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Roughly 150 Gaza’s have left gaza today with most of those heading for France.

BDE: Israel Police announced Wednesday afternoon that the remains found in the sea on Tuesday off the coast of Hadera belonged to Barak Tzach, z’l, who was killed by sharks on Monday. Tzach, z’l, a resident of Petach Tikva, is survived by his wife and four children.

Vice President JD Vance issued a stern ultimatum on Wednesday, signaling that the United States may pull out of peace efforts between Russia and Ukraine unless progress is made at an upcoming summit in London, where officials are set to deliberate over what has been termed President Trump’s “final offer.”

“We’ve issued a very explicit proposal to both the Russians and Ukrainians, and it’s time for them to either say yes or for the US to walk away from this process,” Vance declared to the press while visiting India. “We’ve engaged in an extraordinary amount of diplomacy.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was originally slated to be part of the high-level discussions in London, has decided not to attend, according to CNN. The U.S. remains focused on pressing for a resolution to the war, even though Ukraine remains firm on not ceding land currently under Russian control.

Sources with direct knowledge of the talks told Axios that the peace package — presented as Trump’s “final offer” — includes American recognition of Crimea as belonging to Russia, along with tacit acceptance of most of the territories seized by Russian forces since the 2022 invasion.

The offer also blocks Ukraine from joining NATO but leaves the door open for the country to potentially join the European Union. These terms were outlined in a brief document shared with European officials in Paris last week.

The proposal also includes a full rollback of sanctions levied against Russia since 2014. In return, Washington and Moscow would commit to expanding economic collaboration, especially in the energy sector, Axios reported.

In exchange, Ukraine would be given “a robust security guarantee” from a coalition of both European and non-European nations. However, the specifics of this guarantee have yet to be finalized.

The agreement would allow Ukraine to regain a sliver of territory in the Kharkiv region and restore full access to the Dnieper River.

Kyiv would also be promised financial support to aid in reconstruction, though the source of the funds was not detailed in the summary of the proposal.

This round of negotiations comes on the heels of a recent strategy meeting involving the leaders of the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and France, where the American initiative was reviewed.

With Rubio absent, Trump has appointed Keith Kellogg, his special envoy on matters involving Russia and Ukraine, to stand in for the U.S. at the London summit, CNN reported.

{Matzav.com}

A major political crisis is brewing within Israel’s governing coalition as the chareidi parties intensify demands for a new draft law that will secure the status of yeshiva students without imposing any penalties or sanctions. In response to the government’s failure to advance such legislation, Yahadus HaTorah is expected to boycott votes in the Knesset and its committees, an unprecedented move that could soon be joined by Shas.

The emergency faction meeting of Yahadus HaTorah, scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, will focus on the stalled progress in legislating a draft exemption framework. At the heart of the discontent is MK Moshe Gafni, chairman of Degel HaTorah, who has expressed growing frustration over the government’s inaction, despite repeated warnings from the party’s spiritual leadership.

During the meeting, Yahadus HaTorah is likely to adopt a decision to suspend its participation in both Knesset plenum votes and committee sessions. Some within the faction are also pushing to halt activity entirely in committees under chareidi control, such as the powerful Finance Committee.

The demand from the party is clear: tangible legislative progress must be made on the new draft law, in accordance with the explicit guidance of Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch and Rav Dov Landau, roshei yeshiva of Slabodka.

Political insiders believe Shas will follow suit if Yahadus HaTorah officially decides to disengage from coalition business.

According to information obtained by inside sources, during Yom Tov visits with members of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah, Shas leader Aryeh Deri was quoted as saying, “We are working to pass a draft law that will pass the test of the High Court. But if we don’t see significant movement in the next two weeks, we will boycott Knesset votes. We won’t continue as if everything is normal—I’ve already made that clear to Netanyahu.”

Behind the scenes, a major dispute is unfolding. Gedolei Yisroel have firmly demanded that any new draft law exclude sanctions—particularly personal sanctions against yeshiva students or institutions—despite understandings reportedly reached between Aryeh Deri and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s predecessor, Yisroel Katz. Katz had previously declared that any draft legislation from his office would include personal penalties if enlistment targets weren’t met.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Novavax’s closely watched COVID-19 vaccine is on track for full approval after additional discussions with the Food and Drug Administration, the company said Wednesday. The news sent company shares soaring more than 21% in morning trading and appeared to resolve concerns that Trump administration officials might be holding up a decision on the shot. Novavax makes the nation’s only traditional protein-based COVID-19 vaccine. It is still being sold under emergency use authorization — unlike mRNA vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna that have earned full FDA approval for certain age groups. The FDA recently asked Novavax to develop a plan for collecting additional clinical data from those who have gotten the shot, the company said in a statement. It said it is “engaging with the FDA expeditiously” in hopes of receiving approval “as soon as possible.” At FDA, full vaccine approval is the gold standard. The agency was on track to sign off on Novavax’s license by its April 1 target date, according to two people with direct knowledge of the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential agency matters. But FDA’s acting commissioner, Dr. Sara Brenner, directed the agency’s lead official overseeing the vaccine to pause the decision, according to one of the people. The delay, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, sparked concerns of political interference under Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who spent decades leading antivaccine groups before joining the federal government as health secretary. Last month, FDA’s longtime vaccine chief, Dr. Peter Marks, was forced out over disagreements with Kennedy about vaccine safety. With full FDA approval, Novavax would have permission to keep its shot on the market indefinitely. Products that receive emergency authorization can be removed by FDA after there is no longer a health emergency. All the COVID-19 vaccines used in the U.S. train the body to fight the coronavirus by recognizing its outer coating, the spike protein. The Pfizer and Moderna options deliver genetic instructions for the body to temporarily make copies of the protein. In contrast, the Novavax vaccine uses lab-grown copies of the spike protein packaged into nanoparticles and combined with an immune-revving ingredient. Protein-based vaccines have been used for years to prevent other diseases including hepatitis B and shingles. Each year, the three manufacturers update their vaccine recipes to better match the latest COVID-19 variants that are circulating, just like flu shots are updated yearly. (AP)

As tensions rise over the issue of yeshiva student enlistment in the IDF, leading Torah authorities are voicing forceful opposition. At a gathering held at his home, Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Rashbi, delivered a passionate message against the looming threat.

Amid reports of several yeshiva bochurim being arrested in recent months and the continued failure to formulate a new, mutually acceptable draft law, Rav Bergman addressed the urgent need to fortify the resolve of bnei hayeshivos not to compromise on the sanctity of Torah learning or submit to military authorities.

Opening his remarks, Rav Bergman stated: “I want to take this opportunity, as we are gathered together, to address one specific point that concerns us directly. Everyone knows that Klal Yisroel is facing a serious threat. There is a danger that they will take bnei yeshiva into the army, chas v’shalom.”

He continued: “I want to tell you — we must all stand firm on this issue like a fortress. We must make it clear, to those who want to hear and those who don’t want to hear, that we will not give up on anyone. No one has the authority to give up on the holy Torah.”

Rav Bergman concluded with a stirring call to unity and faith: “And if we stand strong, and protect the bnei yeshivos, and they know that we are all with them — then Hashem will help, the decree will be nullified, and we will merit the elevation of the Torah’s honor and the coming of Moshiach speedily in our days, Amen.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

The olam haTorah v’haChassidus mourns the petirah of R’ Avrohom Shmuel Spalter z”l, a beloved Chossid, yerei Shomayim, and anav, who was niftar on Tuesday, 24 Nissan, at the age of 93. R’ Shmuel was born in Lancut, Poland, into a family of Bluzhover Chassidim. His early life was marked by unimaginable yesurim during the churban Europe. His mother was murdered al kiddush Hashem by the Nazis, ym”sh, and he fled with his father to Soviet Russia. There, his father passed away, and he was placed in a Communist orphanage, far from any semblance of Torah or Yiddishkeit. After the war, he was reunited with his great-uncle, R’ Mordechai Gershon Spalter, the dayan of Sonik, who adopted him and raised him with warmth and dedication. He was sent to learn in the Lubavitch Yeshiva in Brunoy, France—the only Chassidishe yeshiva in Western Europe at the time. In 5710, he arrived in New York for Shavuos and immediately joined the yeshiva in 770. He was present at the historic farbrengen of Yud Shvat 5711, when the Lubavitcher Rebbe formally accepted the nesius. In 5716, he married Mirel Lipszyc, and the Rebbe was mesader kiddushin at their chasunah. Following the wedding, the couple settled in Crown Heights, where R’ Shmuel worked as a diamond cutter and was a dedicated participant in the early-morning Gemara shiur delivered by R’ Zalman Gurary z”l. When R’ Zalman was away, R’ Shmuel would step in to give the shiur. In his later years, R’ Shmuel moved to North Miami Beach, Florida, where he spent his mornings immersed in limud haTorah and his afternoons working in his son’s grocery store. Even in his older age, he continued learning b’hasmadah and lived with profound simplicity, sincerity, and yiras Shomayim. His humility and constant desire to help others left a lasting impression on all who crossed his path. R’ Shmuel leaves behind his eishes chayil, Mirel, along with a large family of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who continue in his path of Torah, avodah, and gemilus chassadim. Among his children are Rabbi Moshe Spalter of Toronto, Mrs. Libby Wolf of Chicago, Mrs. Mindy Chazan of Manchester, Mrs. Dassi New of Atlanta, Rabbi Hershel Spalter of Costa Rica, R’ Yitzi Spalter of North Miami Beach, Rabbi Yisroel Spalter of Weston, Mrs. Chani Nemes of New Orleans, and Rabbi Mendy Spalter of Los Angeles. The levayah will take place on Wednesday, passing by 770 at 2:30 PM. The family will be sitting shivah in Crown Heights at 699 Crown Street on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning only. On Wednesday, nichum aveilim will begin at 6:30 PM, with Mincha and Maariv b’zmanam. On Thursday morning, there will be Shacharis minyanim at 8:00 AM and 8:45 AM. Baruch Dayan Ha’Emes. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

In a critical meeting held Tuesday evening in Yerushalayim, two senior roshei yeshiva, Rav Dov Landau and Rav Avraham Salim, came together to discuss the fate of bnei yeshiva and the future of the Chok HaGiyus (draft law). The private, in-depth discussion marked a significant step toward forging a unified chareidi front amid rising tensions over the stalled legislative process.

Rav Dov Landau, rosh yeshiva of Slabodka, met with Rav Salim, member of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas, to coordinate positions ahead of what is shaping up to be a fierce political and ideological battle over the law that determines the military exemption for yeshiva students.

During the meeting, Rav Landau told Rav Salim, “There must be unity from everyone under one policy.”

This call for solidarity reflects growing frustration in the chareidi sector over the government’s inaction and concerns about emerging terms that could include punitive sanctions.

According to political analyst Yishai Cohen, the meeting’s purpose was to strengthen coordination between Yahadus HaTorah and Shas in preparation for a joint campaign to pass a version of the draft law that aligns with Torah values.

Matzav.com has learned that the content of this meeting was closely aligned with a separate discussion held earlier in the day between Rav Landau’s circle and the court of the Gerrer Rebbe. Both reportedly reached a mutual understanding: the new draft law must not include any sanctions—particularly personal ones—and should resemble the law as it stood previously, without a requirement that 50% of each age cohort enlist.

Both rabbinic circles agreed that this will be the official stance of Degel HaTorah and Agudas Yisrael, and that Shas will be brought into alignment as well. Rav Landau’s visit to Rav Salim’s home was described as the final step in cementing a cohesive chareidi policy ahead of the anticipated legislative storm.

The backdrop to this meeting includes a previous summit held about a month ago between Rav Landau and the Gerrer Rebbe, where the foundations for this unified position were laid.

At the core of the current discussions is a firm demand that any future draft law replicate the format used under the previous government, without any personal sanctions and without a 50% enlistment quota from each draft class.

{Matzav.com Israel}

YWN regrets to inform you of the tragic petirah of Rabbi Menachem (Mendy) Raitport z”l, who was niftar on Tuesday in a devastating car accident while traveling on I-95 in Georgia. He was just 57 years old. Rabbi Raitport, a longtime resident of Crown Heights, was returning home from Florida with one of his sons when the accident occurred. Miraculously, his son escaped serious injury. Born, raised, and educated in Brooklyn, Rabbi Raitport was a respected figure in the Lubavitch community, known not only for his yiras Shamayim and devotion to Torah and mitzvos, but also for his deep expertise in halacha, especially in the intricate laws of shechita. For many years, he operated a butcher shop on Kingston Avenue, providing kosher meat to the kehilla with the utmost standards of kashrus and care. Beyond his professional pursuits, Rabbi Raitport was deeply devoted to community service. A proud father and grandfather, he invested tremendous energy into helping others—whether through his work as an EMT, his role in community emergency response, or his frequent involvement in acts of quiet chesed. He was never one to seek honor or recognition, but those who knew him could attest to his unwavering sense of responsibility to his fellow Yid. He also brought that same passion to the public sphere, running for public office multiple times under the Conservative Party banner, determined to be a voice for values, integrity, and the needs of the local community. His campaigns were fueled not by politics, but by a sincere belief that the Torah perspective belonged in the halls of power, advocating for better education, safer neighborhoods, and fairer treatment of small businesses and families. Rabbi Raitport came from a family steeped in chesed. His parents, Rabbi and Mrs. Y. Raitport, were known for their activism and generosity in both local and international Jewish causes. This spirit of service ran deep in Rabbi Menachem’s veins. His sister is married to Rabbi Moshe Rotberg, mara d’asra of Khal Zichron Yechezkel in Toms River, New Jersey. He is survived by his devoted wife, children, grandchildren, siblings, and countless friends and community members who are heartbroken by this sudden loss. Baruch Dayan Ha’Emes. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

As economic uncertainty deepens worldwide, gold prices have notched more and more record highs. That’s because gold sales can rise sharply when anxious investors seek “safe havens” for parking their money. Gold’s current rally arrives as U.S. President Donald Trump continues to announce new tariffs on economic allies and foes alike, roiling financial markets into volatility and threatening to reignite inflation for families and businesses alike. On Tuesday, the International Monetary Fund said that outlooks for economies worldwide, including the U.S., have significantly worsened in the wake of Trump’s sweeping tariffs and the uncertainty they have created. And Trump’s recent threats suggesting he can remove Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell have only put investors more on edge. If trends continue, analysts say the price of gold could continue to climb into unprecedented territory. Here’s what to know. What’s the price of gold today? The going price for New York spot gold hit a record $3,424.24 per troy ounce — the standard for measuring precious metals — as of close Monday. That’s about $1,097 higher than a year ago. The price of spot gold is up more than 30% since the start of 2025, per the data firm FactSet. By contrast, the stock market has tumbled. The benchmark S&P 500 is down over 12% this year. Gold futures also reached a record early Tuesday, briefly surpassing the $3,500 mark for the first time before falling back below $3,400 by late afternoon. Why is the price of gold going up? A lot of it boils down to uncertainty. Interest in buying gold typically spikes when investors become anxious — and there’s been a lot of economic turmoil in recent months. The heaviest uncertainty lies with Trump’s escalating trade wars. The president’s on-again, off-again new levy announcements and retaliatory tariffs from some of the nation’s closest traditional allies have created a sense of whiplash for both businesses and consumers — who economists say will foot the bill through higher prices. Consumer confidence and global economic outlooks have deteriorated as a result. On Tuesday, the IMF said that the global economy will grow just 2.8% this year, down from its forecast in January of 3.3%. And for the U.S. specifically, the fund expects growth will come in at just 1.8% this year, down sharply from its previous forecast of 2.7%. China, which currently faces the heaviest levies from the U.S., is also expected to see weakened growth. Last week, Trump also renewed threats suggesting he could remove Powell — and has since stepped up his public criticism of the Fed chair for not cutting interest rates. Any attempt to unseat Powell would likely set off a crisis in global financial markets over fears that a less independent Fed could struggle to keep inflation under control — making investors all the more anxious. Over the last year, analysts have also pointed to strong gold demand from central banks around the world amid other ongoing geopolitical tensions, including the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. Is gold worth the investment? Advocates of investing in gold call it a “safe haven” — arguing the commodity can serve to diversify and balance your investment portfolio, as well as mitigate possible risks down the road. Some also take comfort in buying something tangible that has the potential to increase in value over time. Still, experts caution against putting all your eggs in one basket. And not everyone agrees gold is a good investment. […]

Mahmoud Abbas, leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Fatah, chaired a meeting of the Fatah Central Committee in Ramallah on Tuesday, which discussed, among other issues, the situation in the Gaza Strip.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Fatah Central Committee warned of “the dangerous plans of the occupation to reoccupy the Gaza Strip and divide it to force our people to emigrate.”

The statement from Fatah emphasized that such a move is rejected by Palestinians, Arabs, and the international community, and will not succeed due to the steadfastness and attachment of the Palestinian people to their land and homeland.

The Central Committee called on the international community, particularly the UN Security Council, to take responsibility and compel “the occupying state” to halt the “war of extermination” it is waging in the Gaza Strip, as well as the dangerous attacks by “occupation forces and terrorist settlers” in Judea and Samaria.

 

In an implicit criticism of Hamas, the Central Committee noted that the “occupation” must not be given pretexts to continue the war and “aggression” that has claimed the lives of thousands of Palestinian Arabs, urging adherence to the foundational principles of PLO policy.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Israel Police announced Wednesday afternoon that the remains found in the sea on Tuesday off the coast of Hadera belonged to Barak Tzach, z’l, who was killed by sharks on Monday. Tzach, z’l, a resident of Petach Tikva, is survived by his wife and four children. His wife, Sarit, announced his death in a Facebook post, in which she also addressed the rumors surrounding the deadly incident. “With deep sorrow and pain that has no words, we announce the death of my husband and our father, Barak Tzach,” she wrote. “I want to put an end to the rumors that are spreading about the circumstances of his death and tell the truth. On the day of his death, Barak arrived at the beach after a day’s work, as he often did. He entered the sea equipped with a snorkel, mask, fins, and a GoPro camera – without anything else, and certainly not with fish or bait, contrary to the rumors that have spread. Barak went into the water to dive and photograph sharks, not to feed or play with them.” “In a conversation I had with a fisherman who witnessed the event, I was told that he swam near the sharks and later moved a little further towards a more open area. He photographed the sharks from a distance but did not touch or feed them. When they started getting too close to him, he used the GoPro camera stick to gently push them away. The fisherman called him to return to shore, and Barak began to swim slowly towards him – and then he was attacked. The family asks to refrain from spreading false or unfounded information, and to respect the memory of a beloved person who loved the sea and nature.” Tzach served in the reserves in Battalion 8207 in the Northern Nachal Brigade (228). His army friends released a statement following his death: “The 8207 family announces with great sadness the untimely death of Barak Tzach following the shark attack earlier this week off the coast of Hadera. Barak served in the battalion since 1999, was a dear man, beloved, and we will miss him very much. The battalion is here for his family and will continue to accompany them all the way. Details about the funeral will be announced later.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Elon Musk informed Tesla shareholders on Tuesday that he plans to substantially reduce the amount of time he spends working on federal government matters starting next month, allowing him to refocus on his role at Tesla.

“Starting next month, I will be allocating far more of my time to Tesla,” the CEO said during Tesla’s earnings call, as reported by Business Insider.

He explained that much of the foundational work for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative has already been completed, and therefore his involvement in President Trump’s government streamlining project will decrease significantly beginning in May.

Musk, who is 53 years old, mentioned that he would still be open to contributing a day or two each week to the government’s efforts “as long as it is useful,” provided that President Trump agrees.

It was widely anticipated that Musk would wrap up his tenure at DOGE by the end of May, coinciding with the expiration of his designation as a special government employee (SGE).

According to federal guidelines, SGEs are permitted to work no more than 130 days in a calendar year, placing Musk’s final day in government service on May 30, marking the conclusion of his role in DOGE.

Earlier this month, President Trump expressed his desire for Musk to remain involved in his administration for as long as possible, while also recognizing that Musk has significant business responsibilities that may demand more of his attention.

“We’re in no rush, but there will be a point in time in which Elon’s going to have to leave,” Trump said on April 3. He added that Musk has “a number of companies to run.”

The president didn’t set a firm deadline for Musk’s departure from his role in the administration, but he estimated that it would likely take place “in a few months.”

Trump emphasized that the door remains open, saying that Musk is welcome to stay “as long as he likes.”

Meanwhile, Tesla has experienced a 71% year-over-year decline in quarterly net profit, a downturn discussed during the earnings call. The company has also been targeted by acts of arson and vandalism, attacks Musk attributed to backlash over his collaboration with the Trump administration.

“I think a great wrong is being done to the people of Tesla and to our customers,” Musk said in an interview last month with Fox News anchor Bret Baier on Special Report.

“I mean, Tesla’s a peaceful company that has made great cars, great products — that’s all it’s done,” he said. “It hasn’t harmed anyone, and yet, people are committing violence.”

{Matzav.com}

An intense heatwave and strong winds in Israel on Wednesday led to multiple wildfires breaking out, with two major fires erupting near Highway 6 and near the moshav of Tarum, near Beit Shemesh. Af firefighting teams battled the flames, police stopped traffic on parts of Highway 6 after a large fire broke out between the yishuvim of Petachya and Pedaya. Train services in the area were also halted as the fire approached the train tracks. Some drivers were forced to flee their vehicles to escape the fire. A police vehicle caught fire, but Baruch Hashem, there were no casualties. The police evacuated residents of Pedaya and are preparing to evacuate additional yishuvim. Later, the fire also spread in the Kfar Menachem area near Kiryat Malachi, and train traffic was also stopped between Lod and Be’er Sheva. At the same time, a serious forest fire also developed at the entrance to Moshav Tarum, north of Beit Shemesh. Security forces began evacuating the yishuvim of Eshtaol and Mesilat Tzion near Beit Shemesh, and Highway 44 was blocked. Police have closed traffic from Beit Shemesh to Jerusalem on Route 38. Dozens of firefighting teams are fighting the flames in multiple arenas. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

A federal judge agreed Tuesday to block the Trump administration from dismantling Voice of America, the 83-year-old international news service created by Congress. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ruled that the administration illegally required Voice of America to cease operations for the first time since its World War II-era inception. Attorneys for Voice of America employees and contractors asked the judge to restore its ability to broadcast at the same level before President Donald Trump moved to slash its funding. Lamberth mostly agreed, ordering the administration to restore Voice of America and two of the independent broadcast networks operated by the U.S. Agency for Global Media — Radio Free Asia and Middle East Broadcasting Networks — until the lawsuits are settled. The judge denied the request for two other independent networks, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Open Technology Fund. In a March 26 court filing, plaintiffs’ attorneys said nearly all 1,300 of Voice of America’s employees were placed on administrative leave, while 500 contractors were told that their contracts would be terminated at the end of last month. The U.S. Agency for Global Media, which runs Voice of America, has operated other broadcast outlets, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia and Radio Free Afghanistan. Congress has appropriated nearly $860 million for the Agency for Global Media for the current fiscal year. Voice of America went dark soon after Trump issued an executive order on March 14 that pared funding to the Agency for Global Media and six other unrelated federal entities. It also moved to terminate VOA contracts with news agencies, including The Associated Press. Voice of America has operated since World War II, beaming news into authoritarian countries that don’t have a free press. It began as a counterpoint to Nazi propaganda and played a prominent role in the U.S. government’s Cold War efforts to curb the spread of communism. Trump and his Republican allies have accused Voice of America of having a “leftist bias” and failing to project “pro-American” values to its audience. Plaintiffs’ attorneys say it reports and broadcasts the news “truthfully, impartially, and objectively.” “That simple mission is a powerful one for those living across the globe without access to a free press and without the ability to otherwise discern what is truly happening,” they wrote. Government attorneys argued that the plaintiffs failed to show how they have been irreparably harmed. “Rather, Plaintiffs take aim at what is best described as a temporary pause on its activities while Global Media determines how to bring Voice of America into compliance with the President’s directive,” they wrote. The Agency for Global Media’s leadership includes special adviser Kari Lake, a former TV news anchor and political candidate. In his written ruling, Lamberth noted that the U.S. Agency for Global Media never finalized its grant agreement with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty for the current fiscal year, and the Open Technology Fund withdrew its legal request for a temporary restraining order earlier this year. Radio Free Asia and Middle East Broadcasting Networks do have current grant agreements in place, and like Voice of America, are funded by Congressional appropriations. Lamberth said the funding cuts “reflect a hasty, indiscriminate approach” — particularly since they were made the same day that President Trump signed the congressional appropriation that funded Voice of […]

Two young children—whose father left the derech—are left with a struggling mother, unable to care for them alone. Rabbi Eliezer Turk shlit”a calls them “orphans in their father’s lifetime”, warning of emotional and spiritual danger without urgent help. The Rav stresses: “The issue is financial—educational costs are enormous, and the Rabbanim say it borders on pikuach nefesh.” He asks: “Whoever can, should give 340 shekels—the gematria of ‘nefesh’—and help save these souls.” Rabbi Turk offers a heartfelt blessing: “All who help should merit only tov and chessed, and see their heart’s desires fulfilled for good.” To donate click here

Elkana Federman, the chief of security at the Nova music festival, who was wounded in the October 7 massacre, filed a complaint on Tuesday with the Moriah District Police in Jerusalem against ousted Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, who has refused to leave his position even after the government unanimously voted to dismiss him. In the complaint, Federman stated that Bar knew in advance about Hamas’s plan but did not act to prevent it, thereby abetting the murder of his fellow security guards and the wounds he himself incurred during the massacre. On Monday, Bar submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court in which he implicated himself, admitting that he was aware that something terrible was happening at the Gaza border the night before the massacre, but did not wake up Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu or alert the IDF. Netanyahu’s office responded to the affidavit by stating that if Bar had alerted the prime minister or the defense minister in time, “the massacre could have been prevented. Federman stated at the police station: “I filed a complaint against the criminal Ronen Bar, who is responsible for the October 7 failure which led to the murder of my friends at Nova. Because of him, I was wounded and almost killed multiple times. I demand that this criminal be brought to justice now.” When the massacre occurred at the party, Federman acted heroically, saving lives by evacuating injured victims to ambulances and even fighting the terrorists, killing 15 of them with an M16 an injured soldier gave him and later with a handgun he took from a murdered police officer. Eventually, he was shot in his thigh and he ran for his life while terrorists shot at him from all directions. He reached some bushes, where he hid for almost eight hours after applying a tourniquet to his wound with his belt to stem the bleeding. He was eventually rescued and evacuated to the hospital. Federman told Channel 14 last year that he received a warning from a friend in the army a week before October 7th that “something was going to happen on Sukkos.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

The H-1B visa has long been a highly coveted employment visa for foreign citizens with specialized skills to live and work in the U.S., and recent requests from the Trump administration have put greater attention on the program. The requests for more information from people applying for or renewing H-1B visas come amid heightened tensions over immigration as President Donald Trump seeks to make good on his vow of mass deportations of people in the country illegally. Much of Trump’s agenda has been focused on arresting people in the country illegally or reversing Biden-era temporary deportation protections. There has been less attention on employment-based visas or other parts of the legal immigration system — though more than 1,000 international students have had their visas or legal status revoked. The requests for information come as the H-1B visa program is already a source of division within Trump’s Republican Party. Here’s a look at what the H-1B visa program is, what critics and supporters say about it, and how the administration’s recent questions have raised concerns. What is an H-1B visa? The H-1B was created as part of the 1990 Immigration Act. It is a type of nonimmigrant visa, meaning it allows for a temporary stay in the U.S. and is not intended for people who want to immigrate permanently. Some eventually do, but only after transitioning to different immigration statuses. An H-1B allows employers to hire foreign workers who have specialized skills and a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Who uses H-1B visas? The visa is most commonly associated with the tech industry. About 60% or more of the H-1B visas approved every year since 2012 have been for computer-related jobs, according to the Pew Research Center. But health care facilities, financial institutions, universities and just about any other employer looking to address workforce shortages can and do apply for H-1B visas. The number of new visas issued annually has been capped at 65,000, plus an additional 20,000 for people with a master’s degree or higher. Some employers, such as universities and nonprofits, are exempt from the limits. People from India are by far the biggest users of these visas, according to Pew. The organization said that since 2010, the majority of approvals every year have gone to people born in India. What makes the H-1B program controversial? The idea behind the H-1B visa is that it allows employers to hire from abroad for jobs that they haven’t been able to fill in the U.S. Proponents say the visa is a critical tool for hard-to-fill positions. But critics on both sides of the aisle have said that it undercuts U.S. citizens who could take those jobs. Some on the right have called for the program to be eliminated. And earlier this year, Bernie Sanders, an independent senator from Vermont, wrote a scathing open letter saying the program’s real purpose was to “replace American workers with lower-paid workers from abroad who often live as indentured servants.” The debate over the future of H-1B visas is especially pronounced within the GOP. On one side are wealthy members of the tech world who support the visas to help bring in more highly skilled workers. On the other side are people of Trump’s Make America Great Again base who championed his immigration policies and say these visas allow employers to pay foreigners lower wages than if they hired Americans. […]

Finance Minister Betzalel Smotich on Wednesday morning made comments threatening to bring down the government over the resumption of unsupervised humanitarian aid into Gaza and the lack of progress in the war in Gaza. Smotrich’s comments were made in response to reports on Wednesday morning revealing angry remarks Smotrich made to IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir during a security cabinet meeting on Tuesday evening. During the meeting, Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said that Israel will be forced to resume the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza within two weeks. However, he added that, unlike the past, the aid will not reach Hamas as it will be distributed by IDF soldiers or US companies. Zamir responded by saying that “IDF soldiers will not distribute humanitarian aid and we will not starve Gaza.” Smotrich erupted at Zamir, telling him that he is responsible for carrying out the decision of the political echelon and if he doesn’t, someone else will be brought in to do so. Smotrich responded to the reports on Wednesday morning, clarifying that his anger was really directed at Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu rather than Zamir. “Managing the civilian efforts in Gaza in a way that does not reach the hands of Hamas was and remains the most critical component for defeating Hamas and winning the war,” Smotrich stated. “This is a vital part of the war effort and is much more important than another IDF division and more military actions. Without internalizing and acting on this, we will not be able to win.” Smotrich added that he has been “shouting this for a year and a half,” and at his request, the IDF received an explicit directive regarding its responsibility for overseeing humanitarian aid in Gaza before the most recent hostage deal was signed. “I have no complaints against the IDF Chief of Staff,” he clarified. “My criticism is of the prime minister, who does not enforce the implementation of the political echelon’s policies on the IDF. The entry of logistical aid that reaches Hamas is a step that I will not be a part of. Period!” he threatened. “The ultimate responsibility for this lies with Prime Minister Netanyahu,” he asserted. “Launch a campaign to defeat Hamas, conquer Gaza, and establish a temporary military government until another solution is found. Return the hostages and launch the Trump plan—or this government has no right to exist.” During the cabinet meeting on Tuesday evening, Smotrich told Zamir: “The IDF doesn’t choose its missions, and whoever doesn’t know how to handle missions can go home.” “We have informed you that you need to prepare for this [distribution of aid]. We will decide the goal, and you’ll decide how to execute it. If you aren’t capable of doing it, we’ll find someone else who is capable.” Ministers present at the discussion asked Smotrich to lower his tone and not to shout. Smotrich continued, telling Zamir, “We decided that no aid will reach Hamas. I don’t care how it’s accomplished. If you don’t know how to accomplish this, then tell that to the political echelon. In a democracy, the army doesn’t choose its missions. You can’t stand here and tell us: ‘I won’t do it.’ Only the political echelon decides what the mission is.” Smotrich also slammed Zamir for the lack of progress […]

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