is reliable. Okay, got it. 

As of today, as of this recording, right? This conversation, yes. And based on that, if I would see a Kickstart with a K… you’re comfortable because there’s hashgacha on the bottling facility. Correct. 

So it’s interesting, you jumped right into that topic which is one of the big Pepsi questions is why certain bottles of Pepsi products have a Kaf-K, some have a K, some don’t have hashgacha on it at all. So you addressed why it may have a Kaf-K or a K because those supervising agencies are giving the hashgacha on the local bottling facility in that region. But why is there sometimes no hashgacha on a Pepsi product even though really it sounds like it would be kosher? So many of the bottlers… you are not allowed to put a hashgacha on your final product unless that final product was bottled with somebody taking responsibility that it is kosher. 

We will not take responsibility on a bottler if we never walked into that bottler and if we don’t have ongoing visits into a bottler, we’re not going to take the responsibility for the bottler. In truth, I wouldn’t be concerned about the bottler without taking responsibility because they only… But that mere system, that mere system, that fear is enough to make you comfortable to drink from any Pepsi bottling facility in the United States? Yes, because for them to deviate, they would be paying so much money not to use Pepsi. Right, right. 

And it will be caught. And what about besides for the concentrate, aren’t there other ingredients that they’re using that may be of concern? So right now, at a bottler, on a regular drink, let’s say Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, it’s not Sierra Mist anymore, I forgot what all the different flavors that they have, the Mug flavors, the regular Mountain Dew flavors, including all their orange blast and berry blast and all the different names that they make are just different flavors in the concentrate. All that is kosher. What goes in at the bottler level is very simple. 

There’s sweetener that goes in, which Pesach presents a major issue, but during the year sweetener whether it’s corn syrup or sugar is what would be called a group one. It’s very simple.Carbonation, water, very simple. They will have sent through the DCs, they’ll send citric acid, sometimes another salt like a potassium benzoate, which are also all group ones. 

Furthermore, we are on top of all the distribution centers. There are a few distribution centers in America. We regularly visit them to make sure everything that Pepsi says that they are sending to the final product is kosher. Right. 

And how about the fact that it’s an independent facility, you’re not worried about shared equipment or using it for other runs and things like that? Very good question. So the assumption of most kashrus organizations in America is that that is not an issue because it’s what is called a cold fill plant. Okay. So everything there is filled cold. 

You will have something that they’ll just have to dissolve a concentrate but even that is not getting hot. There’s no klirishon. Got it. So even in a scenario where they would use it, it would still be cold. 

Correct. Even if they used it for something else that wasn’t kosher? And you’re saying it’s probably not even likely that they’re doing that. Right. The only thing that they use it for other than Pepsi is a number of the bottlers might bottle another national brand such as Dr. Pepper. 

Okay. But it doesn’t challenge the integrity of the kashrus. Got it. And especially because nothing is hot and nothing is kavush, nothing is left in a tank for 24 hours overnight or anything like that. 

Got it. And Baruch Hashem, you build up a rapport. I remember the first time we went, they’re very concerned about other people coming in just from proprietary purposes, but the first time the Badatz gives in Eretz Yisrael, and so we’re dealing with the ingredients all the time together. And I remember we went to a specific supplier, and Rabbi Binder from the Badatz and I went down to the supplier. 

Rabbi Binder is brilliant and really understands the chemistry of ingredients very well. But we had to sign confidentiality agreement beforehand. By the time we left, they were nervous that he could repeat… that he’s that brilliant. 

Aha, very interesting. They weren’t worried about me. That’s interesting. But I’m happy you brought up Rabbi Binder, you talk about Eretz Yisrael because that was going to be my next question. 

Basically we’re comfortable with Pepsi in the United States, you’re pretty much good to go with basically everything. Except for the Kickstart which needs either a K or Kof-K. Right, which needs a specific hashgacha. What’s the story with Pepsi products outside the United States? Eretz Yisrael is great. 

And that’s under the Badatz? That’s under the Badatz, yes. Okay. Is it by the way, is Pepsi in Eretz Yisrael owned by the same Pepsi corporation? It’s owned by the same corporation with a lot of overlap. Okay. 

We’re on many emails together. Aha, interesting. So Eretz Yisrael you’re okay. How about if someone goes to Europe or South America or wherever it might be? Okay, so at the beginning of the conversation we spoke about what is called global procurement, which is Pepsi’s ability to supply globally. 

Okay. And if this continent gets knocked off, you have this continent and so on and so forth. Global procurement provides for many many countries, including all of Europe, including Russia, including the US, Canada, Mexico, all of Central and South America and Southeast Asia. Not included is one country in South America, Venezuela. 

Venezuela has its own concentrate facility. I don’t know anything about what goes on in Venezuela. Okay. Not included is China, North Korea. 

India and I would be concerned probably around the number of the countries near India, whether it be Pakistan, Sri Lanka. I’m not sure whether those countries are covered by the India supplier or by global procurement. Got it. So what does that mean now that you’ve told us that, what does that mean regarding someone who’s traveling, sees a Pepsi product, can he buy it, can he use it? If you’re desperate, if it’s not a third world type of place, in all likelihood you’re okay because the Pepsi itself should certainly be made cold fill. 

There’s no hot fill in that so you wouldn’t really run into a major problem anyway. I just am hesitant to make a blanket statement. Right, right. Any final thoughts on this fascinating topic? If you’re health conscious and you don’t want to drink Pepsi, drink Bubly. 

Is that also Pepsi? Owned by Pepsi, okay. And that’s under your supervision as well? Most of the Bubly. All Bublyconcentrate is. Again, Bubly plants, the Bubly bottlers go on the same rule as Pepsi. 

Right, same rule as we discussed prior. Rabbi Harlap, thank you for being here. It’s a tremendous zchus again, we wanted to speak to you for a while. Thank you for bringing us into the world of Pepsi and we wish you continued hatzlacha in your avodas hakodesh in carrying on the avoda that your father fulfilled so admirably, that your grandfather pioneered so many years ago in the last century and continued hatzlacha in all your avoda.

Defense Minister Israel Katz announced plans to establish three Nahal outposts in northern Gaza, describing the move as part of a long-term strategy to strengthen Israel’s security presence in the area. Katz made the remarks during a tour of northern Gaza with senior IDF commanders, according to a report in Channel 14.

During the visit, Katz said the IDF now controls approximately 65% of the Gaza Strip, while the military estimates that about 70,000 Hamas terrorists have been eliminated or neutralized since the war began.

Asked about the destruction across Gaza, Katz replied: “I feel good. Thank G-d. This is all the result of a deliberate policy aimed at removing threats. Instead of the raid method—going in and out—the IDF is inside, the terrorists are outside, and the houses are destroyed.”

The tour was attended by Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai, Southern Command chief Maj. Gen. Yaniv Assor, and other field commanders.

Katz said he intends to establish three Nahal outposts in areas that were formerly part of northern Gaza, calling the move essential for Israel’s security. “This will improve the hold and defense of the communities. It’s something that’s needed at the right time,” he said.

During the visit, Division 99 Commander Brig. Gen. Yoav Bruner presented the military’s updated control map, including security zones designed to prevent Hamas from reestablishing itself. Assor added, “They’re feeling hunted, and we need to keep pressing on their necks. Just recently, in Operation Roaring Lion, we carried out 300 thwarting operations.”

The delegation also toured a major Hamas tunnel uncovered by the IDF. Military officials said the tunnel contained water infrastructure connected to civilian homes, bathrooms, and logistical storage areas. Assor told Katz the tunnel reached all the way to Nahal Oz and “was supposed to penetrate right into the community.”

Concluding the visit, Katz said Israel’s approach extends beyond Gaza. “In Syria, in Lebanon, in Gaza, in Iran and in Yemen—facing enemies, we don’t contain, don’t wait, and don’t fold. Exactly the opposite of what happened until now.”

Deputy Chief of Staff Yadai added, “I don’t know how to describe this other than victory. There’s absolute freedom of operation here.” Soldiers who met with Katz also expressed confidence, saying, “If there’s attrition—there’s determination times 200, and that’s the most important thing.”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

The name brands that once ruled America’s grocery carts are losing ground to the cheaper products sitting right beside them on the shelf. According to the Private Label Manufacturers Association, store-brand sales grew nearly three times as fast as national brands last year — 3.3% versus 1.2% — as households squeezed by years of food inflation trade down to save money. What was once a fallback for the budget-conscious has become a mainstream choice, and it is reshaping how grocers and food companies do business.

The shift is rooted in a stretched consumer. Food prices rose 3.1% over the year through May, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, on top of years of accumulated increases that have left the typical cart far more expensive than before the pandemic. With the personal savings rate down to 3% in May from 4.5% a year earlier, per the Bureau of Economic Analysis, shoppers have less cushion and more reason to scrutinize every price tag.

They are responding by changing how they shop. Roughly a third of consumers report buying fewer groceries overall, and three in four say they have altered their behavior because of higher prices, according to the 2026 Consumer Expenditures Study from Progressive Grocer. The most common tactics are cutting impulse purchases, clipping coupons, and reaching for private-label alternatives — moves that add up across a monthly food budget.

For grocers, store brands are more than a defensive play; they are a profit engine. Retailer-owned labels typically carry higher margins than national brands because there is no middleman marketing budget to fund, and they build loyalty that keeps shoppers coming back to a particular chain. That is why companies such as Walmart and Kroger have leaned into value positioning and price rollbacks, using their own brands to protect traffic and market share against discounters.

The quality gap that once made shoppers wary has narrowed. Private-label products increasingly match national brands on taste and packaging, and in some categories — from premium olive oil to specialty snacks — store brands now compete at the high end rather than only on price. That evolution has made trading down feel less like a sacrifice and more like a smart choice, accelerating the shift even among higher-income households.

The national brands are feeling the pressure. Packaged-food makers have responded by emphasizing affordability through promotions, smaller price increases, and value-sized packaging, wary of pushing customers permanently toward cheaper rivals. The mood among executives is cautious. “I don’t see how anything will change until the disposable income of the consumer goes up or cost starts to go down in a big way,” said Dirk Van de Put, chief executive of Mondelez International, summing up an industry bracing for a value-focused shopper who may not return to old habits soon.

Different generations are driving the trend in different ways. Millennials and Gen Z are more likely than older shoppers to spend heavily per grocery trip, with millennials spending about $20 more per visit than boomers, according to Progressive Grocer. But younger shoppers are also the most willing to experiment with store brands, meaning the private-label surge may prove durable as their buying power grows.

Technology is adding a new dimension to the competition. Grocers and brands are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to personalize deals and reach shoppers before they enter the store, a tool that was a major theme at industry events this year. For private label, that means retailers can promote their own products with precision, steering budget-conscious customers toward the higher-margin items on their shelves.

The forces behind the shift show little sign of easing. Gas prices are climbing again on the renewed Middle East conflict, threatening to drain more discretionary income, and food costs remain sensitive to oil through transportation and packaging. Every dollar diverted to the gas tank is a dollar that makes the store brand look more appealing than the premium label.

For shoppers, the rise of private label is a rare bright spot in a hard stretch, offering real savings without a steep drop in quality. For the food industry, it is a lasting change in the balance of power on the grocery shelf — one that rewards the retailers who own the brands and pressures the manufacturers who once set the terms. As long as budgets stay tight, the store brand is likely to keep winning the cart.

JBizNews Desk | New York
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America’s largest banks delivered stronger-than-expected second-quarter results on Tuesday, July 14, offering fresh evidence that consumers, businesses and financial markets remain resilient. According to earnings releases and regulatory filings issued by JPMorgan Chase & Co., Bank of America Corporation, Citigroup Inc. and Wells Fargo & Company, the banks benefited from robust trading activity, renewed corporate dealmaking, expanding loan balances and generally stable credit conditions.

The results provide an important window into the condition of the American economy. Large banks serve millions of households, small businesses, major corporations and investors, allowing their quarterly reports to reveal changes in borrowing, spending, investing and financial confidence.

JPMorgan Chase & Co., the nation’s largest bank by assets, led the group with another exceptionally profitable quarter.

Excluding a one-time gain related to the sale of Visa shares, JPMorgan generated approximately $16.9 billion in net income, or $6.14 per share. The bank reported approximately $57.3 billion in revenue, exceeding Wall Street expectations.

Including the Visa-related gain, JPMorgan’s reported profit was considerably higher. The adjusted figures, however, provide a clearer comparison of the bank’s underlying business performance.

JPMorgan’s Wall Street divisions delivered especially strong results. Total markets revenue increased approximately 35%, while equities markets revenue surged 86% to about $6 billion as market volatility drove heavier client activity.

The bank’s investment-banking fees rose 30% to approximately $3.3 billion, their highest level since 2021. The increase reflected a resurgence in mergers, acquisitions, initial public offerings and other corporate financing transactions.

Those results suggest that major companies are again becoming more willing to pursue acquisitions, raise capital and make long-term investments after elevated borrowing costs and economic uncertainty had slowed dealmaking.

JPMorgan Chief Executive Officer Jamie Dimon acknowledged the strength of current economic conditions while warning that significant risks remain. He pointed to geopolitical instability, persistent inflation, rising sovereign debt and elevated asset valuations as issues that could eventually disrupt markets or economic growth.

Bank of America Corporation also reported substantially higher earnings.

The Charlotte-based bank generated $9.1 billion in net income, an increase of approximately 27% from the same period a year earlier. Earnings reached $1.21 per share, compared with 90 cents per share in the prior-year quarter.

Revenue rose 15% to $31.6 billion, supported by gains across consumer banking, lending, trading and corporate finance.

Bank of America’s sales and trading revenue increased approximately 33% to $7.16 billion, while equities trading revenue climbed nearly 70%. The figures reflected increased client activity across financial markets.

The bank also benefited from the return of corporate transactions. Investment-banking fees rose approximately 50% to $1.15 billion. That replaces the incorrect $2.1 billion figure contained in the earlier version of this article.

Net interest income, which measures the difference between what a bank earns from loans and investments and what it pays depositors, increased approximately 9% to $16.2 billion.

Average loans and leases also expanded, indicating continued borrowing by consumers and businesses despite elevated interest rates.

Bank of America Chief Executive Officer Brian Moynihan said the economy remained supported by consumer activity, business investment and increased corporate spending on technology and artificial-intelligence infrastructure.

Citigroup Inc. reported its highest quarterly revenue in approximately a decade.

Revenue increased 14% to $24.8 billion, while net income jumped 45% to $5.8 billion, or $3.15 per diluted share.

Citigroup’s investment-banking revenue rose 44% to $1.55 billion, reflecting the revival in mergers, acquisitions and stock offerings. Equities trading revenue increased 45%, while net interest income and wealth-management revenue also advanced.

The performance provided further evidence that Citigroup Chief Executive Officer Jane Fraser’s multi-year restructuring effort is producing stronger financial results. The company has worked to simplify its international operations, reduce management layers and strengthen internal controls while investing in businesses offering greater growth potential.

Citigroup executives said part of the additional revenue would be reinvested into technology, risk management and future growth. The bank’s stock reaction also reflected investor concerns about valuation following its strong advance, rather than only concern about higher spending.

Wells Fargo & Company reported $6.4 billion in second-quarter net income, or $2 per diluted share, compared with approximately $5.5 billion a year earlier. Revenue rose approximately 9% to $22.6 billion.

The bank’s markets revenue increased 24% to approximately $2.21 billion.

Wells Fargo’s investment-banking fees rose 35% to $939 million. The previous version incorrectly described the increase as 20%. That figure applied to the bank’s broader Banking segment revenue, not specifically to investment-banking fees.

Loan balances also expanded as Wells Fargo continued deploying capital following the removal of regulatory restrictions that had limited the bank’s growth for years.

Wells Fargo Chief Executive Officer Charlie Scharf said the bank was benefiting from favorable economic and market conditions but remained disciplined about where it expanded. He also cautioned that unusually strong conditions would not necessarily continue indefinitely.

Taken together, the four reports present a broadly positive economic picture.

Consumers continue using credit, maintaining deposits and meeting most financial obligations. Businesses are borrowing and investing. Corporations are returning to mergers, acquisitions and public offerings. Investors remain active across stock, bond and currency markets.

The results do not mean the economy is free of risk.

Trading operations can benefit from volatility even when geopolitical conflict creates uncertainty for households and businesses. Higher interest rates can increase bank income while simultaneously making mortgages, credit cards and commercial loans more expensive.

Bank executives are also watching inflation, geopolitical instability, federal debt, elevated asset values and the possibility that interest rates will remain high.

Nevertheless, the strength was not isolated to one company or one business division. It extended across trading, lending, investment banking, wealth management and consumer finance.

The banking sector traditionally opens quarterly earnings season. Investors will now examine results from technology, industrial, healthcare, energy and consumer companies to determine whether the same momentum extends across the broader corporate economy.

For now, the message from America’s largest banks is consistent: business activity remains strong, corporate dealmaking has returned, credit conditions remain stable and the U.S. economy continues to demonstrate resilience despite substantial domestic and global risks.

JBizNews Desk | New York

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

Transportation Minister Miri Regev said Israel remains in the midst of a multi-front war despite recent military gains, while also launching a sharp political attack on the center-left and defending the coalition’s efforts to protect the Torah world through recently advanced legislation.

In an interview with HaMahadura HaMerkazit, Regev stressed that the war is far from over, noting that IDF forces continue operating on several fronts simultaneously and warning that the Iranian threat has not disappeared.

“No, we are still at war. Our soldiers are still in the security zone in Lebanon, in strategic areas of Syria, and in more than 60 percent of the Gaza Strip,” she said.

Speaking about Iran, Regev reiterated the government’s determination to prevent Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

“Iran cannot become nuclear. Iran will not become nuclear. The uranium will be removed from there.”

Regev also praised the Trump administration’s recent approach toward Iran, arguing that Washington has now come to recognize what Israel has long maintained about the Iranian regime.

“President Trump and the Americans have experienced firsthand the Iranians’ lack of credibility,” she said.

She added that the decision to reimpose a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz demonstrates that U.S. leaders now understand that no lasting agreement can be reached with Tehran. Regev further argued that Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia have reinforced among moderate Arab states the understanding that “Iran, together with the Houthis, together with Hezbollah and together with Hamas, are essentially proxies of terror.”

Addressing the fighting in Gaza and Lebanon, Regev said Israel has no intention of withdrawing as long as security threats remain.

“The IDF is there in the security zone that separates the residents of southern Israel from Hamas,” she said.

She added that Israel would likewise maintain its security presence along the northern front “as long as we need to remain there,” arguing that only the complete disarmament of Hamas and Hezbollah would make it possible to establish lasting security.

Turning to domestic politics, Regev commented on the ongoing debate within Likud over the party’s primary system and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s request for reserved slots on the party’s electoral list.

She said she supports holding party primaries while also believing Netanyahu should retain the ability to reserve places on the slate.

“There is no doubt that Likud members should come and influence the composition of the next Likud list for the Knesset,” she said.

At the same time, she emphasized Netanyahu’s central role within the party.

“Likud is Netanyahu, and Netanyahu is Likud, and the one who brings us the greatest number of mandates is Netanyahu.”

Regev said the internal debate over the issue reflects the democratic character of the Likud rather than internal weakness.

Looking ahead to the next election, Regev sharply criticized former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot and the center-left bloc, warning right-wing voters not to be misled.

“Don’t be fooled by Gadi Eisenkot’s smile and image. He is part of the left,” she said.

She argued that a government headed by Eisenkot would neither safeguard Israel’s security nor preserve the country’s Jewish identity.

“The other camp will not protect religion or tradition,” she said, adding that the longstanding partnership between Likud and the chareidi parties would continue in the future.

Regev also voiced support for the recently approved Basic Law: Torah Study and for legislation freezing the arrest of bnei yeshivah.

“As far as Torah study is concerned—the Basic Law: Torah Study—I have absolutely no problem with it. We all understand that Torah study is a value,” she said.

Regarding the proposed arrest freeze, Regev said that had there already been broad agreement on a draft law, such legislation would have been unnecessary.

She also criticized the IDF Chief of Staff’s public opposition to the bill.

“I don’t understand why politics is being brought into this issue,” she said, adding that the IDF itself had participated in formulating the proposal before the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

Concluding the interview, Regev said she supports expanding military service among the chareidi public, but only through dialogue and accommodations that respect the community’s way of life.

She also criticized the IDF Chief of Staff for what she described as insufficient engagement with rabbanim from the Religious Zionist community.

“The Chief of Staff needs to meet with them, and the Chief of Staff needs to sit down and talk with them,” she said.

Regev concluded by saying Israel today needs “an army that is both smart and large,” adding that increasing enlistment will require cooperation with both the chareidi and Religious Zionist communities while preserving their religious values and lifestyles.

{Matzav.com}

Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was seen Tuesday attending a memorial ceremony for former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, casting further uncertainty over recent reports claiming he is under house arrest following alleged contacts with Israel.

Iranian media published footage showing Ahmadinejad at the ceremony, despite reports in recent days that he had been placed under house arrest by the intelligence wing of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The appearance comes after *The New York Times* reported that, during the early days of the war between Israel, the United States, and Iran, Israel attempted a dramatic operation to extract Ahmadinejad from Iran after he was allegedly placed under house arrest. According to the report, the operation was ultimately unsuccessful.

The report also claimed that then-Mossad Director David Barnea personally traveled to Budapest in 2024 to meet with Ahmadinejad and later informed the CIA of the contacts. According to the report, Israel secretly financed Ahmadinejad’s travel and accommodations in recent years, and Mossad operatives met with him multiple times outside Iran, including in Budapest.

Former American officials cited by the report said Barnea’s personal involvement underscored the importance Israel placed on cultivating the relationship.

The *New York Times* further reported, citing four senior Iranian officials, that Ahmadinejad had been placed under house arrest after Iranian authorities uncovered many of his alleged contacts with Israel.

However, Ahmadinejad’s public appearance at Tuesday’s ceremony has raised new questions about those claims. It remains unclear whether he was ever under house arrest, whether the reported restrictions have been lifted, whether the appearance was orchestrated by the Iranian regime, or whether other explanations account for the conflicting reports.

Neither Iranian authorities nor Ahmadinejad have publicly addressed the latest reports.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

The Trump administration is investigating more than 1,500 current and former employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) over alleged ties to Hamas and other terrorist organizations, according to Fox News. The investigation is being led by the USAID Office of Inspector General (OIG), which has already referred 108 individuals to the U.S. State Department for suspension or exclusion from organizations receiving U.S. funding. Additional cases are also being considered for possible criminal referral to the U.S. Department of Justice.

U.S. officials said those referred include current and former UNRWA employees alleged to have participated in Hamas’ October 7 massacre in southern Israel or to have been members of terrorist organizations. A U.S. diplomatic official briefed by the USAID OIG told Fox News Digital that at least 1,500 current and former UNRWA employees remain under investigation, with additional referrals expected as the probe continues.

Among those already barred from future work with U.S. government entities is Hafez Mousa Mohammed Mousa, a UNRWA school principal. According to the USAID OIG, Mousa worked with Hamas’ East Jabaliya Battalion and coordinated communications with other suspected Hamas members during the October 7 massacre.

The investigation also identified additional UNRWA personnel, including school principals, deputy school principals, security personnel, psychologists, social workers and technical professionals. According to the report, those referred include two deputy school principals, one school principal, one Hamas commander, another commander who served as a squad leader in Hamas’ East Jabaliya Battalion, and several employees alleged to have participated in Hamas’ military activities. The report further states that one deputy school principal served as a commander in Hamas’ Nuseirat Battalion, while another allegedly commanded a Hamas unit.

Board of Peace President Eugene Kontorovich called on donor nations to stop funding what he described as “an organization that has become a subsidiary of Hamas, whose employees took part in one of the most barbaric terrorist attacks in human history on Oct. 7, 2023.” He added that donor nations instead have the opportunity to help Palestinians in Gaza find durable solutions and prosperity rather than “endless cycles of dependency and forever refugeehood.”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Billionaire Warren Buffett omitted Bill Gates ′ foundation from his annual donations this year after disclosures of the Microsoft co-founder’s ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He will donate about $6 billion to four foundations connected to his own family, but did not mention Gates in his announcement Tuesday.

Buffett also said in his statement that he wants all of his remaining Berkshire Hathaway stock worth nearly $146 billion donated to charity by the end of 2034. Previously the plan was for his three children to distribute his remaining fortune within 10 years of the 95-year-old investor’s death.

“Of course, mortality is unpredictable, but my remaining shares will be donated to the four foundations one way or the other by December 31, 2034,” Buffett said in a statement. “The goal is to have the grants grow annually to each of the three foundations managed by each of my children and the annual grant to the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation grow at a somewhat greater rate.”

Buffett and the Gates Foundation did not immediately respond Tuesday to questions. CNBC said Buffett is scheduled to give the channel an exclusive interview on this topic Wednesday morning.

The majority of Buffett’s charitable gifts — worth more than $61 billion — have gone to the Gates Foundation since he announced the plan to give away his fortune in 2006. He has been giving blocks of Berkshire Hathaway stock to the Gates Foundation and the four foundations run by his three children regularly.

Gates denies any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and has not been accused of any wrongdoing. He said he only met with Epstein because he thought it might help him raise money for charitable causes.

Epstein, who was accused of sexually abusing dozens of underage girls, was found dead at the Manhattan federal lockup in August 2019 and his death was later ruled a suicide by New York City’s medical examiner.

Buffett already said in 2024 that he planned to cut off donations to the Gates Foundation after his death and let his three children decide how to distribute the rest of his fortune. The decision he announced Tuesday will accelerate that plan.

Buffett and Gates used to be exceptionally close friends who talked often, played bridge online and even took vacations together. Gates also served on the board of Buffett’s conglomerate for years and the legendary investor sat on the board of the Gates Foundation. But Buffett told CNBC in March that he hadn’t talked to Gates for months since before the Epstein files were released in the fall of 2025.

In the past, Buffett stood up for Gates. Three years ago, Buffett cut off a man who was presenting a resolution at the Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting after he questioned Gates’ character because of his ties with Epstein. Peter Flaherty was arrested that day for trespassing even though he had been approved to make the presentation beforehand. The charge was later dropped, but the incident led to a lawsuit, which is still pending in the courts.

Buffett said to CNBC “it is astounding to me that anybody could be that successful as a con person” but Epstein found a way to exploit the weaknesses of others. Buffett would not discuss Gates’ involvement, but said he doesn’t want to be involved with anything that could be investigated later.

Gates discussed his ties to Epstein with the staff of his foundation recently. Gates appears multiple times in the Justice Department’s release of documents connected to its investigation of the late financier. The Justice Department’s files include email correspondence between Gates and Epstein about philanthropic projects, calendar entries documenting dates they got together, and photos of Gates at events the two men attended.

The foundation announced that it hired someone in March to assess the foundation’s past engagement with Epstein and review its policies to vet any future philanthropic partnerships. Gates and the rest of the foundation’s board expect to get an update on that investigation sometime this summer.

Buffett told CNBC that he’s amazed at how many wealthy and powerful people have been caught up in the Epstein scandal.

“I mean, it, here you had a guy that was a convicted guy, a sensational con man, and the percentage of people that he knocked off,” Buffett said. “I mean, whether it was, he found their weakness. It might have been sex. It might be power, it might be, whatever it might be. And I don’t see how anybody could have pulled that off.”

Buffett said he’s glad Epstein never came to Omaha, where he has lived for more than six decades. Buffett is regarded by many as the world’s greatest investor who built up Berkshire over the years by buying insurance companies like Geico, major utilities, manufacturers and well-known brands like Dairy Queen and the BNSF railroad.

Buffett stepped down as Berkshire CEO in January after 60 years of leading the company, but he remains as chairman and the largest shareholder. Greg Abel is now CEO of Berkshire Hathaway.

(AP) – If there’s one group likely to be experiencing the most consternation over inflation and economic uncertainty, it’s those who have just retired or are about to. To make it through this period with their sanity intact, they should focus on what they can control.

Assess spending rate
People who have just retired or are about to are particularly vulnerable to sequence-of-returns risk, which means that a bad market shows up early in your retirement. Not only does that early retirement sell-off feel bad, it actually is bad because it imperils your portfolio’s ability to last throughout your retirement years. In Morningstar’s 2025 retirement spending research, we found that the people most likely to run out of money in retirement were the ones whose portfolios lost value in the first five years of their retirements.

Retirees who are pulling cash flows from their portfolios can address that risk by adjusting their spending down to ensure that more of their portfolios are in place to recover when the market eventually does. And those adjustments don’t need to be radical to make an impact. In our retirement income research, we found that even small tweaks like forgoing an inflation adjustment following a bear market help ensure that spending lasts over a whole 30-year period and can lead to more lifetime income than a strategy that ignores market movements.

If you haven’t yet retired, assess your planned in-retirement spending and identify where you would be willing to make cutbacks. Turbocharge savings if you can afford to do so. Catch-up contributions are available to all retirement savers over age 50. And if you’re between 60 and 63, you can make a “super-catch-up” contribution to your company retirement plan, for a total of $35,750 in 2026. High-income heavy savers may also be able to take advantage of after-tax 401(k) contributions, which enable them to stash even greater amounts in their company retirement plans.

Pull cash flows from safer assets
In a turbulent market environment in which equities have declined, it’s best to pull any portfolio cash flows from safer assets and leave your stock positions undisturbed. That’s the general logic behind the Bucket approach to portfolio construction. In good years for the stock market, like 2023-25, you’d be harvesting appreciated equity assets to supply your income needs. In bad ones, like 2022, you’re not touching stocks but instead sourcing cash flows from high-quality bonds, cash, or a combination of the two.

If your portfolio is riskier than it should be, it’s not too late to shift into a more situation-appropriate asset allocation.

Play the long game with Social Security
Social Security is a secure, inflation-protected source of income, much like a paycheck. But the lifetime benefits of delaying Social Security are hard to ignore: a higher income stream that also happens to be fully inflation-protected and will last as long as you do. Delayed filing can be particularly impactful if you’re the higher earner in your family and you have a younger spouse who will receive that higher benefit for their lifetime.

In our retirement income research, we found that delaying filing up until age 70 did enlarge lifetime income, but the benefits are greatest if you have some other source of funds to draw from until your benefits start. And the benefits are also obviously more valuable for people with above-average life expectancies, in that they stand to receive those higher streams of inflation-protected income for a longer period of time.

Revisit inflation protection
Inflation is a key risk for retiree portfolios because the income from your safe investments is going to buy you less and less as you age. Moreover, retirees tend to spend more on healthcare, where prices have historically increased faster than the general inflation rate.

Many retirees focus on nominal bonds and underrate the value of inflation-protected bonds as a component of their retirement plans. You can address that by adding an inflation-protected bond fund to your portfolio; most of the better target-date series allocate roughly one-fourth of their bond portfolios to inflation-protected bonds. Alternatively, you could build a laddered portfolio of Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities that will mature and supply you with living expenses throughout your retirement.

Investigate tax-saving strategies
The early retirement years are typically an excellent time to consider strategies like converting traditional IRA balances to Roth or accelerating withdrawals on traditional IRAs and 401(k)s. Without income from work and because you won’t be subject to required minimum distributions until you’re 73, your income, and in turn the taxes you’ll owe on those conversions and withdrawals, will be lower.

Americans are borrowing more while saving less, leaving many households with a thinner financial cushion despite steady consumer spending. According to the latest Federal Reserve Bank of New York Quarterly Report on Household Debt and Credit, total U.S. household debt climbed to $18.8 trillion during the first quarter of 2026, increasing $18 billion from the previous quarter and remaining near record levels.

Mortgage debt continues to account for the largest share of household borrowing. Outstanding mortgage balances increased by $21 billion to $13.19 trillion, while auto loans climbed to $1.69 trillion and home-equity lines of credit rose to $446 billion. Credit card balances declined seasonally by $25 billion following the holiday shopping period but still remained 5.9% higher than a year earlier.

At the same time, Americans are setting aside less money for emergencies. Federal data shows the personal savings rate has fallen to roughly 4%, down sharply from 6.2% two years ago, as inflation, housing costs, insurance, and other everyday expenses continue consuming a larger share of household income.

The overall numbers remain relatively stable, but economists say they mask growing differences among consumers.

According to the New York Fed, approximately 4.8% of outstanding household debt was in some stage of delinquency during the first quarter, little changed from the previous quarter. However, researchers noted that most of the financial stress remains concentrated among lower-income and subprime borrowers.

“A subset of consumers, primarily subprime borrowers, has driven most of the increase in delinquencies, while prime borrowers have experienced only marginal deterioration,” New York Fed researchers wrote in the report.

That split reflects what economists increasingly describe as a K-shaped economy, where higher-income households continue building wealth while lower-income families face greater financial pressure. Earlier research by the New York Fed found many lower-income households have already reduced spending on discretionary purchases, including gasoline and entertainment, while relying more heavily on revolving credit to manage everyday expenses.

The cost of carrying debt has also become substantially more expensive. According to Federal Reserve data, the average interest rate on credit cards carrying balances now exceeds 22%, remaining near multi-decade highs. At those rates, even relatively modest balances can become difficult to repay as interest charges accumulate each month.

Student loan borrowers are facing renewed challenges as well. Outstanding student debt totaled approximately $1.66 trillion, while the share of loans at least 90 days delinquent rose to 10.3%, reflecting the continued return to repayment following the expiration of pandemic-era relief programs.

Economists caution that headline consumer spending can sometimes give a misleading picture of household finances. Americans have continued spending at healthy levels, but some families are increasingly relying on financing or carrying balances longer to maintain those spending patterns.

The broader concern is resilience. If employment weakens or inflation accelerates again, households with limited savings and high-interest debt may have little room to absorb another financial shock. Rising gasoline prices and elevated borrowing costs could place additional pressure on already stretched family budgets during the second half of the year.

For now, overall household finances remain relatively stable, particularly among higher-income borrowers. But the latest debt figures suggest that financial stress is gradually building beneath the surface, especially for families with lower incomes or significant revolving debt.

Financial counselors generally recommend building even a modest emergency fund, paying down high-interest credit card balances whenever possible, and avoiding unnecessary borrowing while interest rates remain elevated. Those steps can help provide additional flexibility if economic conditions become more challenging later this year.

This article discusses household finances generally and is not financial advice. Individuals experiencing financial hardship may wish to consult a qualified nonprofit credit counselor.

JBizNews Desk | New York
© JBizNews.com All Rights Reserved. Reproduction or distribution without written permission is prohibited.

New York became the first state in the nation on Tuesday to impose a temporary moratorium on the construction of large new data centers, which require immense power to fuel artificial intelligence tools. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a one-year pause on new data centers that consume 50 megawatts or more of power to give officials time to develop measures to protect New Yorkers and the environment following concerns raised by communities about the environmental impacts and rising energy costs stemming from the facilities.

The New York State legislature passed the Responsible Data Center Development Act last month, which goes further than the order announced by the governor on Tuesday. The bill calls for a one-year pause on permits for new hyperscale data centers over 20 megawatts.

Officials told the New York Times that the governor had issued the order “for the sake of expediency” but that she would continue to review the legislation.

“AI has changed the way we work, learn, communicate, and do business. It has also sparked a heated debate over the rapid construction of massive energy-guzzling infrastructure that is needed to power the industry,” Hochul said. “These hyperscale data centers consume enormous amounts of power, truly threatening to outpace our grid’s capacity and driving up costs for ratepayers.”

“I refuse to let those costs be passed onto New Yorkers, who already pay too much for utility bills. These data centers require millions of gallons of water, straining local supplies, and drive up our carbon footprint,” she added. “Progress shouldn’t arrive with a higher utility bill, depleted water supply, or noise pollution. We have no choice but to address these challenges created by these massive facilities.”

During the moratorium, the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation will not issue discretionary permits for projects whose applications have not already been deemed complete, according to Reuters.

Instead, Hochul has directed state officials to prepare a Generic Environmental Impact Statement to establish consistent standards for future data centers and assess the potential environmental impacts of their construction and operation across New York.

The move comes as communities across the country have pushed back against similar projects. According to Reuters, only one in three Americans approves of the rapid pace of data center construction, and a majority oppose building one in their own community. The opposition is bipartisan, with a recent Gallup poll indicating that both Democrats and Republicans express concerns about data center development.

Several state legislatures have also introduced bills aimed at limiting the impact of data centers on electricity costs and the environment.

In March, the Seminole Nation approved a moratorium on data center development on tribal land in Oklahoma. The following month, the Maine Legislature passed what would have been the country’s first statewide moratorium on data centers, but the measure was vetoed by Gov. Janet Mills, according to the New York Times.

Moratoriums have been proposed in nearly a dozen other states, but none have gone as far as New York, which is now the only state in the country to impose a statewide moratorium on large new data centers.

Supporters of new data centers argue they would boost job growth and help prevent China from advancing its lead in the competitive artificial intelligence industry.

President Donald Trump, who has expressed broad support for the facilities, has sought to address concerns over their energy demands by securing commitments from technology companies to cover their own energy costs, according to the Times.

Other Democratic governors, including Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and Gavin Newsom of California, have also expressed support for data centers, citing their potential to drive economic growth in states facing “deindustrialization.”

Carlo A. Scissura, president and CEO of the New York Building Congress, said that while the data center industry requires “guardrails,” the moratorium is the “wrong tool” for addressing concerns.

Instead, he said the issue requires targeted regulation rather than a statewide pause. He also disputed Hochul’s argument that New Yorkers would bear the burden of higher energy costs, saying the evidence “points the other way.”

“Grid modernization costs don’t disappear when data centers do,” Scissura said. “They shift onto everyday New Yorkers, who will shoulder a larger share of infrastructure modernization.”

“And then there are the jobs—tens of thousands of them. When projects go to other states, the work goes with them, and so, often, do the workers,” he added.

Earlier this year, Hochul required data centers to either generate their own power by building on sites with existing power infrastructure or pay a premium to purchase electricity from the grid. Those rules are slated to take effect within the next year.

As of May, more than 12 gigawatts of large energy-consuming facilities, including data centers, were slated to connect to New York’s power grid, according to Reuters.

While New York has the eighth-most expensive residential electricity rates in the country, which has limited data center growth compared with states like Texas and Ohio, the state has continued to attract interest from server warehouses.

After the moratorium is lifted, communities will be able to negotiate directly with tech companies over new projects. The state will provide guidelines to help local governments seek concessions from developers, including investments in local infrastructure and commitments to using union labor.

RELATED:

• Hochul signs reforms to New York’s environmental law to accelerate new housing development
• 7 green infrastructure projects shaping NYC’s climate future

The post New York imposes nation’s first one-year ban on new large data centers first appeared on 6sqft.

New details have emerged about Sen. Lindsey Graham’s final moments, with a fellow Republican senator revealing that Graham called one of his staff members Saturday night to report severe chest pains and ask for help just before his sudden death.

Speaking to reporters Monday, Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) recounted what he learned from members of his own staff, shedding new light on Graham’s final hours after the South Carolina senator returned from a trip to Ukraine and prepared to resume work following Congress’ post-Independence Day recess despite not feeling well.

“My former scheduler was Lindsey’s scheduler, and one of my staff members was with that scheduler the night Lindsey called,” Tuberville said, explaining that the two aides had been watching a World Cup soccer match together at a restaurant in the Washington area.

According to Tuberville, Graham reached out seeking assistance after experiencing alarming symptoms. “Lindsey called [and] basically said, ‘Listen, I’m having chest pains. You know, I need to do something,’” the former college football coach recounted. “[She said,] ‘Did you call 911?’ And he goes, ‘No, that’s reason I called you.’ And so she called 911 … By the time she got there, 911 had knocked the door down, and they were working on him.”

Efforts to reach Graham’s scheduler for comment were unsuccessful.

Previously released emergency dispatch recordings indicate that paramedics were sent to Graham’s Capitol Hill townhouse at approximately 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Shortly before 9:00 p.m., first responders reported that CPR was underway and that a man inside the residence was suffering cardiac arrest.

A nearby resident later shared photographs showing an elderly man being wheeled from Graham’s home on a stretcher and loaded into an ambulance at approximately 9:30 p.m.

Graham’s office publicly announced his death shortly after 2:00 a.m. Sunday. A preliminary report issued by the District of Columbia medical examiner concluded that he died from an aortic dissection caused by arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Axios reported Monday that Graham had also told another individual on Saturday night that he was not feeling well but intended to see a physician after his scheduled Sunday morning appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press.

According to that report, Graham joked, “I can’t die now. I still need to do the Russia sanctions, get Iran sorted out and do Israeli-Saudi normalization.”

President Trump, who appeared on Meet the Press in Graham’s place, confirmed that he had spoken with the senator earlier that evening.

“He sounded a little tired, but perfect, but a little bit tired,” Trump said. “He had a right to be. Man, he was a worker. He was really a worker. But he sounded great actually. But he actually said he was tired.”

As senators returned to Capitol Hill on Monday still grappling with the news, Tuberville reflected on Graham’s relentless work ethic, saying the longtime lawmaker may have pushed himself too hard.

“Most of us have families,” the Alabama Republican said. “He didn’t have any family, and if we had a couple of days off, he went to that airport. He went somewhere to try to work out something for our country.”

{Matzav.com}

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Israel’s Knesset on Tuesday approved legislation barring the arrest of haredi yeshiva students who fail to report for compulsory military service, passing the measure 58-54 after a heated parliamentary debate that underscored deep divisions over military conscription.

The bill passed with support from the governing coalition, although four coalition lawmakers broke ranks to oppose it. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended part of the debate but was not present for the final vote.

Haredi coalition leaders welcomed the legislation, saying it protects Torah students from criminal enforcement tied to the military draft. Opposition lawmakers sharply criticized the measure, arguing it creates unequal treatment between haredi Israelis and other citizens who are required to serve in the Israel Defense Forces.

Shortly after the vote, opposition parties Yesh Atid and Yisrael Beytenu announced they had petitioned Israel’s High Court of Justice to strike down the law, contending it violates the principle of equal military service.

The legislation comes as Israel continues to grapple with the politically sensitive issue of haredi military exemptions, a longstanding source of tension that has intensified since the country’s ongoing war increased demands on military reservists.

Three small businesses in Washington’s L’Enfant Plaza have filed suit against the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and HUD Secretary Scott Turner, seeking to block the agency’s relocation of its headquarters to Alexandria, Virginia.

The lawsuit argues the move violates federal law requiring Cabinet-level agencies to remain in the nation’s capital and contends HUD failed to follow proper administrative procedures before relocating thousands of employees outside the District of Columbia.

Businesses Say Revenue Has Already Declined

The plaintiffs—two restaurants and a party-supply business located near HUD’s longtime headquarters—say they have already experienced a sharp decline in business as federal employees have relocated.

According to court filings, Brown Bag, a fast-casual restaurant serving the neighborhood for more than a decade, reported its revenue during April and May fell approximately 20% compared with the same period last year.

The businesses argue that losing thousands of daily federal workers threatens their long-term viability and could permanently reshape the local economy surrounding L’Enfant Plaza.

A Move Years in the Making

HUD announced plans to relocate its headquarters in 2025, selecting the former National Science Foundation headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, as its new home.

Most of the agency’s approximately 3,000 headquarters employees completed the move earlier this year.

Federal officials have argued the relocation will reduce long-term operating expenses while replacing the aging Robert C. Weaver Federal Building, which has served as HUD headquarters since 1968.

Cost Savings at the Center of the Debate

HUD estimates the Weaver Building would require more than $609 million in repairs to remain operational and says relocating the department will ultimately save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.

The lawsuit disputes those figures, arguing the government’s repair estimates significantly exceed previous projections and questioning whether the relocation delivers the savings officials have promised.

Court filings also point to relocation expenses totaling nearly $70 million, including costs associated with moving the National Science Foundation from the Alexandria campus.

Congressional and Union Scrutiny Continues

The relocation remains under review by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) following requests from several members of Congress.

Meanwhile, AFGE Local 476, the union representing approximately 2,500 HUD headquarters employees, has opposed the move, arguing Congress never authorized the relocation and raising concerns about employee working conditions at the new facility.

Employees have reported early technology and infrastructure challenges following the transition, while union surveys found a large majority opposed leaving Washington.

Broader Impact on Downtown Washington

Beyond the legal issues, the case highlights the broader economic impact major federal relocations can have on surrounding businesses.

Restaurants, coffee shops, retailers and service providers throughout downtown Washington depend heavily on daily traffic generated by federal workers. The departure of a major Cabinet agency removes thousands of customers from the neighborhood, adding to challenges already facing downtown commercial districts as office occupancy continues to evolve.

The plaintiffs are asking the court to halt the relocation and require HUD to maintain its headquarters in Washington while the legal challenge proceeds.

The outcome could influence future efforts to relocate other federal agencies outside the District of Columbia.

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

President Donald Trump said that understandings reached with Iran through Pakistan on June 17 were “sort of a test,” adding that Tehran “didn’t honor the test.”

“It was built to test. We didn’t know,” Trump said in a phone interview with the Salem News Channel.

“Look, memorandums of understanding when you’re dealing with sleazebags don’t mean much,” the president continued. “They don’t mean much when you’re dealing with honorable people too, because it’s a memorandum of understanding—it doesn’t mean much.”

“You know, it’s a standard tactic in the U.S. that you go to a memorandum of understanding and then you go to the deal,” said Trump. “I said, just go to the deal first. But you know what, it was sort of a test, and they weren’t there.”

Trump said Iran “never followed it.”

“These people are crazy,” he told the outlet.

To the Iranian regime, “deals are made to be broken,” Trump continued. He added, “They are extremely unreliable people—and, frankly, if they ever had a nuclear weapon they’d use it within one day.”

Trump ordered more strikes against Iranian regime sites on Monday in response to the Islamic Republic’s attacks on civilian-manned commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

The president also told Fox News that the United States would be “taking over” the strategic shipping lane.

“We’re taking over the strait. They [the leaders of the Iranian regime] have nothing,” Trump said in a phone interview.

“Yesterday, they had an 11-hour meeting. Everything’s 11 hours with these guys,” the president continued. “Everything was agreed to yesterday. And they leave the room, and they call back, and they say, ‘We had to make a couple of changes.’ I said, ‘Changes? They’re going to make changes? We’re not going to make changes.’

“For 47 years, they’ve been tapping presidents along. Every president got tapped along, didn’t do anything, and they became more and more powerful. This should have been done 47 years ago. It shouldn’t have been allowed to start,” Trump said. JNS

{Matzav.com}

BRUSSELS (AP) — A fire broke out Tuesday at a building being renovated in downtown Brussels, injuring two people and leaving six missing. Authorities in the Belgian capital said that a number of charred bodies had been found in an elevator at the site.

The fire started on the second floor of the building in a main shopping area, and the flames spread into a lift shaft, said Brecht Speybrouck, a spokesman for the Labor Audit Office.

Speybrouck said 250 workers at the site were evacuated, two were taken to a hospital with severe burns and six were missing. He said charred bodies were found in one of the elevators, but did not give a number and could not clarify whether they included any of the missing.

First responders struggled to get to the lift shaft. Brussels mayor Philippe Close told The Associated Press that thermal cameras and sniffer dogs were used to try to find the victims.

Emergency workers on site during a fire at a building complex in the center of Brussels, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Marius Burgelman)

He said that “firefighters, rescue workers and police were there immediately. Everyone knew what they had to do and that probably helped to avoid a greater tragedy.”

Belgium’s King Phillipe toured the site several hours later.

Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin said he was “shocked” by the incident.

“My thoughts go out to the victims, their loved ones, and everyone still in uncertainty,” Quintin said in a post on social media. “A sincere thank you to our fire department and all emergency services for their dedication.”

Reservists serving at the Tziporen outpost along Israel’s northern border have raised concerns over deteriorating living conditions at the base, citing serious sanitation and infrastructure issues, according to a report published Tuesday by Army Radio’s Doron Kadosh.

The outpost, located near Margaliot and home to more than 100 soldiers, is reportedly plagued by poor sanitation, mold on walls, inadequate drainage infrastructure, and standing water throughout parts of the base.

Among the most serious issues reported was the temporary closure of the dining hall after spoiled meat that had reportedly been left for months was discovered, creating a severe sanitation hazard and foul odor. Soldiers were subsequently forced to relocate meal services to another area of the base.

The report also said that a truck fire near the entrance to the outpost caused damage to portions of the facility, further worsening conditions. Reservists reportedly continue sleeping in deteriorating quarters while dealing with aging infrastructure and kitchen facilities that fail to meet basic sanitary standards.

One commander at the outpost was quoted as saying, “This is a base that is unfit for human habitation. How can reservists be brought here?”

The IDF’s 91st “Galilee” Division, which is responsible for the outpost, is reportedly aware of the conditions and has been working to address the deficiencies.

In response, the IDF said the issues at the outpost are known and are being addressed.

“Improving conditions at IDF outposts is among the military’s highest priorities, and a dedicated effort is underway at this location,” the IDF said in a statement. “Some of the deficiencies were addressed last Thursday, and construction teams continued work on Friday. Among other things, the kitchen was cleaned, standing water was removed, and work is ongoing to locate and repair the source of the water leak.”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

NEW YORK (AP) — The writer E. Jean Carroll has collected over $5.6 million that a jury awarded in her sexual abuse and defamation lawsuit against President Donald Trump, court records and her lawyers said.

The payment — representing the $5 million jury award, plus interest — was made Monday from an account where it had been held in escrow since the 2023 verdict, according to court records. Carroll’s lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, confirmed the payment Tuesday.

“We are pleased to report that she has received the damages payment,” Kaplan said in a statement.

Trump’s lawyers have vowed to continue appealing.

Trump deposited the money in an escrow account shortly after the jury ruled against him. The U.S. Supreme Court recently let the civil verdict stand, clearing the way for Judge Lewis A. Kaplan to release the money.

Trump’s lawyers then sought but were denied an emergency order to block the payment. The one-sentence denial set no conditions on how Carroll may use the money. Her lawyers have said in court papers that she plans to put it in a retirement account.

Trump’s attorneys have since filed another appeal seeking to stop or reverse the payment.

The jury found Trump attacked Carroll in 1996 in a New York luxury department store dressing room and defamed her after she told the story publicly in a memoir in 2019, during his first term as president.

Trump insisted nothing sexual happened between him and Carroll, now 82, a former advice columnist. Trump claimed she was “totally lying” and “ not my type ” in a 2019 interview. He said he didn’t know her, dismissing a 1987 photo of them and their then-spouses at a party as inconsequential, and he accused her of harboring political motives and trying to sell books at his expense.

Trump didn’t attend the trial, where Carroll testified that their flirtatious and friendly chance encounter at the department store turned violent.

Carroll sued Trump after New York changed its laws to give sexual abuse survivors a fresh chance to sue over attacks that happened in the distant past.

Trump is also appealing $83 million in defamation compensation granted to Carroll by a separate Manhattan jury after a 2024 trial where Trump briefly testified.

The Associated Press generally does not identify people who say they have been sexually abused. Carroll has agreed to be named.

Best Buy issued a recall on two models of Insignia gas range stoves after a report that the stoves can be activated by accidental contact with knobs, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. 

The Chinese-manufactured Insignia Front Control Gas Ranges received the recall on Thursday. The recall affected 3,820 units sold in the U.S. 

The recall affects two models of the Insignia Front Control Gas Ranges: the models NS-RGFGSS1 and NS-RGFCGS2. 

“The recalled ranges are stainless steel with five front-knobs on the oven with the ‘Insignia’ label on the bottom of the oven door,” the recall reads.

Consumers are advised to stop using the product immediately and visit Best Buy’s website to receive a free set of gas knob covers.

“Consumers are cautioned to keep children and pets away from the knobs, to check the range knobs to ensure they are off before leaving home or going to bed, and not to leave objects on the range when the range is not in use,” according to the Safety Commission.

Despite the recall, no injuries have been reported from use of the Insignia ovens.

Best Buy has been selling the in-house Insignia ovens since 2020, and they can retail from anywhere between $280 and $1,470.

FOX Business contacted Best Buy for comment.

One of America’s most popular fast-food chains is under scrutiny as federal and state health officials investigate whether Taco Bell locations may be connected to a rapidly growing cyclosporiasis outbreak.

Federal and state health agencies are investigating whether Taco Bell locations may have contributed to a widespread outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite, according to two anonymous sources familiar with the investigation who spoke to The Washington Post.

In recent days, multiple local and national news outlets reported that signs appeared at Detroit-area Taco Bell restaurants notifying customers that the locations could not serve lettuce, cilantro onions, pico de gallo or guacamole because of “a national recall.”

Neither Taco Bell, its parent company Yum! Brands, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, nor the Department of Health and Human Services immediately responded to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

The FDA has not announced a recall involving Taco Bell, and its website does not include any public notice mentioning Taco Bell in connection with the outbreak.

Cyclosporiasis cases are rising across America, with more than 2,600 cases reported in Michigan. This is the largest outbreak of its kind in Michigan’s history and one of the country’s largest in years, according to the Associated Press.

A press release from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said Monday: “While the investigation is ongoing, current results point to lettuce or salad greens as a potential source for this outbreak, although other food items cannot be completely ruled out. No specific type of produce, grower or supplier has been identified as the source.”

The parasitic infection can cause weeks of watery, “explosive” diarrhea. The source of the outbreak has not been identified, and no deaths have been reported.

Taco Bell is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands Inc., based in Louisville, Kentucky. Yum! Brands also owns KFC, Pizza Hut and The Habit Burger & Grill.

Taco Bell operates more than 8,700 locations worldwide, according to its website, and serves more than 40 million customers each week in the United States.

Fox News’ Angelica Stabile contributed to this report.

We regret to inform you of the Petirah of Rebbetzin Rochel Lichtenstein A”H who was Niftar today.

Rebbetzin Lichtenstien A”H was the Rebbetzin of Nachlas Dovid Shul in Flatbush, where her husband, Rab Shmuel Tzvi Z”L led for decades.

The Levaya is scheduled to take place at 4:00 PM today at the Chapel, 613 Ramsey Avenue, Lakewood, with Kevurah in Lakewood.

Baruch Dayan Ha’Emes.

What happened at the Jewish Agency Board of Governors — and why it matters for every Torah Jew in the Diaspora

By Rabbi Pesach Lerner • Chairman, Eretz HaKodesh

I walked into the meeting room of the Jewish Agency’s Unity of the Jewish People Committee — a committee on which I sit — and was handed an official statement, already written, already finalized, ready to be voted on. I had never seen it. I was never asked for input. There had been no discussion, no draft circulated, no deliberation of any kind. A committee whose very name invokes the unity of the Jewish people had prepared a statement on that unity while excluding a member of the committee who represents a different voice.

That statement committed the Jewish Agency for Israel to actively work in support of pluralism, to enhance the egalitarian platform at the Kotel, to oppose any change in the Law of Return, and to oppose anything “that undermines Jewish pluralism and weakens the Jewish People.”

The Jewish Agency for Israel is the largest Jewish non-profit organization in the world, serving as the primary link between the State of Israel and Jewish communities globally. It is responsible for facilitating Aliyah, managing global shlichut programs, and strengthening Jewish identity. The organization is funded by global philanthropic efforts, including the Jewish Federations of North America, KKL/JNF, Keren HaYesod, and the Israeli government.

This took place at the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Board of Governors meetings in Tel Aviv, June 28–30, 2026. I have attended many such gatherings as a representative of Eretz HaKodesh, the slate in the World Zionist Congress that speaks for Torah Jewry. I have learned to expect disagreement. What I do not accept — what no one should accept — is a process designed to manufacture the appearance of consensus.

A fait accompli is not deliberation

When the statement was distributed, I raised my hand. I deliberately did not argue content. I argued process. Who wrote this? When did the committee see it? What is the purpose of a committee if its members are handed conclusions? I asked that the item be tabled until the full committee could review it and provide input — the way responsible institutions conduct business. To his credit, World Zionist Organization Chairman Yaakov Hagoel supported the request to table. The chair declined, offering instead to “coordinate further discussion” after the vote. A discussion after the vote is not a discussion; it is a courtesy call.

The vote proceeded: seven in favor, two against. Even Natan Sharansky, the former Jewish Agency chairman and a longtime advocate for the egalitarian section at the Kotel, was overheard acknowledging that if the committee had never discussed the statement and had not seen it before the meeting, then the objection was correct, and it was wrong to vote on it.

Hours later, at the closing plenary of the entire Board of Governors, the same statement was brought to the full body. The attendees had not seen it. It was not on the board portal. No copies were distributed. It was not even loaded on the screen when the chair began reading it aloud. I rose again, repeated my concerns, and moved to table the statement until the next meeting so that the governing body of the Jewish Agency could actually govern. The chair called the vote anyway. Perhaps 30-40 hands out of some 200 Board and committee members and invited guests went up in favor — the others likely had no idea what the vote was even about — and the chair was prepared to end the matter there, without even calling for opposing votes, until I insisted the voting process be completed. Votes against came from myself, from Gael Grunewald of the WZO, a member of the Mizrachi faction, who told me plainly that if the committee had only seen the text that afternoon he would vote against on process alone; and from Charles Kaufman of B’nai B’rith, for the same procedural reasons.

Afterward, numerous board and committee members approached me — including people who disagree with everything Eretz HaKodesh stands for. Their message was consistent: I disagree with you, but you were respectful, and the process failed. Thank you for being here. It is time someone challenged the system. Some had even been told I had received the statement weeks earlier; when they learned that was untrue, their response was immediate — then it was wrong to call for a vote.

Who speaks for Diaspora Jewry?

The episode is not an isolated procedural lapse. It reflects a deeper assumption that runs through the National Institutions: that “Diaspora Jewry” holds one set of views, and that the institutions may speak in its name accordingly.

Earlier in the same conference, at the Government Relations Committee, senior staff — who throughout the year review Knesset legislation — presented bills addressing conversion according to halacha and the status quo at the Kotel, and announced, as a matter of course, that the Jewish Agency would work to challenge them. (I later learned that the only Knesset bills that seem to interest them are those addressing halachic conversion and the protection of Kedushas HaKotel. No other Knesset bill, regardless of topic, draws their attention.) I raised my hand there too, and placed on the record a simple fact: there are members of this Board of Governors, and hundreds of thousands of Jews across the Diaspora — if not far more — who want conversion according to halacha and who want the status quo at the Kotel preserved. The Jewish Agency does not speak for all of Diaspora Jewry when it speaks against them.

No one else in the room said it. Someone had to.

What engagement achieves

There will be those who ask: why sit in these rooms at all? First, there are many important things that the Jewish Agency does. Second, the voice of the Torah community must be heard. And the same Board of Governors meeting provided another answer.

For the past year, I and others have pressed the National Institutions on a painful and neglected problem: Lone Soldiers who complete their IDF service and return to their countries of origin receive no assistance — none — from the State of Israel, the IDF, the Jewish Agency, the WZO, or KKL. After the recent war, which is still ongoing, nearly every soldier carries wounds, physical or emotional; so many soldiers require medical or mental health attention. Gedolei Yisrael on both sides of the Atlantic have said clearly that a wounded Jewish soldier must be helped as if he were our own child. Working with NEVUT, an American organization founded by Lone Soldiers and their parents, we brought this issue to the attention of the President of Israel, Israel’s Ambassador to the United States, senior IDF officers, the Minister of Aliyah and Klita, and the chairmen of the Jewish Agency, WZO, and KKL.

At this Board of Governors meeting, the Jewish Agency announced the creation of a new department: Lone Soldiers of the Diaspora, with its own director, staff, and budget. That is what a seat at the table accomplishes.

It is the same reason my counsel to the Global Jewish Connection Committee — which is mapping every Jewish community of 2,000 or more worldwide for emergency preparedness — was welcomed. I told them: work with Chabad, who are present nearly everywhere and are too often the target of attacks; and do not overlook the Torah communities, who are also often targeted, and whose Hatzalah, Shomrim, gemachs, and crisis-response networks are frequently the best-prepared resources any community has.

On notice

Unity is not achieved by drafting statements behind closed doors and calling snap votes before the room has read the text. Unity is achieved the way Jews have always achieved it — by sitting together, arguing honestly, and respecting the process. A “Unity of the Jewish People Committee” that bypasses its own members is neither unity nor a committee.

Eretz HaKodesh will keep showing up. We will keep raising our hands. We were, at times, a lone voice — but the institutions are now on notice that Torah Jewry is present, can be helpful, and is part of the Jewish people. And they now realize that we are watching, and that we will not be spoken for by others. Judging by how many people sought me out afterward, we are not nearly as alone as the vote count suggests.

Rabbi Pesach Lerner is Chairman of Eretz HaKodesh, a slate representing Torah Jewry in the World Zionist Congress, and serves on the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency for Israel

{Matzav.com}

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump welcomed Iraq’s new prime minister to the White House on Tuesday after strongly backing the political neophyte in his bid for office.

Ali al-Zaidi, a businessman with no political background, emerged as a consensus candidate in Iraq after months of deadlock over the premiership following last year’s parliamentary elections. When al-Zaidi was formally installed as prime minister-designate in April, Trump said in a social media post that it was the “beginning of a tremendous new chapter between our Nations — Prosperity, Stability, and Success like never seen before.”

But Trump’s interest and involvement in the next leadership in Iraq began long before that statement.

Iraq’s dominant parliamentary bloc, the Coordination Framework, a coalition of Shiite parties allied with Iran, initially said it would back former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, whom the Trump administration views as too close to Tehran. The Republican president publicly announced his opposition to al-Maliki and threatened to cut off aid to Iraq if he was appointed, adding that “if we are not there to help, Iraq has ZERO chance of Success, Prosperity, or Freedom.”

The issue of Iran is likely to loom large in the discussions Tuesday. Iraq has been under pressure to disarm a network of Iran-backed militias operating in the country, some of which launched attacks on U.S. bases and diplomatic facilities after the U.S. and Israel launched their war against Iran in February. Officially, the Iraqi government has given non-state armed groups until the end of September to disarm, but some of the most powerful militias have said they have no intention of doing so.

A Trump administration official said ahead of the Oval Office meeting that the U.S. will make “informed” decisions based on Iraq’s efforts to disarm Iranian-backed militias inside its borders. The official was granted anonymity to discuss the administration’s strategy ahead of al-Zaidi’s visit.

Al-Zaidi has been called ‘Trump of the Middle East’
Victoria Taylor, director of the Iraq Initiative at the Atlantic Council, noted that al-Zaidi has been likened to “Trump of the Middle East” considering his business background and lack of political experience.

“When you value business success, I think then it’s very appealing to look at an Iraqi prime minister who is likely a billionaire and can be really pointed to as a political outsider,” she said.

But Taylor added that “the reality is much more complicated,” noting that al-Zaidi was chosen by the current political infrastructure in Iraq and will be “beholden in some way to that system.”

“I’m not always sure that there’s a full appreciation of the challenge that this prime minister will face in actually trying to really dismantle core parts of the political system,” she said, noting the obstacles that al-Zaidi will face as he tries to disarm the Iran-backed militias or challenge political corruption.

Renad Mansour, director of the Iraq Initiative at the Chatham House think tank, said he expects that “the U.S. will put significant pressure on al-Zaidi” to move ahead with disarmament during his Washington visit “and Zaidi will respond by saying, ‘But I need support — intelligence support, technical support, armed support.’”

“There is a scenario in which, if the Iraqi government starts going after these groups, they will also go after the government,” Mansour said. “And this is a scenario that I think that the Iraqi government is apprehensive about.”

Oil pipeline deal is set to be signed, Iraqi officials say
The two governments are also poised to finalize a significant energy deal.

Two Iraqi officials said an agreement is slated to be signed Friday between Iraq, U.S. companies Chevron and TI Capital, and Qatar’s UCC for construction of an oil pipeline that will connect southern Iraq’s Basra to western Iraq’s Haditha and from there to the Ceyhan port in Turkey and the port of Baniyas on Syria’s coast. The pipeline is projected to carry about 2 million barrels of oil per day. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly.

Al-Zaidi received Trump’s blessing, despite the fact that he was chairman of a bank, Al-Janoob Islamic Bank, that was among the financial institutions banned by Iraq’s central bank in 2024 from dealing in dollars amid pressure from the U.S. to crack down on money laundering and funneling of funds to Iran.

Since taking office, al-Zaidi has made a public show of cracking down on corruption. His government has conducted raids and arrested dozens of current and former lawmakers and government officials accused of corruption, including some affiliated with former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.

The Iraqi premier’s delegation to Washington includes a number of Iraqi businessmen and government officials, and al-Zaidi’s office said in a statement that the aim of the visit is to “strengthen economic and development partnerships, attract investment, and expand the role of U.S. companies in implementing infrastructure projects” and to further develop the oil-rich country’s energy sector.

Toyota is bringing one of America’s best-selling pickup trucks back to the United States. The Japanese automaker announced it will invest $3.6 billion to shift most production of its popular Tacoma pickup from Tijuana, Mexico, to its manufacturing campus in San Antonio, Texas, a move expected to create more than 2,000 American jobs while significantly expanding U.S. production capacity.

The investment will add a second assembly line to Toyota’s San Antonio facility, nearly doubling the plant to approximately 5 million square feet and increasing annual production capacity from about 200,000 vehicles to roughly 350,000 by 2030. The transition is expected to take several years, while some Tacoma production will continue at Toyota’s Guanajuato, Mexico, facility. The Texas plant already assembles the Toyota Tundra and Toyota Sequoia.

“Toyota’s continued investment in North America is a testament to our confidence in the region’s workforce, innovation and long-term growth potential,” said Ted Ogawa, Chief Executive Officer of Toyota Motor North America.

The announcement comes amid a changing trade environment that has encouraged manufacturers to expand U.S. production. Increased tariffs on imported vehicles and metals have altered the economics of North American manufacturing, prompting several automakers to reassess where they build their highest-volume models.

For Toyota, the Tacoma represents one of its strongest-performing vehicles. The midsize pickup sold 274,638 units in 2025 after sales surged 42%, and another 143,828 trucks were delivered during the first half of 2026, putting the model on pace for another exceptionally strong year. Producing more Tacomas alongside the Tundra and Sequoia in Texas allows Toyota to leverage shared manufacturing operations while reducing exposure to potential tariff-related costs.

The investment also represents a significant boost for American manufacturing employment. Once fully operational, the expanded San Antonio facility is expected to employ roughly 6,000 workers directly, while supporting thousands of additional supplier and logistics jobs throughout Texas and neighboring states.

Consumers could also benefit. Building more Tacomas in the United States may help Toyota manage production costs and reduce some of the pricing pressures associated with imported vehicles. The 2026 Toyota Tacoma currently starts around $34,190, including destination charges, while higher-performance TRD Pro models approach $66,000.

The decision highlights a broader reshoring trend occurring throughout the automotive industry. For decades, manufacturers expanded production in Mexico to take advantage of lower labor costs and regional trade agreements. As trade policies evolve and supply-chain resilience becomes a greater priority, more companies are investing in domestic manufacturing capacity.

Ironically, Toyota moved much of its Tacoma production from Texas to Mexico just over six years ago. Today’s announcement effectively reverses that decision, illustrating how rapidly trade policy and manufacturing economics can shift.

Beyond vehicle production, the economic impact extends throughout the supply chain. Auto assembly plants generate demand for steel, plastics, electronics, transportation, warehousing, and hundreds of component suppliers, creating multiplier effects that support regional economies for years after expansion projects are completed.

For Texas, the announcement further strengthens its position as one of North America’s largest automotive manufacturing hubs. For Toyota, it reinforces the company’s long-term commitment to producing vehicles closer to the customers who buy them.

As manufacturers continue adapting to changing trade policies and evolving consumer demand, Toyota’s decision underscores a growing trend: companies are increasingly viewing American production not only as a response to tariffs but as a long-term investment in supply-chain stability and domestic manufacturing.

JBizNews Desk | New York
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett told lawmakers Tuesday that a sharp increase in threats targeting her and other justices is increasingly encroaching on their personal and family lives.

During a rare appearance by justices before Congress, Barrett said she had to wear a bulletproof vest home a few years ago, something she struggled to explain to her 12-year-old son.

“I didn’t expect that performing this service would put me in the position of explaining to my children what a bulletproof vest was, why I had to wear one,” she said.

She and Justice Elena Kagan testified before a House appropriations panel in support of a request to increase security funding for members of the nation’s highest court.

Judges around the country have seen a rise in threats of violence and intimidation. Barrett’s home was also targeted by a fake swatting call to police in May.

The hearing comes two weeks after the conservative-majority court finished handing down a series of major opinions, including a decision that increased President Donald Trump’s power over federal regulatory agencies and another that rejected his wide-ranging tariffs, sparking harsh personal criticism.

It’s the first time justices have testified before Congress since 2019, and the two justices are faced wide-ranging questions about the court’s work.

Security is central to the Supreme Court’s budget request
The Supreme Court requested a total of $228 million for next fiscal year, a roughly 10% increase over the year before. About $18 million of that is for maintaining the building and grounds.

Much of the requested increase, $14.6 million, would go to expanding personal protection for justices, with six more agents for each.

An additional $2 million would fund an off-site residential security post aimed at making emergency responses faster, as well as increasing the number of Supreme Court police officers.

The U.S. Marshals Service, responsible for protecting judges, reported 564 threats in the government fiscal year that ended in September, an increase from the year before.

That total includes threats to the hundreds of federal judges around the country, though the nine-member Supreme Court has not been immune.

In May, Barrett’s security detail worked with police to quickly deal with the call determined to be swatting, or a fake 911 call designed to provoke a police response. Last year, her sister was the victim of a bomb threat in Charleston, South Carolina, police said. No bomb was found.

In 2022, shortly after the leak of a draft opinion overturning the Roe v. Wade abortion decision, a would-be assassin was arrested near the home of Justice Brett Kavanaugh with weapons and zip ties. Threats to the Supreme Court increased after that leak, and have continued to grow, Kagan said.

Chief Justice John Roberts has condemned the threats to all U.S. judges, saying during a speech in March that criticism of judicial opinions is understandable, but personally directed hostility is “dangerous, and it’s got to stop.”

An Israeli citizen was arrested after allegedly attempting to smuggle 216 kilograms of khat into Italy, where the plant is classified as an illegal narcotic, authorities announced following the seizure at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport.

Italian customs officials discovered the shipment hidden inside seven suitcases checked by the passenger, who had arrived on a flight from Israel. In total, authorities confiscated 216 kilograms of khat concealed among the traveler’s luggage.

According to Italian authorities, the passenger was selected for a targeted inspection after giving vague and contradictory answers regarding the purpose of his trip and the details of his planned stay in Italy.

Following a thorough search of the luggage, customs officers uncovered the large quantity of khat, leading to the passenger’s arrest.

Italy’s Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) said the traveler, who was listed as the sole owner of the luggage containing the leaves, “was reported to the Public Prosecutor’s Office for violating drug laws. The operation is part of ongoing efforts by police and the Customs and Monopolies Agency to combat transnational illegal trafficking at Italy’s airports and ports.”

The case is the latest in a series of similar incidents involving Israelis attempting to transport khat into European countries, where the substance is prohibited.

In June 2026, customs officials in Warsaw and Krakow arrested two young women after allegedly attempting to smuggle approximately 100 kilograms of khat into Poland through Krakow Airport.

A similar case occurred in December 2025, when two young chareidi women from central Israel, both in their twenties, were arrested at Prague’s international airport after authorities allegedly discovered 96 kilograms of khat in their luggage—48 kilograms packed into each suitcase.

Although khat is widely sold and consumed in countries such as Ethiopia, Somalia, and Yemen, it is subject to strict restrictions throughout the European Union, where its importation, sale, and possession are prohibited under drug laws.

{Matzav.com}

LONDON (AP) — Counterterror police investigating the killing of the former British politician and reality TV contestant Ann Widdecombe said Tuesday that she was the victim of a “targeted attack.”

A 28-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder and terror crimes remains in custody as the investigation continues.

“It is clear that this was a targeted attack,” Laurence Taylor, head of National Counter Terrorism Policing told reporters. “We are still working to understand the extent of any planning or preparation, and the motivation that sits behind that attack.”

The death of Widdecombe, 78, a former member of Parliament, shocked the British political world, where Widdecombe was a prominent voice for decades. She was a blunt-speaking character known for socially conservative views opposing abortion and the expansion of LGBTQ+ rights.

Police said they believe Widdecombe was attacked Wednesday afternoon. She failed to appear that afternoon for a scheduled TV interview and was found dead the next day in her isolated rural home in a southwest England village.

Police did not disclose a cause of death, saying only that she had sustained “serious injuries.”

Israel’s Security Cabinet quietly approved approximately NIS 1.3 billion last month to fund the establishment of new communities in Yehuda and Shomron, with the decision kept under wraps until now in order to avoid embarrassing the U.S. administration, according to Israeli reports.

The funding was approved as part of a proposal submitted by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich, and Settlement and National Missions Minister Orit Strock.

The budget will be used to establish pioneer neighborhoods in dozens of new communities approved by the Security Cabinet during the current government’s tenure, while also funding infrastructure needed to allow families to begin moving in as permanent development work continues.

The decision was formulated by the Prime Minister’s Office and will be implemented through the Settlement and National Missions Ministry together with the Housing and Construction Ministry. It follows a series of recent government decisions allocating funding for planning, roads, and security infrastructure for the new communities.

Smotrich said the goal is to ensure that the government’s decisions to authorize and establish the communities “do not remain on paper, but become reality on the ground.” He added that the government continues to allocate funding for roads, infrastructure, public buildings, and temporary housing.

Housing and Construction Minister Chaim Katz said the government’s approval marks the transition from planning to implementation.

“Following the decision to establish the communities, we are now moving to the execution stage,” Katz said. “This budget will allow us to begin development, build pioneer neighborhoods, and lay the infrastructure needed before families move in. We will work to remove obstacles and accelerate construction so these new communities quickly become a reality.”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Americans spent freely in June, and a major sporting event helped fuel the surge. According to the Bank of America Institute, the bank’s research arm that tracks spending across its millions of customers, total credit and debit card spending per household rose about 6.3% from a year earlier in June, one of the strongest readings in more than four years. The bank titled its latest Consumer Checkpoint report “Consumers Hit the Back of the Net,” a nod to the soccer tournament that appears to have loosened wallets across the country.

The FIFA World Cup 2026, hosted across North America, showed up clearly in the data. The Bank of America Institute found notably stronger spending growth in host cities than in other U.S. metropolitan areas, particularly at restaurants, bars, and other food-service businesses as fans gathered to watch matches. Early Prime Day promotions and other summer retail events also contributed to the midyear spending surge.

Perhaps the most encouraging finding was where the growth originated. The bank reported a “notable convergence” in wages and spending across income groups, with lower-income households experiencing stronger after-tax wage growth than middle-income households during June. For much of the past two years, economists have described the economy as “K-shaped,” where higher-income consumers continued spending while lower-income families struggled. June’s figures suggest that gap narrowed, at least temporarily.

The gains were concentrated in discretionary purchases rather than necessities. Travel, tourism, restaurants, and entertainment all posted healthy growth, while spending on essential categories such as rent and utilities moderated compared with last year. That distinction is important because discretionary purchases typically remain strong only when consumers feel reasonably confident about their finances and employment prospects.

The health of household balance sheets also appeared relatively stable. The Bank of America Institute found little evidence that consumers were relying heavily on new borrowing to finance higher spending. Although the personal savings rate has declined, overall savings balances remain elevated compared with historical levels, and tax-refund deposits provided additional support for many households earlier this year.

The report did, however, identify one area worth monitoring. The share of customers making only minimum monthly payments on their credit cards continued to rise, suggesting that while overall consumer finances remain healthy, financial pressure is building for some households. Economists note that headline spending figures can often mask increasing stress among lower-income families and those carrying revolving debt.

The report carries significant weight because it is based on actual transaction data from millions of Bank of America customers, providing one of the earliest real-time snapshots of consumer behavior before many official government reports become available. Retailers, investors, and policymakers closely monitor the findings because consumer spending accounts for roughly two-thirds of U.S. economic activity.

Whether June’s momentum continues remains an open question. The institute noted that spending benefited from several temporary catalysts, including the FIFA World Cup and early summer retail promotions. Those one-time boosts may not be repeated during the second half of the year, making the strength of the labor market increasingly important.

That labor picture has already shown signs of slowing. The June employment report indicated the economy added just 57,000 jobs, below economists’ expectations, while the unemployment rate edged down to 4.2% largely because fewer people participated in the labor force. Should hiring weaken further, the spending resilience seen in June could face a tougher test.

For now, however, the numbers portray an American consumer who continues to spend despite higher prices and elevated interest rates. Strong wage growth, stable household finances, and major national events combined to support another solid month for the economy. Whether that confidence survives rising gasoline prices, persistent inflation, and a softer job market will help determine the strength of consumer spending through the remainder of 2026.

JBizNews Desk | New York
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Utah taxpayers may ultimately be forced to spend well over $10 million to fund the legal defense of Tyler Robinson, the man accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk, as experts warn that the lengthy and complex death penalty case could stretch on for years.

Legal analysts say the enormous potential cost stems from the unique demands of a capital murder prosecution, where defendants face the possibility of execution and virtually every stage of the proceedings—including years of appeals following any conviction—requires extensive legal work.

Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor who is not involved in the case, told The Post that Robinson’s attorneys appear to be pursuing an aggressive strategy aimed at avoiding a death sentence. “are litigating anything and everything to try to bring the prosecution to the table to offer a life-without-the-possibility-of-parole deal,” Rahmani said.

He acknowledged that the legal tactics are expensive but unsurprising. “So yeah, it it is costing taxpayers,” he said of the drawn-out process, which most recently involved Robinson’s preliminary hearings.

Rahmani added, “But what do you expect the defense to do? They’re playing the hand that they’re dealt, right? And it’s not a good hand.”

Robinson, 23, is accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old married father of two and co-founder of Turning Point USA, while Kirk was addressing a crowd of thousands at Utah Valley University in Orem in September.

To cover the costs of the prosecution and defense, the Utah County Commission approved an initial $1 million last year to pay both Robinson’s defense attorneys and the prosecutors handling the case, according to Fox News.

By February, however, county officials were already warning that another $1 million in state funding would be required for Robinson’s legal team alone, bringing the anticipated defense costs to at least $2 million. At that point, the county had already paid approximately $349,000 to his attorneys, according to KUTV.

One major reason for the mounting expense is that Robinson has been declared indigent and therefore qualifies under Utah law for court-appointed attorneys with specialized experience in death penalty litigation and appellate practice.

Because those lawyers possess highly specialized expertise, their services come at a premium, with taxpayers responsible for the costs as the case continues to move slowly through the courts while the defense attempts to eliminate the possibility of capital punishment.

Nearly 10 months after the Sept. 10 shooting, Robinson has yet to receive a trial date.

According to Rahmani, Robinson’s attorneys have repeatedly delayed the proceedings by filing numerous motions on a wide range of issues, including repeated efforts to block cameras from the courtroom and attempts to disqualify prosecutors or seek sanctions against them. He believes the objective is to pressure prosecutors into negotiating a plea agreement.

Rahmani compared the strategy to the approach taken in Bryan Kohberger’s quadruple homicide case.

“They’re trying to put pressure on the prosecution to offer a life deal. Like they did in Kohberger,” Rahmani said of his lawyers.

He argued that a plea agreement would dramatically reduce the financial burden on taxpayers. “If the state offered a plea deal and a life sentence, the taxpayers would save millions and millions of dollars,” the expert said, noting it’s usually cheaper to put someone behind bars for life than to sentence them to death because of the cost of the appeals process.

Rahmani also said the pace of the case reflects the deliberate approach of Judge Tony Graf, who is presiding over the proceedings.

“I think all the attention on the case, he doesn’t want to make a mistake or be overturned on appeal,” he said of the judge. “He’s very slow, he’s very thorough, and very deliberate.”

Utah defense attorney Nathan Evershed likewise told The Post that delaying proceedings is a common defense strategy in death penalty cases because additional time can increase the likelihood of reaching a negotiated resolution.

“Usually what happens is that the longer a case can get delayed, the more of a chance there can be an off-ramp or a plea deal,” Evershed said.

He added, “And an off-ramp is harder to find when it’s raw and very, very fraught with emotions. Whereas it’s easier to find when it’s less raw and you’re able to come to the table.”

Evershed agreed that Robinson’s case is likely to become exceptionally expensive due to the anticipated length of the trial, the specialized capital defense team, and the expert witnesses expected to testify during both the guilt and sentencing phases.

“It’s going to cost quite a bit of money to get to that point,” Evershed said. “And the only people that will be paying for that are the taxpayers.”

Last week, Judge Graf presided over several days of preliminary hearings and must now determine whether prosecutors have established probable cause for the case to proceed to trial. In Utah, preliminary hearings serve as an alternative to grand jury indictments.

Those hearings themselves were postponed for two months from their originally scheduled May date. Graf also announced that he will not issue his ruling until after additional arguments are heard in September.

If the judge ultimately finds probable cause, Robinson will then be arraigned before a trial date is scheduled. He remains in custody pending further proceedings.

Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, along with his parents and several family friends, attended the preliminary hearings. During the proceedings, the court viewed graphic video footage of the public shooting. Erika Kirk left the courtroom before the disturbing recordings were played.

{Matzav.com}

Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh on Tuesday told House lawmakers that the central bank’s policymakers have “no tolerance for persistently elevated inflation” in his first testimony as Fed chief.

Warsh said in his prepared testimony for the House Financial Services Committee that concerns about inflation influenced the Fed’s decision to hold the benchmark federal funds rate steady at a range of 3.5% to 3.75% at the Fed’s June meeting.

“The Fed’s number one objective is to get monetary policy right – or as near to it as we possibly can. That is our clear and constant aim, the star we steer by,” he said. “And if we get policy right – and we will – the inflation surge of the last five years will be a thing of the past.”

“My colleagues and I recognize that high inflation has been an undue burden on American households and businesses. While monthly price fluctuations are inevitable – especially in an unsettled world – underlying inflation over longer time horizons is determined largely by monetary policy,” Warsh said.

“The members of our Committee have no tolerance for persistently elevated inflation. And we share a resolute commitment to restoring price stability,” he added.

Warsh was asked about how he would respond if President Donald Trump targeted him or other policymakers in an effort to influence interest rate policy, and the chairman emphasized the Fed is an independent central bank – which the Supreme Court recently affirmed.

“The Supreme Court said that the Federal Reserve and the conduct of monetary policy is independent. To the extent there were questions about it, the Court answered those questions,” Warsh said, adding he would continue to do his job if the president were to attempt to fire him.

Warsh went on to say that his goal for the Fed “is for there to be no politics. To the extent there’s politics there, we’re going to get rid of them.” 

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates on Warsh’s testimony.

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According to Reuters, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, LSEG and company earnings reports, July 14, 2026 — U.S. stocks opened mixed Tuesday after a cooler-than-expected June inflation report boosted technology shares, while rising oil prices tied to renewed U.S.-Iran tensions and disappointing corporate news kept broader market gains in check.

The Consumer Price Index declined 0.4% in June, bringing the annual inflation rate to 3.5%, below economists’ expectations of 3.8%. Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, remained unchanged from May, with the annual rate holding at 2.6%, also coming in below forecasts. The report eased concerns that inflation was accelerating again and strengthened hopes that price pressures continue to moderate.

The inflation data helped fuel buying in technology stocks, although investors remained cautious ahead of testimony from Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh, who is scheduled to appear before the House Financial Services Committee later Tuesday. Markets are looking for additional guidance on the Federal Reserve’s outlook for interest rates after recent comments from policymakers suggested inflation risks have not completely disappeared.

Where the Indexes Stood

Shortly after the opening bell, the Nasdaq Composite climbed about 0.7% to roughly 26,073, led by gains in large-cap technology shares. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped to around 52,472, while the S&P 500 traded near unchanged as investors balanced encouraging inflation data against higher oil prices and a busy earnings calendar.

Monday’s session ended lower across the board. The S&P 500 closed at 7,515.34, down 0.79%. The Nasdaq Composite finished at 25,873.18, down 1.55%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 138.37 points, or 0.26%, to close at 52,498.64.

Market Movers

Bank earnings dominated Tuesday morning trading.

Goldman Sachs surged after reporting earnings of $20.98 per share, well above analysts’ expectations of $14.48 per share, while revenue of $20.34 billion also exceeded estimates. Shares climbed roughly 8% in early trading.

JPMorgan Chase reported earnings and revenue above Wall Street forecasts but still fell approximately 2.5% as investors took profits following the strong results.

Wells Fargo gained more than 1% after beating expectations, while Bank of America slipped about 0.8% despite reporting better-than-expected quarterly results. Citigroup also reported quarterly earnings as investors continued evaluating the health of the banking sector.

The biggest drag on the Dow was International Business Machines (IBM). Shares plunged nearly 22% after the company warned preliminary second-quarter results would fall below expectations. The decline alone erased roughly 425 points from the Dow’s price-weighted index.

Elsewhere, HCA Healthcare fell 9.2%, while Virtu Financial lost 6.2%. Semiconductor-related stocks outperformed, with Applied Materials rising 5.3%, Teradyne gaining 4.9%, and Monolithic Power Systems advancing 4.5%.

Wall Street analysts also issued several notable rating changes. Citigroup raised its price target on Apple to $365 from $315, citing the company’s pricing power and the expected launch of the iPhone 18. Evercore ISI initiated coverage of SpaceX with an Outperform rating and a $230 price target, while Jefferies upgraded Shopify to Buy and reiterated its Buy rating on Amazon.

Commodities and Markets

Energy markets remained a major focus.

Oil prices continued climbing after Brent crude recorded its biggest single-day gain in years on Monday, rising 9.6% to settle at $83.80 per barrel. The rally followed a third consecutive night of U.S. military strikes against Iran and attacks involving commercial tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes.

President Donald Trump announced that the United States would reinstate a blockade of Iranian shipping beginning Tuesday afternoon, adding another layer of uncertainty to global energy markets.

Safe-haven assets also benefited from the geopolitical uncertainty. Gold climbed about 2.1% to approximately $4,089 per ounce, while the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), Wall Street’s widely followed fear gauge, eased to around 16.5.

The Takeaway

Tuesday’s market open highlighted the competing forces driving Wall Street. A cooler inflation report provided investors with renewed confidence that price pressures continue to ease, supporting technology stocks and improving expectations for future Federal Reserve policy. At the same time, rising oil prices, escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, and mixed corporate earnings reminded investors that significant risks remain.

For businesses, lower inflation offers hope for improving financing conditions and stronger consumer demand. However, sustained increases in energy prices could raise transportation, manufacturing, and operating costs, offsetting some of those gains. Investors will closely monitor Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh’s testimony, additional bank earnings, and developments in the Strait of Hormuz for direction as trading continues.

JBizNews Desk | New York

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Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu issued a stern warning to Iran on Tuesday, declaring that any future attack on Israel would be met with a far more powerful response than in previous confrontations.

Speaking at the Negev Conference in Dimona, Netanyahu said Israel is prepared for any scenario amid escalating regional tensions.

“We are prepared for any scenario,” Netanyahu said. “I can tell you only one thing, and I will say this to the leaders of Iran: Do not count on it being quiet if you attack us. Do not count on a rerun. Because it will not be a rerun, and that was already powerful enough. This will be a different event, much more powerful.”

The prime minister stressed that Israel’s policy has fundamentally changed and that attacks on the Jewish state will no longer go unanswered.

“The days when someone hurts us and we do not strike them back twofold are over,” Netanyahu said. “We did this to the Axis of Evil in Iran, and we will continue to do so to anyone who harms us. That is what we do.”

His remarks came as Iran continues attacks against U.S. allies across the Middle East, including Jordan, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.

Netanyahu’s warning follows Israel’s strike on Iranian petrochemical facilities in southwestern Iran on June 8, which was carried out in response to Iranian missile attacks on Israel.

The prime minister reiterated that Israel will continue to act decisively against any threat to its security, signaling that any future Iranian aggression would trigger an even more forceful Israeli response.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

The Eidah HaChareidis of yerushalayim is preparing for what organizers expect to be a massive demonstration on Wednesday, Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av, following a public call by the members of the Badatz urging the chareidi public to protest outside the military draft office at Tel HaShomer.

The demonstration comes in response to ongoing efforts to draft bnei yeshivah into the IDF. The Badatz called on the public to gather in order to voice strong opposition to what it described as attempts to undermine lomdei Torah and compel yeshiva students to leave the batei medrash for military service.

According to organizers, thousands of participants—from young bochurim to elderly supporters—are expected to travel from Yerushalayim and other chareidi communities to the Tel HaShomer induction center. The protest is expected to be led by the distinguished members of the Badatz themselves, who are slated to address the gathering and deliver forceful messages of protest.

Individuals involved in planning the demonstration say it is expected to differ markedly from the recent protest held by Chassidei Gur outside Prison 10. During that demonstration, participants maintained strict discipline, concluding the event peacefully after Minchah, the recitation of Tehillim, and remarks by one of the chassidus’ rabbanim.

Israel’s security establishment and police are preparing in force. Large numbers of uniformed and undercover officers, Border Police companies, and specialized units are expected to be deployed around the Tel HaShomer draft office and along the roads leading to the site in an effort to prevent violent confrontations between demonstrators and security forces.

The demonstration is expected to be one of the largest anti-draft protests organized by the Eidah HaChareidis in recent months, coming amid heightened tensions over the government’s efforts to address the status of bnei yeshivah and ongoing disputes surrounding proposed draft legislation.

{Matzav.com}

BROOKLYN (JNS) – Inna Vernikov, 41, had been speaking with JNS for about an hour when she delivered one of her characteristically blunt verdicts on New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
“He’s a liar,” the New York City Council member said matter-of-factly. “He’s a fake.”

The statement was natural coming from the Ukrainian-born Republican, who has built a reputation for being one of the mayor’s most fiery, out-spoken opponents within the City Council.

“It’s very clear to us who this guy is and what exactly he’s here for,” Vernikov told JNS. “It’s not for affordability, because he knows he can’t accomplish the majority of the things he’s promising.”

Vernikov, who is Jewish, spoke with JNS outside her synagogue, Ohel David and Shlomo, an Orthodox Sephardic congregation in Manhattan Beach.

She has represented Brooklyn’s 48th district in the City Council, which includes several Orthodox Jewish and Russian-speaking enclaves, including Manhattan Beach, Sheepshead Bay and Brighton Beach, since 2021.

Inna Vernikov
Inna Vernikov, a Jewish Republican member of the New York City Council, near the Sheepshead Bay canal in Brooklyn, July 13, 2026. Photo by Rikki Zagelbaum.
The mayor, of whom she is so critical, has said that he would have the Israeli prime minister arrested in New York City, and his spokeswoman said that synagogues violate international law when they host pro-Israel events.

Mamdani’s primary concern has “always been” opposing the Jewish state, and he “ran on ‘free buses to free Palestine,’” she said. “You can quote me on that.”

She grew up in Chernivtsi, in western Ukraine, when it was part of the Soviet Union, which, she told JNS, means that she recognized the dangers of socialism taking hold in the United States before many others did.

“Free stuff is very attractive to young people, who didn’t grow up in communism and don’t understand what it is,” she said. “They don’t understand that the government will just lie to you and tell you, ‘Oh, free, free everything,’ and then they’ll steal your money, because somebody has to pay for it.”

Vernikov, who co-chairs the City Council’s bipartisan task force on Jew-hatred, doesn’t recall experiencing Jew-hatred in Chernivtsi, a city near the Romanian border that was once home to a large Jewish population before the Holocaust.

Inna Vernikov
Inna Vernikov, a Jewish Republican member of the New York City Council, outside Ohel David and Shlomo, an Orthodox Sephardic congregation in Manhattan Beach, July 13, 2026. Photo by Rikki Zagelbaum.
She remembers cobblestone streets, her mother playing piano, communal Passover Seders and a culture that placed a premium on education.

“There were no snow days,” she said. “Everybody went to school.”

Her family was not observant, and her grandfather was a fervent communist, but Vernikov enrolled in Chernivtsi’s first Jewish school after the Soviet Union’s collapse. It was around that time that she remembers one of the earliest conversations about Israel taking place in her home.

“A lot of Jewish families were having the same conversation, which was, ‘OK. We need to leave this place. Where are we going? Are we going to Israel, or are we going to America?’” she told JNS. “I was little, but I remember it very well. We sat around the table and they were deciding, and they decided, ‘We’re going to America.’”

At 12, Vernikov arrived in Brooklyn with her parents and two siblings. She learned English within five months and was soon the family’s designated negotiator. She was sent often to make phone calls, challenge an agency or solve issues when something went wrong.

“My mom would tell you that anything they wanted, they would always push me to do it,” Vernikov told JNS. “Any phone calls, any way we had to fight to get through.”

Even at restaurants, her parents would turn to her when there was a problem. “‘Oh, she will take care of it,’” they would say, according to Vernikov.

The role suited the self-declared “bit of a troublemaker,” she told JNS with a smile.

“Every time I saw something wrong, I always wanted to fix it,” she said. “I always wanted to say something, do something. I never wanted to stand by or stay on the sidelines.”

Ohel David and Shlomo
Ohel David and Shlomo, an Orthodox Sephardic congregation in Manhattan Beach, July 13, 2026. Photo by Rikki Zagelbaum.
Jew-hatred was the first issue she felt compelled to confront herself. The 2012 attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, was another turning point, she said.

“When we were in the Soviet Union, this country was painted as such an amazing place, where the government doesn’t lie and there’s no corruption,” she said, of the United States.

Watching then U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testify before Congress about the terrorist attack, which killed four Americans, made Vernikov think that “they didn’t protect their own people, and then they lied about it and Americans died.”

“I felt like that was horrible,” she told JNS.

That impatience with inaction, in particular when it came to Jew-hatred, drew her to law and later to leave a successful legal practice for politics. At the time, the seat that she now holds had not gone to a Republican nominee for 100 years, she said.

“It was probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever done,” she said. “Law school was tough but this was very stressful, very tough, very challenging. It involved so many moving parts, so many people.”

“It was a reflection of how angry this community was at the Democratic Party, to the point where I flipped this district, which was two-to-one Democrat,” she said.

She campaigned tirelessly, forging relationships with constituents across religious, cultural and political lines.

“If you want to win, if you want to flip a seat, and you’re in a political environment where nobody from the establishment is backing you and everyone is against you—all I had was the people,” she told JNS. “That’s actually all you need.”

Inna Vernikov
Inna Vernikov, a Jewish Republican member of the New York City Council, near the Sheepshead Bay canal in Brooklyn, July 13, 2026. Photo by Rikki Zagelbaum.
Vernikov said that although she now earns far less than she did as an attorney, she does not view her City Council position as just a job.

“I’ve had to give up to do this, because I just felt like it’s so important for my future family, my future kids, the community here and the broader Jewish community, because I knew I was gonna be fighting antisemitism,” she said. “I didn’t see politicians doing that on a big scale. I just saw a lot of pandering on both sides.”

She also doesn’t shy away from what she sees as misogyny at times.

“If somebody is biased or whatever because I’m a woman, too bad,” she told JNS. “I feel like I’ve proven myself, and so many successful women do so many amazing things, especially today. I’m very grateful that we have so many opportunities.”

And to antisemites, she told JNS, “I don’t care that people hate me.”

“I’m serious. I don’t think it’s important,” she said. “What I care about is when that antisemitism is emboldened, then when it comes out, and when there’s action—when they act upon it.”

“I don’t care how people feel,” she added. “It just doesn’t impact my life in any way if somebody’s sitting in their house or in their basement and hating on me.”

Since taking office and winning reelection in last year’s primary against former City Council member Ari Kagan, who is also Jewish, by more than 32 percentage points, Vernikov has worked hard to advance legislation in response to rising Jew-hatred in New York City.

One such bill would have made it a misdemeanor to block access to an educational facility or prevent students, staff members or university employees from attending classes, meetings or events.

Violations would be punishable by up to six months in jail, a fine of up to $1,000 or both.

Inna Vernikov
New York City Council member Inna Vernikov is sworn in for a second term, Dec. 18, 2025. Credit: William Alatriste/NYC Council.
“The bill had consequences,” she said. “At the end of the day, if we don’t have consequences, what are we doing?”

Vernikov told JNS that she modeled the proposal on an existing law protecting access to abortion clinics, the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE) law. Her legislation never made it through a vote.

“That was the funny part,” she said. “It’s ironic that the abortion clinics we can protect, but educational facilities and houses of worship, when we’re talking about Jews, that’s a problem.”

The City Council later advanced separate legislation requiring the police commissioner to develop plans for addressing obstruction, intimidation and physical interference at educational facilities. It did not create the misdemeanor offense that Vernikov proposed in her bill.

Though she voted for the other version of the bill, Vernikov said that she would have preferred a stronger bill with a specific buffer zone and criminal penalties for blocking an entrance. (Mamdani nixed the bill after it passed the City Council without a veto-proof majority.)

“The better bill would be, ‘Create a buffer zone with a specific parameter,’” she told JNS. “But I also would have preferred that the bill actually included consequences, like making it a misdemeanor to block educational facilities.”

Still, “the choice was no bill or some bill, and it’s obviously better to have some bill,” she said.

Vernikov doesn’t hold the mayor to the same standard. Asked what Mamdani can do better to fight Jew-hatred, she said that she would prefer he do “nothing.”

“If I had a choice between the mayor doing anything on antisemitism and doing nothing, I’ll choose nothing,” she told JNS. “Every time he claims to stand up against antisemitism or the Jewish community, he’s actually making it a lot worse for us.”

Inna Vernikov
Inna Vernikov, a member of the New York City Council and co-chair of its task force on fighting Jew-hatred. Credit: Courtesy.
Vernikov told JNS that she recently confronted the Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism, in-person, for “operating in secret.”

“‘You’re afraid to get pushback from certain communities, or whatever the excuse is, but your boss, the mayor, is not secretive about his opinions on Israel and Zionists and Zionists are the majority of Jews,’” she said she told the office.

Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams created the office. Mamdani has drawn widespread criticism for his appointment to run the office, Phylisa Wisdom.

Legislation, or “politics,” as Vernikov put it, is only half of her job as a member of the City Council.

She drew the attention of JNS to flaking paint on railings along the Sheepshead Bay canal. That is one of many more mundane, “quality-of-life issues,” that fill her time.

“This is gonna be completely renovated,” she told JNS. “It costs a lot of money. I had to work with the borough president and senator to fix it.”

She repeated several times throughout the conversation that she refuses to pander to any political party and is “not here to make friends.”

The Democratic party is “a horrible place for Jews,” she told JNS. “Everybody should exit the Democratic Party.”

“That’s not to say that the Republican Party is perfect either,” she said. “But the Jewish community, in particular, shouldn’t be taken for granted. We’re not tied to a party.”

“We’re facing an existential threat right now, and politicians should know that we will exit any party that’s going to be very hostile to the Jewish community, because we know our history,” she said.

Vernikov is willing even to criticize U.S. President Donald Trump on how he handled the war with Iran, she said.

“I’ve met Trump and I supported him, because I liked a lot of his policies,” she told JNS. “Nobody’s perfect, but I’m not in a cult. I am very grateful to him for a lot of his stances, especially when it comes to Israel and the Jewish people. But no administration is perfect.”

“I think it’s important to call them out when I feel like they’re wrong,” she told JNS.

Israeli and Lebanese officials resumed direct talks in Rome on Tuesday aimed at implementing the ceasefire agreement signed between the two countries at the end of June, with the sides remaining divided over the timing of an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

Ahead of the talks, Lebanon’s presidency announced that its delegation had been instructed to demand the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces from the two designated pilot zones before any further discussions take place.

Under the ceasefire agreement, the IDF is to withdraw from two pilot areas in southern Lebanon, after which the Lebanese Armed Forces would deploy to those locations. Before Tuesday’s talks, a U.S. military delegation met with senior Lebanese military officials to discuss mechanisms for implementing the withdrawal.

Israel has maintained that any withdrawal must be tied to Hezbollah’s disarmament.

Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter, who is leading Israel’s delegation, said this week that the IDF would withdraw from the designated areas only after Hezbollah is disarmed.

“If Hezbollah is not disarmed, then we will need to stay in our security zone,” Leiter said. “We are not going to return to a situation where our citizens will be threatened by an Iranian proxy that fires missiles and builds tunnels so they can attack, as Hamas did on October 7.”

Hezbollah has repeatedly rejected calls to disarm and, according to reports in Saudi media, is relying on Iran to help bring an end to the conflict with Israel while preserving its military capabilities.

Although Israel’s northern border has remained relatively quiet in recent weeks, Hezbollah is still believed to possess a substantial arsenal of weapons and has voiced opposition to the negotiations, which are intended to pave the way for its eventual disarmament.

The central question facing the negotiations is whether Lebanon will be able to dismantle Hezbollah’s military infrastructure as required under the agreement, or whether Israel will be expected to withdraw while the Iranian-backed terror organization remains armed.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

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

Question:

Dear Mayor Coles,

First, thank you for taking the time to respond to our questions. We also want to express our genuine appreciation for the extensive road improvements the township has undertaken over the past couple of years. The repairs were much needed and are highly valued by our community.

However, we are writing to address the collateral damage to private property that often results from these projects. Many residents, ourselves included, have been left with broken sprinkler systems, damaged mailboxes, and torn-up sod that was carelessly replaced with uneven dirt and haphazardly scattered seed.

While we have contacted the township multiple times regarding these issues and were told we have been “added to the list,” the wait has been extensive. In the meantime, our lawn—along with many of our neighbors’ lawns—remains in a state of disrepair. On a personal note, my family saved for over ten years to finally afford our landscaping. Seeing it destroyed as a byproduct of township work, with no clear timeline for restoration, is incredibly disheartening.

Is there a formal process or guarantee in place to ensure that the township repairs the property damage it creates in a timely manner?

Thank you again for your time, leadership, and assistance with this matter. We look forward to hearing from you.

Response from Mayor Coles:

Hi Gabe

I need additional information about locations and stuff. Please reach out to my office or respond to this with the addresses you are referring to

There are multiple groups doing work in town, for the towns itself, county, state and even private developers. We take damage concerns seriously and try to address them as soon as we receive them.

Ray

—————–

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

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

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Britain’s legal watchdog announced on Tuesday that it has upheld a suspension for the International Criminal Court’s embattled chief prosecutor over allegations of sexual misconduct, banning him from practicing law in his home country.

The global court’s oversight body votes later this month on whether to remove Karim Khan from office. The 56-year-old faces allegations related to a female aide, a scandal that has dragged on for more than two years. He has denied wrongdoing.

In June, the U.K.’s Bar Standards Board suspended Khan, a measure adopted “in very serious and urgent cases,” according to the regulator, following a complaint. After a hearing last week, the bar association upheld the decision while disciplinary proceedings are underway.

Khan’s lawyers did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

It comes as the ICC faces increasing threats from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, which has long criticized the court. The ICC was created to be a last resort for pursuing the most serious international crimes: war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and aggression.

The U.S. seeks to ‘dismantle’ the ICC
On Monday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the U.S. was launching a “sweeping campaign to dismantle the threat posed by the International Criminal Court to U.S. sovereignty.”

Rubio said he will pressure the court’s 125 member states to withdraw from the institution, sanction organizations that work with the court and ban staff from traveling to the United States. Countries that “enjoy the benefits of the U.S. security umbrella” will be called upon to reject the court’s jurisdiction over U.S. citizens.

Trump’s administration already has brought sanctions against Khan and a dozen other ICC staff in retaliation for warrants the court has issued for top Israeli officials over the war in Gaza and investigations into U.S. personnel in Afghanistan.

The Rome Statute, which created the ICC in 2002, gives the court jurisdiction over crimes that happen on the territory of member states or that are committed by nationals of member states. The U.S. signed the treaty but did not ratify it.

The European Union condemned the new U.S. announcement. “We are already facilitating all appropriate measures, including diplomatic, legal and financial avenues, that could help ensure the continuity of the ICC’s operations,” European Commission spokesperson Siobhan McGarry told reporters.

The sanctions have hit the court hard. Typically reserved for autocrats and crime bosses, sanctions can be devastating. They prevent the ICC officials and their families from entering the U.S., block their access to even basic financial services and extend to the minutiae of their everyday lives.

A final decision on Khan is expected this month
The decision on Khan’s fate is now up to the Assembly of States Parties, the body that oversees the ICC, which will hold a special session on July 24 at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

Days before the British sanction, the executive committee of the ICC’s oversight body concluded that Khan had committed serious misconduct and recommended that he be removed from office.

The allegations against Khan were first reported to the court’s independent watchdog. An Associated Press investigation revealed that Khan was alleged to have seen the woman working in another ICC department and moved her into his office. She later became a regular presence on official trips, according to whistleblower documents.

On one foreign trip, Khan allegedly asked her to rest with him on a hotel bed and then “sexually touched her,” the documents said. Other alleged nonconsensual behavior cited in the documents included locking the door of his office and sticking his hand in her pocket. He also allegedly asked her several times to accompany him on a vacation.

The Gerer Rebbe paid an unusually lengthy nichum aveilim visit to the family of the legendary baal koreh of the Gerer beis medrash, Rav Yehudah Aryeh Taub, zt”l, who passed away suddenly last Thursday while in the Beis Medrash of the chassidus.

Upon entering the home, the Rebbe sat down and immediately inquired whether the niftar had been ill before his passing. Family members responded that Rav Taub had passed away suddenly and had not suffered from any known illness beforehand.

During the visit, one of the sons began recounting his father’s extraordinary devotion to serving as the baal koreh in the Beis Medrash of Ger. He related that despite the many additional aliyos customary in Ger, his father never prepared in advance where to pause the Torah reading. Instead, the Rebbe’s longtime ne’eman bayis, Reb Yossel Schiff, would quietly signal him during the kriah itself where to stop, and despite the challenge, the niftar never once complained.

As the son continued speaking about his father’s lifelong dedication, one of the Rebbe’s close attendants, Reb Leiby Paznichevsky, motioned that perhaps the Rebbe wished to respond, subtly indicating that the son should conclude his remarks. The Rebbe immediately signaled with his hand that he should continue speaking, allowing him to share additional memories and stories.

Afterward, the Rebbe offered words of consolation, connecting the family’s loss to the verse, “Zos HaTorah adam ki yamus b’ohel.” He then cited the Gemara in Brachos, in the chapter Haroeh, which teaches that the gentlest form of passing is “k’binisa mei’chalba“—like drawing a hair from milk—a description of misas neshikah. Turning to the mourners, the Rebbe comforted them by saying, “He merited it. He did not suffer when he passed away.”

Meanwhile, the Gerer Rebbetzin personally telephoned the family Monday evening to offer words of comfort and shared a remarkable episode that had taken place on the day of Rav Taub’s passing.

According to the Rebbetzin, the Rebbe unexpectedly announced that he would not attend Minchah in the beis medrash that day. Surprised by the unusual decision, she entered the Rebbe’s room to ask him directly why he would not be participating in the tefillah.

The Rebbe explained, “The baal koreh just passed away, and the tzibbur is deeply saddened.”

He then opened a Gemara to the same passage in Brachos, showing the Rebbetzin the teaching that misas neshikah is compared to drawing a hair from milk. The Rebbe asked that she convey one final message of consolation to the family: “Now it is good for him there.”

YWN regrets to inform you of the Petira HaRav Mordechai HaKohen Beck Zt”l, Rosh Yeshiva of Tiferes Moshe in Monsey, who was approximately 80 years old.

Sources tell Monsey Scoop that the Rosh Yeshiva collapsed Tuesday morning while at the yeshiva and suffered a cardiac arrest. Rockland Hatzoloh paramedics responded immediately and performed extensive lifesaving efforts before transporting him to Good Samaritan Hospital. Despite every effort, he was sadly niftar.

The levaya will take place at 5:30 PM at the yeshiva, located at 38 College Road in Monsey, followed by the kevurah at Satmar Beis HaChaim in Kiryas Yoel.

Baruch Dayan Ha’Emes.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

The monthly bills that quietly drain American bank accounts are creeping higher again, and the companies behind them are betting customers will keep paying. Netflix, the industry leader with more than 300 million members, raised prices in March for the second time in just over a year, pushing its standard ad-free plan to around $20 a month — more than double the cost of its ad-supported tier at roughly $9. The move, confirmed in the company’s own pricing and financial filings, is the clearest signal yet of where the subscription economy is headed: pay more, or accept ads.

The increases are spreading across the streaming landscape. Disney+ raised its ad-supported plan to $11.99 and its premium no-ads tier to $18.99, while its bundle with Hulu and HBO Max climbed to nearly $33 a month. Peacock pushed its premium plans up $3 each, and Apple TV raised its monthly price to $12.99, the third increase since the service launched. Paramount+ lifted U.S. prices in January. For a household juggling three or four services, the increases add up to real money.

The financial strain is measurable. According to Deloitte’s March Digital Media Trends report, average household spending on streaming has held around $69 a month, but 61% of consumers say they would cancel a service if its price rose by just $5. That threshold explains why companies are shifting strategy rather than simply charging more. About 68% of subscribers now use ad-supported tiers, and over the past two years roughly 71% of new subscriber growth came from those cheaper, ad-filled plans, according to subscription tracker Antenna.

The logic is what one industry executive called “a double payday.” Because ads are sold based on how much people watch, a heavy viewer on a cheap ad-supported plan can generate more revenue than a light viewer paying full price. “It’s a double payday,” said Kevin Krim, chief executive of ad-measurement firm EDO, describing why streamers now prize engagement as much as the monthly fee. The result, critics note, is that streaming increasingly resembles the cable bundle it was supposed to replace: rising prices, more ads, and a confusing thicket of tiers.

Software is following the same path, and here the driver is artificial intelligence. Microsoft raised the price of its personal Office 365 subscription by 43% in February — and 30% for the family plan — after keeping prices flat for roughly a decade. The reason was Copilot, the AI assistant the company folded into the service. It was the first time many households had seen their word-processing and spreadsheet subscription jump in years, and it reflects a broader industry move to bake AI features into products and charge for them.

For consumers, the pattern is the same whether the product is a movie or a memo. Companies add a feature — ads that lower the sticker price, or AI tools that raise it — and the monthly cost of digital life inches upward. Because these are recurring charges billed automatically, they are easy to overlook and easy to accumulate. A few dollars here and there across streaming, music, storage, and software can quietly become one of the larger discretionary lines in a family budget.

The squeeze lands at a difficult moment. With the personal savings rate near multiyear lows and gas prices climbing again on the renewed Middle East conflict, households have less room to absorb even small increases. That helps explain why cancellation is rising as a tool: subscribers increasingly sign up for a single show, watch it, and cancel, or rotate services month to month to keep costs down.

Consumer advocates suggest a periodic audit — listing every recurring charge, canceling what goes unused, and taking advantage of ad-supported tiers or annual plans that can lower the effective monthly rate. The streaming and software companies are counting on inertia, the tendency of subscribers to keep paying for services they barely use.

The bigger picture is a digital economy steadily raising the cost of participation. Between AI features on the software side and advertising on the entertainment side, the companies have found new ways to grow revenue from the same customers. For households, the challenge is keeping track of it all — and deciding, service by service, what is still worth the price.

JBizNews Desk | New York
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Israel’s Strategic Affairs Minister and Security Cabinet member Ze’ev Elkin launched a sharp attack Monday against Israel’s center-left parties, accusing them of turning opposition to the chareidi community into a central political ideology and questioning whether they could ever form a coalition with the chareidi parties.

In an interview, Elkin argued that hostility toward the Torah world has become deeply ingrained within the center-left camp.

“When you look at the center-left camp, you see the level of hatred they have for the Torah world,” Elkin said. “They have taken the chareidi issue and turned it into an ideology of hatred. Even beyond the debate over military service, they have convinced the public that the reason to oppose Netanyahu and the right is because the chareidim are there.”

Elkin also addressed recent speculation about possible political cooperation between the chareidi parties and Yisrael! chairman Gadi Eisenkot, who recently discussed the subject in an interview.

“You see who Eisenkot’s partners are in his political bloc, and you also know where he himself stands,” Elkin said. “When you strip everything away, do you really think there is any version of a draft law that would be acceptable to the chareidim, Lieberman, and Lapid?”

Elkin’s remarks came amid the ongoing political storm surrounding the Basic Law: Torah Study, which received final Knesset approval Monday, and as fierce debate continues over legislation governing the status of bnei yeshivah.

Earlier this week, Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman reiterated that his party would not join any coalition that includes Shas and insisted on what he described as “a draft law for everyone.”

Returning to the issue of the opposition’s attitude toward the chareidi community, Elkin again argued that anti-chareidi sentiment has become one of the defining themes of the center-left’s political message.

“I think that when you look at the center-left camp, you see the hatred they have for the Torah world at the most basic level,” Elkin said. “They have turned it into a central issue in their campaign.”

{Matzav.com}

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Students at the Atid-Or Menachem Yeshiva, a charedi school whose students enlist in the Israeli military, have developed a smart drinking straw designed to detect drink-spiking drugs, according to a Yisrael Hayom report. The students won Unistream’s Project of the Year Award and are currently working on further development of the technology with partners abroad.

Although they have little personal familiarity with bars or nightclubs, the students from the Ashkelon yeshiva,operated jointly by the Atid Education Network and the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, won the innovation competition with an idea aimed at making nights out safer.

Shilo Abo, one of the students behind the project, said: “We haven’t been to clubs or pubs, but we’ve been exposed to the issue through the media and heard about these incidents, so we’re aware of it and not disconnected from reality. We understood the problem and decided to come up with a solution.”

The issue of drink-spiking — adding incapacitating drugs to beverages in order to exploit victims— has become a growing concern for both patrons and nightclub owners. Around the world, public awareness campaigns encourage people to watch who prepares their drinks, keep their beverages within sight, and take other precautions.

Abo and his teammates Dvir Malka, Yehonatan Haim Dudashvili, and Yisrael Maor Hai developed a smart straw capable of detecting dangerous substances in a drink in real time and warning the user of possible contamination. The concept is based on existing technologies used to sample and identify various drugs.

The straw contains a capillary channel that continuously draws small amounts of the beverage into three chemical testing chambers. These chambers are designed to detect several of the most common drink-spiking drugs, including GHB, ketamine, and Rohypnol.

As soon as the straw comes into contact with a drink, it begins operating automatically. If one of the chambers detects a dangerous substance, the chemical indicator changes color and begins to glow, alerting the user that the drink has been contaminated and that they should stop drinking immediately and seek help.

Smart Straw

The product is still under development, but the students believe it could be ready for market within about a year. They envision it as a disposable straw costing only a few shekels to manufacture.

According to Abo: “The entire project is still in the development stage. We’re working with a laboratory in the Netherlands that is testing the chemicals. Together with our instructor, we’re developing the chemical aspects in the hope of bringing it to market. The response has been excellent, as shown by our first-place finish in the competition.”

Following their victory, the team has qualified for an international competition to be held in New York in the coming months. Abo added that while there, they also hope to fulfill a personal dream by visiting the tomb of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

TOKYO (AP) — Worries about a bubble in artificial intelligence investments are absurd, SoftBank Group’s CEO Masayoshi Son said Tuesday, deriding such doubts as backward and akin to questioning the use of cars and planes.

“To ask whether AI is a bubble is a foolish question,” Son told executives at an annual company event in Tokyo. “AI will transform our lives completely, and do so in a way that generates profits.”

“Those who refuse to evolve are closing down their world. Those who condemn AI are themselves spitting upward,” Son added.

Financial markets have recently been swept by waves of concern that the meteoric rise in share prices of companies like Nvidia, and massive investments in data centers, might not yield returns that match hopes for huge profits from AI.

Son founded SoftBank more than four decades ago and is a pioneer in Japan’s technology investments. He was an early supporter of AI and has invested tens of billions of dollars in related companies.

Son said he estimates that almost $5 trillion in investments will be needed annually and globally to expand data centers, increase production of computer chips and provide energy systems and other infrastructure for AI.

“In 2040, approximately 20% of the world’s GDP will be replaced by AI-related industries, the world of superintelligence,” he said.

SoftBank oversees a sprawling collection of businesses through what it calls Vision Funds. Its other businesses include telecommunications and energy.

Tokyo-based SoftBank Group Corp. earlier reported its profits for the fiscal year through March soared nearly five-fold to 5 trillion yen ($32 billion) from a year earlier as its AI investments paid off.

The tech giant has invested $34.6 billion in OpenAI. It sold its stake in computer chip maker Nvidia last year to free up funds for more investments in AI and data centers.

SoftBank recently started a battery business in Japan to build next-generation electric power infrastructure in anticipation of growing electricity demand driven by AI use.