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In recent months, the Golani Brigade has been operating in the Rafah area and the ‘Morag Corridor’. So far, the troops have neutralized threats in over 1,000 structures, located dozens of tunnel shafts, and eliminated dozens of terrorists. In recent days, the brigade’s troops have been operating in the ‘Jeninah’ area of Rafah. ‘Jeninah’ is the last location where combat against terrorists is taking place in Hamas’ Rafah Brigade area.

Since its founding in 2020, Prime Judaica has earned a reputation as a premier destination for collectors and enthusiasts of antique Judaica, offering a carefully curated selection of rare rabbinic letters, antique seforim, and first editions of classic and Chassidic works. The company prides itself not only on the quality of its items but also on delivering exceptional customer service.

With approximately five auctions held each year, Prime Judaica has become a trusted name in the field of fine Judaica. Now, in honor of Shavuos—the Yom Tov of Matan Torah—the company is proud to announce a groundbreaking new event: its first-ever auction exclusively featuring Chiddushei Torah penned by revered Rabbanim, Admorim, and Roshei Yeshivos.

This historic collection offers collectors and Torah enthusiasts a unique chance to acquire original Torah insights from previous generations, preserving a tangible connection to the wisdom and legacy of the Gedolei Yisroel. Each item in the auction is a piece of holy history, and owning one is a powerful way to stay spiritually connected to the great Torah leaders of the past.

This auction features a handwritten page of Chiddushei Torah from the Chasam Sofer, renowned as a segulah for refuah and yiras Shamayim.

Also included are Chiddushei Torah penned by the holy Admor Rav Yitzchak Eisik of Zidichov, Rav Tzvi Hirsh of Liska, Rav Yitzchak of Kamarno, Rav Yosef Shaul Nathansohn—author of Sho’el U’Meishiv—Rav Shlomo Eiger, Rav Moshe Feinstein, the Steipler Gaon, Rav Chaim Kanievsky, and many others.

The online auction will take place on Wednesday, May 21, at 1:00 p.m. Participants are encouraged to place pre-bids in advance, though live bidding will also be available during the event.

For more information or to browse the catalog, CLICK HERE. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to bring the words of Torah giants into your home, just in time for Shavuos.

Auction date: Wednesday, May 21st, at 1:00pm. Email:primejudaicaantiques@gmail.com Phone:732.232.1790

[COMMUNICATED]

Enjoy the full 24Six experience – with no WiFi!

Introducing Solo Gold – the first no WiFi device from 24Six.  Listen to all your favorite Jewish music, children’s stories and Shiurim without any compromise, according to your standards!

The Solo Gold Experience

The Solo Gold is designed for effortless use—ready out of the box once your subscription is set up online at www.24Six.app. After registering your account and creating your profile, Solo Gold is ready to go.

Solo Gold offers a curated selection of Jewish music, children’s stories, and Torah Shiurim. With no Wi-Fi, SD Card, or Bluetooth data transfer, the Solo Gold is the most kosher MP3 player ever created.

How Does it Work?

The Solo Gold is NOT a pre-loaded MP3 player.  24Six has developed proprietary syncing technology, allowing Solo Gold to refresh and sync exclusively at designated Solo Connect Stations, conveniently located at your favorite pizza shops, Seforim stores, and even Shuls.  

When you go within 25-50 feet of a Connect Station, Solo Gold seamlessly connects, without WiFi.  Think of it like Laser Tag: when you run out of ammunition, you go “near” the “recharge station” to refill. Similarly, Solo Gold connects to a Solo Connect Station when you are within range,

Once you are within range, browse the entire Solo catalog, create playlists, and download your favorite music.

Updating and Syncing Content

While in range of a Solo Connect Station, you can update your library with the latest releases, create new playlists, and download them. During this process, your device also syncs all the music you’ve listened to offline—ensuring artists are paid for every song, whether listened online or offline, and regardless of device.

Subscription and Usage Requirements

As with every 24Six device, Solo Gold users must “check in” once every 30 days. This ensures your subscription remains active and allows the platform to collect listening data to pay artists monthly. It’s important to note that music cannot be downloaded and kept permanently without re-synchronization; 24Six pays artists based on subscriptions and streams, emphasizing that music is not free and should not be stolen.

Yeshiva/Camp Mode and Offline Periods

Solo Gold features Yeshiva/Camp Mode, permitting prepayment for up to 12 months and extending offline access up to 365 days. If reconnecting doesn’t happen within your offline period, the device will prompt you to find a Solo Connect Station to sync and continue usage.

Pre-Order Now!

Pre-order your Solo Gold today to ensure it arrives in time for camp. Shipping begins immediately after Shavuos. Solo Gold comes in one stunning color—Gold! Truly living up to its name as the gold standard in Jewish music devices.

Hosting a Solo Connect Station

If your location is interested in hosting a Solo Connect Station, please contact us at info@24Six.app.

Security and Restrictions

Solo Gold is a secure, dedicated MP3 player with nothing else on it—no home screen, apps, MicroSD slot, or Wi-Fi. It cannot transfer content via Bluetooth or be modified beyond its intended use, ensuring a completely kosher experience.   

Subscriptions

It’s important to reiterate that Solo Gold does not include a 24Six subscription, and a 24Six subscription is required to operate the device. All account, profile, and filter setup must be completed on www.24Six.app, as the device itself offers no management interface.

There is no upgrade, trade-in, or swapping program—each device is sold separately. Solo includes a 30-day manufacturer’s warranty, with optional extended warranties available for purchase. All sales are final, with no refunds, returns, or exchanges.

Learn More at Shop.24six.app/products/24six-solo-gold

[COMMUNICATED]

You’ve tried everything, but not this.

😔 Miriam Brieger’s FREE REMOTE SARNO WORKSHOP reveals the science behind chronic symptoms & the Sarno method that’s helped hundreds of women and teens heal. 

Our previous workshop reached maximum capacity, so register early to secure your spot. For those who feel “no one’s listened” to their symptoms, this workshop offers hope and a potential path forward.

SIGN UP HERE!

What if, by the time you went to sleep tomorrow night, you already felt lighter? What if your pain/ discomfort/ skin condition/ anxiety was less acute? Less overwhelming? 

The workshop  includes the first step of the Sarno method — which means you could experience a reduction in your symptoms (or at least a major mindset shift) as early as tomorrow night.

In “The science behind Sarno: Take the first step toward eliminating your symptoms,” I’ll be answering THESE questions:

• Learn who Dr Sarno was, and hear why he developed the Sarno Method.

• Hear my personal story (and the gripping personal stories of two other women, LIVE.)

• Find out why you’re getting affected by this— (and not your husband, sister, or mother-in-law)

• Take a one-action step that has the power to help you feel better during the class

• Ask questions — or hear others’ questions — LIVE on the session.

Yes, there will be a recording available. But I’ll be talking about my Sarno course at the end of the session… and live attendees get an exclusive $50 discount coupon code 

SIGN UP HERE!

PS – Special 4 men’s pre recorded classes (45 minutes each) – covering all of Sarno and how it works. Topics covered include anxiety, why pain happens, and how to combat it before it gets out of hand.

You’ve tried everything, but not this. 😔 Miriam Brieger’s FREE REMOTE SARNO WORKSHOP reveals the science behind chronic symptoms & the Sarno method that’s helped hundreds of women and teens heal. Our previous workshop reached maximum capacity, so register early to secure your spot. For those who feel “no one’s listened” to their symptoms, this workshop offers hope and a potential path forward. SIGN UP HERE! What if, by the time you went to sleep tomorrow night, you already felt lighter? What if your pain/ discomfort/ skin condition/ anxiety was less acute? Less overwhelming?  The workshop  includes the first step of the Sarno method — which means you could experience a reduction in your symptoms (or at least a major mindset shift) as early as tomorrow night. In “The science behind Sarno: Take the first step toward eliminating your symptoms,” I’ll be answering THESE questions: Learn who Dr Sarno was, and hear why he developed the Sarno Method. Hear my personal story (and the gripping personal stories of two other women, LIVE.) Find out why you’re getting affected by this— (and not your husband, sister, or mother-in-law) Take a one-action step that has the power to help you feel better during the class Ask questions — or hear others’ questions — LIVE on the session. Yes, there will be a recording available. But I’ll be talking about my Sarno course at the end of the session… and live attendees get an exclusive $50 discount coupon code  SIGN UP HERE! PS – Special 4 men’s pre recorded classes (45 minutes each) – covering all of Sarno and how it works. Topics covered include anxiety, why pain happens, and how to combat it before it gets out of hand.

Israeli security forces on Friday eliminated Nur Bitawi, the head of the Islamic Jihad terror branch in Jenin, during an operation in Shechem, the IDF announced. “Bitawi advanced major terror activities and was involved in directing, financing, and carrying out attacks against Israeli civilians and security forces,” the IDF statement said. “He also maintained contact with Hamas officials in Gaza and abroad.” “Bitawi was responsible for funneling terror funds to Jenin and other villages in the area, and in this context, he worked to recruit and arm terrorists to carry out attacks against IDF forces. Simultaneously, he led the production and placement of IEDs in the Jenin area.” “He had been wanted for several months after being identified by security forces fleeing from Jenin towards Shechem following the IDF operation in the northern Shomron. Following Shin Bet intelligence and operational activities, he was located in a house in Shechem.” “Yamam officers, Shin Bet operatives, and IDF forces surrounded the house and eliminated him and another terrorist.” (YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)

The Houthis in Yemen fired another missile at Israel on Friday, which was Baruch Hashem successfully intercepted by the Arrow 3 missile defense system. Following the attack, an Israeli security official told Ynet that Israel is not a party to the Houthi-US ceasefire and will continue attacking the Houthis. “We’ll continue striking the Houthis without any restrictions,” he said. “That deal doesn’t bind us. They’ll pay the price.” According to the report, Israel plans on carrying out broader and more powerful strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen in the coming days. Israeli security officials also warned that “Iran won’t get off easy,” adding that Israel is weighing possible strikes on Iranian targets. (YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)

The Hamas terror organization engaged in another act of psychological warfare on Shabbos, releasing a video of Elkana Bochbot and Yosef Chaim Ohana. The cruel video shows Elkana lying on a mattress with a picture of him and his young son on the wall next to him. Only Yosef Chaim speaks in the video and says [in statements scripted by his captors] that Elkana tried to harm himself after realizing how long the war was dragging on. “His mental and physical state has seriously deteriorated since we realized the war was dragging on for months,” he says. “Since then, he’s been trying to hurt himself again and again. He’s refusing to eat or drink.” “How is this war still going on?” he continued. “How has it not stopped? Tell me — have you all gone mad? A year and seven months. What else needs to happen that hasn’t already? An entire country wants this to end. This nightmare. Enough! It’s time to stop.” Hamas previously released a video of the two on March 24 and released another video of just Bochbot on April 19. Bochbot, 34, a husband and father of a young son, was abducted from the Nova music festival. Ohana, 24, from Kiryat Malachi, was also abducted from Nova. When the attack began, Yosef Chaim and his friend began to flee the area. But when they encountered Israelis wounded by Hamas gunfire, the two, both trained as medics during their army service, stopped to help them. Eventually, they ran in different directions when they themselves were targeted by Hamas terrorists. His friend survived and Yosef Chaim was abducted. (YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)

“Dear brothers! Eat on Wednesday and fast and afflict yourselves on Thursday — and pay no attention to anything else.” Bnei Brak, Erev Yom Kippur 1941.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was taken into custody on Friday afternoon after allegedly entering a federal immigration detention facility without permission, officials confirmed.

Alina Habba, the Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, posted on X that “The Mayor of Newark, Ras Baraka, committed trespass and ignored multiple warnings from Homeland Security Investigations to remove himself from the ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey this afternoon.”

According to a statement from the mayor’s office, Baraka was brought to the ICE field office located at 620 Frelinghuysen Avenue in Newark. Officials have yet to disclose what specific charges, if any, he will face.

“We are actively monitoring and will provide more details as they become available,” said his spokesperson.

Eyewitnesses say that Baraka tried to accompany a planned visit to the facility alongside three members of Congress from New Jersey: Robert Menendez, LaMonica McIver, and Bonnie Watson Coleman. His attempt to enter the property was blocked by federal agents, which led to a tense verbal confrontation, according to Viri Martinez from the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice.

A video clip reviewed by The Associated Press captured an agent wearing a Homeland Security Investigations jacket telling Baraka he was not permitted to enter: “you are not a congress member.”

Following that, Baraka left the restricted area and returned to the protestors gathered outside the gate. In footage of the scene, he is seen speaking to a man through the fence. The man warned: “They’re talking about coming back to arrest you.” Baraka replied, “I’m not on their property. They can’t come out on the street and arrest me.”

Moments later, several ICE officers, some with their faces covered, approached Baraka and others near him outside the gate. Protesters shouted “Shame!” as the agents handcuffed the mayor and brought him back into the secure area.

“The ICE personnel came out aggressively to arrest him and grab him,” said Julie Moreno, who serves as New Jersey state captain for American Families United. “It didn’t make any sense why they chose that moment to grab him while he was outside the gates.”

A statement from the Department of Homeland Security said the situation escalated when a vehicle transporting detainees was pulling into the complex and “a group of protestors, including two members of the U.S. House of Representatives, stormed the gate and broke into the detention facility.”

Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary at the department, characterized the incident as “beyond a bizarre political stunt,” asserting it endangered both detainees and personnel.

“Members of Congress are not above the law and cannot illegally break into detention facilities. Had these members requested a tour, we would have facilitated a tour of the facility,” said McLaughlin.

Homeland Security emphasized that the center complies with permitting requirements and has passed relevant inspections.

Baraka’s visit to the site was intended as a check on the conditions at Delaney Hall, a building now being used by ICE after a $63 million annual lease agreement with private prison operator The GEO Group. Newark city officials are suing to force additional inspections, alleging that ICE has withheld key information about how many individuals are being held at the facility, which is only designed to hold up to 1,000 detainees.

Speaking earlier this week, Baraka said that his concerns regarding Delaney Hall involve more than just paperwork and regulatory oversight.

{Matzav.com}

Margot Friedländer, a Holocaust survivor whose life bore witness to the horrors of Nazi rule, has died at the age of 103, according to a report by The Associated Press on Friday.

Her passing, confirmed by the Margot Friedländer Foundation based in Berlin, coincided with the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat in World War II. No specific details regarding the cause of death have been made public.

Born as Margot Bendheim on November 5, 1921, in Berlin, she lived through the trauma of the Holocaust and survived imprisonment in the Theresienstadt concentration camp.

Her world was torn apart in 1943 when the Gestapo targeted her family. Forced into hiding, she was eventually discovered and arrested in 1944. She endured months at Theresienstadt, and in 1945, she learned the fate of her mother and brother—both had been killed in Auschwitz. Her father, who had escaped to Belgium in 1939, also perished in the same death camp.

Following the war, Margot and her husband Adolf Friedländer, himself a survivor, emigrated to the United States and settled in New York. There, they started anew, becoming American citizens. Margot first worked as a seamstress and later operated a travel agency. After Adolf’s death in 1997, she chose to return to Germany in 2003, ultimately resettling in Berlin in 2010, where she became an active voice in Holocaust education.

In her later years, Friedländer dedicated herself fully to educating others about the Holocaust. Her efforts earned her national acclaim, including Germany’s highest civilian decoration, the Order of Merit, and a statue erected in her honor at Berlin City Hall.

On Friday, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier paid tribute to Friedländer, noting that her choice to return and work toward reconciliation was an invaluable contribution to the nation.

Friedländer remained a powerful advocate for Holocaust remembrance. In 2018, she stated, “I don’t just speak for the 6 million Jews who were killed, but for all the people who were killed—innocent people.”

Just last year, she participated in the German Film Awards ceremony, where she issued a somber warning about the resurgence of antisemitism both in Germany and around the globe.

“When I returned (to Germany) 14 years ago I didn’t imagine that what is happening now would happen – this is how it started,” she told filmmakers and media.

“There are many storytellers in this room. You have a responsibility to harness the power of cinema to ensure that what happened never happens again.”

“I ask you to help us so that history does not repeat itself. Now it is in everyone’s hands. We cannot change what happened, but we can change what will happen. It must not happen again. I’m asking you – be human.”

Ambassador Ronald S. Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, issued a statement on Friday mourning her passing.

“The World Jewish Congress mourns the passing of Margot Friedländer – a woman of unshakable moral courage, a survivor of unimaginable loss, and a voice of remembrance for generations,” he said.

“Margot did not only survive the Holocaust – she chose to bear witness. She chose to return to Berlin and speak to young people across Germany and beyond with dignity, grace, and truth. Until her final days, she stood as a symbol of resilience and humanity. Her words reached hearts. Her presence changed lives.”

“This is a profound loss for the Jewish people, for Germany, and for all those who believe in memory and moral responsibility. The World Jewish Congress was honored to count her as part of our family, and we extend our deepest condolences to her loved ones and all who were touched by her extraordinary life,” stated Lauder.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu issued a stern warning to Hamas, declaring that the “rules are about to change” as the IDF prepares to expand its offensive in the Gaza Strip.

“To Hamas, I say one thing: The rules are about to change very soon,” Netanyahu said during a visit to reservists of the IDF’s 5th “HaSharon” Infantry Brigade at the Tze’elim training base in the Negev.

“I came to see firsthand the quality of our soldiers—our heroes—in preparation for the intense action we are about to undertake in Gaza,” he said in remarks released by the Prime Minister’s Office.

Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s two key objectives: “First—to defeat Hamas, to be victorious over Hamas, to eliminate Hamas. The second, of course, simultaneously—is to release our hostages.”

The prime minister also marked the anniversary of the 1972 rescue of hostages from Sabena Flight 571—a mission in which he participated, as a member of the General Staff Reconnaissance Unit (Sayeret Matkal), and was wounded. “The spirit has not changed—it is the exact same spirit I see here, pulsing among the soldiers and commanders, uniting everyone with one goal—to achieve a great victory.”

That victory at Lod Airport (today Ben-Gurion International Airport) over the Black September Organization, a Palestinian terrorist group, he added, extended beyond the battlefield: “It reverberates throughout the entire region.”

Under his leadership, Netanyahu said, Israel has changed the face of the Middle East by confronting threats from Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Assad regime in Syria. He also pointed to Israel’s recent actions against Iran, which he labeled a key sponsor of regional terrorism. “We still face challenges, but we have strong spirit, and that spirit is embodied by our military.”

The remarks came as the IDF continues operations throughout Gaza, targeting terrorist groups ahead of the expected launch of “Operation Gideon’s Chariots.” The campaign aims to dismantle Hamas and secure the release of 59 remaining hostages held since the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist invasion.

The IDF reported striking more than 150 terrorist targets across Gaza over the past 72 hours, including cells, underground infrastructure and command posts. Troops also dismantled Hamas infrastructure and killed gunmen in several areas.

In one strike in Gaza City on Wednesday, the IDF killed Muhammad Rasmi Marzouq Barakeh, part of Hamas’s intelligence division, who took part in the kidnapping of Yaffa Adar on Oct. 7. Adar, 85, a grandmother who was kidnapped from her home in Kibbutz Nir Oz, was released as part of a ceasefire deal after 49 days in captivity.

Also on Wednesday, an IDF strike in central Gaza’s Deir al-Balah area killed Nasr Sobhi Ibrahim Jumaa, a senior commander in Hamas’s rocket manufacturing unit, according to the Israeli military.

“Prior to the strike, steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians as much as possible, including the use of precise munitions, aerial surveillance and additional intelligence,” the IDF stressed.

In the southern Strip, an IDF aircraft struck several terrorists who tried to plant an explosive device near troops, as well as a weapons depot and a structure from which gunmen had fired toward the soldiers.

Israeli troops are set to “act with great force” until all war goals for Gaza are achieved, Defense Minister Yisroel Katz said on Wednesday.

The entire population of the Strip will be evacuated to the southern part of the enclave during the fighting, and the IDF will stay in “every area that is taken,” the defense minister said.

“The operation is intended to defeat Hamas and bring about the release of all the hostages. We will act with great force to destroy all of Hamas’s military and governmental capabilities,” he told soldiers of the 162nd “Steel Formation” Armored Division, which is expected to take part in the campaign.

“From the moment the maneuver begins, we will act with great force and will not stop until all objectives are achieved,” Katz said. JNS

{Matzav.com}

Columbia University has suspended more than 65 students and barred at least 33 others from campus, after dozens of anti-Israel protesters took over the Butler Library reading room on Wednesday and were later arrested by the New York City Police Department, a university official told JNS.

Claire Shipman, acting president of Columbia University, stated on Wednesday that the NYPD had to be called in to make arrests after the protest disrupted library operations and left two university public safety officers injured.

“Columbia unequivocally rejects antisemitism and all other forms of harassment and discrimination,” Shipman stated. “We certainly reject a group of students—and we don’t yet know whether there were outsiders involved—closing down a library in the middle of the week before finals and forcing 900 students out of their study spaces, many leaving belongings behind.”

Shoshana Aufzien, 19, a Jewish freshman at Barnard College, told JNS that she was studying for final exams in the library reading room when a group of masked protesters wearing keffiyehs barged in and began to shout “Free Palestine.” (Barnard has a “historic relationship” with Columbia.)

“What happened is not protected speech,” she said. “If you’re walking into the library, disrupting studying, harassing students, vandalizing the premises, assaulting public safety officers—none of that is protected speech or protected conduct.”

Aufzien said that she and many other students had to vacate the reading room, leaving their belongings behind, as protesters took over the building.

“These are college students who are paying $90,000 a year to go to the institution and they’re leaving their MacBooks in a library, because they are being pushed out by protesters,” she said. “That’s insane.”

The protesters aim to be intentionally disruptive, according to Aufzien.

Their view is that “the entire world has to know about this atrocity, so nobody can live a normal life,” she said. “The problem is that’s fine if you were involved in political conversation. Not that I believe any of these people are willing to engage in good-faith dialogue. That would be one thing.”

“But there are so many people who just pay tuition at the school so they can go to class and do their work, and keep up their 4.0 GPA,” she said. “I feel terrible for all of them.”

Sam Nahins, 31, a U.S. Air Force veteran and Columbia graduate student, told JNS that the protest at Butler on Wednesday crossed the line into targeted harassment.

“Free speech doesn’t mean freedom to intimidate,” he said. “I’ve seen what real oppression looks like. These students aren’t freedom fighters. They’re bullies in keffiyehs.”

Nahins said that if anyone is on campus, the university has the right to regulate speech. “If I walked across campus shouting hateful rhetoric at any other group, I’d be sanctioned and rightfully so,” he said. “The idea that these students get to keep doing the same things over and over again is absurd.”

“No one should be glorifying terrorism nor calling for globalizing intifada,” he added.

{Matzav.com}

Mexico has taken legal action against Google after the tech company updated its U.S. version of Google Maps to reflect the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America,” President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Friday.

Speaking during her regular morning press briefing, Sheinbaum confirmed, “The lawsuit has already been filed,” though she did not specify the location or date of the legal filing.

This move follows a controversial vote in the House of Representatives on Thursday, where Republican lawmakers backed a bill that would formally enshrine Donald Trump’s directive renaming the body of water. The legislation, introduced by Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, passed largely along party lines. The only Republican to oppose it was Nebraska’s Don Bacon, whose seat is considered vulnerable.

While the bill would legally mandate the name change for use by federal agencies, it faces slim prospects in the Senate, where it would require Democratic backing. Even if passed, international recognition of the name would not be guaranteed, as foreign governments are not bound by U.S. nomenclature.

In February, Sheinbaum had already warned Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet, that legal steps were on the table if it did not revert the name back to the Gulf of Mexico on its platform. Her administration maintains that the executive order signed by Trump does not extend beyond the maritime boundaries of the United States.

“All we want is for the decree issued by the US government to be complied with,” Sheinbaum said.

“The US government only calls the portion of the US continental shelf the Gulf of America, not the entire gulf, because it wouldn’t have the authority to name the entire gulf,” she added.

In a pointed response to Trump’s move, Sheinbaum jokingly proposed renaming the United States as “América Mexicana”—Mexican America—citing historical maps from before 1848, when a large portion of Mexico’s territory was annexed by the U.S.

Amid escalating trade disputes fueled by Trump’s tariff policies targeting Mexico, both countries are currently in negotiations aimed at calming diplomatic friction.

{Matzav.com}

NY Governor Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders have come to terms on broadening a current initiative involving speed enforcement cameras in construction areas, with the extension now covering MTA-managed bridges and tunnels.

This proposed expansion is part of the state’s preliminary $254 billion budget framework and would enable the MTA to set up automated speed cameras at each of its seven bridges and both of its tunnels throughout New York City.

Under the revised system, vehicle owners caught speeding would face an initial $50 fine. A second offense within an 18-month span would cost $75, with any further violations climbing to $100 each.

The broader program still requires legislative approval later this week and, if passed, would remain in effect until the year 2031.

“Expanding this successful program to MTA Bridges and Tunnels is one more way the governor is working to improve safety on our roads and bridges for workers and travelers alike,” Hochul spokesperson Kara Cumoletti said in a statement.

Back in September 2021, Governor Hochul approved legislation launching the original pilot project, which allowed speed cameras to operate around the clock in work zones throughout all five boroughs. The effort was designed to curb speeding and reduce serious injuries and deaths on highways.

{Matzav.com}

Newark Liberty International Airport experienced another radar disruption early Friday, marking the latest in a series of similar incidents affecting the airport in recent weeks.

In a statement, the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the radar blackout, saying that preliminary details indicate it lasted for about a minute and a half. That duration matches a previous incident reported on April 28.

“There was a telecommunications outage that impacted communications and radar display at Philadelphia TRACON Area C, which guides aircraft in and out of Newark Liberty International Airport airspace. The outage occurred around 3:55 a.m. on Friday, May 9, and lasted approximately 90 seconds.”

According to ABC News, air traffic controllers alerted a FedEx aircraft at 3:55 a.m. that they had lost visual data, reporting that their radar screens had gone completely blank.

A private jet flying into the airport was similarly informed about the issue. Controllers instructed the pilot to remain at an altitude above 3,000 feet in case further communication problems occurred, according to recordings.

“There is another brief radar outage, so just in case that happens again, for your purposes if you can’t reach me, just stay at or above 3,000,” a controller said, according to LiveATC.net.

At the same time, a ground stop was temporarily implemented at Newark due to ongoing construction, further complicating airport operations. As of 11:30 a.m., the airport had logged 246 delayed flights and 74 cancellations.

This latest radar malfunction happened just one day after the Trump administration revealed plans to overhaul the country’s outdated air traffic control infrastructure, parts of which still rely on obsolete copper cabling rather than fiber optics.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted that some of the radar systems still in use were installed in the 1970s and 1980s, emphasizing the urgent need for modernization.

The challenges posed by the aging system have become especially evident at Newark recently, with repeated breakdowns impacting flights and operations.

On April 28, the radar signal from Philadelphia’s TRACON center—which manages Newark-bound traffic—was lost for up to 90 seconds, rendering controllers temporarily unable to monitor aircraft positions.

Following that event, some air traffic controllers took leave under a contract clause that permits stepping away after experiencing high-stress or traumatic situations, which further strained the already limited staffing.

The disruption resulted in extensive delays and cancellations at Newark over the past two weeks, as the FAA scaled back air traffic to maintain safety protocols.

Preliminary investigations point to a failure in the data transmission lines between a radar facility in New York and the Philadelphia control center as the likely cause.

The FAA has already begun upgrading those connections to fiber optics and is actively working to hire and train more controllers to stabilize operations and reduce disruptions at Newark.

{Matzav.com}

A half-ton Soviet spacecraft that never made it to Venus 53 years ago is expected to fall back to Earth this weekend. Built to land on the solar system’s hottest planet, the titanium-covered spacecraft may survive its fiery, uncontrolled plunge through Earth’s atmosphere, predicted to occur on Saturday. But experts said it likely would come down over water, covering most of the world, or a desolate region. The odds of it slamming into a populated area are “infinitesimally small,” said University of Colorado Boulder scientist Marcin Pilinski. “While we can anticipate that most of this object will not burn up in the atmosphere during reentry, it may be severely damaged on impact,” Pilinski said in an email. By Friday, all indications pointed to a reentry early Saturday morning, U.S. Eastern Time, give or take several hours. While space debris trackers around the world converged in their forecasts, it was still too soon to know exactly when and where the spacecraft known as Kosmos 482 would come down. That uncertainty was due to potential solar activity and the spacecraft’s old condition. Its parachutes were expected to be useless by now and its batteries long dead. Dutch scientist Marco Langbroek estimated the impact speed at 150 mph (242 kph) if the spacecraft remains intact. The Soviets launched Kosmos 482 in 1972, intending to send it to Venus to join other spacecraft in their Venera program. But a rocket malfunction left this one stuck in orbit around Earth. Gravity kept tugging on it and was expected to finally cause its doom. Spherical in shape, the spacecraft — 3-foot (1-meter) across and packing more than 1,000 pounds (495 kilograms) — will be the last piece of Kosmos 482 to fall from the sky. All the other parts plummeted within a decade. Any surviving wreckage will belong to Russia under a United Nations treaty. (AP)

David Steiner, a former CEO of the nation’s largest waste management company who currently serves on the FedEx board of directors, is poised to take over control of the U.S. Postal Service, becoming the nation’s 76th postmaster general. The announcement of Steiner’s appointment, which heightened concerns from postal unions over possible efforts to privatize the USPS, was made Friday by Amber McReynolds, chairperson of the USPS’ Board of Governors, during a meeting of the independent group that oversees the service. “We anticipate that Mr. Steiner will join the organization in July, assuming his successful completion of the ethics and security clearance processes that are currently underway,” McReynolds said. Friday’s announcement by the the Board of Governors comes as President Donald Trump and his adviser Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency have raised the idea of privatizing the nearly 250-year-old Postal Service, which has faced financial challenges amid a changing mail mix and other issues. The choice of Steiner has been seen by the postal unions as a harbinger for possible privatization of some or all of the venerable quasi-public institution, which is largely self-funded and has a mission to serve every address in the country — nearly 167 million residences, businesses and post office boxes. Postal unions have held protests throughout the country over potential privatization, job cuts and possibly ending the universal service obligation. Brian L. Renfroe, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, said Steiner is not just any executive from the private sector but someone who sits on the board of one of the Postal Service’s top competitors. “His selection isn’t just a conflict of interest — it’s an aggressive step toward handing America’s mail system over to corporate interests,” Renfroe said in a statement. “Private shippers have been waiting to get USPS out of parcel delivery for years. Steiner’s selection is an open invitation to do just that.” Renfroe’s union represents 205,000 active city letter carriers and around 90,000 retirees. Mark Dimondstein, president of the American Postal Workers Union, which represents more than 220,000 USPS employees and retirees, likened the appointment of Steiner to a fox guarding a hen house. “FedEx has a very different agenda than the public postal service. And they’re a major competitor of the United States Postal Service,” he said. “I’m not talking about any attributes of an individual, but to me, that’s the last type of person you will put in charge of the public institution as the anchor of the mailing package industry in the country.” Steiner, who will leave the FedEx board, said in a written statement that he admires the public service mission of the USPS and called it “an incredible honor to be asked to lead the world’s greatest postal organization.” “I believe strongly in maintaining its role as an independent establishment of the executive branch,” said Steiner, who served as CEO of Waste Management Inc. from 2004 through October 2016. In a written statement, McReynolds called Steiner “the right person to lead the Postal Service at this time to ensure this magnificent and historic organization thrives into the future.” “Dave is a highly regarded leader and executive with tremendous vision, experience and skill that can be applied to the long-term mission and business needs of the Postal Service,” she added. “Our Board looks forward to […]

Amid increasing speculation about a potential rift between the United States and Israel, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee took to Twitter to push back against the narrative.

“It’s reckless and irresponsible for press to allege that [US President Donald Trump] and [Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu] are not getting along,” Huckabee tweeted, addressing reports that suggested tensions were rising between the two leaders.

“Bibi has spent more time with [Trump] than I have in past three months, and I’m his ambassador! The relationship between US and Israel remains STRONG!” Huckabee added, insisting that ties between the two allies were still as solid as ever.

{Matzav.com}

A plan developed by Israel and supported by the United States to restart humanitarian aid deliveries in Gaza will, at the outset, only reach about 60 percent of the local population, according to a document sent by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) to potential contributors.

The memo, which was reviewed by The Times of Israel on Thursday, concedes that civilians in Gaza are “enduring extreme deprivation.” However, it says the “Secure Distribution Sites” (SDS) designed to deliver the aid will initially only reach around 1.2 million people out of the approximately 2 million who live in the enclave.

Although the memo says the four SDS locations are built to “expand past 2 million” in capacity, it does not clarify how long the limited initial rollout will last before expansion.

In addition, the document makes it clear that each SDS will take time to scale up even to the goal of serving 300,000 people per site.

One Israeli source told The Times of Israel on Wednesday that the government hopes other nations will begin absorbing Palestinian civilians, which would ease the burden on aid distribution, given the program’s limited initial reach.

However, to date, no governments have agreed to participate in such relocation, and while Israeli officials describe it as “voluntary,” regional nations are viewing it more as coerced displacement, particularly with Israeli military actions expected to ramp up significantly if a ceasefire deal isn’t finalized before President Donald Trump visits the region next week.

The Israeli official also acknowledged that with the breakdown of the ceasefire on March 1 and no aid reaching Gaza since then, the IDF is aware that the population is “nearing starvation.” As a result, the intention is to begin resupplying aid in the near future.

A primary goal of the program, according to Israeli officials, is to ensure aid does not fall into the hands of Hamas—something past efforts have failed to prevent since the conflict began.

Some critics argue that the Israeli government’s unwillingness to promote a credible alternative to Hamas has helped keep the terror group entrenched in Gaza, even if Israeli forces have dealt it serious blows on the battlefield.

Nonetheless, Israel is placing its hopes in the GHF-led effort to succeed where others have not—by keeping Hamas out of the aid chain altogether.

The SDS hubs will be located in a designated humanitarian zone being created in southern Gaza, between the Philadelphi Corridor near the Egyptian border and the newly formed Morag Corridor about five kilometers to the north.

This humanitarian zone will primarily include areas in and around Rafah, and the IDF plans to use military checkpoints to control access, in hopes of preventing Hamas operatives from entering.

According to the memo, aid packages distributed at the SDS hubs will include boxes containing 50 meals (each totaling 1,750 calories), hygiene products, and medical supplies. Between 5,000 and 6,000 pre-screened individuals will be permitted to walk to the sites once every one to two weeks to retrieve a roughly 40-pound (18-kilogram) box of supplies for their household.

“To ensure the integrity and safety of aid delivery, GHF’s logistics subcontractors will utilize armored vehicles to transport supplies to and from SDS locations,” the memo states. The companies handling logistics will include U.S.-based security firms such as UG Solutions and Safe Reach Solutions, both of which previously helped maintain security along the Netzarim Corridor earlier this year.

The memo also clarifies that Israeli troops will not be stationed in or near the SDS locations in order to “maintain the neutral and civilian-facing nature of operations.”

However, one staff member from an international aid group who was briefed on the program told The Times of Israel that the strategy overlooks Gaza’s current situation, where widespread hunger may result in massive crowds overwhelming the distribution points once they’re operational.

This individual also criticized the plan’s cap on aid deliveries—limiting truck entries to 60 per day through a single border crossing—as wholly inadequate given the dire nutritional state of the Gazan population.

The GHF initiative is being crafted in close consultation with the Israeli government, while the Trump administration has been actively encouraging foreign governments and global institutions to financially support and collaborate on the project.

On Wednesday, U.S. special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff met with United Nations Security Council diplomats in New York to brief them on the aid operation.

While GHF is still in the process of assembling its executive team, talks are underway between U.S. and Israeli officials and former World Food Programme executive director David Beasley, who is being considered to head the organization, according to a Western diplomat.

Axios reported that someone close to Beasley confirmed he is in discussions about leading the foundation—but only on condition that urgent humanitarian aid is restored to Gaza as part of his role.

{Matzav.com}