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France summoned U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner after he published a letter to President Emmanuel Macron accusing France of failing to do enough to combat antisemitic violence, a spokesperson for the French foreign ministry said on Sunday.

Kushner, who is Jewish and whose son is married to U.S. President Donald Trump’s daughter, wrote the open letter in the Wall Street Journal amid growing tensions between France, the United States, and Israel.

In his letter to Macron, Kushner highlighted the significance of Monday’s date, noting it marked “the 81st anniversary of the Allied Liberation of Paris, which ended the deportation of Jews from French soil” under Nazi occupation.

“I write out of deep concern over the dramatic rise of antisemitism in France and the lack of sufficient action by your government to confront it…” Kushner wrote.

“In France, not a day passes without Jews assaulted in the street, synagogues or schools defaced, or Jewish-owned businesses vandalized,” he added.

Kushner urged Macron to take stronger steps to enforce existing hate-crime laws and reduce public criticism of Israel, arguing that recent French government statements about recognizing a Palestinian state have intensified antisemitic incidents across the country.

While acknowledging that “antisemitism has long scarred French life,” Kushner stressed that hatred toward Jews “has exploded since Hamas’s barbaric assault on October 7, 2023,” which triggered the ongoing war in Gaza.

“France firmly refutes these latest allegations,” the French foreign ministry said in response to Kushner’s letter, issuing a statement just hours after the publication.

“The Ambassador’s allegations are unacceptable,” the ministry declared, adding that Kushner would be formally summoned to appear at the foreign ministry on Monday.

Officials cited the 1961 Vienna Convention, stating that ambassadors are prohibited from interfering in the internal affairs of the countries where they serve.

Kushner’s letter came shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a similar message to Macron earlier in the week, accusing the French president of encouraging antisemitism by pushing for international recognition of a Palestinian state, according to The Jerusalem Post.

Macron has been among the most vocal critics of Netanyahu’s handling of the war in Gaza, frequently condemning the high number of Palestinian civilian casualties. In contrast, President Trump has maintained strong support for Netanyahu throughout the conflict.

“Public statements haranguing Israel and gestures toward recognition of a Palestinian state embolden extremists, fuel violence, and endanger Jewish life in France. In today’s world, anti-Zionism is antisemitism – plain and simple,” Kushner wrote.

Kushner’s son, Jared Kushner, is married to Ivanka Trump, who converted to Judaism before their wedding in 2009. The couple has three children, all being raised in the Jewish faith.

Macron, meanwhile, has publicly condemned antisemitism as incompatible with French values and has bolstered security around synagogues and Jewish institutions following a spike in antisemitic incidents tied to the Gaza conflict.

France is home to the largest Jewish community in Western Europe, estimated at around half a million people, as well as a sizable Muslim population sensitive to the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza.

Both Jewish and Muslim communities in France have reported a sharp increase in hate crimes since Israel launched its retaliatory strikes against Hamas in Gaza.

Macron’s recent announcement that France intends to formally recognize a Palestinian state during a UN meeting in September drew swift criticism from Israel at the time.

With that move, France is set to join a growing number of countries that have recognized or plan to recognize a Palestinian state since the outbreak of the Gaza war nearly two years ago.

According to a recent New York Times report, at least 147 of the 193 United Nations member states now recognize or intend to recognize Palestinian statehood.

{Matzav.com}

The British government is preparing to introduce changes to prison sentencing that would allow thousands of offenders to avoid jail time as part of a plan to address the country’s overcrowded prison system.

According to The Times of London, the Labour Party’s Sentencing Bill will encourage judges to eliminate prison terms for sentences of up to 12 months. If passed, the measure could allow many individuals — including drug dealers, offenders, and shoplifters — to bypass prison altogether.

Instead of short custodial sentences, the bill would prioritize community-based penalties. These could include restrictions such as banning offenders from visiting pubs, attending football matches, and other public events, along with expanded use of electronic monitoring to track individuals after conviction.

The proposal follows an independent review led by former justice secretary David Gauke, which concluded that reducing the number of people sent to prison could ease overcrowding in Britain’s jails.

The review also suggested that short-term prison sentences have proven ineffective for rehabilitation and often lead to higher rates of repeat offending rather than reducing crime.

Under the new plan, judges would still hold significant discretion in determining whether prison sentences are avoided. However, critics have noted that British judges already have a reputation for imposing lenient punishments in many cases.

Additionally, the bill includes a “good behaviour” provision that could allow certain violent offenders to be released after serving as little as one-third of their sentences. However, this exemption would not extend to terrorists or the most dangerous violent criminals, according to The Guardian.

Defending the proposed legislation, the government issued a statement explaining the urgency of the reforms: “This government inherited a prisons system days away from collapse. That is why we are building 14,000 more prison places — with 2,500 already delivered — but we know we can’t build our way out of this crisis. Without further action, we will run out of prison places in months, courts would halt trials and the police cancel arrests.

“That is why as part of our plan for change, we are overhauling sentencing to make sure we always have the prison places needed to keep the country safe.”

The government’s strategy contrasts sharply with proposals from Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who has pledged to enforce “zero tolerance policing” against all crimes, ensuring that even minor offenses are prosecuted consistently. Drawing inspiration from former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s policies, Farage said that if he came to power, his government would also expand stop-and-search operations to confront the rising problem of knife crime.

“As someone who spent over 20 years working for American companies, I was a regular transatlantic commuter, and I saw what one inspired, brave leader with a New York Police Department that wanted to work with him… I saw what could happen, what the potential was. I believe London needs a Giuliani, not a Sadiq Khan,” Farage said last month.

Instead of immediately releasing offenders like shoplifters back onto the streets, Farage has suggested establishing a network of detention facilities on military bases, where arrested individuals would be held immediately. To reduce costs, he also proposed negotiating agreements with countries such as El Salvador and Estonia, where housing prisoners is significantly cheaper.

{Matzav.com}

On Sunday’s broadcast of MSNBC’s “The Weekend,” Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) warned that if President Donald Trump were to send the National Guard into Chicago, residents would rise up against what he described as “tyranny.”

During the interview, co-host Jonathan Capehart referenced a report from The Washington Post and asked for Johnson’s reaction. “I just want to get your reaction to another thing in The Washington Post story I’m reading directly here. It says the use of thousands of active duty troops in Chicago also has been discussed, but is considered less likely at this time. We saw him do that with active duty Marines on the streets of Los Angeles. What would the reaction be in Chicago if the President of the United States does indeed put active duty military on the streets of Chicago?”

WATCH:

Johnson responded, “Well, again, you know, the city of Chicago does not need a military occupied state that that is that’s not who we are. I commend the work of Mayor Bass, my colleague, and and, you know, all the folks in Los Angeles who stood up and fought, you know, against this, you know, authoritarianism. Here’s the bottom line. they don’t have police power. There’s nothing they can do. you know, these are federal troops, they do not go through the training that our police officers go through. So they cannot even enact police authority.”

He went on to criticize the administration’s broader approach. “The president has spent hundreds of millions of dollars to what, arrest nine people in D.C.? You know that that is that clearly he’s demonstrated that he doesn’t have a level of consciousness to understand what it takes to run cities, not to mention an entire country. So, you know, look, we’re going to remain firm. We’ll take legal action. But the people of this city are accustomed to rising up against tyranny. And if that’s necessary, I believe that the people of Chicago will stand firm alongside of me as I work every single day to protect the people of this city.”

{Matzav.com}

An urgent meeting was held Thursday night by the Sanzer Rebbe, bringing together the rabbonim and dayanim of Sanz to address serious concerns that have arisen regarding the kashrus of tefillin.

The gathering took place just prior to the bar mitzvah celebration of the Rebbe’s grandson.

According to information obtained by Matzav.com, the emergency meeting followed the discovery of potential flaws in the kashrus of tefillin batim produced over the past 25 years, dating back to approximately the year 2000. Manufacturers had begun using a harder and thicker type of leather for the batim, and even after pressing the leather in industrial machines, small hollow spaces or cracks sometimes remained. These gaps were then filled with glue. However, due to a lack of proper oversight, such cracks can compromise the integrity of the square shape required for tefillin, raising serious halachic concerns about their validity.

In addition, further issues were identified relating to the proper squaring of the tefillin batim. These include the use of electric saws to create deeper grooves between the four compartments of the tefillin shel rosh, improper handling by examiners when opening the batim for inspection, and even drilling holes with electric tools to pass the threads between compartments, all of which may lead to potential halachic deficiencies.

This development recalls a similar controversy from approximately fifty years ago, when the Rebbe’s father, the Shefa Chaim of Sanz, led a well-known campaign addressing problems in tefillin kashrus. Now, once again, with new questions arising, the Sanzer Rebbe has called on his rabbonim to establish a dedicated system of hashgacha and oversight.

The newly implemented supervision will be entrusted to the rabbonim of Sanz, who will monitor the manufacturing process closely and ensure that tefillin produced and sold within the community meet the highest halachic standards. The Rebbe emphasized the urgent obligation to safeguard the mitzvah of tefillin, ensuring that chassidim fulfill this foundational mitzvah k’das uk’din, in accordance with the rulings of the Shefa Chaim and the guidance of today’s leading poskim.

{Matzav.com Israel}

In recent days, renovations have begun at the iconic Brisk Yeshiva building in Yerushalayim, the legendary structure that once served as the home of the Brisker Rav and, for the past seventy years since his passing, has stood as the central beacon of the world-renowned Brisk Yeshiva.

Due to growing needs, major changes are being carried out on the front facade of the building, including updates to the original staircase that was used for nearly ninety years by the Brisker Rov, his talmidim, and all who entered his home.

To address the increasing crowding, the entrance to the yeshiva has been expanded significantly. This change has transformed the appearance of the building’s exterior, with the historic staircase fully refurbished. The upgraded entrance will now better accommodate the Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Avrohom Yehoshua Soloveitchik, along with the thousands of talmidim who arrive daily to learn in the yeshiva’s eight bustling batei midrash.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Mir Yeshiva in Yerushalayim continues its vibrant growth as the zman Elul begins, with talmidim learning Maseches Kiddushin as a continuation of the summer zman.

Each zman, hundreds of new avreichim and bochurim from the finest yeshivas and kollelim across the globe join the yeshiva.

To accommodate this steady influx, the yeshiva is opening several highly exclusive groups where only the top talmidim, carefully selected from among thousands, are accepted. These elite groups are primarily located in the main building and in the ezras nashim area, which has been adapted to serve as an additional beis medrash.

Recently, Mir Yeshiva added a new building on Rechov Harav Chaim Ozer, just near the main campus, providing hundreds of new seating spaces for learning. In addition, the adjacent Zvhil Yeshiva building is now being used to house even more talmidim.

Due to the growing demand, construction is already underway on additional batei midrash designed to accommodate hundreds more seats, ensuring that Mir Yeshiva continues to meet the needs of its ever-expanding student body.

{Matzav.com Israel}

The Breslov Union in Uman, which oversees the upkeep of the tziyon of Rebbe Nachman, habe revealed plans for a massive, unprecedented renovation project valued at over $2 million, set to completely transform the tziyon complex from end to end. According to the organization, the renovations are expected to begin during the coming winter of 5786, with the goal of enabling the throngs of mispallelim who travel to Uman year-round to daven without overcrowding or disturbance. The ambitious project spans an area of 1,800 square meters (20,000 square feet) and will address long-standing challenges faced by mispallelim for decades. Among the central upgrades: Permanent Ezras Nashim: For the first time in over two decades, a spacious, dignified ezras nashim will be established, replacing the temporary arrangement that has served until now. Taharah for Kohanim: Special solutions will be implemented to allow kohanim to be present near the tziyon without concerns of tumas meis. Dedicated Batei Tefillah: Three new batei tefillah will be constructed — an Ashkenazi beis tefillah, a Sephardi beis tefillah, and a flexible hall for additional needs — to minimize disruptions and accommodate the diverse crowd that comes to daven. Heichal for Rikudei Simchah: A designated space will be created for dancing and clapping, in accordance with Rebbe Nachman’s guidance, without disturbing those davening directly at the kever. Organized Tefillah Arrangements: A new system will separate minyanim from individual davening at the kever itself, ensuring every mispallel can approach the tziyon without overcrowding. Improved Facilities: The project will include a refreshment corner with coffee, tea, and light snacks, along with newly built women’s restrooms for the first time. With the costs of the renovation exceeding $2 million, in addition to the site’s annual upkeep of more than $800,000 and Rosh Hashanah preparations alone topping $350,000, the Union is preparing a large fundraising campaign. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Across the UK, millions of people are now having their faces scanned by real-time facial-recognition systems — making it the only country in Europe to roll out this technology on such a large scale.

At London’s Notting Hill Carnival, where an estimated two million people are expected to celebrate Afro-Caribbean culture over Sunday and Monday, police have set up facial-recognition cameras near key entrances and exits.

According to police officials, the purpose of deploying the technology is to identify and apprehend wanted suspects by scanning the faces of festival-goers and matching them against thousands of profiles stored in their database.

The technology is “an effective policing tool which has already been successfully used to locate offenders at crime hotspots resulting in well over 1,000 arrests since the start of 2024,” said Metropolitan Police chief Mark Rowley.

Facial-recognition technology was first tested in 2016, but its deployment has expanded rapidly in the UK over the past three years.

According to the NGO Liberty, approximately 4.7 million faces were scanned in 2024 alone. Since late January, UK police have used live facial-recognition technology nearly 100 times — a sharp increase compared to just 10 deployments between 2016 and 2019.

Some recent examples include screenings conducted before two Six Nations rugby matches and outside two Oasis concerts in Cardiff this past July.

When an individual on the police “watchlist” approaches the cameras, the AI-powered system — often stationed inside a nearby police van — immediately sends out an alert. Officers then verify the person’s identity and can make an arrest on the spot.

However, the widespread use of this technology has sparked major criticism from privacy advocates. The organization Big Brother Watch warned that the mass data collection seen in London, including during the coronation of King Charles III in 2023, “treats us like a nation of suspects.”

“There is no legislative basis, so we have no safeguards to protect our rights, and the police is left to write its own rules,” said Rebecca Vincent, interim director of Big Brother Watch, in an interview with AFP.

Vincent also raised concerns about its private use by supermarkets and clothing retailers, where “very little information” is provided about how customers’ data is collected and stored.

Many stores rely on Facewatch, a service provider that maintains a list of suspected offenders and sends alerts when any of them enter a monitored location.

“It transforms what it is to live in a city, because it removes the possibility of living anonymously,” said Daragh Murray, a lecturer in human rights law at Queen Mary University of London.

“That can have really big implications for protests but also participation in political and cultural life,” he added.

Shoppers are often unaware that they are being scanned and profiled when entering these stores.

“They should make people aware of it,” said Abigail Bevon, a 26-year-old forensic scientist, who spoke to AFP outside a London store using Facewatch. She admitted she was “very surprised” to learn how extensively the technology was being deployed.

While acknowledging its usefulness in certain policing situations, she criticized its use by retailers, calling it “invasive.”

Since February, new EU regulations on artificial intelligence have banned real-time facial-recognition technology, except in exceptional cases such as counterterrorism.

Aside from a few isolated cases in the United States, “we do not see anything even close in European countries or other democracies,” Vincent emphasized.

“The use of such invasive tech is more akin to what we see in authoritarian states such as China,” she added.

UK Interior Minister Yvette Cooper recently announced that a “legal framework” will be drafted to regulate its use, focusing on investigations involving “the most serious crimes.”

However, despite these assurances, her ministry authorized police this month to deploy facial-recognition systems in seven additional regions.

Currently, the cameras are typically mounted inside mobile police vans, but for the first time, permanent installations are set to be introduced in Croydon, south London, next month.

Police have insisted that “robust safeguards” are in place, including switching off cameras when officers are absent and deleting biometric data from individuals who are not suspects.

Despite these claims, the UK’s human rights watchdog ruled on Wednesday that the Metropolitan Police’s policy on facial recognition was “unlawful” and “incompatible” with existing rights protections.

In addition, eleven advocacy groups — including Human Rights Watch — sent a letter to the Metropolitan Police chief urging him not to use the technology during Notting Hill Carnival, accusing the department of “unfairly targeting” the Afro-Caribbean community and highlighting the racial biases built into AI-driven systems.

{Matzav.com}

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President Donald Trump may have built his reputation on “The Art of the Deal,” but on Monday, South Korea will receive recognition at the Oval Office for committing $150 billion to its “Make America Shipbuilding Great Again” (MASGA) initiative.

According to a Wall Street Journal report on Sunday, during last month’s high-level trade negotiations, South Korean representatives presented U.S. officials with symbolic red baseball caps embroidered with the MASGA slogan alongside both American and Korean flags.

The gesture resonated strongly with U.S. officials, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who praised the move as a “great idea” while tying it to President Trump’s ongoing push to strengthen America’s naval capabilities and shipping infrastructure under his broader MAGA goals.

The trade agreement struck between the two countries included reductions in tariffs, greater access to U.S. auto markets, and South Korea’s commitment to purchase $100 billion worth of American energy exports.

“The MASGA project contributed most significantly,” South Korea’s Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol told the Journal, crediting the initiative as a major factor in finalizing the deal.

The agreement comes just before Monday’s planned Oval Office meeting between President Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. Their agenda will cover trade tariffs, the presence of U.S. military forces on the Korean Peninsula, and Seoul’s defense contributions.

President Trump has repeatedly voiced frustration over America’s declining shipbuilding sector and has pledged to restore its strength through new tax incentives and the establishment of a dedicated White House office focused on shipbuilding expansion. Currently, the U.S. accounts for less than 1% of global ship construction, far behind China’s 60% share and South Korea’s 22%.

With China rapidly increasing its naval power and positioning itself for a potential confrontation over Taiwan as early as 2027, Washington has made boosting cooperation with allies that have strong shipbuilding industries a strategic priority.

South Korea, home to the world’s largest shipyard in Ulsan operated by HD Hyundai, ranks second globally in ship production behind China. Leading South Korean shipbuilders — including HD Hyundai, Hanwha Ocean, and Samsung Heavy Industries — have already secured U.S. Navy repair contracts and are exploring acquisitions of American shipyards to expand their influence.

Hanwha Ocean’s acquisition of the Philadelphia Shipyard last year drew praise from U.S. officials for doubling the facility’s workforce and significantly increasing production capacity. Meanwhile, HD Hyundai has been advising American companies on scaling up operations and has signaled potential interest in purchasing a U.S.-based shipyard.

Industry analysts warn that the collaboration could prove crucial in the event of a military conflict in the Indo-Pacific.

“The U.S. could have access to allied shipyards and bases all the way up and down the region,” Peter Lee of Seoul’s Asan Institute told the Journal. “That will be an advantage China simply doesn’t have.”

In Washington, lawmakers are considering new legislation to make it easier for trusted allies like South Korea and Japan to construct and maintain U.S. naval vessels. At the same time, Seoul is betting that aligning itself closely with Trump’s MASGA initiative will not only deepen U.S.-South Korea ties but also give it a strategic edge over regional competitors like Japan.

{Matzav.com}

The United States has entered uncharted territory: for the first time since the 1960s, its foreign-born population is shrinking. A new analysis by the Pew Research Center reveals that the number of immigrants living in the country dropped by nearly 1.5 million in just the first half of 2025—a reversal that comes after decades of steady growth and coincides directly with President Donald Trump’s aggressive second-term immigration agenda. In January 2025, the U.S. counted a record 53.3 million immigrants. But instead of climbing higher, as it has nearly every year since the Johnson administration, the figure slid downward. Pew’s data shows that more people are now leaving the country than entering it, a reversal not seen in over half a century. At the same time, Pew confirmed that the undocumented population reached an all-time high of 14 million in 2023, a number Trump used relentlessly on the campaign trail to frame both Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as weak on border control. The data lands as Trump doubles down on his central campaign promise: reshaping America’s immigration system by force. Since returning to the Oval Office in January, he has signed 181 executive orders on immigration, rolling out mass deportations, ratcheting up border security, tightening student visa rules, and promoting “self-deportation” measures to pressure immigrants to leave voluntarily. These efforts are leaving a measurable imprint. The immigrant share of the U.S. population has slipped from 15.8% in January to 15.4% in June, according to Pew. The workforce is taking the hit as well. Immigrants—both legal and undocumented—make up a critical slice of America’s labor pool. Pew found that immigrant participation in the workforce fell from 20% to 19% in just six months, representing a net loss of more than 750,000 workers. Economists warn the implications could be severe if the exodus continues. Industries that rely heavily on immigrant labor, from agriculture to construction to health care, could face tightening labor shortages. Whether that translates into slower growth or higher prices will depend on how far Trump pushes his enforcement regime in the coming months. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

The Pentagon is preparing plans to deploy U.S. military forces to Chicago as part of President Donald Trump’s initiative to crack down on violent crime, homelessness, and illegal immigration, according to a report from The Washington Post, citing officials familiar with the discussions.

The plans, which have been under development for several weeks, outline multiple scenarios, including sending several thousand National Guard troops as early as September, the report said.

According to the Daily Mail, Chicago is among 19 states expected to receive part of an estimated 1,700 National Guard members tasked with supporting immigration enforcement and crime reduction efforts in Democrat-led cities across the country.

The troops will be assigned to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), focusing on support roles such as case processing, transportation, logistics, and clerical duties, while also working to deter crime. The deployments are planned to begin in August and are expected to continue through at least mid-November, with Texas expected to host the largest share of forces.

The 19 states slated for deployment include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming.

In response to the reports, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a Democrat, issued a statement saying, “The State of Illinois at this time has received no requests or outreach from the federal government asking if we need assistance, and we have made no requests for federal intervention.”

He continued, “The safety of the people of Illinois is always my top priority. There is no emergency that warrants the President of the United States federalizing the Illinois National Guard, deploying the National Guard from other states, or sending active duty military within our own borders. Donald Trump is attempting to manufacture a crisis, politicize Americans who serve in uniform, and continue abusing his power to distract from the pain he is causing working families. We will continue to follow the law, stand up for the sovereignty of our state, and protect the people of Illinois.”

While the possibility of using active-duty military personnel has also been discussed, officials told The Washington Post that such a move is considered less likely at this stage.

“Chicago’s a mess,” Trump said on Friday during a meeting in the Oval Office, sharply criticizing the city’s leadership. “You have an incompetent mayor. Grossly incompetent. And we’ll straighten that one out probably next. That’ll be our next one after this. And it won’t even be tough.”

Chicago’s Democratic Mayor Brandon Johnson also condemned the potential plan, calling any federal troop deployment “uncoordinated, uncalled for, and unsound.”

“We have grave concerns about the impact of any unlawful deployment of National Guard troops to the City of Chicago,” Johnson told The Washington Post.

The Pentagon has refused to provide details about the strategy, issuing a brief statement instead: “The department is a planning organization and is continuously working with other agency partners on plans to protect federal assets and personnel.”

White House officials have linked the possible deployment to a broader strategy aimed at strengthening Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, accelerating deportations, and achieving a stated goal of 3,000 arrests per day.

If implemented, Chicago would become the third major U.S. city to see significant military involvement during Trump’s second term, demonstrating his readiness to override local resistance in pursuit of restoring what he calls “law and order.”

{Matzav.com}

Vice President JD Vance stated on Sunday that Russia has made “significant concessions” in its ongoing talks over a possible settlement to end the war in Ukraine, expressing optimism that negotiations are advancing even though there are no concrete indications that the fighting is close to being resolved.

In an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press with Kristen Welker,” Vance explained that Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to several key compromises, including security assurances for Ukraine to protect it from future Russian attacks.

“I think the Russians have made significant concessions to President Trump for the first time in three and a half years of this conflict,” Vance said in remarks aired on Sunday.

“They’ve recognized that they’re not going to be able to install a puppet regime in Kyiv. That was, of course, a major demand at the beginning. And importantly, they’ve acknowledged that there is going to be some security guarantee to the territorial integrity of Ukraine.”

The war began in February 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine, sparking a conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives. According to sources cited by Reuters, Putin’s terms for halting Russia’s military campaign include Ukraine surrendering control of the entire eastern Donbas region, agreeing never to join NATO, adopting a position of neutrality, and banning Western troops from entering the country.

On Sunday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in a televised interview that Moscow wants a group of countries, including members of the United Nations Security Council, to act as guarantors of Ukraine’s security as part of any peace deal.

On Friday, President Donald Trump warned that he would impose sanctions on Russia if there was no progress toward securing a peace agreement within two weeks. The warning came just a week after Trump met with Putin in Alaska, reflecting his growing impatience with Moscow.

Vance explained that any sanctions would be weighed carefully, noting that while they remain an option, it is unlikely that additional measures would alone be enough to push Russia into agreeing to an immediate ceasefire.

He pointed to Trump’s recent decision to place an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports in response to New Delhi’s purchases of Russian oil, describing it as an example of how the administration intends to apply economic pressure to influence negotiations.

“He’s tried to make it clear that Russia can be re-invited into the world economy if they stop the killing, but they’re going to continue to be isolated if they don’t stop the killing,” Vance said.

{Matzav.com}

Democratic mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani is campaigning on a radical vision to overhaul law enforcement in New York City—one rooted in the Democratic Socialists of America’s platform that seeks to eliminate the enforcement of all misdemeanor crimes. The DSA, which has endorsed Mamdani’s bid, denounces policing and detention as “instruments of class war” designed to maintain control over working-class communities. Its national platform, adopted in 2021, calls for dismantling the “carceral forces of the state”—from prisons and police to electronic monitoring and parole enforcement. Mamdani, a Queens assemblyman, has echoed those views on the trail, saying police should stop focusing on what he calls “non-serious crimes.” In a campaign video posted Wednesday, he argued: “Right now we’re relying on [police] to deal with the failures of our social safety net, which is preventing them from doing their actual jobs.” The misdemeanors that would be decriminalized or deprioritized under DSA’s vision are not trivial offenses. In New York State, they include theft or shoplifting up to $1,000, drug possession, assault without a weapon, and driving while intoxicated. Critics warn that Mamdani’s approach would open the door to chaos. “They’re driving the city into a hole that’s never going to recover,” the New York Post quoted Greenwich Village resident Susan Ginsburg, who described her neighborhood as a “lawless drug den” since bail reform and lenient prosecution policies took hold. Maria Danzilo, an Upper West Side Democrat and founder of One City Rising, called Mamdani’s agenda “exactly the opposite of what New Yorkers need right now.” Though once an outspoken proponent of “defund the police,” Mamdani has shifted his rhetoric following the Park Avenue massacre. He now promises to maintain NYPD headcount while narrowing its focus to violent crimes. But skeptics say the pivot is superficial. Mamdani has also questioned the very definition of violent crime, telling protesters in 2021 that “violence is an artificial construction” and promising to shut down Rikers Island—a pledge he continues to repeat. Misdemeanor law is set at the state level, but as mayor, Mamdani would wield enormous influence over how laws are enforced. He could direct the NYPD to deprioritize arrests or pressure district attorneys to dismiss cases—just as Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg drew fire for instructing staff to downgrade robbery and drug charges on his first day in office. Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa warned such policies would create “an EZ-Pass for criminals.” He added: “This will cause the quality of life to decline dramatically, leading to a breakdown of law and order.” Governor Kathy Hochul, who has yet to endorse Mamdani, has publicly rejected calls to defund police, setting up a potential confrontation between City Hall and Albany should Mamdani win. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

The Kretchnif Siget community is calling for tefillos for the complete recovery of the Rebbe, Rav Baruch Zeida Eliezer Zev ben Shifra, who is hospitalized in extremely critical condition at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Yerushalayim after suffering a severe stroke.

The Rebbe was admitted shortly before Shabbos in grave condition and has since been sedated and placed on a respirator.

A special tefillah gathering and the recital of the entire Sefer Tehillim was held tonight at at the Kretchnif Siget Beis Medrash Nachalei Emunah on Rechov Rappaport in the Beis Yisroel neighborhood of Yerushalayim.

Doctors are saying that the situation is very serious and only tefillos can help.

On Motzoei Shabbos, hundreds of chassidim gathered at the kever of the Rebbe’s father, the previous Kretchnifer Rebbe, Rav Hershele zt”l, on Har HaZeisim, to daven.

In addition, following the instruction of Rav Yaakov Meir Schechter, the name Baruch was added as a zechus to the Rebbe’s name during a special minyan arranged by his son.

All are asked to daven for Rav Baruch Zeida Eliezer Zev ben Shifra.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Children in Iran’s rural and nomadic areas who suffer from malnourishment often take long routes to school without breakfast, causing some to collapse during the school days, the reformist Iranian Shargh newspaper reported last week. “These children in practice have no fuel for learning, and teachers and principals, because there is not even a single grocery store near the school, cannot provide them with food and often have no choice but to send students home after such incidents,” the report said. Ronak Rostami, a social activist, told Shargh that malnutrition has become a serious problem in schools. “Many children suffer from stomach aches, abdominal pain, and general weakness, which prevents them from making effective use of classroom time,” she said. According to Iran International, which quoted the report, this isn’t the first time that Iranian media has published alarming reports about children suffering from malnourishment. A recent study cited by Shargh earlier this month said that the Iranian people are suffering from increasing levels of malnutrition amid worsening economic conditions. The report said only 1.7% of households reported daily protein consumption, while 27% of all households said they do not consume any kind of protein. “Essentials like meat, chicken, milk, and cheese are gone. Some used to buy scraps or expired chicken, but now even those are unaffordable. Fruit and vegetables, too, are out of reach,” Shargh quoted Reyhaneh Shirazi, a social activist in Tehran’s Darvazeh Ghar district, as saying. “No one buys meat. If they can afford anything, it’s chicken. Maybe if someone donates meat. Fruit is a luxury except for watermelon, which grows locally,” said a teacher near Kerman. “Vegetables are rarely consumed. Food is mostly lentils and bread. Breakfast is nonexistent. Illnesses tied to nutrition are high, especially in children.” Parisa Ahmadi, a social worker in Shiraz, says iron and vitamin deficiencies are widespread. “Parents are street vendors, and kids also work. Doctors confirm they suffer from severe malnutrition and iron and vitamin deficiency, which affects physical and cognitive development,” she said. “Common meals are eggplant, beans, lentils, and pasta. Meat and eggs once a month. Rice is rare.” (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

Israeli security forces arrested two Palestinians in Tel Aviv on Sunday after intelligence indicated they were planning a terror attack, police and Shin Bet officials announced. The suspects, who were in Israel illegally, were taken into custody near the Tel Aviv Port during a joint operation by police and the Shin Bet security agency. They have since been transferred for interrogation. According to Hebrew media reports, the Shin Bet issued an urgent warning earlier in the day about a potential terror plot in the city, prompting an hours-long manhunt. Security forces flooded central Tel Aviv and its waterfront area before cornering the suspects. Several additional Palestinians have also been arrested in the city on suspicion of ties to the planned attack, reports said. The arrests come amid heightened tensions and frequent security alerts in Israel’s urban centers. Authorities have warned repeatedly of attempts by Palestinian operatives to infiltrate Israeli cities and carry out attacks in crowded civilian areas. The investigation is ongoing. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

In Yerushalayim, on Motzoei Shabbos, crowds gathered to accompany the aron of the gaon and tzaddik Rav Shmuel Schwartz zt”l of Rechov Sorotzkin, a distinguished talmid of Hagaon Rav Meshulam Dovid Soloveitchik zt”l of Brisk, who was niftar after enduring prolonged and bitter yissurim, which he accepted with complete emunah. He was 72 years old.

Rav Shmuel was born on the 26th of Cheshvan, 5713 (1952), to his father Rav Aharon Chaim Schwartz, a descendant of the Megaleh Amukos.

From his earliest childhood, he turned away from the vanities of this world, dedicating his entire being to avodas Hashem with all his heart and soul. He immersed himself in Torah day and night, learning with purity and holiness, and it became the joy of his life. He was renowned for his profound yiras Shomayim, meticulous care in halacha, and constant awareness of aveiros.

His tefillos were filled with heartfelt pleas, pouring out his soul like a child before his father. He greeted every person warmly, carried himself with humility, and never sought honor for himself.

Rav Shmuel rejoiced in every mitzvah as though discovering a priceless treasure anew each day. The sanctity of Shabbos was ever-present in his heart, and he was exceptionally careful and meticulous in the halachos of STaM (sifrei Torah, tefillin, and mezuzos).

Even through years of intense suffering, he accepted the din Shamayim with serenity and unshakable emunah.

Rav Shmuel was a devoted maggid shiur, delivering shiurim in both nigleh and nistar. As a faithful talmid of Rav Meshulam Dovid Soloveitchik, he absorbed his rebbi’s teachings and passed them on, transmitting his pure yiras Shomayim and the rich traditions of his rabbeim to his own talmidim and descendants.

For many years, he served as a shaliach tzibbur during the Yamim Nora’im, his impassioned tefillos inspiring those present to awaken their hearts in teshuvah.

The levayah took place on Motzoei Shabbos beginning from his home on Rechov Sorotzkin in Yerushalayim. He was laid to rest on Har HaMenuchos.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Arab media outlets reported early Sunday afternoon that Israel carried out strikes targeting Houthi positions in Yemen.

According to these reports, the strikes were focused on areas close to a major port in the region.

At this stage, neither Israeli officials nor international authorities have issued any formal statements regarding the incident.

A regional security source confirmed the strikes, noting that the targets included power facilities, the presidential office, and a warehouse used to store fuel.

Residents of Sana’a told Reuters that the bombings took place near the presidential compound in the city as well as at missile launch sites operated by the Houthis. The strikes were reportedly carried out in response to the Houthis’ recent firing of missiles and UAVs at Israeli territory.

The IDF released an official statement: “A short while ago, the IDF struck military infrastructure of the Houthi terrorist regime in the Sanaa area, including a military site in which the presidency palace is located, the Asar and Hizaz power plants, and a site for storing fuel; all were used for the military activity of the Houthi terrorist regime.”

According to the statement, “The strikes were conducted in response to repeated attacks by the Houthi terrorist regime against the State of Israel and its civilians, including the launching of surface-to-surface missiles and UAVs toward Israeli territory in recent days. The presidential palace in the Sanaa area is located within a military site from which the military forces of the Houthi terrorist regime operate,” the IDF added. “In addition, the Hizaz and Asar power plants were struck, which served as a significant electricity supply facility for military activities.”

The IDF further explained: “The strike on the power plants damages the production and supply of electricity for military purposes. The use of these plants constitutes further proof of how the Houthi regime uses civilian infrastructure for military purposes.”

The statement continued: “The Houthi terrorist regime operates under the direction and funding of the Iranian regime, in order to harm the State of Israel and its allies. The terrorist regime exploits the maritime domain to project force and carry out terror activity against global shipping and trade routes. The IDF will operate against the ongoing and repeated attacks of the Houthi terrorist regime against the State of Israel, and remains determined to continue removing any threat posed to the civilians of the State of Israel, wherever it is required.”

In related developments, a preliminary review of the Houthi missile launched toward Israel on Friday night suggests that it was likely equipped with a cluster warhead.

This marks the first known instance of the Houthis firing this type of missile at Israeli territory.

The IDF noted that the unsuccessful interception attempt on Friday is currently under investigation, emphasizing that it is unrelated to the missile type. Officials added that Israel’s air defense systems, “particularly the upper-tier layer, are capable of dealing with and intercepting missiles of this type.”

{Matzav.com}