A senior liaison between President Donald Trump and the American Jewish community spent last week visiting several prominent chassidic leaders in New York, highlighting the administration’s ongoing outreach to Orthodox and chassidic communities.

Martin Marks, who serves as a key connector between the Trump administration and Jewish leaders across the United States, embarked on a series of visits to the courts of leading admorim during a special trip through New York’s chassidic centers.

His first stop was New Square, where he met with the Skverer Rebbe and personally delivered a letter of condolence sent by President Trump.

In the letter, the president expressed his heartfelt sympathies to the Rebbe, who is currently observing the mourning period following the passing of his sister, the Rebbetzin of Rachmastrivka a”h.

Later in the day, Marks traveled to Kiryas Yoel for a meeting with the Satmar Rebbe. Accompanying him during the visit was prominent philanthropist Reb Gedaliah Segedin, who serves as an administrator within the Kiryas Yoel community.

Marks also visited the Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Monsey as part of his tour of major chassidic centers.

The visit concluded with Marks attending the wedding celebration of a great-grandchild of the Skverer Rebbe, where he joined members of the chassidic community in marking the joyous occasion.

{Matzav.com}

We regret to inform you of the Petirah of Gila Forchheimer A”H, formerly of Monsey and a resident of Lakewood since 2021.

Mrs. Forchheimer is survived by her husband, R’ Israel Forchheimer, and by her children: David Forchheimer, Tamar Gottlieb, Gitty Goldberg, Yaakov Forchheimer, Levy Forchheimer, Avi Forchheimer, and Shimon Forchheimer.

Levaya is scheduled to take place tomorrow morning at 11:00 a.m. at the Lakewood Chapel, 613 Ramsey Avenue. Kevurah will take place in Lakewood.

Shiva will be take place at the Gottlieb home, 137 Cannonball Drive.

Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.

B’chasdei Hashem, a 14-year-old boy from Teverya was found after going missing for two days, Israeli police said Motzoei Shabbos.

Police sent out alerts on Shabbos about the boy, identified only by his first name, Yehuda Zecharia. Within hours of the appeal going out, police updated that he had been located and that all was well.

Zecharia had last been seen in Teverya on Thursday in the evening hours. Police released a description noting that he is approximately 1.60 meters tall, of slim-to-medium build, with short hair, and was last seen wearing a white shirt and black pants. The public was asked to contact police emergency line 100 or the Teverya police station directly with any information on his whereabouts.

Newly released military footage is shedding light on a remarkable incident that occurred in the aftermath of the Chinese spy balloon controversy, when a U.S. fighter jet reportedly destroyed what was later identified as a Boy Scout research balloon using a missile worth roughly half a million dollars.

According to a report by the New York Post, the U.S. Air Force dispatched an F-16 over Lake Huron on February 12, 2023, to intercept what officials initially believed could be an unidentified aerial threat. The object was destroyed by what was likely an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile.

The footage, released last month by the Department of Defense as part of a new batch of declassified UFO-related records, shows a dark orb-like object with a string attached appearing briefly in the fighter pilot’s targeting system before being blown apart.

“The F16 shot at a balloon over Lake Huron. After the [Chinese spy] balloon embarrassment, DOD was shooting at every [Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena] they detected,” Tim Phillips, a former interim director of AARO, told The Post.

The object was later identified as belonging to a Boy Scout group, according to Sean Kirkpatrick, the former head of the Pentagon’s All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO).

“[The balloon] had circumnavigated the globe eight times before we shot it down with a half-million-dollar missile,” Kirkpatrick said at a conference on April 27.

“You can imagine the response on the Hill when I briefed that,” he said at that conference.

Kirkpatrick added that the balloon had been part of an ongoing research initiative, though he did not provide further details about the project.

The incident occurred just days after the Chinese spy balloon crossed the United States, a controversy that generated intense criticism of the Biden administration’s handling of the situation and led to heightened sensitivity regarding unidentified objects in American airspace.

The Lake Huron incident was not the only costly interception during that period. On February 11, 2023, a U.S. F-22 reportedly fired a missile costing approximately $439,000 to destroy a hobbyist research balloon over Alaska.

According to The Guardian, that balloon belonged to the Northern Illinois Bottlecap Balloon Brigade and reportedly cost just $12 to build.

Kirkpatrick also recounted another episode involving a military pilot who reported encountering an object with what appeared to be advanced stealth characteristics. After receiving authorization to engage, the pilot ultimately destroyed what turned out to be a star-shaped Mylar party balloon purchased at Walmart bearing the message “Happy Birthday.”

Many of the military videos depicting unidentified aerial phenomena, some of which have been released by the Trump administration, have ultimately been traced to ordinary man-made objects that were initially misidentified by drone operators and military personnel.

“They’ve been on mission and they’ve got to get back to base to rearm and refuel. And you’ve got a bored operator looking around. And they pick something up and aren’t sure what it is,” Phillips said.

Phillips argued that the reporting system has improved significantly in recent years and that military personnel are increasingly willing to document unusual sightings for further analysis.

“We’re actually seeing, good reporting coming out of the fleet, coming out of the operation wings and squadrons, where they’re willing to report this stuff. And this is part of that outreach where we get our scientists to talk to the Reaper operators and actually go side by side and try to do some education,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

A former senior Mossad official said that a multi-stage Israeli plan to bring down the Iranian regime was interrupted by the United States’ decision in April to halt the war against the Islamic Republic, insisting the plan could still succeed and that the regime’s collapse is only a matter of time.

“We didn’t try all the way. We were stopped along the way,” the official told Channel 12 in an interview. He described a long-term plan prepared over an extended period that had begun unfolding during the war, including the use of Kurdish partners, with the goal of replacing the regime, before Israel’s “strategic power” partner halted the fighting.

The official, identified only as “Aleph,” served in the Mossad for nearly 30 years and rose to senior leadership before retiring last year after concluding he would not be considered for the agency’s top post. His interview aired days after Roman Gofman, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s former military secretary, formally took over as Mossad director from David Barnea following months of legal challenges.

Aleph pushed back against a New York Times report that CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Secretary of State Marco Rubio had dismissed the regime-change plan as “farcical” and in cruder terms after Netanyahu and Barnea presented it to President Trump, saying the American officials lacked his 28 years of Mossad experience. “In the Mossad, imagination becomes reality,” he said.

The former official said he could not predict whether the regime would fall in six months or in three years, but stated flatly that “there is no doubt that this regime will fall.” He expressed hope that the remaining stages of the operational plan would eventually be authorized.

Aleph also described the scope of Mossad activity inside Iran during the twelve-day war in June 2025, saying the agency fielded what amounted to an operational military unit on Iranian soil, equipped with weapons, night-vision gear, and missile-guidance capability. He said the Mossad has dramatically expanded its recruitment of Iranian agents in recent years, many of them motivated by hatred of the regime or a desire for revenge over what was done to their families, and he did not deny that Iranians may have been brought to Israel for training.

Asked about the condition of Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen publicly since being wounded in the strikes that killed his father, Ali Khamenei, on the war’s first day in February, Aleph said he would be very surprised if Israel did not know precisely what his situation is.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles is quietly preparing to leave her post after November’s midterm elections, according to a Daily Mail report published Friday evening that cited five White House insiders.

Wiles quickly denied the report.  “To be crystal clear, I am not going anywhere,” Wiles wrote in a post on X after the story was published, adding that she is honored to serve President Trump and remains fully committed to advancing his agenda. She dismissed the report as a “piece of Friday fiction,” noting it came after what she described as a week full of accomplishments for the president.

According to the report, Wiles was vehemently opposed to the promotion of Bill Pulte from head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency to acting Director of National Intelligence, and viewed it as an insult when Trump moved ahead with the appointment, with the president reportedly growing to resent her opposition. Sources also pointed to her frustration with other recent appointments, including the formal nomination of Todd Blanche, Trump’s former personal lawyer, as the new attorney general.

One insider told the outlet that Wiles, who has been undergoing treatment for breast cancer since a diagnosis she shared in March, is completely drained, and that Trump has been taking greater personal control of the White House. Sources said Wiles views the November midterms as a natural off-ramp.

Notably, when contacted by the Daily Mail before publication, Wiles did not deny that she plans to leave, though she rejected the claims of tension with the president. Her flat denial came only after the story went live.

Wiles, 69, has worked for Trump since his first campaign push in Florida in 2015, managed his victorious 2024 campaign, and was named chief of staff at the start of his second administration, becoming the first woman to hold the position. Trump has nicknamed her his “ice maiden” for her cool, disciplined management style.

A departure would extend a wave of senior exits from the administration in recent months. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was removed in March after a string of controversies, followed shortly by Attorney General Pam Bondi, Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned soon after, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced last month that she would step down.

The last chief of staff to serve a full four-year term was Denis McDonough under President Obama.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

In an interview with Kan News, Barak said the disturbances at Sohlberg’s residence represent a dangerous trend that threatens the independence of Israel’s judiciary and the rule of law.

“Once you feel free to engage in verbal bullying inside a courtroom, afterward you can also engage in verbal violence against the judge,” Barak warned. “Verbal violence quickly becomes physical violence—against his property, against his home, and against the judge himself.”

Addressing the protest outside Sohlberg’s home, which was sparked by anger over issues related to the military draft and the courts, Barak argued that the demonstrators crossed a clear line.

“People whom we call chareidim, but who have no fear of G-d in their hearts,” he said.

Barak emphasized that while public demonstrations are a legitimate part of a democratic society, he believes the events outside Sohlberg’s home went far beyond lawful protest.

“A normal protest is certainly legal, and every person has the right to demonstrate. But this is not a normal protest. This is a protest that is a criminal offense. It is directed at the home of a judge in Israel, and not merely at his home, but at his rulings—it is intended to influence his judicial decisions.”

When asked who bears responsibility for the growing hostility directed at judges and public officials, Barak said the problem extends beyond any single group.

“It doesn’t begin with the chareidim and it doesn’t end with the chareidim,” he said. “It begins with the person who blocked my vehicle and continues with those who riot in courtrooms.”

Nevertheless, Barak also directed criticism toward Israel’s political leadership, arguing that past failures to condemn such behavior contributed to the current atmosphere.

“Not everything is Netanyahu, but in the end everything also leads to him. Because the bullying directed at me, for example, he did not condemn. I am pleased that in the case of the bullying against Noam Sohlberg he did say it was wrong and that it should be dealt with within the framework of the law. I hope that this time it will help.”

Barak was also asked about a previous incident in which right-wing activist Mordechai David blocked his vehicle. The retired jurist said the experience did not frighten him.

“You get used to every trouble and wait for the next one that is worse. I was not afraid. As my mother used to say: ‘If we survived Hitler, we will survive this too.’”

Concluding the interview, Barak called on law enforcement authorities to respond forcefully to acts of intimidation and harassment.

“We must not come to terms with this bullying. It is contrary to the law,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump renewed his criticism of the Barack Obama Presidential Center this weekend, ridiculing the massive Chicago project with a satirical AI-generated image and continuing a long-running series of jabs aimed at the future library and museum.

The Obama Presidential Center, an $850 million complex under construction on Chicago’s South Side, is scheduled to open on Juneteenth. The project has faced scrutiny over delays and rising costs during its development.

On Saturday, Trump shared an AI-generated image on his Truth Social platform depicting the center towering over a low-income Chicago neighborhood with an enormous trash bag draped across the roof.

“The Barack Hussein Obama Library, in 10 years, when fully matured!” Trump trolled on his Truth Social platform.

The post marked the latest in a string of social media attacks targeting the Obama Center.

Just one week earlier, Trump posted another digitally altered image portraying the facility as a giant trash can standing in a parking lot beneath the caption “The Obama Presidential Library.”

Trump has also criticized the project publicly while discussing plans for his own presidential library.

Speaking to reporters at the White House in March while unveiling conceptual renderings for a planned presidential complex in Miami, Trump contrasted his vision with that of the Obama Center.

“I don’t believe in building libraries or museums … like the Barack Hussein Obama one in Chicago,” Trump told reporters at the White House in March, when he unveiled the renderings for his in Miami.

During those remarks, Trump offered a colorful description of what he envisioned for his own project.

Trump said his presidential library was “most likely going to be a hotel with a beautiful building underneath and a 747 Air Force One in the lobby.”

The latest exchange highlights the continuing rivalry between Trump and former President Barack Obama, with the president frequently using social media to mock projects and initiatives associated with his predecessor as construction on the Chicago center moves toward completion.

{Matzav.com}

Moshe Raitzik issued the following exclusive statement to TLS readers:

To the Lakewood Community,

Thank you to everyone who voted for me on June 2nd. As you know, I’m running because Lakewood needs safer streets, accountability, and open government. In the primary, you showed these are indeed your priorities too. If you elect me in November, I plan to deliver on them.

As someone who’s served on the Board of Ed, Planning Board, and now Fire Commissioner, I see what is working and what isn’t in Lakewood. Three issues I’m acutely aware of keep coming up:

1. School safety: Without sidewalks, Cross Street isn’t safe for children walking to and from school. The state says many children live “too close” for busing. I’ll vote to bus them anyway. Our kids’ safety isn’t optional.

2. Accountability and traffic: Call about a broken sidewalk, dead streetlight, or traffic throughout the day? You deserve a case number and follow-up. As Fire Commissioner, I see how traffic jams slow emergency response. I’ll vote to ensure every town request gets tracked and followed up on, and make the traffic fixes to keep roads moving for residents and first responders.

3. Open government: Committee meetings are conducted exclusively online, and residents are limited to mere minutes to speak. I’ll push to move meetings back to town hall so you can look your elected officials in the eye. If you show up, you get heard.

I’m grateful for your support, and I will continue working to keep it.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has issued a pardon to Stephen Buyer, a former Republican congressman from Indiana who served nearly two years in prison for making illegal stock trades based on inside information after he left office.

Buyer was sentenced to 22 months in prison in 2023 for trades made while working as a consultant and lobbyist. He was ordered to forfeit more than $350,000, representing the amount of the illegal gains, and pay a $10,000 fine. He was released in 2025.

The Supreme Court in May rejected Buyer’s appeal without comment or noted dissent.

In granting “a full, complete, and unconditional pardon,” Trump cited Buyer’s career as a judge advocate general in the Army and in the House that was “distinguished and highly productive.” The pardon was dated Thursday and released by the White House late Friday.

Buyer said the pardon “corrects a politically motivated prosecution” and that it was “horrific to be imprisoned for a crime that I did not commit.” He maintains that he is innocent.

Trump used his Truth Social media platform on May 31 to share a pair of letters requesting a presidential pardon for Buyer, a lawyer and Gulf War veteran who left office in 2011. He was a House prosecutor at Democratic President Bill Clinton’s 1998 impeachment trial and in 2016 he served on Trump’s transition team focusing on veterans’ issues.

A letter signed by more than 40 former Republicans in Congress said Buyer was “targeted by the deep state” because of his involvement in Clinton’s trial.

“Like you, Mr. President, Steve has been the victim of lawfare conducted by the Biden Administration,” they wrote in the April 2025 letter.

A second letter, from five current House Republicans, said pardoning Buyer would bring justice to his case. The June 2025 letter was signed by Tom Cole of Oklahoma, Ken Calvert of California, Marlin Stutzman of Indiana, Jack Bergman of Michigan and Pete Sessions of Texas.

Buyer, 67, was convicted in connection with insider trading involving the $26.5 billion merger of T-Mobile and Sprint, announced in April 2018, and illegal trades in the management consulting company Navigant when his client Guidehouse was set to acquire it in a deal publicly disclosed weeks later.

The Constitution gives a president broad power to grant pardons for federal crimes. The pardons do not erase a recipient’s criminal record but can be seen as act of mercy or justice.

You can watch it here:

https://www.adireihatorah.com/videos

Over the weekend, siblings Rika and Aharon Razel released a video message from Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Yerushalayim, where their brother, renowned singer and composer Yonatan Razel, remains hospitalized following a medical emergency.

In the video, Rika expressed heartfelt appreciation to the many people who have reached out with concern and have been davening for Yonatan’s recovery. She thanked the public for the outpouring of support, tefillos, and care shown to the family during this difficult time.

Aharon then presented a detailed letter he wrote in response to the numerous reports and rumors that have circulated since Yonatan’s hospitalization, seeking to provide an accurate picture of the situation.

Opening his message, Aharon wrote: “First, a huge thank you for all the prayers, concern, and love. It is moving, strengthening, and truly not taken for granted.”

He went on to clarify that many of the reports published in recent days had significantly overstated the severity of the situation. “It is important for me to clarify first of all: The reports published the day before yesterday in the media were somewhat exaggerated and completely out of proportion,” he wrote. “It was written there that he had suffered a stroke and was in life-threatening condition, which caused unnecessary hysteria. In reality, thank G-d, the story is calmer.”

Aharon emphasized that while Yonatan remains in need of the public’s tefillos, his condition is currently stable. “Yonatan indeed needs all of our prayers, but his condition is completely stable and he is under good supervision.”

Describing the sequence of events, Aharon explained, “During a performance, Yonatan felt very strong headaches. He thought it was just a migraine.” However, he credited a quick-thinking emergency responder with recognizing that the symptoms required immediate medical attention. According to Aharon, “an alert and resourceful paramedic who was there understood that this required examination and immediately ordered an ambulance.”

Upon arrival at the hospital, doctors discovered the cause of the pain. “they diagnosed him with a brain hemorrhage,” Aharon wrote, explaining that this is “a situation in which a blood vessel opens, and the blood, having nowhere to exit, creates pressure and severe pain.”

He stressed that the outcome could have been far worse and pointed to the rapid diagnosis as a tremendous siyata d’Shmaya. “The great miracle: Thanks to the rapid and early diagnosis, Yonatan was not harmed at all, thank G-d!” he wrote. Aharon added that his brother “is fully conscious, speaking, eating, drinking, and communicating normally.”

Providing a further update, he noted that Yonatan continues to be closely monitored by medical staff. He wrote that Yonatan “is hospitalized in the intensive care unit at Shaare Zedek for observation and close monitoring, to ensure that the situation remains stable and normal,” and that “he will probably remain there under observation for at least the next two weeks.”

Concluding his letter, Aharon invited people to remain in contact and continue showing their concern. “You are warmly invited to speak with me!” he wrote. He explained that he issued the statement so that he would not need to repeat the details of the incident numerous times, while emphasizing that he remains “available and would be very happy for you to approach, take an interest, and ask.”

He ended with a request that Klal Yisroel continue davening on Yonatan’s behalf: “Please continue mentioning him in your prayers for a complete and speedy recovery: Yonatan Adi, the son of Chaya Rachel. Thank you very much for the warm heart and partnership, [may we share] good news!”

{Matzav.com}

New details have emerged regarding last week’s violent disturbances outside the home of Deputy Supreme Court President Justice Noam Sohlberg, with a report indicating that police intelligence had received advance warning that a protest was being planned but failed to identify the precise location in time to prevent the incident.

According to a report by Ynet, police intelligence officials received credible information as early as Wednesday afternoon indicating that activists were organizing a demonstration. However, authorities were reportedly unable to determine where the gathering would take place.

The apparent intelligence failure prevented police from deploying sufficient forces before the situation escalated into a major disturbance. Responding to questions about the issue, a police source said only that “the matter is being examined.”

As previously reported, dozens of protesters arrived outside Justice Sohlberg’s residence, where they allegedly smashed windows, destroyed flower pots, and caused significant damage to both the property and the judge’s vehicle.

The incident unfolded while Justice Sohlberg, his wife, children, and grandchildren were inside the home and witnessed the destruction firsthand.

According to the report, 62 suspects were arrested following the unrest. The detainees reportedly spent much of the night aboard the bus in which they were apprehended after allegedly attempting to leave the area following the disturbance.

Large police forces intercepted the bus shortly after the vandalism and mass arrests followed.

The suspects were scheduled to appear before the Yerushalayim Magistrate’s Court, where police planned to seek extensions of their detention. Investigators are reportedly requesting lengthy remand periods for some of the suspects due to the seriousness of the allegations.

The incident sparked widespread condemnation across Israel’s political spectrum.

Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu said he “strongly condemns the violent riot against Justice Noam Sohlberg” and stressed that “law enforcement authorities must pursue the rioters to the fullest extent of the law.”

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir also denounced the violence, saying, “The freedom to protest is a fundamental right, but it does not include the freedom of anarchy. I strongly condemn the small group of extremists who threw stones, engaged in violence, and disrupted public order outside Justice Sohlberg’s home.”

He added, “This is not the way of the Torah, and it is not the way of a democratic state.”

The leaders of Israel’s chareidi parties—Aryeh Deri, Moshe Gafni, and Yitzchak Goldknopf—issued a joint statement shortly after midnight condemning the violence while also criticizing what they described as the judiciary’s ongoing treatment of Torah students.

“We are pained and shocked by the ongoing persecution and trampling of Torah learners by the judges of the Supreme Court,” the statement said. “We warned time and again that these measures would lead to radicalization and anarchy, and unfortunately we are now seeing those fears materialize.”

At the same time, the party leaders emphasized, “We strongly condemn any act of violence, of any kind. Violence is contrary to the way of the Torah and utterly unacceptable.”

The statement also called on right-wing political leaders to denounce what they described as continued persecution of yeshiva students.

“We demand that the leaders of the right-wing parties, who rightly rushed to condemn this incident, also condemn the ongoing and cruel persecution of Torah learners and yeshiva students. The blood of Torah learners is not hefker,” they wrote.

Supreme Court President Justice Yitzchak Amit and Court Administrator Judge Tzachi Ouziel issued an unusually forceful statement to judges and court employees across the country, describing the incident as a direct assault on the judicial system.

“This is the crossing of a red line, behavior that goes far beyond the boundaries of legitimate protest and constitutes an attempt to undermine the sense of security of judicial officeholders and their families,” the statement read.

Amit added, “Attempts at intimidation will not deter us. Israel’s judges will continue to rule without fear.”

The unrest followed a controversial court ruling issued earlier in the week that overturned restrictions on Red Cross visits, a decision that sparked intense anger among segments of the chareidi public and helped fuel the protests that later erupted outside Justice Sohlberg’s home.

{Matzav.com}

New reports from the United States have raised serious allegations that Israel has intensified intelligence-gathering efforts targeting senior members of President Donald Trump’s administration, claims that Israeli officials are strongly denying.

According to reports cited by Israeli media, American intelligence agencies believe Israel recently increased efforts to obtain information about high-ranking U.S. officials, sparking concerns within parts of the American security establishment.

A report in The New York Times stated that U.S. intelligence assessments allegedly point to surveillance activities involving several senior officials, including Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby, and his deputy, Michael DiMino.

According to the report, one intelligence assessment was prepared after American security personnel stationed in Israel reportedly discovered software installed on their devices that investigators suspected may have been used for monitoring purposes. Another assessment allegedly claimed that U.S. military intelligence officials recently elevated the threat level posed by Israeli intelligence activities from “high” to “critical.”

Earlier, NBC News reported that concern has been growing within the Pentagon over alleged Israeli efforts to gain insight into internal administration deliberations, particularly amid policy disagreements between Washington and Jerusalem regarding Iran, the regional conflict, and broader Middle East strategy.

Israeli officials swiftly rejected the allegations. In a statement, Israel’s embassy in Washington described the claims as “completely false” and insisted that Israel does not conduct intelligence operations against American officials or members of the U.S. government.

The embassy further stated that Israel’s intelligence resources are focused on hostile actors and security threats, not on allied nations.

The reports emerge at a particularly sensitive moment in U.S.-Israel relations. While the two countries continue to maintain close military and intelligence cooperation, tensions have surfaced in recent months over the handling of Iran, regional security challenges, and aspects of the Trump administration’s Middle East policies.

If the allegations gain traction in Washington, they could add a new layer of strain to one of America’s most important strategic alliances, even as Israeli officials continue to categorically deny any wrongdoing.

{Matzav.com}

Shas chairman Aryeh Deri declared that the longstanding partnership between the chareidi parties and Israel’s right-wing bloc will remain intact despite the ongoing tensions surrounding the military draft issue.

Speaking in an interview on Channel 14’s program “Sicha” with Oded Harush, Deri firmly dismissed suggestions that the draft controversy could lead Shas or United Torah Judaism to sever ties with their political allies on the right.

“It won’t happen,” Deri said when asked whether the dispute over military service could bring an end to the partnership.

Addressing the contentious draft legislation, Deri argued that the chareidi parties have never sought blanket exemptions for all chareidim.

“We have never promoted a law saying that someone who is chareidi does not go to the army,” he said. “Remember, in every law, throughout all the years, we have always said that only someone whose Torah is his occupation—meaning someone who is actively learning—should continue learning.”

Deri was also asked about chareidim who are not engaged in full-time Torah study. He responded that one of the primary goals of the chareidi parties is to ensure that the military can accommodate those recruits without compromising their religious standards.

“I tell them that we are working to achieve something that has not existed for decades—that the army will guarantee that whoever enters as a chareidi will leave as a chareidi. That is our responsibility, and I hope that at long last we will succeed.”

The Shas leader criticized the military’s historical approach toward religious soldiers, arguing that the issue has not received sufficient attention.

“For years, the army dismissed this,” Deri said. “They didn’t want them. Just as they don’t like the soldiers from the religious Zionist community. They change everything for them there. They don’t like their officers and they don’t like their soldiers.”

At the same time, Deri acknowledged that the current security situation has increased the military’s need for additional manpower and suggested that the army is now showing greater willingness to address the concerns of religious recruits.

“But despite everything, there is no doubt that the army today needs more combat soldiers, and therefore it is taking this more seriously, is prepared to invest more, and not only because the political leadership is pressuring it, but because it also understands the need,” Deri concluded.

{Matzav.com}

NEW YORK — A violent selloff in semiconductor stocks erased roughly $1.7 trillion from the U.S. stock market on Friday, June 5, with the world’s largest chipmakers alone shedding more than $1 trillion in market value, as investors suddenly reassessed whether the artificial-intelligence boom can justify the extraordinary valuations that have fueled Wall Street’s rally over the past two years.

The selloff struck at the heart of the market’s strongest sector. The Nasdaq Composite fell 4.18% to 25,709.43, its worst one-day decline since the tariff-driven market shock of April 2025. The S&P 500 dropped 2.64% to 7,383.74, ending a nine-week winning streak, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 695 points, or 1.35%, to close at 50,866.78. The Cboe Volatility Index, commonly known as Wall Street’s fear gauge, surged more than 34%, finishing above the key 20 level.

At the center of the rout was the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index, which plunged approximately 8.5%, marking its steepest single-session loss since April 2025.

Nvidia, the dominant supplier of AI chips and the world’s most valuable semiconductor company, fell roughly 6%, wiping out more than $300 billion in market capitalization in a single day. Micron Technology tumbled about 11%, while Advanced Micro Devices dropped more than 10%. Marvell Technology lost approximately 12%, and Broadcom extended a two-day slide that approached 20%.

The immediate trigger was Broadcom’s earnings report, released earlier in the week. Although the company reported strong results by most measures, investors focused on signs that demand growth for certain custom AI chips was not accelerating as rapidly as Wall Street had expected. After two years in which semiconductor companies repeatedly exceeded forecasts and raised guidance, even modest signs of slowing momentum proved enough to spark a sharp revaluation.

The selling pressure intensified Friday after the release of a surprisingly strong U.S. jobs report.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that employers added 172,000 jobs in May, significantly above economists’ expectations of roughly 80,000 jobs. The stronger-than-expected labor market reinforced concerns that the Federal Reserve may have little reason to lower interest rates and could potentially be forced to consider another increase if inflation remains stubborn.

Bond yields rose sharply following the report, creating additional pressure on high-growth technology stocks. Higher interest rates reduce the present value of future earnings, making richly valued growth companies less attractive to investors.

By Friday’s close, futures markets were assigning a significantly higher probability that the Fed could raise rates before year-end, a dramatic shift from expectations only weeks ago when investors were largely debating the timing of future rate cuts.

Market strategists largely characterized the move as a correction rather than evidence of fundamental deterioration in the AI industry itself.

The semiconductor sector remains one of the strongest-performing areas of the market despite Friday’s losses. Even after the decline, the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index is still up approximately 75% in 2026, reflecting the extraordinary gains generated by the AI boom.

The underlying businesses also remain healthy. Demand for AI infrastructure continues to grow, major cloud-computing companies are still spending heavily on AI development, and semiconductor manufacturers continue reporting substantial revenue growth. What changed Friday was not demand for AI technology but the price investors were willing to pay for future growth.

The episode also highlighted a growing concern among market analysts: concentration risk.

A relatively small group of AI-related companies has accounted for a disproportionate share of the stock market’s gains over the past year. As a result, broader indexes have become increasingly dependent on the performance of a handful of technology giants. When sentiment shifts against those companies, the impact quickly spreads throughout the market.

That concentration affects far more than professional traders. Because companies such as Nvidia, Broadcom, Microsoft, and other technology leaders carry enormous weightings in major indexes, their movements directly influence the performance of countless retirement accounts, pension funds, and index funds owned by ordinary Americans.

Investors now turn their attention to the next major economic test: the government’s inflation report scheduled for Wednesday, June 10. A hotter-than-expected reading could reinforce expectations for higher interest rates and extend pressure on technology shares. A softer report, meanwhile, could help restore confidence that Friday’s selloff was merely a pause in the AI-driven bull market rather than the beginning of something larger.

JBizNews Desk — New York

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SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observed sea trials of a new warship repaired after a failed launch last year and vowed to accelerate efforts to build a nuclear-armed navy, state media said Saturday, showcasing his expanding military capabilities ahead of a visit by Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency said Kim visited the 5,000-ton destroyer Kang Kon on Thursday as it underwent capability tests. Photos released by the agency showed him accompanied by his increasingly prominent teenage daughter, believed to be named Kim Ju Ae, whom South Korean officials say may be being groomed as his successor.

Kim Jong Un called for “rapidly developing” naval forces capable of playing a larger role in the country’s nuclear deterrent and dealing a “deadly blow at the enemy any moment under the water or on the water,” KCNA said. He said the navy was a key focus of a new five-year defense plan approved at a ruling party congress earlier this year, which he said includes building larger 10,000-ton-class destroyers and developing unspecified “underwater secret weapons.”

The agency did not report any direct remarks by Kim about Washington or Seoul amid persistent tensions over his nuclear ambitions and a prolonged freeze in diplomacy. The report came a day after North Korean and Chinese state media confirmed that Xi would visit North Korea on Monday, the latest sign of Beijing’s efforts to reinforce ties with its nuclear-armed neighbor. In recent years, Kim has prioritized relations with Russia, notably by sending troop s and military equipment to support Moscow’s war in Ukraine.

Xi’s trip was announced a day after North Korea unveiled what South Korea’s military assessed as a new uranium-enrichment facility for producing nuclear bomb fuel. During a visit to the unspecified site, Kim pledged to expand the country’s nuclear forces “at an exponential rate,” a move that experts say reflects his desire to cement North Korea’s status as a nuclear weapons state ahead of Xi’s visit.

Kang Kon is the second of two destroyers North Korea unveiled last year, following the Choe Hyon, whose development Kim hailed as a major step toward expanding the operational range and preemptive strike capabilities of his nuclear-armed military. State media said the ships are designed to carry a range of weapons systems, including anti-aircraft and anti-ship weapons as well as nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles, though some experts have questioned their effectiveness in active duty.

Kang Kon was damaged during a botched launching ceremony in May last year at the northeastern port of Chongjin, triggering a furious reaction from Kim, who called the failure “criminal.” North Korea said Kang Kon was relaunched in June after repair, but outside experts have questioned whether the ship is fully operational. Kim has called for building two more 5,000-ton-class destroyers.

TORONTO — Police are investigating after a synagogue in North York was vandalized overnight, with a window found shattered Saturday morning.

Officers responding to reports of damage at the house of worship in the Bathurst Street and Glencairn Avenue area discovered that an object had apparently been used to break a window. No injuries were reported.

The case has been assigned to the hate crime unit as investigators work to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. Authorities said no suspect information was immediately available.

Another synagogue hit with vandalism, one day before a Jewish parade

Another day, another Jewish synagogue hit by vandals in Canada.

This one was on Bathurst Street in Toronto — a very low-profile synagogue that, from the outside, actually looks like an old Shoppers Drug Mart.… pic.twitter.com/bQ0Smfn7dr

— Rebel News (@RebelNewsOnline) June 6, 2026

The vandalism comes amid heightened concerns over antisemitic incidents in Toronto and across Canada. Jewish community organizations have reported a significant increase in acts targeting Jewish institutions and individuals in recent years.

The incident also occurred just before a major pro-Israel community event scheduled for Sunday in North York, expected to draw thousands of participants.

In recent months, law enforcement agencies have responded to several incidents involving synagogues and other Jewish institutions in the Greater Toronto Area. Police have increased security efforts around places of worship and other community sites as part of broader measures to address hate-motivated activity.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Jewish communities in Canada were shaken over the weekend after two separate attacks targeted shuls in Toronto and Montreal within less than 24 hours, prompting strong condemnation from officials and renewed concerns about rising antisemitism across the country.

During the early hours of Shabbos, a window at Congregation Mishkan Avraham in Toronto’s North York neighborhood was shattered after an unidentified object was thrown at the building. The synagogue is located near the intersection of Bathurst Street and Glencairn Avenue.

No injuries were reported, but authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. According to Canadian media reports, Toronto Police’s Hate Crime Unit is leading the probe and has appealed to the public for information.

Israel’s Consulate General in Toronto condemned what it described as an antisemitic attack on the synagogue, calling the incident part of a troubling pattern of anti-Jewish hostility seen across Canada in recent days.

The Toronto attack came shortly after another serious incident in Montreal. On Friday, assailants allegedly hurled Molotov cocktails at a shul in an apparent attempt to set the building on fire.

“Within less than 24 hours, two Jewish houses of worship were attacked in two major Canadian cities,” the Israeli consulate said in a statement.

The incidents occurred amid growing concern over antisemitism in Canada. Earlier this week, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned about a significant increase in incitement and attacks directed at the country’s Jewish community.

In its statement, the Israeli consulate noted that “the Jewish community has heard countless condemnations over the past two and a half years, yet Jewish institutions continue to be targeted.”

The consulate also praised Toronto police for their swift response while urging authorities to take stronger action against antisemitic violence.

“A synagogue must never become a crime scene, and Jews in Canada should not have to live with the feeling that the only question is which Jewish institution will be targeted next,” the statement said. “Authorities must make clear through actions, not only statements, that antisemitic violence has no place in Canada.”

{Matzav.com}

A majority of Israelis want a new prime minister after the next elections, and most believe it is U.S. President Donald Trump, not Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who effectively determines Israel’s security policy, according to a survey published by Channel 12 and conducted by the Madgam Institute.

Some 58% of respondents said they want someone other than Netanyahu to lead the country in the next term, while 32% said they want Netanyahu to continue as prime minister. On the question of who sets Israel’s security agenda, 67% named Trump, compared to only 22% who credited Netanyahu. Even among coalition voters, 47% said Trump determines security policy versus 43% who attributed it to Netanyahu.

The survey also found that 53% of respondents expressed concern for the future of Israeli democracy, amid recent reports of pressure on Likud MKs to be filmed while casting their votes in the State Comptroller election, and disturbances by extremists at the home of Supreme Court Deputy President Justice Noam Sohlberg. Some 38% said they were not concerned.

Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisrael Katz both received poor marks for their handling of the war against Hezbollah, with 56% and 60% rating their performance negatively, respectively. IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir fared considerably better, with 59% rating his performance positively.

On the question of trustworthiness, former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot led with 38%, followed by Netanyahu at 27% and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett at 12%.

Target is recalling several Up & Up baby wipes products sold nationwide after testing identified potentially dangerous bacteria that could cause serious infections, particularly in infants and young children.

According to a recall notice posted Friday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Target is voluntarily recalling certain lots of Up & Up Fragrance Free Baby Wipes and Up & Up Fresh Cucumber Scented Baby Wipes following customer complaints about product discoloration.

FDA testing identified the presence of Burkholderia cepacia complex and Burkholderia gladioli in samples of the affected wipes.

Health officials warned that products contaminated with the bacteria could lead to serious and potentially life-threatening infections. The wipes are primarily used on newborns, infants and young children, a group considered particularly vulnerable because of their developing immune systems.

TARGET TO CUT PRICES ON 3,000 ITEMS AS INFLATION REMAINS ABOVE FED TARGET

The FDA said healthy individuals who use the contaminated wipes on skin with minor cuts or abrasions may develop localized infections. However, infections in immunocompromised individuals, newborns and infants could spread into the bloodstream and potentially cause sepsis or pneumonia.

The recalled wipes were manufactured by supplier Sapro Temizlik Urunleri and sold at Target stores nationwide as well as through Target.com.

Target and the manufacturer have received a number of consumer complaints and adverse event reports alleging product discoloration and symptoms including skin irritation, eye irritation and infections that may be linked to use of the wipes. The reports remain under investigation.

A representative for Target did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment.

TARGET SET TO OPEN ITS 2,000TH STORE, PLANS TO OPEN HUNDREDS MORE IN NEXT DECADE

The recall affects multiple sizes of Up & Up Fragrance Free Baby Wipes, including 20-count, 72-count, 216-count, 800-count and 1,200-count packages, as well as Up & Up Fresh Cucumber Scented Baby Wipes sold in 72-count, 216-count and 800-count packages.

Consumers are being urged to stop using the recalled wipes immediately and return them to any Target store for a full refund.

Target said customers seeking additional information can contact Target Guest Relations at 1-800-440-0680.

The recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and Target said it is continuing to investigate the matter in coordination with the manufacturer.

According to the FDA, the affected Up & Up Fragrance Free Baby Wipes were manufactured between Nov. 7, 2025, and May 5, 2026, and carry expiration dates ranging from May 10, 2028, through Nov. 5, 2028.

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The recalled Up & Up Fresh Cucumber Scented Baby Wipes were manufactured between Dec. 29 and Dec. 30, 2025, and carry expiration dates ranging from June 29, 2028, through June 30, 2028.

A complete list of affected UPCs, manufacturing codes and package sizes is available in the FDA recall notice.

In a dramatic move just days after taking office, newly appointed Mossad Director Roman Gofman has removed the agency’s deputy director from his position, signaling the beginning of a major leadership reshuffle at Israel’s premier intelligence service.

According to a statement issued by the Mossad through the Prime Minister’s Office, Gofman informed the official, identified only as “A.,” that his tenure as deputy director would be coming to an end. The statement added that the new Mossad chief intends to appoint a replacement from within the organization.

The Mossad emphasized that Gofman expressed deep appreciation for A.’s more than two decades of service and his substantial contributions to Israel’s national security.

During his 22 years with the agency, A. served on the front lines of some of the Mossad’s most sensitive operational activities. He held senior positions in three operational divisions, commanded two of them, and played a leading role in numerous groundbreaking missions. In recognition of his achievements, he was awarded the Israel Security Prize on five separate occasions.

The statement further noted that A. wished Gofman success in his new role and conveyed his readiness to continue making his experience and expertise available to the Mossad and the State of Israel whenever needed.

Officials described the move as part of Gofman’s effort to assemble the senior leadership team that will work alongside him as he confronts the strategic challenges and operational objectives facing the organization in the coming years.

Military correspondent Doron Kadosh of Army Radio characterized the decision as highly unusual, particularly given that it comes only days after Gofman assumed leadership of the agency and while he is still becoming familiar with its operations.

Kadosh pointed to a contrasting example within the Shin Bet. When David Zini recently took over as head of the domestic security service, he asked then-Deputy Director “Sh.” to remain in his position for several months to assist with the transition and orientation process. Sh. ultimately stayed on as deputy chief of the Shin Bet for approximately three months—after previously serving as acting director—before deciding to step down.

The swift dismissal of the Mossad’s second-in-command underscores Gofman’s determination to quickly shape the agency’s top leadership and could signal broader changes within the organization in the weeks ahead.

{Matzav.com}

A protest in Ireland outside a hotel Saturday against “genocide” displayed flags of the Iranian regime and signs bearing the slogan “Victory to Iran” alongside a banner proclaiming Israel’s commission of genocide.

A man shouted into a megaphone, “Eliminate the traitors” and “Get the Zionists out of Ireland now,” along with some profanity.

Critics of these protests have noted the hypocrisy of so-called human rights activists who protest Israel’s actions in Gaza but support the Iranian regime, which has engaged in the mass murder of its own civilians and has been brutally suppressing the rights of Iranians for decades.

LANGUAGE WARNING: A man shouts into a megaphone at a protest in Ireland. (Credit: Hen Mazzig)

“Never in my life did I think I would see people posing as human rights activists while cheering on the brutal regime in Iran, but it sounds like Ireland,” Hen Mazzig, a Jewish advocate, posted on X alongside a video of the protest.

Since the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, Ireland has taken unprecedentedly harsh action against Israel.

• In May 2024, Ireland recognized a Palestinian state, along with Spain and Norway. Other European countries would follow suit over the course of the war. Israel retaliated by recalling its ambassador to Ireland and closing its embassy in Dublin.
• In January 2025, Ireland joined South Africa’s case accusing Israel of genocide at the International Court of Justice.
• In June 2026, Ireland banned National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from entry into the country.
• Ireland led a move within the European Union attempting to suspend or amend the EU-Israel Association Agreement over Israel’s actions in Gaza as well as Judea and Samaria.
• Ireland has boycotted Israeli products and companies.

In 2020, well before the real estate industry began debating the enforcement of buyer broker agreements — which became the norm after the National Association of Realtors‘ (NAR) commission lawsuit settlement agreement — the leader of a Florida-based brokerage filed a lawsuit against a client for backing out of a deal and not reimbursing the broker-owner for his work.

Last month, the six-year legal battle came to an end after a jury in Miami-Dade County found Reuben Ezekiel; his business partner, Roman Diakiwski; and his sister, Irene Ezekiel Ishay, liable for fraud, tortious interference, conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to interfere in a business relationship,

The jury awarded Alexander Goldstein of Miles Goldstein Real Estate $47.8 million in damages, which included compensatory and punitive damages. The court has yet to issue its final judgment. 

The lawsuit stems from Ezekiel’s and Diakiwski’s purchase of a $2.8 million waterfront property in Golden Beach, Florida, through their investment firm R&R GB Investment Group, which the court characterized as a “fictitious company” during the lawsuit.

According to the suit, the business partners began working with Goldstein in 2018 to find an investment property. In court filings, Goldstein said he spent more than a year searching for homes and submitting offers on properties with Ezekiel and Diakiwski. 

Case details, attorneys’ responses

After finding the Golden Beach property, which was listed at $2.9 million, Goldstein said he worked to negotiate with the sellers on behalf of his clients. He found out through the process that $2.8 million was the price the sellers were after.

According to the filings, Goldstein relayed this information to his clients, who then told him that they were no longer interested in the property. But less than two hours later, Ishay — Ezekiel’s sister — submitted an offer on the property for $2.8 million while acting as the buyer’s broker for Ezekiel and Diakiwski. This allegedly caused Goldstein to lose out on what would have been an $84,000 commission.

Filings show that Ishay was paid $5,000 for the deal. The rest of the buyer broker’s commission offered by the listing agent was credited back to Ezekiel and Diakiwski, who worked directly with the seller’s agent after the contract was executed. 

In filings, Goldstein alleged that when he asked Ezekiel and Diakiwski about his commission, they “taunted him and told him to sue them demonstrating no remorse, no care, and no actual acknowledgement their behavior is morally broken.” 

In a statement given to HousingWire, plaintiff’s counsel Josef Timlichman of Josef Timlichman Law PLLC said the suit was “about righting a wrong and sending a message.” 

“South Florida is a serious place, doing serious business at the highest levels. For too long, Florida has carried a stigma as a sunny place for shady people,” Timlichman said in a statement. “We are not that. Brokers like Alex Goldstein, who built his career by playing it straight, should not have to watch their commission stolen through a fictitious LLC and a sister paid to pose as their replacement, or watch a defendant try to shape public opinion against them on local television during the case.

“The Court ruled in our favor twice. The jury saw it for what it was. The investors who finance these arrangements should take notice.”

Peter Solnik, the defendants’ attorney, also issued a statement to HousingWire in which he said the tort claims should not have proceeded to the jury because the case involved “nothing more than a breach of contract — a non-payment of a commission.”

“Additionally, the record proves that the record lacked any evidence of reputational harm or lost profits, and therefore, the verdict bore no reasonable relationship to the lack of damages proven at trial,” Solnik’s statement read in part. “Furthermore, the punitive damage award was also grossly excessive.  Pursuant to Fla. Stat. 768.73, punitive damages are capped at an award of punitive damages to the compensatory damages at a ratio of 3:1.  Therefore, the most amount that could have been awarded was approximately $240,000.  

“I am cautiously optimistic that the Presiding Judge will either 1) order a new trial 2) substantially reduce the verdict, and/or grant my clients a Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict. I look forward to arguing my clients’ Post Trial Motion.”

Larger meaning for the industry

With buyer broker agreements that outline an agent’s compensation having become the norm across the country, real estate professionals are now pondering what to do when a buyer violates their contract. 

Jonathan Lickstein, the broker-owner of LoKation Real Estate, is one broker who has decided to enforce the agreements in court. 

“A first-time homebuyer who’s bringing together money to do an FHA loan, we’re not going to go after that person. But if we have an exclusive agreement with somebody, and they turn around and they go with their cousin, sister, uncle or nephew, then we’re going to enforce that agreement because they took advantage,” Lickstein told attendees in April at HousingWire’s The Gathering.

Lickstein said he is aware of the optics presented to the consumer in choosing to enforce these agreements in court, but he noted that if a company is large enough, people are always going to complain about something.

“You’ll get negative complaints about how somebody showed a house or the way they advertised a rental, but as far as filing a suit about enforcing an agreement, we have yet to receive one negative complaint,” Lickstein said.

This post was originally published on here.

Texas officials are racing to contain a growing outbreak of a dangerous flesh-eating parasite after a second case was confirmed in the state, prompting emergency measures and a temporary Canadian ban on livestock imports from Texas.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Friday that another case of the New World screwworm (NWS) had been identified in a calf in southern Texas. The infected animal was found roughly 5.5 miles (nine kilometers) from the location of the first confirmed case, which was reported just a day earlier.

As concerns mounted over the possibility of a wider outbreak, Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a statewide disaster emergency on Friday in an effort to mobilize resources and strengthen containment efforts.

State authorities have also established a 12-mile quarantine zone around the affected area. Under the restrictions, all warm-blooded animals—including household pets—must undergo inspection before they can be moved out of the zone.

In response to the outbreak, Canada’s Food Inspection Agency announced a temporary prohibition on livestock imports from Texas. The ban applies to any livestock that has been in the state within the previous 21 days.

The New World screwworm was believed to have been eliminated from the United States in 1966 after an extensive eradication campaign.

A limited resurgence occurred in Florida in 2016, primarily affecting deer populations. That outbreak was successfully contained and eradicated the following year, according to federal officials.

Although absent from the United States for decades, the pest has continued to exist in parts of South America and has gradually expanded its range northward in recent years.

The initial Texas case, discovered near the Mexican border, raised immediate concerns among livestock producers, particularly cattle ranchers who could face significant losses if the parasite spreads.

The adult flies deposit eggs in open wounds or in the mucous membranes of warm-blooded animals. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae burrow into living tissue and begin feeding on flesh.

Without prompt treatment, infestations can become fatal. The parasites are also capable of spreading rapidly among animal populations.

Beyond livestock, the screwworm can infect wildlife, domestic pets, and even humans under certain circumstances.

The United States originally succeeded in wiping out the pest largely through the release of vast numbers of sterile male flies, which mated with wild females and prevented reproduction.

Federal officials said that effort is once again being deployed aggressively. Approximately four million sterile flies are currently being released from aircraft each week, while another four million sterile insects in the pupal stage are being distributed through ground-based release systems.

The economic stakes are substantial. A USDA analysis published last year estimated that a renewed screwworm infestation in Texas could inflict approximately $1.8 billion in damage on the state’s economy.

{Matzav.com}

Gunfire erupted Saturday near a busy street festival in Ohio, wounding at least 12 people and sending some eventgoers scrambling for cover while others rushed to help the victims.

No suspects were in custody hours afterward, Toledo Deputy Police Chief Joe Heffernan said, and officials urged people who were at the festival to come forward with any photos or videos on their phones for possible leads.

The shooting happened near the Old West End Festival, an annual gathering of live music and home tours.

Heffernan said it appeared that at least two people fired weapons and they were “probably shooting at each other.”

Two of the victims were in critical condition, Heffernan added. The ages of the victims ranged from 14 to 61, with most of them in their early 20s.

“I am deeply concerned about the situation in Toledo tonight,” Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement. “Summer festivals should be safe spaces for families to spend time together without fear of violence.”

Multiple videos posted to social media showed people running amid the sound of gunshots and emergency officials tending to others who appeared wounded.

Fire Chief Allison Armstrong said it was difficult to get to the hospital due to closed roads and traffic from people leaving the festival, but emergency responders were able to transport all patients from the scene within an hour.

Kevin Berry was sitting in the neighborhood arboretum listening to live music with friends when he heard a handful of gunshots ring out.

“Everybody hit the deck,” he said.

When Berry looked back up, he saw a gun being tossed to the ground less than 50 feet (15 meters) away from him. Officers who were already on site for the festival responded immediately.

Berry, who has medical training and served in the Navy, walked around looking for anyone who might need help and saw at least five people with gunshot wounds.

“The folks who were hit were spread out around the arboretum area,” he said.

The Old West End Festival is a two-day celebration in Toledo’s historic district that includes live music, food vendors, home tours and shopping. Berry described it as the “kick-off to Toledo’s summer festival season.”

George Kral, safety director for the city, said officials were discussing with organizers whether it would continue through the weekend.

“This is one of the most iconic festivals in Toledo,” he said, “and it’s a shame that something like this had to ruin it.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — Several FBI analysts tied to the creation of a 2023 memo warning of a potential threat from Catholic “violent extremists” were fired Friday, according to their lawyer, the latest wave of terminations under the leadership of its director Kash Patel.

The fired employees included four intelligence analysts and a supervisory analyst. The FBI declined to comment.

“This action is manifestly unjust, completely unsupported by the facts, and subverts standard FBI policy and procedure,” their lawyer, David Laufman, said in a statement. “These individuals deserved far better for the exceptional and faithful public service they rendered to protect our country.”

The January 2023 intelligence product produced by analysts in the FBI’s Richmond, Virginia, field office emerged as a political flashpoint after it was issued, with Republicans in Congress repeatedly citing it as part of their broader contention that the FBI during the Biden administration was targeting conservatives.

Then-director Chris Wray repeatedly denied that charge and the FBI has said the document was quickly retracted and an internal review was launched. Merrick Garland, the attorney general under President Joe Biden, has said he was “appalled” by the memo.

Earlier Justice Department investigations into the memo challenged the analytical tradecraft but did not find intentional misconduct by the analysts involved.

The firings are part of a broader personnel purge under Patel, a Trump loyalist who over the last year, has pushed out dozens of employees who either contributed to investigations of the president or who were perceived as not in alignment with the administration’s agenda. The Justice Department has engaged in similarly sweeping firings of prosecutors since Trump took office last year.

In February, for instance, the FBI fired a group of counterintelligence agents who participated in the investigation into President Donald Trump over his retention of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.

The Richmond memo, which emerged from a domestic terrorism investigation, sought to examine a potential link between what it called “Radical Traditionalist Catholic” ideology and racially and ethnically motivated extremists. It warned of the potential for violence and also highlighted what the authors described as “new avenues for tripwire and source development.” FBI leadership quickly condemned those findings once the document became public.

An internal FBI review described in a 2023 letter to Congress and based on interviews with 26 people “found that all individuals involved in the creation, review and approval of the product failed to adhere to analytic tradecraft standards and failed to recognize that the product, as drafted, equated the subjects’ interest in their self-described form of religion with racially or ethnically motivated violent extremist (RMVE) ideology without sufficient evidence or articulable support.”

The failure to adhere to standards, including on proper domestic terrorism terminology, “created the appearance that the FBI conducts investigative activity based on religious affiliation,” the letter said. “One of the FBI’s most fundamental principles is that investigative activity may not be based solely on the exercise of rights guaranteed by the First Amendment.”

A Justice Department inspector general report in 2024 summarized the earlier FBI review by saying that though there were departures from proper analytic tradecraft, “no evidence of a malicious intent or an improper purpose” were found.

MS NOW earlier reported the firings.

What began as a joyous wedding celebration nearly turned into a major crisis when the ring disappeared at the most critical moment of the kiddushin. Thanks to the presence of Rav Avraham Salim, however, the ceremony was able to proceed smoothly and according to halachah.

The incident took place Tuesday evening at D-City Hall during the wedding of a talmid of Rav Avraham Salim, Rosh Yeshivas Meor HaTorah and a member of the Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah of Shas.

As the chassan prepared to place the ring on the kallah’s finger, the ring slipped from his hand, fell onto the wooden floor, and disappeared into a narrow crack between the floorboards.

Initial efforts to retrieve the ring proved unsuccessful. The chassan, family members, and guests were left stunned as the unexpected mishap brought the ceremony to an abrupt halt at its most crucial stage. The tension in the hall was palpable as everyone searched for a solution.

Rav Salim, who was officiating at the wedding, immediately stepped in to calm the situation. Remaining composed, he reminded those present of the halachic principle that a woman may be married through several forms of monetary value.

“Ha’ishah nikneis b’shalosh derachim, v’harishonah shebahem hi kesef,” he said, citing the well-known halachic ruling that kiddushin can be effected through money.

Without hesitation, the Rosh Yeshiva asked the chassan whether he had cash on him. When the chassan produced a 100-shekel bill from his pocket, Rav Salim instructed him to use it for the kiddushin.

The chassan then recited the traditional declaration, “Harei at mekudeshes li b’kesef zeh k’das Moshe v’Yisroel,” formally betrothing the kallah with the banknote.

The quick solution allowed the wedding ceremony to continue without further interruption, much to the relief of the chassan, kallah, and the large crowd gathered for the simchah.

Guests said the unusual episode quickly became the talk of the evening and is likely to be remembered and retold at family celebrations for years to come.

{Matzav.com}

BOSTON (AP) — A federal judge on Friday sided with 20 Democratic states and halted an effort by the Trump administration to force states to comply with a range of conditions to get billions of dollars from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

U.S. District Judge Myong Joun granted a preliminary injunction in the lawsuit challenging the conditions for getting SNAP funding. Among them are restrictions related to “gender ideology,” “immigration,” and “fair athletic opportunities” for women and girls.

The judge said he would issue a memorandum later explaining his decision.

In their lawsuit, the states argued the Agriculture Department has “thrown unconstitutional and unlawful roadblocks between the programs created by Congress and the States that rely on them, threatening critical nutrition support, vital agricultural research, and the safety of our national food chain and communities.”

Lawyers for the government opposed the preliminary injunction, arguing in their court filing that “these new requirements would help promote the sound stewardship of taxpayer dollars, strengthen USDA’s control and oversight of obligated funds, and ensure that grant recipients comply with federal laws, regulations, and policies.”

SNAP is a major part of the U.S. social safety net, helping about 39 million Americans, about 1 in 9, buy groceries. Beneficiaries decreased by nearly 4.3 million from January 2025 to January 2026, according to preliminary government data released by the Agriculture Department. Experts say new requirements mandated by a massive tax and spending cut bill Republicans pushed through Congress last summer are the primary reasons.

The US government will attempt to redirect Iranian assets to Gulf states for rebuilding and repairs of future damage caused by Iran, a source familiar with the matter said on Saturday, a day after a wave of attacks by Iran against Kuwait and Bahrain.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has also directed a team to assess costs for damage already inflicted on Gulf allies by Iran, the source said, adding that the US will consider using Iranian assets for those repairs as well.

The disclosure came a day after Mohsen Rezaei, an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, told CNN that a peace deal hinged on the release of $24 billion in Iranian assets frozen by the United States.

The source on Saturday did not specify what kind of assets the Treasury was examining. The language used to describe the new measures did not appear limited to frozen assets.

Peace negotiations appear to have stalled, although a minister from mediator Pakistan traveled to Tehran on Saturday with a letter for Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s semi-official ISNA news agency reported.

The threatened redirection of Iranian assets could create a new irritant to a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran, which was tested again this weekend with strikes by the US and Iran.

IRGC retaliated against US in Kuwait and Bahrain

US forces struck Iranian coastal radar sites in Goruk and Qeshm Island, both in the Strait of Hormuz, early Saturday after shooting down drones launched by Iran that US Central Command says posed a threat to maritime traffic.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said it retaliated against US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, and Kuwait’s army said on Saturday it engaged seven ballistic missiles that passed over residential areas, resulting in material damage but no casualties.

In Bahrain, sirens sounded, and residents were urged to seek shelter. Kuwait and Bahrain condemned the strikes.

This post was originally published on here.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called a U.S. push for the denuclearization of North Korea an “anachronistic dream,” saying Sunday the North will steadily expand its nuclear arsenal in the face of U.S.-led threats.

The statement came a day before Chinese President Xi Jinping visits North Korea for talks with Kim Jong Un, in his first visit to the country in seven years.

“The U.S. assertion to backbite the status of the DPRK as a nuclear weapons state has no legally binding force and no one will be bound by the U.S. unilateral rhetoric,” said Kim’s sister and senior official, Kim Yo Jong, using the abbreviation for North Korea’s official name.

She dismissed as “false information” a U.S. announcement that President Donald Trump and Xi confirmed their shared goal to denuclearize North Korea in their summit in Beijing last month.

“Some officials in the United States have failed to wake from their escapist and anachronistic dream,” Kim Yo Jong said.

North Korea has been focusing on enlarging its nuclear arsenal since Kim Jong Un’s high-stakes diplomacy with Trump collapsed in 2019. Experts say the North Korean leader wants an international recognition as a nuclear state so that he could demand lifting of international economic sanctions on North Korea.

During a visit to a new nuclear materials production plant last week, Kim Jong Un said North Korea would bolster the country’s nuclear forces “at an exponential rate.” On Sunday, North Korea’s state media reported Kim Jong Un visited a weapons factory the previous day and called for increasing the country’s missile production capacity 2.5 times under a five-year plan period.

In her statement, Kim Yo Jong accused the U.S. and South Korea of pushing for “ceaseless arms build-ups,” saying her brother’s push for “steadily beefing up the nuclear war deterrent for self-defense” is “an irreversible final conclusion to be carried out unconditionally.”

Analysts say Xi’s visit to North Korea is largely meant to reassert China’s influence over North Korea, whose foreign policy priority has shifted to Russia in recent years. They say Xi will likely refrain from directly raising the denuclearization issue and offer economic assistance programs during his meeting with Kim Jong Un.

North Korea has sent troops and conventional weapons to Russia to back its war efforts against Ukraine. South Korean and U.S. officials say North Korea has received economic and other assistance from Russia in return.

Israel’s new Mossad director, Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman, made one of his first public stops at the Western Wall, and the message he left there was short, ancient and unmistakably Israeli.

Gofman prayed at the Kotel with Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, rabbi of the Western Wall and holy sites, asking for success in his new role and for the protection of the State of Israel, IDF soldiers and Israel’s security forces. Before leaving, he placed a personal note between the stones, then signed the Western Wall Heritage Foundation guestbook with a line from I Samuel 15:29: “Netzach Yisrael lo yeshaker” — “The Strength of Israel will not lie.”

The timing made the moment heavier. Gofman has just taken command of the Mossad, becoming Israel’s 14th spy chief after replacing David Barnea, who led the agency through some of the most sensitive years in Israel’s modern security history. Gofman enters the post after serving as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s military secretary and after a long IDF career, including a direct role in responding to the Hamas-led October 7 massacre.

His first message as Mossad chief was not a speech, threat or policy paper. It was a verse. At the Wall, where Israeli leaders often come before moments of national weight, Gofman chose words that speak to endurance, resolve and the belief that Israel’s story is not dictated by its enemies.

For a man now entrusted with Israel’s most secret war against Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah and other threats, the message was brief. But it said plenty.

Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot publicly rebuked Yair Lapid today, rejecting speculation that he is preparing to join a political alliance with Lapid and Naftali Bennett and revealing a significant breakdown in communication between the two camps.

In an interview with Channel 12 News, Eisenkot dismissed Lapid’s recent prediction that he would soon become part of a united opposition bloc, suggesting the comment stemmed more from political pressure than from any real discussions.

“That was a strange statement. I assume it came out of pressure,” Eisenkot said. He noted that he and Lapid have barely spoken in recent months, with only a brief phone conversation taking place during that period.

Eisenkot acknowledged that the two had worked together in the past but said those efforts ultimately failed. Looking ahead, he said his focus is on defeating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alongside a broad coalition of opposition figures, including Lapid, Bennett, Avigdor Lieberman, Yair Golan, and others.

The former IDF chief of staff also disclosed that relations between the parties have deteriorated sharply. According to Eisenkot, regular communication ended roughly three months ago following decisions made by Lapid’s camp.

He said he had spent months advocating for a meeting of opposition party leaders to coordinate strategy, establish a common platform, and potentially present what he described as a “shadow cabinet” to the public. However, he claimed other opposition leaders were unwilling to participate.

Eisenkot also poured cold water on growing talk of opposition mergers and joint electoral lists, arguing that such decisions are premature given the uncertainty surrounding the political landscape.

He said party leaders must first determine what new political movements may emerge and when elections will actually take place, adding that the situation should be reassessed regularly with one central question in mind: what is most likely to produce victory.

At the same time, Eisenkot raised eyebrows by refusing to rule out the possibility of sitting with Netanyahu under certain circumstances. When asked whether he would consider joining a Netanyahu-led government rather than sending Israel to another round of elections, he declined to give a direct answer.

Instead, Eisenkot turned his attention to criticizing the prime minister and expressed confidence that Netanyahu’s time in office is nearing its end.

“I’m focused 24 hours a day, six days a week — on Shabbat I rest — in order to defeat Netanyahu,” Eisenkot said. He added that he is convinced Netanyahu will lose the next election and argued that it would be unreasonable for him to remain prime minister after the October 7 attacks and more than two years of war.

The comments underscore growing tensions within Israel’s opposition camp, where leaders remain united in their desire to replace Netanyahu but increasingly divided over how to achieve that goal.

{Matzav.com}

Vice President JD Vance triggered a sharp dispute between Washington and London on Friday after linking the killing of a British teenager to what he described as the destructive consequences of mass migration and the decline of Western civilization.

His remarks focused on the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak and drew an immediate response from the British government, which accused outside figures of attempting to meddle in the country’s internal affairs and deepen social divisions.

In a post on X, Vance wrote, “Henry Nowak died the same way a civilization dies: abandoned, handcuffed by authorities who neither trusted nor cared for him, and accused of hate crimes he did not commit.”

“His murder is as tragic as it is enraging.”

Vance, who has frequently criticized immigration policies across Europe, argued that the case should provoke what he called “righteous anger” among the public.

The death of Nowak has become a major flashpoint for conservatives and anti-migration activists internationally. The teenager was handcuffed by police while gravely wounded after being stabbed by Vickrum Digwa in Southampton in December. The case fueled widespread outrage and was followed by riots in parts of Britain.

Authorities said Digwa, 23, falsely claimed to police that he was the victim and alleged that Nowak had directed racial insults toward him.

The case has also attracted significant attention from Elon Musk, who has repeatedly criticized the police response on social media.

On Thursday, the U.S. State Department entered the controversy as well, condemning what it described as “ideological conditioning and two-tiered policing” connected to the incident.

Vance became the highest-ranking member of President Donald Trump’s administration to publicly address the case.

Expanding on his criticism, Vance stated, “He should still be alive today, and he would be if the last few generations of European elites had stood their ground against the politics of self-hatred and the mass invasion of migrants, many of whom despise the West and the people who love it.”

“Henry was far from the first to so needlessly lose his life, and I fear he won’t be the last.”

The vice president has been one of the administration’s most outspoken advocates of the view that large-scale migration is contributing to the erosion of Western societies and institutions.

British officials quickly pushed back against the American criticism.

In a statement issued by the office of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, a spokesperson said, “We have seen people trying to interfere in our democracy and seeking to stir up division on our streets.”

The spokesperson also noted that Henry Nowak’s relatives had publicly stated that they did not want his death “to be used to create further division, hatred or tension.”

Starmer himself took aim at Musk a day earlier, accusing the billionaire of “trying to whip up division” in Britain.

{Matzav.com}

A federal judge dealt a significant setback to the Trump administration’s immigration agenda on Friday, ruling that a policy effectively blocking asylum applications from dozens of countries violated federal law.

U.S. District Judge John McConnell invalidated the administration’s decision to stop accepting or responding to asylum requests from individuals originating in 39 nations, finding that the policy exceeded the government’s legal authority.

In his ruling, McConnell sharply criticized the actions of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, writing, “In enacting its latest immigration policies, USCIS: claims statutory and regulatory authority that it does not possess; makes decisions without the reasoned explanations that it must provide; acts without regard for the reliance interests of applicants that it must consider; and justifies its actions with pretextual concerns of ‘national security’ that mask anti-immigrant sentiments that it is forbidden from letting influence its decision-making. In legal terms that means USCIS’s actions are contrary to law and arbitrary and capricious.”

The judge further argued that the policy had left the futures of “countless immigrants living in the U.S. into an undefined state of legal limbo.”

Reports indicate that the restrictions primarily targeted migrants from countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The policy was introduced after a November incident in which an Afghan migrant allegedly shot and wounded two members of the National Guard in Washington.

In the aftermath of that attack, President Donald Trump announced on social media that he would permanently suspend immigration from all “Third World” countries in order to “allow the American system to fully recover.” Soon afterward, federal agencies halted the processing of asylum claims from 39 countries.

The Department of Homeland Security had not publicly responded to the court ruling as of Friday. According to various reports, the decision could have sweeping implications for hundreds of thousands of migrants seeking either entry into the United States or permission to remain in the country.

{Matzav.com}

The US military said Saturday night it intercepted and destroyed two Iranian attack drones that were posing a threat to shipping activity in the Strait of Hormuz, marking the latest confrontation between the two sides as tensions in the Middle East continue to rise.

“Earlier today, US forces in the Middle East shot down two Iranian one-way attack drones that threatened international maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz,” US Central Command says on its X account.

“American forces remain postured and ready to continue defending against Iranian aggression.”

The announcement followed a statement from CENTCOM late Friday that its forces had downed four Iranian attack drones headed toward the strait and carried out strikes against Iranian coastal surveillance radar installations.

The escalating exchanges, which also included a barrage of Iranian missiles fired Saturday toward US allies Bahrain and Kuwait, took place even as Washington and Tehran have continued weeks of indirect negotiations aimed at ending the conflict.

A cellphone left inside a parked vehicle in Lakewood this afternoon exploded, officials tell TLS.

Shortly before 1:00 PM, firefighters were called to a home on Pine Street after the lithium-ion battery cell phone exploded, and discovered moments later by the owner.

The explosion was apparently caused by the extreme heat inside the vehicle – due to temperatures of close to 90 degrees.

Nobody was injured, and luckily the car did not catch fire.

”Residents are reminded to never leave cellphones or any other electronic devices with lithium-ion batteries in their vehicle,” an official stated.

Firefighters safely discarded the phone.

Residents of St. Petersburg were told not to leave their homes after a large-scale Ukrainian drone attack targeted Russia’s second-largest city Saturday morning, underscoring Kyiv’s growing ability to hit deep inside Russia.

The attack came a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin refused an offer to meet his Ukrainian counterpart.

St. Petersburg Gov. Alexander Beglov said three people sustained minor injuries in the attack. He advised residents not to go outside and warned of possible disruptions to mobile internet service, while regional Gov. Alexander Drozdenko said 141 drones were shot down over the surrounding Leningrad region in what he called an “unprecedented attack.”

Russia’s Defense Ministry said its air defenses shot down 376 Ukrainian drones.

“Last night, our drones covered a distance of about 1,000 kilometers to the St. Petersburg region — to the enemy navy’s arsenals and a base in Kronstadt,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on X, adding that drones also hit an oil depot in Russia’s southern Krasnodar region.

The renewed attack on St. Petersburg is the latest embarrassing blow to Putin’s efforts to cast the conflict as a distant event that doesn’t affect Russian daily life.

A Ukrainian drone strike set ablaze an oil terminal in the city and hit a nearby naval base Wednesday, hours before the opening of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin’s annual showcase for investment.

Speaking at the forum, Putin said Thursday that Russia will strengthen its air defenses to counter recent Ukrainian drone attacks, which have reached deep inside his country and cast a cloud over the event in his hometown of St. Petersburg.

Putin on Friday rejected a proposal by Zelenskyy for a face-to-face meeting on the 4-year-old conflict, saying he sees “no point” in it. Thursday’s letter, the first public message Zelenskyy has written directly to Putin since Russia sent troops into Ukraine in 2022, was a sweeping critique of the Russian leader’s 26 years in power, as well as some taunts about his age.

Responding to Putin’s dismissal of the proposed meeting, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Saturday that things would “only get worse for Russia.”

“Failures will get more humiliating,” he wrote on X, warning that there are “no safe places in Russia that can be exempt” from Ukrainian long-range attacks, and that the intensity of attacks “will continue to grow.”

With the front line barely moving as swarms of drones hinder advances, both sides have sought an edge by launching long-range strikes.

In Ukraine, one person was killed and three wounded overnight into Saturday in the Dnipropetrovsk region, as Russian forces struck three districts nearly 30 times with drones and artillery, regional head Oleksandr Hanzha said.

In Zaporizhzhia, seven people sought medical care after a Russian drone strike started a fire at a parking lot, according to regional head Ivan Fedorov.

Russia targeted Ukraine overnight with 272 strike drones, and air defenses shot down 249 of them, the Ukrainian air force said Saturday.

(AP)

(YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)

Iran’s supreme leader broke months of silence Thursday with a written declaration that his country had defeated the United States and Israel, a claim that landed amid stalled negotiations, fresh violence across the region, and growing questions about whether the man issuing it remains in control.

“The malicious enemy has been defeated in its confrontation with the Armed Forces,” the statement attributed to Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei declared. “Since it has received a decisive blow both in military combat and in [Iran’s] public squares and streets, it’s experiencing a profound, significant humiliation.”

The circumstances of the message’s delivery told their own story. Khamenei has not been seen in public since being wounded in the strikes that killed his father and predecessor, Ali Khamenei, in the opening salvo of the US-Israeli bombing campaign on February 28. Every June 4 since 1989, the elder Khamenei had personally delivered the speech marking the death of the Islamic Republic’s founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. This year, an empty chair bearing his portrait stood at the mausoleum while a prayer leader read the message aloud.

The triumphant tone contrasted sharply with the state of play. Iran’s own government reported “no tangible progress” in negotiations to end the conflict, and weeks of talks marked by threats and flare-ups of violence have failed to produce a deal to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key conduit for global energy flows.

Analysts noted the message may be aimed less at Washington than at Iranians themselves. Khamenei accused the enemy of seeking to “plant the seeds of doubt, despair, fear, mistrust and division” among the public, and called for unity to “neutralize their sinister plot.”

The unexpected victory proclamation may signal an approaching peace deal, for which he appears to be preparing the Iranian nation. A leader who has declared the war won can more easily sign the agreement that ends it.

Washington, meanwhile, is speaking in two voices. President Donald Trump again voiced optimism, telling reporters a deal “could happen” soon, and reports indicate the administration is demanding the signing of a deal in Geneva next week. But Trump also told reporters Thursday that the US does not need an agreement at all to secure Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, saying America could “get it right now” and that the material is “entombed” under constant surveillance. The Wall Street Journal reported this week, citing US officials, that Trump told aides he will only end the ceasefire with Iran if Tehran kills American troops.

The gaps between the sides remain wide. Tehran insists any arrangement must address the Israel-Hezbollah conflict in Lebanon, and is demanding access to “liquid cash” from billions in frozen assets as part of the first phase of any agreement. Intermediaries have spent days trying to bridge the differences. Washington is pressing Iran to reopen Hormuz, curb nuclear activity, and address its highly enriched uranium stockpile.

The political ground in Washington is shifting as well. The US House of Representatives passed a resolution seeking to halt American military action in Iran, a symbolic but pointed rebuke of Trump’s handling of the war.

On the ground, the conflict continued to smolder. An Iranian drone attack on Kuwait’s airport killed one person and suspended flights this week, and the US embassy in Jerusalem warned citizens that the “security environment can change quickly,” advising them to locate their nearest shelter.

The declaration of victory also came a day before CNN revealed the scope of what Iran absorbed during the war: a covert network of Israeli bases in Azerbaijan, Iraq, the UAE, and Somaliland that placed elite forces along three sides of Iran’s periphery and enabled sustained strikes deep inside the country.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

The IDF killed three members of the Lebanese Army, including a brigadier general, in a strike on a vehicle in southern Lebanon on Saturday, raising concerns that a recently negotiated ceasefire could be put at risk.

The strike hit a military vehicle traveling in the Nabatieh area, killing a brigadier general, a captain and a soldier, according to the Lebanese Armed Forces, which condemned the attack.

Lebanese officials accused Israel of undermining attempts “to reach a solution that would restore stability, establish a comprehensive ceasefire and lead to the Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Lebanese territories.”

“The continued, deliberate, and repeated Israeli aggression against Lebanon, its people and its army only strengthen our resolve, faith and determination,” the Lebanese army said in a statement, according to the Times of Israel.

The IDF confirmed that it carried out the strike, saying the vehicle had been “moving suspiciously” in a combat zone where Israeli forces were facing threats from Hezbollah terrorists operating from Lebanon.

“The IDF had received concrete indications that Hezbollah would direct fire toward IDF soldiers from the same area,” it said in a statement on X.

“In light of the threat posed to the soldiers, the vehicle was struck.”

The strike came after an IDF soldier was killed by Hezbollah terrorists in a separate incident in southern Lebanon over the weekend.

“The IDF operates against the Hezbollah terrorist organization, not against the Lebanese Army,” the Israeli military said, adding that the incident would be reviewed.

Israel has been conducting operations against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorist group in southern Lebanon since March, after opening another front in its war against Iran.

Israel has stressed that it is not fighting the Lebanese government and said it is “not against the Lebanese Army,” which under the US-brokered ceasefire agreement reached Wednesday was expected to take control of areas in southern Lebanon that had been heavily influenced by Hezbollah.

The deadly incident involving Lebanese forces could further complicate already stalled US-led diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the wider conflict.

The U.S. dollar rose Friday, June 5, after the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that employers added 172,000 jobs in May — roughly double what economists had penciled in — a number strong enough to convince traders that the Federal Reserve may have to raise interest rates rather than cut them later this year. The greenback pushed to its highest level since April, bond yields jumped, and gold and stocks fell, all on the same simple read: the job market remains too healthy for the Fed to ease while inflation is still running hot.

The U.S. Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the dollar against a basket of six major currencies including the euro and the yen, climbed toward 99.5, near a two-month high. The Japanese yen weakened toward ¥160 per dollar, a level that has repeatedly drawn concern from Japanese officials. A stronger dollar matters far beyond currency desks — it makes American exports more expensive abroad and tends to pressure commodities such as oil and gold, which are priced globally in dollars.

Why a Good Jobs Number Lifted the Dollar

The logic runs through interest rates. When the economy adds far more jobs than expected, the Federal Reserve has less reason to lower rates and more reason to worry that a tight labor market could keep inflation elevated. Higher U.S. interest rates make dollar-denominated savings and bonds more attractive than investments in Europe or Japan, drawing money into the United States and lifting the value of the dollar.

That is exactly what played out Friday. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.3%, while average hourly earnings rose 0.3% for the month and 3.4% from a year earlier. Together with upward revisions to prior months, the report marked a third consecutive month of solid hiring and eased concerns that the labor market was slowing sharply.

Bond traders reacted quickly. Yields on two-year Treasury notes, which are especially sensitive to Federal Reserve policy expectations, climbed to roughly 4.15%, the highest level this year, while 10-year Treasury yields rose toward 4.53%. Rising Treasury yields and a rising dollar often move together, and Friday was no exception.

Markets Now See a Rate Hike, Not a Cut

The bigger shift is in what investors expect from the Federal Reserve. Interest-rate markets now indicate growing expectations that the Fed’s next move could be a rate increase rather than a cut. Traders are pricing in roughly a 60% chance of a quarter-point hike by October and a near certainty of at least one increase by the end of the year.

Only a week ago, markets were still debating the timing of future rate cuts. The change reflects stronger-than-expected economic data and persistent inflation pressures, much of which has been tied to elevated energy prices during the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict.

Jeffrey Rosenberg, senior portfolio manager at BlackRock, said the key question is whether the Federal Reserve moves before markets force its hand. So far, he said, policymakers appear to be following rather than leading market expectations.

The Federal Reserve next meets June 16–17, the first policy meeting under Chairman Kevin Warsh, who succeeded Jerome Powell in May.

The pressure could intensify next week when fresh inflation data is released. Economists expect consumer prices to show renewed upward pressure, potentially strengthening the case for the Fed to keep rates elevated or move higher.

Stalled Iran Talks Add to Dollar Demand

The dollar also benefited from continued geopolitical uncertainty. Progress in U.S.-Iran negotiations remained limited, encouraging investors to seek safety in the greenback. Historically, periods of international tension often drive capital toward U.S. assets and the dollar, a trend that has remained in place throughout much of the conflict.

The same forces that boosted the dollar weighed on other markets. Stocks opened lower, with the S&P 500 falling as investors worried that stronger economic growth could lead to higher borrowing costs. Gold and silver also retreated as rising yields reduced the appeal of assets that do not generate income.

For businesses, the stronger dollar creates both winners and losers. Importers benefit from cheaper foreign goods, and Americans traveling overseas gain additional purchasing power. Exporters, however, face a more difficult environment because their products become more expensive abroad, while multinational companies see foreign earnings reduced when converted back into stronger dollars.

With the Federal Reserve’s next move now the subject of intense debate, the dollar’s path in the coming weeks will likely depend on next week’s inflation data and whether any meaningful progress emerges in efforts to end the conflict with Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

JBizNews Desk — Markets

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

In a rare and unusual proceeding rooted in ancient segulos, a beis din in Teveria conducted the symbolic sale of the illness afflicting noted mekubal Rav Dov Kook to a non-Jew, following a practice cited in the writings of earlier poskim.

The ceremony was carried out under the supervision of the local beis din and was reportedly performed in accordance with the well-known segulah mentioned in classical seforim, including works of the Chida and the Chasam Sofer.

The development comes as the Torah world continues to daven for Rav Kook’s recovery amid concerns about his health.

As previously reported here on Matzav, earlier in the day, consultations were held regarding the possibility of adding a name to Rav Kook’s name for tefillah. Following deliberations on the matter, the mashgiach, Rav Dan Segal, advised that the name “Chizkiyahu” be added as a segulah.

All are asked to daven for Rav Chizkiyahu Dov HaKohen ben Shoshana.

{Matzav.com}

The IDF eliminated Muhanad Othman Yassin Farwana, a Hamas terrorist cell commander, in a precise overnight airstrike in southern Gaza on Saturday.

“Throughout the war and in recent days, Farwana was involved in advancing numerous terrorist attack plans against IDF troops and the State of Israel, and posed an immediate threat,” the military said in a statement.

The strike used precise munitions and aerial surveillance to minimize civilian harm. IDF troops under Southern Command remain deployed in the area per the ceasefire agreement and will continue neutralizing threats, the IDF assured.

Extensive preparations are underway for next week’s Keren Olam HaTorah gathering in Lakewood, where organizers are expecting attendance to exceed 30,000 people.

An organizer involved with the planning told TLS that a tremendous emphasis is being placed on accommodating the anticipated crowds while ensuring the safety and comfort of all attendees. Enhanced fencing, crowd-control measures, and other safety-related infrastructure are being implemented as part of the extensive preparations.

The event is being designed to accommodate men, women, and children, with special screens planned throughout the venue to allow attendees in various sections to participate in the program.

Eli Friedman of EF Productions is coordinating the event in conjunction with Township agencies and local organizations. Organizers say numerous entities are working hand-in-hand to ensure the gathering is both safe and inspirational for the thousands expected to attend.

Meanwhile, Township officials, law enforcement, emergency responders, and event planners continue to finalize logistical details, including street closures, traffic management plans, and designated parking arrangements for the many buses expected to transport yeshiva students to the event.

Additional details regarding road closures, transportation plans, and attendance guidelines are expected to be released as the event approaches.

The IDF on Motzaei Shabbos cleared for publication the names of two soldiers who lost their lives in southern Lebanon: Capt. Shachar Gamla, who succumbed to wounds sustained in combat, and Sgt. Ohad Yaari, who was killed during an operational incident that is now under investigation.

Capt. Shachar Gamla, 23, of Natur in the Golan Heights, served as deputy company commander in the elite Egoz Unit of the Commando Brigade. The IDF announced that he died from severe injuries suffered during fighting in southern Lebanon.

Sgt. Ohad Yaari, 21, of Rechovot, was a combat soldier in the Shaked Battalion of the Givati Brigade. He was killed during operational activity in southern Lebanon.

According to the IDF, Gamla was critically wounded on Thursday when a Hezbollah explosive drone struck forces operating in southern Lebanon. News of his serious condition emerged shortly before Shabbos, as doctors fought to save his life. Despite extensive medical efforts, he passed away on Shabbos, and his family was subsequently notified.

The Golan Regional Council issued a statement mourning the loss of one of its sons. “It is with great sorrow that we announce the fall in battle in Lebanon of Capt. Shachar Gamla, of blessed memory, from Natur, an officer in the Egoz reconnaissance unit. Shachar, 24, was the son of Yishai and Leah (Leah’leh), director of the Children and Youth Department at the Golan Community Center, and the older brother of Rotem and Nitzan. He was severely wounded in battle on the night between Thursday and Friday, and sadly passed away from his injuries this morning.”

The council added that “Shachar’s roots were planted deep in the soil of the Golan that he loved.” It continued: “At this difficult hour, the Golan community embraces Leah’leh, Yishai and the children, the extended family in Moshav Keshet, and the community of Natur. The council and all of the Golan salute the soldiers of the IDF who continue, even during these days, to defend the State of Israel. We hope and daven for good news and besuros tovos for all of Klal Yisroel.”

Meanwhile, details emerged regarding the death of Sgt. Yaari. According to initial reports, he was killed Friday afternoon at approximately 1:00 p.m. after being struck by a bullet discharged from a fellow soldier’s weapon in the village of Kfar Zutar al-Sharqiya in southern Lebanon.

The incident reportedly occurred inside a building being used as the forward command post of the Givati Brigade commander, from where the brigade’s operations in the area were being directed.

Military officials said the circumstances surrounding the accidental discharge remain under investigation. The Military Police Criminal Investigation Division has opened a probe, and its findings will be forwarded to military prosecutors upon completion.

Defense Minister Israel Katz paid tribute to the two fallen soldiers, saying: “With deep sorrow I mourn the fall of Sgt. Ohad Yaari, a fighter in the Givati Brigade, and Capt. Shachar Gamla, deputy company commander in the Egoz Unit, who fell in southern Lebanon.

“Ohad and Shachar, among the finest of our sons, fought to defend the State of Israel and its citizens with a profound sense of mission, responsibility and love of the land. I send my heartfelt condolences to their dear families, embrace them in this difficult hour, and pray for the complete recovery of all those wounded, in body and spirit.

“IDF soldiers continue at this very hour to operate courageously in Lebanon against the Hezbollah terrorist organization in order to eliminate threats, protect the communities of the north, and ensure the security of Israel’s citizens. The price is heavy and painful, but the determination and heroism of our soldiers to complete the mission is stronger than anything. May the memories of Ohad and Shachar be a blessing.”

{Matzav.com}

Arabs from the village of Huwara broke into a farm near the yishuv of Tapuach in the Shomron late Friday night and stole a flock of sheep, Arutz Sheva reported.

In the early morning hours, the owner of the farm discovered the theft and alerted security forces and local volunteers, who began searches.

The farm workers and volunteers followed the tracks that led to the outskirts of Huwara, where they were attacked by dozens of Arabs from the village with clubs and stones. They were forced to defend themselves with their bare hands.

In another incident, another Arab rioter threatened volunteers with a knife and rammed his vehicle into one of them and then escaped the scene.

Following the incident, some Israeli media outlets and left-wing organizations published reports claiming that “violent settlers attacked Palestinians in Huwara.”

On Motzei Shabbos, Tzafnat Farm issued a response to the biased reports. “Under the cover of Shabbos, the media and extremist left‑wing organizations chose to run a malicious campaign at the farm’s expense, presenting a partial, biased, and distorted picture, blatantly ignoring the theft of the flock and the violent attacks by the Arabs of Huwara against those who carried out searches.”

“Arabs and extremist left‑wing organizations released a biased video showing the detention of two Arabs who had participated in the attack shortly beforehand and threw stones together with dozens of other rioters.”

“Any attempt to whitewash the village of Huwara, which for years has waged a terror campaign against nearby Jewish residents, supported and mocked the murder of the brothers Hillel and Yigal Yaniv, H’Y****D, praised the massacre in Neve Yaakov and the October 7 massacre, and repeatedly carries out violent attacks against the farm, is disgraceful and dangerous. We are confident that Am Yisrael has long learned to distinguish between truth and lies, between reliable reporting and slander, and will once again stand with the settlers and not with the enemy.”

There have been countless terror attacks in Huwara, including the murder of the Yaniv brothers, H”yd, in February 2023, and the murder of a father and son from Ashdod in August 2023.

Thousands of Jews living in the Shomron are forced to drive through Huwara daily as a major thoroughfare, Route 60, passes through the town.

(YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)

Researchers at Columbia University say they have achieved a major breakthrough in gene editing by modifying the DNA of early-stage human embryos with a level of precision not previously demonstrated, the New York Times reports. The development is being hailed as a scientific milestone, but it is also renewing concerns that advances intended to prevent disease could eventually be used to engineer babies with selected traits.

Supporters of the technology argue that it could one day allow doctors to correct harmful genetic mutations before birth, potentially preventing inherited illnesses. Critics, however, warn that the same tools could pave the way for selecting characteristics unrelated to health, raising concerns about a modern form of eugenics.

Dieter Egli, the Columbia University geneticist who headed the project, said society must engage in a broader discussion about the implications of altering embryonic DNA. “As a scientist, you can provide the data for discussion, but then essentially there you stop and let others take over,” he said, according to the New York Times report.

The team relied on a technique known as base editing, a newer form of gene editing that allows scientists to change individual DNA letters with remarkable accuracy. Unlike traditional CRISPR methods, which cut DNA strands and can create unintended damage, base editing makes highly targeted corrections while avoiding many of those risks.

Even so, Dr. Egli emphasized that significant safety questions remain unresolved. “We’re not saying this is going to be used tomorrow in the clinics,” he said.

The findings have been posted online and are currently undergoing peer review before possible publication in a scientific journal.

The debate over modifying human embryos dates back more than a decade to the emergence of CRISPR technology.

Scientists first unveiled CRISPR in 2012 as a method for precisely targeting and cutting DNA. The tool rapidly transformed biological research because it offered an inexpensive and efficient way to investigate gene function by altering genetic code.

The technology soon attracted commercial interest, with biotechnology firms pursuing treatments for inherited disorders. In 2023, the Food and Drug Administration approved a CRISPR-based therapy for sickle cell disease.

Despite its success, researchers recognized that CRISPR was not flawless. In some cases, the molecular machinery missed its intended target or made cuts in unintended locations within the genome.

Those concerns did not prevent Chinese researcher He Jiankui from conducting a controversial experiment in 2018 that involved editing the DNA of human embryos.

Dr. He later said his objective was to create children resistant to HIV infection. The scientific community widely denounced the experiment, however, and Chinese authorities ultimately sentenced him to three years in prison.

In a January interview with The New York Times, Dr. He said his experiment resulted in three “healthy, beautiful babies.” Independent experts, however, have never been permitted to evaluate the children’s condition.

Several years later, in 2020, Dr. Egli and fellow researchers began examining how CRISPR behaves in human embryos.

The scientists obtained donated sperm carrying a mutation in the EYS gene, which is associated with inherited blindness. They used the sperm to fertilize healthy eggs, creating embryos that carried one normal copy of the gene and one defective version. CRISPR was then used to remove the mutated section.

Earlier research had suggested embryos might repair the damaged gene by copying information from the healthy version. Some embryos successfully completed that repair, resulting in two functional copies of EYS.

In roughly half the embryos, however, the repair process went awry. Some experienced the loss of large stretches of DNA, while others lost an entire chromosome containing the gene.

“It had absolutely catastrophic consequences,” Dr. Egli said.

For many scientists and bioethicists, those results reinforced the belief that editing human embryos remained far too dangerous to contemplate clinically.

Meanwhile, the New York Times reports, researchers continued developing safer alternatives. In 2016, Harvard geneticist David Liu and his colleagues introduced base editing, which combines CRISPR components with additional molecules to make tiny, controlled changes to DNA rather than cutting out larger sections. The technique directs cells to repair mutations with far greater precision.

Base editing has since demonstrated significant promise. Last year, doctors successfully treated a baby suffering from a potentially fatal genetic disease using a customized base-editing therapy.

Encouraged by those advances, Dr. Egli’s team decided to test the approach in human embryos.

The researchers focused on two genes. One, known as PCSK9, can contain mutations that elevate LDL cholesterol and increase the risk of heart disease. The second, HBG, plays a key role in fetal hemoglobin production.

Using donated embryos and fertilized eggs, the team introduced base-editing molecules and monitored the results. Unlike earlier CRISPR experiments, they did not observe widespread DNA destruction or chromosome loss.

Instead, the researchers successfully altered both PCSK9 and HBG. In some cases, they were able to modify both genes within the same embryo.

The process was not flawless. Occasionally, the editing molecules failed to locate their intended targets, leaving some cells unchanged while others carried the edits.

That inconsistency produced mosaic embryos, meaning different cells within the same embryo contained different versions of the gene. If such embryos were brought to term, the resulting genetic mixture could potentially cause health problems.

Despite those shortcomings, Dr. Paula Amato, a fertility specialist at Oregon Health & Science University who was not involved in the research, said the findings appeared “promising.”

She added, however, that a fuller evaluation would have to wait until the study completes peer review and appears in a scientific journal.

Ana Iltis, a bioethicist at Wake Forest University, urged caution, arguing that chromosome analysis alone may not be sufficient to assess long-term safety.

“It is possible that some of the potentially harmful effects would not be evident until after birth,” she warned, according to the the New York Times report.

Nathan Treff, chief clinical officer of Nucleus Genomics and one of the study’s co-authors, said embryo editing could eventually help IVF patients preserve embryos that would otherwise be discarded because of disease-causing mutations.

“There’s still work to do before getting to that point, but this research gets us closer,” Dr. Treff said.

Nucleus Genomics plans to help fund future phases of Dr. Egli’s work. Federal funding is generally unavailable for research involving human embryos.

Future experiments will focus on reducing mosaicism and evaluating the technique in embryos that have developed to roughly 100 cells, the stage at which fertility clinics typically freeze and genetically screen embryos.

Founded in 2021, Nucleus Genomics already offers screening services that examine embryos for thousands of inherited disorders. The company also estimates future risks for conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, while analyzing genetic markers linked to characteristics including height and intelligence.

The company drew criticism last November after launching a New York City subway advertising campaign urging prospective parents to “have your best baby.” Some geneticists have questioned the reliability of the firm’s predictions regarding traits such as intelligence.

Critics have also accused Nucleus Genomics of promoting a technologically advanced form of eugenics, an allegation the company strongly disputes.

“We see ourselves as a natural pathway for eventually bringing technologies like this into clinical care as part of a broader genetics platform — a full ‘Genetic Optimization’ stack,” Kaitlyn Gallacher, head of communications at Nucleus Genomics, wrote in an email.

Fyodor Urnov, a geneticist at the University of California, Berkeley, who was not involved in the project, said the new findings are generally consistent with previous research involving base editing in living cells.

At the same time, he argued that applying the technology to human embryos introduces unique risks. Since IVF clinics already screen embryos for genetic abnormalities, he questioned whether embryo editing is necessary given the uncertainties involved.

“Do we do what we’ve done safely and effectively 15 million times since 1978, or do we instead try something that we can never truly de-risk, and where the risks are clear?” he asked.

Dr. Urnov suggested that once perfected, the technology could attract individuals interested not only in preventing disease but also in enhancing genetic traits.

“What they are really doing is providing the ‘baby improvers’ with a how-to manual for forays beyond the ethical pale,” Dr. Urnov wrote in an email.

Whether such enhancements will ever become practical remains uncertain. Most human traits are influenced by large numbers of genes working together rather than a single genetic switch.

Dr. Egli acknowledged that attempting to edit multiple genes within one embryo increases the likelihood of errors and technical failures.

“I think you can probably combine three or four, maybe even five, but I think there’s a limit,” he said. “Where that limit is remains to be determined.”

{Matzav.com}

Three new career firefighters were officially sworn into the Jackson Township Fire Department (District #4) during a swearing-in ceremony held Friday afternoon.

James Harper Jr., Nicholas Havens, and Matthew Knierim took the oath of office before family, friends, department members, and township officials, marking the start of their careers serving the residents of Jackson.

The addition of the three firefighters strengthens the department’s ability to respond to emergencies throughout the township, including fires, motor vehicle accidents, medical emergencies, and other incidents requiring fire service response.

Retired four-star General Jack Keane argued that continued negotiations with Iran have reached a dead end, contending that Tehran is merely buying time and that renewed military action offers the most effective path forward.

Speaking on Fox News on Friday, the former Army vice chief of staff and current chairman of the Institute for the Study of War criticized the past eight weeks of talks, saying Iran’s leadership has no genuine intention of reaching an agreement.

“We have to accept the reality that’s just not going to happen,” Keane said on Fox News. “They have one motive: Stretch out negotiations as much as possible, get as close to the political situation in terms of midterm elections, and there will be less likelihood that President Trump would ever pull the trigger and go back to military operations. I believe that is their unstated strategy.”

Keane also expressed skepticism about any future agreement with Tehran, warning that even a signed deal would fail to produce lasting results and could strengthen the regime.

“We can’t throw them a financial lifeline … because then they’ll systematically reverse everything,” he said. “They’ve always cheated in the past, and they’ll cheat in the future.”

While praising President Trump’s decision to begin military operations against Iran on February 28, Keane maintained that the campaign was halted before its objectives were fully achieved.

“Look, in close to 50 years, only one president has taken consequential action against Iran and their predator behavior — and that’s President Trump,” Keane said. “Five weeks of Epic Fury and a naval blockade devastated this regime militarily and economically. They’re down, but they’re not out.”

According to Keane, U.S. and Israeli forces were only a short time away from completing critical objectives when combat operations were suspended. He added that the pause has allowed Iran time to regroup, but has also provided the United States with additional intelligence and a larger target set.

“If we go back to military operations — and I believe that’s the preferred option — we should return to full combat operations,” Keane said.

Keane dismissed suggestions that a limited military response could effectively deter Iran, arguing that Tehran would retaliate regardless of the scale of an attack.

“Iran is going to retaliate regardless of whether you go small or go big. Let’s go big,” he said. “Take down as much of their capability as we possibly can and get these guys as close to collapse as military operations can possibly achieve.”

“And then with economic pressure, we can put this regime truly on the path to collapse.”

His comments came as some U.S. military officials reportedly told The New York Post that a broader strategy targeting Iran’s most influential hardline figures may ultimately be required. Those officials reportedly questioned whether additional conventional military strikes alone would be enough to force meaningful policy changes from the regime.

The sources pointed to the deeply entrenched ideology of Iran’s hardline leadership and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, whose loyalty is centered on preserving the Islamic Revolution rather than addressing the broader interests of the Iranian population.

One source indicated that such a strategy could involve Israeli participation in targeted leadership strikes, while American forces would focus on remaining weapons infrastructure, launch sites, and other strategic targets near the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, Israeli officials have reportedly expressed support for renewed military operations. Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu publicly reiterated his support for regime change in Iran during an interview with CNBC on Thursday.

“We’ve wreaked a lot of damage to this regime, not destroyed it, but weakened it. We see the cracks propagating in the regime,” he said. “We have to help the Iranian people to bring down this regime, and that hasn’t changed.”

A transportation reform that many believed would transform the livelihoods of thousands of chareidi drivers across Israel appears headed for the scrap heap, as Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich and senior Treasury officials are reportedly blocking the legislation over a dispute involving compensation for taxi owners.

The proposal, commonly known as the “Uber Law,” would have legalized and regulated paid ride-sharing services operated through private vehicles and smartphone applications. For thousands of chareidim who currently earn income through informal “driver” networks, the legislation was viewed as a long-awaited opportunity to operate openly and legally.

Despite passing its first reading in the Knesset, the bill has stalled completely, and its supporters now fear it may never become law.

The legislation was advanced by MKs Moshe Passal, Dan Illouz, and Eitan Ginzburg and sought to bring Israel’s growing ride-sharing market under formal regulation. It would have established safety standards, insurance requirements, government oversight, and licensing rules for drivers and companies operating in the sector.

For many in the chareidi community, however, the significance of the bill extended far beyond transportation policy.

In recent years, thousands of chareidi men have turned to private driving as a source of supplemental income. Many operate through community-based networks and messaging groups, providing transportation services with flexible schedules that allow them to combine earning a living with learning or other responsibilities. Legalization of ride-sharing services was expected to significantly expand those opportunities.

Under the proposed law, drivers would have been required to meet strict standards, including maintaining a clean criminal record, holding a driver’s license for at least four years, completing periodic training courses, and providing proof of medical fitness.

The bill’s current troubles stem from fierce opposition by the taxi industry, which argues that legalization of ride-sharing services would significantly reduce the value of taxi licenses.

The original legislation included a compensation mechanism under which taxi license holders who surrendered their licenses would receive reimbursement through a dedicated fund financed by a percentage of future ride-sharing revenues. Taxi owners rejected that arrangement, insisting on immediate compensation rather than future payments.

According to sources familiar with the discussions, former Finance Ministry Director-General Ilan Rom supported the legislation and viewed it as an important step toward increasing competition in the transportation sector. His successor, Israel Malachi, is said to oppose the measure in its current form, reflecting the position of Finance Minister Smotrich.

Transportation Minister Miri Regev and her ministry have reportedly continued to support the legislation and even expressed willingness to provide immediate compensation to taxi owners in order to break the deadlock.

In an effort to save the proposal, Regev reportedly suggested temporarily funding the compensation package from other Transportation Ministry budgets, provided the Finance Ministry later reimbursed those funds. Treasury officials reportedly rejected the idea outright.

The impasse has left supporters increasingly pessimistic.

MK Moshe Passal, who led much of the bill’s advancement through the Knesset Economic Affairs Committee, has reportedly expressed deep frustration over the situation and believes the chances of passing the legislation during the current Knesset term are rapidly diminishing.

Supporters say the collapse of the bill would represent a significant missed opportunity for thousands of Israelis who rely on ride-sharing income, particularly within the chareidi community, where flexible driving arrangements have become an important source of supplemental earnings for many families.

Even beyond the budget dispute, the proposal faces an uncertain future. While the legislation could theoretically continue in the next Knesset under Israel’s continuity provisions, doing so would require the support of a future government.

Given the Finance Ministry’s current opposition and the political hurdles facing the measure, many observers believe the next coalition may have little incentive to revive it.

If the bill ultimately dies, lawmakers would either need to restart the entire legislative process from scratch or persuade the Transportation Ministry to reintroduce the proposal as government-sponsored legislation.

For now, what many chareidi drivers viewed as a pathway to legal, regulated, and expanded ride-sharing opportunities appears increasingly unlikely to become reality.

Responding to the report, the Finance Ministry stated: “If such proposals are submitted to the Finance Ministry, they will be examined both from a professional standpoint and from a budgetary standpoint.”

{Matzav.com}

A Bavarian hotel is facing a criminal investigation and has been removed from Booking.com after an Israeli family attempting to reserve a room received a message stating, “Sorry, there are no Jews allowed in our hotel.”

The family received the message on June 2 from Hotel Zum Hirschen, a 120-year-old family establishment in the Bavarian town of Lam, on the border with the Czech Republic, after attempting to book through Booking.com.

Following the message, the family filed a complaint with Booking.com and contacted Israel’s consulate general in Munich. They also lodged a complaint with the Bavarian Justice Ministry’s office for combating antisemitism, German outlet Die Welt reported. The Upper Palatinate Police Headquarters said the Regensburg Criminal Police have opened an investigation, and Booking.com removed the hotel from its platform.

The hotel initially denied sending the message, but later acknowledged that one of its employees had sent it, according to the Israeli consulate.

The hotel has since apologized, claiming the rejection was a mistake. It said it has been dealing for some time with fraudulent bookings and phishing attempts through Booking.com, and falsely assumed the booking request from Israel was one of these. In a statement on its website, the hotel said it “would like to make it unequivocally clear that we condemn all forms of discrimination,” adding that “the claim that certain groups are not welcome here is incorrect and does not reflect the facts.”

According to German journalist Tobias Huch, the hotel contacted the family directly, apologized, and provided evidence of previous phishing incidents.

The explanation did little to quiet the outrage. “Are we back in the 1930s?” said Talya Lador, Israel’s consul general to Southern Germany. “Antisemitism is not a Jewish problem. It is not an Israeli problem. It is a danger to democracy in Germany.”

Israel’s ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, told N12 News that “something must be done. When they write ‘No entry for Jews’ they are no longer hiding.”

Charlotte Knobloch, president of the Jewish Community of Munich and Upper Bavaria, said the motivation behind the message was ultimately beside the point. “In the end, it is almost secondary whether the author sent it out of hateful intent or simple thoughtlessness, because either way it describes the reality of many Jewish people, not only Israelis,” she said.

Josef Schuster, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, also condemned the message while acknowledging the hotel’s apology.

The incident follows other recent cases of hostility toward Israeli travelers. In late May, a California hotel worker asked an Israeli couple, “Are you a baby killer?” and cheered “Free Palestine” as they exited the lobby, according to viral videos of the confrontation.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

The race to build smarter artificial intelligence may have entered a new and potentially transformative phase. According to new data released by Anthropic on June 4, the company behind the popular Claude AI assistant says its own AI systems are now writing the overwhelming majority of the software code used inside the company.

If accurate, the development represents one of the strongest signs yet that artificial intelligence is beginning to accelerate its own advancement—a concept researchers have discussed for decades but have only recently started to witness in practice.

The disclosure came in a report published by the Anthropic Institute, which detailed the company’s progress toward what researchers call recursive self-improvement, the idea that AI systems can help create better versions of themselves, which can then create even more advanced successors.

The implications extend far beyond Anthropic.

If artificial intelligence can significantly speed up its own development, the pace of technological change could accelerate dramatically, affecting industries, workers, governments, investors, and policymakers worldwide.

The headline statistic immediately captured attention.

According to Anthropic, more than 80% of the code merged into the company’s systems as of May 2026 was written by Claude, its flagship AI model.

That figure represents an extraordinary jump from just a year earlier, when AI-generated code accounted for only a small percentage of the company’s development work.

Anthropic said that since launching its internal coding tools in early 2025, the productivity of its engineers has increased dramatically.

The company estimates that a typical software engineer now produces roughly eight times more code than in 2024.

The change reflects a fundamental shift in how software is being developed.

Rather than spending most of their time writing code line by line, engineers increasingly focus on defining objectives, reviewing outputs, testing systems, and making strategic decisions while AI handles much of the actual coding.

In effect, software developers are becoming managers of AI-generated work rather than creators of every line themselves.

For decades, the idea of recursive self-improvement has occupied a central place in discussions about advanced artificial intelligence.

The concept is simple but powerful.

If an AI system becomes capable of improving the software used to build itself, it could potentially help create a smarter version of itself.

That improved version could then make further improvements, creating a cycle of increasingly rapid advancement.

Some researchers view the possibility as the pathway to revolutionary scientific breakthroughs.

Others view it as one of the greatest technological risks humanity may ever face.

Anthropic stopped short of claiming it has achieved true recursive self-improvement.

However, the company presented several examples suggesting that its systems are becoming increasingly effective at assisting software development.

According to the report, Claude’s success rate on complex, open-ended engineering tasks rose from approximately 26% to 76% over a six-month period.

On another benchmark involving code optimization, Anthropic said its most advanced experimental model achieved a 52-fold performance improvement, compared with roughly fourfold improvements typically achieved by skilled human engineers working on the same challenge.

The company also described situations where Claude appeared capable of identifying better technical solutions than researchers initially pursued.

According to Anthropic, when human teams moved in unproductive directions, Claude suggested superior alternatives approximately 64% of the time, compared with only 22% in 2024.

In one particularly striking example, the company said Claude autonomously generated and deployed more than 800 software fixes addressing a longstanding category of system errors.

Anthropic estimated that manually completing the same work could have required years of engineering effort.

For businesses, the implications are enormous.

Technology companies already face intense pressure to develop AI products faster than competitors.

If AI systems themselves become powerful productivity tools for engineers, companies that effectively deploy those tools could gain significant competitive advantages.

Faster development cycles could mean quicker product launches, lower development costs, and accelerated innovation across virtually every industry touched by software.

The impact would not be limited to technology companies.

Artificial intelligence increasingly influences healthcare, finance, manufacturing, logistics, education, entertainment, and scientific research.

A meaningful increase in the speed of AI development could ripple throughout the global economy.

For software engineers, the findings reinforce a trend already becoming visible throughout the industry.

Coding remains important, but the value of engineers is increasingly shifting toward problem-solving, architecture, strategy, oversight, and quality control.

If AI can reliably write large portions of software, the most valuable human skill may become deciding what should be built rather than how to build it.

Anthropic also highlighted AI’s growing role in software quality assurance.

According to the company, automated systems now identify approximately one-third of the production bugs that previously caused issues across parts of its infrastructure.

In other words, AI is not only writing software—it is increasingly reviewing and correcting it as well.

Despite the impressive statistics, Anthropic included several important caveats.

The company acknowledged that measuring productivity through lines of code can be misleading because more code does not necessarily mean better software.

Perhaps more importantly, Anthropic emphasized that Claude still lacks what researchers often call research judgment.

While AI may be increasingly capable of solving technical problems, it remains unclear whether it can independently determine which problems are worth solving in the first place.

That distinction may prove critical.

Generating solutions is different from identifying meaningful questions.

Anthropic stressed that true recursive self-improvement has not yet arrived.

Nevertheless, the company suggested that the possibility may be closer than many observers realize.

The report arrives as lawmakers in Washington are increasingly focused on AI oversight.

Coincidentally, the same day Anthropic released its findings, a bipartisan group of members of Congress unveiled draft legislation aimed at creating a federal framework for regulating artificial intelligence.

The timing highlights how concerns surrounding AI capability, safety, transparency, and governance are becoming central policy issues.

For investors, businesses, and policymakers alike, Anthropic’s report offers both excitement and caution.

The prospect of dramatically accelerated innovation could unlock extraordinary economic growth and technological breakthroughs.

At the same time, the speed of that progress raises questions about oversight, accountability, and society’s ability to adapt.

Whether Anthropic’s findings ultimately represent the beginning of a technological revolution or simply another milestone along AI’s development path remains uncertain.

What is becoming increasingly clear, however, is that artificial intelligence is no longer just helping humans write software.

It is beginning to help build the very systems that may define the future of technology itself.

JBizNews Desk — Technology

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This post was originally published on this site.

LOS ANGELES (VINnews) – In a disturbing display of antisemitic vitriol that has drawn swift backlash from Jewish leaders and pro-Israel advocates, fringe California gubernatorial candidate Alicia Lapp launched her campaign with acts widely condemned as hateful incitement against Jews and the Jewish state.

Lapp, a Republican who garnered a negligible 0.1% of the vote in California’s June 2 primary, appeared in videos burning the Israeli flag and calling for the deportation — or imprisonment — of “every single Zionist,” equating support for Israel with treason.

“Zionists” in this context serves as a thinly veiled antisemitic slur targeting Jews who support their ancestral homeland’s right to exist and defend itself, a core tenet of Jewish identity for millions worldwide. Jewish organizations have long warned that such rhetoric echoes dangerous historical tropes blaming Jews for societal ills.

In one video, Lapp stood beside a burning Israeli flag while promoting her “America First” platform, falsely blaming Israel’s existence for California’s crises of homelessness, failing schools and infrastructure — a baseless conspiracy theory that deflects from the state’s own policy failures under decades of Democratic leadership.

Critics, including Jewish activists, compared her statements to those of other extremists who have called for placing Jews in camps, drawing painful parallels to the Holocaust. Lapp’s rhetoric has been slammed as pure Jew-hatred masquerading as political commentary.

California’s Jewish community, already grappling with a surge in antisemitic incidents, expressed outrage. The state recorded hundreds of antisemitic attacks in recent years, including harassment, vandalism and violence against synagogues and Jewish institutions. Leaders stress that such hateful campaigns have no place in American politics and only embolden those who wish harm to Jews.

Lapp’s poor showing at the polls reflects the American public’s rejection of such bigotry. Mainstream candidates across parties have reaffirmed support for the Jewish community and Israel’s security amid rising global threats from Iran-backed terrorists and their ideological allies.

Jewish voters and allies in California and beyond are urged to remain vigilant against antisemitism in all its forms, whether from the far-left or fringe right. Support for candidates who stand firmly against Jew-hatred and for the safety of Jewish communities remains essential.

VINnews will continue monitoring this story and the broader fight against antisemitism in American politics.