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A Fire and Rescue Authority spokesperson said on Thursday morning that the wildfires that began in the Jerusalem hills on Wednesday are not yet under control after 163 firefighting teams battled the flames overnight. “Over 150 firefighting teams are still working at full capacity in all the fire hotspots in the Judean Plain area,” a spokesperson said. About 23 firefighting teams are operating in the Beit Meir and Shoresh area, and 10 firefighting planes are assisting the forces in the field. Firefighters are still battling flames at 11 locations on the outskirts of Jerusalem and seven yishuvim are still evacuated of their residents. The winds have weakened, and until 2 p.m., the weather, which includes a chance of rain, is in favor of the firefighters. However, powerful winds are forecast to resume from 4 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The police announced on Thursday morning that Highway 1 and all other blocked highways have been reopened to traffic, including Highways 3 and 38. Overnight,  over 100 abandoned vehicles from Highway 1 were towed to the Latrun parking lot, after drivers were forced to abandon their cars on Wednesday and flee for their lives, including mothers holding babies in their arms. The Fire and Rescue Services announced that lighting fires in open areas is forbidden throughout the country, except in designated places. Israel Police announced that a ban on lighting fires and barbecues in public areas will be enforced throughout Yom Ha’atzmaut. Planes from foreign countries, including Greece, Croatia, Romania, France, Spain and Italy, are expected to arrive on Thursday afternoon. About 10,000 residents were evacuated due to the massive fires from the yishuvim of Eshtaol, Mesilat Tzion, Beit Meir, Neve Shalom, Nachshon, Mevo Horon, Shoresh, Yad Hashmona, Neve Ilan and Nataf. The residents of Eshtaol, Neve Shalom and Nachshon and Mevo Choron have been allowed to return to their homes. The fire caused immense damage to the forests in the area, and Canada Park was severely damaged. According to an initial assessment yesterday by the KKL, about 20,000 dunams were burned yesterday in the fires in the Jerusalem hills. “This is an event of unprecedented magnitude,” said Anat Gold, director of KKL’s central region. “This is one of the largest fires in the country,” she added, noting that half of the areas that caught fire are forested areas, including Canada Park and Eshtaol Forest. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

In a heartfelt interview with Arutz Sheva during their Yom HaZikaron broadcast, Rabbi Yoram Eliyahu, father of Sergeant First Class (res.) Yedidya Eliyahu Hy”d of Karnei Shomron, who fell in battle in Gaza, shared his perspective on loss and resilience.

Rabbi Eliyahu expressed his discomfort with the term “bereavement,” stating, “We are not the families of bereavement, but the families of heroism. If you call it bereavement, it already has a negative effect on you, and this is not the right message that we should be conveying to the people of Israel. I say this both personally and nationally, the purpose of the Heroism Forum is to bring life back to the people of Israel, until we achieve our military victory and the collapse of Hamas.”​

Reflecting on his son’s dedication, Rabbi Eliyahu recounted Yedidya’s guiding principle in combat: ‘I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back till I destroyed them.’ He emphasized the importance of destroying the enemy, stating, “We are not experiencing in some case of cot death or in an accident. We have set out to avenge the blood of our Jewish brothers and sisters that has been shed, to avenge the humiliation of Simchat Torah.”​

Despite the profound pain of losing his son, Rabbi Eliyahu encouraged his daughter-in-law to remarry and continue her life. He shared, “The fact that my daughter-in-law remarried shows that ‘with their death they commanded us to live.’ They want us to live and that is for their benefit and honor. From the first moment we supported her and told her that after a year we would begin the journey. We see the children with someone to be there for them and it gives us great joy. These are our grandchildren and we truly feel that she has ‘chosen life.'”​

Addressing the process of coping with their loss, Rabbi Eliyahu said, “From the first moment we cried a lot. It is a natural human emotion and there is not a day that we do not see his image before us. My wife and I talk about it a lot. At our daughter-in-law’s wedding we cried, but it was not a cry of pain but a cry of purification. Every heartbreak has a purpose.” He concluded, “Yom Hazikaron is a day of brokenness, meriting Independence Day.”​

{Matzav.com Israel}

Shas party leader MK Aryeh Deri delivered a forceful message Wednesday evening, urging Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu to take immediate and forceful action in response to what he described as deliberate acts of arson across the country over the past day.

“The arsonists in times of war are terrorists in every sense of the word,” Deri said. “I call on the Prime Minister to instruct the IDF to eliminate from the air any terrorist identified as starting fires.”

Deri stressed that these acts of arson—taking place amid sweltering heat and the ongoing military operation in Gaza—must be seen as acts of terror that threaten national security. “Anyone who starts a fire during a conflict and war – their blood is on their heads. This is a ticking bomb, just like someone who shoots. Whoever comes to kill you – rise up quickly and kill him.”

His comments followed a day marked by widespread fires that forced the evacuation of several towns in the hills surrounding Jerusalem. Emergency crews, IDF personnel, and even international firefighting teams have been mobilized to contain the blazes, as authorities investigate suspicions of coordinated arson.

{Matzav.com}

As devastating fires continue to rage across Israel, many were reminded of the massive blaze that swept through Los Angeles just a few months ago. At the time, numerous Jewish communities in California reached out to their spiritual authority, the Raavad of Yerushalayim, Rav Gideon Ben Moshe, with a pressing question: Why had such destructive fires struck their city?

The response they received was nothing short of remarkable.

In a detailed letter addressed to Rabbi Ezra Dwek, the rav of Kehillas Torah Ohr in Los Angeles, Rav ben Moshe offered two spiritual reasons for the fires—and a call to action.

The first reason, he wrote, relates to the mitzvah of remembering the churban, the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash. Citing the Gemara (Bava Basra 60b) and the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 560), Rav Ben Moshe explained that Chazal instituted the practice of leaving a square amah of unfinished wall—opposite the entrance of every Jewish home—as a visible reminder of the loss of the Beis Hamikdash.

This practice, he noted, is not merely symbolic. Rav Chaim Palagi writes in Mo’ed Lechol Chai that it is a segulah bedukah u’menuseh—a tried and tested protection—against fires and other calamities. He recounted how his father would insist that any house with an amah al amah left exposed opposite the door would be protected for generations. Rav Ben Moshe urged Rabbi Dwek to encourage his community members to adopt this practice in their homes, leaving an unfinished patch without paint or plaster in accordance with halacha.

The second reason for the fires, he continued, is rooted in the Gemara in Sanhedrin (92a) and quoted in Shulchan Aruch Yoreh De’ah (246:24): “Any home in which words of Torah are not heard at night will be consumed by fire.” Rav Ben Moshe explained that a home where Torah is learned—even a small amount—especially at night, is safeguarded from destruction. The Gemara in Eiruvin (18b) adds that such a home will never be destroyed.

He called on every member of the community to commit to a fixed time of Torah learning in the home—be it Chumash with Rashi, Gemara (such as Daf Yomi), halacha, or any area of Torah—insisting that the key lies in the consistency, not the quantity.

Concluding his letter, Rav Ben Moshe offered a heartfelt brocha: “May the Almighty, in His mercy, seal the breaches of His people, Yisroel, and protect all of our brethren from distress, anguish, illness, and suffering. And may the future bring only goodness and blessing. Amein.”

The letter, which has since been widely circulated among Rav Ben Moshe’s talmidim and followers, has sparked renewed efforts to strengthen both these areas of observance, as a shield against tragedy and a merit for Klal Yisroel.

{Matzav.com}

Elon Musk has for years made Texas a business home and playground, launching rockets, building cars, and dreaming about creating a utopian enclave for his workers on the rural outskirts of the state capital. Now, a new Musk project is on the brink of victory: an election Saturday to officially turn a small patch of coastal South Texas — home to his rocket company SpaceX — into a city known as Starbase. If Musk prevails — which appears likely, since the small number of residents eligible to vote include his employees — it will be a victory for the mega-billionaire whose popularity has waned since he became the chain-saw-wielding public face of President Donald Trump’s federal job and spending cuts, and sunk more than $20 million into a failed effort to tip Wisconsin Supreme Court elections. Profits at his Tesla car company have plummeted. As of Tuesday, nearly 200 of 283 eligible voters had already cast an early ballot, according to county election records. The list of names so far does not include Musk, who voted in the county in the November elections. The cosmic dateline sounds like a billionaire’s vanity project in an area where the man and his galactic dreams already enjoy broad support from residents and state and local officials. But there are creeping concerns that the city vote and companion efforts at the state Legislature will give Musk and his company town too much control over access to a popular swimming and camping area known for generations as the “poor people’s beach.” Setting up a company town Saturday’s vote to establish Starbase is seen as a done deal. The proposed city at the southern tip of Texas near the Mexico border is only about 1.5 square miles (3.9 square kilometers), crisscrossed by a few roads and dappled with airstream trailers and modest mid-century homes. The polling site is in a building on Memes St., a cheeky nod to Musk’s social media company X. Musk first floated the idea of a Starbase city in 2021. SpaceX officials have said little about exactly why they want a company town, and did not respond to messages seeking comment this week. But a fight over beach access highlights at least part of what could be at stake. SpaceX rocket launches and engine tests, and even just moving certain equipment around the launch base, requires closing a local highway and access to Boca Chica State Park and Boca Chica Beach. Closure currently requires collaboration with surrounding Cameron County. Two bills being considered by state lawmakers would move most of that responsibility to the the new city, just as the company seeks permission from the Federal Aviation Administration to increase the number of launches from five to 25 a year. SpaceX officials say the bills would streamline beach closures and operations at a company that has contracts with the Department of Defense and NASA for use of its heavy rocket Starship, including a goal to send astronauts back to the moon and eventually Mars. “This fully reusable rocket system keeps the U.S. ahead of global competitors like China, and its being developed right here in South Texas,” SpaceX Vice President of Starship Legal and Regulatory Sheila McCorkle wrote to state lawmakers. She noted the company’s $4 billion investments and thousands of jobs […]

The Trump Organization is teaming up with Qatari Diar and Dar Global to bring a major Trump-branded development to Qatar, marking the debut of the brand in the country. On Wednesday, the partners announced plans for the $5.5 billion Trump International Hotel & Tower, Dubai — a towering 80-story complex.

Designed to draw inspiration from the well-known Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, this waterfront project will be located about 40 minutes from Doha. In addition to the luxury hotel and residences, the development will also include a Trump-branded 18-hole golf course, a series of high-end villas, and a Land of Legends amusement park.

The massive venture is spearheaded by Qatari Diar and will serve as a 4.4-mile-long entertainment and hospitality hub along Sheikh Zayed Road, right at the gateway to Downtown Dubai and within close proximity to the Financial Metro Station.

Eric Trump, who holds an executive position at The Trump Organization and is the son of President Donald Trump, arrived in the Gulf on Wednesday to promote the project. Speaking to Reuters the day before, Eric Trump emphasized the region’s reliance on American strength and stability.

“Trump International Hotel & Tower, Dubai is a project that reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence, luxury and innovation,” he said in a statement, also describing the tower on X as an “ultra-luxury landmark tower.”

This isn’t the first partnership between The Trump Organization and Dar Global — in fact, it’s their fifth. Other joint ventures include projects in the Saudi cities of Riyadh and Jeddah, as well as in Oman.

Dar Global’s CEO, Ziad EL Chaar, praised Dubai’s economic momentum and international appeal. “Dubai’s vibrant economy and strategic location make it a prime destination for global investment, and Dar Global recognizes this potential,” he said.

While no official launch date has been disclosed for the Trump-Dar Global project, the announcement aligns with the city’s continued success in attracting global investors and tourists, thanks to its sleek architecture, waterfront developments, and investor-friendly environment.

President Trump is expected to travel to Qatar in the near future, making his first major trip abroad since reentering office. He has hinted that he may ink significant investment deals with all three of the countries involved in this initiative.

{Matzav.com}

During a lively phone interview on Wednesday, President Trump expressed enthusiasm at the idea of Stephen A. Smith entering the political arena — even suggesting he could see the well-known sports commentator as a future presidential candidate.

“I’ve been pretty good at picking people and picking candidates, and I will tell you I’d love to see him run,” Trump, 78, said during his appearance on NewsNation.

The segment featured an unusual trio: Smith, former CNN host Chris Cuomo, and ex-Fox News personality Bill O’Reilly. It was O’Reilly who floated the notion of Smith tossing his hat in the ring, though it wasn’t immediately clear whether he was serious.

Responding to O’Reilly’s suggestion, Trump spoke admiringly of Smith: “Stephen A, he’s a good guy. He’s a smart guy. I love watching him.”

Trump went on to praise Smith’s charisma and media savvy, noting that such qualities are often lacking in the current crop of Democratic hopefuls. “He’s got great entertainment skills, which is very important. People watch him. You know, a lot of these Democrats I watch, I say they have no chance.”

The conversation took a more serious turn when Smith, who is black, questioned Trump about his administration’s approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs — pressing him on moves that appeared to weaken civil rights protections.

“Your administration has issued executive orders dismantling DEI initiative across federal agencies, including revoking equal opportunity mandates and slashing funding for minority owned businesses,” Smith told the president.

“Critics argue these actions reverse decades of civil rights progress. So how do you justify these measures, and what message do they send to the marginalized communities?”

In response, Trump pushed back, defending the philosophy behind his policy decisions.

“What we’re doing is we have a country that’s based solely on merit now, and that’s the way it is. If somebody’s out there doing a great job — and this includes getting into colleges if you’ve worked really hard — and we don’t look at race,” Trump said.

“We don’t look at color, we don’t look at height or shortness or weight. If somebody is doing a good job and they worked and they got great marks, and they got great board numbers, and they get rejected at Harvard, which has been so disgusting, so horribly. I mean, so think of it.”

{Matzav.com}

A new survey conducted by Emerson College gauging opinions from voters in the 2024 presidential election found that the overwhelming majority would stick with their original choices if the election were held again today.

The poll, released to mark the 100th day of President Donald Trump’s second term, revealed that 94% of Trump voters would cast their ballots for him again. Among those who voted for Democrat Kamala Harris, 93% said they’d repeat their decision. Overall, Trump had a slim edge over Harris, 48% to 47%, according to the report summary.

One major issue highlighted by the poll was economic dissatisfaction. Just 37% of respondents said they approve of Trump’s economic policies, while nearly half—49%—said they disapprove.

A separate Emerson poll taken halfway through Trump’s first 100 days in office showed mixed opinions: 39% of voters felt Trump was outperforming expectations, 36% believed he was underperforming, and 24% said his performance was in line with what they had anticipated.

The most recent results indicate a slight dip in Trump’s overall approval rating, which has fallen two points over the past 50 days to 45%. Meanwhile, his disapproval rating remains unchanged at 49%, with 10% of respondents saying they neither approve nor disapprove.

“Despite several unpopular domestic and foreign policies, President Trump still holds an entrenched base of voters who, if given the chance, say they would vote for him again,” said Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling.

Kimball added that beyond the economy, other issues weighing on voters include foreign relations, trade policies, and Trump’s response to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The poll also found that Trump’s backers were not entirely unified on issues such as immigration and deportation.

The national survey was carried out between April 25 and 28, and it reflects responses from U.S. voters who are currently registered and active. The results have a credibility interval of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

{Matzav.com}

The major wildfire that broke out early Wednesday in the Judean Foothills and has been spreading rapidly throughout the day has prompted authorities to evacuate multiple nearby communities for safety.

At present, five main areas are actively burning: Highway 3, which has been shut down, as well as Canada Park, Neve Shalom, Mesilat Zion, and Mitzpe Harel. The situation has become critical enough to demand a full-scale deployment of firefighting resources.

Given the expanding scope of the blaze and its intensity—part of a pattern of recent fires in the region—fire officials called for a countrywide mobilization of ground firefighting units. On-site operations involve 119 firefighting teams, assisted by 10 planes and a helicopter. A central coordination hub was set up at the Eshtaol IKEA branch, with an additional response center near Latrun.

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff has directed the Home Front Command, the Air Force, and all relevant IDF divisions to offer their complete backing to the Fire and Rescue Services and police forces tackling the disaster.

Search and rescue units from the IDF, alongside emergency responders from the Jerusalem and Central Districts, have joined the mission. Ground and air teams—including those providing real-time aerial surveillance—have worked together to suppress flames and assist in evacuations across the Jerusalem Hills.

For the first time during this crisis, the IDF deployed its “Shimshon” aircraft on Wednesday night. The plane, retrofitted to help in emergencies, released flame-retardant chemicals over the fire zone.

In parallel with local efforts, Israel has turned to the international community for backup. Several nations are expected to send firefighting aircraft, which are likely to land by Thursday morning due to current flight limitations.

Meanwhile, authorities have taken a suspect into custody in connection with the fire’s ignition. He is now undergoing interrogation.

Highway 1 has also been blocked off in both directions between Sha’ar HaGai and the Anava Interchange. Flames engulfed four vehicles along the route. Emergency responders rescued nine people from the burning cars, while others fled the smoke-filled area. A total of twelve individuals were treated for light injuries caused by smoke inhalation.

Traffic has been stopped on Highway 3 in the direction of Nachshon, and train service between Yerushalayim and Ben Gurion Airport has been suspended.

Evacuations have been ordered for the following communities: Shoresh, Neve Ilan, Yad HaShmona, Nataf, Neve Shalom, Beka’ot, Mitzpe Harel, Mesilat Zion, Tarum, Ta’oz, Eshtaol, Beit Meir, Nachshon, Canada Park, and the Latrun vicinity. In Binyamin, Mevo Horon residents were also told to evacuate as a precaution.

Nature and Parks Authority officials began clearing hikers from areas at risk. Those in the affected regions, including the Harei Yehuda National Park, were instructed to leave immediately. The Khan Sha’ar HaGai heritage site was closed to the public.

Jerusalem District Fire Commander Shmulik Friedman said, “The fire is extremely intense, one of the largest in Israel in recent years, perhaps ever. We are positioning at key points to contain the fire, but this is a complex event, and we are preparing defensively.” He also declared that this could potentially be “the largest fire in Israel’s history.”

{Matzav.com}

Chief Justice John Roberts appears to hold the key vote over whether the Supreme Court will allow the nation’s first publicly funded religious charter school in Oklahoma. Roberts was the only justice whose vote seemed in doubt after the court heard more than two hours of arguments Wednesday in a major culture-war clash involving the separation of church and state. The court seemed otherwise deeply divided. Four other conservative justices seemed firmly on the side of the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School and the state charter school board that approved it. “They’re not asking for special treatment, not asking for favoritism,” Justice Brett Kavanaugh said. “They’re just saying, ’Don’t treat us worse because we’re religious.” The three liberal justices seemed just as likely to vote to affirm an Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling that held that the taxpayer-funded school would entangle church and state in violation of the First Amendment. “Charter schools are in every respect equivalent to regular public schools,” Justice Elena Kagan said. Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself without explanation. Barrett previously taught law at Notre Dame and is close friends with Notre Dame law professor Nicole Garnett, a leading proponent of publicly funded religious charter schools. If Roberts sides with the liberals, the court would be tied 4-4, an outcome that would leave the state court decision in place, but would leave the issue unresolved nationally. If he joins his conservative colleagues, on the other hand, the court could find that the taxpayer-funded school is in line with a string of high court decisions that have allowed public funds to flow to religious entities. Those rulings were based on a different part of the First Amendment that protects religious freedom. Roberts wrote the last three of those decisions. He acknowledged at one point that the court had previously ruled that states “couldn’t exclude religious participants,” suggesting support for St. Isidore. But he also said the state’s involvement in this case is “much more comprehensive” than in the earlier ones, a point that could lead him in the other direction. St. Isidore, a K-12 online school, had planned to start classes for its first 200 enrollees last fall, with part of its mission to evangelize its students in the Catholic faith. Opponents warn a decision to allow the school to open would sap money from public schools and possibly upend the rules governing charter schools in almost every state. Greg Garre, the lawyer defending the Oklahoma decision, repeatedly urged the justices to consider the broad impact of a ruling for the school. “This is going to have a dramatic effect on charter schools across the country,” Garre said. Representing the state charter school board, lawyer James Campbell said Oklahoma’s charter school law discriminates against religion by encouraging diversity, but “deeming religion to be the wrong kind of diversity.” The case comes to the court amid efforts, mainly in conservative-led states, to insert religion into public schools. Those include a challenged Louisiana requirement that the Ten Commandments be posted in classrooms and a mandate from Oklahoma’s state schools superintendent that the Bible be placed in public school classrooms. St. Isidore, a K-12 online school, had planned to start classes for its first 200 enrollees last fall, with part of its mission to evangelize its students in the […]

President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is eager to pursue a trade agreement and is planning a trip to the White House in the coming days.

Trump shared that he and Carney spoke by phone on Tuesday, during which the Canadian leader thanked him and discussed moving forward on trade following his election victory on Monday.

“He called me up yesterday — he said let’s make a deal,” Trump told the press following a nationally broadcast Cabinet session.

Trump described the conversation as warm and cordial, saying Carney “couldn’t have been nicer and I congratulated him.” He noted that the Canadian prime minister is expected to arrive at the White House within a week.

Commenting on the Canadian election results, Trump remarked that the outcome “sends a very mixed signal because it’s almost even, which makes it very complicated for the country. It’s [a] pretty tight race.”

{Matzav.com}

Jerusalem, Israel – As major fires ravaged multiple regions across Israel on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri took to X to demand harsh action against Palestinians he claims are responsible, urging the IDF to “eliminate from the air” those identified as arsonists. The Shin Bet security agency is investigating the fires’ causes, and several arson suspects were arrested in east Jerusalem and security teams in two other areas arrested suspects in two additional attacks, one in Rosh HaAyin and another in Beit Keshet, a kibbutz in northern Israel. Deri wrote, “Arsonists during wartime are terrorists in every sense. I call on the prime minister to instruct the IDF to eliminate from the air any terrorist identified as an arsonist.” He further stated, “Whoever starts fires during a heatwave and war — their blood is on their own head. This is a ticking time bomb, just like someone who fires a weapon.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Anyone in the parsha—whether for themselves or for their children—knows the crushing anxiety that comes with researching a potential match. How can we possibly determine the right fit from a piece of paper? Is he/she like this or like that? Will their personality align with our hopes? With every profile, our minds spin endless possibilities—and anxiety, ever the pessimist, convinces us to assume the worst. Maybe they have this issue… Maybe they won’t understand that part of me… The doubts pile up, and before we know it, we’ve talked ourselves out of even considering the shidduch. But it doesn’t have to be this way. I adopted a new approach—one that has been nothing short of life-changing. I recognize my own human tendency: when all I have is a written profile, my imagination runs wild, feeding anxiety and making me hesitant to proceed. But I also know this: the moment I actually meet the person, everything changes. Suddenly, they’re no longer an abstract set of traits on paper—they’re a real, multifaceted human being. The fears I had? Often unfounded. The concerns that seemed so big? Frequently insignificant. The clarity is astonishing. So here’s what I do now: If a shidduch suggestion seems even remotely plausible, I ask the shadchan to arrange a brief phone call—immediately. No strings attached, no pressure to continue, just a short conversation. The goal? To replace the paper with a person. And the difference is night and day. Deciding whether to move forward becomes infinitely easier—and more enjoyable—when I’m evaluating an actual human being rather than a list of traits. People are always better than papers. Admittedly, shadchanim are sometimes skeptical (though helpful individuals facilitating matches tend to love the idea). Even when they agree, the other side might need convincing. But there’s nothing to lose—only clarity to gain. Every single person who has tried this approach has told me it transformed their outlook. One parent even called to thank me, saying it gave their child renewed hope—the process no longer felt unbearable. The concept is simple: Turn the paper into a person. A short, no-pressure conversation shifts the entire dynamic. Afterward, you’re back at the starting point—free to say, “Thanks, I’ll let you know if I’m interested.” But now, you’re making that decision based on a real interaction, not just speculation. If you’re single or a parent navigating shidduchim, try this just once. I’m certain you’ll feel a weight lift—replacing dread with renewed motivation to find your bashert. Wishing you tremendous siyata d’Shmaya. May Hashem guide you swiftly to your zivug hagun. Hatzlacha, A Friend The views expressed in this letter are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of YWN. Have an opinion you would like to share? Send it to us for review. 

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The live Yom Ha’atzmaut ceremony at Har Herzl and small ceremonies across the country, scheduled for Wednesday evening, were canceled due to the fires still raging across Israel. Instead, a recorded dress rehearsal was broadcast on Israeli TV channels. One of the torch-lighters was freed hostage Emily Damari, who was abducted from Kibbutz Kfar Aza. Speaking briefly from stage before lighting the touch, Emily said that she is lighting the torch in honor of the 59 hostages still in captivity; the 64 residents of Kfar Aza who were murdered during the massacre; including two of her close friends, the Israeli security forces who risk their lives; those who fell in battle; the orphan and widows, and bereaved families who lost their loved ones. She then raised her voice, and pointing upwards, she said: “And to Hakadosh Baruch Hu who gave me the kochos to survive captivity and to return on my feet to the country and nation I love so much!” It should be noted that this is not the first time that Emily publicly thanked Hashem. Shortly after being released, she posted a message on social media, writing: “Love, love, love,” Damari wrote. “I thank Hashem, my family…to the best friends I have in this world. I’ve returned to my beloved life.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Senator Ted Cruz told Newsmax that the results of President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown have been so impactful, they’ve thrown the Democratic Party into complete disarray. “They are lunatics,” Cruz said during an appearance on Carl Higbie FRONTLINE. “The Democrats have decided let’s go down to El Salvador and say if you elect Democrats, we will bring in more illegal aliens who are MS-13 gang members.”

Cruz was referencing a recent trip by several Democratic lawmakers to El Salvador, where they advocated for the return of a deported individual the Trump administration has linked to MS-13, a notoriously violent gang.

The senator also criticized two Democrat-affiliated judges who, he claims, went to extreme lengths to interfere with immigration enforcement and protect illegal immigrants from federal authorities.

“You have a judge in New Mexico – I talked about this on my podcast Verdict with Ted Cruz – who was hiding a Tren de Aragua gang member, a Venezuelan gang member, in his home, who took the gang member’s cell phone, destroyed it with a hammer and threw it in a dumpster so there would be no evidence of this guy,” Cruz said. “This guy’s cell phone had pictures of two decapitated victims on it, and Democrats are actively hiding the gang members.”

He continued, “It is utterly bizarre, but it is because Trump has caused their brains to melt. Today, Democrats are very honest. You elect Democrats, you get more illegals, more gang members, more murderers, more criminals.”

Earlier that same day, President Trump declared that border security under his administration was operating at peak effectiveness, reporting a near-total halt of illegal crossings. “The border is in great shape,” Trump said, touting a “99.9% success rate” in stopping unlawful entry.

Cruz celebrated the dramatic improvement, calling it “a massive victory” and underscoring that Trump had kept a major campaign pledge. “It is exactly what he promised the American people,” the Texas senator said.

“In November, we had a clear mandate from the American people,” Cruz continued. “It was unequivocal. You look at President Trump, he was reelected, he won the popular vote. Of the seven swing states across the country, President Trump won all seven. That was clear and unambiguous. The voters likewise gave us a Republican House and a Republican Senate.”

Cruz emphasized that even the Rio Grande Valley, traditionally a Democratic stronghold for generations, shifted its support to the GOP. “The Rio Grande Valley, which has been bright blue for 100 years, flipped red,” he said. “Trump carried the valley, and I carried the valley, and the open borders of the last four years was a huge part of the reason. The American people said enough already with open borders, with 12 million illegals invading this country, with murderers and rapists and gang bangers being released. In the first 100 days, Donald Trump has delivered on that promise and we’ve seen, as he just said, illegal border crossings drop over 99.9%. That’s staggering.”

{Matzav.com}

Financial markets are volatile. Consumer confidence is at its lowest level in five years. Economists say recession risks are rising. It all adds up to financial uncertainty for a lot of Americans. Roughly half of U.S. adults say that President Trump’s trade policies will increase prices “a lot,” according to a recent poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center of Public Affairs Research. And about half of Americans are “extremely” or “very” concerned about the possibility of the U.S. economy going into a recession in the next few months. Matt Watson, CEO of Origin, a financial planning app, says it’s a period of uncertainty for everyone, including experts. “No one has a crystal ball. No one, even the people that do this professionally and have done it very successfully for many years, know what’s going to happen,” he said. If you’re worried about how economic uncertainty might affect you, here are some expert recommendations: Take stock of your finances The first step to preparing for uncertain financial times is knowing your starting point, Watson said. Look at your budget or your debit card expenses so you can understand how much you spend every month. “Take stock of where you are across a number of different categories,” Watson said. Looking at the state of your savings and investments can also provide you with an idea of your overall financial health. Find where you can cut back The more nonessential expenses you can pause, the more you can save for an emergency. “Your choice is really to cut now or cut later, so it’s easier to cut now and have a cushion,” Watson said. If you’re having difficulty finding where to cut back, Jim Weil, managing partner at Private Vista, a financial planning firm, recommends that you divide your expenses into three buckets: needs, wants and wishes. Wishes are larger expenses that can be postponed, such as a vacation to Europe. For the time being, cut back expenses from the wishes section until you feel like your finances are in a good place. Take care of your mental health Between news about tariffs and job losses, you might feel your anxiety rising. So, it’s important that you protect your mental health while also caring about your finances, said Courtney Alev, consumer advocate at Credit Karma. Sometimes, reading too much news that can affect your finances can become overbearing and create more stress than you need. “It’s good practice to stay informed but you don’t want to let the news cycle consume you,” Alev said. If you find yourself feeling high levels of stress or anxiety when it comes to your finances, it’s best to contact a professional who can assist you, such as a financial therapist. If looking for regular mental health services, most health insurance covers some type of mental health assistance. If you don’t have health insurance, you can look for sliding-scale therapists around the country, including through FindTreatment.gov and the Anxiety and Depression Association of America directory. Focus on what you can control Rather than worrying too much on the economics of the entire country, Alev recommends that you focus on the aspects of your personal life that you can control in order to feel more confident in case there is a recession. “Identify any changes that you might need […]

TRUMP TO BUSINESS LEADERS: “We cut your taxes from almost 40% down to 21%. Now, we’re bringing your taxes down from 21% to 15%, if you build your product, make your product in the USA.”

During a Cabinet gathering on Wednesday, President Donald Trump applauded Elon Musk for his dedication and efforts in his government role, offering him the opportunity to continue as long as he wishes. “You really have sacrificed a lot,” Trump told Musk, during remarks broadcast live on Newsmax. “You’ve been treated very unfairly … the vast majority of people in this country really respect and appreciate you, and this whole room can say that very strongly. You’ve really been a tremendous help.”

With a smile, Musk lightened the mood by putting on two red MAGA hats that were placed in front of the Cabinet members, quipping to Trump that many say he wears “a lot of hats.” He then joked, “That’s true. Even my hat has a hat,” before taking both hats off.

Turning serious, Musk spoke about the policies voters wanted—and received. “Americans voted for secure borders, safe cities and sensible spending,” he said. “And that’s what they got from Trump.”

He went on to praise the early accomplishments of the administration. “A tremendous amount has been accomplished in the first 100 days,” Musk said. “As everyone has said, it’s more than has been accomplished in any administration before, ever, period. So this portends very well for what happens for the rest of the administration.”

Looking to the future, Musk added, “I think this could be the greatest administration since the founding of the country.”

Referring to incidents of property damage at Tesla facilities, Musk noted, “Well, they did like to burn my cars, which is not great.” His comments referenced the backlash faced by his company amidst his public alignment with Trump.

President Trump acknowledged Musk’s sacrifices and voiced his continued backing, while joking about Musk’s eagerness to return to his automotive ventures. “You’ve done an incredible job,” Trump said, before mentioning a savings estimate. “$150 billion…” Musk quickly corrected him, saying the total amounted to $169 billion in federal spending cuts.

Trump suggested those savings may be just the beginning. “A lot of stuff is being worked on,” he said. “That number could be doubled and even tripled. A lot of things are being worked on that we don’t count yet because it’s not quite there.”

Musk also addressed the Cabinet directly, expressing appreciation for his time working alongside them and calling it an honor.

Recently, Musk has scaled back his direct involvement in Washington. He is expected to step away from his government role, with contributing factors including his limited availability under his special government employee designation and a significant decline in Tesla sales amid public criticism tied to his association with Trump’s administration.

{Matzav.com}

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) dismissed concerns about his plummeting 17% approval rating during a tense press conference Tuesday, as CNN’s chief congressional correspondent Manu Raju pressed him on whether he’s become a liability for the Democratic Party. Raju confronted Schumer with a fresh CNN poll revealing a mere 17% favorable rating for Schumer against a staggering 44% unfavorable view among U.S. adults. “Are you concerned that you may be a liability for your party?” Raju asked, citing Schumer’s lower approval compared to other congressional leaders. Schumer brushed off the numbers, saying, “Polls come and go. Our party is united. We’re on our front foot.” He pivoted to attack Trump’s “100 days of chaos,” claiming Democrats are “having real success” in opposing the administration. A Pew Research Center poll released the same day showed Democrats strongly support fighting Trump’s policies but remain deeply unsatisfied with their leaders’ efforts. Adding fuel to the fire, Democratic National Committee Vice Chair David Hogg has pledged to spend $20 million supporting primary challenges against incumbent Democrats, potentially signaling a brewing civil war. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)