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A candidate for the U.S. Senate from Maine denied on Tuesday that his totenkopf “death’s head” tattoo indicated that he had or has neo-Nazi or antisemitic views.

Graham Platner, a former Marine and oyster farmer who is running as a Democrat to unseat Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), told Jewish Insider that he was previously unaware of the symbol’s meaning and plans to get the tattoo removed.

“It was not until I started hearing from reporters and D.C. insiders that I realized this tattoo resembled a Nazi symbol,” Platner said. “I absolutely would not have gone through life having this on my chest if I knew that, and to insinuate that I did is disgusting.”

A video published on the Pod Save America podcast on Monday shows Platner in 2015 in his underwear with a chest tattoo of the emblem of the unit responsible for administering Nazi Germany’s death camps.

“The video is from my brother’s marriage to his wife, to my sister-in-law, who I was serenading. I told them that my wedding gift to them would be my embarrassment,” Platner said. “I am not a secret Nazi. Actually, if you read through my Reddit comments, I think you can pretty much figure out where I stand on Nazism and antisemitism, and racism in general. I would say a lifelong opponent.”

The Maine Democrat, who has been embraced by many from the progressive wing of the party, has previously faced controversy over his Reddit comments describing himself as a “Communist,” a label he now rejects.

Platner said he got the tattoo on shore leave from U.S. Marine Corps service in 2007 in Split, Croatia, and drunkenly picked what he said he thought was an innocuous skull and crossbones.

“At no point in this entire experience of my life did anybody ever once say, ‘Hey, you’re a Nazi,’” he said. “It never came up until we got wind that in the opposition research somebody was shopping the idea that I was a secret Nazi with a hidden Nazi tattoo.”

Jewish Insider reported on Tuesday that Platner had previously told an acquaintance in 2012 that he was aware of the symbol’s origin, saying “Oh, this is my totenkopf,” in “a cutesy little way.”

Platner is running in the Democratic primary against Maine Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, to unseat Collins, the incumbent Republican.

His campaign ads have repeatedly focused on the endorsement of Collins from AIPAC, and his platform describes the Israeli war against Hamas as a “genocide.”

“We are sending American taxpayer dollars to underwrite the starvation of Gaza, in what can only be accurately described as a genocide,” Platner wrote.

“I stand with all people seeking peace, democracy and self-determination,” he added. “In this moment, that means a clear-eyed condemnation of the Gaza genocide, and the use of every means available to America to bring it to an end.” JNS

{Matzav.com}

A late-night scare unfolded in Washington on Tuesday when a driver slammed his vehicle into a security barrier near the White House, prompting an immediate law enforcement response.

According to officials, the collision occurred at approximately 10:37 p.m. when the vehicle struck a gate at one of the entrances to the White House complex. “The man was immediately arrested by officers from the Secret Service’s uniformed division,” the agency reported in a statement.

After the arrest, investigators conducted a full inspection of the vehicle. “Investigators searched his car and deemed it to be safe,” the Secret Service said, confirming that no threat was found on the scene.

Authorities have yet to release the driver’s name or discuss a possible motive behind the incident, and officials said additional details would be provided as the investigation continues.

{Matzav.com}

Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman accused Curtis Sliwa of staying in the NYC mayoral race to milk his campaign funds to finance his lifestyle. Sliwa has defied calls for him to drop out, despite growing pressure.

ICE Director Todd Lyons warned that immigration arrests in New York City are about to rise sharply, citing the large number of criminal illegal aliens who have recently been released in the city.

Panic spread through Monsey and on social media Wednesday morning after messages claimed a newborn named “Malkie” was found with a handwritten Yiddish note begging someone to care for her. The note reads: “This child is named Malkie. She is Jewish! Please care for her! Us, her parents, didn’t have the ability to do so. Thanks!” However, Monsey Scoop confirmed the entire story is false. Law enforcement agencies across Rockland County and Hamaspik officials all stated they have no record or investigation of any such incident. Authorities say the viral post is a complete fabrication and urge the public to verify information before spreading unconfirmed rumors. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

In the wake of the devastating car crash that claimed the lives of four yeshiva bochurim on Sunday, Rav Yaakov Bender, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Darchei Torah in Far Rockaway, sent a heartfelt and urgent message to parents and staff, pleading with the community to drive with greater care and vigilance.

Addressing the letter to the broader community, Rav Bender decried the increasingly reckless driving in local neighborhoods. He noted that although new speed bumps have been installed, they are “not enough.” “Please drive carefully! Be aware every minute!” he wrote, emphasizing that every small act of caution can prevent tragedy.

Rav Bender recalled several recent near-misses and fatal incidents in the area, writing that four pedestrians have been killed locally in recent years. “No one in this neighborhood should be driving over 20 miles per hour,” he stressed. He described witnessing a close call himself “just this Monday morning, after shul,” when a car “came around the corner too fast and nearly hit a man.” “Baruch Hashem, a tragedy was averted,” he added.

He also shared a heartbreaking story of a driver traveling just 10 miles per hour who fatally struck a child who ran into the street. “It was certainly not the fault of the driver,” Rav Bender wrote, “but these two families live with this every single day.”

Calling for immediate change, he urged, “We must IMMEDIATELY improve our driving habits. I don’t care if you are rushing for carpool, if your daughter will be late for school — it doesn’t matter.” He reminded parents to drive hands-free when using phones and to avoid texting behind the wheel, adding that headlights should be kept on both day and night. He also cautioned against allowing children to ride scooters recklessly or without helmets.

Acknowledging the intensity of his message, Rav Bender concluded, “I am sorry for the harsh tone, but if we save one person, it is worth it. We never know the life we save. I am begging people to drive carefully — and teach your children the same!”

The Rosh Yeshiva ended his letter with a heartfelt bracha: “Im Yirtzeh Hashem, Hakadosh Baruch Hu will watch over us and we will be healthy and safe.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump confirmed that his planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin was being postponed, saying he didn’t want to proceed unless it would lead to real progress toward peace in Ukraine. “I don’t want to have a wasted meeting,” Trump said. “I don’t want to have a waste of time — so we’ll see what happens.”

The meeting, which was scheduled to take place in Budapest, Hungary, was put on hold after a Monday phone call between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The decision marked another twist in Trump’s unpredictable efforts to mediate an end to the war that has raged in Ukraine for nearly four years.

Trump’s decision to hit pause came as European leaders privately expressed relief. Allies such as the leaders of Britain, France, and Germany have accused Putin of using diplomatic talks to buy time while continuing his military advance. They have also opposed any push for Ukraine to surrender occupied land in exchange for peace — an idea Trump has floated at various times.

Meanwhile, the European Union is pressing ahead with plans to tap billions of dollars in frozen Russian assets to help fund Ukraine’s defense, despite concerns about the legal implications of such a move.

The last meeting between Trump and Putin, held in Alaska in August, yielded no breakthrough. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated there was no rush to hold another summit, saying that “preparation is needed, serious preparation” before any new talks could take place.

Trump hinted that he might revisit the idea of meeting Putin soon, saying a decision would be made “in the coming days.”

In Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been lobbying Washington for long-range Tomahawk missiles to strengthen his country’s defenses. Trump has been noncommittal about approving the request. “We need to end this war, and only pressure will lead to peace,” Zelenskyy said in a Telegram post on Tuesday.

Zelenskyy said Putin’s renewed outreach came only when the potential U.S. missile delivery appeared imminent. “As soon as the pressure eased a little, the Russians began to try to drop diplomacy, postpone the dialogue,” he said.

Trump is set to meet Wednesday with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House. A senior official, speaking anonymously, said no details were available about the president’s agenda for that discussion. NATO has been coordinating weapons deliveries to Ukraine, largely funded by Canada and European countries. Later in the week, representatives from 35 pro-Ukraine nations — the so-called Coalition of the Willing — are scheduled to meet in London.

Throughout the year, Trump’s position on the conflict has shifted repeatedly. Early on, he urged Ukraine to compromise, but frustration with Putin’s refusal to budge led him to harden his stance. Trump often laments that his personal rapport with Putin didn’t translate into an easier path to peace.

Just last month, Trump stunned observers by reversing his long-held view that Ukraine should cede territory, suggesting instead that Kyiv could reclaim all land lost to Russian forces. But after a call with Putin and a subsequent meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump appeared to change course again, urging both sides to “stop where they are.”

By Sunday, Trump had gone further, declaring that the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine should be “cut up,” effectively endorsing a partition that would leave most of the area under Russian control.

Speaking Monday, Trump said he still believed Ukraine might one day defeat Russia but added that he was increasingly skeptical.

European and Ukrainian officials have been working to keep Trump aligned with their goals. “We strongly support President Trump’s position that the fighting should stop immediately, and that the current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations,” read a joint statement from allied leaders. “We can all see that Putin continues to choose violence and destruction.”

But Moscow signaled it was not interested in halting the war. Lavrov told reporters Tuesday that a ceasefire would contradict what Trump and Putin had agreed to in Alaska. Trump had entered that meeting hoping to persuade Putin to pause hostilities but was rebuffed, as Moscow insisted on a full-scale settlement instead.

Russia still occupies about 20 percent of Ukrainian territory, and Kyiv has made clear that it rejects any plan requiring it to relinquish land for peace. Western leaders warn that freezing the conflict along current front lines would simply give Moscow a platform for future offensives.

In a joint declaration on Tuesday, the leaders of Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Poland, Denmark, and EU institutions called for unity in maintaining diplomatic pressure. Zelenskyy said Monday that the week would be “very active in diplomacy.”

The European Union is expected to consider new sanctions at a summit in Brussels on Thursday. “We must ramp up the pressure on Russia’s economy and its defense industry, until Putin is ready to make peace,” the leaders’ statement said.

{Matzav.com}

Rabbi Chaim Frances & Rabbi Yitzchak Elefant  Question: An employee regularly stays late at the office to meet project deadlines. Over time, he observed that he is often the only male present, with just a few female colleagues also remaining. At what point does this situation raise concerns of Yichud, and what practical steps should be taken to address it in accordance with halachic guidelines? Answer: To address the question, we first must determine whether this is a scenario of Yichud, we can then address some of the practical solutions. 1] If there is one man and only 1 or 2 women present this would constitute Yichud[1]. If there is one man and 3 women present, one should still act stringently, however, as long as they are all[2] not leeboi gas buh (see section 6 for a classification of when a relationship is considered leboi gas buh) in cases of necessity it would not constitute Yichud[3]. Generally, if two men are present, the situation is not considered yichud[4]. However, if the men are porutzim, the prohibition of yichud applies regardless of their number (see footnote[5]). 2] If the situation does constitute Yichud, it may be permissible if one of several halachic exemptions (heterim) applies. The heter of yotzei v’nichnas (intermittent entry)[6]. It is a scenario of Pesach Pesuach (an open or accessible door). The heter of baalah ba’ir (the woman’s husband being present in the same city). 3] The heter of yotzei v’nichnas applies when there is a reasonable likelihood that someone may enter the room or office at any time—such as another employee returning to retrieve materials or finish work. The fear of someone walking in creates a natural deterrent, thereby removing the Yichud concern (however, this only serves as a valid heter if the individual who may enter would resolve the Yichud problem—such as another male or a third female[7]) This heter applies even in a case where there is a libo gas bah relationship amongst the parties[8]. 4] If no one is expected to enter, the heter of pesach pasuach[9] may still be relevant. This principal —literally “an open door”—means that the concern of being seen can deter inappropriate behavior, even without an actual person entering.  However, there is significant debate among the Poskim about the parameters of this heter.  According to the strictest opinion [10] it only applies if the door is physically open and faces a public area where people can see inside. If the door is closed, or if the location is one where people generally do not pass by, the heter would not apply. Therefore, in our scenario, for the Heter to apply, there must be other individuals who regularly occupy the building and have a direct line of sight into the office .A more lenient opinion[11] that even a closed but unlocked door is sufficient[12]. The reasoning is that the fear of someone walking in serves as a sufficient deterrent. There is a debate on how to understand the more lenient opinion regarding how likely it must be for someone to walk in for this heter to apply. Some[13] maintain that it must be common for people to enter homes or offices without explicit permission; otherwise, the deterrent factor is minimal. Others are more lenient and rule that as long as an […]

More than 100 illegal entrants crossed an Israeli security fence this week, prompting Israel Police and IDF troops to quickly deploy to secure nearby communities and apprehend the infiltrators.

A 70-year-old man opened fire near Serbia’s Parliament in Belgrade, wounding a passerby before setting ablaze a tent used by President Vučić’s supporters and hurling ammunition into the fire.

A 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck near Quepos, Costa Rica, late last night, about 58 kilometers south of San José, shaking the entire region.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to arrive in Israel tomorrow for a two-day visit.

At least 63 people were killed and several others injured in a multi-vehicle crash on the Kampala-Gulu Highway near Kitaleba village in Uganda.

Vice President Vance and Ambassador Huckabee meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Katz, Foreign Minister Sa’ar, and Strategic Affairs Minister Dermer in the Prime Minister’s office.

The IDF says an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon earlier today killed Issa Ahmad Karbala, a platoon commander in Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force, who was allegedly involved in transporting weapons and planning attacks against Israel.

The Knesset’s State Control Committee voted down a proposal to create a state commission of inquiry into the Hamas assault of October 7, 2023, effectively halting the opposition’s push for an independent and comprehensive investigation into the failures that preceded and accompanied the massacre.

Lawmakers from the ruling coalition—including members of Likud, Shas, and United Torah Judaism—voted against the measure, while representatives from opposition factions Yesh Atid, Blue and White, and Ra’am supported it.

Had it passed, the initiative would have empowered an official panel, operating under the State Comptroller Law, to examine the chain of events surrounding the Hamas-led atrocities that left approximately 1,200 dead and 251 kidnapped—Israel’s most devastating security and intelligence breakdown in decades—along with the government’s conduct during the ensuing war.

Opposition Knesset members blasted the decision as a moral abdication of responsibility. Democratic Union MK Efrat Rayten Marom said that accountability “lies squarely with Netanyahu,” adding that the Prime Minister’s Office’s failure to send a representative to the hearing was “a disgrace.”

Committee chairman Mickey Levy of Yesh Atid cautioned that without a formal inquiry, “public trust will continue to erode.”

The move sparked outrage among families of the victims and hostages. Reut Edri, whose son Ido was killed at the Nova music festival, said, “There can be no revival [of the country] without responsibility and a real investigation.”

The October Council, a group representing more than 200 bereaved families, accused the government of “burying the truth,” declaring that “the grace period for the Knesset is over,” and pledging to maintain public pressure until a full state inquiry is established.

The government, meanwhile, is reportedly weighing the option of forming its own internal committee to examine the events of October 7 and the ensuing war, rather than appointing an independent state commission. Recent surveys indicate that a clear majority of Israelis support the establishment of a formal state commission of inquiry.

{Matzav.com}

Tucker Carlson is facing widespread backlash after he gave airtime to a baseless and antisemitic conspiracy theory claiming Jewish people were genetically immune to COVID-19. “There was a finding in a scientific publication that two different populations … of people of Jewish ancestry — depending on which line they’re from — one was more heavily impacted than the others,” Huff said. Carlson replied, “You mean Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews.”

NETANYAH: ‘One week they say that Israel controls the United States. A week later they say the United States controls Israel’ ‘This is hogwash. We have a partnership’

WATCH: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in joint statements with U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance at the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem.

Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office releases footage of him and his wife Sara greeting US Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance at his office in Jerusalem.