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Rav Emanuel HaLevi Toporowitz z”l has passed away at the age of 79. He was known throughout the Torah world as a staunch supporter of limud haTorah and a generous baal tzedakah.

A founder and pillar of Yeshivas Nachlas HaLevi’im in Haifa, he carried the financial burden of the institution on his shoulders for decades out of deep love for Torah. He lived modestly, dedicating the vast majority of his wealth to acts of kindness and charity.

Rav Emanuel was a son of Rav Shlomo Toporowitz zt”l, a prominent rav in Haifa in the previous generation. He was born and raised in poverty in the city, in a home where financial struggle was a constant reality. He would later recall how scarce things were—so much so that one egg would be split among six children for dinner.

His father, Rav Shlomo zt”l, lived in a small shack in the Neve Sha’anan neighborhood after being sent there by the Chazon Ish zt”l to strengthen the spiritual fabric of the area. At one point, Rav Shlomo considered leaving Haifa but, after consulting with the Chazon Ish, was told to stay and would be blessed as a result. The brachah was fulfilled: all of his children became bnei Torah.

As a child, Rav Emanuel would walk the streets wearing two yarmulkes, as local children educated in secular schools would sometimes steal them off his head. He began his Torah studies in Yeshiva Ramat HaSharon and by age 13, was already learning in Ponovezh.

During his teenage years, he would return to Haifa for Rosh Hashanah to blow shofar. He studied the halachos meticulously to ensure he fulfilled the mitzvah precisely and was eventually considered a mumcheh in the laws and practice of tekias shofar.

Following the passing of Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l, Rav Emanuel continued his learning in Lakewood. He ultimately received semichah from Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l.

He went on to serve as a maggid shiur in St. Louis and later as a rebbi in New York. His impact on students was remarkable. When he arrived, only one student in the school had gone on to yeshiva; after his first year, 25 out of 26 boys enrolled in yeshiva.

Later, Rav Emanuel transitioned into the business world, where he saw great success. Still, he gave away the bulk of his wealth to Torah causes—chief among them, Yeshivas Nachlas HaLevi’im, which was established on the very site of the small shack where he grew up.

He fulfilled the mitzvah of tzedakah quietly and humbly for decades, always helping those in need without drawing attention. He, for example, restored the Jewish cemetery in Kovno and was involved in many other acts of kindness, always discreetly.

Although few knew the extent of his financial means, those close to him revealed that he gave away most of his fortune to tzedakah, keeping only a fifth for himself to live a modest lifestyle.

Members of his community shared that he once paid a large sum of money to help rescue Jews from Iran, bringing them to the United States. Many of those he saved ended up learning in yeshivos in Baltimore and are now talmidei chachamim.

He was also deeply involved in Jewish outreach in Azerbaijan and was part of a vaad hatzalah that regularly donated thousands of dollars to support Jewish life there. He invested not only money but also significant time and effort into this cause.

During the American recession, when many in his community were struggling financially, Rav Emanuel would quietly bring cash to the local rav, asking him to distribute it without revealing the source. Every month, the rav would discreetly pass the money along to help families get by.

Talmidim and alumni of Yeshivas Nachlas HaLevi’im, as well as members of the Neve Sha’anan community in Haifa, owe him an immeasurable debt of gratitude. From the moment the yeshiva was founded, he was its unwavering supporter, even during the most difficult times, never allowing himself to ease up in his efforts.

He was careful to fulfill aseh lecha rav and was close with several gedolim of the previous generation, including Rav Elazar Menachem Man Shach zt”l, who held him in high esteem.

Those close to him noted his scrupulous honesty in matters of money. If he was ever in doubt over a financial issue, he would always defer to the other party, sometimes forfeiting large sums to avoid potential wrongdoing.

Rav Emanuel was buried in Lakewood.

Yehi zichro baruch.

{Matzav.com}

The Department of Defense is deploying 200 U.S. Marines to Florida to support ICE operations.

CNN says President Trump’s “legacy is going to be sealed” in the OBBB: “This could not be a bigger deal for President Trump & for this administration.” “They have figured out…how to work the system in their favor.”

The decision by the United States to pause some weapons shipments to Ukraine has come at a tough time for Kyiv: Russia’s bigger army is making a concerted push on parts of the roughly 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line and is intensifying long-range drone and missile attacks that increasingly hammer civilians in Ukrainian cities. Washington has been Ukraine’s biggest military backer since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of its neighbor on Feb. 24, 2022. But the Trump administration has been disengaging from the war, and no end to the fighting is in sight, despite recent direct peace talks. Here’s a look at Ukraine’s options following the U.S. pause of some arms deliveries: Specific weapons needed from U.S. Amid recurring concerns in Kyiv about how much military support its allies can supply and how quickly, Ukraine has raced to build up its domestic defense industry. The country’s output has gradually grown, especially in the production of more and increasingly sophisticated drones, but Ukraine needs to speedily scale up production. Crucially, some high-tech U.S. weapons are irreplaceable. They include Patriot air defense missiles, which are needed to fend off Russia’s frequent ballistic missile attacks, but which cost $4 million each. That vital system is included in the pause, and many cities in Ukraine, including Kyiv, could become increasingly vulnerable. A senior Ukrainian official said Thursday that Patriot systems are “critically necessary” for Ukraine, but U.S.-made HIMARS precision-guided missiles, also paused, are in less urgent need as other countries produce similar assets. “Other countries that have these (Patriot) systems can only transfer them with U.S. approval. The real question now is how far the United States is willing to go in its reluctance to support Ukraine,” he told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of sensitivity of the subject. The official said that Patriot missiles exist in sufficient numbers globally, and he said that accessing them requires political resolve. “There are enough missiles out there,” he said, without providing evidence. He also stated that Ukraine has already scaled up its domestic production of 155 mm artillery shells, which were once critically short, and is now capable of producing more than is currently contracted. “Supplies from abroad have also become more available than before,” he said. Backup plan Amid at times fraught relations with U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been enlisting greater European help for his country’s arms manufacturing plans. European countries don’t have the production levels, military stockpiles or the technology to pick up all the slack left by the U.S. pause, but Zelenskyy is recruiting their help for ambitious joint investment projects. Draft legislation to help Ukrainian defense manufacturers scale up and modernize production, including building new facilities at home and abroad, will be put to a vote in the Ukrainian parliament later this month, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced this week. Zelenskyy said last month that major investments will go to the production of drones and artillery shells. “The volume of support this year is the largest since the start of the full-scale war,” he said about commitments from foreign countries. Under Trump, there have been no new announcements of U.S. military or weapons aid to Ukraine. Between March and April, the United States allocated no new help at all, according to Germany’s Kiel Institute, which tracks such support. For the first time since June 2022, four months after Russia’s full-scale invasion, […]

In a deeply troubling sequence of events, three young children were discovered in critical condition after being left inside vehicles in separate incidents that occurred within a short two-hour window.

In the first case, a five-year-old boy and an eighteen-month-old girl were found inside a car in Elyakhin, a town located south of Chadeira. The children, who had reportedly been locked inside the vehicle for approximately two hours, were disoriented and exhibiting signs of severe heatstroke when located.

Emergency teams from Magen David Adom (MDA) rushed to the scene and administered immediate treatment, including measures to cool the children’s bodies and provide medication. Both were quickly transported to Hillel Yaffe Medical Center in Chadeira. The toddler is in grave and unstable condition, currently sedated and on a ventilator. The older child’s condition is described as moderate but stable.

This harrowing situation began when local police in Chadeira received a report of two missing children. Officers, together with volunteers and municipal inspectors, conducted a thorough search of the area. Their efforts led them to the children, who were found inside a parked vehicle.

Authorities have since launched an official inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Asaf Tapuhi and Idan Binder, the MDA paramedics who were among the first responders, spoke about the traumatic scene they encountered: “When we arrived at the vehicle, it was a very troubling sight. There was a lot of commotion, and bystanders helped us extract the children, a five-year-old boy and a two-year-old girl, after they had been in the car for a long time. We began performing medical checks and quickly noticed they were disoriented and showing significant signs of heatstroke. We provided them with first aid, including cooling, medication, and ventilation, and transported them to the hospital, where their condition was critical.”

Shortly thereafter, another call came in—this time Chadeira—reporting a separate case involving a two-year-old girl who had been left in a locked car for around two hours. By the time medics arrived, the toddler was suffering from acute heatstroke. Emergency responders initiated life-saving treatment and transported her to the hospital.

Senior MDA medic Roy Shushan described the second emergency: “We quickly arrived at the home and were told that the child had been trapped in a car for an extended period. When they found her, she was unconscious. We started medical checks and found no pulse or breathing. We immediately began advanced resuscitation, including chest compressions and ventilation, and transported her to the hospital in critical condition. During the transport, her condition deteriorated, and we continued to perform resuscitation.”

MDA paramedic Yossi Bouskila, who assisted in both incidents, shared the emotional toll of the day: “I was with the family when I received the first report of the two children found in Elyakhin. I immediately headed to the scene. The two children were outside a nearby house, one of them was confused, and the other was unconscious. With the help of neighbors who brought us ice, we cooled the children while administering life-saving care. Later, just two hours later, I was called to another similar case in Hadera. The child had been in a locked car for a long time. After being found unconscious, she was brought into the house and cooled with running water. With the MDA intensive care unit team, we provided her with life-saving treatment and transported her to the hospital in critical condition. During the transport, her condition worsened, and we continued resuscitation.”

Authorities are continuing their investigations, while MDA and law enforcement officials are urgently reminding the public: never leave a child alone in a car—not even for a minute.

{Matzav.com}

In response to a recent spike in violent confrontations between radical Jewish settlers and Israeli forces, law enforcement has formed a dedicated new task force to crack down on extremist activity in the West Bank. The initiative was finalized during a high-level emergency meeting held Monday.

The newly formed task force will fall under the jurisdiction of Samaria Region Police Commander Avi Cohen. He will lead efforts in conjunction with the IDF and the Shin Bet to address a growing wave of attacks believed to be orchestrated by members of the so-called Hilltop Youth.

This interagency unit was created following urgent consultations that included Defense Minister Yisroel Katz, IDF Central Command head Major-General Avi Bluth, West Bank District Commander Moshe Pinchi, senior Shin Bet officials, and Defense Ministry personnel tasked with addressing Jewish extremism in the region.

Organized into four specialized divisions—intelligence, operations, investigation, and communications—the task force is structured to function with maximum coordination and access to IDF and Shin Bet intelligence and infrastructure.

The intelligence and investigation teams will be composed of forensic analysts, detectives, and officers from the West Bank Intelligence Division. These units are tasked with gathering evidence, identifying perpetrators, and assembling the legal groundwork to pursue criminal charges.

The operational wing has already been activated, receiving a full Border Police company of 60 officers originally assigned to counter Palestinian terrorism. This team is now redeployed to address threats posed by Jewish extremist groups, a shift that leaves one fewer unit available for operations against Palestinian terror threats. The operational team will have authority to act independently without prior approval from Central Command. On Monday night, the unit was dispatched to suppress rioters at Tapuah Junction.

The communications unit’s primary function will be to build and maintain trust with West Bank communities. Officials emphasized that the violence stems from a fringe group and does not represent the broader settler population. The IDF, police, social service departments, and local authorities all view community engagement as essential for continued cooperation and effective governance.

This crackdown was prompted by a string of serious incidents in recent days, including a violent standoff between settlers and soldiers on Mount Hatzor near an illegal outpost, where Palestinian homes and cars were torched, leading to three Palestinian deaths. Other alarming episodes included arson at a police building in Beit El, the torching of a communications facility used by security personnel, the burning of a police vehicle, rock-throwing at soldiers that resulted in IDF gunfire injuring a 14-year-old Israeli boy, and an attempted breach of the Binyamin Brigade military base.

Commander Avi Cohen will spearhead the mission as the overall lead for this high-priority police operation, aimed at curbing the rise of Jewish nationalist violence in the West Bank. The overarching goal: identify perpetrators, contain the unrest, and restore stability in coordination with Israel’s military and security services.

{Matzav.com}

Israel Police announced on Thursday afternoon that Staff Sgt. Yaniv Elyakam, z’l, a Central District police officer, was killed on duty this morning in a traffic accident during police activity. He was run over and killed while stationed in Netanya. The niftar, a 42-year-old resident of Netanya, is survived by his wife, four children, his mother, and five brothers and sisters. Yehi Zichro Baruch. (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

In a new diplomatic maneuver aimed at advancing a ceasefire and hostage agreement between Israel and Hamas, President Donald Trump is reportedly set to issue a personal commitment to Hamas, pledging to stay engaged in the process until the war in Gaza is fully resolved, according to a report from Israel’s Channel 12.

The report, which does not cite sources, claims that Trump will convey a message to Hamas promising that the United States will not walk away once a temporary truce is achieved. Instead, he will reportedly vow to remain actively involved in facilitating continued negotiations until a permanent ceasefire is reached. As described in the Hebrew translation shared by the network: “Trump will commit that negotiations over the terms for ending the war will continue even after a temporary ceasefire, and that he will do everything in his power to help the parties reach an agreement on the terms of a permanent ceasefire.”

This assurance from Washington is being framed as a crucial incentive for Hamas to accept the terms of the proposed Witkoff framework. That plan outlines the phased release of 10 living Israeli hostages and 18 bodies over a 60-day truce, split across multiple stages.

Trump’s message, the report claims, is that if Hamas agrees to the arrangement, the U.S. will back ongoing diplomatic engagement to bring the conflict to a definitive close.

Meanwhile, with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu scheduled to visit the White House on Monday, Israeli officials are reportedly hopeful that Hamas will issue a positive formal response to the proposal within the next 24 hours. If that happens, proximity talks mediated by third parties could begin within days, according to the report.

{Matzav.com}

Edan Alexander, the American-Israeli who endured captivity at the hands of Hamas, met with President Donald Trump at the White House today.

Also in attendance were a group of senior U.S. officials, including Steve Witkoff, serving as the Special Envoy to the Middle East, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.

Alexander was joined by his immediate family for the occasion—his parents, Adi and Yael, his sister Mika, and his brother Roy all accompanied him for the visit.

During the thirty-minute sit-down, Edan shared with President Trump that conditions in captivity improved after the U.S. election. He expressed optimism that Trump could help bring about the release of the remaining captives. He told the president: “I fear continued fighting endangers the hostages and hope you can achieve another historic breakthrough—a comprehensive deal to free them all, all 50 hostages. You are the person who can make it happen.”

After the meeting concluded, Edan remarked, “I came to thank the person who is responsible for saving my life. I was deeply moved to be in the White House—the same place where my parents had been many times during their fight for my release, but this time together with them.”

Reflecting on the encounter, he said: “I told the most powerful man in the world what I went through, what my friends there are going through, and asked him to continue doing everything in his power. I shared with the President my fear that continued fighting endangers the hostages, and that I hope he can achieve another historic breakthrough—a comprehensive deal to free them all, all 50 hostages. I told him I’m confident he is the person who can make it happen. I’m deeply moved that I could celebrate my own freedom on the eve of Independence Day.”

Edan, a dual national of the United States and Israel, had relocated on his own to enlist in the IDF, where he joined the Golani Brigade as a lone soldier. He was abducted by Hamas on October 7 and eventually released after spending 584 days in captivity, the result of a U.S.-brokered agreement.

{Matzav.com}

Nissan is recalling more than 480,000 of its vehicles across the U.S. and Canada due to potential manufacturing defects that could cause engine failure. The recall covers certain Nissan Rogues between 2021-2024 model years and 2019-2020 Altimas — as well as a number of 2019-2022 Infiniti QX50s and 2022 Infiniti QX55s sold under the automaker’s luxury brand, according to Nissan and documents published by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this week. The vehicles impacted carry specific “VC-Turbo” engines that may have manufacturing defects in their bearings, the NHTSA’s recall report notes. This may cause engine damage and possibly lead to engine failure while driving, the regulator warns — increasing crash risks. Engine bearing failures “are not typically instantaneous and tend to progress over time,” the NHTSA’s recall report notes. That means effected drivers may see multiple warning signs to look out for — including abnormal noises or malfunction indicator lights. In the U.S., 443,899 vehicles are covered in this recall, per NHTSA documents. And in Canada, 37,837 are affected, a Nissan spokesperson confirmed to The Associated Press on Thursday. As a remedy, the NHSTA’s recall report notes, Nissan and Infiniti dealers will inspect the engine pan of these-now recalled cars — and repair or replace the engine if necessary. The recall covers vehicles with either 3-cylinder 1.5L or 4-cylinder 2.0L VC-Turbo engines. Potential repairs — which will be performed free of charge — will depend on the engine and whether or not debris is detected during the inspection. In an emailed statement, Nissan said it initiated this recall as part of its “ongoing commitment to customer safety.” And in late August, the company added, notification letters will be mailed out to affected owners “with instructions to bring their vehicle to a Nissan dealer or INFINITI retailer for inspection and repair if necessary.” In the meantime, drivers can also confirm if their specific vehicle is included in this recall and find more information using the NHTSA site or Nissan’s recall lookup. (AP)

My name is Talya, and I’m reaching out to you because I have no other choice.  My baby girl, Sheina Yafa, is only 8 months old and has been fighting for her life since the day she was born. She came into this world with a brain bleed that turned out to be neuroblastoma cancer. As a mother, I’m doing everything I can, but I need your help to save my baby and protect my family. Sheina is so strong, but she can’t fight this battle alone.  Your kindness and support can be the miracle we’ve been praying for. Every dollar counts, and every share means the world to us. Please help my baby live!   Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Donate now

[COMMUNICATED]

My name is Talya, and I’m reaching out to you because I have no other choice. 

My baby girl, Sheina Yafa, is only 8 months old and has been fighting for her life since the day she was born.

She came into this world with a brain bleed that turned out to be neuroblastoma cancer.

As a mother, I’m doing everything I can, but I need your help to save my baby and protect my family. Sheina is so strong, but she can’t fight this battle alone. 

Your kindness and support can be the miracle we’ve been praying for.

Every dollar counts, and every share means the world to us.

Please help my baby live!

 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Donate now

An urgent meeting was held this Tuesday at the Chief Rabbinate of Israel to formulate a solution to the issue of the Jewish kevarim discovered at a construction site in Yehud, Kikar H’Shabbat reported. Various Chareidi groups have been waging a battle against the chillul of the kevarim for over a month, with thousands participating from all circles in protest rallies and daily protests in the field. Various Rabbinical and rabbinical courts have issued rulings and letters of protest against the excavations. Following the discussion earlier this week, the Chief Rabbinate sent a letter to the Director-General of the Antiquities Authority, the Vice President of the Aura Company, an urban renewal construction company, and the Asra Kadisha, in which they called for a halt of all work in the area until the halachic issues can be clarified. However, the p’sak was blatantly ignored, and the company continued carrying out chillul kevarim. Shocking photos of the outcome show scenes of shattered kevarim and skeletons and skulls rolling around in disgrace. On Thursday, the Chief Rabbanim wrote a strongly worded letter of protest, stating, “The terrible scene in which engineering equipment is seen brutally destroying the Jewish beis kevaros in Yehud is shocking to every soul. “Chief Rabbanim Rav Kalman Meir Bar and Rav David Yosef strongly protest against this criminal act, which is a severe blow to kadshei Yisrael. Harming a Jewish cemetery in the way it was done is reminiscent of dark days, and it is doubly painful that it was done by Jews. What justification does this give us in the face of attempts to destroy Jewish cemeteries around the world, as many wish to do? “The Chief Rabbanim strongly protest against this crude activity and call for an immediate halt to the destruction and devastation of the ancient beis kevaros in Yehud.” The shocking video below shows Jewish niftarim from the days of Bayis Sheini after being brutally uprooted from their kevarim by Aura Israel bulldozers. They were transferred to garbage bags and thrown away. Mishpacha Hebrew editor Aryeh Erlich published the shocking photo below last month, writing: “I’m sorry I have to post such a picture, but staying silent is worse. In the past, such actions would have shaken the foundations. With what complacency do they disturb the rest of those who dwell in the dust? Who permitted Aura Israel to desecrate Jewish kevarim? Does a real estate frenzy justify crimes against the dead? And why does the Chareidi public remain silent, leaving the struggle to the people of Jerusalem?”   (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu traveled to Kibbutz Nir Oz on Thursday, marking his first visit to the community nearly two years after it suffered one of the deadliest attacks in Israel’s history. The kibbutz lost a quarter of its population to murder or abduction during the Hamas-led massacre on October 7.

Netanyahu had faced sharp criticism for not visiting the devastated southern communities since the outbreak of the war. His arrival at Nir Oz comes amid ongoing scrutiny over the government’s response to the attack and its handling of recovery efforts.

As Netanyahu’s convoy approached the entrance to Nir Oz, a group of grieving families staged a protest in an attempt to block his entry. Security personnel accompanying the Prime Minister intervened and prevented demonstrators from halting the motorcade.

While at the kibbutz, Netanyahu was seen embracing Einav Zangauker, the mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, who has been one of the most outspoken critics of the Prime Minister.

Speaking during his visit, Netanyahu said: “I am here with my wife Sara, at Kibbutz Nir Oz, opposite the scenes of destruction, devastation, and ruin, with the members of the kibbutz, those who survived, and also those who have returned from being held hostage. You feel, in the depths of your soul, the magnitude of the pain, the depth of the sorrow, the traumas that befell an entire community, and which are still befalling it. I feel a deep commitment, first of all, to ensure the return of all of our hostages, all of them. There are still 20 who are alive, and there are also those who are deceased, and we will bring them all back.

“But there is also a deep commitment to working here to rebuild this kibbutz and bring life back to the people. We will cut through the bureaucracy – and we will rebuild.”

Sara Netanyahu also offered her reflections during the visit, recounting a particularly emotional encounter: “Sagui Dekel Chen, who was held hostage and returned in the previous deal, showed me his young three-year-old daughter’s pacifier. She and her seven-year-old sister, and his wife, held out inside the protected room. They held the door put the young girl’s changing table – this sweet girl – against the door, and this is how they were saved, with heroism and resourcefulness.

“We then heard the story of his mother, who was taken hostage, and managed to escape and return to the kibbutz, which is another story about a courageous woman. I told him that he lives among heroic women. I think that alongside what the Prime Minister said, stories of devastation, the awful things that happened here, there being no words to describe the tragedy, there were stories of the astounding heroism of people, civilians, women and boys and girls. There was simply resourcefulness, bravery; it is impossible to describe where the strength came from. There were awful tragedies here.”

Netanyahu concluded his remarks with a reference to a familiar source of comfort and faith: “Our sources say: ‘The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.’ . The Lord will also bless this kibbutz – Nir Oz – with redemption and being settled.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

The IDF announced that it eliminated the terrorist cell responsible for launching rockets from northern Gaza toward Sderot and Ibim on Wednesday. The strike was carried out shortly after the launch by IAF aircraft, based on intelligence provided by the IDF and Shin Bet (ISA). IDF forces continue extensive operations across Gaza, targeting terrorist infrastructure, weapons caches, and underground tunnel systems. In northern Gaza, troops located and destroyed tunnel shafts and multiple military structures used by terror groups. The Nahal Brigade joined operations in the north, striking dozens of terror targets. During their mission, soldiers identified and eliminated an approaching terrorist. In Khan Younis, troops located a significant cache of weapons, including rifles, handguns, magazines, and mortars. Meanwhile, forces operating in the Rafah area dismantled dozens of additional terror infrastructure sites. Over the past 24 hours, the Israeli Air Force struck approximately 150 terror targets throughout the Gaza Strip, including sniper posts, underground routes, and weapons storage sites. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Clouds build up in the early afternoon and gusty winds push in every direction. The skies darken and then comes the rain — often a downpour that is gone as quickly as it came. This seasonal dance marks a special time for the southwestern United States and Mexico. It is when residents clasp their hands, hoping for much-needed moisture to dampen the threat of wildfire and keep rivers flowing. Forecasters say it has been a wet start to this year’s monsoon season, which officially began June 15 and runs through the end of September. Parts of New Mexico and West Texas have been doused with rain, while Arizona and Nevada have been hit with dust storms, which are a common hazard of the season. In other parts of the world, monsoons often mean months of never-ending rain. In North America, the season can have considerable variability. The bursts and breaks depend on how much moisture is circulating and which way the wind blows. Easing drought The monsoon relies on the buildup of summer heat and shifting wind direction, which helps funnel moisture from distant bodies of water to areas where rain is sparse. Just ahead of the monsoon, officials with the Navajo Nation declared an emergency because of worsening drought conditions across the reservation, which spans parts of New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. Below-average precipitation month after month has left little forage for livestock, and fire danger has ramped up as pockets of moderate and severe drought expand. Ranchers and farmers are being urged to reduce their herds, shift to drought-tolerant crops and limit irrigation. New Mexico’s governor also declared an emergency in May because of severe drought and escalating fire risk. Forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Integrated Drought Information System say monsoonal rainfall only provides a fraction of the West’s water supplies, with the majority coming from snowpack. Still, summer rains can reduce drought impacts by lessening the demand for water stored in reservoirs, recharging soil moisture and groundwater, and reducing the risk of wildfires. New Mexico and Arizona typically stand to benefit the most from the North American monsoon, getting anywhere between 10% to 60% of their annual precipitation during the season. It has a lesser influence in Nevada and California, though southern Nevada on average gets 20% to 25% of its precipitation during the summer. Along the Rio Grande at the base of the Jemez Mountains, Santa Ana Pueblo farmers are eagerly watching the afternoon skies. Pueblo Gov. Myron Armijo said they have already had several good downpours, and he wouldn’t mind more. Flooding fears With summer rains come increased river flows and in some cases flooding in normally dry washes and across the scars left by wildfires. Sandbag stations have been set up in communities across the region — from Tucson, Arizona, to Albuquerque and San Antonio, Texas. In Española, state transportation workers have closed a historic bridge that funnels traffic across the Rio Grande, citing concerns about higher flows further eroding a concrete pier. On the edge of the Gila National Forest, New Mexico National Guard troops have delivered dozens of pallets of filled sandbags for residents who are preparing for flooding following a blaze that has charred about 74 square miles (192 square kilometers). Meanwhile, hundreds of firefighters are […]

House Republicans successfully pushed through President Donald Trump’s sweeping $4.5 trillion legislative package on Thursday, securing final approval for a sprawling combination of tax reductions and spending cuts just in time for the July 4 deadline the president had set for himself.

The vote, which narrowly passed by a margin of 218-214, saw two Republican lawmakers break ranks to side with the unified Democratic opposition. Overnight negotiations and last-minute calls from President Trump himself persuaded several hesitant GOP members to shift their stance and clear the way for the legislation to reach his desk.

This marks a major legislative victory for both the president and congressional Republicans, as they managed to bundle a wide range of conservative goals into what they dubbed “one big beautiful bill,” a massive piece of legislation spanning over 800 pages. With no support from Democrats, the measure is now set to become a cornerstone of Trump’s agenda as he reasserts leadership with full Republican control of the legislative branch.

Clocking in at 887 pages, the bill combines numerous initiatives: tax cuts, significant reductions in federal spending, the removal of incentives for solar energy projects, increased funding for defense, and expanded deportation programs.

House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the legislation in strong terms, saying it would “make this country stronger, safer and more prosperous than ever before,” while Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries mounted a marathon speech lasting 8 hours and 44 minutes, declaring it “a crime scene, going after the health, and the safety, and the well-being of the American people.”

{Matzav.com}

House Republicans propelled President Donald Trump’s $4.5 trillion tax breaks and spending cuts bill to final congressional passage Thursday, overcoming multiple setbacks to approve his signature second-term policy package before a Fourth of July deadline. The tight roll call, 218-214, came at a potentially high political cost, with two Republicans joining all Democrats opposed. GOP leaders worked overnight and the president himself leaned on a handful of skeptics to drop their opposition and send the bill to him to sign into law. Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York delayed voting by holding the floor for more than eight hours with a record-breaking speech against the bill. “We have a big job to finish,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. “With one big beautiful bill we are going to make this country stronger, safer and more prosperous than ever before.” The outcome delivers a milestone for the president, by his Friday goal, and for his party,. It was a long-shot effort to compile a lengthy list of GOP priorities into what they called his “one big beautiful bill,” an 800-plus page measure. With Democrats unified in opposition, the bill will become a defining measure of Trump’s return to the White House, aided by Republican control of Congress. Tax breaks and safety net cuts At its core, the package’s priority is $4.5 trillion in tax breaks enacted in 2017 during Trump’s first term that would expire if Congress failed to act, along with new ones. This includes allowing workers to deduct tips and overtime pay, and a $6,000 deduction for most older adults earning less than $75,000 a year. There’s also a hefty investment, some $350 billion, in national security and Trump’s deportation agenda and to help develop the “Golden Dome” defensive system over the U.S. To help offset the lost tax revenue, the package includes $1.2 trillion in cutbacks to the Medicaid health care and food stamps, largely by imposing new work requirements, including for some parents and older people, and a major rollback of green energy tax credits. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates the package will add $3.3 trillion to the deficit over the decade and 11.8 million more people will go without health coverage. “This was a generational opportunity to deliver the most comprehensive and consequential set of conservative reforms in modern history, and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” said Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, the House Budget Committee chairman. Democrats united against ‘ugly bill’ Democrats unified against the bill as a tax giveaway to the rich paid for on the backs of the working class and most vulnerable in society, what they called “trickle down cruelty.” Tensions ran high in the chamber. Jeffries began the speech at 4:53 a.m. EDT and finished at 1:37 p.m. EDT, 8 hours, 44 minutes later, a record, as he argued against what he called Trump’s “big ugly bill.” “We’re better than this,” Jeffries said, who used a leader’s prerogative for unlimited debate and read letter after letter from Americans writing about their reliance of the health care programs. “I never thought that I’d be on the House floor saying that this is a crime scene,” Jeffries said. “It’s a crime scene, going after the health, and the safety, and the well-being of the American people.” And as Democrats, he said, “We […]

According to a report published Thursday evening by Reuters, citing an Israeli official, Israel is preparing for a potential agreement that would bring about a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The official indicated that Israel expects Hamas to provide a formal reply by Friday.

Should Hamas respond favorably, Israeli officials are expected to participate in indirect negotiations aimed at finalizing the deal.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to convene a meeting of the security cabinet tonight at his Jerusalem office to discuss the proposed hostage arrangement and the broader developments in Gaza.

The New York Times reported late Wednesday that the proposed agreement with Hamas includes the release of 10 hostages who are still alive and the return of 18 bodies, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

Both an Israeli official and a Hamas-linked source told the paper that the plan envisions the transfer of hostages and remains over five phases, spanning 60 days under a temporary truce.

This marks a departure from Washington’s earlier offer in May, which had called for the release of all hostages within the first week of a ceasefire.

The current proposal also stipulates that Hamas must avoid organizing publicized “release ceremonies” with media attention, like those that occurred during the previous temporary ceasefire, which drew global criticism.

Three Israeli sources indicated that the updated plan includes assurances to Hamas that the ceasefire will transition into a full end to the conflict.

Reuters reported that Hamas is expected to give its response to international mediators no later than Friday evening.

According to the same sources, US President Donald Trump will be the one to publicly announce the deal if both parties give their approval. He is also expected to serve as the main guarantor of the ceasefire’s enforcement. Meanwhile, a Hamas-affiliated figure insisted the current draft contains only slight adjustments compared to a prior proposal put forward by mediator Witkoff.

The agreement includes written assurances from intermediaries that fighting will not resume as long as negotiations are active. It also commits the parties to begin discussions during the 60-day truce with the goal of securing a permanent ceasefire and a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

{Matzav.com}

IDF Spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, also known as Effie Defrin, provided an operational update on Thursday, detailing the current phase of Israel’s military campaign targeting the Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza.

“Hamas’s governing hold is cracking, its stability is shaken day by day,” Defrin stated during the briefing.

He emphasized that Israeli ground forces are conducting broad operations across multiple areas, with five separate divisions currently operating inside the Gaza Strip. “IDF soldiers are intensely maneuvering in an extensive area. Five divisions are maneuvering in Gaza. We will present plans for the future to the political echelon so we can achieve the war’s objectives: the return of the hostages and the collapse of Hamas rule.”

Defrin said the IDF is moving toward predefined targets, adding, “We will soon reach lines that were set and approved as part of Operation Gideon’s Chariots, from there, there will be several options.”

He also addressed the delivery of humanitarian assistance, pushing back against negative reports: “So far, nearly one million food packages have been distributed at the distribution centers. The reports of killings are Hamas propaganda; unfortunately, the lies echo through the news.”

{Matzav.com}