Feed aggregator

Panic spread through Monsey and on social media Wednesday morning after messages claimed a newborn named “Malkie” was found with a handwritten Yiddish note begging someone to care for her. The note reads: “This child is named Malkie. She is Jewish! Please care for her! Us, her parents, didn’t have the ability to do so. Thanks!” However, Monsey Scoop confirmed the entire story is false. Law enforcement agencies across Rockland County and Hamaspik officials all stated they have no record or investigation of any such incident. Authorities say the viral post is a complete fabrication and urge the public to verify information before spreading unconfirmed rumors. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

In the wake of the devastating car crash that claimed the lives of four yeshiva bochurim on Sunday, Rav Yaakov Bender, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Darchei Torah in Far Rockaway, sent a heartfelt and urgent message to parents and staff, pleading with the community to drive with greater care and vigilance.

Addressing the letter to the broader community, Rav Bender decried the increasingly reckless driving in local neighborhoods. He noted that although new speed bumps have been installed, they are “not enough.” “Please drive carefully! Be aware every minute!” he wrote, emphasizing that every small act of caution can prevent tragedy.

Rav Bender recalled several recent near-misses and fatal incidents in the area, writing that four pedestrians have been killed locally in recent years. “No one in this neighborhood should be driving over 20 miles per hour,” he stressed. He described witnessing a close call himself “just this Monday morning, after shul,” when a car “came around the corner too fast and nearly hit a man.” “Baruch Hashem, a tragedy was averted,” he added.

He also shared a heartbreaking story of a driver traveling just 10 miles per hour who fatally struck a child who ran into the street. “It was certainly not the fault of the driver,” Rav Bender wrote, “but these two families live with this every single day.”

Calling for immediate change, he urged, “We must IMMEDIATELY improve our driving habits. I don’t care if you are rushing for carpool, if your daughter will be late for school — it doesn’t matter.” He reminded parents to drive hands-free when using phones and to avoid texting behind the wheel, adding that headlights should be kept on both day and night. He also cautioned against allowing children to ride scooters recklessly or without helmets.

Acknowledging the intensity of his message, Rav Bender concluded, “I am sorry for the harsh tone, but if we save one person, it is worth it. We never know the life we save. I am begging people to drive carefully — and teach your children the same!”

The Rosh Yeshiva ended his letter with a heartfelt bracha: “Im Yirtzeh Hashem, Hakadosh Baruch Hu will watch over us and we will be healthy and safe.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump confirmed that his planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin was being postponed, saying he didn’t want to proceed unless it would lead to real progress toward peace in Ukraine. “I don’t want to have a wasted meeting,” Trump said. “I don’t want to have a waste of time — so we’ll see what happens.”

The meeting, which was scheduled to take place in Budapest, Hungary, was put on hold after a Monday phone call between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The decision marked another twist in Trump’s unpredictable efforts to mediate an end to the war that has raged in Ukraine for nearly four years.

Trump’s decision to hit pause came as European leaders privately expressed relief. Allies such as the leaders of Britain, France, and Germany have accused Putin of using diplomatic talks to buy time while continuing his military advance. They have also opposed any push for Ukraine to surrender occupied land in exchange for peace — an idea Trump has floated at various times.

Meanwhile, the European Union is pressing ahead with plans to tap billions of dollars in frozen Russian assets to help fund Ukraine’s defense, despite concerns about the legal implications of such a move.

The last meeting between Trump and Putin, held in Alaska in August, yielded no breakthrough. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated there was no rush to hold another summit, saying that “preparation is needed, serious preparation” before any new talks could take place.

Trump hinted that he might revisit the idea of meeting Putin soon, saying a decision would be made “in the coming days.”

In Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been lobbying Washington for long-range Tomahawk missiles to strengthen his country’s defenses. Trump has been noncommittal about approving the request. “We need to end this war, and only pressure will lead to peace,” Zelenskyy said in a Telegram post on Tuesday.

Zelenskyy said Putin’s renewed outreach came only when the potential U.S. missile delivery appeared imminent. “As soon as the pressure eased a little, the Russians began to try to drop diplomacy, postpone the dialogue,” he said.

Trump is set to meet Wednesday with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House. A senior official, speaking anonymously, said no details were available about the president’s agenda for that discussion. NATO has been coordinating weapons deliveries to Ukraine, largely funded by Canada and European countries. Later in the week, representatives from 35 pro-Ukraine nations — the so-called Coalition of the Willing — are scheduled to meet in London.

Throughout the year, Trump’s position on the conflict has shifted repeatedly. Early on, he urged Ukraine to compromise, but frustration with Putin’s refusal to budge led him to harden his stance. Trump often laments that his personal rapport with Putin didn’t translate into an easier path to peace.

Just last month, Trump stunned observers by reversing his long-held view that Ukraine should cede territory, suggesting instead that Kyiv could reclaim all land lost to Russian forces. But after a call with Putin and a subsequent meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump appeared to change course again, urging both sides to “stop where they are.”

By Sunday, Trump had gone further, declaring that the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine should be “cut up,” effectively endorsing a partition that would leave most of the area under Russian control.

Speaking Monday, Trump said he still believed Ukraine might one day defeat Russia but added that he was increasingly skeptical.

European and Ukrainian officials have been working to keep Trump aligned with their goals. “We strongly support President Trump’s position that the fighting should stop immediately, and that the current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations,” read a joint statement from allied leaders. “We can all see that Putin continues to choose violence and destruction.”

But Moscow signaled it was not interested in halting the war. Lavrov told reporters Tuesday that a ceasefire would contradict what Trump and Putin had agreed to in Alaska. Trump had entered that meeting hoping to persuade Putin to pause hostilities but was rebuffed, as Moscow insisted on a full-scale settlement instead.

Russia still occupies about 20 percent of Ukrainian territory, and Kyiv has made clear that it rejects any plan requiring it to relinquish land for peace. Western leaders warn that freezing the conflict along current front lines would simply give Moscow a platform for future offensives.

In a joint declaration on Tuesday, the leaders of Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Poland, Denmark, and EU institutions called for unity in maintaining diplomatic pressure. Zelenskyy said Monday that the week would be “very active in diplomacy.”

The European Union is expected to consider new sanctions at a summit in Brussels on Thursday. “We must ramp up the pressure on Russia’s economy and its defense industry, until Putin is ready to make peace,” the leaders’ statement said.

{Matzav.com}

Rabbi Chaim Frances & Rabbi Yitzchak Elefant  Question: An employee regularly stays late at the office to meet project deadlines. Over time, he observed that he is often the only male present, with just a few female colleagues also remaining. At what point does this situation raise concerns of Yichud, and what practical steps should be taken to address it in accordance with halachic guidelines? Answer: To address the question, we first must determine whether this is a scenario of Yichud, we can then address some of the practical solutions. 1] If there is one man and only 1 or 2 women present this would constitute Yichud[1]. If there is one man and 3 women present, one should still act stringently, however, as long as they are all[2] not leeboi gas buh (see section 6 for a classification of when a relationship is considered leboi gas buh) in cases of necessity it would not constitute Yichud[3]. Generally, if two men are present, the situation is not considered yichud[4]. However, if the men are porutzim, the prohibition of yichud applies regardless of their number (see footnote[5]). 2] If the situation does constitute Yichud, it may be permissible if one of several halachic exemptions (heterim) applies. The heter of yotzei v’nichnas (intermittent entry)[6]. It is a scenario of Pesach Pesuach (an open or accessible door). The heter of baalah ba’ir (the woman’s husband being present in the same city). 3] The heter of yotzei v’nichnas applies when there is a reasonable likelihood that someone may enter the room or office at any time—such as another employee returning to retrieve materials or finish work. The fear of someone walking in creates a natural deterrent, thereby removing the Yichud concern (however, this only serves as a valid heter if the individual who may enter would resolve the Yichud problem—such as another male or a third female[7]) This heter applies even in a case where there is a libo gas bah relationship amongst the parties[8]. 4] If no one is expected to enter, the heter of pesach pasuach[9] may still be relevant. This principal —literally “an open door”—means that the concern of being seen can deter inappropriate behavior, even without an actual person entering.  However, there is significant debate among the Poskim about the parameters of this heter.  According to the strictest opinion [10] it only applies if the door is physically open and faces a public area where people can see inside. If the door is closed, or if the location is one where people generally do not pass by, the heter would not apply. Therefore, in our scenario, for the Heter to apply, there must be other individuals who regularly occupy the building and have a direct line of sight into the office .A more lenient opinion[11] that even a closed but unlocked door is sufficient[12]. The reasoning is that the fear of someone walking in serves as a sufficient deterrent. There is a debate on how to understand the more lenient opinion regarding how likely it must be for someone to walk in for this heter to apply. Some[13] maintain that it must be common for people to enter homes or offices without explicit permission; otherwise, the deterrent factor is minimal. Others are more lenient and rule that as long as an […]

More than 100 illegal entrants crossed an Israeli security fence this week, prompting Israel Police and IDF troops to quickly deploy to secure nearby communities and apprehend the infiltrators.

A 70-year-old man opened fire near Serbia’s Parliament in Belgrade, wounding a passerby before setting ablaze a tent used by President Vučić’s supporters and hurling ammunition into the fire.

A 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck near Quepos, Costa Rica, late last night, about 58 kilometers south of San José, shaking the entire region.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to arrive in Israel tomorrow for a two-day visit.

At least 63 people were killed and several others injured in a multi-vehicle crash on the Kampala-Gulu Highway near Kitaleba village in Uganda.

Vice President Vance and Ambassador Huckabee meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Katz, Foreign Minister Sa’ar, and Strategic Affairs Minister Dermer in the Prime Minister’s office.

The IDF says an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon earlier today killed Issa Ahmad Karbala, a platoon commander in Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force, who was allegedly involved in transporting weapons and planning attacks against Israel.

The Knesset’s State Control Committee voted down a proposal to create a state commission of inquiry into the Hamas assault of October 7, 2023, effectively halting the opposition’s push for an independent and comprehensive investigation into the failures that preceded and accompanied the massacre.

Lawmakers from the ruling coalition—including members of Likud, Shas, and United Torah Judaism—voted against the measure, while representatives from opposition factions Yesh Atid, Blue and White, and Ra’am supported it.

Had it passed, the initiative would have empowered an official panel, operating under the State Comptroller Law, to examine the chain of events surrounding the Hamas-led atrocities that left approximately 1,200 dead and 251 kidnapped—Israel’s most devastating security and intelligence breakdown in decades—along with the government’s conduct during the ensuing war.

Opposition Knesset members blasted the decision as a moral abdication of responsibility. Democratic Union MK Efrat Rayten Marom said that accountability “lies squarely with Netanyahu,” adding that the Prime Minister’s Office’s failure to send a representative to the hearing was “a disgrace.”

Committee chairman Mickey Levy of Yesh Atid cautioned that without a formal inquiry, “public trust will continue to erode.”

The move sparked outrage among families of the victims and hostages. Reut Edri, whose son Ido was killed at the Nova music festival, said, “There can be no revival [of the country] without responsibility and a real investigation.”

The October Council, a group representing more than 200 bereaved families, accused the government of “burying the truth,” declaring that “the grace period for the Knesset is over,” and pledging to maintain public pressure until a full state inquiry is established.

The government, meanwhile, is reportedly weighing the option of forming its own internal committee to examine the events of October 7 and the ensuing war, rather than appointing an independent state commission. Recent surveys indicate that a clear majority of Israelis support the establishment of a formal state commission of inquiry.

{Matzav.com}

Tucker Carlson is facing widespread backlash after he gave airtime to a baseless and antisemitic conspiracy theory claiming Jewish people were genetically immune to COVID-19. “There was a finding in a scientific publication that two different populations … of people of Jewish ancestry — depending on which line they’re from — one was more heavily impacted than the others,” Huff said. Carlson replied, “You mean Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews.”

NETANYAH: ‘One week they say that Israel controls the United States. A week later they say the United States controls Israel’ ‘This is hogwash. We have a partnership’

WATCH: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in joint statements with U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance at the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem.

Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office releases footage of him and his wife Sara greeting US Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance at his office in Jerusalem.

President Donald Trump’s granddaughter, Arabella Kushner, personally wrote heartfelt letters to the recently released Israeli hostages, according to a report by the Kan public broadcaster. The notes were hand-delivered in Tel Aviv by her father, White House adviser Jared Kushner.

Kushner, joined by Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, met with several of the freed captives during their visit on Tuesday. During these meetings, he presented the letters that Arabella had penned to offer comfort and encouragement.

A photograph released by the U.S. embassy showed Kushner standing beside freed hostage Nimrod Cohen, holding an envelope marked with his name and signed “from Arabella.”

In another image, Kushner was seen carrying a bundle of the letters while posing with freed twin brothers Gali and Ziv Berman, who were among those rescued after months in captivity.

One of the letters, addressed to Segev Kalfon, read: “Your strength gives hope to so many people around the world. I admire your bravery and the light you bring to others. Thank you, Arabella Kushner.”

{Matzav.com}

After meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Israeli rime Minister Bibi Netanyahu dismissed the notion that Israel operates as a client state of the United States, calling such claims “hogwash.”

“I want to put it very clearly,” he said when asked about the matter. “One week they say that Israel controls the United States. A week later they say the United States controls Israel. This is hogwash.”

Netanyahu described the relationship between the two countries as a balanced partnership built on mutual respect. “We have a partnership, an alliance of partners,” said Netanyahu, “who share common values and common goals. We can have discussions, we can have disagreements here and there, but on the whole, I have to say that in the past year we’ve had agreement — agreement not only on goals but how to reach them.”

Reflecting on Israel’s military campaign, Netanyahu said the country had succeeded in “putting the knife at Hamas’s throat,” a mission directed by Israel itself. He added that the United States had played a key diplomatic role, saying, “the other effort was to isolate Hamas in the Arab and Muslim world, which I think the [US] president did brilliantly with his team.”

Vance echoed Netanyahu’s view of the bilateral relationship, emphasizing that the U.S. saw Israel as a peer rather than a subordinate. “We don’t want a vassal state, and that’s not what Israel is,” said Vance. “We don’t want a client state, and that’s not what Israel is. We want a partnership. We want an ally here.”

Vance went on to describe a vision of the Middle East where America’s regional allies take a greater leadership role. “The president believes that Israel, with our Gulf Arab allies, can play a very positive leadership role in this region — to where frankly the United States can care less about the Middle East because our allies in the region are stepping up, and taking control and taking ownership of their area of the world.”

He clarified that America’s interests in the region remain, but that the goal was to empower local partners to lead. “That doesn’t mean we don’t have interests here,” Vance continued. “That doesn’t mean we don’t care about what happens here. But we actually see this as an opportunity to build on the Abraham Accords, I think this Gaza deal is a critical piece of unlocking the Abraham Accords, but what it could allow is an alliance structure in the Middle East that perseveres, that endures, that allows the good people in this region of the world to step up and take ownership of their own backyard. That’s in the United States’ best interests. I happen to think that’s in Israel’s best interests, too.”

Netanyahu concluded by underscoring Israel’s sovereignty and cooperation with its allies. “We make the decisions for the security of Israel,” Netanyahu said. “But we make common decisions for the region which I think can serve us both.”

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s National Cyber Directorate revealed Wednesday that a surge of Iranian cyberattacks has recently targeted multiple Israeli organizations and companies.

One of the victims was Shamir Medical Center (Assaf Harofeh), which suffered an attack on Yom Kippur. Although responsibility was first claimed by a group identifying itself as Eastern European, investigators determined that the source of the assault was actually in Iran.

The hackers managed to leak confidential medical information during the breach.

Investigators found that in many of the recent incidents, cybercriminals gained access by exploiting stolen or leaked login credentials. While most of the attacks did not cause operational shutdowns, several resulted in significant data exposure from affected entities.

Yossi Caradi, who heads the National Cyber Directorate, told Kan News: “Thanks to cooperation, swift information sharing, and targeted responses, the incidents were quickly and effectively contained, preventing wider damage to the economy. The attack on Shamir Medical Center, beyond the data breach, the very fact that there was an attempt to harm an Israeli hospital crosses a red line, which could have also endangered human lives.”

{Matzav.com}

Tucker Carlson is facing widespread backlash after he gave airtime to a baseless and antisemitic conspiracy theory claiming Jewish people were genetically immune to COVID-19. During Monday’s episode of The Tucker Carlson Show, the former Fox News host echoed and expanded on an earlier claim by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that COVID-19 was “tailored” to harm certain ethnic groups more than others. Carlson’s guest, author and self-styled whistleblower Andrew Huff, told Carlson the claim was “scientifically true,” referencing a “finding” that people of Jewish ancestry were affected differently by the virus. “There was a finding in a scientific publication that two different populations … of people of Jewish ancestry — depending on which line they’re from — one was more heavily impacted than the others,” Huff said. Carlson replied, “You mean Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews.” The claim that Jewish people were immune to COVID-19 — a theory first spread by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in 2023 and discredited by scientists worldwide — has its roots in a long history of antisemitic myths that falsely cast Jews as both the cause and the cure for global calamities. Historians note that similar rumors fueled deadly pogroms in medieval Europe, where Jews were accused of poisoning wells during outbreaks of plague. Public health experts have repeatedly emphasized that no scientific evidence supports the idea of COVID-19 being genetically “targeted” toward or against any ethnic group. The exchange triggered immediate outrage across the political spectrum, with Jewish groups accusing Carlson of legitimizing age-old antisemitic tropes — and even conservative commentators blasting him for reviving conspiracy theories once used to justify persecution and violence against Jews. The Anti-Defamation League called Carlson’s remarks “dangerous and disgraceful,” warning that framing Jews as genetically distinct or biologically protected from disease “feeds directly into centuries-old antisemitic myths that fueled massacres and pogroms.” Arynne Wexler, a right-wing commentator, drew the historical parallel even more sharply. “Europeans blamed the Jews for the Black Death,” she wrote on X. “That led to massacres. We’re talking thousands of Jews slaughtered, burned alive, entire communities annihilated. Tucker isn’t creative — he’s recycling blood libel.” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) mocked the notion that “the Jews were running the Wuhan Institute for Virology,” calling it absurd. RedState columnist Bonchie dismissed Carlson’s segment as “clownish,” writing that “anyone still peddling the idea that COVID was engineered to spare Jews should be laughed out of public life.” The controversy marks the latest in a string of incidents in which Carlson has been accused of promoting antisemitic or extremist ideas. Just last month, Israeli outlets and U.S. Jewish groups condemned Carlson for promoting conspiracies surrounding the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)