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A resolution has been introduced in the U.S. House to formally condemn the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

FMR. PRES. OBAMA: “We don’t yet know what motivated the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy…

BREAKING: The FBI says that Charlie Kirk’s assassin has been taken into custody. The shooter’s identity and motive have not yet been revealed

FBI/SWAT seen searching for Charlie Kirk assassin at a home near Utah Valley University, where the deadly shooting occurred.

The UK government has concluded that Israel’s war in Gaza, while “utterly appalling” in its civilian toll, does not amount to genocide — nor has the International Court of Justice (ICJ) found any credible basis to claim otherwise. In a letter to Parliament’s International Development Committee, Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed that London does not believe Israel has breached the Genocide Convention or that there is even “plausibility” to the charge of genocide. “The Government has carefully considered the risk of genocide,” Lammy wrote, noting the high civilian casualties and destruction in Gaza. “The Government has not concluded that Israel is acting with that intent.” The statement comes as South Africa’s case against Israel at the ICJ proceeds, with the court ordering provisional measures to improve humanitarian access. But Lammy stressed that these interim steps “should not be regarded as creating an awareness of a serious risk of genocide,” underscoring that the ICJ has yet to make any ruling on the merits of the claim. While firmly rejecting the genocide allegation, Lammy’s letter was sharply critical of Israeli policy. He denounced the expansion of military operations in Gaza, condemned settlement approvals in East Jerusalem’s E1 area, and warned that the war has inflicted a “catastrophic humanitarian situation.” Israel’s ambassador was summoned to the Foreign Office last month in protest. Still, the UK stopped short of applying the genocide label — a critical legal and diplomatic marker that would carry far-reaching consequences for Britain’s foreign and defense policy. The letter also reiterated that Britain suspended defense export licenses that could be used in Gaza in September 2024. The sole exception remains participation in the global F-35 fighter jet program, which Lammy argued is vital for NATO security and European defense. Direct exports of F-35 parts for Israeli use have been halted, he said. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

In light of the ever-intensifying gezeirah of giyus in Eretz Yisroel, Gedolei Torah in America have announced the formation of a special new Vaad Hatzalah to stand at the side of bochurim and yungeleit facing unprecedented pressure and danger. The letter, signed by leading roshei yeshiva and rabbonim, describes the draft as a direct attack on Bnei Torah — an existential threat not only to lomdei Torah in Eretz Yisroel but to the very kiyum of Torah throughout Klal Yisroel. Already, tragically, some choshuve bnei Torah have been incarcerated under dire physical and spiritual conditions, while others are living under fear of harsh penalties. The newly established Vaad Hatzalah will focus on providing both spiritual and practical support. This includes arranging legal assistance, ensuring families of the imprisoned are supported, and giving bochurim the chizuk and hadrachah to withstand these nisyonos. As the Gedolim write, experience has shown that when lomdei Torah feel that Klal Yisroel is behind them, they are able to persevere with gevurah and mesiras nefesh. Gedolei Torah emphasized that the burden upon those working in Eretz Yisroel has become overwhelming, and the askanim who have been carrying this responsibility are collapsing under its weight. The creation of the Vaad Hatzalah in America is intended to shoulder part of this load and to provide urgently needed support. “All who cherish Torah and Yiddishkeit are called upon to join in this effort,” the Gedolim urged, “to strengthen the hands of those battling for the future of Torah, and to be zocheh to the bracha of ‘Baruch asher yakim es divrei haTorah hazos.’” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Qatar has become the main home for senior Hamas officials in recent years, especially since the October 7 massacre, the BBC reported. According to the report, many Hamas terrorists also recently moved their operations from Tehran to Doha. Today, about a thousand Hamas terrorists and their families reside in Doha in homes provided to them by the Qatari government. Senior leaders received private villas and released prisoners, and security teams received spacious apartments. Until now, senior Hamas members moved about freely in the safe haven provided them by US ally Qatar, also traveling frequently to Egypt and Turkey. The Israeli attack in the heart of Doha caused a major earthquake, shattering Hamas’s sense of immunity in the Qatari capital. The fate of the terrorists targeted in the strike is still unclear. (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

An unusual scene unfolded last night at the home of the senior posek, Rav Moshe Shternbuch, when a siren suddenly pierced the air in the middle of a visit. The Rebbe of Strikov was paying a call to receive brachos ahead of the Yomim Noraim when the alarm was triggered, following the launch of a single missile from Yemen by the Houthis.

In recent days, a steady stream of rabbonim have been arriving at Rav Shternbuch’s home to seek his brocha in advance of Rosh Hashanah. Within the past 24 hours alone, the visitors included the Rebbes of Sanz, Toldos Aharon Yitzchak, Strikov, and Parysov, as well as Rav Mordechai Shmuel Edelstein.

It was during the Strikover Rebbe’s visit that the air raid siren sounded. Seizing the moment with a touch of wit, the Rebbe remarked to the posek that there is significance in hearing the sound of a shofar at night. He referenced the words of the Rema, who records that in certain communities the custom was to blow shofar throughout Elul not only by day but also after nightfall. “Therefore,” the Rebbe said, “in our times, when we no longer have the practice of blowing shofar in Elul at night, the Ribbono Shel Olam has arranged that we should hear a ‘shofar’ in the form of a siren on one of the nights of Elul.”

Rav Shternbuch responded by delving into the halachic discussion surrounding the Rema’s words, engaging the Rebbe in learning. He then blessed him warmly, saying: “Brachah v’hatzlachah v’si’yata d’Shmaya that you should have great influence, that all should follow the path of Torah. And Hashem will help you have the strength to wage the battle of Hashem with force against the breach of the internet, regarding which the Torah says ‘v’lo savi to’eivah el beisecha’—do not bring abomination into your home.”

הרבי מסטריקוב בביקור אצל הגר”מ שטרנבוךצילום: רפאל שוורץ הרבי מסטריקוב בביקור אצל הגר”מ שטרנבוךצילום: רפאל שוורץ הרבי מסטריקוב בביקור אצל הגר”מ שטרנבוךצילום: רפאל שוורץ הרבי מסטריקוב בביקור אצל הגר”מ שטרנבוךצילום: רפאל שוורץ הרבי מסטריקוב בביקור אצל הגר”מ שטרנבוךצילום: רפאל שוורץ הרבי מסטריקוב בביקור אצל הגר”מ שטרנבוךצילום: רפאל שוורץ הרבי מסטריקוב בביקור אצל הגר”מ שטרנבוךצילום: רפאל שוורץ הרבי מסטריקוב בביקור אצל הגר”מ שטרנבוךצילום: רפאל שוורץ הרבי מסטריקוב בביקור אצל הגר”מ שטרנבוךצילום: רפאל שוורץ הרבי מסטריקוב בביקור אצל הגר”מ שטרנבוךצילום: רפאל שוורץ הרבי מסטריקוב בביקור אצל הגר”מ שטרנבוךצילום: רפאל שוורץ הרבי מסטריקוב בביקור אצל הגר”מ שטרנבוךצילום: רפאל שוורץ

For the first time in 15 years, nuclear experts say Iran has no identifiable path to producing weapons-grade uranium at any of its known centrifuge plants — the result of a U.S. bombing campaign ordered by President Donald Trump this summer. In a new assessment, David Albright, a former International Atomic Energy Agency inspector and founder of the Institute for Science and International Security, concluded that “Operation Midnight Hammer” — Trump’s June air campaign targeting Iran’s enrichment facilities — destroyed or disabled nearly 22,000 centrifuges across three sites, including the deeply buried Fordow plant. “In essence, the attacks destroyed Iran’s gas centrifuge enrichment program,” Albright’s report states. “Iran has no identifiable route to produce weapon-grade uranium in its centrifuge plants.” The strikes marked a turning point in a shadow war that has stretched across decades. For years, Israel lobbied Washington to hit Iran’s hardened facilities. Trump, fresh off his confrontation with Tehran following Israel’s 12-day war with Iran, finally authorized the use of 14 Massive Ordnance Penetrators — the Pentagon’s largest bunker-buster bombs — to take out sites U.S. intelligence judged were out of Israel’s reach. Trump wasted no time in declaring victory, telling supporters Iran’s nuclear program had been “completely and totally obliterated.” Tuesday’s analysis gives his boast backing. But it also comes with a caveat: uncertainty. Because Iran cut off cooperation with the IAEA in the wake of the bombings, outside experts have little visibility into the country’s stockpiles of enriched uranium or whether undisclosed centrifuges remain operable. “Calculating a breakout time would require unsubstantiated speculation,” Albright’s team cautioned, noting the possibility of centrifuges built but not yet deployed. Administration officials seized on the report as validation nonetheless. “Your friendly reminder that Iran’s nuclear capabilities are OBLITERATED!” White House spokesperson Anna Kelly posted shortly after the findings were released. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Ever heard of Sharona? It’s one of central Israel’s most sought-after communities today, in the city of Kfar Yona, where 30,000+ residents currently live. Sleek high-rises, bustling schools, well-kept parks, everything a thriving Jewish community needs. Except the one thing no Jewish community can survive without. A mikvah taharah. Over the next decade. Sharona’s population is expected to reach 90,0000. But, with no mikvah, who will still call themselves Jewish by then? Each day that passes without taharah is an immeasurable loss for Klal Yisroel. “We can’t go into Yom Hadin without worrying about them!” —HaGaon HaRav Yitzchok Zilberstein shlit”a As we stand in the Yomim Noraim, help build Mikvah Sharona, a beautiful, welcoming space that will bring thousands of Jewish families to taharah for the first time, and for a lifetime. “They will be zocheh to children who go  b’derech kedusha v’taharah.” —Rachmastrivka Rebbe shlit”a Give $219 and the Gedolei Hador will daven for you when they bentch their children Erev Yom Kippur. Could there be a greater zechus as you enter Yom Hadin? Build taharah in Eretz Yisroel. Build immeasurable zechuyos.  Merkaz L’Taharas HaMishpacha www.taharas.org | 855-824-2727 For dedication opportunities: 732-333-1299 Since 1942, Merkaz L’Taharas HaMishpacha has built and restored 1,158 mikvaos across Eretz Yisroel, under the guidance of Gedolei Hador. In community after community, we work to ensure every Jewish family, observant or not-yet, has access to a kosher, dignified mikvah experience. Right now, we’re building 30 mikvaos that with your help, can be completed this year.  

Charlie Kirk’s killer remains at large, as police and federal investigators launched an intense search following the shocking assassination at Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday afternoon.

Initial reports had suggested that a suspect was already apprehended, but authorities later walked back that statement, clarifying that the gunman is still on the run.

Kirk, 31, was struck in the neck by a bullet just after 12:20 p.m. local time on Wednesday while addressing students at the campus, located south of Salt Lake City.

Investigators recovered a long gun believed to have been used in the attack. According to law enforcement sources who spoke to The Post, the shooter fired a single round from an elevated position roughly 200 yards away.

The circumstances of the shooting point to a carefully prepared and intentional act.

Authorities also addressed a video that spread online showing an older man being taken into custody by officers on the Utah Valley campus.

Although the man claimed to have shot Kirk, police later confirmed he was not involved and is not a suspect in the case.

After the shooting, Kirk was rushed to a nearby hospital where he underwent emergency surgery in critical condition. Despite those efforts, he later died from his wounds.

President Trump personally announced Kirk’s death on TruthSocial.

“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” Trump wrote shortly after 4 p.m.

“No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie,” he added, noting Kirk was a devoted husband and father of two young daughters.

Terrifying video footage captured at the scene showed the moment the gunshot rang out during an exchange with attendees who opposed Kirk’s conservative message.

The fatal shot was fired just after Kirk had been asked a question about transgender mass shooters.

Kirk earned national recognition for rallying young Republican voters through his organization Turning Point USA, which traveled to college campuses nationwide to spread its conservative principles.

Utah Valley University went into lockdown as police methodically searched every building, according to a spokesperson who confirmed the details to the New York Times.

“There is no suspect in custody, it is an active investigation,” the university said in a statement.

The manhunt now involves multiple agencies, including the FBI, Orem Police, the Utah Department of Public Safety, and the Utah Valley University Police Department.

{Matzav.com}

Alleged footage appears to show a person on the Losee Center roof at UVU just before Charlie Kirk was shot.

The White House has lowered its flags to half mast for Charlie Kirk.

The Israel Antiquities Authority on Tuesday launched a digital platform centralizing all archaeological information collected and researched in Israel. The database currently contains 3,910,005 records, along with 964,393 objects, 1,223,552 images and 15,164 three-dimensional models.

The National Archaeological Database allows users to browse publications, photos, 3D scans, excavation reports and archival documents through a smart search by site, period, type of find and other categories.

The system includes an interactive geographic search that lets users plot an area of interest on a map and instantly access all relevant archaeological information—from findings to excavation documents, images, models and professional publications.

“In a country with a rich heritage like Israel, a huge collection of archaeological information from all periods has been collected over the years,” said Alby Malka, head of the IAA’s Technologies Division.

“By Israeli law, every archaeological find that is uncovered must be reported, documented and deposited in the National Archives. As a result, data constantly gathers under the aegis of the Israel Antiquities Authority on many archaeological digs, as well as on hundreds of thousands of ancient items—from scrolls and coins to pottery, jewelry and archaic architectural elements,” he continued.

“A national archaeological database, which gathers and makes all this knowledge accessible both to the lay public and to researchers, is a tool of paramount importance for scientific research, for preserving the country’s heritage, and for deepening public knowledge,” added Malka.

IAA chief scientist Débora Sandhaus described the archive as “a treasure” and a “global asset.”

“It gives the international scientific community unique access from any computer in the world to vast knowledge about the history of the Levant, and enables a large-scale comparative study, which was never even possible until now,” she said. JNS

{Matzav.com}

JUST IN: President Trump has ordered all American flags to fly at half-mast until Sunday evening in honor of Charlie Kirk, the slain face of young American conservatism.

Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old conservative commentator and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and tragically killed today during an event at Utah Valley University.

The shooting occurred while Kirk was speaking at the first stop of his “American Comeback Tour,” where he was hosting one of his signature “Prove Me Wrong” sessions under a white tent on campus.

Witnesses reported hearing a single loud crack, after which Kirk collapsed, bleeding from what appeared to be a head or neck wound.

Panic quickly swept through the crowd, with students and attendees rushing to flee as the scene descended into chaos. Emergency responders arrived within moments, and Kirk was transported to a nearby hospital. Despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead minutes ago.

The university immediately went into lockdown, canceling classes and instructing students to either evacuate or shelter in place. Federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and ATF, joined local police in the investigation. Authorities initially detained an older male near the scene, but later clarified that he was not the shooter and has since been released. As of now, the perpetrator remains at large.

News of Kirk’s death drew swift and emotional reactions across the political spectrum. President Donald Trump expressed his grief in a statement, calling Kirk “great” and “legendary,” adding, “He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”

Other leaders also weighed in. Lawmakers from both parties, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Utah Senator Mike Lee, condemned the attack and urged Americans to reject political violence. Vice President JD Vance described Kirk as “a tireless voice for America’s youth” and called the killing “an attack on free speech itself.” California Governor Gavin Newsom and former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords also joined in denouncing the violence.

Kirk rose to prominence in 2012 when, at just 18 years old, he founded Turning Point USA, a conservative youth movement that grew into one of the most influential activist organizations in the country. He became a leading voice for conservative students and young voters, building a powerful online following and becoming a close ally of President Trump. He played a significant role in energizing the youth vote during the 2024 presidential campaign.

Kirk is survived by his wife, Erika, a podcaster, and their two young children.

The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to search for the gunman responsible. Meanwhile, tributes continue to pour in from across the nation, as supporters, colleagues, and political leaders grapple with the sudden and tragic loss of a figure who had become a defining voice for a generation of conservative activists.

{Matzav.com}

BREAKING: President Trump confirms that conservative influencer Charlie Kirk has died at the age of 31 after being shot at an event at Utah Valley University.

Scott Jennings: “I sat in this room… the night they they shot the President, and now they shot Charlie. I’m not sure it’s safe to be an outspoken conservative walking out in America right now.”

Real America’s Voice, the network on which The Charlie Kirk Show airs, is reporting that the conservative influencer has died after being shot in the neck. There has been no official confirmation from authorities yet.