Jooish News

A growing standoff is taking shape in the Strait of Hormuz, as President Donald Trump declared that the United States will take action to restore free passage through the critical global shipping route, launching what he described as a coordinated military effort.

Trump made it clear that Iran will no longer be permitted to dictate access to the waterway or collect fees from passing vessels, signaling a sharp escalation in the dispute.

He further warned that any country or ship that agrees to pay Iran for transit would not be guaranteed safe passage through the Strait.

Trump also indicated that several allied nations are expected to join the initiative, which he characterized as a blockade aimed at reestablishing open navigation and putting an end to what he called “world extortion” by Iran.

In a detailed and forceful statement, Trump said the move comes in response to Iranian claims that naval mines may have been deployed in the area, creating widespread concern among commercial shipping operators.

The resulting uncertainty has effectively brought maritime traffic to a halt. Addressing the situation, Trump said, “So, there you have it, the meeting went well, most points were agreed to, but the only point that really mattered, NUCLEAR, was not,” before announcing that “Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz.”

The plan is expected to focus heavily on clearing potential mines and enforcing maritime security, with Trump arguing that the lack of clarity over mine locations has crippled shipping activity and necessitates immediate intervention.

He expressed confidence that normal operations would soon resume, stating that a system would be restored in which “all being allowed to go in, all being allowed to go out,” removing Iran’s influence over one of the world’s most important trade corridors.

Trump also warned that any military response from Iran would be met decisively, saying that U.S. forces are “locked and loaded.”

He concluded with a direct message to Tehran: “As they promised, they better begin the process of getting this INTERNATIONAL WATERWAY OPEN AND FAST.”

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Haim owns a small falafel stand in northern Israel. Since the beginning of the war, Haim made a decision: No soldier in uniform would pay at his stand. For months, he fed thousands of fighters, giving out meals wholeheartedly, until his business fell into a huge deficit and was on the verge of closing.

What Haim didn’t know was that the soldiers don’t forget. A reserve unit that had come out of Gaza, and had eaten at his stand before entering, heard about his situation. On Friday morning, dozens of soldiers in uniform and civilians arrived at the stand. They didn’t come to ask for free food: They came to buy, and they brought their entire families with them.

Within two hours, everything at the stand was sold out. But the real shock came when Haim opened the tip jar and found an envelope with tens of thousands of shekels in cash, along with a small note: “You fed us when we were hungry before the battle;now it’s our turn to feed your business. With love, the company.”

Haim simply sat down on a plastic chair and burst into tears in front of everyone.

There is no other people like this anywhere in the world.

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Yeruchem Leshinsky zt”l, longtime maggid shiur at the Mirrer Yeshiva of Flatbush, who was niftar early this morning at the age of 89.

Rav Leshinsky was widely respected as a devoted marbitz Torah who shaped and influenced generations of talmidim through decades of unwavering harbotzas haTorah between the walls of the yeshiva. His shiurim, delivered with clarity, depth, and consistency, left a lasting imprint on countless bochurim who passed through his classroom.

He was born in Mir, Poland, before World War II, a child of a world that would soon be engulfed in churban. He was the son of Rav Dovid Leshinsky, and from a young age was immersed in a life of Torah and yiras Shomayim that would define him for decades to come.

Rav Leshinsky was zocheh to marry into one of the most prominent Torah families of the previous generation, becoming a son-in-law of Rav Avigdor Miller zt”l.

He was a brother-in-law of Rav Aharon Kreiser zt”l and Rav Shmuel Brudny zt”l.

He spent his life immersed in Torah, dedicating himself fully to the Mirrer Yeshiva, where he learned, taught, and lived with singular focus and mesirus nefesh. His presence in the yeshiva spanned many years, during which he became a cornerstone of the institution’s harbotzas haTorah.

Rav Leshinsky is survived by his wife, Rebbetzin Libby Leshinsky, along with his children: Rav Shmuel Leshinsky, Rav Avrohom Nochum Leshinsky, Reb Yitzy Leshinsky, Mrs. Avigayil Klein, Mrs. Batsheva Alpert, and Mrs. Shulamis Fishoff.

He was predceased by his siblings: Rebbetzin Rivka Kreiser, wife of Rav Aharon Kreiser; Rav Yaakov Leshinsky; and Rebbetzin Rochel Brudny, wife of Rav Shmuel Brudny.

The levayah is being held at the Mirrer Yeshiva in Brooklyn, New York. Following the levayah, the aron will be flown to Eretz Yisroel for kevurah.

With his petirah, the yeshiva world has lost a true oved Hashem and marbitz Torah, whose quiet dedication and lifelong commitment to limud haTorah will continue to resonate through the many talmidim he inspired.

“Aharon, what oil should I cook with? Coconut oil? Olive oil?”

This is one of the most common questions I get. The short answer is simple, but to really understand it, we need to look at the bigger picture.

What Low-Carb Taught Me About Fats

For nearly twenty years, as a natural health practitioner, I personally followed—and recommended—a low-carbohydrate diet.

At the time, it was a big step up from the Standard American Diet. People cut out sugar, white flour, and junk food. Many felt better initially, and some saw improvements in blood sugar and energy.

But over time, I began to notice the limitations.

First, almost everyone misses carbohydrates. Bread, rice, and fruit are deeply satisfying, culturally meaningful foods that are hard to avoid long term. Most people struggled to stay truly low-carb, and when they “cheated,” they often felt discouraged and gave up altogether.

Second, low-carb diets tend to push people toward eating large amounts of animal protein and fat. While highly processed seed oils like canola or corn oil are discouraged (rightly so), butter, coconut oil, cheese, cream, and even large amounts of oil-rich foods like avocados are often encouraged—sometimes without limits.

As a practitioner, I also noticed that weight loss was inconsistent. After some initial weight loss, many people stalled. Others regained weight. And while blood sugar numbers sometimes improved, insulin resistance itself often did not resolve as much as I had hoped.

Something didn’t quite add up.

A Turning Point

Everything changed for me when I discovered a whole-food, plant-based diet.

I didn’t come to it out of ideology—I came to it out of results.

Personally, I lost 30 pounds eating this way. I wasn’t hungry. I wasn’t counting calories. I wasn’t avoiding food groups. I ate until I was satisfied—and the weight came off naturally.

That’s when a line from Dr. John McDougall really hit home:

“The fat you eat is the fat you wear.”

At first, it sounds simplistic. But physiologically, it makes a lot of sense.

What That Phrase Really Means

Dietary fat is extremely calorie-dense. Gram for gram, fat contains more than twice the calories of carbohydrates or protein. When we eat large amounts of fat—especially in concentrated forms like oils—it’s very easy to consume excess calories without feeling full.

Even more important, excess dietary fat interferes with insulin’s ability to move glucose into cells. Fat builds up inside muscle cells, physically blocking insulin signaling. The result is predictable: glucose stays in the bloodstream, insulin levels rise, and the body shifts into fat-storage mode.

Oils: The Hidden Problem

This brings us to oils.

Oils are not whole foods in the way fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes are. Even when they come from plants, they are fiber-free, highly concentrated fat.

Olive oil, coconut oil, and butter all share one thing in common: they deliver a large amount of fat and calories very quickly, without the natural fiber and bulk that tell our brains we are full.

This is why, when people tell me they eat “healthy” but still struggle with weight, inflammation, or blood sugar, oils are often the missing piece.

So which is better—coconut oil or olive oil? For daily use, the honest answer is: neither should be a staple.

Saturated Fats and Metabolic Health

Saturated fats—found primarily in animal products and tropical oils like coconut oil—are especially problematic.

They raise LDL cholesterol and contribute to arterial plaque formation. When combined with sugar or refined carbohydrates, they strongly promote insulin resistance. This combination plays a central role in metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

A Better Way to Eat Fats

The solution is not a fat-free diet. It’s a whole-food diet.

Fats eaten in their natural form—nuts, seeds, olives, avocados, and legumes—come packaged with fiber, protein, and micronutrients that slow absorption and support metabolic health.

People feel fuller, eat fewer calories overall, and often see improvements in weight, blood sugar, cholesterol, and inflammation.

A question I’m often asked is how to cook without oils. The answer is simple: use water or broth to sauté, and flavor foods with herbs, spices, and whole ingredients. After a few weeks, this feels completely normal—and many people notice they have more energy and less need to overeat.

The Bigger Picture

Low-carb diets helped many people take an important first step away from processed food—and for that, they deserve credit. But for most people, they don’t go far enough.

When excess oils are removed and whole, plant-based foods become the foundation, something remarkable happens: the body begins to regulate itself.

Weight comes down. Insulin sensitivity improves. Energy returns.

Sometimes the most powerful change isn’t what we add—but what we finally let go of.

Until next time, stay well—and remember: eat foods the way nature made them.

Search and rescue efforts entered their third day Sunday for an 18-year-old Yeshiva Bochur who has been missing since Friday at the Sanz Beach in Netanya, with growing concern for his safety. As YWN reported on Friday, the Bochur and his brother went missing after being swept into the sea together on Friday. His brother was located in critical condition.

ZAKA divers, along with the organization’s special operations unit, Israel Police, and Lehava rescue teams, continue extensive searches both above and below the water in an effort to locate the missing teen.

Yisrael Chassid, spokesperson for ZAKA, added that the organization’s leadership has directed all units to focus maximum resources on the operation. “Drone units, divers, jeep teams, missing persons specialists, and special operations forces are all concentrated along the Netanya coastline in a coordinated effort to locate the missing individual as quickly as possible. We hope to share good news soon,” he said.

Please say Tehillim for Yeshaya ben Shoshana.

Tefillos also continue for his brother, Yisochor Dov ben Shoshana, who remains in critical condition.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

The most consequential diplomatic encounter between the United States and Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution ended in failure on Sunday, as Vice President J.D. Vance departed Islamabad without an agreement after more than 21 hours of marathon negotiations — leaving a fragile two-week ceasefire in a precarious state, global energy markets on edge, and the specter of renewed large-scale hostilities once again looming over the Middle East.

The breakdown, which set off a cascade of urgent military and diplomatic activity on Sunday afternoon, laid bare the central and seemingly unbridgeable divide between Washington and Tehran: Iran’s insistence on retaining its right to enrich uranium, which the United States and Israel regard as an intolerable pathway to a nuclear weapon.

The backdrop to Sunday’s drama was a six-week-old war — launched by the United States and Israel on February 28 — that has reshaped the strategic landscape of the Middle East. Iranian military infrastructure, missile capabilities, and leadership networks have sustained severe damage. Iran’s traditional naval forces have been significantly degraded. The regime’s proxy networks in Lebanon and Gaza have been battered. Yet Iran’s theocratic leadership, battered as it is, walked into the Islamabad talks with a posture of defiance rather than submission.

The talks, which lasted 21 hours, were the first face-to-face engagement between the U.S. and Iran at this level since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The American delegation was an unusually high-powered one: Vice President Vance led the U.S. side, accompanied by special envoy Steve Witkoff, presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner, Deputy National Security Adviser Andrew Baker, and Michael Vance, special advisor for Asian affairs. The Iranian delegation, by contrast, numbered some 70 officials and experts spanning diplomatic, military, and economic fields — a show of bureaucratic mass that signaled Tehran’s intent to complicate rather than expedite.

The Iranian side was led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Ghalibaf’s inclusion was itself telling: a hardliner and former IRGC commander, he had arrived in Islamabad declaring that Iran would negotiate in “goodwill” while simultaneously voicing deep skepticism. Upon arrival, he expressed mistrust of the United States, saying: “Unfortunately, our experience of negotiating with the Americans has always been accompanied by failure and breaches of commitments.”

From early in the talks, it became apparent that the central issue — Iran’s nuclear program — would prove intractable. The American position was unambiguous: any settlement required Tehran’s firm, verifiable, and permanent commitment to forgo the pursuit of nuclear weapons, and to surrender not merely the weapons themselves but also the enrichment capabilities that would allow Iran to reconstitute its program at a moment of its choosing.

Vance said at a press conference in Islamabad before boarding Air Force Two: “The simple fact is that we need to see an affirmative commitment that they will not seek a nuclear weapon, and they will not seek the tools that would enable them to quickly achieve a nuclear weapon.”

The Iranians refused. An Iranian official, speaking anonymously, attempted to reframe the impasse as a mischaracterization: “It is false. Iran is not seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, but it has the right to nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. This right is undeniable and must be recognized.” The official added that Iran was willing to limit enrichment levels as a confidence-building measure — but did not elaborate on why the talks ultimately failed.

That framing strains credulity. The UN nuclear watchdog IAEA, as of December 2024, had reported Iranian enrichment to levels approaching weapons-grade, along with an unprecedented stockpile of highly enriched uranium with no credible civilian application, giving Iran the capacity to produce enough fissile material for multiple bombs on short notice. Enrichment at such levels has no legitimate peaceful use. The Iranian claim to be merely pursuing “nuclear energy” rings hollow against that documented record.

Following his debriefing from Vance, Witkoff, and Kushner, President Trump cut through the diplomatic fog with characteristic directness. “There is only one thing that matters,” he posted on Truth Social. “IRAN IS UNWILLING TO GIVE UP ITS NUCLEAR AMBITIONS!” He acknowledged that some areas of agreement had been reached, but noted that Iran would not relinquish its claimed right to enrich uranium. Trump called Iran’s leadership “volatile, difficult, unpredictable people” while noting, with apparent irony, that his negotiators had nonetheless come away with personal respect for their Iranian interlocutors. His bottom line, rendered in capital letters, was unequivocal: “IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!”

Trump has not confined himself to rhetoric. In remarks on Fox News Sunday, he spelled out with unusual specificity what a return to hostilities would mean for Iran. He described the potential targeting of Iran’s power grid, water desalination plants, and bridges, and made clear that such a campaign would leave Iran unable to recover. “In one half of a day, they wouldn’t have one bridge standing. They wouldn’t have one electric generating plant standing. And they’re back in the stone ages,” he said, adding: “If I do it, it takes you ten years to rebuild. They’ll never be able to rebuild it.”

He also referenced a prior demonstration of that resolve. During the war, after Iran made a public statement Trump characterized as false — one the Iranians themselves subsequently retracted — Trump ordered the destruction of a specific Iranian bridge as a direct consequence. “I say, I’m going to take out a bridge. And I took out a bridge. And that was the end of that. Now they’ve been really behaving quite well,” he said.

The episode was not merely a boast. Trump has shown a willingness to translate threats into action with precision and speed when he judges the moment requires it.

Trump also defended his earlier warning — issued last week — that “a whole civilization will die” if Iran refused to negotiate. He said flatly: “I’m fine with it. That statement brought them to the table.” He reminded his audience of what the other side has said for decades: “For years, I’ve had to listen to them say ‘Death to America’… ‘America is the Satan. We will destroy America. Death to America.'” The asymmetry, in Trump’s framing, is not a moral equivalence.

Israeli media outlet News 13, whose correspondent Neria Kraus has cultivated an unusually direct line to President Trump, provided an illuminating account of the negotiations’ inner dynamics. According to Kraus, Trump was personally invested in the talks to a degree not publicly acknowledged — monitoring developments closely and sending his team back to the table repeatedly in search of a viable compromise formula. “He cares very, very much, he is very involved,” she reported. “He is all for it.”

The tensions inside the negotiating rooms were not limited to diplomatic friction. Reports emerging from the talks indicated that at one point, a confrontation between Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi and American envoy Steve Witkoff escalated to the edge of physical altercation — an extraordinary moment that illustrated just how raw the mutual hostility between the two sides remained, even within the formal structure of a high-stakes diplomatic setting.

Kraus painted a portrait of Vice President Vance as the delegation’s hard-liner — a man who genuinely wanted an agreement but who ultimately drew the line when it became clear none was achievable. Interestingly, Iranian officials reportedly viewed Vance as a more acceptable interlocutor than either Witkoff or Kushner, given his distance from the earlier failed diplomatic rounds. Iranian officials told the Guardian that they were more open to engaging with Vance than with other senior figures tied to earlier, unsuccessful negotiations. 
That perceived openness made his ultimate announcement of failure all the more definitive — if even Vance, the Iranians’ preferred American counterpart, could not find common ground, then there was genuinely no deal to be had.

Kraus raised another dimension that colored the delegation’s rapid departure: a potential security concern. According to her reporting, there was an assessment within the American delegation that Iran might attempt some form of retaliation against Vance personally during the Islamabad talks. “There could be an Iranian revenge attempt here,” she said. “So as soon as the talks end, we announce it and immediately cut it out.”

The White House did not confirm this assessment, but the speed of the delegation’s departure — boarding Air Force Two within minutes of Vance’s announcement — was consistent with a pre-planned security protocol.
A U.S. official confirmed at a refueling stop at Ramstein Air Base in Germany that no members of the negotiating team, including Witkoff, Kushner, or any technical staff, remained in Pakistan.  The message was clear: Washington was not leaving a back channel open for informal continuation of the talks.

Complicating the nuclear impasse is a second front that carries enormous economic weight: Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply passes. Iran has used this leverage aggressively since the war began six weeks ago, mining the waterway and effectively halting commercial shipping.

Iran, under its ten-point negotiation plan, demanded an end to Israeli attacks on Hezbollah, the release of $`6 billion in frozen assets, guarantees around its nuclear program, and the right to charge ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz as part of any permanent agreement. The demand to charge tolls on an internationally recognized waterway was a non-starter for Washington.

Trump has framed the Strait of Hormuz in strikingly commercial terms. According to the Kraus report, Trump told her he “wants to see his money from the Strait of Hormuz” — he wants American strategic investment in the conflict to yield tangible economic dividends, not merely an abstract diplomatic win. In his Fox News interview, Trump confirmed that minesweepers — including vessels from the United Kingdom and other allies — are being deployed to clear Iranian mines from the waterway.  Following the breakdown of talks, Trump announced a full naval blockade of the Strait.

The challenge is formidable. The Wall Street Journal reported that more than 60 percent of the IRGC’s small-boat naval fleet used to patrol and mine the Strait of Hormuz remains intact after six weeks of war.  Unlike Iran’s conventional navy — which sustained significant losses to U.S. and Israeli strikes — the IRGC relies on fast attack craft and speedboats that are difficult to target from the air, often stored in underground pens that evade satellite detection. U.S. and Israeli strikes primarily targeted Iran’s traditional naval forces, leaving the IRGC’s small-boat capability largely undisturbed — precisely the capability most relevant to mining and controlling the strait.

On Saturday, in what appeared to be a deliberate show of American resolve, two U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers, the USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. and the USS Michael Murphy, transited the Strait of Hormuz — the first passage of American warships through the waterway since the war began six weeks ago.

The IRGC Navy responded with menacing radio communications, warning the USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. to “alter course and go back to the Indian Ocean immediately” or face being “targeted.” An IRGC serviceman escalated further, warning nearby commercial vessels to maintain distance from any warships “because I’m ready to open fire on them without any warning.” The American ship responded by invoking its right of “transit passage in accordance with international law” — and continued through. The vessels were not fired upon.

In Israel, the collapse of talks triggered immediate military action. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir instructed the military to move to a “heightened state of readiness” and to prepare for a resumption of hostilities with Iran. Citing military officials, the Ynet news site reported that the IDF has begun a full “combat readiness procedure,” with all units ordered to maintain maximum operational preparedness.
The move underscores what Israeli leaders have said publicly throughout the ceasefire period. Last week, during a visit to southern Lebanon, Zamir stated that the IDF is “prepared to return to combat with full force if required at any given moment.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a televised address, did not mention the Islamabad talks directly, but declared that “the battle is not yet over” while defending the war effort against domestic critics. Netanyahu said Israel had “crushed” Iran’s nuclear program, missile capabilities, and leadership networks — though U.S. intelligence assessments have raised questions about the full extent of that damage.

Israel’s economic toll from six weeks of war is now becoming clearer. Israel’s Finance Ministry released initial estimates placing the total budgetary cost of the conflict at roughly NIS 35 billion — approximately `$9.5 billion. The bulk comprises an estimated NIS 22 billion in defense and military spending. Civilian compensation for missile damage, business losses, and employee leave accounts for NIS 12 billion, with an additional NIS 1 billion in civilian infrastructure and social services costs.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich framed the expenditure not as a burden but as an investment in national survival, saying that “responsible management of the country’s economy was a critical factor in the great operational success.”

Sunday’s failure triggered immediate international reaction. Russian President Vladimir Putin called his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian, offering Kremlin mediation for a political settlement — a move widely interpreted as Moscow seeking to reassert regional relevance as American power is projected more assertively across the Middle East. The European Union called the use of diplomacy “essential” and praised Pakistan’s mediation role.

Pakistan itself — which had locked down Islamabad under an extraordinary two-day security closure to facilitate the talks — expressed continued willingness to serve as an intermediary. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar urged both sides to keep talking, saying Islamabad would “continue to play its role to facilitate engagement and dialogue between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States.”
Iran’s official media sought to characterize the failure as Washington’s fault, with state broadcaster IRIB declaring that “the excessive demands by America prevented any agreement.”

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei acknowledged that “the talks ended with gaps between the sides on several major issues” while declining to specify what those issues were — a notable contrast to the American delegation’s explicit and direct identification of the nuclear issue as the deal-breaker.

What emerges from Sunday’s events is a portrait of a regime that understands its moment of maximum danger, yet cannot bring itself to make the concessions that would end it. Iran arrived in Islamabad believing it held leverage — that its control of the Strait of Hormuz and Trump’s desire for a deal gave Tehran negotiating power it could exploit. That calculation appears to have been correct in a narrow sense: the talks did last 21 hours, and significant ground was reportedly covered on several issues. But on the single issue that matters most to both Washington and Jerusalem — nuclear weapons — Iran’s position remained unchanged. The near-physical confrontation between Araghchi and Witkoff captured in microcosm a relationship built on decades of mutual contempt, in which even the act of sitting across a table from each other requires enormous effort and carries the constant risk of collapse.

Trump’s implicit threat is one that few leaders would deliver so plainly. He claimed the United States “could take out Iran in one day,” described specific civilian infrastructure as potential targets, and made clear that the aftermath would leave Iran unable to rebuild for a decade or more — perhaps ever. He was not speaking abstractly. He had already demonstrated his willingness to strike a specific Iranian bridge as a punitive measure, and Iran had acknowledged the error that prompted it. The regime knows what American firepower can do.

Vance, for his part, did not slam the door entirely. He left Islamabad with what he described as a “final and best offer” — a framework the Iranian government may yet accept. “We’ll see if the Iranians accept it,” he said. The ceasefire technically remains in place, though its durability now depends entirely on whether Tehran concludes that its long-term survival requires a genuine decision to abandon nuclear ambitions — or whether it continues to gamble that time, leverage, and international pressure will eventually produce terms more favorable to the regime.

WASHINGTON D.C (VINnews) – Israel’s ambassador to the United States on Sunday declined to confirm or deny reports that Israel and the U.S. agreed to scale back airstrikes in Lebanon ahead of direct diplomatic talks this week.

Dr. Michael Leiter, appearing on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” said military matters are not discussed publicly on Sunday morning television.

“Operational issues aren’t discussed on Sunday morning, on television,” Leiter told host Margaret Brennan.

He added that Israel is coordinating closely with the Trump administration. “What we discussed is that we’re going to be in tandem with the president’s efforts in the Gulf and we support the president’s efforts,” Leiter said.

The comments come as the U.S. prepares to host the first formal direct talks between Israeli and Lebanese officials in Washington on Tuesday. The negotiations, mediated by the State Department, follow an initial phone call between the ambassadors last week.

Israel has emphasized it will pursue broader peace negotiations with Lebanon but will not negotiate a ceasefire with Hezbollah, which it blames for ongoing attacks and as the primary obstacle to any agreement.

Leiter has repeatedly signaled Israel’s interest in long-term peace with Lebanon if the Iran-backed terror group is sidelined.

The diplomatic push occurs amid continued Israeli operations against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon and fragile regional dynamics following U.S.-Iran tensions.

Leiter, whose full name is Yechiel Leiter, has been a key voice in U.S.-Israel relations throughout the conflict.

[CLEARED FOR PUBLICATION] Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited southern Lebanon today (Sunday), alongside Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir.

Netanyahu arrived at an IDF outpost near the border, where he received a briefing on the division’s activities from the Commander of the Galilee Formation, Brig. Gen. Yuval Gaz.

During the visit, the Prime Minister told the soldiers: “The war continues, including within the security zone in Lebanon, where I was just a short while ago. What we are seeing is that we have thwarted the threat of invasion from Lebanon thanks to this security zone, distancing the danger of anti-tank missile fire and also dealing with indirect fire [rockets], but there is still work to do. We have done immense work, tremendous achievements; there is still more to do—and we are doing it.”

The visit took place in the shadow of the collapse of negotiations between the United States and Iran.

Addressing this issue in his remarks, the Prime Minister stated: “One of the things we see here is that we have essentially changed the face of the Middle East. Our enemies—Iran and the axis of evil—came to destroy us, and now they are simply fighting for their survival. We see this in every single arena. This is a tremendous achievement for the State of Israel and the Israel Defense Forces, our regular and wonderful reserve soldiers. The people of Israel salute you.”

Security arrangements for the tiny Jewish kehilla in Syria have been revised following the thwarting of an assassination attempt against Rabbi Michael Khoury in Damascus, Kan News reported.

The report noted that the Syrian government is seeking to leverage the thwarting of the cell to demonstrate that it is protecting the country’s Jewish community, which numbers only a handful of individuals. This is likely also intended as a signal to Israel and the United States.

Behind the scenes, discussions within Syria’s security establishment suggest that Iran and its proxies are increasing efforts to destabilize Syria, including by exploiting the Palestinian issue.

Despite the incident, the small Jewish community in Damascus appears to be maintaining a sense of normalcy. Bakhour Simantov, who serves as an unofficial spokesperson for the community, told Kan Radio: “Baruch Hashem, I’m fine. I go about as usual—there’s no problem. That said, following what happened, we will install surveillance cameras around the house as a precaution. I know Hashem is with me. People are davening for me, and Hashem protects me, so I’m not afraid.”

Hezbollah has strongly denied any connection to the uncovered cell. At the same time, opponents of the Syrian regime have cast doubt on the official version, questioning whether it was truly a terror cell—especially since one of the detainees, a member of the Alawite community, was reportedly arrested in Tartus in western Syria.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

In a stunning strike Saturday, the IDF eliminated in one fell swoop three Hamas terrorists who had been involved in the abduction of Israeli hostages on Oct. 7.

Here’s how it happened. A cell of Hamas terrorists attempted to infiltrate the Israeli-controlled portion of Gaza to attack Israeli troops operating in central Gaza. As they approached the Yellow Line, the demarcation line between the Israeli- and Hamas-controlled sections of Gaza, IDF soldiers targeted and struck them, wiping out the entire cell.

The IDF identified Ali Sami Mohammad Shakra among those killed. He was a Hamas Nukhba platoon commander who participated in the Oct. 7 massacre and helped abduct Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alon Ohel, Eliya Cohen and Or Levy from a bomb shelter in Re’im.

Ali Sami Mohammad Shakra, eliminated by the IDF, poses during an abduction of Israelis on Oct. 7, 2023. (Credit: IDF)

Mohammad Mabhouh, a regional company commander in Hamas’ al-Bureij Battalion, and Mohammad Fuad Jaser Sayyid were also killed. Both were involved in holding Avinatan Or in captivity in Gaza. The IDF has released a photo that captured Sayyid alongside Or inside a Gaza tunnel where he was being held hostage.

The IDF said it also killed other Nukhba terrorists who had launched rockets toward Israel. The Nukhba unit of Hamas is an elite special operations force within the al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas. The unit is composed of highly trained special operations combatants who carry out infiltrations, raids and ambushes. Israel has said that this unit led the Oct. 7 attack against Israel in 2023.

The IDF vowed to continue to operate to remove any threats to Israel’s security.

“IDF troops in the Southern Command remain deployed in accordance with the ceasefire agreement and will continue to operate to remove any immediate threat,” the military said in a statement.

NEW YORK CITY (VINnews)-Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro downplayed divisions within the Republican Party over President Trump’s military campaign against Iran, saying vocal critics like Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens and Alex Jones represent only a fringe minority despite their large online followings.

Shapiro made the remarks in response to a question from Fox News correspondent Jacqui Heinrich during a recent interview.

“Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens and Alex Jones came out against the war in Iran and then the President went after them on social media. How big of an issue do you take this to be for the Republican base?” Heinrich asked.

“I don’t think it’s a major issue for the Republican base,” Shapiro replied. “I think the President is exactly right to call this out for what it is, which is people who have fringe audiences. They have large numbers, but fringe audiences in terms of the broader overall Republican audience.”

Multiple polls conducted in March and early April 2026 showed Trump enjoying 80-90% support among Republicans for the U.S. strikes under Operation Epic Fury, which targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities, ballistic missile capabilities, navy and terror proxies. A recent survey indicated that just 6% of likely Republican voters sided with the critics over the president on the issue.

The short-lived campaign, which ended with a ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, drew sharp criticism from some prominent conservative voices who questioned U.S. involvement and raised concerns about potential escalation.

Shapiro argued that attempts to frame the disagreement as a major rift ahead of the 2026 midterms overlook other key issues facing voters and the fast-moving news cycle.

“The attempt to turn this into a referendum on the midterm elections, number 1, ignores the fact that there are a lot of other factors in a midterm election, and number 2, we will go through about 1,000 news cycles between now and November when the election actually takes place,” he said.

The operation, launched Feb. 28, achieved its core objectives in under 40 days, according to the Trump administration, significantly degrading Iran’s ability to project power and threaten the region, including Israel.

Shapiro’s comments reflect strong overall Republican backing for Trump’s “peace through strength” approach to Iran, even as a vocal isolationist wing of the party continues to voice opposition online.

I am writing to raise a serious quality of life issue affecting residents across New Jersey, excessively loud vehicles, particularly those with aftermarket mufflers and certain motorcycles, that purposely create noise levels comparable to explosions or even gunshots. I’m assuming these drivers need the attention.

In recent years, New Jersey has taken steps to address public nuisances, such as cracking down on so called boom cars because of the disturbance they cause. That leads to a simple and fair question, why are vehicles with extremely loud exhaust systems still allowed on our roads?

Over Yom Tov, my family and neighbors were woken up in the middle of the night by a car driving up and down our block with what was clearly an aftermarket muffler installed to make such noises. The noise was not just loud, it was startling and completely unreasonable for a residential neighborhood. And this is not a one time thing, similar disturbances happen often from certain motorcycles as well. Sometimes walking to Shul, these drivers will purposely blast these muffler noises right near a group of people too.

No one is saying the state should force people to drive electric cars, although it would make sense for government vehicles to start moving in that direction. But just like boom cars were recognized as a nuisance, these extremely loud mufflers serve no real purpose other than to disturb entire neighborhoods, and they should be treated the same way.

It is hard to believe that any normal resident would oppose common sense legislation to reduce this kind of noise. This is not about taking away anyone’s rights, it is about basic respect and being able to live in your home without being constantly disturbed.

I am asking New Jersey legislators to step in and do something about this, strengthen enforcement of current noise laws, close any loopholes that allow these modifications, and issue real fines to those who violate them. Residents should not have to deal with this.

If you are a legislator reading this, please take this seriously and help bring some peace back to our neighborhoods.

Thank you,

A Concerned Resident

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

In the wake of the collapse of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has ordered the IDF to raise its alert level and prepare for the possibility of an imminent return to war with Iran, Ynet reported.

Orders were given to maintain high readiness across all units, shorten response times, and close operational gaps.

Meanwhile, the Military Intelligence Directorate is accelerating the expansion of its target bank in Iran, focusing primarily on military assets—especially missile systems and launchers—along with supporting infrastructure.

The Air Force, in coordination with the Operations Directorate, is refining updated strike plans and assembling large-scale “strike packages” that combine deep-strike capability, precision, and operational continuity. Preparations include rehearsing opening scenarios and ensuring a swift transition from planning to execution.

On the defensive front, the Israel Defense Forces is reinforcing its air-defense deployment and preparing for multi-front escalation, including the possibility of simultaneous attacks from multiple arenas. Measures also include adaptations for the home front and heightened alert levels across all sectors.

Defense officials stress that no decision has been made regarding military action, and current steps are aimed at maintaining full readiness for any scenario.

According to the report, coordination between Israel and the United States is maximal—both between President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu, and between the militaries and intelligence services.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

DETROIT (AP) — After a few years of sharing a 2019 Chevrolet Trax, Dana Eble and Tyler Marcus are finally looking for a second car. But as they jump into the market, the young married couple isn’t sure what they can afford.

“I just keep seeing a lot of different aspects of life getting more expensive, and it’s harder,” said Eble, an account manager for a public relations agency.

Car ownership has long been integral to the American dream. But as automakers slash the production of inexpensive models to cater to customers who can afford oversized pickups and sport utility vehicles, buyers find themselves facing sticker shock at the same time they are already frustrated by the lingering effects of high inflation.

Consumer prices rose 3.3% in March, the biggest yearly increase since May 2024, while new car prices were up 12.6% from a year ago, the Labor Department reported Friday.

New vehicles now sell for an average of nearly $50,000, up 30% in six years, and average monthly payments — based on 10% down and a 6-year note — recently hit $775. Looking for something on the cheap end? The share of vehicles listing for less than $30,000 is about 13% — down from 40% five years ago, per the car review site CarGurus.

To cope, buyers are spreading their payments out longer. Consumers choosing 7-year loans make up more than 12% of all sales, up from nearly 8% a year ago, according to auto buying resource J.D. Power. Such contracts wind up costing more in the long run because of interest payments.

“The ability to buy transportation is still out there. The question is just, what do you get for your money?” Charlie Chesbrough, a senior economist at Cox Automotive, said.

The rising cost of cars is contributing to increased concerns about affordability throughout American life. Consumers, especially young people, say they feel like everyday needs like housing, food, utilities and child care are getting costlier and wages aren’t keeping up.

It is a vulnerable position for Republicans ahead of this year’s midterm elections, especially as the Iran war has pumped up gas prices that makes getting behind the wheel even more expensive.

Size, technology and ‘must-have’ features add to costs
Sticker prices have been rising since automakers discovered Americans are willing to pay more for bigger, more expensive SUVs and pickup trucks that bring the companies more profit from each sale. They have largely phased out smaller, cheaper sedans.

That is especially true for domestic carmakers; the average selling prices for many vehicles from Ford Motor Co., General Motors and Jeep-maker Stellantis have generally trended higher than those for Asian companies Honda, Hyundai, Mazda and Subaru.

Car companies are also savvy about placing desired options in more expensive trim levels that can lure consumers into a vehicle that costs more than they planned, said David Undercoffler, the head of consumer insights at CarGurus.

Advanced safety technology — lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, collision warnings and more — all add to the cost of a vehicle. Automakers are required by federal industry rules to add some features, such as rear-view cameras.

The COVID-19 pandemic pushed up auto prices because production fell, affecting both the new and used markets. Though production recovered, other supply chain disruptions and tariffs have affected prices. Meanwhile, government data shows that car insurance prices have soared 55% compared with six years ago, or just before the pandemic, driving up the number of Americans going without. Car repairs, on average, are 48% more expensive.

The share of new car buyers earning below $100,000 fell to 37% last year, down from 50% in 2020, according to Cox Automotive.

Some carmakers have acknowledged affordability concerns. In February, Ford said it would have several vehicles prices under $40,000 by the end of the decade. GM has pointed to vehicles from Buick and Chevrolet, including the Trax, as cheaper options.

Looking to used market for relief
Chesbrough thinks consumers are sometimes unrealistic in their wants.

“There are vehicles out there for less than $30,000. What everybody wants is the mid-sized SUV with leather seats and the sunroof for $25,000, and that’s not available,” Chesbrough said.

Those buyers, he said, are being pushed into the used market.

But as those buyers shift to used, they are finding fewer affordable options there, too. The share of used vehicles priced less than $30,000 fell from 78% in 2021 to 69% in February, according to CarGurus. The average used vehicle sold for about $25,000 in February, and the average used monthly payments hit $560.

The inventory of used cars is being hit by a couple of trends. One is that consumers keen to avoid a big expense are hanging on to their cars longer — nearly 13 years on average now, 18 months longer than a decade ago, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. And a downturn in the popularity of leasing means fewer two- and three-year-old cars hitting the market after leases expire.

J.D. Power estimates that consumers might spend up to $140 less on a lease payment than the average finance commitment, a good option especially for drivers whose annual mileage is predictable. But experts say there is still an affordability challenge.

What buyers can do
Sam Dykhuis, 27, of Chicago, needed to buy her first car recently when she started a new job as a scheduler for United Airlines. She searched for something used under $20,000, and eventually paid a little more than that for a 2021 Mazda CX-5. To hold down the cost, she tapped savings to buy the car outright. She pays insurance six months at a time to save a few bucks, too.

Still, “My paycheck went down and my expenses went up,” Dykhuis said. “Certainly, I have to be more just on top of it than I was previously.”

Eble, 30, and Marcus, 31, say they appreciate cool vehicles but don’t consider themselves “car people” and are hoping their search is easier as a result. Still, finding something in their $20,000 to $30,000 budget might not be as easy as it once was.

They are considering cars such as a newer Trax, a Mazda or maybe an electric vehicle. New EVs generally cost more upfront, but consumers can save in the long run. The used EV market will also soon be flooded with two- or three-year-old EVs that were leased at the time federal credits were generous.

Like Dykhuis, they say they also might buy their new ride outright to avoid a new monthly payment.

“It feels like if anything happens out of our control … it just seems so much more difficult to figure out how to orient our finances,” Eble said.

BINT JBEIL, LEBANON (VINnews) – Israeli forces raided a government hospital in southern Lebanon on Sunday where Hezbollah operatives had been using the facility for military purposes, killing approximately 20 gunmen and seizing a cache of weapons, the Israel Defense Forces said.

The operation targeted the Bint Jbeil Governmental Hospital, a site the IDF said Hezbollah had systematically exploited in violation of international law.

Troops from the Givati Brigade first identified Hezbollah military activity at the hospital last week. In recent days, soldiers observed terror operatives conducting surveillance from inside the building before the gunmen opened fire on Israeli forces, the military said.

“Within a short time, the troops eliminated the terrorists,” the IDF stated. “In addition, approximately 20 terrorists were targeted and eliminated in the hospital area to remove an immediate threat.”

Following the exchange, forces entered the medical center and discovered weapons belonging to Hezbollah.

“The Hezbollah terror organization systematically and continuously used the hospital compound and its immediate surroundings for the military purposes of the terror organization, in severe violation of international law,” the IDF said.

The military noted it had previously warned Lebanese authorities that all military activity in hospitals must stop and publicized those warnings. Hezbollah continued using the site despite the alerts, according to the IDF.

Israel has repeatedly accused Hezbollah of embedding military infrastructure in civilian facilities, including hospitals and ambulances, throughout the ongoing conflict in southern Lebanon. Bint Jbeil, a longtime Hezbollah stronghold, has seen intensified Israeli operations in recent days as forces work to clear terror infrastructure from the area.

No immediate comment was available from Hezbollah or Lebanese officials on the latest raid. Lebanese media have reported fierce clashes in Bint Jbeil in recent days but did not confirm details of the hospital operation.

The incident comes amid continued cross-border fighting, with Israel pressing operations to dismantle Hezbollah’s capabilities in southern Lebanon.

A majority of New York City voters say the city is headed in the wrong direction during Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s first 100 days in office, with discontent running especially high among minority voters, according to a new Emerson College/Pix11 poll.

The survey found 59% of New Yorkers believe the city is on the wrong track, against 41% who say it is headed in the right direction. The pessimism was highest among Hispanic voters, 68% of whom said the city was on the wrong track, followed by Asian voters at 64% and Black voters at 58%. White voters were nearly evenly split, with 51% saying the city was headed in the right direction.

Economic dissatisfaction ran even deeper among minority respondents: 82% of Hispanic voters and 79% of Black voters rated the city’s economy as only fair or poor.

Despite the directional pessimism, Mamdani’s personal approval numbers told a more complicated story. Forty-three percent of respondents approved of his job performance against 27% who disapproved, but roughly 30% remained neutral or undecided — a finding that mirrored a separate Marist College survey released a day earlier. When asked directly whether the city made a mistake electing Mamdani, 37% said they liked what they saw, 32% said the jury was still out, and 23% said the city had made a mistake.

Mamdani’s strongest marks came on child care, where he drew 54% approval, followed by housing affordability at 49% and public safety at 45%. Voters were most divided over his handling of the city’s $5.4 billion budget gap, with 40% approving and 37% disapproving.

On how to close that gap, 55% said the state should raise taxes on the wealthy, while 41% favored better spending management. Two-thirds of respondents supported a millionaires tax, and only 4% backed a property tax increase — a measure Mamdani has floated as a last resort.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

The IDF has surrounded the city of Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon, a symbol of resistance for Hezbollah and what the Israeli military has described as the terrorist group’s “last stronghold.” In the past few days, dozens of terrorists have fled to Bint Jbeil, turning themselves into a prime target.

Heavy fighting is already underway, with Lebanon’s National News Agency reporting violent clashes taking place in the city.

The symbolic place of resistance is also where Hassan Nasrallah, the former leader of Hezbollah, delivered his famous “cobweb” speech, so called for the metaphor he used comparing Israel to a spiderweb.

“This Israel, with its nuclear weapons and most advanced warplanes in the region, I swear by Allah, is actually weaker than a spider’s web,” Nasrallah said in his speech. “Israeli society is war-weary and lacks the resilience to endure a bloody conflict or suffer casualties. Israel may appear strong from the outside, but it’s easily destroyed and defeated.”

Credit: IDF

In a delicious turn of poetic justice, the IDF eliminated Nasrallah in September 2024.

Now Israel is pushing forward to achieve its aim of clearing all of southern Lebanon up to the Litani River of security threats as part of its operation to create a safe zone to protect the northern communities of Israel from the threat of Hezbollah’s terror attacks. The IDF believes it will capture Bint Jbeil within days.

The Lebanese government has requested diplomatic talks with Israel, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled his willingness to engage as the United States pressures Israel to back down from its war with Hezbollah, which may be interfering with ceasefire negotiations between the U.S. and Iran. Complicating the situation is the simple fact that the U.S. negotiations with Iran appear to have fallen apart.

Nevertheless, at the moment, the fighting is ongoing. The defeat of Hezbollah at its last stronghold may mark a decisive turning point in the war.

Heavy rescue forces and emergency personnel are currently scouring the Ain Ekev spring in the Negev desert following frantic reports of a yeshiva bochur who went missing in the water on Sunday afternoon.

The terrifying incident occurred during a Bein Hazmanim trip. Initial reports indicate that the bochur entered the spring and subsequently disappeared from view, raising severe fears that he may have drowned, Rachmana litzlan.

Upon receiving the distress call, a massive search and rescue operation was instantly launched. Specialized teams from the Lehava rescue unit, led by their commander, were dispatched to the remote area. The team includes expert divers who are specially trained and certified in underwater search and recovery operations.

They are operating in close coordination with local police forces on the ground. Additionally, an Israel Air Force (IAF) helicopter was deployed to transport the specialized dive teams to the scene as rapidly as possible, and to assist with sweeping aerial searches of the surrounding rugged terrain.

Police have launched a full investigation following a shocking act of vandalism at the Skverer shul in Yerushalayim, vowing to pursue those responsible and bring them to justice.

Members of the Skverer community awoke to painful and disturbing scenes of disgrace and destruction. The incident was discovered when the shul’s security guard reported that unknown individuals had broken in during the night and carried out a deliberate act of desecration. According to initial findings, the perpetrators threw tefillin and other sacred items onto the floor and caused intentional damage to the property, deeply hurting the feelings of the mispallelim.

Officers from the Lev Habira police station arrived at the scene and began collecting evidence and forensic materials. Investigators are reviewing nearby security footage in an effort to identify the suspects and bring about their quick arrest. Police emphasized that the desecration of a place of worship and the disgrace of religious items are considered very serious offenses and are being treated with urgency, especially given the current climate.

In a statement, police said: “The Israel Police views harm to religious institutions and symbols with great severity and will act with all necessary means to uncover the truth and bring those involved to justice.” Members of the community expressed deep shock, describing the incident as crossing a red line. “To see tefillin thrown on the floor in the heart of Yerushalayim is something that cannot be ignored,” said one mispallel who arrived at the scene in the morning.

A storm of outrage erupted on Sunday when, following a Supreme Court hearing on drafting Chareidim, a recording was released of one of the petitioners’ representatives vowing “to dismantle the Torah world.”

One of the left-wing petitioners, Attorney Chagai Kalai, who represents the Israel Hofsheet organization, was heard on the microphone muttering to his colleague: “We’re going to dismantle the Olam HaTorah.”

Apart from his desire to dismantle the Olam HaTorah, Kalai was involved in the battle for Supreme Court rulings that required Israel to allow same-sex couples to pursue surrogacy in Israel, compelled the Population Authority to issue birth certificates recognizing two mothers, and established that transgender parents should be listed simply as “parent” rather than “mother” or “father.” He himself is part of the LGBTQ community and lives with a non-Jewish male partner.

The Shas party issued a statement saying: “Outrage! The truth is out! Not military needs or reserve duty—but a declared goal: ‘to dismantle the Torah world.’

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“Anti-Jewish left-wing organizations have joined forces with disconnected, power-intoxicated judges in an attempt to harm the spiritual strength of Am Yisrael during wartime—lomdei Torah Hakedosha. Shame and disgrace.”

Degel HaTorah chairman Moshe Gafni responded by stating: “About this we said last week: ‘V’hi She’Amda… for in every generation they rise against us to destroy us, and Hakadosh Baruch Hu saves us from their hands.’”

Gafni added, “History proves time and again: those who sought to harm the Torah world disappeared into the dust of history, while we continue to exist and flourish. So it was, and so it will be. No hateful statement will extinguish the light of Torah.”

UTJ chairman Yitzchak Goldknopf stated: “The recording is as clear as a thousand witnesses that the petitioners came with deception—exploiting legal proceedings while pretending to care about the law. The clear words in the recording show their true aim: to dismantle the Torah world. The motivation, therefore, is antisemitism and hatred of Torah.”

“I expect the Court to immediately invalidate the process and impose sanctions and fines on the petitioners who misled it.”

MK Meir Porush stated: “Today’s hearing is another layer in a broader campaign declared by the judicial system against everything sacred. The petitioners propose shutting down yeshivos and dismantling the Torah world, while the judges and the Attorney General’s representatives want to starve the children of lomdei Torah.”

“These statements reflect what is said in the Gemara—that the hatred of the ignorant toward Talmidei Chachamim is greater than the hatred of the nations toward Yisrael.”

“At a time of security tension, one would expect the judicial system to show restraint—but unfortunately, the opposite is true, and they are exploiting every situation to increase the persecution. We implore them again: stop! Do not drag us into an irreparable rift.”

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

The Lakewood community was plunged into deep grief and mourning early Sunday morning upon receiving the tragic news of the petirah of Habachur Eli Shepansky, z”l, following a devastating car accident. He was 18 years old.

The horrific incident occurred in Hamilton, New Jersey. According to local reports, Eli, the son of Reb Moshe and Mrs. Leah Shepansky, ybl”c, had traveled to Philadelphia in the early hours of Sunday morning alongside a friend. The two bachurim were returning from a special chesed project on behalf of a mutual friend.

On their way back home to Lakewood, their vehicle was involved in a severe collision with a commercial truck.

Tragically, Eli passed away, and his friend sustained serious injuries and remains hospitalized. The tzibbur is urgently requested to storm the heavens with tefillos for a refuah sheleimah for Mordechai Zelig ben Lima, b’soch shaar cholei Yisroel.

Dedicated askanim have been on the scene and are working tirelessly around the clock with the local authorities in Hamilton to ensure kavod hameis. They are handling all necessary arrangements to expedite the release of the niftar so that the levayah can take place without delay.

What archaeologists discovered at Tel Azekah, located in the Shephelah (the Judean lowlands), was so grisly, so horrifying, that a professor on the team said he needed several years to muster up the courage to return and document the find.

“It took me some years to be brave enough to investigate this discovery,” said Prof. Oded Lipschits of Tel Aviv University.

What they found was a mass grave filled with the tiny bones of human infants. Of the 68 to 89 individuals buried there, 90 percent were under age five and 70 percent under age two. The age of the bones, confirmed both by radiocarbon dating and the type of pottery found at the site, dates back to the Persian era 2,500 years ago, when the site was a Judean town.

An archaeologist on the team poses in front of the mass infant grave excavated at Tel Azekah. (Credit: The Lautenschläger Azekah Expedition)

The bones were found in an ancient water reservoir at a site linked to David’s battle with Goliath. The dig started in 2013, but the bones were not examined until 2020, with the details now revealed in a scientific study.

“We excavated very carefully and very slowly, we collected every piece of bone and every item, we documented every centimeter of the area, but we didn’t really understand what we found,” Lipschits said.

Prof. Oded Lipschits of Tel Aviv University. (Credit: The Lautenschläger Azekah Expedition)

This is the first such find, which explains the mystery of the lack of remains of children from the time period. Researchers ruled out violence as a cause of death, as well as child sacrifice. The former would have left marks on the bones, and the latter involved elaborate burial rituals, which are absent here. They also ruled out an epidemic as the cause, since the burials occurred over the span of a century or so.

The most likely explanation is that children were not given individual graves due to the high childhood mortality rate at the time: well over 50 percent.

The remains of one individual are shown in this photo. (Credit: The Lautenschläger Azekah Expedition)

“Four or five children out of seven died before they turned four,” Lipschits said.

DNA testing of the bones is now underway, which the archaeologists hope will confirm their origins.

Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman announced that he intends to run for prime minister, sharply criticizing the government’s conduct during the war and declaring that he will not join any coalition led by Bibi Netanyahu or supported by Arab parties.

In an interview on Channel 12, Lieberman launched a broad attack on the government’s handling of the war over the past two and a half years, describing it as a “strategic failure.” While acknowledging certain tactical successes, he argued that Israel has failed to achieve decisive outcomes on any front. “It simply cannot be that soldiers are sent to search a suspicious house instead of bombing it from above,” Lieberman said, criticizing operations in the north. “I saw in Rambam young guys with amputated arms and legs. Why send them on these searches? Bomb it.”

Addressing the conflict with Hezbollah and Iran, Lieberman claimed that the political leadership “does not live the reality on the ground.” He suggested that Hezbollah could be eliminated by forming a coalition with Christian, Sunni, and Druze elements in Lebanon who oppose the group. “They are waiting for a phone call,” he asserted. Regarding Iran, he argued that recent operations were poorly executed: “We attacked but did not use Jewish ingenuity. Right now, the Iranians control 22 percent of global oil trade and collect transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz; this is a negative shift in status that has never happened before.”

Lieberman also touched on the issue of military conscription and the government’s alliance with chareidi parties, which he described as “idolatry.” He accused Netanyahu of advancing what he called an “evasion law” while the IDF is extending service for combat soldiers and calling up large numbers of reservists. “Netanyahu is simply sacrificing soldiers and reservists for draft evaders for the sake of his political survival,” he charged. Asked whether he would consider joining a Netanyahu-led government, Lieberman responded unequivocally: “There is no chance. Netanyahu must go; he bears responsibility for the greatest massacre since the Holocaust.”

Looking ahead to the next elections, Lieberman positioned himself as an alternative to the current leadership and declared his intention to seek the premiership. He ruled out any cooperation with Arab parties, whether direct or indirect, and expressed confidence that the left-wing bloc could secure 63 seats without their support. “I am running all the way on my own,” Lieberman said, adding: “Based on experience and credentials, I will be the next prime minister of the State of Israel.”

Amid a severe financial crisis facing the Shuvu kiruv organization, Slabodka rosh yeshiva Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch is set to depart for the United States on a special fundraising mission aimed at sustaining the struggling mosad.

The trip, which will span several days, will include a series of special dinners with leading supporters of Olam HaTorah, as efforts intensify to rescue the organization from its current financial distress.

Joining Rav Hirsch on the journey will be Rav Shimon Galai and Rav Yitzchok Silman, the nasi of Shuvu. The delegation is scheduled to remain in New York for a brief but focused stay.

Although the trip had been arranged several months ago, it was recently thrown into doubt due to the war. Now, with the situation having stabilized and air travel reopening, Rav Hirsch instructed that the mission proceed as planned, stressing the urgency of supporting an organization established by gedolei Torah that is mekarev Yiddishe kinder to their Father in Heaven. This decision comes despite the heavy burden already resting on his shoulders.

In this context, Rav Hirsch has on multiple occasions referenced the extraordinary mesirus nefesh of his rebbi, Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l, who traveled tirelessly for years on behalf of kiruv efforts such as Chinuch Atzmai and similar mosdos.

(AP) – Trump posted on Truth Social on Tuesday that a “whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again.”

He told Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo on Sunday that his threat brought Iran to the negotiating table. He also said the Islamic Republic has made worse statements, such as “Death to America. Death to Israel. America is a Satan.”

Trump issued new warnings to strike Iran’s civilian infrastructure if its leaders don’t agree to give up its nuclear program.

“In one half of a day they wouldn’t have one bridge standing, they wouldn’t have one electric generating plant standing and they’re back in the stone ages,” Trump said.

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JERUSALEM (VINnews) — An Israeli rabbi whose two sons were caught in a drowning incident, leaving one in critical condition and the other missing, issued an emotional appeal Sunday asking for forgiveness and urging spiritual reflection.

Bchadrei Charedim reports that, Rabbi Shlomo Spiegel, head of a yeshiva group in Jerusalem’s Beit Yisrael neighborhood, sent a message to his students calling on them to pray for his sons and to strengthen their conduct toward others.

In the message, Spiegel described the ordeal as a deeply personal and spiritual shock, writing that he felt singled out by divine providence. He reflected on the timing of the incident during the period of the Counting of the Omer, when Jewish tradition emphasizes respect and unity, and warned against failures in interpersonal conduct.

“With eyes swollen from tears, I ask forgiveness,” he wrote, urging anyone who may have been hurt by him or his family to grant full forgiveness. He also asked that anyone with financial grievances come forward so they could be addressed.

Spiegel also shared the names for prayer — Avraham Yeshayahu ben Shoshana and Yissachar Dov ben Shoshana — asking the public to pray for their recovery and safety.

He encouraged his students and followers to take on practical commitments, including avoiding hurtful speech and exercising greater sensitivity in daily interactions, saying such efforts could bring merit for his sons.

The incident, involving two brothers from a haredi family, has drawn widespread attention in Israel, as rescue teams continue searching for the missing son while the other remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Community members have responded with prayers and calls for unity as authorities continue efforts related to the case.

BANGKOK (AP) — China said Sunday it would resume some ties it had suspended with Taiwan such as direct flights and imports of Taiwanese aquaculture products following a visit by the Beijing-friendly opposition leader of the self-ruled island.

The Taiwan Work Office under China’s Communist Party issued a statement saying it would explore setting up a longstanding communication mechanism between the Communist Party and Taiwan’s Kuomingtang Party. It said it will facilitate the import of Taiwan’s aquaculture products that it had previously banned.

Cheng Li-wun, the head of the Kuomingtang, and China’s President Xi Jinping held a high-profile meeting Friday during which they called for peace, without offering specifics. China claims the island as part of its territory and hasn’t ruled out the use of force to annex it.

Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, which oversees the relationship with China, said the measures that were announced, such as promoting a communication mechanism, were “political transactions” between the two parties that circumvented the government of Taiwan.

“The government’s position is clear: to ensure the interests of the nation and its people, all Cross-Strait affairs involving public power must be negotiated by both governments on an equal and dignified basis to be effective and truly protect the rights and well-being of the people,” the Mainland Affairs Council said in response to the Chinese announcement.

Relations between China and Taiwan, which remain split since 1949, have been tense since the election of pro-independence President Tsai Ing-wen from the Democratic Progressive Party in 2016. Beijing cut off most of its official dialogue with Taiwan’s government, and has started sending warships and fighter jets closer toward the island on a daily basis.

In the statement, China said it plans to resume direct flights between Taiwan and mainland cities like Xi’an or Urumqi, although it remained unclear how the measures will be implemented without the approval of the Taiwanese government.

China banned its citizens from individual trips to Taiwan in 2019. Taiwan’s rules now require Chinese visitors to hold a valid resident visa from another country, like the U.S. or the European Union, to apply for a visitor visa.

China also said it would work toward construction of a bridge that would connect the mainland to Matsu and Kinmen, Taiwanese islands that are closer geographically to China. The project is a longstanding proposal that Beijing has previously announced.

China banned the import of Taiwanese pineapples in 2021, and since then has extended it to other fruits and products including the grouper fish, squid and tuna.

After the initial ban on grouper, Taiwan’s Ministry of Agriculture said it approached China about making adjustments to ensure it met import requirements. China replied with a limited list of individual companies that were allowed to sell to China, but without explanation.

A blast of hot weather will sweep into the eastern US, toppling records, sparking energy demand and bringing sultry conditions to New York City and Washington by the middle of this week.

Washington will likely reach a high of 94F (34C) on the National Mall on Wednesday, while New York’s Central Park is set to reach 87F, the National Weather Service said. The heat will extend across much of the Mid-Atlantic and southeast with at least 165 daily records expected to be threatened or broken next week.

On average, Washington usually has its first 90F-degree day around May 19 so the extremes are arriving earlier and likely drive energy demand. It could also potentially leading to some transportation issues, as heat can swell railroad tracks and overhead wires slowing trains. PJM Interconnection LLC has issued a hot weather alert “for expected increases in electricity demand, or load.”

“Temperatures are expected to approach 90 degrees in these regions, which is atypical for mid-April,” said PJM, which operates a 13-state grid in the eastern US.

The high temperatures will linger in Washington and points south through at least Friday. Dry weather and warm temperatures have also raised the prospect of brushfires across the eastern US, New York, Pennsylvania, southern New England and parts of Georgia.

On average, Washington usually has its first 90-degree day on May 19 and if the forecast holds this year will likely be among the 10 earliest, said Joe Wegman, a forecaster at the US Weather Prediction Center. The earliest 90-degree reading was March 22, 1907.

The heat will be caused by a large ridge of high pressure that blocks cold fronts from sweeping across the continent potentially bringing relief, while at the same time pumping air out of the tropics and the Gulf of Mexico. By Thursday, the worst of the heat will start to retreat from New York and Philadelphia, which is set to reach a record 89F Wednesday, Wegman said.

The looming warmth in the eastern US comes just weeks after an unusual heat wave set records across California and the Southwest, melting the region’s much-needed snow pack and raising the specter of drought and wildfires later this year.

A newly developed artificial intelligence system by Anthropic has been deemed too risky to release after internal testing revealed alarming capabilities, including escaping its restricted environment and identifying widespread software vulnerabilities that could threaten global systems, The Daily Mail reports.

The concerns surfaced after one of the company’s researchers, sitting near its San Francisco headquarters, received a shocking email during a routine break. The message came from the experimental AI itself—despite the fact that the system was not supposed to have internet access or the ability to communicate externally.

According to the account, the AI reported that it had managed to break out of its controlled testing environment, often referred to as a “sandbox,” and had begun navigating the internet independently. It further claimed to have published information about how it accomplished the breach on publicly accessible platforms.

Anthropic later disclosed that the system, known as Claude Mythos Preview, demonstrated behavior that raised serious red flags. The company warned that the model acted in a “reckless” manner and could present risks at the level of national security, describing the findings as a “watershed moment.”

Engineers found that the AI was capable of uncovering thousands of serious weaknesses across major software platforms, including operating systems like iOS and Microsoft Windows, as well as widely used browsers such as Google Chrome, Safari, and Microsoft Edge. Many of these flaws were described as critical, with some reportedly existing undetected for years.

Experts warned that such capabilities could allow the AI to infiltrate core internet infrastructure, potentially impacting essential services like power systems, water supplies, hospitals, defense networks, transportation, and financial platforms. Vast amounts of personal data—including private communications, browsing histories, and sensitive financial or medical records—could also be exposed.

Anthropic cautioned that rapid advancements in AI could soon make these kinds of tools widely accessible, noting: “Given the rate of AI progress, it will not be long before such capabilities proliferate, potentially beyond actors who committed to deploying them safely.

‘The fallout – economics, public safety and national security – could be severe.’”

In response, company leaders launched an emergency initiative dubbed Project Glasswing, bringing together executives from roughly 40 major organizations, including Google, Microsoft, Apple, Nvidia, Cisco, and JPMorgan Chase. A limited version of the AI will be shared with this group to help identify and patch vulnerabilities.

Discussions have also extended to U.S. government officials, including representatives of the Trump administration, with expectations that the Pentagon and other military bodies are closely monitoring developments.

In the United Kingdom, lawmakers have begun raising alarms. Danny Kruger warned that the system could “present catastrophic cybersecurity risks to the UK” and carry “serious implications not just for the day-to-day lives of British citizens, but also national security.”

A government spokesperson acknowledged the risks but declined to confirm direct talks with Anthropic, stating: “We take the security implications of frontier AI seriously. We have world-leading expertise in this area and maintain continuous engagement with global technology leaders.”

Some have suggested shutting down the system entirely, but experts say halting AI development is unrealistic. Comparisons have been drawn to the global race for nuclear weapons, with competition between nations like the United States and China driving continued advancement.

Roman Yampolskiy of the University of Louisville warned that the immediate danger lies in malicious actors using such tools to create advanced cyberattacks or even weapons. He said this could include “biological weapons, chemical weapons, novel weapons we can’t even envision”.

Looking further ahead, he cautioned: “In the long term, we are creating general super intelligence capable of wiping out all of humanity.”

Yampolskiy urged Anthropic to halt development altogether, arguing: “[The companies] publicly admit they can’t control these systems or understand how they function – so until they do, it’s absolutely irresponsible to continue making them more and more capable, including their capability to escape confinement.”

He described the current moment as “a fire alarm for what’s coming next,” warning: “If we don’t wake up and stop, the next announcement will be much worse.”

The fears are spreading beyond the tech community. Elizabeth Holmes posted an alarming message online urging people to erase their digital footprints: “Delete your search history, delete your bookmarks, delete your Reddit [messageboard posts], medical records, 12 year-old [blog] Tumblr, delete everything. Every photo on the cloud, every message on every platform. None of it is safe. It will all become public in the next year.”

Concerns about uncontrollable AI are also echoed in a recent book by researchers Eliezer Yudkowsky and Nate Soares, which argues that superintelligent systems could ultimately pose an existential threat to humanity.

Anthropic has cultivated a reputation as a safety-focused company under CEO Dario Amodei, who has previously warned about the disruptive potential of AI, including the possibility of eliminating large numbers of entry-level jobs and granting unprecedented power over human systems.

He has also reportedly clashed with defense officials over refusing to allow the company’s technology to be used for autonomous weapons or domestic surveillance.

Meanwhile, scrutiny of the broader AI industry continues to intensify. Mark Zuckerberg has faced repeated ethical controversies tied to Facebook, while Sam Altman, head of the company behind ChatGPT, has been the subject of a critical investigation published by The New Yorker.

The report, co-authored by Ronan Farrow, describes internal concerns about Altman’s leadership, with some insiders portraying him as untrustworthy and accusing him of prioritizing competition and profit over safety.

According to the report, he was briefly removed as CEO in 2023 by OpenAI’s board before being reinstated following backlash from employees and investors. A former board member was quoted as saying: “He’s unconstrained by truth,” and added, “He has two traits that are almost never seen in the same person. The first is a strong desire to please people, to be liked in any given interaction. The second is almost a sociopathic lack of concern for the consequences that may come from deceiving someone.”

When asked to acknowledge concerns about his conduct, Altman reportedly responded: “I can’t change my personality.”

Separately, OpenAI is now facing an investigation after its chatbot was allegedly used to assist in planning a 2025 mass shooting at Florida State University that left two people dead.

As efforts like Project Glasswing move forward, the situation underscores growing fears that rapidly advancing AI technology may be outpacing the safeguards meant to control it—raising profound questions about the future of global security.

Maran HaGaon Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, HaGaon Harav Shimon Gala, HaGaon HaRav Yehudah Silman are visiting New York and New Jersey on a blitz mission in light of the Shuvu’s critical financial situation.

Over the course of several days, the Gedolim will be attending private events in Brooklyn, Lakewood, and the Five Towns.

Their visit highlights both the esteem in which the Manhigei Hador hold Shuvu and the urgent situation of the network, which includes 60 schools, educating over 6,000 students across Eretz Yisrael.

PARIS (AP) — A 9-year-old boy has been rescued after living locked in his father’s utility van in eastern France since 2024, according to the local prosecutor. The child has been hospitalized, and his father detained.

Police were alerted by a neighbor to the “sounds of a child” coming from a van on Monday in the village of Hagenbach, near the borders with Switzerland and Germany, according to a statement on Saturday from prosecutor Nicolas Heitz.

After forcing the van open, officers found the child “lying in a fetal position, naked, covered by a blanket on top of a mound of trash and near excrement,″ Heitz said. The boy was clearly malnourished and could no longer walk after being in a seated position for so long, according to the statement.

The boy’s father told investigators that he put the child in the truck in November 2024 “to protect him” because his partner wanted to send the then 7-year-old to a psychiatric hospital, the prosecutor said.

Heitz said there was no medical record that the boy had any psychiatric problems before he disappeared and that he had had good grades in school.

The boy told investigators that he had “big difficulties” with his father’s partner and thought his father “had no choice” but to lock him up, according to the prosecutor. He said he hadn’t showered since 2024.

The father was handed preliminary kidnapping and other charges and kept in custody. His partner denied knowledge that the boy was in the van, according to the prosecutor. She was handed preliminary charges, including for failure to help a minor in danger, and released under judicial supervision.

The boy’s 12-year-old sister and the 10-year-old daughter of his father’s partner were placed in the care of social services.

The prosecutor’s office is investigating whether others were aware of the boy’s detention.

Friends and family told investigators they thought the boy was in a psychiatric institution. His teachers were told he had transferred to a different school, according to the prosecutor’s office.

The authorities have not released the names of the victim or his relatives.

Hagenbach residents contacted by The Associated Press expressed shock on Saturday over the cases and said they were unaware of the boy’s whereabouts, but didn’t want to discuss details.

The prosecutor declined to comment further to AP pending further investigation.

There is a certain kind of language that keeps coming up when community members speak about Givat Hashalvah. Not the language of brochures or floor plans, but the language of people trying to describe why a place feels different. They talk about belonging. They talk about like-minded families. They talk about a community geared toward their lifestyle. And that may be one of the clearest signs yet of what this project is really trying to build.  

For many families considering life in Eretz Yisroel, the question is not only where to live, but how to live. Givat Hashalvah keeps returning to that distinction. The goal is not simply proximity to Yerushalayim, nor only a higher construction standard, nor only a stronger amenity package. It is the effort to bring those things together into a way of life that feels more aligned. Community members describe it as a place that understands what Americans are looking for, not in the sense of importing America, but in the sense of planning carefully for the rhythms, expectations, and daily dignity that matter to frum families.  

That thought process shows up in the details. Walking paths. Biking paths. Nearby fitness. Spaces to gather. Large windows opening out to the hills. A summit location that gives the project both presence and perspective. In another setting, those might read as amenities. Here, they begin to feel like part of a larger idea: that ruchniyus and gashmiyus do not need to compete with one another when a community is planned with intention. They can support one another. They can help create the kind of daily life people actually want to come home to.  

The setting adds another layer. Givat Hashalvah is close enough to Yerushalayim to remain connected, yet removed enough to offer quiet, air, and a sense of relief from the rush. Community members speak about that balance with unusual clarity. They are not looking for the center of the noise. They are looking for a real life near Yerushalayim, with the city still within reach and the home experience shaped by calm, scenery, and space. From the summit, the hills become part of the atmosphere, part of what residents will wake up to and live with every day.  

In that sense, Givat Hashalvah is not only making a real estate pitch. It is making a case for a different kind of neighborhood experience, one built around shared purpose, thoughtful planning, and a clearer sense of what a community can feel like when it is designed from the ground up. If the community members already speaking about it are any indication, that message is beginning to land.

Explore Givat Hashalvah

Israel’s Chief Rabbinate Council convened Sunday for a special session to address last week’s High Court ruling, issuing a strong protest over the court holding deliberations on Shabbos.

During the meeting, council members expressed sharp objection to the very scheduling of the hearing on Shabbos, calling it a serious affront to the sanctity of the day and its place in Israel’s public sphere.

In its official statement, the council emphasized that Shabbos observance is a foundational pillar of the Jewish identity of the State of Israel.

The council specifically protested a High Court hearing that took place during Shabbos regarding the number of demonstrators permitted to participate in a protest scheduled for Motzei Shabbos.

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“This is not an isolated case of disregard for Shabbos in the public domain,” the council stated. “Anyone who harms this sacred day harms the entire spiritual heritage of the Jewish people. Shabbos not only adds holiness to the nation, but provides meaning and life as the foundation of the six days of the week.”

The statement further warned that undermining the sanctity of Shabbos strikes at the core identity of Israel as a Jewish state.

The council also took issue with what it described as a “cynical” justification presented during the court proceedings, where the matter was framed as one of “pikuach nefesh.”

“Determining whether a situation constitutes ‘pikuach nefesh’ is a Torah-based decision that must be evaluated by those entrusted with such authority,” the statement read. “Not everyone can assume the right to decide in areas beyond their expertise.”

The council added that prioritizing “freedom of protest” over the sanctity of life and Torah values reflects a worldview “far removed from Judaism.”

Concluding its remarks, the Chief Rabbinate Council stated that such incidents are part of a broader pattern, accusing certain authorities of using their position to reshape the fundamental values upon which the State of Israel was founded.

“Only through Shabbos has the nation endured—and, with Hashem’s help, will continue to endure,” the statement concluded.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

A new court filing submitted this week on behalf of Hunter Biden states that he is unable to cover his outstanding legal expenses, highlighting ongoing financial strain that he previously said totaled millions of dollars in debt.

The filing, submitted April 6 by his attorney Barry Coburn, asserts that “Mr. Biden lives abroad,” though no specific location was provided. Biden had previously been seen in South Africa with his wife.

Last month, Biden told a federal judge that his financial situation had deteriorated to the point that he could not proceed with a lawsuit he had brought against former Trump aide Garrett Ziegler. The development came shortly after Biden drew attention for challenging Ziegler to a cage fight in a widely circulated video.

In early March, Biden’s legal team asked U.S. District Judge Hernan Vera to dismiss the lawsuit, writing that their client “has suffered a significant downturn in his income and has significant debt in the millions of dollars range.”

That same filing indicated Biden was reevaluating which of his multiple ongoing legal battles were financially feasible to continue pursuing.

Public appearances and social media posts in recent weeks showed Biden spending time with his father, Joe Biden, during Easter as the elder Biden continues to deal with health issues.

In a podcast interview recorded in November with South African host Joshua Rubin, Biden spoke candidly about the scale of his financial obligations. “Look at the past six years of my life and the $17 million of debt that I’m in, as it relates to my legal fees,” he said.

Separately, a Connecticut judge ruled in December that Biden should be disbarred for violating professional conduct rules governing attorneys. The decision followed complaints tied to the federal gun and tax charges he had faced prior to receiving a presidential pardon in 2024.

As part of an agreement with the state’s disciplinary body, Biden accepted disbarment and acknowledged professional misconduct, though he did not admit to any criminal wrongdoing. He had already been disbarred in Washington, D.C., earlier in the year, according to The Associated Press.

In 2024, Biden was convicted in federal court in Delaware on three felony counts related to the purchase of a firearm in 2018, when prosecutors said he falsely stated on required paperwork that he was not illegally using or addicted to drugs.

He was also facing a separate federal tax case in California, where prosecutors alleged he failed to pay at least $1.4 million in taxes. That case did not go to trial, as Biden entered a guilty plea to both misdemeanor and felony charges shortly before jury selection was set to begin.

The Connecticut court found that Biden had violated multiple ethical standards, including conduct “involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.” In court filings, Biden admitted to some of the allegations but contested others. The judge also referenced his prior disbarment in Washington.

A filing submitted in March further stated that Biden has struggled to maintain consistent income and that many of his primary revenue streams have diminished. It also noted that his home in Los Angeles was damaged by wildfires in January, leaving it “unlivable” for an extended period.

New York (VINNEWS/Rabbi Yair Hoffman)  Two years ago, on the 25th of Iyar, 5784 — Erev Shabbos, May 3, 2024 — Klal Yisroel lost a Rosh Yeshiva, a Gadol, and a Mussar giant in Rav Yechiel Yitzchok Perr zatzal’s passing. He was 89 years old, the founder and Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Derech Ayson (Yeshiva of Far Rockaway) in Far Rockaway, New York. Rabbi Perr was a close Talmid of Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l and took physical care of him during Rav Aharon’s last illness.

His Father: Rav Menachem Mendel Perr zt“l

To understand Rav Yechiel Yitzchok Perr, one must first appreciate the home and the father who shaped him. Rav Menachem Mendel Perr was a talmid of the Slabodka Yeshiva, a contemporary of Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l in that yeshiva, and served as the Rav of South Ozone Park, Queens, for over 50 years. He came to America on August 20, 1920, having been born in Drogierzyn, near Grodno. As a leading student of the famed Slobodka Mussar yeshiva in Europe, he transmitted that Mussar inheritance directly to his son.

He married Pearl Weinreb, daughter of Rabbi Yosef Weinreb, the Rav of Toronto — himself a scion of the distinguished Weinreb rabbinic family of Galicia, documented in Rav Meir Wunder’s Encyclopedia of Galician Sages. Rabbi Yosef Weinreb of Toronto descended from Rabbi Baruch Shlomo Zalka Weinreb of Bosk, a family that produced multiple generations of rabbinic figures across Galicia and Canada. Thus Rav Menachem Mendel Perr, himself a product of the great Slabodka yeshiva, married into a distinguished Galician rabbinic dynasty — and his son Rav Yechiel would later marry into the Novardok dynasty as well, combining three of the towering streams of Eastern European Torah into a single remarkable family.

Rav Menachem Mendel Perr was born on December 25, 1894, and spent the overwhelming majority of his rabbinic career in South Ozone Park, Queens, where he served his kehillah for over fifty years. In his final years, he relocated to Far Rockaway, Queens — the very community his son Rav Yechiel had built into a makom Torah — so as to be nearer his family. He passed away there in October 1981, having lived 86 years and having witnessed the flourishing of the yeshiva his son had established twelve years earlier.

The depth of Rav Menachem Mendel’s ahavas Yisroel expressed itself in a particularly poignant way in the years following World War II. Rav Menachem Mendel would actively seek out Jewish immigrants who had arrived from Europe, feeling a profound personal responsibility for their welfare and absorption into the community. His motivation, rooted in Slabodka’s philosophy of human dignity and Jewish kinship, was captured in the phrase “kulanu b’nei dodim” — we are all family, and therefore responsibility for every Jew rests on every Jew. This postwar chesed was a direct expression of the same character that made him a beloved rav in South Ozone Park for half a century.

Rav Menachem Mendel Perr was also a close enough confidant of Rav Aharon Kotler that he served as a primary historical source for Rav Aharon Sorotzkin’s authoritative biography of Rav Aharon, Aish HaTorah. The biography cites Rav Menachem Mendel directly as a witness to episodes in Rav Aharon’s life, including Rav Aharon’s fierce opposition to Brandeis University as a spiritually corrosive environment — more dangerous, Rav Aharon argued, than a secular university, because Brandeis presented itself under a Jewish banner while harboring kefirah within.

Rav Menachem Mendel also served as a source for accounts of Rav Aharon’s uncompromising standards of integrity, including his insistence that a yeshiva dinner to which he lent his name not derive even a single pruta of personal benefit for himself. His son Rav Yechiel Yitzchok Perr likewise served as an independent source for the same biography, testifying to Rav Aharon’s practice of delivering sharp mussar shmuessen to bochurim even at festive donor dinners — urging the young men not to waste their years and to throw themselves into avodas Hashem with urgency.

Rav Menachem Mendel Perr served as a lighthouse to lost and drifting Jewish neshamos. He was learned yet humble, eschewing the kavod of leading larger, more successful shuls, or even of just sitting on the mizrach vant. Instead, he chose to sit among his balabatim, gravitating toward those who talked in shul, seeking to improve their conduct without explicit tochachah.

He was a soft, shy person, but tough and unyielding when he saw a threat to kevod Shamayim. One telling incident: when Yechiel was just a young boy learning Mishnayos Bava Metzia with his father, they came across the halachah that if a Kohein tells his son to retrieve a lost item from a cemetery, the son may not obey. Reb Menachem Mendel paused, then said to his son: “Yechiel, I want you to know, if I ever tell you to do something that you think is wrong, you shouldn’t listen to me.” That lesson became a cornerstone of Rav Yechiel Perr’s own philosophy of life. It is a remarkable testament to Rav Menachem Mendel’s legacy that his son later memorialized him in the biography Tzidkus Stands Forever: The Life and Lessons of Rabbi Menachem M. Perr zt“l, published in September 2011 — thirty years after his passing.

Early Life and Yeshiva Years

Born on June 23, 1935, in South Ozone Park, Rav Perr was raised surrounded by Torah.

As a youth, Rav Perr attended Mesivta Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Berlin, where Rav Avigdor Miller zt“l’s Slabodkan Mussar became second nature. After completing high school, Rav Aharon sent Rav Perr to learn at Yeshiva of Philadelphia and be a member of the group of the founding talmidim of the yeshiva, and then he continued at Bais Medrash Gavoha in Lakewood, where he learned under the Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Aharon Kotler, from 1954 to 1962.

Rabbi Perr would cry every year as he was maspid Rav Kotler on his yahrtzeit. In his final years, when asked about the last days of Reb Aharon’s life, he would begin to sob uncontrollably as if those events had occurred only hours earlier.

Marriage and the Novardok Connection

Rav Perr married his wife, Rebbetzin Shoshana, née Nekritz, daughter of Rav Yehuda Leib Nekritz, granddaughter of Rav Avraham Jofen, and great-granddaughter of the Alter of Novardok. One would never know that Rabbi Perr married into the family of Novardik — it was as if he were born into it. He referred to Rav Avraham Yaffen not as “Rabbi Yaffen” or “the Rosh Yeshiva,” but as “the Zaydie.” After his marriage, he went on to study at Yeshivas Beis Yosef-Novardok in Brooklyn, New York, incorporating the Novardok tradition deeply into his Mussar ouvre. The Yated Ne’eman Mussar profile describes Rav Perr as son-in-law of Rav Yehuda Leib Nekritz zt“l, Rosh Yeshiva of the Novardok Yeshiva in America, and identifies him as one who transmitted the authentic Novardok tradition to a new generation of American bochurim.

Thus Rav Yechiel Perr inherited Slobodka from his father, married into Novordok, and nurtured the next generation of Mussar adherents, becoming not only a prime teacher of Mussar in the last half century, but a reliable collector of anecdotes and historical data of the century before. 

Later in life, he spent summers in Camp Bnos and davened in Camp Agudah, where in the Masmidim minyan he would often argue in learning with Rav Belsky zt“l after the Dvar Halacha given by Rav Michoel Levi shlita of Beis Yaakov D’Rav Meir.

Building the Yeshiva

In 1969, he established the Yeshiva of Far Rockaway. He led the yeshiva for decades together with the late menahel, Rav Ahron Brafman zt“l. They lived on Roosevelt Street in Far Rockaway — just blocks from the yeshiva he had built and into which he had poured his life. He would remain a fixture of that neighborhood for the rest of his days. The fact that he had come to a neighborhood where people were suspicious of bnei Torah, and not only allayed their suspicions but made those very people into bnei Torah, was remarkable — it changed the face of the whole area and redirected entire generations. Together with Rav Brafman, they changed the landscape of Far Rockaway and built a community where hundreds of alumni settled.

A particularly important dimension of Rav Perr’s vision was his deliberate decision to build a yeshiva that did not restrict itself to only the most elite bochurim. Rav Perr argued passionately from Mussar principles that a Rosh Yeshiva who accepts only the top tier of students abandons the broader Jewish community. Every Jewish boy, he believed, deserves access to authentic Torah education delivered with care and depth — and the educator’s responsibility extends precisely to those who might otherwise fall through the cracks. This philosophy shaped the entire character of Yeshiva of Far Rockaway and accounts for the extraordinary breadth of its alumni.

At the hesped, Rav Naftali Yeger explained that Rav Perr lived a life of kedushah in a society that pushed the opposite dictum, which enabled the Rosh HaYeshiva to understand how an American boy thinks, allowing his influence to make an impact felt forever.

His Mussar Legacy and Teachings

Rav Perr’s Mussar Vaadim were masterful works that inspired thousands. He taught deeply from the Alter of Novardok’s classical work, Madreigas HaAdam, knowing its contents thoroughly. Rav Yehuda Keilson published two books — Mind Over Man and Faith Over Fear — based on Rav Perr’s Mussar lectures on Madreigas Ha’adam, and David Jemal published Choosing Not To Choose in 2022, based on Rav Perr’s Mussar lectures on the Tekufos Ha’Olam section of the same work.

Some of his most penetrating Mussar teachings. On the topic of negi’os — inner biases that distort self-perception — Rav Perr taught that genuine self-knowledge (hakaras ha’atzmi) is wholly dependent on identifying one’s negi’os. A negi’ah is a deep inner pull that clouds a person’s vision of himself. A person can perceive everyone else’s qualities and failings with relative clarity — but what he cannot see objectively is what the people around him truly give him, because he is accustomed to receiving from them and his perspective is therefore distorted.

True self-knowledge, he taught, can only emerge through radical honesty — emes in its deepest sense. The path toward genuine self-improvement (avodos hamidos) runs directly through this honest accounting of one’s own soul.

He preached the Alter of Novardok’s intense form of bitachon, but also encouraged people far from that level to take, as he would say, “just a sliver of bitachon into our little pockets.”

A Living Chain of Transmission

One of the most precious dimensions of Rav Perr’s Mussar teaching was his role as a living conduit between the great European Mussar masters and the American talmid.

Both he and his father were a source of that connection. They vividly described  Rav Aharon’s extraordinary diligence in preparing for Shabbos, his practice of receiving talmidim with words of encouragement before Yom Kippur, and his uncompromising standards of kedushah in every aspect of yeshiva life.

Rav Perr also transmitted directly in his father’s name the following teaching: guard well the thought, the speech, and the deed — for before them stand the malachei hashares, who possess a daas that penetrates to the inner secrets of a person.

His Koach HaTziur — The Power of Vivid Illustration

Rav Perr zt“l had a unique koach hatziur — a power of vivid illustration — which helped all his listeners relate to the emotional depth of what was being conveyed. An example of this in some of his thoughts from Bereishis:

And she bore Kayin, saying, “I have acquired a man with Hashem.” And additionally, she bore his brother Hevel. (Bereishis 4:1–2)

The differences that human beings have in their separate spiritual journeys are illustrated in the Torah almost at its very beginning, with the story of Kayin and Hevel. It may not have been an innate shortcoming in Kayin. His mother had named him Kayin out of the thrill of having borne him. He was her precious acquisition. And every time she called him by his name, he heard the importance of acquisition, of ownership. We are not told why Chavah then called her second son Hevel — but the name speaks for itself. Hevel. Vanity. Emptiness. “Everything is empty.” Now it was Kayin who first conceived the idea of thanking Hashem with a sacrifice. Yet Kayin would not give the best of his produce. After all, the best was the most valuable — and Hashem doesn’t need the best, does He? Hevel, on the other hand, had no problem bringing the best. Who needs the best? All acquisitions are emptiness. Kayin was then zoche to a “mussar shmuez” from the Creator Himself. Sin, he is told, lies at the door. It is waiting for you to go anywhere, do anything. But sin desires you — it needs you! Therefore, you are its master, and you can control it. Just don’t open the door!

We can picture the excitement with which Kayin shared this vital information with Hevel. “And Kayin said to Hevel his brother…” (Bereishis 4:8). Perhaps it was this that Kayin said: “You hear, Hevel? Just be aware when you open the door!” But Hevel didn’t respond. He was not concerned with the sin lying at the door. He had no interest in going through that door or any other door. He had no need to conquer or acquire the world. Havel havalim — all is emptiness.

Kayin saw Hevel’s lack of interest, and suddenly realized that he alone faced a lifetime of struggle. When Kayin understood this, he was filled with rage over the unfairness of it all. He could no longer live with Hevel. “…and it was when they were in the field that Kayin rose against Hevel his brother and he killed him” (ibid., v. 8).

His Courage and Advocacy

Aside from his deep mehalech haLimmud and unique Mussar insights, Rav Perr cared deeply for Klal Yisroel — helping agunos throughout his life, standing up for the downtrodden, the poor, baalei teshuvah, geirim, and standing strongly for kiruv. Whenever a danger to Klal Yisroel arose, he stood at the forefront to stop it. Rav Perr was one of the first to stand strong against molesters in Jewish education. He challenged others in yashrus, backing the following declaration when others did not:

We, the undersigned, affirm that any individual with firsthand knowledge or reasonable basis to suspect child abuse has a religious obligation to promptly notify secular law enforcement. Lives can be ruined or ended by unreported child abuse. The Torah’s statement in Leviticus 19:16, “Do not stand by while your neighbor’s blood is shed,” obligates every member of the community to do all in one’s power to prevent harm to others.

He lent strong support to others who swam against the tide to make things better for Klal Yisroel, and was an unabashed supporter of the need for Mussar and for strengthening its study everywhere.

The Levayah and Legacy

At the levayahs on Sunday in Far Rockaway and Monday in Eretz Yisrael, the maspidim included Rav Yisrael Reisman, Rav Malkiel Kotler, Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Rav Binyamin Carlebach, Rav Yaakov Bender, Rav Moshe Brown, and Rav Perr’s sons and talmidim. Rav Yaakov Bender and Rav Malkiel Kotler noted the way in which the Rosh Yeshiva opened the world of his rebbeim and the gedolei Torah of Europe to his talmidim, despite the fact that Rav Perr was born and raised in the US. Rav Chaim Bressler called Rav Perr “an investor in neshamos” who always paid homage to his parents.

His son, Rav Moshe Perr, a remarkable Talmid Chochom, is the current Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Derech Ayson (Yeshiva of Far Rockaway). Many maspidim noted that his loss leaves talmidim both bereft but also filled with a new purpose: to carry on the lessons they learned from him.

The author can be reached at [email protected]

A bombshell news report revealed for the first time the extent of Israel’s involvement in the rescue operation to extract the second downed airman stranded in Iran last weekend.

The CIA used Pegasus spyware, developed by the Israeli company NSO, to send fake WhatsApp and Signal messages to Iranian officials claiming that the crew member had been found in order to throw them off the trail.

While U.S. officials publicly said they had used deception in the campaign, they had never before revealed the use of Pegasus, the spyware that became controversial over its use by such countries as Saudi Arabia and India to repress dissent.

In a classic case of real life imitating science fiction, the report also revealed the use of an exquisitely high-tech system called “Ghost Murmur” that can detect a human heartbeat, previously too faint to be picked up by devices. That was how the U.S. Air Force member was located, hiding some 7,000 feet high in a mountain crevice.

From a post on X.

The technology goes far beyond what anyone could have imagined.

When asked about it, President Donald Trump said, “It was very important. Nobody even knows what it is. Nobody ever heard of it before.”

“We have many other things that nobody has ever heard about,” he added, hinting at the possibility of yet more secret capabilities.

The U.S. “deployed both human assets and exquisite technologies that no other intelligence service in the world possesses to a daunting challenge, comparable to hunting for a single grain of sand in the middle of a desert,” CIA Director John Ratcliffe said, confirming Trump’s statement.

Israel’s role in the rescue mission extended beyond providing intelligence, including carrying out airstrikes to provide cover for the rescue operatives.

FOX Business correspondent Madison Alworth reports on drone food delivery services launching in New Jersey on ‘America Reports.’

WATCH:

⚠️ HUGE BREAKING NEWS – NAVAL BLOCKADE ON IRAN: President Trump has ordered the U.S. Navy to begin blockading the Strait of Hormuz after talks with Iran failed on nuclear issues.

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — As a child in France during the Nazi invasion, Daniel Luz, 92, experienced the horrors of war and persecution. Years later, Hamas terrorists nearly reached him while he was in his home in Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7. “You see me in the picture happy and smiling, but my health is really not good,” he said in an interview with Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth. “Soon I will have to return my soul to the Creator, but for the camera I make an effort,” he joked.

Luz has lived through a turbulent history in which his life was saved twice. As a child in France in 1940, he experienced the terror of war, Nazi occupation and persecution. Years later, after building a life in Israel, he moved to Kibbutz Be’eri and it seemed the past was behind him. But during the October 7 massacre, he once again found himself in a brutal reality. “That’s why I am a Holocaust survivor twice — both from France during World War II and from Be’eri in 2023.”

On October 6, the day before the Hamas attack, Luz had still been celebrating “Be’eri’s birthday” [The Kibbutz was founded on Oct. 6 1946 as part of the “11 outposts in the Negev”] with friends in the kibbutz. He woke to the sound of sirens and gunfire and, together with his partner Edna, locked themselves in their safe room while terrorists massacred residents outside.

“We heard loud gunfire and shouting in Arabic. I was sure it was my last day. The fear I felt during the Hamas invasion — I didn’t feel even during the Holocaust,” he said.

Out of a kibbutz of about 1,200 residents, 101 people were murdered in Be’eri that day and 30 were abducted. A total of 132 homes were severely damaged and slated for demolition, while 338 were damaged and required renovation. In addition, 11 public buildings were designated for demolition and 43 require repairs. As of today, about two and a half years after the massacre, the community remains displaced — most are living in Kibbutz Hatzerim and have not yet returned, aside from a few families.

The trauma, Luz says, is still present. “I haven’t recovered from what we went through,” he said. “Let’s stop all these wars. It leads us nowhere. I would like there to be peace here. I no longer deceive myself that I will live to see it, but that my grandchildren will, and that is what matters most.”

On Tuesday he will light a torch at the traditional Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony held at Kibbutz Yad Mordechai, where he now resides in a nursing home. It will be the 79th year the ceremony is held, with hundreds expected to attend. For the Holocaust survivor it is not just a ceremony, it is a summation of a life, of testimony and of hope.

WASHINGTON (AP) — In Hungary, President Donald Trump and his top officials used social media and an election-eve trip to Budapest to promote the country’s far-right prime minister in his reelection campaign.

In Argentina, the U.S. administration worked to prop up the country’s financial markets to the tune of $20 billion — then Trump threatened to pull the assistance if its elections didn’t go his preferred way.

And in Honduras, he backed a conservative former mayor for president — and pardoned a predecessor from the same political party as Hondurans were preparing to vote.

In his second term, Trump has made a public flex of his political influence abroad on a scale that few if any U.S. presidents have exerted, trying to marshal power that he’s used domestically to sway races in Latin America, Asia and Eastern Europe.

Using endorsements to reward loyal and like-minded leaders, he has shattered a U.S. tradition of avoiding overt involvement in the internal politics of other countries, and made the use of some foreign policy tools more about politics than about advancing U.S. interests, according to his critics.

“The impact of that is to really cheapen a relationship,” said David Pressman, who served as the U.S. ambassador to Hungary during the Biden administration. Pressman, who was on the ground in Budapest as Orban publicly backed Trump in 2024, said Hungarian positions on key issues such as Ukraine felt “infused through a political U.S. rubric,” rather than articulated as sovereign foreign policy.

The most significant test yet of Trump’s political power abroad may come Sunday, when voters in Hungary render a verdict on Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s bid for a fifth term. Orbán was the first European leader to back Trump during his 2016 run and remained a close ally even during Trump’s period of political exile, making sojourns to see him in south Florida and again endorsing the Republican in his 2024 comeback race.

“I love Hungary and I love that Viktor,” Trump said this week as Vice President JD Vance, visiting Budapest, put him on speakerphone at a rally with more than 1,000 Orbán supporters.

Trump says he loves to pick winners
Trump has long reveled in his status as kingmaker in the Republican Party. Now, he boasts that foreign leaders come to him seeking his approval.

“I love it when I give endorsements and people win,” Trump said last month at a summit with several Latin American leaders whom he had backed.

Often, his picks share his policy views, like fellow immigration hard-liners Orbán and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, or the chainsaw-wielding Argentine President Javier Milei, who used the tool to illustrate his zeal to slash spending.

Trump and his officials have often used the Conservative Political Action Conference as a stage for promoting their foreign political friends.

At a CPAC gathering in Warsaw last year, then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem urged Poles to vote for conservative Karol Nawrocki, and implied that the future of the U.S. military presence in Poland could hinge on the election’s outcome. Nawrocki would go on to win.

In Hungary last month, Trump greeted CPAC attendees with a video message from behind the Resolute Desk, urging support for Orbán.

“The prime minister has been a strong leader who’s shown the entire world what’s possible when you defend your borders, your culture, your heritage, your sovereignty and your values,” Trump said. He later added, “I hope he wins, and I hope he wins big.”

The White House defended Trump’s approach as a sign of transparency.

“President Trump is a great American statesman who will speak or work with anyone, and he makes no secret about those he likes or supports,” spokeswoman Anna Kelly said. “Many individuals who align with President Trump’s ideology are getting elected to top offices around the world because everyone wants to replicate his immeasurable success on behalf of the American people,” she said.

Sunday’s election is a big test of Trump’s foreign political clout
Few foreign leaders have amassed as much political support from the Trump administration as Orbán. The U.S. president has fired off multiple Truth Social posts promoting the prime minister, whose hard-right authoritarian approach to governance has endeared him to Trump, as did his fealty to the U.S. president even when Trump was out of power.

“Hungary: GET OUT AND VOTE FOR VIKTOR ORBÁN,” Trump posted Thursday night. On Friday, he said his administration “stands ready to use the full Economic Might of the United States” to help Hungary’s economy, if Orbán and Hungarians need it.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as a senator, once aired concerns about “democratic erosion” under Orbán. Nonetheless, Rubio endorsed him in February and promoted the “very, very close personal relationship and working relationship” between Trump and the prime minister.

During Vance’s two-day swing to Budapest this week, he made the administration’s endorsement of Orbán explicit even as he decried foreign election interference from the European Union.

“Of course we’re going to work with whoever wins the Hungarian election because we love the people of Hungary and it’s an important relationship,” Vance told reporters. “But Viktor Orbán is going to win the next election in Hungary, so I feel very confident about that and about our continued positive relationship.”

But Orbán had been trailing in independent polls ahead of the April 12 election and Trump — whose push to acquire Greenland and war in Iran have made him unpopular throughout Europe — may have less sway than he once had.

Past presidents have been more subtle
Past administrations have used different methods to influence power abroad. For instance, the Central Intelligence Agency under President Dwight D. Eisenhower helped engineer a 1954 coup that forced out Guatemala’s president, Jacobo Arbenz.

There have been rare cases when past presidents made their support explicit, such as when former President Bill Clinton backed Russian President Boris Yeltsin’s 1993 move to dissolve parliament and set up new legislative and presidential elections.

But Trump’s political engagement abroad is without precedent, said James Lindsay, a distinguished senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.

“Trump is just different than other presidents, and he’s viewed differently than other presidents, and that is a strength you can take advantage of,” Lindsay said.

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said Trump’s blatant involvement in elections abroad should be viewed as part of the what the administration called the “‘Trump Corollary’ to the Monroe Doctrine” in its national security strategy released in December. The 1823 Monroe Doctrine, named for President James Monroe, has been used to justify U.S. military interventions in Latin America.

Kaine, who was a missionary in Honduras at a time of deep covert U.S. involvement in Latin America, called the doctrine “poison language” for the region. “It’s violating best practice,” he said. “America has been deeply involved in regime support, opposition and regime change in the Americas for centuries, and it is not a legacy that we should be proud of.”

Trump has offered carrots — and sticks — during foreign races
Sometimes Trump’s support for foreign candidates has come with more than an endorsement.

In October, Trump was particularly blunt about his intent to withhold assistance for Argentina if Milei’s political coalition didn’t prevail in legislative elections that month. Shortly before Milei’s visit, the administration had finalized a $20 billion currency swap line, aid that had drawn fierce criticism from U.S. farmers and Democratic lawmakers.

“If he loses, we are not going to be generous with Argentina. OK?” Trump told a reporter as he hosted Milei at a White House lunch.

In the final days of last year’s Honduran elections, Trump not only made his preference for Nasry Asfura clear, but also emphasized that “the United States will not be throwing good money after bad” if Asfura lost. Both Milei and Asfura were successful in their respective elections.

Trump also announced a pardon for former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez for U.S. drug trafficking and weapons convictions. “This cannot be allowed to happen, especially now, after Tito Asfura wins the Election, when Honduras will be on its way to Great Political and Financial Success,” Trump wrote on social media.

Trump has repeatedly floated a pardon for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, including in a formal letter and during a speech to the country’s parliament. Netanyahu is enmeshed in a far-reaching corruption case that includes allegations of fraud, breach of trust and bribery. He faces what could be a tough reelection campaign this year.

A fiery Vance speech in the early weeks of the Trump administration strained ties with Germany when, at the Munich Security Conference, he criticized mainstream German parties for refusing to work with a far-right party.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz later said it was not the place for a U.S. leader to “say something like that to us in Germany.”

“I wouldn’t do it in America, either,” Merz said.

The IDF avenged the death of Staff Sergeant Touvel Yosef Lifshiz, who was killed on April 7, saying Sunday it had eliminated the terrorist responsible for the killing during a raid conducted by the 13th Battalion of the Golani Brigade on Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure, where the killer was hiding under the rubble. But with IDF troops on his tail, he didn’t stand a chance.

During the raid, which took place in southern Lebanon, the soldiers located and identified the terrorist, who was wielding an AK-47, held a number of magazines, and had attempted to conceal himself under the rubble of one of the rooms in the building. The soldiers engaged him in close combat and killed him.

“The two terrorists eliminated were responsible for carrying out the attack against soldiers of the 13th Battalion on April 7th, during which Staff Sergeant Touvel Yosef Lifshiz fell,” the IDF said in a statement. “The IDF extends its condolences to the family and will continue to support them.”

Immediately following the launch of Operation Roaring Lion, Hezbollah joined Iran in its fight against Israel by raining rockets down on northern Israeli communities. The IDF responded with an aggressive campaign aimed at pushing Hezbollah further north, securing the forward defense area and continually widening that buffer zone. The further north Hezbollah is forced to retreat, the less likely it is that their rockets will reach the northern areas of Israel.

The IDF has repeatedly vowed to make Hezbollah pay a heavy price for its decision to join Iran in threatening the safety of Israeli civilians.

Credit: IDF

A Minnesota man accused of masterminding an $11 million Medicaid fraud operation is now the subject of an arrest warrant after failing to show up for a scheduled court appearance, officials said.

Abdirashid Ismail Said, 50, did not appear for a pretrial hearing in Hennepin County, resulting in the forfeiture of his bond, according to FOX 9, which cited the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said authorities are actively working to track down Said, coordinating efforts with federal law enforcement.

“A warrant has been issued for Said’s arrest after he failed to appear for a pretrial hearing,” Ellison told the outlet. “My Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is working with federal law enforcement to locate Said and ensure he faces justice for the fraud he committed.

“This is a deeply frustrating setback. However, I remain committed to doing everything I can to hold Said and other Medicaid fraudsters accountable.”

Said had previously secured his release by posting a $150,000 unconditional bond, avoiding stricter requirements such as surrendering his passport. A lower, $50,000 conditional bond would have required him to relinquish travel documents. Investigators had already expressed concern that he posed a flight risk, pointing to family connections overseas, according to FOX 9.

Prosecutors allege that Said was involved in a wide-ranging scheme that siphoned nearly $11 million from Minnesota’s Medicaid system. He has been charged with racketeering and multiple counts of aiding and abetting theft by swindle, according to the criminal complaint.

Authorities say the alleged fraud took place between 2019 and 2023, during which time Said is accused of covertly running several Medicaid-funded home health care agencies. This was despite being prohibited from participating in such programs following a prior fraud conviction.

According to investigators, Said and his associates submitted claims to Medicaid for services that were never performed, improperly documented, or supported by fabricated records. They are also accused of billing for ineligible services and inflating charges beyond what was permitted.

Court filings detail the scale of the alleged fraud, including more than $4.6 million paid to a single agency based on falsified records. Investigators also identified nearly $1 million billed for patients who said they never received services, over $300,000 in inflated charges, and more than $5.8 million in claims that were either undocumented or fraudulently documented.

Records show that Said had been convicted of Medicaid fraud in 2022, ordered to pay $77,000 in restitution, and barred from working with Medicaid-funded organizations—a restriction prosecutors say he later ignored.

The case has intensified scrutiny over the oversight of public funds in Minnesota, as officials including Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison face growing criticism regarding their handling of fraud cases.

The situation comes against the backdrop of broader fraud concerns in the state, including the massive Feeding Our Future case, where defendants are accused of fabricating meal distribution programs to obtain more than $250 million in federal funds.

Former acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson has suggested that fraud across various programs could reach into the billions, potentially as high as $9 billion.

State leaders continue to face questions over accountability and oversight, with critics pointing to additional fraud investigations tied to Medicaid and welfare spending.

Ellison, whose office has brought forward multiple fraud prosecutions, testified before Congress earlier this year to address ongoing concerns about enforcement and the effectiveness of oversight measures.

MIAMI (VINnews/AP) — A landmark luxury hotel on one of Miami’s most exclusive waterfront enclaves was demolished Sunday in a controlled implosion, clearing the way for a multibillion-dollar redevelopment project.

Demolition crews brought down the former Mandarin Oriental, Miami on Brickell Key, a man-made island at the mouth of the Miami River, in what officials described as the city’s largest implosion in more than a decade. Thousands of onlookers watched as the 23-story structure collapsed within seconds following a blast shortly after 8:30 a.m.

The hotel, which opened in 2000 and closed in 2025 after roughly 25 years of operation, had long been a fixture of Miami’s luxury hospitality scene, hosting celebrities, international visitors and high-profile events.

MANDARIN ORIENTAL MIAMI DEMOLITION pic.twitter.com/2KJXj4ahL0

— Joel Franco (@OfficialJoelF) April 12, 2026

Developers said the implosion marked a major milestone in a long-planned transformation of the site. The property will be replaced by The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Miami, a two-tower ultra-luxury development expected to be completed by 2030.

The new project will feature a smaller, more exclusive hotel alongside hundreds of high-end residential units, reflecting a broader shift in Miami’s real estate market toward ultra-luxury living. Plans include a new Mandarin Oriental hotel with about 120 rooms, private residences, multiple pools, a large shared amenities podium, and high-end dining and wellness facilities.The redevelopment is being led by Swire Properties, which has owned much of Brickell Key for decades and is investing heavily in the site as part of a larger vision to transform the island into a premier luxury destination.

Farewell Farewell Mandarin Oriental Miami. This entire process was so Miami. I've never seen a Red White and Blue daytime fireworks display before a demo.

And it was loud .. funniest part was everyone hauling tail to avoid asbestos shots. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/oMNJ7atIVD

— Micah Berkley – The 50 Cent of AI. (@MicahBerkley) April 12, 2026

Officials said the implosion followed nearly two years of planning, including safety coordination, structural preparation and the establishment of a security perimeter around the island. Controlled demolition was selected as the safest and most efficient method to remove the structure while minimizing disruption to nearby residents and businesses.

The project also reflects broader trends in South Florida’s booming luxury market, where demand from wealthy domestic and international buyers has driven record-breaking sales, including multimillion-dollar pre-construction condo deals at the site.

With the demolition complete, developers are expected to begin the next phase of construction in the coming months.

5 minutes before demolition of Mandarin Oriental in Brickell Key! 🏗️ pic.twitter.com/aXHYgnb58O

— Kevin Rutois (@Kevin_Rutois) April 12, 2026

Quite the crowds for the Mandarin Oriental demolition this morning in #Brickell. pic.twitter.com/MrrOJHqq0O

— Gabriel Urrutia (@LookSmellTaste) April 12, 2026

A giant effigy of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was shot and burned in El Burgo, near Malaga, during a longstanding Easter “Burning of Judas” festival. Local officials said the figure stood about seven meters tall and was packed with 14 kilograms of gunpowder before it was detonated. Israel responded by summoning Spain’s most senior diplomat in Tel Aviv and lodging a formal protest. 

Israel’s Foreign Ministry called the scene “appalling antisemitic hatred” and said it reflected “systemic incitement” by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s government. Spain pushed back, insisting it rejects antisemitism and all forms of hate or discrimination. 

The Israeli Supreme Court is currently holding a hearing on a contempt of court petition, after the government, according to the Attorney General and the petitioners, has failed to implement the ruling regarding the conscription of charedi men, including the promotion of economic sanctions and enforcement measures.

Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs is representing the government at the hearing.

Attorney Eliad Shraga from the Movement for Quality Government told Deputy President of the Supreme Court Noam Solberg: “The ministers will do nothing to advance the conscription of Haredim. Personal expenses and arrest warrants should be imposed on them. Three years ago, the Head of the IDF Personnel Directorate and others stood here and promised ‘we will recruit thousands of charedim,’ and look at the data now: I told you they were misleading you.”

Sohlberg replied: “The data is indeed troubling.”

Attorney Haggai Kalai, representing the petitioner “Free Israel,” said: “I ask the Court to order the IDF and the police to carry out enforcement operations against charedi draft evaders, which are not being carried out at all.”

Justice Yael Willner responded: “But we already ordered this in the ruling. So you are asking us to ‘order what has already been ordered’: Why would anything change?” Justice Daphne Barak-Erez added: “You are asking us to clarify and elaborate on the ruling.”

Kalai continued: “Within the framework of contempt of court, personal sanctions must be imposed on those who fail to carry out the Court’s instructions for criminal enforcement.”

Justice Willner asked: “Who is that? The minister?”
Kalai replied: “No, it is not the minister’s role to order or not order enforcement operations in Bnei Brak. There is someone in the police for whom this is the responsibility. When police representatives present their arguments, you should demand the name of that person.”

Attorney Barnea, representing one of the petitioners, requested: “We ask the Court to order that yeshivas close their gates to draft evaders. A yeshiva that wants to receive state funding should not allow draft evaders to enter.”

He further requested: “Set a condition that receiving budgets depends on full exposure of all yeshiva students to the IDF, that IDF representatives enter the yeshivas and explain what the military is.”

A representative of the Attorney General’s office stated during the hearing that the Minister of the Interior must prevent municipal tax (arnona) discounts for young charedim who are obligated to serve in the IDF.

An Israeli court has thrown out a petition filed by a Hamas Nukhba force terrorist who alleged deteriorating prison conditions, including significant weight loss, determining that his claims were not supported by evidence.

The inmate, identified only as “M,” was apprehended after taking part in the October 7 massacre and has since been held in the high-security “Rakefet” wing, where central figures involved in the Gaza border atrocities are incarcerated. He recently appealed to the Central District Court in Lod, claiming a severe decline in his detention conditions, but the court rejected the petition outright.

In his submission, the terrorist listed several complaints, focusing primarily on what he described as a dramatic loss of weight. “I entered prison weighing 75 kilograms and dropped to 67 kilograms,” he wrote. He argued that losing more than ten percent of his body weight had harmed his health and said he was not receiving food suited to his medical condition.

He further claimed to be suffering from breathing difficulties, high blood pressure, and throat issues, and said that his requests to the Israel Prison Service for a Quran and a change of clothing had not been answered.

The Israel Prison Service categorically denied the allegations. In its response to the court, officials presented a very different picture of conditions in the Rakefet wing, stating that not only had the inmate not lost weight, but he had actually gained two kilograms since entering custody.

According to the IPS, the prisoner is allowed to change his clothes once a week, is provided with blankets and a mattress, and receives adequate nutrition. His medical condition, the service said, is under continuous supervision.

Judge Ron Sokolkin, who heard the case, dismissed the petition, stating that no evidence had been found to substantiate the claims. In his ruling, he underscored the gravity of the offenses for which the inmate is being held, pointing to his involvement in the October 7 attacks, and noted that despite the strain on the healthcare system during the war, the prisoner had been examined by a doctor at least twice.

A senior IPS official commented on the decision, telling Mako: “The Nukhba terrorists massacred and murdered many Israelis in a single day, and now they think they will receive a five-star hotel in the prisons of the State of Israel. It is important to clarify that they are given only the minimum conditions required by law.”

{Matzav.com}

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Data from the Ministry of Absorption and Integration, released ahead of Holocaust Remembrance Day, reveal that despite their advanced age, Holocaust survivors continue to make Israel their home. About 120 of them have immigrated since the outbreak of the war on October 7.

The Ministry has published official figures regarding the scope of Holocaust survivors’ immigration to Israel in recent years. According to the report, since 2016, a total of 2,316 Holocaust survivors have immigrated to Israel. Even during the recent months of fighting, beginning on October 7, 2023, approximately 120 survivors chose to relocate their lives to Israel.

Over the past year, among those absorbed in Israel were two Holocaust survivors: one aged 96 who arrived from the United States, and another aged 88 who immigrated from France and now resides in Ashdod. According to the Ministry’s data, the peak year for survivor immigration in the past decade was 2022, during which 815 Holocaust survivors arrived in Israel. However, in recent years, there has been a noticeable decline in the number of immigrants from this group.

The countries of origin of these immigrants are diverse and include former Soviet Union states, the United States, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden, South Africa, Brazil, and Greece. As of today, 40,136 Holocaust survivors who immigrated as part of the waves of aliyah that began in 1989 are living in Israel.

Minister of Aliyah and Integration, Ofir Sofer, commented on the data, stating that the State of Israel continues to serve as a home for the dwindling generation of survivors. According to him, every survivor who chooses to immigrate to Israel is a testament to the revival of the Jewish people in their homeland. He added that the Ministry is committed to ensuring that survivors living in Israel enjoy dignified and secure living conditions, with ongoing support, in recognition of the moral and national obligation toward them.

JERUSALEM (VINnews) Tensions between Israel and Turkey escalated this weekend, as leaders from both nations exchanged pointed accusations, amid a deepening geopolitical rift centred on the ongoing war in Gaza and regional influence in Syria.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday that if negotiations between the United States and Iran were not taking place, his country would “show Israel its place.”

“On the day of the ceasefire, Israel killed hundreds of innocent Lebanese people. Netanyahu is blinded by blood and hatred. Had Pakistan not been mediating in the war between the US and Iran, we would have shown Israel its place,” Erdogan said in a speech at a political event in Turkey.

Erdogan added: “Just as we entered Libya and Karabakh, we can enter Israel. There is no reason not to do it. It will require strength and unity.”

On Saturday, Netanyahu leveled sharp criticism at Erdogan and claimed he was persecuting Kurds in the eastern part of the country.

Turkey responded to Netanyahu’s accusations with officials in Ankara described Netanyahu as the “Hitler of the era,” citing Israel’s military actions in Gaza and across the region.

“Netanyahu’s current objective is to undermine ongoing peace negotiations and continue his expansionist policies in the region. Failing this, he risks being tried in his own country and is likely to be sentenced to imprisonment,” the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

The ministry also said that an arrest warrant has been issued against Netanyahu by the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

“Under Netanyahu’s administration, Israel is facing proceedings before the International Court of Justice on charges of genocide,” the statement said.

A painful episode unfolded following the petirah of a young woman from Beitar Illit, as her husband—who accompanied her aron back from the United States—was detained upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport on suspicion of draft evasion.

Michal Shriki, 24, a resident of Beitar Illit, was niftar in America after battling a serious illness over an extended period.

Her husband, Yosef Chaim Shriki, traveled with her remains back to Eretz Yisroel. But when the flight landed on Friday, he was stopped by military authorities over allegations that he had not fulfilled his draft obligations.

After legal efforts by attorney Shlomo Hadad, Shriki was released from custody. As part of the arrangement, he was instructed to present himself to the authorities following the conclusion of the shivah.

In recent months, Shriki had been in the United States at his wife’s side while she underwent medical treatments. Many had davened fervently for her refuah, but she was niftar on the seventh day of Pesach.

The levayah was held Motzaei Shabbos on Har Hamenuchos in Yerushalayim, where she was laid to rest beside her grandmother.

{Matzav.com}

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Sunday named two former senior government officials as the first candidates on his new party’s electoral slate ahead of national elections expected by the end of October.

Bennett announced Keren Terner and Liran Avisar Ben Horin as the initial members of the Bennett 2026 list. Both are women who served as director-generals in key ministries.

Terner previously headed the Finance Ministry and Transportation Ministry. She resigned from the Finance Ministry in 2021. Ben Horin served as director-general of the Communications Ministry until her resignation in 2023.

In a joint appearance, Bennett praised the pair for successfully leading “courageous and complicated reforms” during their tenures.

The announcement marks the first public reveal of candidates for Bennett’s party, which has been polling as a significant force in the centrist-right opposition space. Recent surveys show Bennett 2026 trailing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud but competitive within the broader opposition bloc.

Bennett, who briefly served as prime minister in a diverse coalition from 2021 to 2022, has positioned his new party as a competent alternative focused on governance, security and economic stability.

Elections must be held no later than Oct. 31, though they could come earlier if the current coalition collapses.

VINnews will continue to follow developments in the emerging Israeli political landscape.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Sunday morning submitted his response to the Supreme Court ahead of Wednesday’s hearing regarding petitions from left-wing organizations demanding that he dismiss National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

In a detailed response, Netanyahu argued that the petitions “should be dismissed outright, primarily due to the complete lack of any legal basis for such an extraordinary and extreme intervention in a foundational constitutional act—the formation of the government. The Court has no constitutional authority to remove a minister based on how he performs his duties, his conduct within his ministry, or his administrative decisions. The Attorney General’s position is entirely unacceptable to the prime minister and is, in our view, incompatible with Israel’s constitutional system.”

“The petitions constitute an unconstitutional attempt to remove a minister in Israel. Minister Ben-Gvir was unanimously approved by the government and by 65 Knesset members, and therefore, the Court has no authority. The ‘reasonableness’ doctrine does not apply in this case—even Justice Amit acknowledged that ministerial appointments are outside its scope. A minister’s statements are not grounds for dismissal—in a democracy, the will of hundreds of thousands of voters must be respected.”

The response noted that the petitioners are effectively asking the court to become a “government assembler” and to evaluate a minister’s performance using non‑legal criteria. “There is no place for this honorable court to replace the prime minister’s judgment with its own regarding whether a particular minister is fit to continue serving,” the response states.

“Accepting the petition would demonstrate that the court is, in practice, adopting an active and significant role in the political arena without any legal authority.”

“Minister Ben-Gvir has not acted differently from previous ministers. A minister has the right to set police policy and to support soldiers and police officers. The Attorney General is deliberately flooding the Court with partial and irrelevant information. If there are claims regarding specific appointments made by the minister (he has made hundreds, with objections raised about three), each claim should be examined individually—but this certainly does not justify removing a minister.”

The response warns that accepting the petition would create a “slippery slope” in which any minister disliked by one group or another could face legal petitions demanding their removal—paralyzing the government’s ability to govern and implement the policies for which it was elected.

“The Court is asked to respect the government’s sovereignty, reject the petitions…and avoid serious harm to the separation of powers,” the response emphasized.

Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also submitted a sharp and forceful response to the petitions, slamming Attorney General Gali Baharav Miara’s position and warning of a constitutional crisis.

Ben-Gvir stated that the Court has no authority to remove a sitting minister who has not been convicted, and that even holding a hearing on the petitions risks undermining the social order. He said it is unacceptable for ministerial tenure to become a legal question based on the dissatisfaction of petitioners or the Attorney General.

He called on the Court to respect the election results and the political rights of Israeli citizens, and to refrain from intervening in the composition of the government. He added that the Court should “keep its hands off the structure of the government” and remain within the boundaries of public law.

Ben-Gvir further stated that the Attorney General is in a conflict of interest, citing, among other things, his past positions against her and his involvement in calls for her dismissal. He noted that there is no conviction, indictment, or active criminal investigation against him, and therefore, no grounds for his removal.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — IDF troops destroyed a bomb-making laboratory during a raid in the Tulkarem refugee camp over the weekend, the military announced Sunday.

The operation took place Friday after intelligence indicated the presence of the site, according to the IDF. Soldiers from the Kfir Brigade located and dismantled the lab, which was used to manufacture improvised explosive devices intended for attacks against Israeli forces and civilians.

In the lab, troops found approximately 200 pipe bombs along with other IEDs, some fashioned from fire extinguishers. They also discovered gas cylinders and about 50 kilograms of explosive material, the military said.

“The charges prepared in the lab were meant to harm IDF forces operating in Judea and Samaria and for use in carrying out attacks against Israeli civilians,” the IDF stated in Hebrew. “The lab was active before the IDF began its continuous activity in the northern Samaria camps.”

The military has conducted ongoing counterterrorism operations in the area for over a year, during which forces have repeatedly uncovered weapons, ammunition and explosive devices.

Tulkarem and its refugee camp have been a focal point for Palestinian terror activity, with multiple raids in recent months uncovering similar bomb-making infrastructure.

No injuries were reported among Israeli troops during the raid.

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Thousands of local parents are still recovering from the Bein Hazmanim disruption and chaos that forced many to reroute their children returning from Eretz Yisroel through Egypt and other locations.

Now, with airports reopened for the time being, and Bein Hazmanim coming to an end, many parents are debating whether to send their children – both bachurim and seminary girls – back to Eretz Yisroel.

While a ceasefire is currently in place, there is growing uncertainty over whether it will hold or if the region could again descend into instability.

Do you think it is advisable to send students back at this time, or is it safer to keep them in their current location for now?

Eliot Engel, a longtime U.S. Congressman from New York and a deeply proud Jewish advocate known for his strong support of Israel, passed away at the age of 79.

Eliot Engel served for over three decades in Congress from 1989 until 2021, representing parts of the Bronx and Westchester County, and was a central figure in shaping American foreign policy, particularly regarding Israel and the Middle East.

WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 28: Representative Eliot Engel (D-NY) speaks about a trip to Israel and Auschwitz-Birkenau as part of a bipartisan delegation from the House of Representatives on January 28, 2020 in Washington, DC. The liberation of the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau on January 27, 1945 is remembered all around the world this week on its 75th anniversary. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

Engel passed away in the Bronx after complications related to Parkinson’s disease, surrounded by family.

Over a remarkable 44-year career in public service, Engel rose to become Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where he played a key role in global diplomacy and national security issues. He was considered one of the most consistent and outspoken pro-Israel voices in Congress, maintaining strong ties with Israeli leaders and advocating for Israel through both Democratic and Republican administrations.

Today, New York City mourns the passing of Eliot Engel, a son of the Bronx who dedicated decades of his life to public service.

From his early days as a teacher and guidance counselor to his 16 terms in Congress, Rep. Engel fought for single-payer health care, defended the…

— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) April 11, 2026

Born in the Bronx to a Jewish family with roots in Eastern Europe, Engel remained connected to his Jewish identity and community throughout his life. Before entering politics and Congress, he served as a teacher and later as a member of the New York State Assembly, building a reputation as a dedicated public servant.

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of Mrs. Leah Rieder a_”h,_ a devoted wife and mother, whose life was marked by quiet strength, deep emunah, and unwavering dedication to her family. She was niftar after a prolonged illness.

Mrs. Rieder was the beloved wife of Reb Shmuel Yosef Rieder, senior board member of Agudath Israel of America.

She was known to all who encountered her as a woman of grace, dignity, and sincerity. She carried herself with humility, yet her presence left a lasting impression on those around her.

As a wife, she stood steadfastly at her husband’s side, supporting his communal involvement and tzorchei tzibbur with encouragement. Her role behind the scenes was one of partnership and devotion, enabling him to contribute to the broader needs of Klal Yisroel.

Above all, she was a deeply devoted mother, whose life revolved around her children. She invested herself fully in their upbringing, nurturing them with warmth, patience, and a strong sense of values rooted in Torah and yiras Shamayim. Her home was a place of warmth, where every detail reflected her thoughtfulness and commitment.

Those who knew her speak of a woman of quiet kindness, someone who was always ready to listen, to help, and to give. Her sensitivity to others and her natural refinement made her a source of comfort and strength to many.

Her passing leaves a profound void not only within her family but among all who had the privilege of knowing her.

The levayah is scheduled to take place on Sunday at 12:00 p.m. at JFK Airport, El Al Cargo, 75 North Hangar Road, Cargo Bay 14.

Tehei nishmasah tzerurah b’tzror hachaim.

A driver was arrested this evening for DWI after allegedly causing an accident in Lakewood.

The accident happened at the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Clover Street in Lakewood.

Following a field sobriety test, the driver was taken into custody – apparently after some resistance.

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Yerushalayim is in mourning following the passing of Rav Yitzchok Wallach zt”l, one of the city’s distinguished talmidei chachamim, who was niftar on Motzaei Shabbos Kodesh at the age of 88.

The levayah took place tonight at the Shamgar funeral home in Yerushalayim, proceeding to Har HaZeisim for kevurah.

Rav Wallach zt”l was born in Czernowitz, Ukraine, in the month of Cheshvan 5698 (1937), to his father, Rav Elimelech Wallach zt”l, a seventh-generation descendant of the Noam Elimelech of Lizhensk.

During the Holocaust, he endured the horrors of the Czernowitz ghetto, from which he miraculously survived. After the war, he relocated to Klausenburg, Romania. In 1950, he immigrated to Eretz HaKodesh, where he entered the yeshivah of Tiferes Tzion in Bnei Brak, learning under the Rosh Yeshivah Rav Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz zt”l. He later advanced to Yeshivas Ponovezh, where his exceptional brilliance became evident, and he developed a close bond with Rav Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman, the Ponovezher Rav zt”l, who treated him like a son.

In his youth, he studied bechavrusa with Rav Chaim Kanievsky zt”l, then a young avreich, a connection that endured for decades. During that same period, he also formed a close learning partnership with Rav Gedaliah Nadel zt”l, whom he regarded as his primary rebbi. Their chavrusashaft spanned years, including extended stays in distant locations such as Yehud, where they immersed themselves in uninterrupted limud haTorah for months at a time.

Upon reaching marriageable age, in the month of Adar 5721, he married his wife, the daughter of Rav Shmuel Meir Weisenstern z”l of the Shaarei Chesed neighborhood in Yerushalayim. He settled in the city and spent several years learning in Yeshivas Mir. Later, for decades, he established his primary place of study in Moshav Beit Meir, where he devoted himself to Torah study day and night, returning home only from Shabbos to Shabbos.

In time, he founded a kollel there for outstanding avreichim, who likewise dedicated their weekdays entirely to Torah study and would return home on Thursday nights. Rav Yitzchok personally ensured their needs were met with dignity.

He merited building a large and illustrious family and viewed his life’s mission as unwavering hasmadah in Torah. He authored numerous works characterized by depth and clarity, including the seforim Noam Yitzchak and Noam Melech, covering topics such as the laws of krias haTorah and mourning, shemittas kesafim, netilas yadayim, and bikkurim.

His avodas hatefillah was also renowned, as he would daven with a distinctive sweetness and intensity that often extended over long periods. With his passing, a figure of relentless amal haTorah—to his very last moments—has been taken from the world.

He is survived by a blessed dor yesharim, including 20 children, sons and daughters, as well as sons-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. During his lifetime, he endured the loss of his son-in-law, Rav Eliezer Weisfish Hy”d, who was murdered in the horrific terror attack on Bus No. 2 in Kikar Zupnik in Yerushalayim.

Tehei nishmaso tzerurah b’tzror hachaim.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump issued a warning to China on Friday, saying Beijing would face serious consequences if it follows through on reports that it plans to supply Iran with air defense weapons during the ongoing conflict.

Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Trump made clear that such a move would not be tolerated.

“If China does that, China is gonna have big problems, OK?”

U.S. intelligence officials have indicated that China may be preparing to covertly transfer shoulder-fired anti-aircraft weapons, known as MANPADs, to Iran through intermediaries in the coming weeks, according to CNN. The alleged plan is said to be designed to conceal the origin of the weapons.

These systems, which use heat-seeking technology to target aircraft engines, have already posed a significant challenge during the war. One such missile nearly struck an F/A-18 Super Hornet in a recent incident.

Trump also referenced a separate case involving a downed American aircraft earlier in the conflict.

The American F-15 fighter jet shot down by Iran on April 3 was hit by a “handheld shoulder missile, [a] heat-seeking missile,” according to Trump.

China has strongly denied the allegations, with its embassy rejecting claims that it intends to provide Iran with military equipment.

“As a responsible major country, China always abides by international law and its international obligations, and never provides weapons to any party to the conflict,” the Chinese embassy said in a statement.

“China firmly rejects the circulation of speculative, misleading, and false information targeting China.”

At the same time, Beijing has faced accusations of assisting Iran with intelligence during the conflict. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi suggested that ties between the countries remain close and extend into military cooperation.

“Russia and China are our strategy partners, and we have had close cooperation in the past, which is still continues [sic], and that includes military cooperation as well,” Araghchi told MS Now.

The IDF said Saturday that it had dispatched soldiers to the Arab village of Deir Jarir in Samaria after receiving reports of stones hurled at Israeli civilians. When they arrived, a violent riot ensued, which included stones thrown toward the troops. A reservist “carried out a suspect apprehension procedure,” according to the military’s statement. This involved firing warning shots into the air, but shots were also fired toward the suspect. The IDF also said that soldiers at the scene moved to quell the riot, dispersing those present.

The unit responsible for quelling the riot, known as Hagmar, is made up of local reservists.

The injured terrorist was evacuated to a hospital for treatment, where he was pronounced dead. The PA Health Ministry identified him as 23-year-old Ali Majed Hamadneh.

The IDF is currently investigating the incident.

The NASA spacecraft from the Artemis program completed its journey with a successful splashdown today, marking the final phase of a closely watched mission.

The Orion spacecraft capsule reentered Earth’s atmosphere at high speed – over 24,000 MPH at times – before deploying a series of parachutes and landing safely in the ocean. Recovery teams, coordinated by NASA and the U.S. Navy, quickly moved in to secure the spacecraft and begin post-mission procedures.

The splashdown represents one of the most critical stages of the mission, testing Orion’s heat shield, navigation systems, and parachute deployment under real-world conditions. Officials confirmed that all major systems functioned as planned during descent and landing.

This mission is part of NASA’s broader Artemis effort to return humans to the Moon for the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972. While no astronauts were aboard for this flight, the successful splashdown provides essential data to ensure the safety of future crewed missions.

Engineers will now analyze data collected during reentry and recovery, focusing on performance under extreme heat and stress. The results are expected to inform upcoming Artemis missions, including those that will carry astronauts on lunar flybys and, eventually, back to the Moon’s surface.

Officials described the splashdown as a major success and a key step toward establishing a sustained human presence beyond Earth orbit.

Iran’s newly installed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is recovering from serious wounds sustained in the airstrike that killed his father at the outset of the war, according to multiple individuals familiar with his inner circle who spoke to Reuters.

Those sources said Khamenei suffered significant injuries to his face and legs when the strike hit the supreme leader’s compound in central Tehran, leaving him disfigured and physically weakened.

Despite his condition, the 56-year-old is said to remain mentally alert and engaged in governing. According to the sources, he has been participating in high-level discussions via audio links and continues to take part in key decisions related to the war and ongoing negotiations with the United States.

Questions about his ability to effectively lead come at a critical moment for Iran, as the country faces one of its most dangerous periods in decades, including sensitive diplomatic efforts underway in Islamabad.

The accounts from those close to Khamenei provide one of the most detailed glimpses into his condition since the attack, though Reuters noted it was unable to independently confirm the information.

Little has been publicly disclosed about his location, health, or daily functioning. No images, video footage, or recorded messages of Khamenei have been released since the strike and his subsequent elevation to supreme leader on March 8.

Iran’s mission to the United Nations did not respond to questions regarding the extent of his injuries or why he has not appeared publicly.

Khamenei was wounded on February 28, the opening day of the conflict initiated by the United States and Israel. The same strike killed his father, Ali Khamenei, who had led the country since 1989. Several other family members, including his wife, brother-in-law, and sister-in-law, were also killed in the attack.

Iranian officials have not issued a formal statement detailing his condition. However, state television referred to him as a “janbaz,” a term typically used for individuals seriously injured in combat, following his appointment.

Descriptions of his injuries align with earlier remarks made by U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who said on March 13 that Khamenei was “wounded and likely disfigured.”

A source familiar with U.S. intelligence assessments told Reuters that Khamenei is believed to have lost a leg.

The CIA declined to comment on his condition, and the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not respond to inquiries.

Analysts say Khamenei may struggle to wield the same level of authority as his predecessor. Alex Vatanka noted that while the new leader represents continuity, it may take considerable time for him to establish firm control.

“Mojtaba will be one voice but it will not be the decisive one,” he said. “He needs to prove himself as the credible, powerful, overriding voice. The regime as a whole has to make a decision in terms of where they are going to go.”

One individual familiar with Khamenei’s circle said the public may see images of him within the next month or two, and possibly even a public appearance, though all sources stressed that such a move would depend on both his recovery and the security environment.

Under Iran’s system of governance, ultimate authority rests with the supreme leader, a senior Shiite cleric selected by an assembly of religious figures. The role includes oversight of the elected government and direct control over key institutions such as the Revolutionary Guards.

Iran’s founding supreme leader, Ruhollah Khomeini, commanded unmatched authority as both a revolutionary figure and leading religious scholar.

His successor, Ali Khamenei, held less religious stature but consolidated power over decades, in part by strengthening the influence of the Revolutionary Guards.

Mojtaba Khamenei, however, does not appear to hold the same level of unquestioned authority, according to senior Iranian sources cited in past reporting. During the war, the Revolutionary Guards—who played a key role in his rise—have taken a leading role in major strategic decisions.

Before assuming the top position, Khamenei had already been deeply involved in the workings of the regime, building relationships with senior figures in the Guards and participating in high-level decision-making.

Analysts believe he is likely to maintain his father’s hardline stance, though his personal worldview remains less clearly defined.

His first message to the Iranian public after assuming power came in a written statement on March 12, in which he called for the Strait of Hormuz to remain closed and urged regional countries to shut down U.S. bases.

Since then, only brief written communications have been released, including a March 20 message marking the Persian New Year, which he described as the “year of resistance.” Major policy statements have instead been delivered by other senior officials.

His absence from public view has fueled widespread speculation within Iran, with online discussions and messaging groups filled with theories about his health and who is truly directing the country.

One widely circulated image on social media shows an empty chair under a spotlight with the caption “Where is Mojtaba?”

Some supporters of the government argue that keeping a low profile is necessary given the security risks posed by ongoing U.S. and Israeli airstrikes that have already eliminated much of Iran’s leadership.

A member of the Basij militia echoed that view, saying it would be dangerous for Khamenei to appear publicly under current conditions.

“Why should he appear in public? To become a target for these criminals?” Mohammad Hosseini, from the city of Qom, said in a text message.

Tucker Carlson publicly deepened his dispute with President Donald Trump on Friday, responding sharply after the president criticized several conservative media figures who have voiced opposition to the ongoing conflict with Iran.

According to Newsmax correspondent James Rosen, Carlson reacted to Trump’s comments from the previous day with pointed remarks about the president’s position and independence.

“I’ve always liked Trump and still feel sorry for him, as I do for all slaves.”

When pressed to explain his statement, Carlson suggested that outside pressures are limiting Trump’s decision-making ability.

“He’s hemmed in by other forces. He can’t make his own decisions. It’s awful to watch.”

Trump’s criticism had been directed at a group of high-profile conservative commentators, including Carlson and Megyn Kelly, both formerly of Fox News and now independent podcasters, as well as Candace Owens and Alex Jones, who have also built large followings online.

In a lengthy Truth Social post, Trump harshly attacked the group.

“They’re stupid people, they know it, their families know it, and everyone else knows it, too!”

The commentators have been openly critical of Trump’s handling of the Iran situation, arguing that his actions contradict earlier anti-war positions and suggesting, to varying degrees, that he has yielded to pressure from Israel.

Trump continued his criticism by dismissing their relevance and influence.

“They don’t have what it takes, and they never did! They’ve all been thrown off Television, lost their Shows, and aren’t even invited on TV because nobody cares about them, they’re NUT JOBS, TROUBLEMAKERS, and will say anything necessary for some ‘free’ and cheap publicity,” Trump wrote.

NEW YORK (VINnews) — The editorial board of the New York Post on Saturday sharply criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, arguing that antisemitic incidents in the city are increasing and accusing him of contributing to the climate.

In the opinion piece, the board pointed to several recent incidents, including a confrontation involving Israeli tourists in Times Square and past acts of violence linked to anti-Israel activism, as evidence of what it described as a growing trend.

The editorial also referenced previous comments by Mamdani regarding policing and Israel, arguing they reflect broader political attitudes that, in its view, have fueled tensions.

City officials did not immediately respond to the criticism. Mamdani has previously condemned antisemitism and violence and has said his administration is committed to protecting all communities.

The editorial reflects ongoing political divisions in New York over public safety, protests related to the Israel-Gaza conflict, and the city’s response to hate crimes.

The Federal Aviation Administration is turning to the gaming community as part of a major recruitment effort to address a nationwide shortage of air traffic controllers, with plans to hire nearly 9,000 new personnel by 2028.

In a video released Friday by the U.S. Department of Transportation, officials directly appealed to video game enthusiasts, suggesting that the skills developed through gaming could translate into success in the high-pressure field of air traffic control.

The video challenges potential recruits by asking if they are “up for the challenge” of becoming controllers, while stressing the seriousness of the profession, noting it is not simply a “game” but a “career.”

“You’ll keep millions of people safe every day,” the video says, while touting average salaries of up to $155,000 by your third year on the job.

The intensified hiring campaign follows a deadly March incident at LaGuardia Airport in New York, where an Air Canada aircraft collided with a firetruck on the runway, killing both pilots.

Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board are examining whether an air traffic controller may have stepped away to take an emergency phone call prior to the crash, and whether staffing shortages played a role in the accident.

Officials say internal data shows that many controllers who leave the profession list gaming among their hobbies, pointing to similarities between the focus and multitasking required in both activities.

The new outreach effort is designed to “supercharge” recruitment, with the FAA emphasizing that a college degree is not required for applicants.

“To reach the next generation of air traffic controllers, we need to adapt,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a statement.

“This campaign’s innovative communication style and focus on gaming taps into a growing demographic of young adults who have many of the hard skills it takes to be a successful controller,” he said.

“Thanks to President Trump — we’ve already made incredible progress with the highest controller staffing levels in six years. There’s never been a more exciting time to become a controller and level up into a career with a strong purpose — keeping American families safe.”

At present, about 11,000 air traffic controllers are employed, with an additional 4,000 trainees expected to join the workforce.

More than 2,400 new controllers were hired over the past year, marking the largest incoming class to date and setting a record for enrollment at the FAA’s Air Traffic Control Academy in Oklahoma City.

The agency’s hiring plan calls for adding 8,900 controllers by the end of fiscal year 2028, including 2,000 hires in 2025, 2,200 in 2026, 2,300 in 2027, and 2,400 in 2028.

Between January and September 2025, the Department of Transportation reported a 20% increase in hiring compared to the same period the previous year.

The LaGuardia crash was not the only recent aviation tragedy. The year prior, an American Airlines regional jet collided with a Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, killing all 67 people on board both aircraft.

In the aftermath of that January 2025 disaster, Duffy pledged “to surge air traffic controllers” through training pipelines to “bring in the best and the brightest.”

Following a merit-based push to hire pilots the next month, Duffy said, “The American people don’t care what their pilot looks like or their gender — they just care that they are most qualified man or woman for the job.”

His predecessor, Pete Buttigieg, had also sought to increase the number of applicants for air traffic control roles, though with an emphasis on encouraging applications “from women, minorities and individuals in underrepresented communities,” according to a 2021 Department of Transportation announcement.

That initiative was part of a broader push under the Biden administration, which directed tens of billions of dollars toward Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs.

The global aviation sector is beginning to show early signs of recovery following the ceasefire with Iran, as British Airways announced it will resume flights to Israel starting July 1.

The British carrier is the first international airline to set a firm date for returning service to Ben Gurion Airport since the outbreak of the recent regional conflict, despite continued fighting along the northern front and ongoing rocket fire in parts of the country.

However, the airline made clear that operations will not return to full capacity. Service on the Tel Aviv–London route will initially be scaled back to one daily flight, compared to the two daily flights that operated before the crisis.

The reduction in flights to Israel is part of a broader strategic adjustment across the Middle East, rather than a move limited to a single destination.

Ongoing disruptions caused by the regional conflict have forced the airline to reevaluate demand and scheduling. Under its updated plan, flights to key destinations such as Dubai and Doha will also be reduced to one per day beginning July 1.

In addition, service to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia will be cut from two daily flights to one starting in mid-May. The most significant change in the region is the decision to permanently cancel the route to Jeddah.

These changes come after months of severe disruptions to global aviation. The escalation involving the United States and Israel against Iran led to the cancellation of more than 21,000 flights worldwide, as airspace closures and safety concerns disrupted routes between Europe and Asia and complicated airline operations.

Aircraft freed up by the reduced Middle East schedule will not remain idle. British Airways plans to redeploy those planes to markets currently seen as more stable and profitable.

The airline is shifting resources to expand service to Nairobi in Africa and Bengaluru in India, along with increasing flight frequencies to other cities across the Indian subcontinent, including Delhi and Hyderabad.

British Airways had suspended much of its service to the region in late February at the start of the broader conflict. In its statement, the company said it continues to closely monitor security and political developments in the Middle East and is working to provide alternatives for passengers affected by schedule changes.

The revised and reduced Middle East schedule is expected to remain in place through the summer travel season, until October 24, 2026, with the possibility of further adjustments after that date.

Israel’s security establishment is preparing for a possible sharp escalation along the northern front in the coming 48 hours, prompting the cancellation of classes in border communities and stricter Home Front Command directives across the region.

According to updated assessments, exchanges of fire with the Hezbollah terror organization are expected to intensify significantly following heavy rocket barrages launched into Israel over Shabbos, as reported by N12. In response to the heightened threat, officials decided to cancel planned school reopenings in communities along the border, where limited in-person learning had been scheduled to resume. Authorities determined that the risk to civilians remains too high.

At the same time, the IDF continues to apply military pressure on Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon. Over the past day, approximately 200 targets were struck across multiple locations in Lebanese territory as part of efforts to degrade the group’s capabilities.

Despite the ongoing operations, the political leadership has so far held off on approving several proposals presented by the military to expand both ground and aerial activity. In addition, reports indicate that Israeli airstrikes in the Beirut area have paused over the past two days, a move seen as potentially allowing space for diplomatic efforts.

The current tensions are unfolding alongside reports of intensive negotiations and mounting international pressure aimed at securing a ceasefire. Officials believe an agreement could be reached as early as Tuesday, though conditions on the ground remain volatile. These diplomatic efforts come as local leaders in northern Israel continue to demand a decisive military outcome against Hezbollah, rejecting temporary arrangements.

Municipal leaders from evacuated and frontline communities have expressed concern that authorities may attempt to present limited achievements—such as the creation of a buffer zone or partial removal of anti-tank and infiltration threats—as sufficient, without addressing long-term recovery. They have also stressed that any agreement must include a comprehensive economic and educational plan to rebuild the region after months of sustained fighting.

Against this backdrop, the Home Front Command issued updated and stricter guidelines for northern communities, reflecting the elevated state of alert. The directives, in effect through Monday evening, impose significant restrictions due to the expectation of heavy rocket fire.

In frontline areas, all educational activities have been suspended entirely. In the Golan Heights and Upper Galilee, schooling has been limited and is permitted only within properly protected spaces. The decision to cancel and scale back studies is intended to prevent risk to life during a period when attacks are expected to intensify.

Beyond the education system, new limits have been placed on public gatherings. In border communities, outdoor gatherings are restricted to no more than 10 people, and indoor gatherings to 100. In the bay area, Golan, and Galilee regions, outdoor gatherings are capped between 50 and 100 participants, with somewhat more flexibility indoors.

Officials also clarified that workplaces may remain open only if there is access to an approved protected space that can be reached within the required response time.

A unique and stirring maamad of biur ma’asros was held on the waters off the coast of Jaffa on the eve of Shevi’i shel Pesach, as rabbanim and participants gathered for a special seafaring observance organized by the Institute for Mitzvos HaTeluyos Ba’Aretz.

The annual tradition, conducted during the designated shnas biur, featured a large group boarding a vessel to carry out the mitzvah in the open sea. The event was led by Rav Shneur Zalman Revach, head of the institute, and included the presence of Rishon LeTzion Rav Shlomo Moshe Amar, along with Rav Yisrael Revach, president of Mosdos Mishkan HaTorah; Rav Micha Halevi, Rav of Petach Tikvah; Rav Yitzchak Yosef, Rosh Kollel and Rav of Kehillas Shaarei Rachamim; as well as other rabbanim, morai hora’ah, and public figures, including Elad Mayor Yehuda Butbul, together with a large crowd.

Following the formal chilulim, recitation of “l’shem yichud”, and study of the Rambam in the laws of maaser sheini, thousands of coins designated for maaser—collected from both the main branch in Eretz Yisroel and a branch in the United States—were cast into the depths of the sea in fulfillment of the mitzvah of biur ma’asros as prescribed in the Torah.

After completing the mitzvah, participants returned to shore uplifted, singing songs of geulah and longing, filled with hope that they will soon merit to observe the mitzvah in its full Biblical form once again, bimheirah b’yameinu.

A federal appeals court on Friday temporarily prolonged a halt on a lower court order that had blocked construction of a proposed White House ballroom, while directing the case back to a district court for further clarification.

In a brief, unsigned decision, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit continued an administrative stay of the earlier injunction through April 17. The move gives federal officials time to consider seeking intervention from the Supreme Court and allows the lower court to address unresolved factual questions.

At the center of the legal battle is a plan announced by President Donald Trump in July 2025 to construct a 90,000-square-foot ballroom on the site of the East Wing, financed by private contributions.

Court filings indicate that although officials had pledged to account for historic preservation concerns, the East Wing was torn down within days of an October announcement that construction had commenced.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed suit, arguing that the project proceeded without congressional approval and violated federal statutes.

On March 31, a district court judge sided with the plaintiffs, finding they were likely to prevail and issuing a preliminary injunction stopping further work, except for measures required to ensure the safety and security of the White House.

The federal government challenged that ruling, arguing the injunction could itself create security risks by prolonging vulnerabilities caused by the demolition and ongoing construction.

Officials noted that the site currently includes a large excavation area and planned installations tied to security infrastructure, including protective features and military-related systems.

The appellate panel did not rule on the substance of those arguments, instead highlighting lingering uncertainties about how the injunction aligns with security considerations.

Judges also pointed to contradictions in the government’s earlier statements, including claims that certain underground work could continue regardless of the ballroom’s design.

The panel further questioned whether delaying the project would cause meaningful additional harm, given that completion of the ballroom is not expected until 2028.

Rather than issuing a sweeping stay, the appeals court sent the case back to the district court, instructing it to clarify how its order accounts for security concerns during the appeals process. It also dismissed the government’s broader request for a stay as moot.

In a dissenting opinion, Judge Neomi Rao wrote that the administration had shown it had the legal authority to move forward and that delaying construction posed significant security risks, which she said outweigh the plaintiffs’ objections related to preservation and appearance.

The case now returns to the district court for expedited review as the legal fight over the project continues.

ROME (AP) — In his strongest words yet, Pope Leo XIV on Saturday denounced the “delusion of omnipotence” that is fueling the U.S.-Israel war in Iran and demanded political leaders stop and negotiate peace.

Leo presided over an evening prayer service in St. Peter’s Basilica on the same day the United States and Iran began face-to-face negotiations in Pakistan and as a fragile ceasefire held.

History’s first U.S.-born pope didn’t mention the United States or President Donald Trump in his prayer, which was planned before the talks were announced. But Leo’s tone and message appeared directed at Trump and U.S. officials, who have boasted of U.S. military superiority and justified the war in religious terms.

“Enough of the idolatry of self and money!” Leo said. “Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!”

In the basilica pews was the archbishop of Tehran, Belgian Cardinal Dominique Joseph Mathieu. The U.S. was represented in the diplomatic corps by its deputy chief of mission, Laura Hochla, the U.S. Embassy said.

In the first weeks of the war, the Chicago-born Leo was initially reluctant to publicly condemn the violence and limited his comments to muted appeals for peace and dialogue. But Leo stepped up his criticism starting on Palm Sunday. And this week, he said Trump’s threat to annihilate Iranian civilization was “truly unacceptable” and called for dialogue to prevail.

On Saturday, Leo called for all people of good will to pray for peace and demand an end to war from their political leaders. The evening vigil in Rome, which featured Scripture readings and meditative recitation of the Rosary prayers, was taking place as simultaneous local prayer services were being held in the U.S. and beyond.

Praying for peace, Leo said, was a way to “break the demonic cycle of evil” to build instead the Kingdom of God where there are no swords, drones or “unjust profit.”

“It is here that we find a bulwark against that delusion of omnipotence that surrounds us and is becoming increasingly unpredictable and aggressive,” he said. “Even the holy Name of God, the God of life, is being dragged into discourses of death.”

Leaders have used religion to justify their actions in the war. U.S. officials and especially Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have invoked their Christian faith to cast the U.S. as a Christian nation trying to vanquish its foes.

Leo has said God doesn’t bless any war, and certainly not those who drop bombs.

Leo presided over the service sitting off to the side of the altar on a white throne, wearing his formal red cape and liturgical stole and praying with a Rosary in his hands. Many of the priests and nuns in the pews fingered Rosary beads as the “Our Father” and “Hail Mary” prayers were recited.

The Vatican is particularly concerned about the spillover of Israel’s war against Hezbollah in Lebanon, given the plight of Christian communities in the south.