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By Rabbi Berach Steinfeld In Vayikra 19:3 the Torah tells us one has to fear his mother and father. The Gemara Yevamos 5b says one might think that Kibbud Av and Kibbud Eim is docheh Shabbos, but the above posuk finishes with the words, “That you shall keep my Shabbos.” Rashi in Kedoshim says that the Torah put the halacha of keeping Shabbos right next to Kibbud Av V’eim to tell you that despite the fact that Hashem commanded us to honor our father and mother; nevertheless, if one’s parent requests you to be mechallel Shabbos, don’t listen to the parent. This rule would apply to all other mitzvos as well.                 There is a famous machlokes Rishonim whether or not a person needs to honor a father who is a rasha. One group of Rishonim is of the opinion that one is not required to honor a parent who is a rasha. This is the opinion of Rashi in Sanhedrin 47a. The Rema in Yoreh Deah 240:18 agrees with Rashi. On the other hand, the Bais Yosef  paskens that one still has a chiyuv to honor his parent, even if the parent is a rasha. If we go according to the opinion that one is not required to honor a parent who is a rasha, why would we need a special posuk telling us not to listen to a parent when he or she says to be mechallel Shabbos. This father would be considered a rasha. Why would somebody even think of needing to listen to him?                 There are a number of answers to this question. The first answer could be based upon the premise that if a father commands his son to be mechallel Shabbos he would not be doing an issur since an asseh of Kibbud Av is docheh the lo saaseh of Shabbos. The father would therefore not be considered a Rasha. The Torah has to therefore give a special posuk to say that a father cannot command a son to be mechallel Shabbos.                The second answer is based on the Hagahos Maimonis, Hilchos Mamrim 6:12 where we see that through speech alone one is not considered a rasha since the father could always say that we have a klal,    “Divrei horav vedivrei hatalmud divrei mi shomim.” We find the only time a person is considered a rasha is if he is a meisis.                 The third tirutz is based on the Chezkuni. In the case of a father asking his son to be oveir a shvus which is a DeRabbanan, he still does not listen to him. Similarly, even in a case where he was mekabel Shabbos early, and his father was not, he still would not need to listen to his father. The Chida answers that even if the father is under the impression that this action is something allowed to be done on Shabbos, he would not be considered a rasha. May we be zocheh to be mekayem both the mitzvos of Kibbud Av and Shmiras Shabbos properly.

President Donald Trump addressed questions on Monday regarding an image that circulated online over the weekend showing him dressed as the pope, which had been shared by the official White House account. Trump insisted the image was well received by many, particularly Catholics.

In a tense exchange in the Oval Office, a reporter pointed out that “some Catholics were not so happy about the image of you looking like the Pope.” Trump didn’t hesitate to respond sharply. “Oh, I see you mean they can’t take a joke; you don’t mean the Catholics, you mean the fake news media… The Catholics loved it,” Trump said.

Trump clarified that he had no hand in producing or sharing the image and suggested it emerged independently online. “I had nothing to do with it. Somebody made up a picture of me dressed like the Pope, and they put it out on the internet. That’s not me that did it,” he said. “I have no idea where it came from. Maybe it was AI, but I know nothing about it. I just saw it last evening.”

He mentioned that Melania Trump had seen the picture and found it amusing. “Actually, my wife thought it was cute. She said, ‘Isn’t that nice?’ Actually, I would not be able to be married, though, that would be a lot,” Trump said, prompting laughter from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who was seated nearby. “To the best of my knowledge, popes aren’t big on getting married, are they?”

When the reporter pressed further, questioning whether such an image undermined the seriousness of the official White House communications, Trump dismissed the concern. “Give me a break.”

Brushing off the criticism, Trump concluded, “Somebody did it in fun, it’s fine. You have to have a little fun, don’t you?”

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

State prosecutors dropped felony charges Monday against seven people accused of trespassing and resisting police a year ago during the break-up of a pro-Palestinian camp at the University of Michigan. Attorney General Dana Nessel said she believed the cases were strong but suggested her office was worn down by criticism and other factors. She noted that a judge in Washtenaw County still hadn’t decided whether to send the cases to a trial court despite multiple hearings. “Baseless and absurd allegations of bias have only furthered this divide,” said Nessel, a Democrat, who added that “distractions and ongoing delays have created a circus-like atmosphere.” The camp on the Diag, a traditional site for campus protests, was cleared by police in May 2024 after a month. The university said the camp had become a threat to safety, with overloaded power sources and open flames. Defense attorney Amir Makled said Nessel was trying to turn free speech into a crime. “We sent a clear message to both Lansing and to Washington, that the people still rule, and that public pressure compels the rule of law to be upheld,” Makled said Monday. Protesters had demanded that the school’s endowment stop investing in companies with ties to Israel. The university insisted it has no direct investments and less than $15 million placed with funds that might include companies in Israel. (AP)

In a landmark decision with far-reaching implications for the Torah world, the rosh yeshiva of Slabodka, Maran Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, has announced that the Keren Olam HaTorah initiative will be extended for another year.

The fund, established last year to provide critical support to Israeli yeshivos and kollelim grappling with steep budget cuts, is set to continue its lifesaving mission following months of deliberation.

Sources close to the rosh yeshiva confirmed that Rav Hirsch will be embarking on another global fundraising mission shortly after Shavuos, joined by leading gedolim representing all sectors of Torah Jewry.

The delegation will travel to the United States and other major Jewish centers as part of the renewed effort to raise funds.

The decision to continue the campaign came after intense internal debate and discussions with major philanthropists. In recent weeks, numerous roshei yeshiva visited Rav Hirsch’s home, pleading with him to maintain the fund that had provided crucial financial breathing room to Torah institutions throughout the past year.

As previously reported, during Chol Hamoed Pesach, Rav Aviezer Piltz, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Tifrach, visited Rav Hirsch and heard firsthand about the ongoing deliberations.

After extended consultation and soul-searching, Rav Hirsch reached a definitive decision: Keren Olam HaTorah will move forward into its second year.

Over the past year, the fund succeeded in distributing tens of millions of dollars to hundreds of yeshivos across Eretz Yisroel. This was done in direct response to severe government budget slashes that threatened to destabilize the backbone of the Torah world.

Last year’s fundraising efforts saw roshei yeshiva, admorim, and rabbonim travel across the United States, South America, and London, rallying support and galvanizing communities around the shared mission of hachzokas haTorah.

{Matzav.com Israel}

At a dramatic emergency meeting held Monday evening at the home of Rav Dov Landau, rosh yeshiva of Slabodka, dozens of prominent roshei yeshiva convened to raise their voices against the ongoing legal and governmental pressure facing the Torah world in Eretz Yisroel.

The urgent meeting was opened with Tehillim by Rav Betzalel Pinchasi, rosh yeshiva of Birchas Ephraim.

In his opening remarks, Rav Eliezer Kahaneman, nosi of the Ponovezh Yeshiva, spoke about the financial straits in which yeshivos find themselves, and the essential role that the Keren Olam HaTorah has played in allowing Torah institutions to continue functioning this past year.

Representing roshei yeshiva across the country, Rav Daniel Wolfson of Nesivos HaChochmah called upon Rav Landau to once again turn to generous donors around the world to support Torah learning during this precarious time.

But it was Rav Landau himself who issued the strongest and most emotional call to action, declaring from the depths of his heart, “The judicial authorities are increasing their oppressive decrees and now threaten to draft our yeshiva bochurim. It will not happen! The government has yet to solve this issue, and our minds are fully occupied with this danger. We cannot stand idly by. All avenues are open to us when it comes to this matter — the heart and soul of our people.”

Rav Landau recalled how, just a year ago, in the wake of harsh judicial rulings that halted government funding for yeshivos and kollelim, Torah leaders traveled overseas to establish Keren Olam HaTorah. “Together with other gedolei Torah, we launched an emergency campaign,” he said, “and with tremendous siyata d’Shmaya, generous and righteous donors stepped forward, not only giving from their own resources, but also taking upon themselves the burden of fundraising vast sums.”

He emphasized that wherever they traveled, they witnessed extraordinary generosity from people moved by their deep love of Torah. “The kavod Shamayim was uplifted by the passionate ahavas haTorah and mutual responsibility of Yidden across the globe. The needed funds were raised and distributed fairly and honestly, and the halls of Torah continued to shine with increased vigor,” Rav Landau said.

Now, he explained, the time has come to act again. “I feel personally obligated to once again undertake this mission, despite the great difficulties involved. I ask you all to daven for me, that Hashem should grant me strength and healing, so I can travel once more to protect our yeshivos and kollelim, the crown jewel of creation. May Hashem help us, and may this evil decree be swiftly nullified.”

Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, rosh yeshiva of Slabodka, also addressed the gathering, noting that donors have already reached out to express their willingness to once again stand by Olam HaTorah. “It is their zechus to support Torah,” he remarked.

Rav Avraham Salim, a member of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas, described the emotional response of Jewish communities around the world to the previous fundraising mission, which saw Rav Landau personally travel from community to community to secure support for Torah.

Closing remarks were delivered by Rav Dovid Cohen, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Chevron, who expressed awe at Rav Landau’s strength and leadership. “Despite his advanced age and having undergone surgery just days ago,” Rav Cohen said, “he stands and declares: We are flying abroad to stand with the Olam HaTorah.”

A message from the Vizhnitzer Rebbe was delivered to the assemblage by Rav Menachem Ernster, rosh yeshiva of Vizhnitz.

Also present at the gathering were other roshei yeshiva, including Rav Tzvi Drebkin, Rav Shraga Shteinman, Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel, and others, including Rav Moshe Chaim Dendrovitz on behalf of the Gerrer Rebbe and and Rav Yosef Moshe Dov Halberstam on behalf of the Sanzer Rebbe.

{Matzav.com Israel}

After months spent pursuing a plan to convert itself into a for-profit business, OpenAI is reversing course and said Monday its nonprofit will continue to control the company that makes ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence products. “We made the decision for the nonprofit to stay in control after hearing from civic leaders and having discussions with the offices of the Attorneys General of California and Delaware,” said CEO Sam Altman in a letter to employees. Altman and the chair of OpenAI’s nonprofit board, Bret Taylor, said the board made the decision for the nonprofit to retain control of OpenAI. The nonprofit already has a for-profit arm, but that arm will be converted into a public benefit corporation “that has to consider the interests of both shareholders and the mission,” Taylor said. However, Taylor declined to say Monday how large of an ownership stake the nonprofit will have in the new public benefit corporation. He said in a call with reporters that the nonprofit will choose the board members of the public benefit corporation and, at first, they will likely be the same people who now sit on OpenAI’s nonprofit board. Public benefit corporations were first created in Delaware in 2013 and other states have adopted the same or similar laws that require the companies to pursue not just profit but a social good. Public benefit corporations, which include Amalgamated Bank and the online education platform Coursera, need to define that social good, which can vary broadly, when they incorporate. Altman said that converting from a limited liability company to a public benefit corporation “just sets us up to be a more understandable structure to do the things that a company of our scope has to do.” Among the changes would be removing a cap OpenAI had placed on how much profit it could make. “There’s so much more demand to use AI tools than we thought there was going to be,” Altman said. Getting access to more capital will make it easier for OpenAI to pursue mergers and acquisitions “and other normal things companies would do,” Altman said. OpenAI’s co-founders, including Altman and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, originally started it as a nonprofit research laboratory on a mission to safely build what’s known as artificial general intelligence, or AGI, for humanity’s benefit. Nearly a decade later, OpenAI has reported its market value as $300 billion and counts 400 million weekly users of ChatGPT, its flagship product. OpenAI first outlined plans last year to convert its core governance structure but faced a number of challenges. One is a lawsuit from Musk, who accuses the company and Altman of betraying the founding principles that led Musk to invest in the charity. A federal judge last week dismissed some of Musk’s claims and allowed others to proceed to a trial set for next year. OpenAI also faced scrutiny from the top law enforcement officers in Delaware, where the company is incorporated, and California, where it operates out of a San Francisco headquarters. The California attorney general’s office said in a statement that it was reviewing the plan and, “This remains an ongoing matter — and we are in continued conversations with Open AI.” The attorney general’s office in Delaware did not immediately return a request for comment. A number of advocates, including former […]

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday directed the active duty military to shed 20% of its four-star general officers as the Trump administration moves forward with deep cuts that it says will promote efficiency but that critics worry could result in a more politicized force. Hegseth also told the National Guard to shed 20% of its top positions and directed the military to cut an additional 10% of its general and flag officers across the force, which could include any one-star or above or officer of equivalent Navy rank. The cuts are on top of more than a half-dozen top general officers that President Donald Trump or Hegseth have fired since January, including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. CQ Brown Jr. They also have fired the only two women serving as four-star officers, as well as a disproportionate number of other senior female officers. In the earlier rounds of firing, Hegseth said the eliminations were “a reflection of the president wanting the right people around him to execute the national security approach we want to take.” As Pentagon chief, Hegseth has touted his efforts to root out any programming or leadership that endorses diversity in the ranks, tried to terminate transgender service members and begun sweeping changes to enforce a uniform fitness standard for combat positions. In a memo announcing the cuts Monday, Hegseth said they would remove “redundant force structure to optimize and streamline leadership.” He said the aim was to free the military from “unnecessary bureaucratic layers.” Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., a Marine who served in Iraq and is now on the House Armed Services Committee, said he sees Hegseth’s actions as trying to politicize the military. “He’s creating a formal framework to fire all the generals who disagree with him — and the president,” Moulton told AP at the Capitol. He said certainly any organization can look for efficiencies but Hegseth has long been explicit about his agenda. “He wrote a book about it. He wants to politicize the military,” Moulton said. “So it’s hard to see these cuts in any other context.” Moulton warned of fallout for the troops. “It is essential that our troops understand they are getting constitutional orders, not political orders,” he said, “because otherwise you don’t have a democracy, otherwise you have a military that just works well for one political party or another.” Adding to the turmoil in the Pentagon, Hegseth in recent weeks has dismissed or transferred multiple close advisers, tightly narrowing his inner circle. He also has been facing questions from both Democrats and Republicans about his handling of sensitive information and use of the Signal messaging app. There are about 800 general officers in the military, but only 44 of those are four-star general or flag officers. The Army has the largest number of general officers, with 219, including eight four-star generals. The number of general officer positions in the military is set by law. Members of Congress were not provided with the advance notification they normally would receive on the cuts but were given a “very brief alert” this afternoon, according to a congressional staffer, who spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details not made public. The cuts were first reported by CNN. The Pentagon is under pressure to slash spending and […]

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Several dozen roshei yeshiva representing the Litvish, Chassidish, and Sefardic Torah worlds in Eretz Yisroel gathered on Monday at the home of the venerable sar haTorah, Maran Rav Dov Landau shlit”a, to confront the escalating gezeiros against yeshivos. 

With government threats looming — including the potential arrest of yeshiva bochurim for refusing army enlistment — the rabbanim convened to deliberate next steps. After lengthy discussion, a consensus was reached: the situation demands immediate international action. Plans are now underway for a second Keren Olam HaTorah mission to the United States, following the historic success of last year’s campaign.

Despite his advanced age of 95 and recent surgery following a broken bone, Rav Dov shlit”a expressed an unwavering desire to participate once again, saying he wants to do everything he can for Keren Olam HaTorah. Rav Dov requested tefillos from the tzibbur that he should have the strength to travel once more to America on behalf of the yeshivos.

The meeting was marked by remarkable achdus, with roshei yeshiva from all backgrounds joining together with one voice and one mission: to secure the future of Torah in Eretz Yisroel.

Askanim involved say the trip is tentatively planned for shortly after Shavuos. Last year’s inaugural campaign brought in over $100 million for yeshivos and drew tens of thousands of participants to events across the U.S., Canada, and South America.

Updates on the campaign and Rav Dov’s health will be forthcoming in the weeks ahead.

Dozens of demonstrators affiliated with the Retzafnikim faction gathered Monday evening in central Yerushalayim, staging a protest that quickly escalated into confrontation with security forces.

The protestors blocked the intersection of Sarei Yisrael and Yafo Streets in the heart of the city.

In response, police units were dispatched to the scene, including mounted officers and a water cannon vehicle, in an effort to disperse the crowd.

The demonstrators were forcibly removed by police as tensions flared between the protestors and law enforcement. Eyewitnesses reported shouting, resistance, and scuffles as protestors refused to vacate the area voluntarily.

The protest is part of a series of actions led by the Retzafnikim, a group known for its hardline stance on the army issue.

Photos from the scene show a heavy police presence, water being sprayed from the canon, and protestors being dragged away or restrained by officers. The use of mounted police created dramatic moments as the crowd tried to resist while horses advanced.

Several arrests were made.

PHOTOS:

A special l’chaim took place in the study of the Gaavad of Mosdos Darchei Torah, HaGaon Rav Asher Weiss, in celebration of the publication of the 35th volume of Minchas Asher.

The event was held at Kollel Darchei Torah in the Ramot neighborhood of Yerushalayim and was attended by leading talmidim of Rav Weiss, many of whom are affiliated with Mosdos Minchas Asher.

The Minchas Asher series, encompassing wide-ranging topics across all areas of Torah, has earned great acclaim among talmidei chachomim and has been printed over the years in tens of thousands of copies across multiple editions.

During the gathering, Rav Weiss delivered brief remarks, expressing heartfelt thanks to his close talmidim and the members of Mosdos Minchas Asher for their dedication and assistance in the publication of the new sefer.

PHOTOS:

{Matzav.com Israel}

Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, who was pardoned by Donald Trump for his conviction related to the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol, said he met with the president over the weekend in Florida. Tarrio posted about the meeting on his X account Sunday morning. “Yesterday, I had the honor of meeting the President of the United States, a moment I never could have imagined in my darkest days,” Tarrio wrote. In other posts, he said he was at Mar-a-Lago, the president’s club, and that he had a “great conversation” with the president after Trump called him and his mother over during dinner. A White House official said the meeting was not planned; rather, Tarrio had been at the club to dine with a member, who introduced him to Trump. The two had a “brief exchange” as the president walked to his table for dinner, said the official who was granted anonymity to discuss a private encounter. Tarrio responded to messages seeking comment about the meeting. A federal jury convicted Tarrio and three lieutenants of seditious conspiracy for a failed plot to keep Trump in the White House after he lost the 2020 presidential election. Tarrio was serving a 22-year prison sentence, the longest of any Capitol riot case, before Trump pardoned him. He was in prison for about three years. Tarrio wasn’t in Washington, D.C, when Proud Boys members stormed the Capitol with a mob of Trump supporters. But prosecutors said the Miami resident organized and led the far-right extremist group’s assault from afar. Trump has defended the clemency actions he took on his first day returning to office. He pardoned roughly 1,500 people who were involved in the siege at the Capitol by his angry supporters. He also suggested there could be a place in American politics for the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, the extremists groups whose leaders were convicted of seditious conspiracy against the U.S. Before the Capitol attack, the Proud Boys were best known for street fights with anti-fascist activists at time when Trump told the group to “stand back and stand by” during his first debate in 2020 with then-presidential candidate Biden. (AP)

All are asked to daven for the refuah sheleimah of Rav Yitzchok Ezrachi, one of the roshei yeshiva of Yeshivas Mir-Yerushalayim.

Rav Ezrachi, who is 90 years old, was hospitalized earlier this week at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Yerushalayim after feeling unwell. He is expected to undergo a cardiac catheterization procedure in the coming days.

A notice was posted in Yeshivas Mir urging the bochurim and yungeleit to daven on behalf of their revered rosh yeshiva.

All are asked to daven for the refuah sheleimah of Rav Yaakov Yitzchok ben Hinda Malka.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Multiple Orthodox Jewish passengers on Lufthansa flight LH1397 from Prague to Frankfurt tell YWN they were singled out and forced to check their carry-on luggage, while other passengers with larger bags were allowed to board without issue. The incident occurred Monday afternoon at Václav Havel Airport, shortly before the scheduled 2:30 PM departure. According to firsthand accounts, the passengers — identifiable by their religious attire — were approached at the gate and asked if they were comfortable sitting in the emergency exit row. Upon agreeing, they were immediately told their hand luggage would need to be checked, allegedly for failing to fit easily into the sizing rack. One passenger, who arrived at the airport around 12:30 PM, explained to staff that he had a tight connection in Frankfurt and could not afford delays caused by checking a bag. His request was denied. When he questioned why only visibly Orthodox passengers were being subjected to this policy, he was told the inquiry was inappropriate and was threatened with removal from the boarding area. “No other passengers — many with visibly larger suitcases — were stopped, measured, or asked to check their bags,” the passenger said. The situation escalated when the passenger attempted to photograph another traveler’s larger suitcase that had been allowed onboard. A Lufthansa staff member blocked the camera and threatened to call the police. While Lufthansa has not yet issued a comment on the incident, the airline has previously faced allegations of discriminatory conduct toward Orthodox Jewish travelers. In 2022, Lufthansa apologized after a group of Jewish passengers was barred from boarding a flight in Frankfurt, and later shelled out millions in fines over the incident. The passengers involved in Monday’s incident described the experience as humiliating and discriminatory. “No one should be treated differently because of how they look or what they wear,” one of the passengers told YWN. “We were not asking for special treatment — only fair treatment.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

A major rift has erupted within Israeli PM Netanyahu’s governing coalition as both United Torah Judaism (UTJ) and Shas have announced they will boycott all coalition votes beginning Wednesday, in protest of the government’s continued failure to pass legislation formally exempting yeshiva bochurim from military conscription. The decision was made during UTJ’s weekly faction meeting on Monday, with Hebrew media reporting that Shas has joined the move. Both parties notified coalition whip MK Ofir Katz (Likud) that they would be abstaining from all coalition-sponsored votes during Wednesday’s Knesset plenum session. The step comes amid mounting frustration in the chareidi parties over what they view as a betrayal of core coalition agreements and a delay that threatens the Torah world. UTJ MK Rabbi Yaakov Asher told Kikar HaShabbat that if the law isn’t passed by the end of the Knesset’s summer session — July 27 — the party will find it nearly impossible to remain in the government. “If this law does not pass in this session, we will have a very big problem sitting in such a government,” said Rabbi Asher. “We cannot be part of a government that turns bnei Torah into criminals. We simply don’t know how to sit in a government that refuses to pass this law. This is the most important thing for Klal Yisrael.” The legislation in question would formalize the long-standing exemption for full-time talmidei yeshiva from mandatory IDF service — a cornerstone issue for charedim. While the government had previously committed to passing the law before the state budget was approved, those promises have repeatedly been postponed. In response to the boycott, Likud MK Dan Illouz wrote on social media: “If the chareidi factions boycott the government’s votes and harm the coalition’s ability to function, then Likud should also reconsider supporting their legislation. The Likud is not a floor rag.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

During a sit-down interview with Meet The Press, President Trump torched rising Democratic “star” Jasmine Crockett, calling the Texas congresswoman a “low-IQ person.”

Trump also said the Democratic Party is in total disarray.

“I mean, look at the Democrats,” Trump told Meet the Press host Kristen Welker. “They’re in total disarray. They have a new person named Crockett. I watched her speak the other day, she’s definitely a low-IQ person, and they said she’s the future of the party. I said you have to be kidding.”

“I really believe in a two-party system, because it’s good to be challenged, it’s really good to have a two-party[…]Being challenged is okay, it keeps you sharp,” Trump said. “I don’t know what they’re gonna do. They have nobody. Bernie’s 87 years old or something and you know, Biden is the worst thing that ever happened to old people.”

“He’s a nutjob,” Trump said of Sanders, “but he’s still sharp. He’s sharp… he’s the same guy as he was. He hasn’t gone down, but Biden, is really, he’s the worst thing to happen to old people.”

Watch the clip below:

Crockett has emerged as a prominent media figure for Democrats since her heated clash with Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene during a May 2024 House Oversight Committee hearing. She’s also drawn attention for her use of profanity in congressional settings and for mocking Texas Gov. Greg Abbott as “Governor Hot Wheels,” a jab at his use of a wheelchair following a paralyzing back injury.

{Matzav.com}

The shoe company Skechers is being acquired for more than $9 billion to be taken private by the investment firm by 3G Capital. The deal comes amid growing uncertainty over how U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on foreign goods will affect companies who make their products overseas, particularly in China. Athletic shoe makers have invested heavily in production in Asia. The offer of $63 per share represents a premium of 30% to Skechers’ 15-day volume-weighted average stock price. The deal was unanimously approved by Skechers’ board. Skechers shares jumped nearly 25% Monday, to $61.56. In a press release announcing the deal, the companies did not mention the potential impacts of Trump’s tariffs on its business going forward. However, Skechers says that about two-thirds of its revenue comes from sales outside of the U.S. China accounts for 15% of the company’s revenue, according to the data firm FactSet. The deal comes at a precarious time with Trump’s ongoing, on-again-off-again tariff announcements. Like many other companies increasingly have done since Trump’s widespread tariff announcements, Skechers did not issue guidance when it released its first quarter earnings in April. Chief Financial Officer John Vandemore told investors that the “current environment is simply too dynamic from which to plan results with a reasonable assurance of success.” Executives also said they would be looking to minimize products going to the U.S. from “high-cost locations,” including the impact of tariffs. The company did not immediately provide a breakdown of foreign production, but many of their shoes come with a “Made in China” stamp. Trump raised the tariff on Chinese imports to 125% in early April, hours after China boosted the duty on American goods to 84% in an escalating battle that threatens to disrupt trade between the world’s two largest economies. Skechers executives said last month that the company had several “levers” it could pull to deal with tariffs, including cost sharing with vendors, sourcing optimization, and price adjustments. “We’re looking at how we optimize the global cost of tariffs in all markets when we look to move production around,” Vandemore said last month. “Obviously, with an effective tariff rate at about 159%, products from China to the U.S. are prohibitively expensive.” Skechers has about 5,300 retail stores worldwide, about 1,800 company-owned. About 97% of the clothes and shoes purchased in the U.S. are imported, predominantly from Asia, according to the American Apparel & Footwear Association. Using factories overseas has kept labor costs down for U.S. companies, but neither they nor their overseas suppliers are likely to absorb price increases due to new tariffs. When the deal closes, the company will be led by Skechers Chairman and CEO Robert Greenberg and his management team. Its headquarters will remain in Manhattan Beach, California, where it was founded more than three decades ago. Skechers reported a record $9 billion in revenue in 2024 with net earnings of $640 million. The deal with 3G Capital is expected to close in the third quarter this year. (AP)

I24NEWS military analyst Tzvi Yechezkeli referred to the Israeli preparations for an attack in Yemen as an “American trap.” “The trap we are in is mainly an American trap,” Yechezkeli said. “The Americans have taken it upon themselves to attack the Houthis with very, very serious and intensive attacks. But in practice, we’re getting what we already know from before—that it’s impossible to subdue the Houthis from the air.” “And no matter how much the Americans try, including bringing in Yemeni forces opposed to the Houthis on the ground, it’s not working.” “If we didn’t have the interception means, we might have already rolled up our sleeves and dealt with the problem, but the trap is that we gave it to the Americans, and this must be seen in the Iranian context. It’s not just an incident between us and the Houthis; Iran is involved. And the Americans are dragging their feet on negotiations with Iran.” Yechezkeli continued: “I’ll just mention a few things about Trump’s first 100 days. He promised that if there’s no deal after two months of negotiations with Iran, he’ll attack. We’re reaching that deadline very soon. He promised hell in Gaza – it’s not happening. The issue of the deal and everything he pressured Hamas for – it’s also not happening.” “Trump’s tweets and reality are separate. The reality says that he, Trump, is following in Obama’s footsteps. He’s moving toward an agreement with Iran and therefore, they’re getting this energy and this approval that it’s possible to attack Israel.” Yechezkeli concluded: “The Houthi spokesperson said that they attacked Israel because Israel is recruiting reservists. And I wonder – if the Houthis are in such a state, they probably weren’t harmed. And therefore it goes back to this, to the issue that it’s an American trap.” “If the Americans give up the negotiations, give the green light – it’s time to attack Iran, the Houthis will disappear. And if not, we’re in a trap. We’re waiting for the Americans, and Trump is excellent—in tweets. But in the field, we’re still waiting. It’s not happening, and every day that passes is a blow to prestige, deterrence, and certainly to the blow that will come, and I really hope it will come.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Several international airlines announced on Monday that they would be extending their suspension of flights to Tel Aviv, following a missile attack by the Houthi terror group near Ben Gurion Airport and threats by the group to “blockade” Israel’s main airport.

As a response to the growing number of canceled flights, Israeli airlines began increasing their operations and capping the cost of one-way tickets to help Israelis currently stuck abroad. But due to limited seating, efforts by El Al and other smaller domestic airlines have fallen short of meeting the demand.

United Airlines said it would extend its flight suspension between Newark and Tel Aviv until May 11, pushing beyond its previous May 8 target.

The Lufthansa Group—which operates SWISS, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines—also announced it would not resume flights to Israel before May 11. The group had previously canceled flights only through May 6.

Air France stated it would halt flights to Tel Aviv through May 13, while Wizz Air, the low-cost Hungarian airline, extended its cancellations through May 8.

Most of these international carriers grounded their Tel Aviv flights following Sunday’s missile strike, in which a ballistic missile from Yemen landed near Ben Gurion Airport, injuring multiple people and causing a temporary shutdown. Airlines including Iberia, LOT, Air Europa, British Airways, ITA, Ryanair, and Delta suspended service, alongside other regional operators.

Many of these airlines had only recently resumed flights to Israel after a months-long suspension that began following Hamas’s October 7 attack and the subsequent war in Gaza. United restarted in March, Delta resumed operations on April 1, and British Airways followed on April 5.

A small number of foreign airlines continued flying into Israel on Sunday, among them Ethiopian Airlines, flydubai, and Blue Bird Airways.

To assist Israeli travelers trying to return home, El Al introduced capped fares for flights departing from several cities. The airline announced fixed maximum prices on tickets to Tel Aviv: $333 from Rome, $349 from Barcelona, $392 from Paris, $424 from London Luton, $289 from Thessaloniki, and $799 from New York.

Additionally, El Al offered deeply discounted one-way fares from Cyprus and Greece—$99 from Larnaca and $149 from Athens—starting Sunday.

“Israeli aviation has a national responsibility to continue connecting Israel to the world in this period, while providing solutions to Israelis seeking to return home,” said Shlomi Zafrany, the VP of commercial and industrial affairs at El Al.

Mark Feldman, CEO of Ziontours Jerusalem, expressed to The Times of Israel that El Al’s initiative, while helpful, was limited in scope.

“They are not lowering fares but are offering more reasonable prices and are not price gouging,” he said. “However, not a lot of people will be able to take advantage, as the problem is not so much the price but the availability of seats.”

“If El Al said there are thousands of seats on these planes, I would be more impressed,” he added.

Israir, another Israeli airline, operated special flights from Larnaca, Athens, and Budapest on Sunday and Monday in an effort to assist travelers trying to return. Arkia also announced it would fly from Rome and Vienna later in the week, with fares beginning at $299.

With most international airlines grounded, Israeli carriers El Al, Arkia, and Israir once again dominate the skies. On Sunday, El Al’s stock climbed nearly 7%, and it has gained 49% since the start of the year. Israir’s shares also increased by 4.1%, based on Tel Aviv Stock Exchange figures.

After the missile exploded near Ben Gurion Airport—despite an unsuccessful attempt by Israeli forces to intercept it—the Houthis celebrated and declared the airport “no longer safe for air travel.”

The group, supported by Iran, threatened to enforce a total “aerial blockade” of Israel by continuing its rocket campaign targeting the airport.

Houthi leaders urged “all international airlines to take this announcement into serious consideration… and to cancel all their flights to the airports of the criminal Israeli enemy, in order to safeguard the safety of their aircraft and passengers.”

Despite the threats, the chance of a complete blockade succeeding remains minimal, with Israel expected to intercept the vast majority of incoming missiles using its advanced air defense systems.

In retaliation for Sunday’s missile strike, the Israeli Air Force launched an operation on Monday evening, targeting Houthi-controlled sites in the port city of Hodeidah, Yemen.

{Matzav.com}

President Trump is set to issue an executive order cutting off all federal dollars from funding gain-of-function research in nations like China and Iran, unless those experiments are under stringent supervision. This move comes more than five years after the outbreak of COVID-19, which U.S. intelligence agencies now believe likely stemmed from a mishap in a laboratory.

The directive will apply retroactively and prospectively, stopping support for any current or upcoming gain-of-function studies. It will also task the National Institutes of Health and other federal agencies with flagging biological research that could endanger public health or pose a threat to national security.

“These measures will drastically reduce the potential for lab-related incidents involving gain-of-function research, like that conducted on bat coronaviruses in China by the EcoHealth Alliance and Wuhan Institute of Virology,” according to a White House fact sheet reviewed by The Post.

Officials from the White House took aim at the Biden administration for failing to prevent controversial experiments that deliberately boost the contagiousness of pathogens, warning that such research could trigger global health disasters.

The executive order also halts all projects involving dangerous microbes or toxins until a revamped national policy is crafted. That new framework will be drawn up by the national security adviser and the director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and it will include strict enforcement and reporting mechanisms.

Since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, which has claimed the lives of over one million Americans, intense debate has raged among government agencies, lawmakers, and scientists over whether the virus originated from gain-of-function work at the Wuhan Institute of Virology that received U.S. taxpayer money.

Between 2014 and 2021, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases — then overseen by Dr. Anthony Fauci — and the U.S. Agency for International Development provided over $1.4 million in grants and subgrants to EcoHealth Alliance, which collaborated with the Chinese lab on a project titled “Understanding the Risk of Bat Coronavirus Emergence.”

That initiative led to what Dr. Lawrence Tabak, the former principal deputy director of the NIH, acknowledged were gain-of-function experiments conducted at the Wuhan facility. However, he and other officials have consistently denied that the project directly led to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A growing number of federal agencies — including the FBI, the Energy Department, and the CIA — along with former high-ranking health experts like former CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield, have since concluded that a lab leak is the most plausible cause of the virus’s origin.

{Matzav.com}