The U.S. Senate has passed the Rescissions Act with $9 billion in DOGE cuts, which includes clawbacks from NPR, PBS and USAID. The bill now heads to the U.S. House for a final vote.
The UK government has said it plans to lower the voting age from 18 to 16 for general elections, after pledging to make the change ahead of last year’s polls.
At least 50 people were killed when a massive fire broke out at a shopping mall in the eastern Iraqi city of Kut.
A few hours ago, Lebanese media reported an Israeli drone strike targeted a vehicle between the southern towns of Kfour and Toul.
During a press appearance on Wednesday, President Donald Trump revealed that he is preparing to issue tariff notifications to approximately 150 countries, as part of his broader economic strategy that has already generated over $100 billion from existing tariffs on foreign nations.
The announcement came as Trump met at the White House with Bahrain’s Crown Prince, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. During their nearly 30-minute conversation, which the White House later released on video, Trump addressed his ongoing tariff efforts and upcoming actions.
“These 150 countries are ones we’re really not negotiating with and they’re smaller. We don’t do much business with,” Trump said, clarifying that the forthcoming notices will apply to nations with limited trade relationships with the U.S.
He went on to explain, “We’re just going to send a notice of payment out, and the notice of payment is going to say what the tariff (is) and it’s all going to be the same for everyone for that group.” He added, “They don’t do that much business. It’s not like the ones that we’ve agreed with, like China, like Japan, where we’re negotiating with them.”
The president’s tariff policy—part of what he dubbed “America’s Liberation Day” back in April—calls for a baseline 10% duty on all foreign nations, with room to increase that rate depending on specific circumstances. Trump enacted the measure under a national emergency declaration, a move that congressional Democrats are actively trying to roll back.
Larger economies, such as those in the European Union, have already been notified that their tariff rates may rise, with an August 1 implementation date looming. Talks between the U.S. and EU members have intensified in recent weeks, as both sides brace for possible escalations. European nations have warned of retaliatory tariffs on American goods, and Trump has threatened to respond with levies of up to 30% if a satisfactory trade agreement isn’t reached.
The president also took the opportunity to highlight the role of U.S. energy production in stabilizing global and domestic markets. “We’re number one in the world in oil,” Trump stated. “And we’re drilling. And today it hit $64 a barrel, which is great, and that’ll help stop wars.”
Just a day earlier, Trump visited Pennsylvania, where he touted $92 billion in private sector investment aimed at ramping up energy development and advancing artificial intelligence technologies as part of the country’s growing economic focus.
{Matzav.com}
A fire engulfed a newly opened shopping center in eastern Iraq, killing more than 60 people, including children, Iraqi officials said Thursday. Civil defense teams rescued more than 45 people who became trapped when the fire broke out late Wednesday in the city of Kut in Wasit province, the Interior Ministry said in a statement. Others are still missing, according to the state-run Iraqi News Agency. Photographs and videos on local media showed the Corniche Hypermarket Mall, a five-story shopping center that had opened only a week earlier, fully engulfed in flames. While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, officials and residents alleged that lack of fire safety measures in the building contributed to the scale of the tragedy. Iraq’s Ministry of Interior said in a statement that 61 people died in the shopping center fire, most of them from suffocation. Among the dead were 14 charred bodies that remain unidentified, it said. Provincial Gov. Mohammed al-Miyahi declared three days of mourning. He said legal cases were filed against the building owner and shopping center owner, but did not specify what the charges were. “We assure the families of the innocent victims that we will not be lenient with those who were directly or indirectly responsible for this incident,” al-Mayyeh said. In a phone interview with The Associated Press, al-Miyahi called the fire “a heartbreaking tragedy for the people of Wasit” and alleged that the building owner had not implemented the necessary fire safety measures when he converted it into a shopping center. He said that no government official has resigned or been dismissed as a result of the fire, and that they are currently awaiting the results of the investigation. The results of the preliminary investigation will be released within 48 hours, he said. The building owner could not immediately be reached for comment. Poor building standards have often contributed to tragic fires in Iraq. In July 2021, a blaze at a hospital in the Iraqi city of Nasiriyah that killed between 60 to 92 people was determined to have been fueled by highly flammable, low-cost type of “sandwich panel” cladding that is illegal in Iraq. In 2023, more than 100 people died in a fire at a wedding hall in the predominantly Christian area of Hamdaniya in Nineveh province after the ceiling panels above a pyrotechnic machine burst into flames. Abdul Redha Thahab, 60, a resident of Kut, said the fire was deeply painful for the community. “My friend and neighbor’s family, who lived right next to my house — a family of six, the husband, his wife, their two daughters, and two young children — all perished in the fire,” he said. Thahab said the building lacked fire safety measures, including emergency exit stairways. Residents of the neighborhood had joined firefighters in battling the blaze because there were not enough fire trucks to quickly control it, he said. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani visited the site of the fire Thursday. He did not speak publicly at the site, but said in a statement that he had directed the interior minister to go to investigate and take measures to prevent a recurrence. (AP)
When Akiva Zuravin set out to develop Jerusalem Estates, he wasn’t simply building luxury apartments—he was making a statement. Tucked into the historic Schneller compound in the heart of the frum neighborhoods and within walking distance of prominent Chassidic centers, Jerusalem Estates became more than just a sought-after address. It became a symbol of what’s possible when vision, values, and execution align. “We weren’t just creating buildings,” Zuravin reflects. “We were shaping something that felt deeply connected to its surroundings—authentic, beautiful, and thoughtfully done.” It was that mindset that set Jerusalem Estates apart—and that continues to define Zuravin’s approach today. With Ir Olam, his most ambitious development yet, the goal is even broader: not just to build homes, but to shape the rhythm of modern life in Jerusalem. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION Located adjacent to Givat Shaul, Kiryat Moshe, and Beit Hakerem, and minutes away from Har Nof, Ir Olam rises from the grounds of the old flour mill—once an industrial area and now envisioned as one of Jerusalem’s most forward-looking quarters for living, working, and gathering. Where Jerusalem Estates was a residential landmark, Ir Olam is a full-scale quarter, featuring three luxury residential towers, two LEED Platinum-certified office buildings, a boutique shopping boulevard, green rooftops, shuls, co-working areas, a school, and a central piazza designed to foster everyday connection. But beyond design and functionality lies a deeper intention: community. At Jerusalem Estates, Zuravin prioritized buyers who shared common values—people who could not only live alongside one another but thrive together. That same care is being applied at Ir Olam. “When people share the same rhythm of life,” Zuravin explains, “the entire experience becomes more meaningful. The gym, the shul, the party room—they’re not just amenities. They’re points of connection.” In Ir Olam, where residents will share workspaces, rooftops, lounges, and lifestyle services, community isn’t just a feature—it’s part of the architecture. The goal is a natural, respectful cohesion that allows for privacy and belonging to coexist. The project was conceived by Yashar Architects, whose signature blends functionality with elegance, and is being built to international standards of environmental sustainability and urban planning. Every detail has been thoughtfully considered, with user experience at the core. Crafted for those who know. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
The ministers of Shas began to submit their letters of resignation from the government to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Thursday morning in accordance with the decision of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas on Wednesday. The first to resign were Religious Services Minister Michael Malkieli and Welfare Minister Ya’akov Margi. Shortly later, the other Shas ministers submitted their resignation letters, including Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, Health Minister Uriel Busso, Labor Minister Yoav Ben-Tzur, Deputy Agricultural Minister Moshe Abutbul, and Minister in the Education Ministry Chaim Biton
New York City’s Democratic mayoral nominee, Zohran Mamdani, made his way to Washington, D.C. on Wednesday as part of an effort to strengthen ties with key figures in the national party, particularly those who remain hesitant about his candidacy.
Mamdani, a 33-year-old member of the New York State Assembly, emerged victorious in June’s Democratic primary, defeating high-profile contender Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo, undeterred, has since revealed his intention to pursue an independent bid for mayor.
Mamdani’s unexpected win sent shockwaves through political circles well beyond New York City, with many observers wondering whether his ascent as a self-proclaimed democratic socialist signals a broader ideological shift within the Democratic Party.
In Washington—where politics is the air people breathe—Mamdani was spotted enjoying a morning meetup with Democratic lawmakers, receiving praise and congratulations over coffee and bagels.
“Mamdani ‘got an energetic and welcoming reception in DC this morning,’ Rep. Robert Garcia, D-California, wrote in a post. ‘Proud of our Democratic nominee for NYC Mayor. Let’s win!’”
According to Politico, the breakfast session, which lasted close to two hours, centered on campaign strategy and how Mamdani’s victory could influence the party’s future direction.
The gathering was organized by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a fellow New Yorker and high-profile democratic socialist. Later that day, Mamdani shared a lighthearted moment with Sen. Bernie Sanders, the progressive stalwart, following his meetings with House and Senate Democrats.
Both Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders had thrown their support behind Mamdani during his primary campaign, signaling strong backing from the party’s progressive wing.
“’It’s a wake-up call for the Democratic Party establishment, should they choose to listen,’” said Stephanie Taylor, cofounder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, in an interview with USA TODAY.
“’It’s voters saying very clearly what they want and offering a direction for how the Democratic Party can start to win again.’”
Still, Mamdani’s triumph hasn’t sat well with every Democrat.
“’Socialist Zohran Mamdani is too extreme to lead New York City,’” said Rep. Laura Gillen, D-New York, in a statement released shortly after the election results were announced.
Top-ranking Democrats from New York, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have not yet publicly supported Mamdani. Politico noted that Jeffries, who was reportedly not present at Wednesday’s meeting, is holding off until he has a one-on-one discussion with the nominee.
Speaking to reporters on July 15, Ocasio-Cortez expressed frustration over the lack of unity in the party.
“’Democrats support the Democratic nominee,’ she said.”
“’For me, my principles are consistent. I supported Sen. Bernie Sanders in 2020,’ she added. After Joe Biden won the Democratic presidential primary that year, ‘I got behind our presidential nominee because I’m a Democrat and I believe that our party is stronger when we are united.’”
{Matzav.com}
In a recently unearthed podcast interview, Democratic mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani argued that the NYPD should not be the ones responding to domestic violence incidents.
During a 2020 episode of the Immigrantly podcast—highlighted this week by the Washington Free Beacon—the 33-year-old progressive, who identifies as a democratic socialist, explained his concerns about how police involvement in these sensitive cases could lead to unnecessary escalation.
“If somebody is surviving, going through domestic violence – there are so many different, different situations that would far better be handled by people trained to deal with those specific situations as opposed to an individual with a gun who has received quite a limited amount of training in general, but also in regards to these specific situations,” the Queens-based politician said.
Mamdani extended that same reasoning to other low-level public encounters, asserting that police should not be dispatched to handle individuals experiencing homelessness on the subway or those committing minor infractions like jaywalking. He warned that what begins as a small issue can spiral into deadly force when handled by armed officers.
Mamdani initially gained political traction with a successful run for the New York State Assembly in 2020, setting the stage for his more recent victory in the Democratic primary for mayor, where he emerged from a crowded field of contenders.
“We find so many people who are having a mental breakdown, or people who are just trying to sleep on the train, or people who are just suffering through something in their lives,” Mamdani said in the same podcast appearance. “And instead of receiving a helping hand they were shot, they were Tased, they were killed.”
As part of his mayoral platform, Mamdani is calling for the creation of a new Department of Community Safety with a $1 billion budget. This agency would take over duties currently performed by police officers, especially when it comes to handling mental health emergencies and other sensitive cases.
LISTEN:
{Matzav.com}
Only about one-quarter of U.S. adults say that President Donald Trump’s policies have helped them since he took office, according to a new poll that finds underwhelming marks for him on key issues, including the economy, immigration, government spending and health care. In fact, the Republican president fails to earn majority approval on any of the issues included in the poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. He’s even slipped slightly since earlier this year on immigration, which has consistently been a strength for him in his second term. And while a majority of Americans do see Trump as at least “somewhat” capable of getting things done following the passage of his sprawling budget bill, fewer believe he understands the problems facing people like them. Most don’t see positive impact from Trump’s policies Roughly half of U.S. adults report that Trump’s policies have “done more to hurt” them since his second term began six months ago, the survey found. About 2 in 10 say his policies have “not made a difference” in their lives, with about one-quarter saying his policies have “done more to help” them. The vast majority of Democrats and about half of independents say Trump’s policies have had a negative impact, while even many Republicans say they haven’t seen positive effects. “As it sits today, I don’t know his policies have made much of a difference in my day-to-day life,” said Landon Lindemer, a 29-year-old logistics manager from suburban Atlanta who voted for Trump three times. Lindemer said he generally approves of Trump’s job performance, even if he has concerns about the massive spending in the big bill the president signed into law on July 4. “I’m not sold it’s really going to help,” he said. Low but steady presidential approval ratings The mixed reviews on Trump’s policies come as he struggles to follow through on key campaign promises, including lowering costs for working-class Americans, preserving popular social welfare programs like Medicaid, ending foreign wars and lowering government spending. Inflation rose last month to its highest level since February as Trump’s sweeping tariffs push up the cost of everything from groceries and clothes to furniture and appliances. Separately, Trump’s budget bill included Medicaid cuts that will lead to 11.8 million more Americans becoming uninsured and add $3.3 trillion to the national debt, the Congressional Budget Office estimated. At the same time, violent conflicts still rage in Israel and Ukraine. Overall, the new poll finds that about 4 in 10 U.S. adults approve of Trump’s job performance, a figure that’s in line with his June approval but historically weak compared with recent presidents. Closer to half of U.S. adults approved of President Joe Biden and President Barack Obama at roughly the same point in their Democratic presidencies, according to polls from AP-NORC and Gallup, although Biden’s approval rating declined in the second half of his first year and remained low for the rest of his time in office. Poll respondent Bailey Neill, a 42-year-old attorney from San Antonio, said he was “terrified” of Trump. Neill, a Democrat who describes himself as a “student of history,” cast Trump as an authoritarian who has followed the controversial playbook outlined in Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for transformative changes across the federal government that Trump tried to distance himself from before the November election. “In terms of my day-to-day life, I really haven’t seen a change, except for the […]
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir on Thursday morning attended a hearing at the Supreme Court regarding the petition of the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) against the conditions of terrorists in Israeli prisons. Deputy Minister Almog Cohen and Likud MK Tally Gotliv also attended the hearing, along with right-wing activists. Before the start of the hearing, one of the left-wing activists called Ben Gvir names and created a disturbance—and was removed from the courthouse by the court security. Ben Gvir said before the hearing, “While our hostages are in hell—hungry, beaten, suffering severe torment and eating a quarter of a pita a day—the Supreme Court justices are choosing to deal this morning with the rights of terrorists. Instead of discussing how to strengthen deterrence, they are asking themselves whether the sausage in prison is processed meat and whether the murderers’ menu is balanced, healthy, and contains enough vitamins.” “It’s not just detached – it’s crazy and delusional. The State of Israel is at war, and while our soldiers are risking their lives, the Supreme Court is busy with discussions of a group of delusional and hypocritical people—’The Association for Civil Rights’, who want to take care of terrorists who raped, murdered, and slaughtered our children.” He added, “I am proud that I changed the policy in prisons. They used to enter thin and leave fat—they had everything in prisons: baklava, shawarma, and lamb—for murderers, for people who raped and slaughtered. And I am so proud that I changed that, and I hope that the Supreme Court will not put a spoke in the wheels on this matter. “The changes in prisons have led to deterrence, have led to terrorists no longer wanting to enter prisons. And I am here today to ensure that the Supreme Court does not dare to change this very correct thing. “We have the policy to give the minimum of the minimum—it works, it deters, and it must continue.” Attorney Yehuda Puah, chairman of the B’Tzalmo organization that represents the families of some of the hostages, said: “The terrorists lost weight? Whoever weighed 130 kilograms should be grateful that they were put on a diet and reached a normal weight at the expense of the state. The court must also allow the families of the hostages to have their say and not only ‘civil rights’ organizations that defend Nukhba terrorists.” (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)
A report aired early Thursday by the Arab news outlet Al-Ghad, headquartered in Cairo, claimed that Hamas has agreed to a revised Israeli withdrawal proposal during negotiations held in Doha. This updated plan, which includes a pullback from the strategic Morag Corridor, was reportedly accepted by Hamas.
The development allegedly marks a key shift in the talks, which had been stalled until Israel changed its initial proposal. That earlier map was retracted following diplomatic pressure from Steve Witkoff, the U.S. Middle East envoy.
According to Al-Ghad, the new proposal outlines that Israeli forces will maintain a position 1.2 kilometers north of the Philadelphi Corridor and approximately 1.1 kilometers from key northern and eastern zones of Gaza.
The report suggested that the upcoming round of negotiations, scheduled for Thursday, will concentrate on hammering out the terms of a hostage release deal. Witkoff is also expected to travel to the region in the coming days to possibly announce a finalized agreement.
As of now, Israeli officials or other involved parties have not confirmed the details cited in the Al-Ghad report.
These reports surfaced just hours after President Donald Trump signaled potential movement in the long-running talks with Hamas over a hostage exchange.
Speaking during a signing ceremony at the White House, Trump remarked, “We have good news on Gaza.”
He acknowledged the efforts of Steve Witkoff and said, “We have some good news on Gaza and good news on a couple of things that we’re working on at a very high level.”
Although Trump refrained from elaborating, his remarks followed similar optimism voiced by a senior political insider who suggested that a breakthrough with Hamas could be close.
“More likely than not, we will reach a deal. A hostage deal is within reach. I don’t know how much longer this will take; negotiations with Hamas are never easy and short,” the source noted.
He continued, “The government is committed to the release of the hostages, and this is the path led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. There are disagreements at various levels, for example, issues that haven’t been fully addressed.”
{Matzav.com Israel}
The ministers of Shas began to submit their letters of resignation from the government to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Thursday morning in accordance with the decision of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas on Wednesday. The first to resign were Religious Services Minister Michael Malkieli and Welfare Minister Ya’akov Margi. Margi stated: ״ועשית ככל אשר יורוך״—with sacred trepidation, I have now submitted my resignation from my position as Minister of Welfare and Social Security, a position I have held for over two and a half years. I will continue to serve the public as a Knesset member and work for the benefit of all citizens of Israel.” Shortly later, the other Shas ministers submitted their resignation letters, including Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, Health Minister Uriel Busso, Labor Minister Yoav Ben-Tzur, Deputy Agricultural Minister Moshe Abutbul, and Minister in the Education Ministry Chaim Biton. For the time being, Shas MKs who hold positions on Knesset committees will continue in their positions. (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)
The Senate has passed about $9 billion in federal spending cuts requested by President Donald Trump, including deep reductions to public broadcasting and foreign aid, moving forward on one of the president’s top priorities despite concerns from several Republican senators. The legislation, which now moves to the House, would have a tiny impact on the nation’s rising debt but could have major ramifications for the targeted spending, from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to U.S. food aid programs abroad. It also could complicate efforts to pass additional spending bills this year, as Democrats and even some Republicans have argued they are ceding congressional spending powers to Trump with little idea of how the White House Office of Management and Budget would apply the cuts. The 51-48 vote came after 2 a.m. Thursday after Democrats sought to remove many of the proposed rescissions during 12 hours of amendment votes. None of the Democratic amendments were adopted. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said Republicans were using the president’s rescissions request to target wasteful spending. He said it is a “small but important step for fiscal sanity that we all should be able to agree is long overdue.” But Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Susan Collins, R-Maine, said the bill “has a big problem — nobody really knows what program reductions are in it.” Collins and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, joined Democrats in voting against the legislation. Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, the former Republican leader, had voted against moving forward with the bill in a Tuesday procedural vote, saying he was concerned the Trump White House wanted a “blank check,” but he ultimately voted for final passage. The effort to claw back a sliver of federal spending comes after Republicans also muscled Trump’s big tax and spending cut bill to approval without any Democratic support. The Congressional Budget Office has projected that measure will increase future federal deficits by about $3.3 trillion over the coming decade. Lawmakers clash over cuts to public radio and TV stations Along with Democrats, Collins and Murkowski both expressed concerns about the cuts to public broadcasting, saying they could affect important rural stations in their states. Murkowski said in a speech on the Senate floor Tuesday that the stations are “not just your news — it is your tsunami alert, it is your landslide alert, it is your volcano alert.” Less than a day later, as the Senate debated the bill, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck off the remote Alaska Peninsula, triggering tsunami warnings on local public broadcasting stations that advised people to get to higher ground. The situation is “a reminder that when we hear people rant about how public broadcasting is nothing more than this radical, liberal effort to pollute people’s minds, I think they need to look at what some of the basic services are to communities,” Murkowski said. The legislation would claw back nearly $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which represents the full amount it’s due to receive during the next two budget years. The corporation distributes more than 70% of the money to more than 1,500 locally operated public television and radio stations, with much of the remainder assigned to National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service to support national programming. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., said he secured a deal from the White […]
When Aron Mandl opened his own law firm 25 years ago, he didn’t set out to become one of the most trusted immigration attorneys in the frum world. He simply answered the phone. “I was living in Miami at the time,” he says, “and I advertised that I spoke Hebrew and could help with things like wills and divorces. I didn’t even think of immigration law as a focus—but call after call came in asking for help with green cards. That’s when I realized this wasn’t just a niche. It was a calling.” Today, from his Houston-based firm serving clients across the U.S. and throughout the globe, Aron Mandl is no longer just answering the phone—he’s answering the urgent needs of families, rabbanim, yeshivos and organisations who rely on his deep expertise and strategic legal guidance in the face of complex immigration challenges. “In most areas of law, you’re fighting another person,” Aron explains. “But in immigration law, you’re standing up to a system. You’re the good guy—fighting for someone’s future.” That clarity of purpose has earned him a sterling reputation, especially among those navigating R-1 visas for rabbinic and religious work— a complex and specialised area within immigration law. With decades of experience and a long history of helping high-profile figures in the Jewish world, Aron is often the attorney other firms turn to when cases get stuck, mishandled, or denied. And the clients? They notice. “There’s something about the way Aron explains things,” says one recent client. “You walk in confused and overwhelmed, and walk out calm and with a plan, knowing you’re in good hands. At the end of our consultation, he asked if I had questions—and I said, ‘No. You answered everything before I even knew to ask.’” Mandl Immigration Lawyers isn’t a huge machine. It’s a team of happy, heart-driven professionals who treat every case with the focus, care, and creativity it deserves. “Strategy is our superpower,” Aron says. “Every case is unique, and our job is to find the best path forward—even if others said it couldn’t be done.” That’s why community members call him first when someone is detained or stopped at the airport—even late at night. Because they know Aron is part of the frum world. And they know he’s the best. “We want people to call us before it’s too late,” Aron adds. “In today’s political climate, even a quick consultation can prevent years of heartache.” What started with a few calls in a Miami office has become something far more powerful: a trusted, respected name in immigration law, built on clarity, compassion, and the belief that helping people build better lives is holy work. Reach out today to schedule a consultation. www.Mandl.Law (713)779-0000
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, previously known by the name Abu Mohammad al-Julani, appeared on national television early Thursday to deliver a speech addressing the rapidly changing events unfolding in southern Syria.
Al-Sharaa accused Israel of deliberately trying to destabilize Syria from within. “The Israeli entity has always accustomed us to attempts to harm our stability and create fratricidal wars – since the fall of the Assad regime,” he said.
He went on to say that Israel’s objective is to plunge Syria into chaos, spark civil unrest, and fracture the country’s territorial unity.
Al-Sharaa asserted that although Syria could have chosen to engage Israel directly, the leadership instead decided to prioritize what he called “the interest of the Syrian people.” He said that responsibility for maintaining calm in the Sweida area had been handed over to local groups and Druze elders.
Turning to the Druze population during his address, al-Sharaa assured them, “Protecting your rights is at the top of our priorities.”
He ended his speech with a warning against what he described as “groups that… are working to drag Syria into dangerous directions.”
Al-Sharaa’s remarks came shortly after a Syrian Defense Ministry official confirmed to Sham FM, a local radio broadcaster, that government troops had begun pulling out of Sweida. The withdrawal reportedly followed the deployment of regional security units loyal to the local leadership.
At the same time, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that an agreement had been reached to bring an end to the violent confrontations taking place in Syria.
“We have engaged all the parties involved in the clashes in Syria,” Rubio said. “We have agreed on specific steps that will bring this troubling and horrifying situation to an end tonight. This will require all parties to deliver on the commitments they have made and this is what we fully expect them to do.”
Earlier Wednesday, Sheikh Yosef Jarboua, representing the religious leadership of the Syrian Druze community, announced that a ceasefire understanding had been reached between Druze forces in Sweida and the Syrian regime.
According to Jarboua, the deal outlines the reintegration of the province into the broader Syrian state structure. Following this development, the Interior Ministry revealed that regime personnel had begun installing checkpoints on the outskirts of Sweida, aiming to reestablish centralized control.
Despite these statements, dissenting voices from within the Druze leadership challenged the ceasefire narrative. Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, aligned with the more hardline elements of the community, flatly rejected the claim. “There is no agreement. We call for continued resistance against the armed and criminal terrorist gangs, who came to massacre our people and destroy our existence,” he said.
He added: “The gangs must lay down their weapons and surrender themselves. Anyone who lays down their weapons is under our protection – they will not be humiliated or harmed. We warn that any person or entity that deviates from this united position and contacts or agrees with the other side unilaterally – will bear legal and social responsibility, without exception and without forgiveness.”
{Matzav.com}
The Trump administration revoked federal funding for California’s high-speed rail project on Wednesday, intensifying uncertainty about how the state will make good on its long-delayed promise of building a bullet train to shuttle riders between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The U.S. Transportation Department announced it was pulling back $4 billion in funding for the project, weeks after signaling it would do so. Overall, a little less than a quarter of the project’s funding has come from the federal government. The rest has come from the state, mainly through a voter-approved bond and money from its cap-and-trade program. President Donald Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy both have slammed the project as a “train to nowhere.” “The Railroad we were promised still does not exist, and never will,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “This project was Severely Overpriced, Overregulated, and NEVER DELIVERED.” The loss marks the latest blow to California by the Trump administration, which has blocked a first-in-the-nation rule to phase out the sale of new gas-powered cars, launched investigations into university admission policies and threatened to pull funding over transgender girls being allowed to compete in girls sports. It also comes as rail project leaders are seeking private investment to help pay for its estimated price tag of more than $100 billion. Voters first approved the project in 2008 and it was supposed to be operating this decade. But cost estimates have consistently grown and its timeline pushed back. State officials are now focused on building a 119-mile (192-kilometer) stretch connecting the Central Valley cities of Bakersfield and Merced that is set to be operating by 2033. The California High Speed Rail Authority is slated to release a report this summer to state lawmakers with an updated funding plan and timeline for the project. Authority officials wrote in a letter earlier this month that the Trump administration made up its mind about revoking funding before thoroughly reviewing the project. They noted that more than 50 structures have already been built, including underpasses, viaducts and bridges to separate the rail line from roadways for safety. “Canceling these grants without cause isn’t just wrong — it’s illegal,” authority CEO Ian Choudri said in a statement Wednesday. “These are legally binding agreements, and the Authority has met every obligation, as confirmed by repeated federal reviews, as recently as February 2025.” The authority has asked potential private investors to express their interest by the end of the month. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state will keep “all options on the table” to fight the revocation of federal funds. “Trump wants to hand China the future and abandon the Central Valley. We won’t let him,” he said in a statement. The state has “no viable plan” to complete even the Central Valley segment, said Drew Feeley, acting administrator of the transportation department’s Federal Railroad Administration, in a report released last month. He called the project a “story of broken promises” and a waste of taxpayer dollars. California Democrats also have criticized project spending. Democratic Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan said at a budget hearing earlier this year that her constituents “overwhelmingly believe” high-speed rail spending “has been irresponsible.” Newsom plans to extend the state’s cap-and-trade program, a key funding source for the project which is set to expire at the end of 2030, through […]
This is a large and historic notice calling for support of the Lomza Yeshiva. The notice was written by the saintly sage Rabbi Yisrael Meir HaKohen of Radin – author of Sefer Chofetz Chaim and the Mishnah Brurah, and one of the most renowned tzaddikim of recent generations. The notice was likely printed in London in the year 1910. In his words, the Chofetz Chaim writes passionately about the supreme value and importance of the continued existence of yeshivas in every place and under all circumstances!
[COMMUNICATED]
This is a large and historic notice calling for support of the Lomza Yeshiva. The notice was written by the saintly sage Rabbi Yisrael Meir HaKohen of Radin – author of Sefer Chofetz Chaim and the Mishnah Brurah, and one of the most renowned tzaddikim of recent generations.
The notice was likely printed in London in the year 1910.
In his words, the Chofetz Chaim writes passionately about the supreme value and importance of the continued existence of yeshivas in every place and under all circumstances!
Pages
